Author's Note
So some of you might be tempted to tell me that Mrs Weasley is ooc in this chapter, thing is, she isn't. I'm sure we've all read a lot of fanfics where she's portrayed in a certain way.
I know you know what I mean by that. Thing is, in the books and movies, there's one thing about her character that's made abundantly clear. She fiercely loves and is protective of her family.
Her killing Bellatrix is proof of that. Dumbledore doesn't seem to believe in killing his enemies. In canon, the elder Weasleys were under his thumb. In my story, things have changed.
Halfway back to his office, he suddenly stops. He doesn't have time to waste. He only has two days to get things ready. With that in mind, he first shoots off two Patronus messages, then he twists on the spot and seconds later, he appears before the gate of The Burrow.
Being Headmaster, he does have the perk of apparating and disapparating whenever he wants to. He opens the gate and then he walks down the garden path towards the door.
Halfway there, the door opens. Bill Weasley, my best friend steps out. I can't stop the small smile of amusement that appears on my face.
Like me, he has shoulder length hair done in a ponytail. Of course, his hair is red, a darker shade than the orange of most of his siblings. Then there's the dragon fang earring. I'm sure Mrs Weasley loved it.
Judging by his answering rueful smile, he guessed where my thoughts were. We hugged and clapped each other on the back. Then, still smiling, he led me inside.
There I was treated to a rib cracking hug from Molly. " Goodness, look at you Apollo. Being a Professor suits you. If only Bill had such a sensible job. " At Bill's eyeroll, I laugh out loud slightly.
" That's actually why I'm here Mrs Weasley. " Judging by her demeanor, she doesn't know about Percy yet. Looking over her shoulder at Bill, he subtly shakes his head at me.
By this point, we're in the kitchen and Mrs Weasley sets out to make tea and set out biscuits. Before I can continue, a crack sounds by the gate and a few seconds later, another.
Bill gets up to go and look, while Molly looks flustered. " Goodness, I wonder who that can be? First Bill comes back from Egypt and now multiple visitors during the day..." She trails off at that because we hear two distinct voices coming up the pathway in the garden. Mr Weasley and my mother, Pandora.
I haven't physically seen my mother in weeks so I'm looking forward to it. She's a self employed spellcrafter. The Ministry makes things very difficult for someone in her position however.
They want to control what magic can and cannot be taught. I sigh internally. My mother isn't absent-minded like my father is, but she's very reckless. She nearly died when I was a seventh year. Fortunately, I was able to shield her in time and save her from one of her experiments.
I rise from the kitchen table as they walk inside the house. Mrs Weasley moves past me. " Arthur? Pandora? What are you two doing here at this time? " Mr Weasley accepts the kiss on his cheek from his wife and my mum and her trade hugs.
I shake Mr Weasley's hand and then I move on to hug my mother. Afterwards, they both look towards me expectantly. I motion them all towards the table. My mom, Bill, Mr Weasley and I sit down while Molly gets the tea and biscuits.
After a bit, I look at the Weasley parents. " Mr and Mrs Weasley, are you aware of what's been happening at Hogwarts lately? " They both seem surprised at my question.
Molly answers, somewhat hesitant. " No...we don't. It's been weeks since any of the children have written to us. Percy is usually the most attentive of them. Why? Is something the matter? "
I sigh. " On Halloween night, Mrs Norris, the pet cat of the Caretaker, Argus Filch was found petrified on the second floor. On the wall was the message ' The Chamber of Secrets has been opened, enemies of the Heir beware. "
" Since then, two further attacks have happen. Four students and the ghost Sir Nicholas was found petrified. I'm sorry Mr and Mrs Weasley, but Percy is one of the victims. "
They all start paling as I speak and their reactions get more pronounced the more I tell them. When I reach the part about Percy, Mrs Weasley lets out a wail and immediately bursts into tears. Mr Weasley is little better.
My mum looks shaken, Bill however looks angry. I know why. Even though I had already told him about Percy, he didn't tell his parents yet. He didn't want to worry them and he was under the impression that either Dumbledore or McGonagall would inform his parents. Something that neither did.
