Standard Disclaimer: If you think I own Harry Potter... well, you are wrong. :D
AN: Sorry for the slow update. Turns out I had to research every student ever listed for Hogwarts, years 1984-1991, before I could write this!
Changes made in 1991 sorting:
Harry and Neville go to Hufflepuff.
Hermione goes to Ravenclaw.
AN: Complete list of students sorted 1991 with House:
Gryffindor: Lavender Brown, Fay Dunbar, Seamus Finnegan, Dean Thomas, Ronald Weasley, Sophie Roper, Lily Moon, Sally-Anne Perks, Stephen Cornfoot.
Slytherin: Draco Malfoy, Millicent Bulstrode, Vincent Crabbe, Tracey Davis, Gregory Goyle, Daphne Greengrass, Theodore Nott, Pansey Parkinson, Blaise Zambini, Alice Selwyn
Ravenclaw: Terry Boot, Michael Corner, Anthony Goldstein, Sue Li, Mandy Brocklehurst, Padma Patil, Lisa Turpin, Hermione Granger, Morag McDougal, Kevin Entwhistle
Hufflepuff: Leanne Moody(no relation!), Hannah Abbot, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Wayne Hopkins, Megan Jones, Ernest Macmillan, Susan Bones, Harry Potter, Neville Longbottom, Zacharias Smith
Regarding blood status: Using the Harry Potter wiki, blood status has been assigned as the LESSER of those presented. (If it says Pure-blood maybe half-blood, then for this fic, it will be half. If it is not listed, then it will be Muggle-born EXCEPT in Slytherin. Unlisted blood status for a Slytherin student will be half-blood.) I have a logical reason for this, but will not bore you with it unless asked.
AN: My creative writing professor did not like this story (chapter one), so I have to write 4 short stories and revise a poem in the next two weeks. But I do have the next chapter outlined, so once I get through with my homework, I should make good progress on the next one.
Chapter 4
Be Careful What You Wish For…
*******************************FlashBack to the train*****************************
The rhythmic clicking of the train's wheels on the rails and the slight rocking motion of the rail car made paying attention difficult for Harry. The foothills passed by hypnotically.
Draco had been talking non-stop for half an hour before he stops and looks sharply at Harry. "Have you been listening?" he inquired shortly.
Crushing the desire to stretch and stifling a yawn, Harry nods tiredly.
Draco smiles an evil little smile, "Good. Summarize the House system at Hogwarts."
Harry closes his eyes for several seconds as he collects his thoughts before beginning, "There are four Houses; Ravenclaw, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Gryffindor. Slytherin and Gryffindor have a significant rivalry, as evidenced by my would-be kidnapper. Hufflepuff has the best relationships with the other houses. Ravenclaw is intelligent and studious, loving knowledge for its own sake. Slytherin is the House of the cunning and ambitious. They crave power and personal advancement in their sphere of influence."
Harry stopped for a deep breath before continuing, "Hufflepuff is the home of the hard-working, friendly, and loyal. Gryffindor is the home of the brave and chivalrous, although if Weasley is an indication I would say foolhardy and rude are more accurate descriptions."
Draco sat patiently listening before interrupting, "Essentially correct. The method of sorting students into their Houses is a secret."
Harry smirked, "But you know." It was a statement of fact, not a question.
Draco grinned broadly, "Yes. I know. There is an old hat, enchanted by the founders of Hogwarts, which decides where you will spend the next seven years. It will talk to you, but only you will be able to hear it. You can talk to it too, which is important for your purposes. Which House do you think you should be in?"
Harry looked out the window at the increasingly tall hills and thought a moment, "Well, I think I could do well in any house. I am no stranger to hard work. I can be brave and polite when called for. Yet, I have proven I can be cunning and I definitely am ambitious." Harry neglected to mention his greatest ambition currently was to never see the Dursleys again. "And I do like to learn new things."
Draco nodded impatiently, "Yes, but which House will serve you best? Remember, it is not just about finding a house that meshes with your personality, but it is also about how you will be perceived by others for the next seven years. Should you choose Gryffindor?"
