Honor to Serve
Author's Note
This may be the longest chapter of Honor to Serve. Don't expect this length again. Also, don't expect the next part soon. The Muse has been shifting rapidly between stories.
Chapter Nine
Dudley Dursley awoke to the sound of thunder rolling across Surrey. He wasn't in his own room, but in the Guest Room, asleep on the chair beside the bed. In the darkened room, only lit by the reflection of a street light and an the occasional lightning bolt, he could see his Porta, wearing one of his Smeltings Boxing T-shirts, the covers kicked entirely off of her. For a moment he didn't recall how he'd ended up sleeping in the reclining chair in the guest room, but as lightning illuminated his girlfriend's face, it came back to him.
His father had taken him and Porta to visit Piers at the Hospital. Piers still hadn't woke up. Piers's parents had been constantly at his side since he'd come out of surgery. There was a big bruise of Ford across Piers's chest, and his head was wrapped in gauze. His left eye was swollen, and there was a big bruise on his left jaw. Piers's parents said that the doctor said that it was only a matter of time before he woke up, but he hadn't in three days.
He and Porta had taken a cab home, late last night, to her address, only to discover that Porta didn't have a key. The heavens opened up, just as she tried the locked door. They'd run back to Number Four, slipping in the mud from the garden construction. Laughing, they had tumbled through the front door, discovering his mother waiting. Both had been sent for a hot shower before bed, his mother mumbling that it was a good thing she hadn't started changing the guest room.
They'd started the night in separate rooms, but he'd heard her crying. Dudley could not stand hearing, or seeing Porta cry. He'd always been that way, even when they were both toddlers. Porta's mother had once said that Dudley had been more of a friend to Porta than Piers had. That statement had made Dudley feel good, better than anything his parents had said. His parents thought Dudley could do no wrong. Once, Dudley would have agreed to that. A bolt of lightning illuminated the "Smeltings" logo on Dudley's T-shirt over Porta's breasts. Going away to school had changed that.
At school Dudley had learnt that he wasn't perfect, and it took hard work to achieve anything worth while. It was a lesson that he'd forgotten several times when he'd come home for the summer. Sometimes it took him longer than others. He'd been scared of Harry after his first year, at first. There had been a thought that Harry couldn't have known as much as the giant of a man who had come to deliver his letter, then Harry had let slip that Hagrid had been expelled after his third year. Of course, once Harry had gotten that letter, things had gone back to normal, mostly. Dudley still worried that Harry might do something accidentally.
Another roll of thunder followed a lightning strike. In the last week, Dudley had to wonder where his little sister would be if she'd lived. He'd been surprised to find out that Porta shared the birthdate of Dahlia Dursley. As the thunder rolled across Surrey, his thoughts drifted back to Sunday, when he'd been caught by his mother and forced to look at the baby books. His mother was really looking forward to having another baby, but Dudley really could careless.
Instead this thoughts moved between the new relations that he was dealing with, his girlfriend, and his changed relationship with his cousin Harry. He knew know that the death of Dahlia Dursley, killed by the same group of wizards that had killed Harry's parents, was the major reason why his parents treated Harry the way they had. That and his father's temper. He wondered how it would have been had Dahlia lived. He would have probably treated Harry a lot better, and he was sure that he and Harry would have made sure that no one harmed his little sister.
Little sister. Dudley knew that his mum was going to have a baby girl. Dudley would be half way through university before she started school. It was going to be strange to come home next summer, or even for Spring break and have a baby sister, instead of being an only child. Not that Dudley had really been an only child in the house. Favored child, yes, but Harry had always been there, for as long as he could remember.
Lightning struck close by, with a loud crack of thunder. He didn't know how Porta was sleeping through it. Dudley knew Harry probably wasn't sleeping through it. Harry had always been a light sleeper, unless he was overtired or hurt. Dudley knew he was responsible for way too many of those times.
