00000 Tiffany Bloomingham, Headmistress Office 00000
Tiffany made her way to the Headmaster's office to talk to Doris about the first week of classes. Tiffany managed to sit in every class during the week and while some of the classes would need little to no change, there were others that needed major overhaul. Tiffany just hoped that she and Doris would be able to make swift changes to those that really needed it. Walking past the gargoyle and onto the moving staircase, Tiffany took a fortifying breath before nocking.
"Enter." Tiffany came in to see Doris almost buried under a mound of paperwork. Tiffany had to blink at this before snapping out of her shock.
"I see that you are hard at work, Doris."
"Yes I am. It seems that Dumbledore passed things off onto Professor McGongall that he wasn't supposed to or just ignored it all together. I will probably have to ask the goblins to perform an audit to see just how bad the finances are."
"Is it really that bad?"
"Possibly. It seems that Dumbledore just did enough to keep the school running and the fudged the reports that he sent to Hogwarts's Governors. It's no wonder he said there wasn't any money for certain classes or new equipment since these papers are a mess.
"But that isn't why you came here and the audit is only a possibility if I can't figure out these records. Have you had a chance to report on the classes at least?"
"Yes. I was able to watch an upper year class as well as a lower year class of every subject. It seems that Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Runes, and Arithmancy are doing fine. There are only minor things within each class that I would change."
"That's good to know. What needs to be changed?"
"Well, with Charms, it's getting Professor Fenwick a proper chair and/or stand for his small frame instead a stack of books. He should be able to be seen without having to balance on books. It would be good that a little more theory is covered before he starts them on the levitation charm. One first year Gryffindor blew up his feather because of it.
"For Transfiguration, I would say less theory in the classroom is needed. There isn't that much time for actual practice. That may be fine for the first and second years since the students' cores are still forming, but for the upper years there should be more in class practice so that she could answer questions and help those that are having problem." Doris nodded at this while making notes in her planner to go over later.
"What about Potions? I know that I warned Professor Snape that he couldn't teach in his usual fashion, but I am unsure if he will follow through."
"Well, it seems that he isn't as harsh as before and didn't show his usual favoritism. A sixth year Slytherin tried to sabotage a Hufflepuff's potion in the class I was in. Professor Snape stopped it, deducted 50 points and assigned a month worth of detentions either with himself or the caretaker. It seemed that everyone in the class was surprised, although he did tear into the student a little. I have a feeling that it was necessary so others in his house knows that they are no longer getting away with things."
"Did you happen to look into a first year class?"
"Yes. He was fair with them all. He told them what he expected with the class and made sure that everyone had equal chances of earning points, although it is possible that some Gryffindors will think he was showing favoritism to his own house."
"How so, Tiffany?"
"When he started class, he went around asking questions from the text book. Most of the answers could be found in the first two chapters of the text book. The rest could be found in the first chapter of the Herbology text. Right answers would get you 5 points but wrong ones will cost the student ten points.
"The three Slytherins asked got correct answers while only one of the three Gryffindors managed to get his question right. A Mr. Longbottom if I'm correct."
"So the Slytherins received 15 points while the Gryffindors had 25 points taken away."
"20 points, Doris. Professor Snape gave a bonus question to Mr. Longbottom, although that probably won't matter to them considering his reputation." Doris let out a sigh.
"I was afraid of this. What I'm about to tell you doesn't leave this office for the moment." Tiffany nodded at this while leaning forward. No matter what, Tiffany was still someone who liked good gossip. It was one of the reasons she became an Inquisitor.
"It seemed that Dumbledore order Snape to be... unpleasant to the other houses while favoring his own. The only reason that Snape first agreed was because Dumbledore spoke in favor of Snape being a double agent against You-Know-Who." Tiffany couldn't help but gasp at this.
"I know. When Snape first told me this I was surprised as well. But there's more. In exchange for testifying, Dumbledore ordered Snape to teach potions here. Snape agreed because even he knew that his life was in danger from both sides and being by Dumbledore side was the safest place to be.
"So even though Snape wasn't that excited about teaching, he did."
"Then why would Dumbledore order him to be nasty to ¾ of the school? It doesn't make any since."
"That is the same thing I asked Snape. But I think we both forget what it was like for the Slytherins after You-Know-Who's death. Many in that house was mistrusted at best and attacked at worse. Snape's attitude might have saved many from being severely hurt." Tiffany's eyes widened in understanding.
"So he was protecting his students."