Harry thinks a moment before shaking his head quickly, "If all Gryffindors are anything like Weasley, I can't see being happy there. Likewise, the house rivalry would put me at odds with everyone in Slytherin, making it harder to form alliances with anyone there."
Draco nods sagely, "Do not make the mistake of assuming any House's members are identical in attributes. However, because Ronald is in your year, it would be impossible to avoid him. Given that, you are exactly right in your assessment." Draco pauses before asking, "What about Slytherin?"
Harry immediately shakes his head negatively, "For the same reason I can't choose Gryffindor. The house rivalry would make it almost impossible to form alliances with any Gryffindor, should it ever prove advantageous to do so."
Draco nods, smiling broadly, "Excellent! I was afraid you would think you 'needed' to join Slytherin as some show of friendship to me. We can be friends regardless of your house, although if you choose Gryffindor we would have to be friends secretly. The reasons you give against choosing Slytherin are well founded."
Eyeing Harry critically, "So, two Houses remain. Which would suit your long term goals best?"
Harry takes a moment to carefully consider, "Ravenclaw. It has the best relationship with Slytherin, according to what you have taught me. They are also routinely discounted as 'movers and shakers', so a Slytherin hiding in Ravenclaw would be unexpected."
"Why not Hufflepuff?" Draco asks smugly.
"Honestly, Hufflepuff is a consideration."
Draco froze and raised an eyebrow, waiting for Harry to continue.
Which Harry did, "but their reputation for diligence and hard work could bite me, if anyone ever guessed my real intentions."
"And what are your real intentions?" Draco leaned forward, waiting for the answer.
Harry blanked his face and said imperiously, "To return House Potter to a position of power and respect appropriate to its political status and lineage. You said I am a paper tiger, so I want Power. That makes me Slytherin, no matter what House I am in. But I want power to protect myself, my family (when I have one), and my friends. That is both Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. Therefore, the House least likely to house someone with my plans is Ravenclaw, making it the most logical House to choose."
An evil smile finds its way across Draco's face as he clasps a hand on Harry's shoulder. "Well reasoned my good 'Claw. You are going to do fine."
************************************Present*************************************************
Remembering the conversation from the Hogwarts Express, Draco watched as the newly sorted Hufflepuffs followed their pink haired prefect out of the Great Hall. Harry had some explaining to do… soon.
Harry watched as the Hufflepuff prefect led them toward his home for the next seven years, the Hufflepuff common room. He was already certain this decision had immediate advantages as it was obvious by the scents drifting through the hallway… (mmmm! Treacle tarts!) …they were heading toward the kitchen. Late night snacks, always important for growing boys, should be easily obtained. Raiding the Dursley's refrigerator in the small hours of the night is the only reason Harry survived as healthy as he did.
Stone walls, ceilings and floors echoed the prefect's words as she spoke continuously, mentioning famous Hufflepuffs from the past, including some Ministers of Magic and other notables. She said a lot more, but Harry was not really listening. Her hair was distracting! From the back of the line it seemed to be different colors by different light, ranging from blue to pink, fading so smoothly from one to the next the change was never noticed while watching. Harry did catch the 'don't use magic in the halls' rule and the "We don't look for trouble, but if you mess with our friends or family, watch out!" This seemed logical for a House whose mascot is a badger. Badgers are notoriously tough and will defend against predators many times their size.
The prefect stopped in front of a stack of barrels and demonstrated how to open the house entrance, which intriguingly enough was a large oak barrel. Tap the barrel with your wand, two times, slight pause, three more times, then it swings open and everyone crawled through into the common room. Her prefectness mentioned badger dens are called setts, but most just called it the common room.
Harry looked around in wonder. Instead of a dark, windowless room, the common room was round, with ceilings high enough to prevent feeling cramped. Circular windows looked out into a night sky filled with stars. No matter where you looked, there were plants. All kinds of plants in every color, some of them looked like they were moving by themselves. Weird!
Polished brass and bronze lamps hung throughout the room, providing a warm yellowish light. To say it was the friendliest room Harry had ever walked into would be a massive understatement!
