This chapter is dedicated to two very important people;
Sarah, a dear friend and reader. Thank you for all your support xx.
Jason, a dear friend who is amazingly supportive and encouraging xx.
The Great Hall was bubbling with life by the time Fred and Harry had made it back to their respective tables and friends. Fred quickly hurried to the open spot by George and Lee and after promising to explain later, joined their conversation on pranks. Harry went straight for the spot opposite Hermione and in between third-year Knight Terrence Higgs and his cousin Draco, sitting down, he was unable to wipe the grin from his face.
"So things went well this morning?" Hermione asked with a knowing smirk.
"Better than I could have ever dreamed," Harry responded happily, dishing up some pancakes paired with bacon, bananas and maple syrup.
"You told him everything?" Draco asked, eyebrows rising in surprise.
"Yeah, everything, from the Potter's to Father using disguises until he is ready for his ultimate return." Harry nodded, speaking in between bites.
"Wow, and you still had time to make it to breakfast, you talk fast." Blaise joked, laughing as he dodged Harry's shoulder punch.
"He was understanding and took it all really well," Harry said, still grinning.
"Told you that you had nothing to worry about." Hermione sniggered as she finished off her mixed berry porridge.
"Yeah Yeah," Harry said rolling his eyes, their friends chuckling as the twins continued to bicker playfully. Laughter and jokes passing freely between the students, when suddenly; the Great Hall doors were swung open with magic, banging loudly. The entire student body went silent as Albus Dumbledore stood up from his seat with his wand drawn, his Professors following suit. All the students broke into whispers as twelves Witches and Wizards walked into the room, all of them wearing black robes with orange trims around the seams; their hoods up. The Hogwarts Board of Governors.
Their power was overwhelming, everyone could feel their magic as it filled the hall. They were not happy, students were leaning forward eagerly in their seats waiting to hear why they were there. The Board of Governors didn't arrive at the school, let alone in such a manner, for menial reasons. The Professor's had sat back down once they had seen the uniform and perceived that they were not a threat to the students.
"What is the meaning of this?" Dumbledore demanded. His anger hidden behind a façade of shock at their entrance. Although deep in his soul the anger raged, he hated the outside interference of The Board of Governors or The Ministry. They never brought any good, only disruption, although thankfully he had taught many on The Board and they admired him, so they were only a nuisance compared to The Ministry. It made him regret not taking the Minister's seat as asked after he defeated Gellert Grindelwald, but as always he knew he had made the right decision. Young minds were easily moulded and trained, young minds such as his students; they would then leave Hogwarts filled with his beliefs and trusting his guidance, changing the world for the greater good for him. He hid his feelings and thoughts behind his occlumency shields and stood straight, looking at the invaders of his domain.
"You cannot simply barge in like this, uninvited and interrupt the student's studies." He spoke condescendingly as if explaining to a toddler why they couldn't have a cookie before dinner.
"They are having breakfast, I highly doubt this is disrupting their studies." A smooth and cultured voice spoke, somehow still sarcastically, from the front of the group, hands reaching up to draw back his hood.
"Father?!" Harry and Hermione choked out when their Father's smirking face was revealed, the man's eyes flicked to his children, nodding his head before turning back to Dumbledore. The Headmaster had gone white in shock and horror. Although it had been many years since he had seen Tom, he could've sworn that the man before him was Tom. Of course, it couldn't be, Tom had deformed his body with his addiction to the Dark Arts. His brown eyes had turned red and the insanity had taken over. Of course, he could be using a glamour charm, but surely the Dark Magic wouldn't have allowed the eyes to be glamoured. Plus his insanity, he would never have the patience to be here playing as a Father and on the Board of Governors. No, it must be a simple coincidence.
"We have important news for the school, changes that will be enforced straight away. We saw no reason to hide it from the students, who of course will suffer the consequences of the changes." Another voice spoke, removing his own hood, to reveal Lucius Malfoy, he was the only rogue on The Board, until Tom's alter ego made an appearance.
