Hermione's choice.
The Harry Potter world is not mine in any way, shape or form. Ron bashing lies ahead.
The next morning there was an early staff meeting that hammered out the new rules of behaviour and then all of the students were woken by their head of house and were instructed to attend breakfast and a school wide meeting. Classes were cancelled until the meeting was finished.
"Good morning. To begin, the troll was found and dealt with last night. Unfortunately there were some issues revealed that concern the whole school." Albus said gravely. "A student who had not been at the feast was attacked and we are fortunate that she was rescued by a classmate. This student told us of the persecution and bullying that she was suffering and I say that any and all such behaviour will end NOW!"
Murmuring rippled through the room.
"To end this despicable behaviour we teachers are implementing some new rules. I will list some of them shortly. There is also going to be a new code of conduct that will be enforced for both students and teachers. We will be giving you printed copies of both for you to read later. Please remember that these are in addition to the rules already enforced. All rules are now being consistently enforced to their full extents by all teachers and members of staff, effective immediately. Some of the new rules are these:
No student, member of staff or teacher will disparage threaten or bully another student or teacher,physically, mentally, verbally or physically, regardless of House, family or personal habits.
No student will deprive another of resources or materials needed for class work. If necessary a compromise will be made by a teacher.
No student, member of staff or teacher will discriminate against another student or teacher, regardless of House or family.
Should a student have a relationship with a teacher or staff member, such as a family member or god parent, this relationship will be no more than the standard teacher/student that is applicable to all students. No favouritism of any kind will be tolerated.
Using spells on fellow students outside of classes is forbidden, with exception to self-defence or emergency situations. What constitutes an emergency situation will be debated on a case-by-case basis.
Excluding others from any school sanctioned after class club or group without due reason is forbidden. All students are welcome in these meetings as long as they abide by the rules of said club or group.
Fighting of any kind, magical or physical is forbidden. The perpetrators of any such incident will face punishments up to, and including, one week of suspension. Three suspensions in one school year will lead to expulsion. Any and all serious fights may lead to formal criminal charges being brought against the perpetrator.
Targeting a person or group with 'Prank' items is now considered an assault and is forbidden. Criminal charges may be made if the offence is severe.
Teachers, regardless of House affiliation, will treat all students equally. No favouritism will be tolerated.
The use of the word 'Mudblood' is forbidden and will be punished with an automatic one week suspension. Three suspensions in one school year will lead to an automatic expulsion.
Bullying or intimidating behaviour will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Those caught using these behaviours will be punished according to the degree of the infraction. The punishments can be up to and including expulsion, criminal charges and formal reparations to be made to the victim."
Albus stood quietly at his lectern for a few moments and surveyed the students reactions. Most appeared to be in shock but a few were nodding or whispering to their friends. He then spoke again.
"There is also going to be an overhaul of the House point system. For too long it has been abused. As soon as this meeting ends I will be resetting the points counters. As such, there are a few changes that I will be making for it to be fair across the whole school.
All students, regardless of House or a teachers personal like or dislike, are to be awarded House points accordingly and equitably.
The first student to successfully complete an assigned task will be awarded 5 points.
The second student to complete the same task will be awarded 2 points.
The third student, and any after should the teacher wish, to complete a task will be awarded 1 point.
Assisting a teacher in a class task, 5 points. Assistants will be chosen equally from all houses.
Minor misbehaviour or rule infractions will be deducted 5 points.
Major rule infraction will be negotiated by the Headmaster and the four Heads of house, with a maximum of 50 points taken per person per infraction.
All points given and taken for other reasons will be negotiated by the four heads of house at the end of each school day.
All points given and taken will be reviewed each day by myself and the four heads of house and may be nullified if we feel that they were given outside of the limits set here."
Albus let the students talk amongst themselves for a few minutes before concluding his lecture.
"It is my fond hope that this will be a new beginning for many of you and that it will contribute to making this school a better place to learn and grow in. I am also starting a suggestion box where any student can place an idea for improvements or anonymously report rule breaking by either students or staff members. Please do not use this as a way to persecute others. There are a number of other changes being made throughout the school so I will now hand this meeting over to Professor Sprout to start the explanations." Albus concluded, sitting down.
"Thank you Headmaster." Pomona said, walking to the lectern. "Students, I would like to announce that there are going to be a few new classes starting as of this afternoon for all year levels. All Muggle born or raised students will be attending a class we have entitled 'Magical studies'. This is to teach those of you who were raised without magic about the magical worlds traditions and ideals and how one lives in a magical household."
"About time! Teach those mudblo… people their place!" called a voice from the Slytherin table.
"Detention, Flint. Be thankful you did not complete that disgusting word!" Pomona snapped. She took a deep breath and resumed talking. "Ahem, to continue. While the muggle raised students are in this class the Magical born or raised students will be attending a class called 'Modern muggle studies'. This is to teach the non-magical world's traditions, ideals and how they live without magic. If any of you feel that you were raised equally in both worlds then please come and see me later and we will discuss which class will be best for you."