The prefect was still talking and now seemed to be paying a lot of attention to Harry, more than to any other student. Some might even go so far as to say she was staring at Harry. Many of the other students were also paying a lot of attention to Harry. Years of entertaining in the parks prevented the embarrassment another student might have felt.
Taking advantage of the situation, Harry reached into his pocket and brought out three brightly colored juggling balls and began a simple cascade as everyone looked on enthralled. "This is called a cascade. Each ball touches each hand during every circuit." Harry worked the three balls into a shower. "This is called a shower. It is the same as a cascade, but the balls go higher on each round." Harry transformed the shower into a high fountain. "And this is called a fountain. Only one hand is used to keep all the balls in the air." Harry grinned as he pulled out a fourth ball and added it as he allowed the fountain to become a shower again, then back to a cascade before slipping into a double two ball fountain. "And this is a double fountain. The balls in my right hand never touch my left hand and vice versa."
The prefect watched, her hair changing color to the ball she was watching at the moment. Orange was not her best look! The balls cascaded once more before reaching for the ceiling, barely touching before plummeting toward Harry once more, each caught and stored swiftly as it returned until all the balls had disappeared and Harry was standing once more smiling at the prefect.
The prefect shook her head as if clearing cobwebs, "How did you do that?"
Harry smiled enthusiastically, "You teach me to do that with my hair, and I will teach you to do this."
The prefect laughed, "Sorry, you have to be born with this ability. It can't be learned."
Harry shrugged, "Guess this will remain my little secret then… ". Harry laughed at the look of frustration on the prefect's face.
Another first year proclaimed, "That is juggling. It is a skill. Anyone can learn it."
Harry raised an eyebrow, smiled and gave a modest bow toward the speaker, "Then I look forward to seeing your progress in this skill 'anyone can learn'." Turning to the prefect, "It has been a long day. Could you show us to our beds?"
The prefect laughed and did just that.
**************At the door to the Hufflepuff First Year Male Dorms***************************
An older boy stood beside a large round door set in the wall of the common room.
"Hey there, Tonks!" the boy greeted the prefect.
"Hey Cedric. You draw the short straw this time?" Tonks hair cycled through waves of color as she talked.
Cedric shook his head, "Nope. Volunteered. I wanted to get a closer look at this Harry chap. Seems the whole school is talking about him!" Cedric looked at Harry and grinned, then looked across all the first year 'puffs. "Well, welcome to your new home! Every House has secrets and we are no different. In many ways we do pattern ourselves after our mascot, the badger. Can anyone guess what that might mean?"
The round faced boy raised his hand timidly.
Cedric grinned, "No need for that. Just speak up. You are with friends here! What is your name?"
The boy muttered "Neville, sir".
Cedric paused and thought, "Neville? You must be Neville Longbottom… and don't call me sir. I am not that much older than you." Cedric grinned.
Neville nodded.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Neville." Turning to Tonks, "Don't you think it is time to get the girls to their dorms?"
"Yeah, yeah, we're going. You just want to have all the fun to yourself…" Tonks winked at Cedric as her bosom swelled prodigiously beneath her robe and was rewarded by a beet red blush. "Come along ladies. We must let the men-folk do whatever it is they do when we are not around."
The boys watched Tonks lead the first year girls to another large round door in the other across the common room before they disappeared inside it.
"Well," Cedric started again, "That was Nymphdora Tonks. Don't let her ever catch you using her first name. She doesn't like it. And she will get even with you for it and you will not enjoy the experience. She rivals the twins for pranks and her magic is better." Cedric shuddered, obviously reliving a prank he wished he has avoided. "Oh, and she LOVES making people blush. Get used to the idea, because you can't avoid it. I know I have tried! Although the good news is, this is her last year. So, you won't have to put up with her long."
"Ok, this way." Cedric pulled the door open and walked into the hallway beyond. After everyone was in and the door closed. Cedric turned. "Ok, here is one of the secrets. We make you swear a magical oath to not reveal our secrets to anyone who is not a member of Hufflepuff. I know, it is a bit extreme, but trust me when I say there are excellent reasons, which I will share with you in a few minutes."