Dudley didn't know how Harry did it. If he had been treated the way Harry had, there would be no way he would have been able to act like Harry. He was always so polite. Dudley admitted only in the darkest of nights that when he'd been told by one of the Professors at Smeltings that he needed to be more respectful and polite, or he was going to spend his weekends cleaning the Chemistry lab, he'd taken to asking himself, "what would Harry say? or what would Harry do?" when dealing with Professor Sharpe. There was no way that Dudley would have ever volunteered to build a garden for his Aunt Marge, but Harry had volunteered, helped get the materials, and put it together in a grueling long weekend. He still wasn't sure how Harry had gotten on his Dad's good side, though he thought it had to do with the overnight his parents had spent at the Tower of London.
Dudley got out of the chair, went over to the window. It was pouring down rain, and as he watched, lightning stuck the old oak tree in the back of Number Six. The crack of thunder and bold of lightning nearly made him jump. It did, for the first time since the nightmare that had prompted him to sleep in the reclining chair next to the bed, wake Porta. "Dudley?"
He turned to look at his girlfriend, "It's just a storm, Porta." He returned to her side, though, and as the next bolt of lightning struck, mercifully further away, he found her grasping him tightly, her arms pulling him close, as her head sought refuge against his shoulder. He hugged her tightly. It was just a storm, and with Porta in his arms, Dudley Dursley felt right.
Albus Dumbledore did not expect to be summoned to the Ministry at six am. He also did not expect to be met by an obviously exasperated and exhausted Princess Margaret, Countess Snowdon. "Chief Warlock Dumbledore, please tell me why a writ of habeas corpus is a foreign concept to the wizarding world?" Dumbledore was sure he could see smoke rising from the Snowdon's robes. "I just found out that one Sirus Black, who Minister Major had been informed had escaped from Azkaban where he was serving a life sentence for mass murder, hadn't actually escaped, indeed had not even been tried for the offenses that idiot Fudge had told Major that he was serving time for. What kind of government I have I just taken over?"
Dumbledore took a moment to process the Snowdon's rant. "Hadn't actually escaped?" Dumbledore asked. He was sure that Sirus Black had escaped. He'd seen the man, helped him escape from that fool Fudge's desire to have him kissed within the grounds of Hogwarts.
Princess Margaret nodded, and began heading towards the Department of Law Enforcement. Dumbledore struggled to keep up. "Monday morning, Director Bones took a tour of Azkaban, something that Fudge kept her from doing so for quite some time. She did a full inspection, and upon going to the Questioning Wing, she discovered that there was actually an occupant, who apparent had been moved there at some point in time, Black wasn't exactly sure when that happened, from his regular cell. I suspect that the move occurred about the same time as the idiot issued his patently illegal kiss on sight order.
"Black told Bones that he was unaware of ever being tried. So Director Bones checked. Apparently her predecessor, Couch, didn't even bother bring up formal charges, he just tossed Black into Azkaban, believing that the man was the Potter's secret keeper, and had killed twelve people in broad daylight, trying to escape a friend, Peter Pettigrew ... you might recall that name. It apparently came up when Sir Harry was talking to my nephew Andrew. Apparently even though the finger was clearly cut off, not blown off, they though Black killed Pettigrew. World might have been better off if he had.
"Any way, Andrew pulled out Sir Harry's testimony, and apparently I'm not the only one who was working late. Percy Weasley was trying to clean up his old office, and get ready to had off the job my sister put him back in, assuming I can find someone to fill the job, and heard my mutterings while I was out looking for some tea. Pettigrew apparently hid himself as Percy's rat, who he gave to his brother Ron, who actually saw Pettigrew transform. He's bringing his brother in now, and I want you to witness the testimony, and rule on Sirus as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot."
"I'm not sure I can rule on that," Dumbledore said. "Pius Thickness is the on duty Law Lord this week, and in order for the Chief Warlock to overrule the Law Lords, I would need four more members."
