Students? No, that's not the word either. Is it? Strange looks a little confused as McGonagall mentions her students and his brain tries to suggest what the word might be. The confusion fades a moment later when she smiles: he matches her smile with a shaky one of his own. The reassurance is what matters.

He reaches over to McGonagall's hand and gives it a little bit of a squeeze, something that he hopes can convey what he's feeling: thank you.