Cedric pulled out his wand, holding it upright, "Ok, I am going to show you how it is done." Looking at the tip of his wand he said, "I, Cedric Diggory, swear on my magic that I will not reveal the secrets of House Hufflepuff to anyone who is not a member of House Hufflepuff." A faint golden circle of light expanded quickly and disappeared.
"Yeah, the little light show just proves the oath took. I have sworn this oath before, so that little puff of light was just magic saying, 'Yeah, Yeah, I heard you the first time!' So, who wants to go first?"
Harry had decided to enter the hall at the back of the group, so he ducked sideways to avoid being picked. Surprisingly, Neville raised his wand and stated the oath, causing a very dim ring of light to expand away from him. Each of the others took the oath in turn, though no one else produced such a dim halo. The other boys had stepped to the side of the corridor as they completed their oath, leaving Harry rather conspicuous by the door.
"Well, 'Lord' Potter?" Cedric chuckled. "Do you wish to exercise your Head of House status to obtain an exemption from the oath? It is possible, but we would be unable to tell you any of the House secrets."
Harry did not appreciate Cedric laughing at his title. Paper tiger or not, if he acted like a paper tiger, his plan would fail before he began. Holding his wand upright he upped the ante in the only way he could think of, "I, Lord Harry James Potter, Head of House Potter, do hereby swear upon my magic and my life-" (Gasps were heard from the other boys, while Neville and Cedric looked like they had forgotten how to breathe... or swallowed a bug…) "-that I shall never reveal the Secrets of House Hufflepuff to anyone not a member of House Hufflepuff. As I will it, so shall it be." No one saw a halo of light from Harry's wand. No one saw anything, as everyone was temporarily blinded by the flash!
The boys heard footsteps running toward them and the door opening before the white noise of a dozen voices all trying to speak at once threatened to deafen them.
Cedric held his hand high above his head. "QUIET! It was just Lord Potter swearing the oath… on his life… as Head of House."
Harry was starting to be able to see again, but no sound. At first he thought he was deaf until he could see everyone staring at him.
The pretty prefect with the pink spiky hair stepped forward, "Harry, that was not necessary, but your commitment to the House is noted. Thank you." She turned and led everyone except the first year boys out of the hall.
Cedric shook his head in wonder. "Ok, that is enough excitement for one night. Let's get you guys settled in. Hopefully without any further surprises." Cedric muttered the last to himself.
Opening a side door, he waved the boys in, "This is the room for half of you, three here and three next door. Some of the other dorms crowd the students together. We don't. The castle is large enough to house and educate ten times as many students as we have enrolled. There is no reason to skimp on space."
"By now it is probably obvious, but I have to say it to make it covered by your oaths. The First Secret of Hufflepuff is… we swear that oath." Cedric grins, "And in 1,000 years of Hogwarts students, we are pretty sure no one has ever found out. If they did, they kept it to themselves.
Looking around the room, Harry saw three beds with patchwork quilts on them. Each had a copper bed warmer hanging from the wall beside the bed and each bed had a copper lamp directly over the headboard. Warm light bathed the room making it seem like home. Well, like he thought others would think of home. No Dursley would ever allow something this comfortable in their home. Harry grinned, looking forward to what looked like a really soft bed for the first time in his life!
Cedric coughed to get their attention. "This is the second secret. Lord Potter, um.. may I call you Harry?" Harry nodded once. "Good, thank you. That will make life easier for me in the dorm. Harry, get your quilt from your bed. Who else is staying in this room? We need two more." Cedric looked around as they fumble footed, before Neville stepped forward again. "I will."
Cedric nodded, thinking this was a very brave 'puff. It was obvious he was frightened of almost everything, yet he did not let that stop him. 'Courage enough to be a Gryffindor. If he is more loyal or hardworking than he is courageous, he will be an exemplary 'puff.'
Cedric looked at the remaining four boys, "Well, one more. Who will it be?" Cedric looked at Zach Smith, "How about you?" The boy in question looked terrified, darting glances at Harry, "Um, if it is alright with everyone else, I would rather stay with Ernest."
Cedric didn't push the issue. It was obvious Mr. Smith was terrified of Harry and did not have Neville's courage to draw on.
