Chapter 3

Gazing toward the students, his heart leapt out to them. Each of them had their own hopes and dreams. Some of them would succeed and some would fail. He knew that. But he also knew that life was difficult. Sometimes giving up what you love is necessary especially in times of war. He glanced back over to Professor Snape who continued to speak to him even though he was no longer listening. The children who sat at these tables were so innocent. Their hearts were as big as giants and as light as feathers. Too bad very few of them would be able to survive after the upcoming battle between good and evil. If Voldemort had his way, no one was safe. First he would take out the muggles, then the mudbloods, and then finally the purebloods that displeased him.

Letting out a sigh, he stroked his long white beard. Oh how long ago it seemed that he was standing in their shoes: hopeful of the future and as kindhearted as one could be. The silly lives of the teenagers where the biggest problem was asking a girl out or studying for a test. But the world was changing, and there was no one who could stop it. After all, life is about change. From birth to death, change is all that occurs. Growing older, people exiting and entering your own life, this is what life is about: change.

"Do you agree with me, Albus?" Severus asked in a hushed tone. "Will we need to teach him occulmancy this year?"

Albus turned toward him, finally being shocked out of his previous thoughts. "I think everyone should learn the subject, but many will use it to figure out how to control others. I don't think teaching the students this will be in our best interest." Taking a bite out of his morning waffles, he savored the taste. The day that food stopped tasting good would be the day that the world would spin backwards around the sun.

"But the dark lord's followers all know occulmancy. Shouldn't we be teaching the kids how to survive the war?" Severus took an apple from the center of the table and threw it back and forth between his hands.

With a sigh, Albus tiredly replied, "If only we knew that they would not turn against us. It's all politics now. The students will follow their parents most likely." Severus took a bite out of his apple while Albus continued, "The ones from Slytherin will most likely follow Voldemort when the time comes to choose. And we can't have the other houses learn it and not teach the Slytherins. It's safer for us to just let the children learn by themselves."

"But then the playing field won't be even. The ones who follow the dark lord will know how to control others, and everyone else will just be free targets," Severus whispered, making sure no one else heard him but Albus.

Albus' eyes no longer sparkled. He was too tired from the war and from trying to keep the children as safe as possible. He had spent most of last night working on protecting the castle from outsiders. Unfortunately he had fallen asleep close to midnight and woke back up around three in the morning to finish the protection spells. "Are you telling me that we should also teach the students the unforgivable curses as well? I refuse to stoop as low as to fight fire with fire. It will not work to our advantage in the end." Severus lowered his eyes. He certainly hadn't thought of it like that. But as a teacher, his main concern was the safety of the students. Without the students, he would have no one to rag on and no one to teach and he loved both of those things. Albus broke him from his thoughts with his next words. "It's time to announce the Head Boys and Girls for this year. Would you do me the favour of explaining to them in the back room the roles that they will play?"

Severus nodded his head in recognition of Albus' request. A moment later, Albus stood up and walked over to the eagle podium. "Attention!" His voice echoed off the walls of the Great Hall. Students' heads turned and silence ensued. "Thank you. Now I'd like to announce the Heads for this school year. When I call your name, please come up here. I will give you further directions in a moment or two. For the junior head girl, I have chosen: Ginny Weasley!"

Ginny who had gone with Harry to retrieve her backpack from Gryffindor Tower arrived back in the Great Hall just as Professor Dumbledore called her name. "Oh my god!" Ginny screeched as she gave Harry a huge hug and a quick peck on the lips before bouncing toward the front of the Great Hall. Her step was confident and her bright smile beamed across the room.

As she walked, his voice boomed around the hall. "I have chosen Miss Weasley because of her enthusiasm and her grades. She also helps the grounds keeper for community service when she is out of her classes. Well done Miss Weasley." He nodded to her when she reached the raised platform where the teachers were all sitting, watching him speak. "For the junior head boy, I have chosen: Colin Creevey!" Colin squeaked when he heard his name. Jumping up from his seat, he joined Ginny Weasley on the teacher's platform. "As for our senior Head Girl and Head Boys- both of them have worked extremely hard over the years to get where they are. Our head girl comes from a non-magical family and a world where magic did not exist. Give it up for Hermione Granger!" Hermione whom had been nervously playing with her hands relaxed and gave a beaming smile to those people around her before heading to the front of the room.

Dumbledore continued, "last but not least, the student with one of the highest honors at our school and the head boy for this upcoming year is-" The world turned black and white as though in an old movie. "-Tom Riddle!"

Tom high-fived Draco Malfoy before strutting toward the front of the Great Hall. He whispered as he passed the Hufflepuff table, "I told you I'd be a head boy. Too bad you didn't befriend me beforehand because your life just got harder mudbloods." The world froze for a moment, rewinding to thirty seconds earlier. As though on a microphone, a deep voice echoed around the Great Hall, "your life just got harder mudbloods. Mudbloods. You're dirt of the earth. You'll be washed away just like before." The world froze for another second and then the color was back and the world was right just as it had been before the time inconsistency. No one seemed to notice that anything had gone wrong and Dumbledore continued as he had before.

"-Draco Malfoy!" The Slytherin table had erupted in cheers but Draco just sat there. "Draco Malfoy, please come to the front of the Great Hall," Dumbledore called his name once more. Slowly, Draco stood up and walked toward Dumbledore. Had everyone missed what had just happened? Draco looked around the room, but no one seemed distraught over the announcement that had just occurred.

He was broken from his thoughts when Professor Dumbledore's voice rang throughout the room: "Everyone else, class begins in fifteen minutes. I suggest you not be late on your first day." Dumbledore stepped away from the podium to speak with the new heads. "Please follow Professor Snape. He will be explaining your new positions to you in the back hall." Walking away slowly, Dumbledore made his way toward his office. Ginny, Colin, Draco, and Hermione all followed Professor Snape to the back hall for orientation and their new room assignments.