"Director Bones will be there, along with us," the Snowdon said. "I sent Percy's assistant Penny to look in the Wizengamot offices, and got a paper plane back that Baron Amesbury and Lady Longbottom were both in, and they're on their way."
They both entered the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Inside the drab walls of the department's reception room, Dumbledore was surprised at the number of those that were waiting. It was six am. In his experience, his students only got up before six am due to demented Quidditch Captains.
The fact that Draco Amesbury had been in his office this early was a surprise, but the real surprise was that Harry Potter, Ophelia Campbell, Hermione Granger, and Neville Longbottom were there, already. Ophelia was with Sapphire Eagleton, who held the proxy for her. Dumbledore was beginning to think someone was executing a plan. Especially when he spotted Remus Lupin sitting in the corner putting a packet of muggle Earl Gray Tea in his steaming cup.
Ron Weasley wasn't part of the plan, Dumbledore decided when the boy joined them, obviously just out of his bed with his sleep tousled hair and piece of toast in his mouth. "Morning, 'Moine." the boy said as he shuffled into the room.
"Swallow first, Ron," Hermione Granger admonished.
The Snowdon immediately caught the attention of the on duty officer, with a simple look in his direction. "The Director is waiting for you in room thirty-seven. Auror Scrimgeour is waiting with her, Baron Amesbury, and Madame Longbottom. We're still waiting for Sirus Black's solicitor, though."
"Consider her arrived," a woman dressed in a very short black skirt, and form fitting scarlet jacket said. "Solicitor for Sirius Orion Black, Head of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black, here to make sure my client gets what he deserves, Anne Howe, at your service ... or at his service, your Highness."
"Then let's get going," the Snowdon said. "I assume that Sir Harry and his friends are here in a witness capacity?" Receiving a nod from them, she continued. "Then Auror Michaels, please make sure they are comfortable here, before we summon them. Miss Eagleton, please join us. An enlarged panel will help us with any conflicts of interest as they may appear."
It took a few minutes before they were all seated behind the table in room thirty-seven, with Sirus Black and his solictor seated at a smaller table across the room. Another small table had a pair of Aurors behind it. Dumbledore looked up and down the row. To his left were Director Bones, Chief Auror Scrimgeour, and Minister Snowdon. To his right was Madame Longbottom, Miss Eagleton, and Baron Draco Amesbury. Assured that everyone was ready, he began. "This is a extra ordinary habeas corpus hearing, not a trial. While the accused has right to counsel, it is the purpose of this hearing to determine if charges should brought and the accused brought to trial. It is not the purpose of this hearing to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused is either guilty or innocent, but that there is grounds to try the accused.
"While normally, it would be the responsibility of the arresting officer and their superior officer to present the charges, most unfortunately, that is not possible. Auror Frank Longbottom is currently in Saint Mungos due to an attack on his family, and shows no sign of recovery even after all these years. His designated superior officer at the time, due to prior action, was the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the time, Director Crouch, who is dead. As such, the current head of the said department has appointed replacements, who have reviewed all available data on the arrest, which occurred on the morning of November First, just after six in the morning, nineteen eighty-one. Aurors Shacklebolt and Tonks, do you feel ready to present the case?"
The black auror stood, and answered for them both. "Chief Warlock, Minister, members of the Wizengamot, as Auror Tonks and I have been assigned to head the recent search for the accused, we believe that we are adequately prepared."
"Miss Howe, as solicitor for the accused, do you have an objection to Director Bones's choices?"
"The defense has no issue with these particular replacements, and acknowledges the necessity of their appointment, however wishes to note that due to the loss of the original arresting officer, I wish to remind the panel that all testimony from the aurors comes to us second hand, and must be treated as such. My client's right to face his accuser has been eliminated by the nature of the delay. Thus it should be reflect in the court's viewing of the information presented."
"The panel so notes," Dumbledore replied. "The panel is reminded of the bias against second hand information. Auror Shacklebolt, please state the charges which were stated as the reasons for the arrest of Mr. Sirus Black."
