McGonagall couldn't blame Malfoy for being hesitant; Harry Potter teaching at Hogwarts - Defense Against the Dark Arts, none the less - was bound to stir up the tentative routine the teachers had fallen into over the last several years. While McGonagall whole-heartedly trusted Potter, she wasn't certain how reliable an educator he would turn out to be. She was, however, at her wits end trying to find an alternative.<br/>"Of course, professor," she answered, finally offering Malfoy the first, undeniable smile of the exchange. "I wanted the Heads of Houses to be the first to know."<br/>Though both her smile and words were genuine, the comment was undeniably an attempt to soften the blow of the news. Malfoy had tensed up over the course of the exchange, and McGonagall wanted to remind him of both his accomplishments and promotion. She was, however, not one to linger on tender exchanges.<br/>With a more formal approach, she straightened her posture, wrists resting against the edge of the tabletop. "With the way things tend to go our Defense professors, I don't expect Potter to be with us more than the year. I don't think he would have accepted the position had it been more than a school year. He is doing this as a personal favour to me."