Trouble in The Staff Room
Chapter Eight – What we need is a great big Melting Pot

Professor Binns paced, well paced his room without actually touching the floor, he knew who had murdered him and the headmaster, but would anyone believe him? What happened to ghosts when their purpose had been fulfilled? Did they just disappear and stop haunting? Was he sure that his murderer was also dead?
No, he wasn't going to risk everything. Instead he thought up an agreement, that he could put to his fellow staff who didn't wish to work with Professor Snape any longer. Yes, that would work, he would send word with one of his fellow ghosts and arrange to speak with those who did not wish Snape to be on the staff.

* * *

The Great Hall burst into a round of applause after the Sorting Hat's famous song.
"That wasn't as good as the previous years." Hermione commented.
"So? It was still pretty good!" Ron replied
"It had a lot of facts we haven't heard before." Hermione whipped out her notebook and started to jot down notes.
"God, Herm, just enjoy the sorting will you?" Harry said laughing.
Hermione felt hurt by that comment, but as it was neither Harry nor Ron knew why she was interested in the founders of Hogwarts. Over the years of reading in the library and experiencing things here at Hogwarts for herself. She had decided to write a much more accurate and up-date version of "Hogwarts, a History" she had picked up clues from the Hats songs over the years are to the nationalities of the Hogwarts Four.
Hermione tore the page out. How could she get fact from the song of a hat? Why did she decide to take this task up? She needed to focus all her energies on this year; they had their Magic Code exams. To become a fully qualified wizard or witch they had to complete a special exam to entitle them to a certificate saying that they were qualified.
She must have thought along this line for the rest of the Sorting for by the time she looked up to the staff table the Sorting was over and Professor McGonagall was carrying the stole and the Sorting Hat out of the Great Hall.
Professor Dumbledore stood up.
"Welcome, welcome, and welcome to a brand new year at Hogwarts! This year we are proud to welcome back an old favourite. Please welcome back, and warmly, Professor Remus Lupin our Defence against the Dark Arts teacher." The Gryffindor's, Hufflepuff's and Ravenclaw's all burst into a great round of applause, however the Slytherins sat giving each other worried looks.
"Now those who have remembered from the previous year Professor Lupin was here will no doubt be thinking about who he is. I therefore remind you that Professor Snape is able to make a Potion to keep him under control. Prefects I rely on your discretion bring our new additions into the light.
"Now I have bored you all far too much and I can see you are all eager to get started on the wonderful Hogwarts food, so I will delay you no longer." Dumbledore sat down admits a great big round of applause.
Soon the pupils were tucking into a wonderful meal. All except Hermione.
"Herm?" Harry asked through a mouthful of Shepherds Pie.
"Um." She replied.
"You not hungry?"
"What? Oh yes famished,"
"Then why aren't you eating?"
"What? Oh, sorry I got distracted." Hermione began to tuck in like the others, whilst Harry and Ron exchange bemused looks.

* * *

Severus stared at his plate. He didn't feel like eating, Flitwick, and Filch were giving him knives, as were some of the other teachers.
"Sev." Lupin touched him on the shoulder; he turned to look at him. "Are you all right?"
"Yes." Severus replied. He sighed and looked back at his plate.
"Sev, come on."
"I'm all right, just not hungry." Snape looked at Flitwick, who stared coldly back. Flitwick, who was sitting on Snape's left leaned across to reach for the salt, ignoring Severus.
"I see." Lupin said solemnly.
"Headmaster." Snape began
"No, Severus." Dumbledore replied straightaway.
"Albus." Minerva lowered her voice. "Maybe you should let him go, he looks too miserable and plus Fred and Argus keep giving him knives."
"Minerva, if Fred and Argus realise that they are hurting him they may stop and accepted him." He replied, also keeping his voice low.
"What we need is a great big melting pot." Minerva murmured.
"What?"
"It's a song by Blue Mink. The chorus went What we need is a great big melting pot, big enough to take the world and all it's got. We could stir for a hundred years or more. And turn out better kind of people by the storm.'"
"A song about stopping Racism?"
"Aye, it's a Muggle song from the 60's."
"You know, Minerva, that gives me a very good idea."
"It does?" Minerva suddenly looked worried. "Albus surely that would be" Dumbledore laughed.
"No, Minerva. A way to confront the racism in this school."

* * *

Draco Malfoy thought of the task his father had given him. He didn't see how he could do that against another Slytherin, especially one who was his house master and favourite teacher.
What Snape was wasn't right according to his father, and Draco had to agree but doing something likethat to him, that certainly wasn't right.

* * *

Professor Binns came to his conclusion, and decided that that was what he was going to do.

* * *

Hermione knew there was something wrong this year. The atmosphere in the school had changed and judging by the Staff table it probably had something to do with Snape.

* * *

I can't go on Snape thought it's getting too much. I can't take this any more?