Learning New Lessons
By: Shadowboltz (formerly The Head Admiral)
A/N: Ok, I'm back for another shot after a few years of taking a break with a new Harry Potter story! Enjoy and please review at the end!
Oh.. and I don't own Harry Potter!
Chapter 1: McGonagall's Retirement
There was a tense aura in the air surrounding Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The grounds were stone silent and the skies were gray. It was as if nature itself knew the sadness that was about to reach the inhabitants of the famous wizarding institution.
The students sat in anticipation of the Headmistress' arrival as a sudden school wide gathering had been announced during one chilly October day. The teachers sat restlessly at the head table in the front as they too were curious as to why the Headmistress had called an assembly. There was a low rumble of conversation in the Great Hall as teachers and students alike leaned in close to each other to share their hypotheses of the announcement.
Ron Weasley, Professor and Head of the Charms department was one of the few who simply sat in silence. As he looked around the Great Hall, newly renovated after the Battle of Hogwarts almost 10 years ago, he tried to think of the numerous "special assemblies" that were held in the magnificent room:
Second year- the chamber of secrets being opened
Third year- Sirius Black hysteria
Fourth year- the death of Cedric Diggory
Fifth year- Dumbledore being replaced by Umbridge
Sixth year- Dumbledore's funeral.
With the numerous special assemblies held in his time as a student at Hogwarts, Ron couldn't help but feel trepidation at the impending news.
Lost in his thoughts, Ron hardly noticed the sudden hush that swept over the room as the giant doors of the Great Hall opened silently. Headmistress Minerva McGonagall slowly walked in to the hall, her years old limp now very noticeable. With the passing of each year, the limp the elderly professor developed during the final battle became more and more pronounced. Ron sometimes felt a sense of depression and sadness as he watched the Professor McGonagall from his school days, strong and capable; slowly fade away into the elderly Headmistress he knew now.
As the Scottish Headmistress made her way to the ornate podium at the front of the grand room, the tension of the room continued to increase. The only sound that seemed to be in the room was the intermittent clank of the professor's cane made contact with the stone floor. Professor Weasley sat up straight as the moment of truth had arrived.
Headmistress McGonagall looked at the youthful faces of her students, all containing a look of nervousness or curiosity. She gave a sad sort of smile as she leaned heavily on the golden, owl shaped podium.
"Good evening" Professor McGonagall started, quickly replaying her prepared speech in her mind. "Throughout the history of this magnificent school, there have been numerous notable wizards and witches that have entered and exited its doors as students: Mungo Bonham- founder of Saint Mungos, Newt Scamander- Author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them to Harry Potter- Celebrated Auror, war-hero and the Boy who lived." The last name earned McGonagall a series of low yet excited murmurs along with raised eyebrows and slight smiles from numerous faculty members.
"Furthermore…" McGonagall continued, regaining the silence of the hall "there have been numerous Headmasters and Headmistresses to oversee the education their education: Quintin Trimble, Armando Dippet, Albus Dumbledore to name a few. Each leader of this school have contributed to Hogwarts in a momentous way before departing in one way or another."
Ron felt his heart drop into the pit of his stomach at this. While never being the most perceptive bloke in existence, Ron had no problem finally realizing where the Headmistress was going with her speech. As Ron looked up and down the faculty table, he could see the look of understanding dawn on the faces of the other professors. Amung them, Neville Longbottom, Herbology professor and Deputy Headmaster, slowly sat his goblet of water down in suppressed shock and hope of being wrong of what he assumed and Hermione Granger, Tranfiguration Professor and Gryffindor Head of House, began to wipe at the tears starting to form in her eyes.
"For 10 years now, I have overseen the rebuilding and renovation of this school after the Great Battle of Hogwarts as the latest Headmistress of this school. This school has been through a lot and it's been a honor to ensure the continued success of the school." At this, McGonagall took a pause as she gathered her thoughts.
She felt the pressure of suppressed emotion build up in her chest as a lone tear slid down her aged cheek. The Headmistress looked up from her wrinkled hands to gaze at the student body for the first time since her speech began, and met looks of understanding and sadness as the students finally realized what the teachers realized just a few moments prior.
"The students of this school deserve the best that the magical world can offer as you are all our future. You deserve the best educators that we can provide and you deserve a Head that has the amount of energy and drive needed to continue the school's success: energy I feel that I can no longer provide…"
At this, everyone in the hall braced themselves for that final blow to the school's morale.
"It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement as Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry effective immediately" McGonagall finished and at last, she finally let the tears of sadness and release finally fall.
OOOO... I wonder who the new Headmaster/Headmistress is going to be :) If you wonder too, stay turned for the next chapter
Please Read and Review! Let me know how I'm doing?