"Lucius." Dumbledore greeted stiffly, the one man he hated almost as much as Tom Riddle was Lucius Abraxas Malfoy. He had been trying to turn the other Board members against him for years, thankfully Chairwoman Gertrude Vance was an old friend. They had attended Hogwarts together, although she had been a Ravenclaw, her youngest Granddaughter Emmeline Vance was part of The Order of the Phoenix and as deeply in his pocket as her Grandmother. "Chairwoman Vance, I am a little shocked that you agreed to this approach with so much lack of decorum and respect," Dumbledore said looking out at the remaining cloaked bodies.
"Well, that is something that we needed to discuss," Tom said grinning widely. "I am the new Chairman, Minister Fudge discovered some unusual inconsistencies and she has been relieved of her duties while an investigation is launched." Tom's smirk widened as Dumbledore's eyes flashed in anger before his grandfatherly mask slid back.
"Oh dear, I would never have expected that. Well although unfortunate, I congratulate you on your new position." He said softly. "But, surely a man of your standing understands why this entrance is unorthodox?"
"Well, apparently you are a difficult man to get a hold of, we have sent letters and tried to floo call you to set up a meeting. In the end, we decided to come to you." Lucius drawled.
"The first thing I decided as new Chairman, was the Board needed… a fresh start. Newer eyes and ears you could say." Tom said his grin now predatory as Dumbledore sunk back into his seat defeated, he had lost all of his followers from the Board and he knew it. Of course, Dion LeClair would be as Dark as his best friend and brother-in-law Lucius, he had married into the Black family and was raising The Dark Lord's Heirs. He even almost looked like Tom, if Tom hadn't started to look like the monster he was. This was not good, the man would have to be investigated, perhaps Alastor could launch his own investigation for him. If the man had a friendship with Lucius, he may have friendships with other Death Eaters, or even could've been one himself, raising the twins under orders of The Dark Lord himself.
"The first business of today," Tom said standing tall and talking to all the Professor's and students alike. "The new members of the Board." Slowly the rest of the cloaked Witches and Wizards removed their hoods revealing their identities to the School. Dumbledore recognized all of them, surprised to see a mix of previous students from all four houses, somehow all working together in apparent ease and peace. "I am the new Chairman as I stated before, I am Lord Dion LeClair, and Lucius Malfoy is my Assistant Chairman for when I am unavailable," Tom said clearly, making sure he was heard by all.
"Madam Kayley Davis." A woman with grey curly hair and kind brown eyes nodded her head while raising her hand for the students to see, her only son Roger was grinning from her own previous house table; Ravenclaw. She was the Head of The Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, hence being Madam instead of Mrs or Lady, Her husband Clive being a Lord in the Wizengamot. Both her family and her husband's family had remained Neutral in the last War and still practised the Old Ways.
"Lord Advik Patil." A strict and stern-looking Indian man nodded sharply at his introduction, his black hair pulled back neatly and sharp black eyes roamed over the crowd. He worked in the Death Chamber inside The Department of Mysteries, no-one outside of those in the department ever knew what went on in there. As a Pure-blood Lord, he also held seats in the Wizengamot. He had been a Ravenclaw like his daughter Padma, but his Healer wife Samaira had been a Gryffindor like their daughter; Padma's twin sister, Parvati. Both had been Light in the War but fought Legally and denied Dumbledore's offer to join The Order of the Phoenix.
"Lord Tiberius McLaggen." A strongly built man grinned and waved, his blonde hair in curls around his face, highlighting his cheekbones and blue eyes. He was extremely handsome, but those that knew him, also knew he was arrogant, bossy, and entitled. His third-year nephew Cormac McLaggen was shaping up to be just like his Uncle, although his Father Octavian wasn't that much better, despite not holding the family Lordship. The McLaggen family were strongly Light Gryffindor supporters but never joined the Order.