"Yes, he even admitted to me that he thought that after some years he wouldn't need to be so heavy handed to protect his students, but when he went to Dumbledore about it, he was sorely mistaken. Dumbledore ordered him to continue as before or he would withdraw his support."
"And since he was so mean before, everyone would believe Dumbledore and throw Snape in Azkaban." Doris nodded her head and straightened in her seat.
"Right next to Black if Dumbledore had his way. I've already informed Madam Bones and the Hogwarts's Governors about this. That doesn't mean that Professor Snape gets a free pass, but it at least explains his new teaching method." Tiffany nodded at this.
Just to imagine the amount of pull one man had over man people was sickening. Both women had to wonder who else Dumbledore blackmailed into doing things against their will. After a minute of silence, Doris came out of her thoughts. Now was not the time to think about Dumbledore. She still had much to go through not to mention the rest of Tiffany's report.
"Was there anything else in that needed to be changed in Potions, Runes or Arithmancy?" Tiffany started before coming back to the present.
"Oh, yes. It seemed that Potions and Runes could use some updated equipment. Especially for Potions, some extra cauldrons since it seems that several were melted in the first week." Doris nodded while making a note at that. Arithmancy is actually fine. I would suggest that we get Math tutors to help with that portion of the class. Eventually we can add an actual Math class along with the English/Writing course we have planned.
"Now, for Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures and Astronomy are overall good but will need a slight upgrade. Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures will need a permeant class for those days when going outside aren't feasible for the students. That way there isn't a loss of class time when the weather gets bad as well prepares the students better before diving into whatever lesson is scheduled. For Astronomy, I believe that we can use some of the unused classrooms and charm them to show the night shy during the day so the students aren't staying up at all hours of the night then having early morning classes the next day.
"It is unreasonable to force young children to be tired for the Astronomy class as well as whatever classes they have the next day. I have a feeling that it would cut down on a lot of classroom accidents if we have Astronomy in the morning. That way the only reason that Astronomy would be at night is if there was a phenomenon was happening."
"Yes, that sounds like a good idea. Some of the older years have also asked for something like that through the suggestion boxes. I'll have to ask Professor Fenwick if he would be able to do the charms. I'm sure Professor Sinistra would be willing to help as well as get some decent sleep schedule. I will also talk to Professors Sprout and Kettleburn about some class time. That might also help Professor Kettleburn keep the rest of his limbs." Tiffany had to smirk at that.
"Professor Kettleburn was another concern. Don't get me wrong, he is a great teach, but he is getting on in age. I'm sure that in a year or two he would like to retire and enjoy his remaining age and limbs."
"I'll ask him if any of his previous students would be a good replacement. That way they could shadow Professor Kettleburn for a year or two before he decides to retire.
"So that only leaves Divination, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Muggle Studies and History of Magic to deal with if I'm correct."
"Yes. I'll start with DADA first. Professor Quirrell isn't holding the students' attention. Even with this being only the first week, you can already tell that some of the students see the class as a free period and focus on their books for the class. Not to mention that his class is filled with garlic and Quirrell seems afraid of his own shadow. I know he was a great teacher for Muggle Studies, but whatever happened to him in Albania has diminished his ability to teach the students. I believe we should start looking for his replacement for the next semester."
"I was afraid of this. Remind me when the Curse Breakers come next week to have that classroom checked for a curse. The amount of times the teachers for that position leaving maimed or killed isn't a conscience.
"Also, it seems that Dumbledore signed Lockhart to be next DADA teacher. So if you really believe that Quirrell shouldn't be teaching, I'll inform Lockhart that he will be starting in January instead of next September."
Tiffany couldn't help making a face at the thought that Gilderoy Lockhart being a teacher of anything. Many may believe that he did all those things in his books, but if one looked closely then they would have realized that the timeline didn't match up. Not to mention some of the things mentioned in his books was impossible. If a werewolf could be changed back with a spell, then many would find someone to do it for them. But the thought of Quirrell continuing to teach grated her wrong as well. Tiffany wasn't sure why, but being Near Quirrell always gave her the feeling that she should scrub herself clean.
"I'll say that Lockhart is the lesser of two evils if we make sure that he doesn't use the position to boost his book sales. After that we can insure a competent DADA professor is found. Maybe we can ask the goblins if some of their curse breakers nearing the retirement age would be willing to apply."
"That's a good idea, Tiffany. Especially since it will be their Curse Breakers insuring that the position is safe."