Looking at the other two, Cedric asked, "Justin, Wayne? Either of you want to bunk with Harry and Neville for the next several years?"
Wayne Hopkins looked at Justin and shrugged, before stepping forward. "Sure."
Cedric grinned broadly. Friendship is a cornerstone of Hufflepuff. It was good to see Wayne stepping forward, especially after Harry spooked everyone.
Clapping his hands once, Cedric continued. "Ok, each of you grab the quilt from your bed and bring them to the middle of the floor. Notice the corner patches on your quilt don't match any other patches on the quilt." The three boys nodded. "But they do match a corner block on your roommates quilt. So lay them down in the middle in a kind of triangle, so the matching blocks from each corner overlap. Now, watch this."
Cedric took out his wand and touched it to the floor in the center of the triangle formed by the quilts. "I'm late. I'm late. I'm late." The floor darkened to pitch black before lightening to a white misty fog. "Now, if you step on the mist, you will be transported directly to a small closet near the main entrance. It can be a real time saver, but don't depend on it. Notice how it started black? Someone was in the closet. As long as someone is in it, you can't transport to it. While you are in transit, the door is magically locked, so no one will see you."
Pulling the corners apart, the mist faded back to a normal floor.
Cedric looked at Neville, "Mr. Longbottom, earlier you said you knew something about badgers and their homes. Do you know anything that applies to this?"
Neville nodded, "Badger setts always have more than one entrance."
Cedric laughed, "Exactly! But the quilts will stay right there until one of us moves them. That is why the elves do not clean our rooms. We tell everyone it is so we can practice routine tasks, like house work, which are character building."
Harry laughed.
Cedric raised an eyebrow and inquired, "Lord Potter, is something amusing you about that?"
Harry nodded happily as he answered, "That is positively Slytherin of you!"
No one else seemed to find it as amusing as Harry did.
*************Head of House meeting in Dumbledore's office later that evening***********
A circular room high in a tower within Hogwarts, or on the ground floor or anywhere in between and several places not between, is home to the Headmaster's office. Portraits of old men, and a few women, were proudly displayed upon the walls. The effect of such pride evident in the intricately carved frames, meticulously gilded. This effect was slightly diminished by the subjects of the paintings looks of complete boredom. Several seemed asleep and one was actually snoring. The small room was made to seem smaller by the plethora of bookcases and spindle-legged tables supporting various objects of silver; some of which emitted little puffs of smoke while others whirred and wobbled, yet never fell from their tables.
One side of the room, if a round room can be said to truly have any side, is dominated by a large claw-footed desk, piled high with papers, scrolls, and further little silver implements defying description. On the wall above and behind the desk a larger portrait of the previous Headmaster observed the goings on of the room with obvious disapproval, looking down upon the grey bearded wizard sitting in his former chair.
Here the Heads of the various Houses of Hogwarts gathered to solemnly discharge their duties to the school and the students. Each Head also a Professor, excelling his (or her) field. Here gathered the most powerful wizards and witches of Hogwarts, to exchange ideas and ideals, to forge the future of Wizarding England one child at a time. Here the hopes of England are nurtured into blossom by discourse most erudite…
Usually…
"No".
"Yes".
"No".
"Yes".
"Headmaster, allow me to put this in unambiguous terms. If you force me to teach Slytherins and Gryffindors together, I will place the Gryffindor students in the hall and refuse them entrance." The Greasy Git, as some called him, stared at the grey bearded Headmaster, sincerity clearly edging his eyes.
Headmaster Dumbledore, having fought the darkest of Dark Lords, was unswayed by a potions master, no matter how sincere he might be. "Severus, don't you think you are being unreasonable? They are just children."
Snape's sneer assumed its usual station as he responded coldly, "Headmaster, I have long opposed your theory of forcing the two Houses together in an attempt to reduce inter-house rivalry. Today was the last straw, the proof your theory is flawed and this social experiment should be ended. I would say we should eradicate all proof we were ever stupid enough to attempt it, but my objections are a matter of record, therefore my reputation will remain intact."