"Mister Sirus Black, last know address being 325 High Street, Godric Hallow, Wales, was arrested by Auror Frank Longbottom on charges of killing twelve muggles and one wizard, Mr. Peter Pettigrew of Number 221D Baker's Street, London, England, by use of an explosive mining spell. Auror Longbottom further charged him with conspiracy in the murder of Auror James Potter and his wife Lily Potter nee Evans. In the Summer of 1993, the Ministry further charged Mister Black with escaping from Azkaban Prison. As we are acting as the charging officers, however, we can not support all of these charges."
The Snowdon spoke up before Dumbledore could. It was the right of the entire panel to question in such a hearing. "Auror Shacklebolt, please explain, why can you not support these charges?"
Shacklebolt picked up a single piece of parchment. It seemed to be lined, with three holes on one side. "On the charge of killing twelve muggles and one wizard, upon testing the wands of Mr. Black and Mr. Pettigrew, it was discovered last night that Mr. Pettigrew's wand cast the blasting curse. We have verified that Mr. Black was using his own wand, and given the location that Mr. Pettigrew's wand was found, Mr. Black could not have been using it. On the charge of escaping Azkaban Prison, we regret that a charge is not possible, as by confining him for such a time his escape, if it occurred, can only be classified as being released on his own orders."
Next to speak, much to Dumbledore's surprise, was Draco. "Auror Shacklebolt, from what you've just told me, the massive man hunt, the orders placing dementors around Hogwarts, and searching the Hogwarts Express ... a search that I, as just a third year student suffered from, was all due to an escape that wasn't really an escape? Just how did Mister Black end up here today?"
"Mister Black was found in a cell in the Questiong Wing of Azkaban Monday Morning."
"It wasn't an escape at all, then," Draco concluded. "Chief Warlock, I move that we strike that charge of escape, as levied by the Ministry in the Summer of 1993, as without basis."
"Any objection?" Dumbledore asked. He looked left and right. "Hearing no objection, the charge is dropped, irrevocably by this panel. Auror Shacklebolt, is it your contention that we withdraw the thirteen counts of murder, of muggle and magical, as well?"
"Given the source of the spell, and the confirmed damage on the recovered twelve bodies, we can not support that Mister Black fired the deadly curse that killed the muggles. That being said, we only have the severed finger of Peter Pettigrew, so we are unable to confirm that he was not killed by the accused."
"That sounds to me like we can reduce the charges to one count murder, magical," Director Bones said.
"Any objections?" Dumbledore asked. "Hearing none, so ordered. The remaining charges are one count murder of Peter Pettigrew, and conspricy to murder Auror James Potter and his wife, Lily Potter nee Evans. Does the charging panel wish to amend this charges?"
"We do not."
"Then, Aurors, what evidence do you give as to these charges?"
"We have the statements of muggle witnesses on the scene who stated, and I quote, 'the man shouted 'You killed the Potters' among other statements. I have the transcripts available." Auror Shacklebolt said.
"Please distribute the transcripts to the panel and the defense," Dumbledore ordered. He waited while Auror Tonks handed out the packets. There was a brief silence as the panel and the defense paged through the packet of parchment.
"Chief Warlock," Solicitor Howe stood, "I must move that all of this testimony be struck as hearsay, from a dubious source. While I have no doubt that the testimony itself was taken accurately, the statements are only given the imprinture of admissibility due to the supposed death of Mr. Peter Pettigrew, thus making him unavailable due to the actions of the accused. However, Mr. Pettigrew is not dead, and the defense can provide witnesses that Mr. Pettigrew was alive as late as the end of the most recent Triwizard Tournament."
"Miss Howe, please name your witnesses, and where they claim to have spotted Mr. Pettigrew," Dumbledore asked. He knew who and where, but he was sure the others on the panel did not.