"I sat in on Divination yesterday for the third years just coming into that class. To say that I was appalled would be an understatement. Whatever reasoning of hiring that woman was spotty at best."
"How so?" Doris was surprised at the venom Tiffany spoke of the class. If Tiffany was getting this worked up at the mention of Divination, Doris had to wonder how bad the class was.
"Well, not withstanding that you had to climb a latter to get into the classroom, you are immediately assaulted by the strong smell of incense that it almost causes one to gag. The smoke from it also makes the multiple tables, chairs and pillows a tripping hazard. That could be overlooked if it wasn't for the fact that Professor Trelawny shows up to the class drunk. You could smell the whisky on her once you get past the incense. To add insult to injury, she scared the entire class by predicting a child's death. After I followed the students into Charms class, Professor Fenwick told the class that Professor Trelawny always picks a student in every class and predicts their death or some other nasty future. Even then most of the students were still wary, not that I could blame them." Tiffany let out a huff while Doris had a look of horror on her face. Doris quickly snapped out of it though before having a look of determination.
"I will inform the Board that we will need a new Divination teacher immediately and inform Trelawny that she will have to leave by the end of the month. There is no reason for students to be traumatized in class. No wonder Divination is one of the lowest scoring classes we have here. Please tell me that Professor Binns isn't as bad."
"In his own way he is worse. I know you took independent study for you History of Magic Mastery, and for that you should be grateful. It seems that Binns just takes role call and then starts on a goblin war. Most of the students fall asleep in the first ten minutes of the class, but he just keep droning on without stopping to either punish those students or answer any questions. Frankly, if it wasn't for those students that were reading or gossiping with their neighbors, the homework assignment would be missed completely. It's no wonder that you are one of the few who get a Mastery in the subject since Binns continued to teach after he died." Doris closed her eyes to keep herself in place.
"I will take over the History of Magic class until a replacement can be found. Divination will have to become a free period until a new teacher could be found. Considering how the class has become an easy 'O' recently, though that might take a while."
"Doris, I do know someone that might be able to take over Divination. He is an American cousin of mine that has a slight Seer gift. I'm sure if I write to him, he might be willing to take up the position."
"Do it. Please." Doris started rubbing her head in frustration. She almost couldn't believe what Dumbledore left her and the students with.
"I know that you don't want to hear this, but there is also Muggle Studies to go over. Now, Professor Burbag is an excellent teacher by all rights. It's just that the material that she is using is almost two centuries old at least. Not to mention that she has no experience in the Muggle-world that can help those taking the class traverse the Muggle-world without the Obliviators following after them."
"So either we replace her with someone who is able to live in both words or we bring Burbag's lesson plans to the current era?"
"I think that we just need to go over her lesson plans for the moment. We can then take her to the Muggle-world so she can experience it first-hand. If that doesn't help, we can appoint her as our new Wizard Studies class. We shouldn't punish a good teacher like her because Dumbledore didn't insure that she received the right training." Doris let out a sigh.
Doris could already tell that she was going to receive more paperwork with everything she just heard from Tiffany. She knew that she had a lot of work to do, but Doris just couldn't believe that it was this much. It was only the first week of the school for Merlin's sake. With another sigh, Doris focused on Tiffany again with a weary smile.
"We will have to pull this school up from the gutter it seems, and that's not even considering the other things Dumbledore let slide."
"I know. But remember, Doris, I'm here to help you as well. If there is anything I can do to take some of the stress off your plate let me know."
"Thank you, Tiffany. I have a feeling that I will need it in the near future. Leave your notes here and I'll include them with my notes to the Board of Governors. There will be a staff meeting tonight to go over who will be attending the trials over the weekend. We will tell them our initial findings and changes as well. That way we can make the announcements tomorrow at breakfast." Tiffany nodded at this.
"Thankfully, the Medi-Wizards and Witches are coming Monday to start the physicals."
"When are the Curse Breakers coming?"
"The following Wednesday. They will be making a list of things that need to be added or removed from the wards as well as anything else that may need to happen. That should take them a while considering how big Hogwarts is. Then they hand in a report of what needs to be done, when they can do it and how much everything will cost."
"Well, hopefully you'll be able to make since of the financials before then." Doris snorted at that.
"You and me both, Tiffany. You and me both."
"I can help you look over them this weekend. Most will be focused on the trails anyway."
"You sure?" At Tiffany's nod, Doris accepted her help. Hopefully, the finances weren't as bad as it seemed.