I do not own Harry Potter or Superman, Marvel and DC do.

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Announcements

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Minerva looked at the crowded Great Hall, her eyes fixating for a moment on the gap at the Ravenclaw Table where Harry Potter normally sat.

"Jorel says that he is healing." Albus said, his voice considerably fainter than usual and Minerva looked at him. The former Headmaster returned her gaze calmly as he continued. "He will be back before the Second Task and at full strength."

"Unlike you." Minerva said before she could stop herself and Albus nodded.

"Unlike me."

Minerva sighed, then looked down at her empty plate.

"Well, I think it is time to make the announcements." She sighed. "I hate doing this."

"I always enjoyed it." Albus chuckled, then he coughed several times. Horace promptly passed Albus a small vial and the older man drained it without hesitation, then gave Minerva a reassuring smile. "I'll be fine."

"You'd better be." Minerva growled back, causing Albus' eyes to twinkle with amusement. "Fine. Speech time."

Picking up a teaspoon, Minerva rose to her feet and tapped the magically-enhanced crystal goblet. As the chimes echoed across the Great Hall, the House Elves removed the remaining food, meaning that no-one had an excuse to not turn to face her.

"Welcome back." Minerva began. "I know it has been a very emotionally draining holiday with the return and final demise of the Dark Lords Tom Riddle and Gellert Grindlewald. Many fine witches, Wizards and Vampires made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that we would be free of the monsters that threatened us. Let us take a moment to reflect on their bravery… and sacrifice."

The silence in the Great Hall seemed to become an almost physical force as many students closed their eyes and lowered their heads. Minerva was aware of how Albus had done the same while Filius had instead risen to his feet and placed his fist over his heart as he performed the salute that a Goblin Warrior gave to a fallen ally, standing motionless in tribute.

"Thank you." Minerva broke the silence. "With the Dark Lords gone, never to return, the shadow of fear has finally been lifted. However, it has caused us to need to make some changes. The first one is that Professor Dumbledore is now Professor Emeritus Dumbledore. Albus, if you would explain?"

"Thank you, Minerva." Unlike the Headmistress, Albus didn't rise to his feet as he spoke and many eyes widened as they realized that he was sounding significantly weaker than usual. "I was injured quite severely during the recent… unpleasantness… and despite using the best potions that Severus, Andromeda and Horace could brew, I am dying."

The Great Hall erupted into loud cries of denial and near-despair, forcing Minerva to unleash several cannonblast charms to quieten them down.

"I am old, perhaps the oldest person in the school, and my magic has been slowly fading over the last few decades. The injuries I received have taken their toll. The Healers have agreed that although I shall probably see out this school year, I will likely not see the next one through and it would take a true miracle to see out the one beyond that.
"I have resigned from teaching Transfiguration but Minerva has been kind enough to allow me to stay on in an advisory position. To help you as best I can, encourage you in your learning and help you understand the mysteries of magic. As such, my new offices will be found just outside the library. I hope Madam Pince does not mind me popping in occasionally to see if I can help."

The normally-dour librarian's expression was a mixture of fond irritation and amused annoyance as she looked over at Albus.

"You will not be going without a teacher, however." Albus continued. "Minerva has been gracious enough to allow me to introduce my replacement. Please welcome back a former Slytherin, one of the few to gain better-than-perfect scores in both her Transfiguration OWLs and NEWTs and the author of the best-selling book The Changing of the Snakes. I give you Professor Aramina Squibbert!"

The lady in question rose from her seat and gave a slight bow as applause rose from the assembled students. As the applause died down, Minerva started speaking again.

"You may have noticed that we are missing Professor Lupin as well. While he will be returning to us in a couple of weeks, it will only be as Deputy Headmaster and not as the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher. Severus Snape has agreed to transfer across to fill that position and Horace Slughorn will be taking over the teaching of Potions for the fifth years and above."

The applause was slightly less with Slytherin House reacting the most and most of the other students uncertain as to whether they should be celebrating or worrying.

"And now it is time to finish up with some pudding."

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As the other Slytherins headed towards their rooms, moving with the casual slowness of those who have eaten to repletion, Draco made sure to remain behind in the common room.

"You had something you wished to ask about, Lord Apparent Malfoy?" Snape asked, one eyebrow lifting slightly in query.

"I was just…" Draco started, then he sighed. "The Dark Lord was known to use Soul Anchors. Is it certain that all of them have been neutralised?"

Severus gave a thin smile as he pulled his left sleeve up and held out his arm, turning it so that the younger boy could see that it was unmarked.

"Before his execution, Crouch Junior's arm was the same. Riddle is no more. It has been confirmed."

Draco sagged in relief.

"And speaking of things that are no more, I notice that your hair is an illusion. While I can see the advantage in reducing grooming time and avoiding having it affected by potions fumes, I find that I have to ask. Did you decide to do that to show that you do not intend to follow your father's path?"

Draco froze for a moment, then gave out a self-depreciating chuckle. "I should have known better than to try and put one past my Head of House."

"Indeed you should have." Snape agreed, mentally noting that Draco hadn't actually answered the question. "Perhaps I could assign you an extra credit project with special instructions as to how it could go wrong in a way that causes hair loss, so that you do not need to rely on that illusion."