"At the Shrieking Shack during the last full moon of the 1993-94 Hogwarts term, Professor Remus Lupin, Mr. Ron Weasley, Miss Hermione Granger, Mr. Harry Potter. In the grave yard of Riddle Manor, Little Hangleton, on the last day of the 1994-95 Triwizard Tournament, Mr. Harry Potter. I should note that Mr. Potter's testimony of Mr. Pettigrew's survival is already in the records of the current Wizengamot session."
"So noted," Dumbledore said. "Minister Snowdon, as the lone member of this panel who has not heard Mr. Potter's testimony as to Mr. Pettigrew's survival, do you wish to call any of the witnesses?"
"Chief Warlock, I do not," Minister Snowdon replied. "I accept as fact that Mr. Pettigrew is alive and move to strike the charge that the accused murdered Mr. Pettigrew."
"Any objection?" Dumbledore asked. "So moved. That leaves the charge of conspiracy to murder Auror James Potter and his wife Lily Potter nee Evans."
"Given the basis of this charge, is a the testimony of a man who was believed to be deceased and is not, in fact based on Mr. Potter's testimony before the Wizengamot, spent the last decade hiding as a rodent, I do not believe that the evidence before us is enough to bring charges," Chief Auror Scrimgeour said.
"I believe it is more likely that Mr. Pettigrew deserves this charge," Sapphire Eagleton remarked.
"I agree," Director Bones said.
"If Peter Pettigrew wasn't behind the Potter's deaths, I shall be surprised," Madame Longbottom said.
There was a brief pause after Augusta Longbottom's statement. Dumbledore looked to his right, were the two that hadn't spoken were seated. "Minister, Baron?"
"No objections," the Snowdon said.
"I'm still shocked that they put the Dementors around Hogwarts," Draco said. "Dismiss it all."
"Then without objection, all charges are dropped," Dumbledore ordered. "While the accused does bear the presumption of innocence, he is reminded that an extra ordinary habeas corpus hearing is not a trial, and as such should he be charged again with these offenses, it would not be a case of double jeopardy. This hearing is has adjourned."
Dumbledore was not quick getting out of the hearing room. Sirus Black was already hugging Harry by the time he got back to the reception room. He was swift enough to hear Sirus say softly to Harry, "I told you, Harry, it wasn't a crazy plan. I'm free now, and you didn't even have to testify."
"It was a crazy plan, but I guess it worked," Harry said, pulling away.
"If it's crazy, but it works, it isn't crazy," Sirius replied. "Now, if you don't mind, my Solicitor lost a bet with me some years back, and I'm calling it for breakfast. She's paying and Harry, you and your friends are invited."
"Are you serious?" the Solicitor replied.
"Yes, I am, and you're still a bloody hot lady, Anne Howe," Sirius replied. "But you knew that."
"Sirus!" Howe replied. Dumbledore watched as Sirius's eyes locked with Anne Howe's. He counted to six, silently, then watched her deflate. It always happened. Sirius had always been able to get his way with Miss Howe with just a look. "I never could stay angry with you. How many for breakfast? Seven? You're going to be the death of me, Sirius Black."
Harry Potter looked across the witness table in the committee room. The witnesses for the Education Committee's hearing on Potions NEWTs achieved at Hogwarts had not yet entered, but it seemed that Sirius Black had found a seat in the row right behind the witness table, right behind where Professor Snape would be seated. Technically, Harry wasn't supposed to be in the room yet, but he had a significant stack of briefing papers that he wanted to be exactly where he wanted them to be, and the staff he had available at the moment didn't know his way of organizing that well. Hermione was still working on full briefs on some of his fellow members, and Ron ... well he'd volunteered to fill a missing slot on the committee staff for the day.
The sergeant-at-arms who announced the arrivals, had been on Lucius Malfoy's staff, and that staff, with one lone exception was still in DMLE custody. So Ron was dressed in the same robes that he had stood guard over Cedric's body in, with the sword, this time at his side, not under his hands. As Harry passed Ron to head out to await his turn for his official entrance, he stage whispered, "Knock 'em dead, Ron."