"Madam Amelia Bones." The Head of Magical Law Enforcement nodded sharply, there was hardly a Witch or Wizard in England that didn't know who she was. The strict looking woman had natural dark grey hair cropped short, a strong square jaw and dark chocolate eyes which seemed to stare into your very soul. Despite her toughness and no-nonsense attitude, she had been a Hufflepuff, much like her Niece Susan who was in the same year as Harry and Hermione. Although firmly a Light Witch she had never joined the Order of the Phoenix and didn't hold Dumbledore in high esteem. Her two younger brothers Edgar and Warner had belonged to the Order; both losing their lives spying for the Lights leader, Edgar's wife and children perished shortly after himself, Warner's wife had died in childbirth with their daughter Susan. Susan was now in the care and custody of her Aunt Amelia.
"Lady Grace Abbott." A beautiful and elegant woman nodded her head from beside Amelia Bones, the two women had been in Hufflepuff together and best friends since their first year. She had blonde wavy hair which was pulled back in a ponytail, she had delicate facial features causing many opponents to underestimate her. Her daughter Hannah was now in Hufflepuff and best friends with Susan Bones, Amelia and Herself being Godmothers to the two girls. Grace had sided with the Light due to being a Muggleborn and believing The Dark had wanted to eliminate her kind, but her Neutral Pureblood Husband Gareth had made sure she learnt the Old Ways and raised their daughter the way he had been.
"Lord Sirius Black." The recently appointed, slightly childish, Black Lord grinned roguishly and made a show of waving dramatically but somehow maintained his casual elegance. He was tall, well-built and extremely handsome; fair skin paired with long, wavy, almost luminous black hair. His aristocratic features handed down the Black family, his striking grey eyes bearing extreme resemblance to his cousin's Bellatrix, Andromeda, Narcissa and Cassiopeia. He had been a staunch follower of Albus Dumbledore and Light side despite being from a Dark family. He had been sorted into Gryffindor and ended up being kicked out at 16, his younger brother Regulus took up the mantle of Heir. But when Albus Dumbledore, James and Lily Potter decided to abandon Harry he grew disillusioned with The Light and took things into his own hands, including taking up his deceased brother's Lordship the previous year. Despite taking up the Lordship and fixing the image his parents had left upon their deaths, he still retained his Auror status.
"Madam Lihua Chang." A petite Chinese woman with kind, dark shiny black eyes smiled and waved, her black curly hair in a french braid before ending in curls. Madam Chang worked in The International Magical Office of Law with her husband Hai Chang. Both sides of their families remained Neutral because in China all Magic is taught equally and Dark is not hated or feared. Both had grown up in England, but they held their cultural ways close and raised their two children the same way; Niu, their son had graduated and now working in the same department as his parents, Cho, their daughter was in her third year of Hogwarts in their old house Ravenclaw.
"Lord Arnold Macmillan." A short and stout man waved his hand, he had dirty blonde hair and blue eyes. He wasn't that impressive overall, giving a pushover sort of vibe, but he was loyal and hardworking. These traits had given him the placement of Hufflepuff, his son Ernest 'Ernie' had followed in his footsteps, both in looks, and the attributes that placed him in Hufflepuff as well. Arnold worked for the Portkey Office and held his Lordship in the Wizengamot, his family had been Light for generations, Arnold and his brother Walter had both fought in the Order of the Phoenix.
"Lady Marigold Parkinson." An elder but blonde version of Pansy nodded her head and raised her hand, she held herself with poise and grace. Born a Malfoy she had learned very young what was expected of her as a Pureblood Lady, they could have a career and a life but they had to learn how to hold themselves in public. She had raised a scandal when she dropped out of Hogwarts to marry Memphis before their daughter was born out-of-wedlock, but she came back in a storm. Having charity events to raise money for many organizations, being involved in the Ministry as much as possible whilst raising her daughter; making both the Parkinson and Malfoy families proud. Always a firm supporter of the Dark, her husband and brother both being Death Eaters.