"And risk people believing that I would make such a mistake in Potions?" Draco shook his head. "Thank you, but no, Professor. I still have my reputation to think of. No, I will deal with it myself."

"Spoken like a true Slytherin." Snape approved. "Now, I do believe you need to get some rest. Goodnight, Mr Malfoy."

"Goodnight, Professor. And thank you."

"There is nothing to thank me for, Mr Malfoy. Although am I looking forwards to seeing your grades improve."

Draco froze in shock as Snape's final comment registered. For a moment, he could think only one thing.

'How did he know?'

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"Any problems?" Minerva asked as Severus strode into the Staff Room, his robes flaring dramatically.

"One minor case of reassurance, otherwise all is well." Snape responded as he moved to his chair and sat down. "Auror Moody, if you have the time afterwards, I would like to consult with you about the Defence classes and what you believe to be the most important issues."

Alistair Moody looked across at the younger man. "Be glad to help. Might get some of them trained up enough to stop the next would-be Dark Lord. Have to ask, though, why me?"

"You are currently one of the two here who are most experienced with going up against the Dark Arts." Severus shrugged. "What sort of Slytherin would I be if I did not take advantage of the resource that you represent?"

Mad-Eye's cackling laughter caused several of the other teachers to look at him in mild concern.

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"Thank you for coming." Draco looked round at the others in the corner of the shared study room. "We have a big problem."

"We need a Keeper and we need one fast." Ginny confirmed. "While I know that Ron is showing promise, we already have two Gryffindors already on the team, so… yeah."

"We need a Keeper from either Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw." Blaise agreed. "With Potter unable to help us out…"

"How about Neville?" Ginny suggested. "He's been practising quite a bit. He's good… and his Animagus form helps too."

"I was going to suggest Herbert Fleet." Cedric noted. "He's… pretty good too."

"Perhaps we could gather all the Chasers and test both out?" Draco mused.

"Has my vote." Ginny shrugged.

"Seconded." Cedric agreed. "But not tonight."

"Sunday." Draco decided. "That will give everyone time to check their gear and, if need be, get anything that's broken replaced. If you need a broom upgrade, see me and I'll arrange a discount at the Snidget's Feather… although your broom should give you the advantage in the next match."

Blaise nodded almost ruefully at the pointed comment with the subtle show of disapproval about how his choice had prevented him from beating Krum to the Snitch.

He had the feeling that he wouldn't be able to live it down until well after he had graduated.

And the dark humor in Draco's eyes indicated that even then may be too soon.

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"…and we need to do something about those beasts! They need to be tracked down and destroyed before they can reproduce and destroy all that we hold dear!"

Chief Warlock Tiberius Ogden looked blankly at the member of the Wizengamot, then glanced down at his newly-upgraded desk with its inset map of the Wizengamot's seats that showed who was seeking attention and who was speaking.

"Your point has been made, Lord Runcorn." Ogden sighed as the bearded man finally sat down. "Does anyone wish to make a rebuttal?"

"I do." A voice stated and Ogden looked up.

"You are recognised, Lord Longbottom. The floor is yours."

Frank nodded in thanks as he began. "Although I respect Lord Runcorn for his energy as one of the newest members of the most August body, I do question his ability to keep up with current events. Those whom he calls beasts may technically qualify as being so, but I know better. Like those who were once Werewolves and are now fully accepted and respected members of our community, these five have transcended their curse. They have demonstrated that they control their power when once it controlled them. They are fully in control of their abilities and as such, they can no longer be considered to be Obscurials. As they have proven, they are not monsters but guardians. As such, I move that they be granted full citizenship as they are undoubtedly as magical as we are!"

As the Wizengamot erupted in shouts and protests, Ogden sighed.

Somehow, he just knew that this would take years to resolve, if not decades.

Fortunately, as the leader of the Wizengamot, he was required to try and remain as neutral as possible.

Which, upon reflection, was probably a good thing given that he had no idea about how he actually felt about the situation in question.

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Neville landed and a moment later, Herbert Fleet touched down, one hand already extended.

"I know when I'm outmatched." The Hufflepuff Keeper said wryly. "It's probably a good thing that I never intended to play professionally. Even when you weren't using your Animagus form, you still out-played me."

Neville looked down in embarrassment, then grinned as the other members of the Hogwarts Quidditch Team gathered to congratulate him.

"Nice one, Neville!" Ginny chirped as she gave him a quick hug.

"You did good." Cedric clapped Neville on his shoulder.

"Not bad, Longbottom." Blaise added as he ambled over, then he ducked as a red-crested parrot flew past him while a silver fox dashed between his legs. The animals came to a stop just in front of Neville and rippled into the Weasley Twins.

"…when did you two get your Animagi forms?" Ginny asked in shock and the twins grinned at her.

"You remember when we went out on Christmas Eve?"

"It was to see Lord Black."

"He had determined that we were ready…"

"…and so now we are Animagi!"

"At least I'll be able to tell you apart in your animal forms now." Ginny grumbled, then she frowned. "What are you grinning about?"

In reply, the twins changed forms again, but the one who had been a fox was now the parrot and vice-versa.

"Can't you two idiots do anything normal?" Ginny groaned.

"…how?" Draco asked in confusion.

"Must be a twin thing." Neville shrugged.