Author's Note

So one of you guys said that my summary was misleading. I just need to clarify something quick. This story has only just begun. Apollo and Bill, as the story progresses, will become mentors towards Harry.

True mentors. I can't be the only person that was dissatisfied with Harry's abilities in canon. Him driving off all the dementors in Prisoner of Azkaban was his only noteworthy magical feat in all seven books.

I mean, it's like he only knows a handful of spells. We all know the lies his family told him about his parents. When he gets to Hogwarts, he makes no effort to take the initiative and ask those Professors that taught them, about his parents. Also, you'd have to be an idiot, not to notice the pattern of him being in some form of danger each year. Yet he does absolutely nothing about it.

He basically has Hermione or someone else, to think up solutions to all his problems. That's not to talk about his use of Expelliarmus to counter Avada Kedavra. In this story, Harry won't be a moron, so enjoy.

Slowly but steadily, over the course of the next hour, more and more of the new staff appeared in my office. Their trunks and other belongings were taken to their rooms by the house elves.

We made small talk while we waited for everyone to arrive. The students were still sealed into their dorms. I'll let them come out once the staff are in the Great Hall.

I've ordered the statues and suits of armour to line the passageways between the common rooms and the Great Hall. I'd already had the school bell rung at seven in the morning.

That should give everyone time to wake up, shower and get dressed. Once everyone is ready, they are to leave as a single group. I've already sent a note to the Prefects to make sure that all students are accounted for before they set off.

When the last of the new staff are here, we set off towards the Great Hall. Finding most of the staff was easier than I thought it would be. The way mostly incompetent Defence Professors have been foisted on the Hogwarts students for decades, I'd have thought it would be difficult.

It wasn't. There are many people that have applied to certain positions over the years, but they were rejected by Dumbledore. Politics and tenure mainly played into his decision making.

Potion Masters are not as rare as he would like people to believe. It's only since Snape has held the position, that the numbers have dropped. The Potions Master at Hogwarts must give you a written recommendation in order for you to apply for an Apprenticeship after all.

To my knowledge, he has only done so for two students during his tenure. During the tenure of Horace Slughorn, nearly a hundred students were recommended.

Just because they are recommended however, doesn't mean they actually make the cut, but it does get your foot in the door.

Fortunately, I didn't have to bring Slughorn himself back. While he's very talented and knowledgeable, his habits will only end up being a hindrance.

While I'm ruminating, we've reached our destination. None of the other staff are here yet. Perfect. It gives me a moment to implement some of the changes I've been wanting to deal with for a while.

My wand slips into my hand and I mentally nudge the enchantments that set out the school's physical structure. Then I twirl my wand like a conductor and start casting.

I can feel the surprise of those that have come with me. The Great Hall starts to gradually expand its width. Next, the staff table lengthens. At the same time, the four House tables split apart and dozens of smaller tables form.

Above the tables, hanging from the rafters, are banners with the Hogwarts Crest. I walk down the aisle and take my seat. I look at the new staff. The younger ones look on with approval, while many of the older among them look unsure.

None of them say anything however. Not too long after that, the original staff start entering the Hall. They all look surprised. Both at the new configuration but also at all the people sitting with me.

In the distance, we can hear hundreds of voices clamouring as the students head towards us. The noise becomes nearly deafening as they get here.

Many gasps and exclamations of surprise ring out as they see all the changes. That's when I rise to address them. " Good morning students. As you can see, the four House tables are gone. "

" Everything will be explained to you after you have had breakfast. Suffice it to say however is that you may sit at whatever tables you please. It doesn't even have to be with your housemates. Now please, be seated. "

It took a bit, but eventually, the children settled down. To my satisfaction, there were indeed groups of friends and acquaintances from different Houses that decided to sit together.

For half an hour, everyone noisily had their breakfast. Many of the children kept shooting glances at the staff table out of curiosity however.

None of the original staff asked any questions, yet. I could see it simmering in their eyes however. Eventually, most of the children had their fill and looked towards me.

I let the suspense build a bit and then I stood. All food vanished from the tables and everyone's undivided attention was upon me.