Professor Flitwick, professor of charms and former dueling champion, chuckled. After Snape attempted to quell him with his signature look, Professor Flitwick cheerfully stated, "You have no need to worry Professor Snape. Your reputation will outlast anyone currently breathing in this room." Turning to encompass the portraits with a sweeping hand motion, "No offense to those currently breathing impaired is intended."
Several portraits huffed and turned their heads away, as if ignoring the living in spite.
Dumbledore took advantage of the interruption the small Charms professor had made, hoping some of the momentum of his argument had died, eyes twinkling cheerfully he began, "Severus, we just need more time to-"
"NO!" Minerva interjected. Standing tall and regal in a black dress, looking far more the Wicked Witch of the West from that muggle tale than the highly skilled, firm yet compassionate educator many students had discovered her to be. Raising her voice and continuing in her firmest tone, capable of quelling crowds of misbehaving students with the efficacy of a basilisk's stare she continued, "As many times as I have disagreed with Professor Snape in the past, he is absolutely correct to insist we separate Gryffindor and Slytherin students for lessons. Your attempt to foster understanding between the Houses, while laudable, has failed utterly. Ronald Weasley, an unsorted student, attacked another unsorted student who he rightly assumed would become a member of Slytherin." Minerva stepped forward, her voice gaining volume and disgust, "Neither had been sorted. Neither had any negative Hogwarts experience to draw upon. Neither had gotten off the infernal train! If this is not proof your social experiment is a complete failure, then I don't see what will convince you." Minerva crossed her arms and glared at Albus, daring him to refute her comments.
Albus' sad eyes did not twinkle as he waved to Flitwick and Sprout, "And what are your opinions regarding this?"
Professor Flitwick ventured his opinion first, "There is always a tension in Slytherin/Gryffindor classes that is noticeably lacking in other classes I teach." Pausing for a moment, tapping his fingers upon his holstered wand, "I think as social experiments go, I would like to see what will happen if we pair the Houses and let them take all their classes together. That should reduce the opportunity to increase tensions between the Houses. I suggest Ravenclaw and Slytherin as one pair, the other two as the other."
Dumbledore nodded, thinking 'How can I make this work within my other plans?'
Sprout spoke up quickly, "My 'puffs would make a good match for the Minerva's Gryffs. Intellect and Cunning. Hard work and Bravery. Those seem like workable combinations."
Dumbledore slowly stroked his long grey beard as he began, "Perhaps you are all right. We can try it and see. But I require some concessions on your parts."
Everyone looked a bit nervous, but none so uncomfortable as Professor Snape, who was beginning to have a very bad feeling about how easily the headmaster gave in.
Dumbledore gave a disgusted grunt before he continued, "It is my opinion that my 'social experiment' as you termed it, failed in no small part due to the behavior of certain professors. So, if you would like to try this novel arrangement I will permit it, with a few alterations. First, professors will cease show overt favoritism to any house." Looking over his spectacles at Professor Snape, Dumbledore's eyes grew hard and unforgiving he continued, "Your behavior has been deplorable". He quickly raised his hand to cut off the inevitable response from Professor Snape. "Do not try to defend your actions. We both know there is no acceptable excuse. We know there is no acceptable excuse because I determine what is acceptable." The headmaster raised an eyebrow, daring Snape to challenge his assertion.
Turning to look at his assistant, "And you, Minerva, are almost as bad." Again he raised his hand. "I have allowed you to continue as you have, as a balance to Severus' behavior". His eyes became eloquent in their disappointment, "Yet your favoritism has been just as clearly displayed for all to see. Every student knows how the two of you will behave in any situation that pits Slytherin versus Gryffindor. By now, most of the first years will already know what to expect from both of you where your two houses are concerned."
Looking sternly at both Severus and Minerva, "Your behavior will now become as exemplary as it has previously been biased. I will no longer tolerate you turning children into weapons to satisfy whatever issues you may have with one another."
Smiling roughly as the twinkle returns full force he continues, "I overheard a muggle, well into his cups, once say, 'Wars are fought by soldiers, but wars are not started by soldiers. Wars are started by men with no intention of bleeding or dying in them. We should lock the leaders in a room and let them fight it out, leaving the rest of us poor blighters to our lives.'"
