To that, McGonagall responded with a smile. It really<span style="font-style: italic">was</span>good to see Draco Malfoy. The young man had excelled in every task she had given him, and she only found that he flourished having finally out grown a full generation of students. The first few years Draco had taught, the 6th and 7th year students that had attended their first years at Hogwarts during the peak of the Second War. That had inevitably caused tension between her and some select few parents, but, sitting here, McGonagall once again felt validated in her choice of keeping Draco on.<br/>She knew Malfoy knew this. She had grown too fond of him for it to not transparently show in the way she addressed him; therefore, she also felt certain Malfoy knew where this conversation was heading - at least in part.<br/>She took a sip of her tea.<br/>There was no reason to delay it, especially when they both clearly felt certain Malfoy was the only true candidate for the promotion. "As I am sure you know, we are reconfiguring our staff going into this year."<br/>With this, she leaned forward only long and far enough to put both cup and saucer onto the table; when she leaned back, she had folded her hands over her lap. "Professor Wilkner will not return this year, and I am sure you are aware of the fact that professor Livingstone is stepping down as Head of Slytherin. She will stay on teaching this year, but hopes to retire by the next summer, and I have no intention of preventing her of doing so."<br/>McGonagall paused; not necessarily to let Malfoy speak, but more to give herself a change to read his expression. So far, she hadn't said anything Malfoy didn't already know, or could have figured out by simply talking to his coworkers. "I would like for you to replace her as Head of Slytherin."<br/>Not having really considered Malfoy to interject, McGonagall elaborated on her decision. "Over the course of the next year that amounts to a new Transfiguration professors, and - Merlin forbid - two new Defence professors. I need to utilize our senior staff to best accommodate these inevitable changes, and I believe you are the best candidate for this position."