"And last, but not least," Tom spoke.
"Madam Vera Edgecomb." She had the stereotypical Irish look, curly red hair with pale and freckly skin, and bright blue eyes. Her daughter; third year, Marietta, was the spitting image of her. Vera had been a Ravenclaw in her day like her daughter now, and went on to work at The Ministry, as a Floo Network Regulator. Vera and her husband Bartley had been Light in the War but she hadn't fought, Bartley on the other hand, was an Auror and had worked hard in the War to bring down Death Eaters. Both were extremely straight-laced and followed the rules without exception, a trait they passed on to Marietta.
Albus Dumbledore was not happy. Who did Dion LeClair think he was, shaking things up. He had lost all the people he had spent years manipulating. Although there were a few Light Supporters, in among all the Dark and Neutral, they still hadn't moulded much, and even Light supporters could be sensitive when it came to their children. If they got suspicious of how he ran Hogwarts, they may even side with the Dark, and he knew that they would love to destroy him.
"Well, thank you for that introduction, I am sure the children are grateful." He said out loud, hiding his true feelings buried below.
"Well, this Board, is for the benefit of them after all," Tom said smugly, allowing his true nature to bleed through for a moment, enough to tease Dumbledore without being obvious, leaving the man confused about just who Dion reminded him of.
"But this doesn't explain your abrupt arrival." Dumbledore scolded.
"Actually it does Dumbledore." Amelia Bones spoke up, her voice as stern as she looked.
"Our main interest for this taking place in the morning is to introduce the new members to the students. We are available to every student to owl or floo call for any problem, although we do only take problems that your Head of House or even Headmaster can't handle." She said, her eyes roaming over Albus with scepticism. She didn't think he could manage or handle much and blamed him for the deaths of her family members.
"But if you need more, we do have another reason for appearing today," Sirius said grinning widely, clearly whatever it was, it pleased him. Given the man had been a notorious prankster in his schooling years, Dumbledore was concerned.
"What may that be, Chairman?" McGonagall asked curiously when it appeared Albus wouldn't answer, the man's right eyebrow was beginning to twitch.
"It has come to our attention, by talking to many students and graduates over the last few weeks, that you still have Cuthbert Binns in your employment. Is this true?" Tom asked professionally.
"Well," Although he wanted to tell them where to take their questions, he knew he couldn't anger them, for now, he had to tread lightly.
"Yes, I do still have Professor Binns teaching History. He is a capable teacher, has seen many years and knows his subject." Dumbledore said haughtily. He was taken aback when the Board members snorted and many of the students burst into giggles.
"Professor Dumbledore," Tom said slowly, he smirked as he pulled out papers from his robes.
"We have the results from the last ten years of N.E.W.T students who sat the exams for History of Magic." He smirked wider as Dumbledore's eyes widened in shock.
"Less than forty percent of the students, not yearly, but overall, less than forty percent have passed." The entire Board was glaring at The Headmaster daring him to try to say otherwise.
"Added to that fact; only six percent of that passed with something above Acceptable," Lucius spoke up.
"Well, that is unfortunate," Albus said his grandfatherly persona back. "But, can we really fault a teacher without evidence of it just being students not trying in his subject?"
"We have interviewed many of those graduates, and they all had similar stories of how they felt about the class. The one thing they all had in common was the fact that Cuthbert Binns is a terrible Professor." Tom said authoritatively.
"This Board has decided to remove him from employment. As he is a ghost and taught for many years he won't be removed from the castle, but he will no longer be teaching here as of this moment." Sirius said gleefully. He had spent his entire Hogwarts years trying to find a way to get rid of Binns; the ghost could bore anyone to death, in fact, Sirius had suggested more than once that the man had managed to even bore himself to death.
