Nothing glittered of gold, nothing dazzled with the brilliance of rare gems and nothing drew the eye by dint of ostentation or gilt. No, the room was humble in décor no marble columns nor colorful tapestries to distract. It needed no great care to adorn or display its purpose or tone. The room simply was and that was more than enough. It was high-ceilinged, spacious. At its center were two ovals one inside the other. The outer oval was carpeted in course gray fabric while the inner oval one riser down was covered in blue. A large square table of polished bloodwood lined with eight ironwood chairs on each side dominated the inner oval.
On the four points of the table but situated on the outer oval were four chairs not quite thrones but not common either. Each high backed chair was hewn of different woods. One chair in deep, dark mahogany for Godric Gryffindor. Helga Hufflepuff preferred strong English brown oak. Exotic macassar ebony was the only choice for Salazar Slytherin while Rowena Ravenclaw had favored delicate sandalwood. Other chairs of teak dotted the outer oval. Light came from dozens of sconces on the walls and from fixtures hanging from the ceiling on great interlocking chains. Two fireplaces blazed with open fires on opposite sides of the room. Besides the main entry doors, there were two other closed doors one light and one dark.
The room was made for gathering, for conversation, for teaching and for debates. What it was not made for was inactivity or indecision. Nonplussed, the headmaster and the heads of houses did not bother to look about taking seats around the center table. The others gawked and gaped as they stood in one dumb founded cluster paralyzed by the history of the room and the palpable presence of the founders' strong personalities. Here in this room they first met. In this room they taught their first students. Here was the circle of four broken.
Albus Dumbledore looking very much at home stood up, loudly cleared his throat and said, "Please everyone, take a seat! It is growing late and have much to discuss."
Startled into action, the rest took their seats. Some shook their heads in disbelief while others fingered the table with awe and respect. Pitchers of pumpkin juice, carafes of tea and sandwiches appeared around the table.
"We are in this room today because this place and what it stands for is what we are fighting to preserve. Our conflict should not be about purebloods, muggles or even about the governance of wizards and witches. We are here to uphold and continue the work envisioned and begun by the four founders. To give of us and of ourselves so that we may teach, nurture and protect our charges in the hope of all prospering for the benefit of our kind." Dumbledore paused and looked at all the those around him memorizing how they looked - hopeful, exhilarated, inspired, determined. He put away the memory to keep until a day so dark, doubful and terrible that only this memory would sustain him. "Hogwarts is the instrument and fulfillment of that vision. Every year, I and the heads of houses come here to remember and pledge anew our dedication to this work. I have brought you all here tonight to make clear our mission, our goal, our plans and why we must not fail. But, most of all, realize that this . this idea, this wondrously simple philosophy, is what we have asked your help to preserve and continue." He nodded at Professor McGonagall who stood and addressed the group.
"From its inception, Hogwarts was created in a spirit of joy and benevolence. The four founders worked harmoniously together for many decades forming a thriving circle of learning and contribution amongst themselves and with their students, those in attendance as well as those who had graduated. But the circle was weakened by suspicion and mistrust and, finally, broken by betrayal and death. After the passing of Salazar Slytherin and Rowena Ravenclaw, Godric Gryffindor and Helga Hufflepuff organized the school to survive after them. They appointed the first heads of houses Piero Ollivandros for Ravenclaw, Allred Bones for Hufflepuff, Mikhail Lohngas for Gryffindor and Magnus Snape for Slytherin. These four created our school charter, our codes of conduct, created the houses, initiated the program of house points and demerits, drafted our formal curriculum, developed the Forbidden Forest, and created the positions of headmaster and headmistress. Together, pooling all their magical energy, they cast the Blessing of Benevolence over our school. Then, they submitted themselves to the most selfless of acts. They erased all mention of their contributions giving all credit to the four founders who were themselves their teachers and sponsors. Every headmaster, headmistress and head of house has since then strived to emulate their motives and achievements. Thus, in this way was the legend and mystique of Hogwarts created and we continue the work started so long ago." Professor McGonagall sat down and Professor Flitwick stood up on his chair.