Albus looked at all fours Heads in turn, "I am beginning to think the gentleman, although a muggle and quite drunk, had a good idea. So, as a last resort, if you cannot work together as professionals, I will place you in a small room and come back to check on you… in a week or so. And just so I am completely understood", the twinkle disappeared as though it never existed. Here was the warrior who defeated Grindlewald. This is the man He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named still feared. "You both are much closer to 'a last resort' than you may believe."
"You are correct." Sighing deeply Dumbledore sat back in his chair and stared at the ceiling. "The incident on the train between Malfoy and Ron has proven my attempt to heal the rifts between the houses has failed."
Dumbledore looked again at Severus and Minerva, "It has proven I should have reined you both in long ago." Waving his hand at some imagined thought, "So, we shall try it your way. In trade you will behave as professional educators and Heads of House."
Professor Snape smiled. There was plenty of wiggle room in such a poorly worded order.
The Headmaster continued, "I also think the mentioned pairings are unacceptable. They are ideal, if avoiding strife were the only goal." Sweeping each professor with his stern glare, "But we are to educate our charges to function in the real world. As such, they must learn to cope with a reasonable amount of stress." Anyone with a functioning sense of self-preservation could hear the emphasis on 'reasonable'.
Rising from his chair, he leaned forward placing his fists firmly on the desktop, "Therefore, the pairings for classes will be Slytherin/Hufflepuff and Gryffindor/Ravenclaw."
Dumbledore's voice became hard, "From now on, you will rein in and discipline your students as appropriate" Dumbledore looked long and hard at Severus as he softly added, "For if you do not, I will."
His voice becoming edged with anger, "I have tried to be a conciliator. You have not allowed me to be. So now, if you force me to act in your stead, I will be judge and jury. The student you force me to discipline will be an object lesson to the other students, and to you. From now on, all major transgression will be dealt with by the student's Head of House. You will be firm and fair. Or I will step in…"
The pause gave Minerva goose bumps as Dumbledore allowed his power to be clearly felt by all. Gone was the nice grandfatherly figure. Gone was the good natured, slightly bumbling old codger willing to share lemon drops with all who entered his office. In his place was the greatest Wizard of the age, an object of abyssal fear or transcendental hope; depending on your stance relative to his.
Dumbledore's voice carried the finality of a hanging judge, "…and I will be neither. My punishments will become legend. If you continue to force me to act in your stead, subsequent punishments will become progressively more draconian until students will beg to be merely expelled." The headmaster stared at Snape, "and I will find a fitting punishment for the Head of House who required me to do his job."
Turning from Snape, catching each professor's eye for several seconds each, he asked, "Are we absolutely clear?"
No one moved beyond a slow but definite nod. Not a sound was made.
Every portrait was standing, watching silently. Some in awe. Some nodded approvingly. It was clear each had something to say about this new Dumbledore. It was equally clear none would utter a word this night.
"Any further questions"? Dumbledore looked to each Head of House in turn, waiting for further comments. None came.
"Very well. Then you all have preparations for tomorrow's classes. Use the current schedule for Slytherin and pair Hufflepuff with them. Likewise the current schedule for Gryffindor and pair Ravenclaw to them. Your scheduling issues are solved."
Looking out the window for a moment, as if to find solace and answers from the stars themselves… to no avail, Dumbledore sighed again, "Good night."
The dismissal was as unmistakable as the professors' desire to escape this room.
Filing out in silence, even Snape's cloak dared not billow, lest it attract unwanted attention. Severus and Minerva caught each other's eye.
Stopping for a moment near the gargoyle, Severus whispered, "Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus."
Looking older than Severus had ever seen her, Minerva nodded and whispered, "Indeed."
AN: End of semester crush for me. It will probably be a few weeks before I post another chapter. (Which is why this one was a bit longer)
Reviews are good incentive to get me to squeeze another chapter in before semester ends. Just saying. ;)
And Yes... Harry is still using his Head of House status with all the finesse of a bull in a china shop. He will learn as he goes. But he will also have to continue to deal with the consequences of his initial mistakes for a very long time. *evil cackle fills the dark places of the internet*