" I know this school year has been difficult for many of you. I also know that the events of the past few days have been confusing for you. I'm here now to inform you of all the changes that I have made. "

" During my time as a student and indeed, as a Professor, I've seen many things at Hogwarts that has dissatisfied me. Chief among them is the quality of education. The fact of the matter is that the staff at this school are insufficient to meet the needs of the modern student. "

" Therefore, effective immediately, all four Heads of House are hereby removed from their positions. It is my opinion that each House could do with a member of staff who's sole duty it is, to guide, help, counsel and protect their charges. "

" The new Heads will be as follows. Molly Weasley, Head of Gryffindor. Edward Tonks, Hufflepuff. Melissa Greengrass, Slytherin. Josephine Davis, Ravenclaw. "

" Furthermore, for the sake of stability and continuity, Professor McGonagall will remain Deputy Headmistress, but will no longer be Transfiguration Professor. As a matter of fact, there will now be two Professors for most subjects. "

" Professor Sinistra will remain teaching Astronomy. Professor Kettleburn, Care of Magical Creatures. Professor Burbage, Muggle Studies. Professor Flitwick, Charms. Professor Sprout, Herbology. Professor Vector, Arithmancy. Professor Babbling, Ancient Runes and last Professor Trelawney, Divination. "

" The only exceptions to the rule of two being Arithmancy, Divination and two Advanced Subjects. There will also be changes made to the curriculum. From now on, a revised Muggle Studies will be compulsory for all wizarding raised children. It's counterpart, a brand new subject, Magus Studies, will be compulsory to all muggle raised students. "

" There will also no longer be double periods in any subjects other than Defence, Charms and Transfiguration. That is to make space for two new core subjects. Those being either Muggle or Magus Studies depending on your circumstances and Ancient Runes which will now be taught from first year. "

" It is, in my personal experience, the most useful subject offered at Hogwarts. However because it was only taught from third year, only an abridged version is taught. "

" Next, all students who pass their OWLS with Oustandings in Runes, Transfiguration, Charms and Arithmancy will be eligible to take Enchanting as a Subject taught by me or Spellcrafting as taught by the new Professor in that subject, Pandora Lovegood. "

Here I had to stop as excited chattering broke out amongst the older students. Enchanting and Spellcrafting haven't been taught at Hogwarts for a century by now. I coughed and they gradually subsided.

" I will now introduce the new staff to you. William Weasley and Julian Smith as Defence Professors. Arthur Weasley as Muggle Studies Professor. Rose Abernathy as Charms Professor, Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank as Care of Magical Creatures Professor. "

" Michael Howard and Samuel Morris as Transfiguration Professors. Florian Fortescue and Samantha Ardern as History Professors. Dorian Rex as Astronomy Professor, Aurelian Smythe as Ancient Runes Professor. "

" Marcus Abbott as Herbology Professor, Augusta Longbottom and Ignatius Prewett as Magus Studies Professors. Agnes Hopkirk and Regina Osborne as Potions Professors. "

As I was speaking, there were sporadic reactions as different students recognised the names of some of the new staff. There was a disapproving expression on the face of McGonagall though.

I know why. Most of the new staff were once classmates of mine. A fact that was appreciated by most of the older students. New, beautiful and handsome Professors to ogle. I laughed internally. When I announced the Potions Professors, an immediate outbreak of noise broke out. Mainly cheers.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw how tense Snape was. This time, I gave the students a minute to settle down and then I continued.

" Yes, you all heard right. You're likely wondering about the omission I made. I have decided that Professor Snape lacks the temperament to deal with students, thus I have decided he shall no longer teach. "

" That being said, he is a talented Potions Master and he does have tenure. Thus I have decided to reinstate a position that fell into abeyance centuries ago. The position of Brewing Master. Who's sole duty will be to keep the Hospital Wing in stock. "

" On that note, here are the final additions to staff. I've always believed that a single Mediwitch is not enough to care for hundreds of students, no matter how admirable a job Madam Pomfrey has done. "

" Therefore I've appointed Healer Andromeda Tonks and Mediwitch Claire McLaggen to make the workload in the Hospital Wing manageable. On that note, starting today, all students are to undergo a full health check up. You will be called by year and on an individual basis. The check ups will likely take the rest of the school year to complete. "

" Speaking of manageable workloads, Madam Hooch, Madam Pince and Mr Filch will each receive an assistant to aide them. They are Lilian Jones, Mary Cattermole and Stan Shunpike respectively. "

" Now that all the staff and curriculum announcements are out of the way, I wish to wrap things up with the final changes I intend on making. "

" Inter-House unity is something that the Professors at Hogwarts have always preached, but in my experience, do little to nothing to foster it. I however, intend on doing something about it. To that end, this will be the last year that the House Cup will be awarded. "

An uproar breaks out then. From the students and three of the former Heads of House. Again, he waits for the noise to die down before he speaks again.

" Most of you probably aren't aware, but the House Cup is a fairly recent thing. It only started being awarded in the seventeenth century. What was meant to foster healthy competition has instead done the opposite. "

" From next year onwards, Prefects will no longer have the power to award or to take points. Instead, each student will earn points and rewards on an individual basis. "

" The student who earns the most points in his/her House at the end of the year, will receive a medal to commemorate their win as well as a prize of one hundred galleons. The top points earning student in the entire school will receive a prize of five hundred galleons..."