"These four first heads of houses were, after their teachers, the most scholarly and powerful wizards of their time. The Blessing of Benevolence is more a benediction than a spell. It is in a way the very reverse of a curse. It's power is raw, its casting complex and its construction both elegant and mysterious. No record in any form remains concerning the blessing other than that which is handed down generation to generation. We only know that each wizard gave a part of themselves to create the blessing. We also know that the blessing was conditioned for its time and place. About fifty years ago, the headmaster recognized that the blessing was becoming unstable. At the time, nothing was known and temporary measures were put in place to counter the blessing's deterioration. Since then every head of house, headmaster and headmistress has contributed their energy and power to the sustenance of the blessing for as long as they are at Hogwarts. The strain on the donors, for lack of a better term, has been increasing especially as the blessing's deterioration has accellerated recently. Professor McGonagall and I have discovered that the cause of the instability and the acceleration was and is the opening of the Chamber of Secrets. We theorize that the opening of the chamber changed the original condition of the blessing's casting thereby causing the instability. The second opening of the chamber three years back severely affected the blessing more so than the first time. Why, we do not know. We estimate that the blessing will expire fully in five months. We hope that our solution will be ready by then." Professor Flitwick sat back and Professor Sprout rose.
"In the time of founding, you must recall, magic was wild and those few who were able to harness it had an instrument of pure, unadulterated power at their command. Thus they were forced to develop the discipline to wield that power with skill and seeming ease. Magic, in our times, has become somewhat diluted by history and circumstance, except for a very, very few bloodlines. Thus, we cannot recreate the blessing nor can we copy it and recast it in a more modern mold. No, we had to find another more permanent solution. Three months ago, I bioengineered a new plant using both magic and muggle means. This plant is not wholly natural nor wholly unnatural. It exists in a plane different from our existence. It can never be touched by anything of our dimension. I have slowly nurtured it and it is now the size of a small tree. As any living thing, it needs energy to grow. So, I created it to absorb minute amounts of energy from all of the school's inhabitants. As the plant has grown it has required more energy. For the last two months certain professors and staff have taken turns sitting by the tree giving their energy to accelerate its growth. Two weeks ago, Professor Snape casted a spell to forever enjoin the plant's life cycle to Hogwarts. As it grows to full maturity, it will lend a blanket of protection over the school for as long as the plant or any succeeding offspring is alive. Every year a new plant will be grown. For each succeeding tree the blanket of protection increases in strenght and vitality. In this way, a natural cycle of protection will continue to shield this school after we are gone. Every day now, the plant grows exponentially and we have found energy sources to feed its growth. However, we are racing to develop the tree fully or as fully as we can before the blessing expires. In four months time, I expect the tree to be only halfway to maturity. We need to buy time for the tree to grow." The head of Hufflepuff sat down and the head of Slytherin stood up.
"Time is a rare and increasingly expensive commodity. We are faced with an inevitability that none can ignore or forestall. I speak of the dark lord Voldemort. He is aware of the blessing's deterioration and he sees that as an omen of good fortune for his second ascendancy. So, while we have planned and developed this new Tree of Blessings, we, the headmaster and heads of houses have always been aware that we stand alone and must stand alone. For months now we have strategized and made our own plans to deal with Voldemort as well as finish the Tree of Blessings. You have been selected to carry out that plan. It is much that is expected of you - to defend, to attack, to restore, to preserve, to heal, to spy, to act opposite to your very natures. In your innermost hearts and minds know that what you are preserving, Hogwarts, is more than a place or a building. It is a source of power in its own right. This power is inherent in the soil, in each stone, in every drop of water and crap of wood that exists and resides here. It is a power that Voldemorts lusts to have and use. Harry Potter is the key to defeating Voldemort. We here are key to the survival of Hogwarts. We must barter, buy, borrow and beg for every second of time we can for both Potter's sake and the Tree of Blessings. Never forget that Voldemort, too, is planning and marshalling his forces for defense, attack and intelligence. The game is in motion and it may take years to complete but it has begun and we are playing to win."
