Hermione rushed through the corridors on her way to McGonagall's office, after visiting the Gryffindor Common Room and seeing that her students were properly accommodated. She had introduced herself to the new first years and talked briefly to some of her older students. She had not lingered; McGonagall had called a meeting of the Heads of House in order to discuss the major development that had taken place over the Sorting.
The young professor cringed thinking of the way William White had been received once he reemerged from the Hat, trembling and afraid. For a few seconds, the poor boy seemed not to know what to do or where to go; the entire Hall was staring straight at him. Finally, a few cheers and scattered applause followed as he stumbled his way to the Slytherin table, which was mostly silent and in shock. Hermione had watched the young man, he had barely touched any food or talked to any of his peers. Hermione noticed Narcissa seemed to watch the boy as well, though she did it with an air of practiced disinterest. The brunette could see it in her eyes though; Professor Black was intrigued, to say the least.
She had barely eaten herself, she watched the boy and the other Slytherins like a hawk from her table. While no students made the effort to actually talk to him, that seemed to stem from their shock, and not from an effort to shun him. In any case, she would keep an eye on him, through the school year if that was necessary. It was clear Slytherin's newest addition would need some special attention and care, and by Merlin, she was determined to give it.
In her rush to get to the Headmistress' office, Hermione spat out the password and lunged up the revolving stairs. On her way in, she almost collided directly with Professor Black, who had undoubtedly just walked in herself.
"My apologies, Professor Black. Professor McGonagall." She hissed, somewhat out of breath.
"Good evening, Miss Granger." McGonagall greeted. Narcissa nodded in greeting, her face stoic.
In the office were the other Heads of House. Filius Flitwick was still, after all this time, the Head of Ravenclaw House. Gabriel Thurman, a Hufflepuff from before Hermione's time as a student ,who taught flying lessons, was his House's Head. And then there were Hermione and Narcissa, for Gryffindor and Slytherin.
"Now that we are all here" McGonagall began, taking a seat. "Please sit. We have much to discuss." She said, flicking her wand so that the existing chairs in the office were pushed up to where the Professors had gathered around her desk.
"It seems" she continued once all were seated "that we have had a major development this year. Mr. William White, a Muggleborn, has been sorted into Slytherin. As I am sure you are all aware by now, this is the first time this has happened in the history of our school. Therefore, I thought we should have a brief discussion on how to proceed." She looked at her staff attentively. "Thoughts?"
"It will be an adjustment, certainly." Said Thurman pensively. "While blood purity ideals are not as prevalent as they once were, I believe we must be prepared to encounter fringe individuals who seek to perpetuate them, not only in Slytherin, but in other Houses as well."
"I agree" Hermione said. Thurman was a Half-Blood who had been raised by his Muggle mother and stepfather. He and Hermione had worked together to develop a new Muggle Studies program that was implemented by Eleanor Everett, a Muggleborn who had been hired just after the war. Everett had previously worked at the ministry, in an undercover operation as a Muggle.
"I think we should promptly offer our support and guidance to William. He needs our help; especially at a House such as Slytherin. The students there are not used to interacting with Muggleborns in-house, so to speak. I believe we should outfit some special guidance and individual support to him." She continued, nodding her agreement to Thurman.
"I am reluctant to go all the way to individualized treatment, Miss Granger, with all due respect" Flitwick responded politely. "I am sure Mr. White will need some special assistant from us; however, we must tread carefully: we cannot put the needs of one student over others'." He said pensively. Hermione shook her head.
"Respectfully, Master Flitwick, I must disagree. You saw how he was during the Sorting; he is very scared. The lackluster reception coming from his House didn't help any. Granted, that was most likely due to shock, but I fear that William will not make any friends any time soon; he needs our direct attention in order to fully integrate to the school and its courses." She said passionately. "We need to give him special attention. If he does not have us, he will have no one."
McGonagall hummed softly, seemingly considering what was being said. Her eyes found Narcissa, who had been quiet the entire time.
"What is your opinion on this matter, Professor Black? As Mr. White's Head of House, I hope you have something to add to this discussion." She said.
All eyes in the office turned to the former Malfoy. She sat stoically upon her chair, her posture impeccable, her face pensive. She took a few moments to speak.
"As it stands, I believe we should not intervene, at least for the time being." She finally said. Hermione interrupted with an indignant shrill to her voice.
"That is absolutely out of the question! William has absolutely no knowledge of the Wizarding World! His entire life has changed at the drop of a hat, he's far away from home, in an environment that isn't exactly welcoming. It would be irresponsible to leave him to fend for himself!" the brunette tried to reason. How could Narcissa simply say they should leave the poor boy be? He needed guidance. Hermione fervently wished the young William had been sorted into Gryffindor instead. She had no doubts the environment would be much more accepting, and they would not need to have this discussion in the first place.