It takes a few minutes for them to get their tears under control. My mum reaches into the pouch she carries and rummages around. After a moment, she removes three vials. Calming draught. She drinks one and Mr and Mrs Weasley gratefully drink the other two.
Once they've calmed down however, Mrs Weasley fixes me with a stern look. " You are a dear friend of Bill, Apollo. You're like a member of this family. While I appreciate that you came to tell us, why didn't Professor Dumbledore tell us? Or Minerva for that matter? "
I look slightly frustrated then. " Professor Dumbledore ordered the staff to keep it quiet. Percy was petrified last week you see..." I had to cut off then as she leaps to her feet.
" Last week ?! Yet we're only informed now? Come Arthur, we're heading to Hogwarts right now, to visit Percy and to give Albus Dumbledore a piece of our minds! "
She looks ready to do just that but I held up a hand. " While I've no objection to you visiting Percy, Mrs Weasley, there are a few things you need to be made aware of first. "
" The Board of Governors has decided to dismiss Dumbledore as Headmaster. They have appointed me in his place. That's why I'm here now. With an offer. "
All of them, even mum and Bill look at me in astonishment. For a few moments, there's stunned silence. Then my mother springs up, wide smile on her face.
She cradles my face in her hands. " My darling boy, I'm so immensely proud of you. Youngest Headmaster in Hogwarts history! Oh, if only your grandfather was here to see this day. " She hugs me then.
After her, Bill hugs me as well. ' Manly ' back slaps as well of course. Mrs Weasley embraces me and Mr Weasley vigorously shakes me hand. It's Bill who speaks next.
" You were saying something about an offer? " I look at him then, lips twitching. " Yes actually. As Headmaster, I won't have the time to teach Defence. So I've come to offer you the position. Bill, would you be willing to be the Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts? "
For the third time this morning, the two elder Weasleys are struck speechless. Bill himself looks shocked. " Bill, please, you're my best mate. I need your help. Whatever is attacking the students is very good at concealing itself. "
" Something which your skillset would be better placed to find than my own. I need people at Hogwarts that I can trust implicitly. There are too few Professors at Hogwarts in any case. They cannot both teach and guard the students. "
" That is why I'm expanding the teaching staff. To be perfectly honest, I'm neither pleased nor impressed by the actions of the staff at Hogwarts. Nevermind the Heads of House. "
" To that end, I'll be making sweeping changes. Each subject will now be taught by two Professors. One will teach the first to fourth years and the other will teach fifth to seventh. "
" I also plan on adding a few additional subjects, will employ a Healer, seeing as Madam Pomfrey is only a Mediwitch, get an assistant for Madams Hooch and Pince and I will replace Professor Binns. Finally and perhaps most controversially, I intend on replacing all the Heads of House. "
" With everything that has happened this year and my own observations as a student, I believe the students would be better served by having a Professor that's dedicated solely to being a Head of House. No other responsibilities. "
" That way the children can be better looked after and indeed, managed. That's why I asked you to be here, mum, Mr Weasley. I'd like to offer you jobs as well. Mr Weasley, I'd like to offer you a position as Muggle Studies Professor. "
" Based on all the muggle books I've given you over the years as well as the home chemistry sets, I'd imagine that you're even more qualified than Professor Burbage who teaches the subject now. "
" Mum, I know how frustrated you are in your dealings with the Ministry because they heavily regulate independent Spellcrafters, but as a Professor at Hogwarts, you'd be exempted from their oversight, not to mention that you'd only teach seventh year students. "
" Then there's you Mrs Weasley. You are a warm, compassionate and truly kind person. Fiercely protective and courageous, I can think of nobody else that I'd like as Head of Gryffindor House. As an added caveat, if Mr Weasley accepts, not only will you see your husband far more, you'd also see your younger children everyday, not to mention keep an eye on the twins. "
Everyone's eyes grew steadily rounder as I spoke. As I made my offers to my mum and Bill's parents, gasps were let out by all of them. I could see the indecision on Mr Weasley's face. My mother however was a decisive woman. I could see she had already made up her mind.