The others sat back each absorbing in their own way the import of what they had just heard and what they must do. After a few minutes of silence Professor Sybil Trelawney stood up to address the group. None was more surprised than Hermione Granger nor more proud than Minerva McGonagall by what she said, "Enough with the speeches, then, we have work to do. The first priority is the Tree of Blessings. How can we accelarate its growth even more?"
Professor Sprout gave a quick approving nod to Professor McGonagall before saying, "The easiest way is to have more tree sitters at least three a night to start. Otherwise, more house points will be lost to its voracious appetite."
Hermione couldn't help herself she rocked back in her seat exclaiming in a voice heavy with disbelief and dusted by sarcasm. "That ... that thing has been eating our house points all this time !? It doesn't seem to like the other houses much."
"No need to make the matter personal, Ms Granger. Apparently, it finds the taste of your house to be more like citrus which it favors being a plant after all." Snape informed her.
"It talks to you?" asked Dumbledore. "But you have never -"
"Not me, Albus. It doesn't talk to me," Snape explained his voice heavy with hidden meaning.
"Out of curiosity, what is my house's flavor, Severus?" asked Flitwick.
"Ravenclaw is tangy and light to the palate like an unripe mango. Hufflepuff is very sweet and rich like tropical breadfruit. Slytherin is slightly bitter and sugary like eucalyptus leaves." Snape had lapsed into an almost trance-like state recalling how the points tasted. His voice was lighter, younger but the timbre and dark fullness was the same. Even his body seemed to have drifted into a more relaxed state far from its usual coiled intensity.
Deducing that she was seeing first hand what must have happened in the Great Hall poetry debacle, Trelawney decided a distraction was needed until Snape regained control again. She loudly and firmly said "Professor Sprout, I shall draft a new roster of tree sitters and the new rotation starts tomorrow night. Are there any requirements I should be aware of?"
Professor Sprout realizing the seer's tactic immediately replied with equal volume. "For maximum effect there should be at least one or more volunteers for that night. The sitters have to sleep in cots in the sunken dungeons. Not comfortable at all and one always wakes up with a horrible headache and the feeling and tension of someone who had not slept at all. Best have several cups of strong coffee on hand the next day. Professor Snape, Mr. Longbottom and Ms Granger are exempt from tree duty."
"We don't want to be excluded just because we're students and can't sleep in the dungeons. We're all supposed to be helping." pointed out Neville drawing many stares and strange looks.
"Yes, you are correct. Thank you for reminding us, Mr. Longbottom. Consider finding a way for both of you to participate in tree duty from the comforts of your own beds to be your first assignment." The Head of Slytherin firmly back in control.
Neville nodded and scribbled a note about it which he promptly crossed off and rewrote in a more legible fashion. Hermione was in turn looking back and forth and back again between Neville and her potions master. She was unable to decide who was behaving more out of character.
Professor Sinistra piped up with a question "Are there going to be more visitors over the next few months that we should be made aware of? Siege and Defense would prefer to have a free hand for a while and having to watch for intruders will slow us down.
"Ah, a good question. The Ministry has not indicated that they wish to have more seminars in the near future. However, we should always work under the assumption that we may be under observation at any time either by the Ministry or Voldemort's minions so make the appropriate plans." Dumbledore said.
"Good. The seminars were rather useless," Hermione had said the words more for herself but hadn't caught herself before all in the room heard her comment. Good Granger, open mouth, insert foot repeatedly.
"Most of them were graduate students paid to lecture on certain topics and look professorial," informed Professor Flitwick. "Although based on what lectures I observed whoever taught them was wholly inadequate or badly misinformed."