"Don't tempt me Harry," Ron shot back, then stiffened, as he got the cue. "All Rise for the Wizengamot Committee on Education, the member from Lincolnshire, Madame Augusta Longbotttom nee Sprout, Chair."
Harry found his place at the end of the line. He was actually next to last in seniority, but they entered in order to seat in the right order, and Draco was going on the far end. As he entered, he passed the waiting witnesses, and smiled, focusing his gaze on Professor Snape. He had been looking forward to this. Once passed Snape, he followed the others to behind the table. He waited for Madame Longbottom to take a seat. Despite what she'd asked him to at the end of the morning Wizengamot session, he couldn't quite call her by her first name. Draco might be the only one on the committee that he could, as he was the only one who wasn't at least twice his age. Dadalus Diggle was actually five times Harry's age. He hadn't asked anyone and didn't know how old Madame Longbottom was.
Madame Longbottom pounded the gavel thrice. "This public hearing on Potions Nearly Exhausting Wizarding Test Results for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will now come to order. Mr. Weasley, would you care to introduce the Witnesses to appear before the committee."
"Madame Chair, Baron Amesbury, Sir Harry, other members of the committee, it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you the first half of today's witnesses," Ron began. Harry had noticed the distinct smirk on his best friend's face as he started the introduction.
"Professor Serverus Snape, is the Potions Master for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he is head of Slytherin House. Professor Snape holds a Mastery in Potions, and is published in several major academic publications. He is also credited with recent enhancements to the Wolfsbane potion, and holds the patent on HBP Stomach Smoother." Professor Snape entered and took his seat.
"Professor Minerva McGonagall, is Transfiguration Professor and Deputy Headmisstress at Hogwarts where she is head of Gryffindor House." Somehow Ron had turned just the word Gryffindor into a cheer in the middle of the introduction. "Professor McGonagall holds a Mastery in her field of Transfiguration, as well as Charms. She is published in several major academic publications, and in 1992 won the Harrington Transfiguration Prize. In addition to her publications in academic fields, the Professor is also published in several educational journals, most notably her analysis on professorial effects on standardized tests published in the March Edition of the Sorbonne Educational." Professor McGonagall favored both Ron and Harry a smile as she took her seat next to Snape.
"Potions Mistress Edwina Eldeburry is owner and sole proprietor of Practically Perfect Potions at Number Eight-Five Diagon Alley. She holds a mastery in Potions, and her store is considered to be the leading source of prepared-on-site potions." A tall thin witch entered. As she passed Snape, Harry noticed that she gave him a glare that should have killed him in seconds.
"Professor Griselda Marchbanks, Dame Commander Magical of Great Britain, Academia Professional of the Maltese Order, is head of the Wizarding Exam Authority. She holds masteries in Care of Magical Creatures, Charms, and Transfiguration." Harry watched as Mademe Marchbanks had to be helped to her seat. Fortunately, Harry had expected that would be necessary, and detailed one of his pages from Hufflepuff, who most fortunately happened to be her great grandson Malcolm. He'd heard Malcolm responding to her protests on his way to the hearing room.
"The second half of the witnesses consists of students of two of today's witnesses, and asked that they be introduced and seated after we are finished with the testimony of the first half," Ron concluded.
"The Committee accepts that request," Madame Longbottom replied. "Thank you Mister Weasley. Opening statements will be in reverse order of seniority. The member from Wiltshire, Baron Amesbury?"
"Madame Chair, I shall keep my statement short," Draco began. "Potions has been a subject which I have enjoyed immensely. I could not see how there could possibly be a reduction in the number of students getting their NEWTs in it. However, before this session, I obtained a full briefing from a trusted member of my year at Hogwarts. Say what you want about Hermoine Granger, no one will ever tell you that she missed a fact in her research, and I say that as her worst enemy at Hogwarts. So I come here today, having only been on the Wizengamot for barely a day, with research that makes me question my feelings. It makes me question how I could feel that Potions was something that students enjoyed. Today, I intend to be enlightened."