Mrs Weasley's eyes teared as I spoke about her attributes, but she too looked unsure. Until I laid out the benefits and it's then that a light lit up in her eyes. She turned hopeful eyes on her husband.
Faced with his wife's desires and his own, to spend more time with his family, while still doing what he loved, I could see I had him. So could his wife as a wide smile broke out on her face.
After a moment, we all turned to Bill, who groaned. A wry smile soon appeared on his face. " Oh well, I suppose it could be fun to work with my best mate and to see my family more..." That's as far as he got before his mother launched herself at him for a back breaking hug.
Thereafter we finished our tea and all of them prepared to come to Hogwarts with me. Before we left, I sent a Patronus to Professors Flitwick and McGonagall, telling them that they had to inform the Creeveys, the Changs and the Edgecombes about their children.
Taking my mum's arm in mine, we walked to the gate and she told me what she and my dad had been upto. When we had all left the Weasley property, we all twisted on the spot.
The five of us appeared before the gates of Hogwarts. Then I smirked mischievously, unknown to them. My mum took my arm again. Mr and Mrs Weasley were holding hands and Bill had his arm on his mum's shoulder, likely trying to reassure her about Percy.
Without giving anyone a chance to react, I grabbed Bill's arm and apparated again. All five of us appeared in the Hospital Winging with a crack. Four voices starting cursing in unison at being so swiftly shifted.
Naturally, that's when Madam Pomfrey came out to harangue them about the noise they were making. I said goodbye to them for now, telling them to come again tomorrow to sign their contracts.
Bill and Mr Weasley assured me that resigning from their current positions will be easy. Though, people at the Ministry will likely be bewildered at Mr Weasley's actions, not knowing the truth of it.
My mother, after kissing Percy on the forehead, left the Hospital Wing with me. I summoned a house elf and asked her to bring my sister directly to my office.
On the way, mum and I made small talk, though she was looking at all the statues guarding the passages with a knowing look. I do get my brains from her after all. My father, while being an intelligent man, is very eccentric.
My mother however, is more serious. Only showing her softer side to family and friends. Soon, we reach our destination. At the sight of me, the griffin leapt aside, or attempted to atleast.
I halted it, with an outstretched hand. My wand, which I'd been loosely carrying in my hand, was brought up. I waved it in complicated lines around the statue and after a few moments, it began to change.
After a minute, the change was complete. The griffin was gone and in its place was a large statue. A statue of a dragon. The wings were so large, that they grew outside of the entrance and formed a new archway.
Right now, the wings were opened. I gestured to mum to head on over to my office, which she did after studying the dragon. The stairs ascended but I remained at the bottom. As soon as it stopped moving, I stepped on the bottom steps.
Immediately, the wings of the dragon closed up, sealing the entrance to my office. With a thought, balls of light formed above my head, brightening the area, then I set to work.
Using my wand, I immediately began carving runes into the back of the wings, chanting as I did. For an hour I did this. When I finished, lines upon lines of runes were glowing with a blue light. I needed to strengthen it further though.
To make sure that no wizard, house elf or even a phoenix could breach the defences of my office. From the inside of my robe, I removed a black pouch.
Reaching inside, I carefully removed a phial of pure, transparent quartz. Inside, a silvery liquid glowed. I removed the stopper and carefully touched the precious liquid inside with the tip of my wand.
The moment they met, the liquid turned a molten gold. I flicked my wand upwards and all the liquid left the phial in an arc. I jabbed my wand then at the statue. The liquid shot towards it.
At the last possible second, the mass separated and affixed itself to each rune. Immediately, the glowing blue runes glowed with a golden light and a heavy thrum of magic filled the air, nearly driving me to my knees.
It lasted only a moment. Then the runes faded into the statue and so did the heavy feeling of magic, but I knew then that my office was protected. I then ascended the stairs myself and entered my office.