"How did you find that out, Filius?" asked Snape. "All their names checked out at the Ministry Auror registry."
"I borrowed a page from your book, Severus. I was courteous, polite and utterly charming." answered the diminutive teacher with a definite gleam in his eye.
That comment elicited much laughter and snickering and eased much of the growing tension in the room. Hagrid boomed out with his own request. "Oy, me medic crew'd like to have sum live bodies to be practicin' on. Can sum'um make arrangements?"
Professor McGonagall looked up from her notes. "Ms Granger, that is right up your alley. Please plan something to allow the house elves to have their practice."
"Yes, Professor," Hermione replied meekly adding yet another item to her assignments. One's past does indeed have a way of catching up to one when one was least expecting it.
The meeting broke up into many more smaller discussion groups with various people, mostly Trelawney and Granger, flitting from one group to another.
"We have the matter of a need for additional funding. Albus has informed me that the Ministry is planning on cutting our budget yet again. We need to find other sources of private funding, increase our current investments or both. Planning and Logistics is pursuing the secondary options but if anyone has suggestions for new funding please let me know." McGonagall announced.
Mr. Ollivander from across the table looked the headmistress in the eye. "Arabella Figg and I have been exploring an option that by sheer coincidence fell into our laps, Minerva. I would love to speak to you about it later."
There was a minute's hesitation before McGonagall replied with barely detectable but clearly present venom. "Since Arabella is concerned, it would be best that you and she continue to work on it without any interference from me whatsoever."
"There are intricacies that must be discussed and planned for at length, " Mr. Ollivander pressed on with a look of abject innocence. "In fact, I expect this new opportunity will probably require so much of my time and devotion that I had, before this meeting, informed my son that he has charge of the business until otherwise notified. Consider me and my presence to be entirely at your disposal. I'll need a room here, Minerva, if you would be so kind."
"Very well, I'll have a set of rooms made up for you in the Ravenclaw section. You do remember where that is?" McGonagall's voice was controlled, calm and icy. "Sybil will be taking over our funding and investment strategies, Flavius. Sybil, please coordinate this new option with Mr. Ollivander here."
Mr. Ollivander just smiled enigmatically. A select few who had looked upon the exchange with more than passing interest were trying very hard to not smile or look too interested as the imaginary gauntlet was flung at the headmistress' feet which. A gauntlet that she had unhesitatingly picked up and threw with some force back to the unflinching wand maker. It was going to be an interesting few months indeed.
In the beginning, nine young people stood around the square table tall, straight, proud and only a little nervous. They were the first to succeed, the first to fail, the brightest, the best, the most with the highest expectations to bear and the most favored. Around them, here at last meal, the other students looked at them with respect, admiration and envy.
Helga Hufflepuff stood up and announced to all "Heed me and listen! The following students are to be presented: Allred Bones, Glenna Finch, Isabel Les Strange, Mikhail Lohngas, Angus McGonagall, Pieros Ollivandros, Mariel de Rosier, and Magnus Snape."
After all the students had been called, Godric Gryffindor gazed proudly and fondly in turn at each of the students and said. "Our congratulations to you all. You have exceeded our hopes and expectations. We look with hope and more than a little impatience upon what you will make of yourselves."
"We have laughed together. We have shared mistakes. We have taught you what we know but we have certainly learned as much from you," added Rowena Ravenclaw.
Helga Hufflepuff said beaming with joy "You have studied hard and learned well. We hope that together you all will prosper and enrich our world for the better. Salazar, I believe a toast is in order."
Salazar Slytherin smiled and nodded at Helga. He stood and with glass outstretched before him said "At your command, milady. To our graduating class, the first honor is justly yours. Carry forth in confidence, safety and solidarity knowing that you now blaze a trail of excellence and tradition that others will follow. To our first graduates!"