I trailed off as yet again noise broke out. This time I sat down and let them digest what I'd said so far. A goblet of water appeared before me, which I gratefully drank.

I allowed the students a few minutes to chatter excitedly to each other. Once I judged that they'd mostly spent their excitement, I spoke again.

" I can see that you're all excited about that. I hope then that we'll see you all on your best behaviour. The next change, are these tables. They will be here semi-permanently from now on. The House tables will only appear thrice a year. The Sorting Feast, Halloween and the Leaving Feast. "

" That being said, the Great Hall will be open to all students outside of mealtimes who wish to mingle with each other. The elves will provide snacks during the day. "

" I thank you all for your patience. Your new Heads of House will now give you your revised timetables and then classes will start. Just remember, be vigilant. The threat to all of us has not been dealt with yet but I promise you, we, the staff will soon have things well in hand. "

With my announcements concluded, I return to my office. I have a couple of things to complete before the staff meeting this evening after supper.

I fully intend on getting the DMLE involved sooner rather than later, but I want the wards to strengthen further first. I can't trust that all the Ministry officials that set foot on the grounds will do so with good intentions.

I know for a fact that there are a number of Death Eaters working in the Ministry. I don't want them anywhere near the students. Still, I don't want to wait too long.

I can't risk any of the students being attacked again. The rest of the day I once again spend on correspondence. The only break in my routine is when I floo call Barnabas Cuffe, the Editor of The Daily Prophet.

He interviews me about my appointment, my vision for the school and the changes that I'm making. It all goes smoothly. I'm glad they didn't send Rita Skeeter. Still, a follow-up interview is scheduled for next week so that he can speak to the new staff.

After the interview, I have my supper brought to my office. There I take my time and enjoy the solitude that I have. When I finish, I make my way to the staff room.

I'm the first to arrive. A few moments later, pots of tea and plates of biscuits appear. I don't make myself a cup yet, choosing to wait till the others arrive.

They eventually start trickling in. I exchange greetings and we make small talk while we wait for the rest to arrive. Once we're all here, I wait for everyone to fix themselves a cup before I mean to start.

Someone else beats me to it however. It's McGonagall. " Was all this really necessary Apollo? I agree that more could be done about House unity but what about tradition? "

" Then there's your choice to remove us as Heads. You never consulted with any of us about the changes you made. "

" What's more, all these new staff? Many of whom are your friends. That's not to speak of the cost? Who's paying for all of this? "

Many of the original staff were nodding their heads. I frowned however. I let out a sigh before I spoke.

" I removed the four of you because I found your conduct unsatisfactory. I've been informed of the goings on at Hogwarts last year and I was appalled at your poor sense. "

" Students nearly died because of your negligence. Then there's what's happening this year. The measures imposed by Dumbledore was inadequate. None of you questioned him however. "

" Despite being Heads of House, none of you informed the parents of the children who were petrified. What's more, none of you have taken any initiative to solve our current dilemma. "

" You are a Transfiguration Mistress, Professor McGonagall, yet the thought didn't even cross your mind to use your skillset to protect the students. "

" There is blatant bullying going on at this school and none of you take it seriously enough. I cannot allow that. So I've decided to employ people who will deal with it. "

" This school was once the preeminent magical school in the entire world. That is no longer the case. There are too few Professors to adequately train the students. "

" The students are either brilliant, or they are mediocre. That is the mindset that has prevailed here and I've had enough of it. I intend on reversing this school's decline. "

" Under Headmasters Dippet and Dumbledore, things have really gone downhill. I've actually checked the school records. Dumbledore played favorites and ignored the bullying that is so prevalent here and Dippet cared more for appearances than actual substance. "

" As to money, this school has always had it. There have been many witches and wizards that have left bequests to Hogwarts. It's a loophole in inheritance laws. "

" Bequests left to Hogwarts dont have to be registered with the Ministry, this they do not know. The finances of Hogwarts are a more complex affair than most realise. "

" Only the Headmaster is privy to all financial records. The knowledge the Board of Governors have is only regarding school tuition and the Ministry Subsidy. "

" Thus, all of you can rest assured that there is more than enough money. Not just for new staff, but for a revision in the curriculum. I intend on having more greenhouses built on the grounds and I intend on replacing all the old broomsticks. "

" This is just the beginning. I intend on returning this school to its former glory and I expect all of you to do your part and make sure it happens. Now enough of this. Let's speak of security. "

The meeting ends up lasting just over an hour. One of the decisions that is made is to search the belongings of all the students in the week ahead.

It's likely that much contraband will be found but it's necessary. One things for sure, things are coming to a head soon.