Silence dominated the empty halls, as the lack of students and teachers awake was felt in the atmosphere. Even Hogwarts most famous residents the ghosts were not present roaming the corridors.
The only signs of life present within the entire castle came from the dorms and from the central tower. This was where the headmaster/headmistress's office was located. After months of hard work contributed by the witches and wizards of the wizarding community, Hogwarts was now rebuilt and looking once more as majestic as ever.
All students were asleep in their beds unlike the teachers who gathered from across the castle, all heading for the same destination.
Throughout generations of headmaster's and headmistresses the office rarely changed. Many claimed that since Albus Dumbledore's death, Hogwarts now lacked the spark of magic that had graced the school since he was appointed headmaster and many felt that Minerva McGonagall had some great and large shoes to fill.
Headmistress Minerva McGonagall took her place at the head of a large circular mahogany table she had transfigured moments before. Behind her hung the large portrait of the late Headmaster; Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, who gave her a smile in encouragement. This act did little to improve her mood and outlook of the pending staff meeting, in fact it caused professor McGonagall's frown to deepen.
"Now, now Minerva must you take this so to heart? I merely put forward the suggestion as a last resort. I never dreamed the circumstances this solution required would actually occur. Neither I nor Minister Wesley was given the opportunity to vote no on the implication of this movement. Even if we were given this opportunity we would have been greatly out voted." Dumbledore beseeched for her understanding.
"Regardless Albus at the start of this year, I was charged with the responsibility to help heal our students of the wounds both emotional and physical caused by the war. This responsibility I accepted with great honor. I was explicably told this solution would never be put into effect. I promised to tell my students, every single one. Nothing but the truth.
Now I feel as though I have lied to them. That I have failed to procure the best for each and every one. They are but children themselves Albus. Children who have already been forced to grown up so quickly. How can the ministry officials ask … No demand this of them? When thanks to our mistakes they have already lost so much." Minerva ranted as her cheeks bloomed red in anger.
"You are right Minerva, of course you are. But the war demanded sacrifices from everyone. And although the war is won, the consequences for its conception still persist to delay progress. You accepted the post of Headmistress of Hogwarts and now you must do what may not be considered for the best of the individual students but the wizarding community at large." Albus replied passionately.
"I know Albus; I just hope that they will find it in their hearts to forgive me." Professor McGonagall whispered as she straightened her stance and cleared her throat.
Moments after the conversation came to an end the first professors began to arrive. First to arrive was Professor Severus Snape who was feared dead by Lord Voldemort's hands. But thanks to one of Hogwarts brightest students, he was discovered severely wounded.
Minerva smiled as she recalled the apparition of Hermione Granger into her office levitating Severus who had lost a large amount of blood. A laugh of mirth escaped her lips as she meet Severus's gaze as she remembered his shock at the discovery of who his rescuer was.
He was quickly followed by professor Sprout, Binns, Flitwick; even Remus Lupin had taken up the post of Defense Against The Dark Arts. Several minutes later they were followed by Madame Pomfrey and Madame Prince, Professor Vector of Arithmancy and even Hagrid arrived before being considered late. Only one professor remained absent and was defiantly late. Professor Sybill Trelawney.
Minerva McGonagall shook her head and glanced skywards. With a swish of her wand, she sent a message to Filch to fetch Sybill as the present professors grew restless. Less than five minutes later, the door swung open to admit Filch gripping Sybill's upper arm as she looked around confused and frightened.
"Now now, Sybill come along you're late for the staff meeting." Minerva exclaimed forcing a smile to her features. "Staff meeting … what staff? …" she trailed off and began again slowly as she recalled. "Oh yes … of course how silly of me, it just slipped my mind." Sybill explanation dwindled to a murmur as she took her place among the other professors.
Taking a moment to gather her thoughts Minerva stood silent for several moments. "The decision was passed early this morning the law written in magic, the preparations you have put into place within the L.L.W class will be invaluable in the coming weeks -"
Minerva was interrupted. "Oh no, you can't possibly mean … they're but children themselves. How can they … how dare they… the ministers … they're children are grown, how are they to decide for this generation-" Madame Pomfrey ranted.
"Now Poppy, you mustn't upset yourself. The Wizengamot have made a decision, one that is now inevitable if we are to continue the wizarding tradition and pass on the magic that has graced us since Merlin's time. We feared that this day would come and we have made sure that the best will be gained under these trying circumstances. All mail has been blocked from the school until tomorrow evening. At breakfast I will ask the sixth and seventh years to remain behind and I will disclose all details concerning the pending change that swiftly approaches them. Partners will be revealed at breakfast. I must warn you to expect some very volatile reactions. Some of anger, some of fear and even confusion." Minerva paused.
"Poppy you will administer the procedure to all selected, from the announcement at breakfast and finish previously to the meeting before dinner. Before I call this meeting to a close, I will disclose to you the approved selection to be used concerning the pairing. And No Severus, you're application for individual head of houses to pick pairs has been denied. All forms that have been completed concerning the Learning for Life & Work Preparation classes will be placed into the sorting hat before hand. He will in turn reveal those who are best suited to one another."
"I pray our students will, at sometime in their lives reach an understanding of these, drastic actions." Minerva finished solemnly as the Professors, still shocked silently rose from their places.