Rose had stopped in the girls' bathroom to fix her hair before entering the Great Hall for the first feast of the new term. As she left the bathroom, Juniper Parkinson had entered the room with two other Slytherin sixth years Marchesa Sommertime and Serenity Povey. Usually, Juniper made some snide remark at Rose about how she stole Scorpius from her and how she was a terrible person for befriending him due to their different houses. However, this time, Juniper's empty eyes merely glanced at Rose before walking past her.
"Juniper," said Rose, rather quickly as to not miss Juniper. With her black hair partially covering her face, Juniper slowly turned around to face Rose.
"What do you want, Rose?" asked Juniper, her voice hoarse from what Rose suspected was from crying all day.
"I'm so sorry about Esme," said Rose, genuinely feeling bad for Juniper. Rose couldn't imagine what it would be like if she had lost Albus or Scorpius. The pain was be unbearable, like a void that can't be filled.
At hearing this remark, Juniper's eyes lightened up, at first with surprise, but then a faint smile appeared on her lips.
"Thank you, Rose," said Juniper, with Rose smiling back at her.
"C'mon, Rosie!" cried Lily, leaving the bathroom with Polly Chapman.
"Let me know if you need anything," said Rose, as she followed her cousin.
"Yeah sure," said Juniper half-hardheartedly, turning her back on Rose.
Rose, Lily, and Polly walked back into the warm and beautifully lit Great Hall. The smell of dinner permeating the room, including roast beef, mashed potatoes, apple crumbles, and treacle tarts. Despite the uncertainty in the world, the Great Hall was buzzing with students returning from holiday, reuniting with their friends, and enjoining their first feast of the new term.
Albus and Rose were sitting with the Gryffindors, while Scorpius sat with the other Slytherins. The Gryffindor table was divided into two sections. The first section involved the Weasley-Potter clan, including Rose and Albus, and their friends, while the second section involved Troy with his friends and allies. Meanwhile, the Slytherin table where Scorpius sat fluctuated between melancholy and hopeful. Once and a while, Rose saw Scorpius walk over to some first years or second years and would say something to make them laugh or smile. When Juniper came back from the toilets with Serenity and Marchesa, Scorpius got up to give her a hug. It was small acts like those that made Rose smile with joy and pride at Scorpius.
As Scorpius sat back down with some Slytherins, he looked up to see how Rose and Albus were faring at their table. The two of them were sitting with Lexie, Anjali, Rory, and James, and to his surprise saw James and Albus exchanging a few laughs. The golden haze that fell on the room due to the candles made Rose's hair look truly rosy and beautiful.
"Ahem!" said McGonagall, clinking her brass goblet as the room fell silent and awakening Scorpius from his trance. "Welcome back, one and all, to another term at Hogwarts!" Cheers erupted in the Great Hall, ignorant to the outside conflict surrounding the few students.
"I'm so delighted to see all of your faces here today," said McGonagall. "Like many of you, I look forward to the day when our school is reunited. So many things change in our lives, but the one thing that remains constant is our friendships."
Al felt Rose leaning her head on his shoulder, something she had always done since she was a little girl to show her love and affection for others. Al smiled at his cousin, thankful that their friendship has lasted through several trials and troubles.
"Sometimes," said McGonagall, taking a deep breath, trying to hide her trebling voice. "Things can still change and be constant. And...today, one of those constant things will be slightly changing. As of today, I will still remain at Hogwarts, but will no longer be your Headmistress."
Rose and Al felt their jaws drop at the news, while Scorpius joined in with the other incoherent rumblings of the other students who couldn't believe what they heard.
"Looks like some of us aren't that surprised," said James, pointing at Troy, Stanley, Bruno, and Kyra, who all looked unfazed by the news.
"Troy's dad must be behind it," deducted Rose.
"Now, now!" said McGonagall, who managed to bring order back to the Great Hall. "I assure you all are in...relatively competent..."
"Thank you, Professor - " said Gamp, walking past the other professors to take the Headmaster's chair. However, before Gamp could take her seat, McGonagall gave him a cold stare that made him stop in his tracks and back away from McGonagall's shadow. None of the professors could stand him, with even Neville had a scowl on his face.
"What is going on?" asked Hugo to Finn, genuinely confused. All Finn could do was shrug his shoulders.
"Like I said," said McGonagall. "I assure you are all in relatively competent hands...of your new Headmaster, Ulysses Gamp." And with that, Gamp took one step forward slowly but surely, afraid to annoy or anger McGonagall. McGonagall gracefully got up from her seat and sat down at the empty chair next to the Headmaster's chair. Once she was up, Gamp ran over to the chair and took his spot.
"Good evening, students," said Gamp, his voice alternating because a croaking frog and a deflated balloon. "I'm thrilled to be your new Headmaster. It should come to no surprise to any of you that we are faced with an uncertain future. The next few months will determine one thing and one thing only - who are you loyal to? Loyalty, that is what this school is built on. Four witches and wizards who were loyal to each other created this school. But, it was one wizard in particular - one, shall we say, slippery snake - whose lack of loyalty nearly destroy this school."
"If only he knew the truth," whispered Al to Rose.
"He may already know," whispered back Rose, biting her lip.
"And because of that, it is so important that you the students remain loyal to the school. And to ensure this loyalty, my first proclamation is that all Prefects duties are hereby cancelled!"
A collective gasp was heard around the Hall. Rose turned to Al to see his face. For a brief instance, Rose thought she saw relief on Al's face. After all, Albus had already felt stressed from being a Prefect and anxious from being a leader. Still, who would lead the students among the students?
"In lieu of Prefects," said Gamp. "I have selected an elite group of students, who have proven themselves loyal to Hogwarts. They will lead our school to be one unified front again. So please, will those students rise?"
Not surprising to anyone in the room, Troy and his three friends rose from their seats with very smug looks on their faces. At Hufflepuff, sixth year Jonathan Court, Bram Grimblehawk, and seventh year Isla Sellers stood up. At Ravenclaw, seventh year Jade Wong along with sixth years Sienna Fortin and Paul Baxter stood up. Rose felt her heat drop to her stomach when no one from Slytherin stood up.
"Students," cried Gamp. "Meet the Loyalty Leaders!"