"Yes, Miss Granger. Mr. White's world has changed, but you must consider how the very essence of Slytherin House has changed as well. Mr. White's Sorting into Salazar's House is an event that will be talked about in centuries to come, and while he may not realize that as of yet, his peers most certainly do." Narcissa explained calmly. Hermione couldn't help but scoff.
"So, you're saying Slytherin House is more shaken by this than William?" She said.
"I said nothing of the sort." Narcissa replied coldly. "What I am saying is that Mr. White does not yet realize the ramifications of his Sorting and its effects for Slytherin House. We Slytherins are a proud, competitive bunch, and we take care of our own. For now, Mr. White is still viewed as an outsider."
"And as such, he doesn't warrant our help, or that of his peer's?" Hermione challenged, unaware of the raising volume of her voice.
"I did not say that. Mr. White has forever changed the balance of Slytherin's identity. He must work to be accepted by his peers as one of his own, regardless of his blood. We value independence and intelligence, perseverance and cunning. If Mr. White has Professors coddling him left and right, he will become a joke, an embarrassment." Narcissa elaborated coolly.
Hermione could not believe her ears. Was Narcissa really suggesting they simply leave the boy be so that Slytherin House would be saved of the embarrassment?
As if she had read her mind, Narcissa promptly started again.
"I am not suggesting we leave him be. We may offer our assistance, but it is up to Mr. White to seek it."
The brunette shook her head.
"If it is left up to him, he may never do it! The kid is terrified!" she countered.
"Yes. He must get over that fear. We may offer our assistance and encouragement, but he must be the one to decide whether to take it or not. Having the special attentions of professors makes him a target for far more than ridicule" Narcissa said evenly.
"What on Earth do you mean?" Hermione asked. She could swear the blonde suppressed the urge to roll her eyes.
"As Professor Thurman has pointed out, blood purity ideals have fallen to the background. However, and take this from someone who is intimately acquainted to many of the families represented in Slytherin, they still permeate heavily in certain circles. While they are not widely advertised or perpetuated, they linger. A Muggleborn in Slytherin goes against what most of these children have been taught, and believe me, they will show it, sooner or later, and Mr. White will become a target. But, if he proves he is just as qualified to be in this House as any other Pureblood or Half-Blood, he stands a much better chance at acceptance than if he were to be coddled by his Professors." Narcissa finally said, narrowing her eyes.
Hermione's eyes widened at Narcissa's blunt admission that blood purity ideals did still linger within Slytherin House. It was unsettling to hear it come from someone who had been part of Voldemort's deadly blood purity campaign years ago.
"Can't you understand? William is alone. He has nobody. He is in a strange world where he has no one to help him. You say he may become a target, yet you allow for no action to help him?" Hermione said through gritted teeth.
"I cannot even begin to understand what he may be going through. However, I understand Slytherins. I understand how blood purity works in their minds. And I understand that those who identify the most with the blood purity ideals feel threatened by a Muggleborn 'infiltrating' their noble House. Giving Mr. White preferential treatment only paints a target on his back." Narcissa replied coldly.
Hermione didn't like the way the other Heads of House were nodding in agreement, even if Thurman seemed to be doing it in begrudging acceptance of Narcissa's argument. She refused to accept it. Even Minerva seemed to be seriously considered. She turned to the Headmistress in a desperate plea, ignoring Narcissa completely.
"Minerva, please! We can't just leave William to fend for himself in that nest of vipers!" She almost shouted.
Hermione heard a muted gasp coming from Narcissa, and even Thurman and Minerva shot her incredulous looks at her outburst.
"I would appreciate it if you refrained from slandering a Hogwarts House, Miss Granger, regardless of your feelings on the matter" Minerva reprimanded her, though her eyes shone in understanding. "While you make a good case for yourself, I am inclined to defer this matter to William's Head of House." She said, looking pointedly at Narcissa.
"Thank you, Headmistress. I'll be sure to ask for assistance if need be." Narcissa said. Hermione visibly deflated at the pronouncement.
"Good. You are dismissed." Minerva replied, seemingly eager to put an end to the discussion.
Thurman and Flitwick were the first to leave, while Minerva retired deeper within her office. Narcissa stood to leave, stopping momentarily to turn to Hermione, who still sat, defeated.
"Don't worry, Miss Granger" she said, her voice pure ice. "I'll make sure the vipers won't bite."