Pausing for a moment to let the information sink in and then continued. "These classes will be mandatory for all year groups and to pass your year, you must pass this class. We teachers are hoping that with greater understanding there will be less friction between those who were raised magically and non-magically."
"My father didn't send me here to be a mudblood lover! He will…" Draco Malfoy shouted, jumping to his feet. He did not get to finish his rant.
"I have the sad duty to issue the first suspension under the new rules. Mr Malfoy, as soon as the meeting finishes you will be escorted home for one week. Please be prepared to leave. Let me say now, no matter who you are or who your parents may be, no one has the power to stop the changes we are making here. If you or your parents do not like these decisions then you are, naturally, free to leave and seek schooling elsewhere. We would be sorry to see students leave under those circumstances. I am now handing over to Madam Hooch for further changes."
"Good morning. There are a few changes that I wish to make to the flying rosters and to Quidditch. I have always felt that after you have passed my flying class in your first year, most of you never sit on a broom again. To change this I am requiring all Quidditch teams to hold house wide try outs for not only a main team, but a full reserve team as well. This will be a yearly occurrence. Just because you are on the team one year does not guarantee a place for your remaining school years. To make the matches fairer to all there is going to be a set of brooms that will be used by all players in school matches. No longer will those who have the best brooms have the unfair advantage. These will be kept and maintained by me and I will give them out at each practice and before each match. There will be anti-tampering and tracking charms on them so do not try to alter them, you will be caught. I am also putting a stop to unfair booking of the pitch. Each team will be allotted two times to train each week and these are non-negotiable. If you miss an allotted time, too bad. There will be no changes made to this roster and no 'stealing' another teams time will be permitted. Finally, I am introducing a flying club for those who wish just to fly or gain more confidence on a broom. I warn you now, any dangerous or reckless behaviour will see you grounded in more ways than one! Professor Flitwick."
"It has been brought to my attention that certain people have been sabotaging others ability to access the necessary materials to complete assigned work by hoarding all of the required texts and not returning them until after an assignment is due. This behaviour ends right here and right now. All non-fiction books from the library are now reference only during the school week and an overnight loan on weekends. Each person may only take one book per subject, both at the library tables and to borrow, and the borrowed books will have to be returned by 9am the following day so that others may use it. Additionally, there will be a further restriction that once a book has been borrowed by a House member the book must circulate through all the other houses or wait two weeks before a member of the first house may borrow it again. For example, a Ravenclaw borrowed 'Hogwarts, A history'. The book must then be borrowed by a Slytherin, a Hufflepuff and then a Gryffindor before a 'Claw could borrow it again." Fillius saw that his Claws were outraged, followed closely by Miss Granger, while several upper year students looked relieved at the change. "I am hoping to see more inter-house study groups because of this. Professor McGonagall, do you wish to speak next?"
"Yes, thank you. I am speaking now as both Head of Gryffindor house and as Deputy Headmistress when I say that I am utterly appalled by what has been happening in our school. I had thought that you would all have realised that attending Hogwarts was a privilege, not a right as many of you seem to believe. I am asking you now to think hard about your aims here at this school. Why are your parents paying high fees for your education? So that you can learn to be the best you can become? Or to become bullies that will never prosper?"
Standing silent Minerva let that sink in for a short time.
"To help everyone I am proposing a parent-teacher conference to be held twice a year, here at the castle. This will give us all a chance to go over any problems and see where we can work together to correct any issues. This will be done for all students, regardless of your parents magical ability. We are also starting a 'Parents Day' where all parents and guardians can come to visit and see what you have been learning. I am hoping to see an improvement in everyone's attitudes toward each other very soon, otherwise there will be a few uncomfortable people at the meetings. Professor Snape, do you wish to add anything?" Minerva asked as she sat.
"Just that this is a waste of time. Let the classes start already!" Severus snarled.
"Ahem!" Albus cleared his throat. "I will now dismiss the meeting. You may have what little remains of the morning to contemplate what the new rules will mean to us all as you read the new rule book. You will be receiving the new class schedules at lunch so please be prompt. Dismissed."
"Will Mr Ronald Weasley please remain." Minerva called.
After Professor McGonagall's visit last night the students of Gryffindor house put 2 and 2 together and realised that Ron was the reason one of their own was nearly killed. Even his own brothers were disgusted by this. As a consequence none of his house mates would even look at Ron. Ron was totally alone for the first time in his life and he did not like it at all.
"I sent a letter to your parents last night and they arrived here shortly before the meeting. They are waiting in my office for us. Come along."
The shortly after the quiet of the day was shattered by a cry "RONALD BILLIUS WEASLEY!".