April - 1997
It was a cool morning in the middle of April when an unfamiliar owl flew into the Great Hall. In its claws was a large envelope, magnolia in colour and official looking in nature. The bird flew over the house tables and landed elegantly on the top table at the front of the room. It plucked the letter from its claws with its beak and handed it to Dumbledore. Harry nudged Ron and Hermione, indicating the events that were unfolding before them. As Dumbledore opened the letter with a well-practiced hand, a hush fell over the Great Hall. Even the conversations held by the other teachers came to a halt. Dumbledore placed his fork down on his plate, reached into his pocket and paid the owl. It screeched gratefully before launching into the air. Only after the owl had left the Great Hall did he unfurl the parchment and read it. He then handed it to Professor McGonagall, who sat to his left, who in turn read it, and passed it to Professor Sprout. Her hand was shaking slightly and her lips had thinned, not a good sign. The letter made its way along the top table, its effect unmistakeable. Every teacher sat there had paled, Flitwick was visibly trembling and even Snape looked ill. Harry turned to Hermione, "This can't be good." She nodded but said nothing as Dumbledore arose and made his way to the front of the raised dais the top table resided on. Murmuring filled the hall but was silenced when he raised his hands
"Students, there is no need for alarm," he said. Everyone turned their focus towards him, including those sat at the top table, "We have received a notification that I have anticipated for a few weeks now.
"Hogwarts has been due an inspection from the Ministry for some time and that letter informs us that they will be arriving at three o clock this afternoon. The Official Visitors Surveying Tutoring and Educational Distinction have announced their intentions and we now have six hours to spend getting everything in order for their arrival." he explained. "I have already prepared a list of jobs that need completing. Each of you has been assigned something to do. As such, classes will be suspended to prepare for the next few days."
Ron exchanged a blank glance with Harry, who just shrugged; he didn't know what it meant either. Hermione raised her hand, she wasn't the only one with her hand in the air either, there were several Ravenclaw's and a couple of Hufflepuff's with questions of their own. "I know you are bound to have questions, however, I shall leave your heads of house to answer them. Please, finish your breakfasts and head back to your common rooms, your questions will be answered there. We have a lot to do today." Dumbledore said before returning to his table. The teachers all huddled around him, chattering nervously.
"I don't like this," Hermione said pushing the last of her scrambled eggs around her plate.
"I've never seen the teachers looking so… worried," Harry said. He pushed his plate away, his appetite suddenly deserting him, "Let's go back, Professor McGonagall will be able to tell us more." With that, his companions stood. Ron stuffed his pockets with a couple of rolls, just in case, and they left the Great Hall.