"Just what am I supposed to do without a History of Magic Professor?" Dumbledore demanded. "I can't just find one on such short notice!"
"That is where we come in," Amelia said.
"We have already found a replacement, he will be ready to start lessons this morning, all schedules have been rearranged so that the students can start catching up to where they should be," Lucius said imperiously.
"I don't even know this person! How am I to know that he is okay to be around the student's?" Dumbledore cried.
"Do you really think we would hire someone who is a danger to the students?!" Tom hissed angrily. "We did the same, if not more, work that you have done in the past to ensure hiring the best possible Professor. Now students please give a warm welcome to Professor Remus Lupin," Tom announced, waving his hands towards the open doors where the new Professor stood. The students all stood and clapped loudly, anyone who was replacing Binns would be a great teacher. Professor Lupin smiled softly and waved shyly. He was tall, standing taller than even Tom's six feet, maybe an extra two inches in height, he had light brown hair that was streaked with grey even at his young age. He looked exhausted but happy if the massive grin was any hint. He was wearing nice robes in contrast to his usual shabby and patched robes, he had scars cutting across his face but it didn't take away the warmth in his green eyes.
"Remus my boy, this is excellent. How did you come by this job?" Dumbledore asked jovially.
"Sirius recommended me," Remus said blandly.
"Dion owled me with a time to meet the Board members and talk about why I wanted the job and what qualifications I had. Dion also found some... Interesting information whilst going through my folder. Apparently, there is no law yet written that would've kept me from Hogwarts as a student or applying here for a job, only laws on what safety measures must be set up." Remus raised an eyebrow when Dumbledore spluttered. He had idolized the man ever since he said he would keep his secret so that he could attend Hogwarts. Only to discover that Dumbledore hadn't actually done him a favour, that he should have been admitted anyway, none of the other Board members had a problem with his lycanthropy, many of which were at Hogwarts when he was.
"On that topic. Professor Lupin was unfortunately bitten by a werewolf at the tender age of five." Tom said loudly, Remus tensed, they had spoken about being truthful but he was still afraid, Sirius' hand on his arm helped relax him. Shockingly only a few students were looking scared or disgusted. Most looked at him in sympathy and sadness, they weren't running and screaming but instead, they were upset that he had to suffer such an infliction.
"There will be precautions on the night of the full moon. The most obvious being after dinner no one is allowed out of their dorms; Heads of Houses will be checking. Now, not to worry, you aren't being sent to bed early, but you will have to stay in the common rooms. Professor Lupin will be transforming in the shrieking shack, which from here on out is forbidden to all students any day of the month as it is part of Professor Lupin's property while he is teaching here." Tom said firmly, making sure the students understood the severity of the rules being set in place. Once he was in charge, any and all stigma following Werewolves would be demolished. But being straight forward now was keeping students from freaking out and instead of keeping them looking at him as a human.
"Of course, if any student is disrespectful because of this, I am sure there are many different punishments that can be dealt out in detentions." Lucius sneered. Since this had started he had spent a great deal of time with both Sirius Black and Remus Lupin and came to respect them, although he would happily take the Cruciatus Curse before admitting being friendly with those two specific Gryffindors.
"I am sure the students understand the gravity of the situation," Dumbledore said smoothly, feeling irked at the fact that not only were LeClair and Malfoy were changing his school, but that Sirius and Remus hadn't mentioned any of this to him. He would have to bring them back to heel. He was careful to keep his expression happy as he added another chair to the Head Table and welcomed the new History of Magic Professor whilst The Board of Governors handed out the new timetables. For the rest of the year, all History of Magic classes were combining all four houses instead of splitting them up by two, this way they had more blocks available to catch them up as one. Finally, the Board left with Dumbledore to discuss more in-depth the changes happening; and the students left to their new classes chattering excitedly.
Hey, darlings. I hope you enjoyed this new chapter, longer than the last few =D I apologize for any mistakes. Let me know what you thought =) xxx