"The member from Surrey, Sir Harry," Madame Longbottom said.
Harry picked up a sheet of parchment, covered with writing in his juvenile hand, (and with specks of ink, typical of someone just learning how to write with a quill). "Thank you, Madame Chair. I cannot promise to be as short as Draco was, though. When I started Hogwarts, Potions was a class I looked forward to. This was an art that I figured that I had a chance to excel early in. I knew nothing of the wizarding world, but I knew how to cook, and chemistry, the little I had of in primary school, I was good at it. I'd been told by the fifth year Gryffindor prefect during the sorting feast, that Professor Snape had it for Gryffindors, but surely the professor would not let it get in the way of his actual teaching. That wouldn't be professional.
"So here I was on my first day of Potion's class, and in sweeps Professor Snape, giving a speech so inspiring that I wrote it down, I kept it, and even years later, when I found myself despising Professor Snape, I still remember what he said. You'll pardon me if I do not say it as well as you did, back in my first year, Professor.
"'You are here to learn the subtle science and exact art of potion-making. As there is little foolish wand-waving here, many of you will hardly believe this is magic. I don't expect you will really understand the beauty of the softly simmering cauldron with its shimmering fumes, the delicate power of liquids that creep through the human veins, bewitching the mind, ensnaring the senses. . . . I can teach you how to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death — if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach.'
"In that one statement, at beginning of class, it sums my experience. I am apparently one of those dunderheads that the Professor has to teach. At least, that's what my potions grade indicates. So today, I'm going to find out, has Hogwarts been producing an extremely large number of dunderheads, or is it the professor who had me on the edge of my seat, hanging on every word he said, only to dump me as another in a long line of students that he was unwilling or unable to teach."
"The member from Yorkshire, Roderick Danegeld."
"As a Businessman, it concerns me that the numbers of Potions NEWTs holders have decreased. It has even gotten to the point that we must hire from outside Britain to fill good British jobs. Today I intend to get to the bottom of this."
"The member from Edinburgh, Emmeline Vance."
"I got my NEWT in Potions, the hard way, after failing to get an Exceeds Expectations OWL in it. Today, I want to know why the standards have changed, and why there are fewer getting the NEWT outside of Hogwarts as well as inside."
"The member from Norfolk, Dedalus Diggle."
"Potent potable productions is a key to the wizarding world. Perilous production levels must be devastation."
Harry had to roll his eyes at Diggle's statement. The man had to have a poor grasp on sanity.
"The member from Hampshire, Ophelia Hopkirk."
"Potions have always been the one thing my sister had trouble tracking. Indeed most potions making does not register with her sensors. This fact usually makes potions related injuries in the summer the highest level among children attending Hogwarts of any cause of injury. In the last decade this has not been true. In general this fact has been a plus between my sister and I. It remains to be seen if today will convince me otherwise."
"As the chair," Madame Longbottom began, "I scheduled this hearing shortly after receiving a letter from my Grandson, Neville. Recent statistics have led me to wonder about the way the class has been taught. Neville will be testifying later, but right now the question before us is why has the number for NEWT qualified in Potions students finishing Hogwarts dropped by sixty percent over the last decade. We will find out, today.
"I shall begin the questioning. My fellow committee members may ask a follow up question in at any time, with seniority being the tie breaker. Professor Snape, unlike your predecessor, Professor Slughorn, you have in the last ten years limited those in your NEWT classes to those that get an outstanding on their OWLs in Potions. Why?"
"Madam Chair, that is a simplification of my requirements," Professor Snape replied. "The NEWT Potions Lab has twenty stations in it. Therefore, since there is only one class of NEWT potions per year, I can only have twenty students. In 1983, when I issued this requirement, that a student have an Outstanding or their head of house recommends them, twenty students got an Outstanding. This was a high point. Due to declining enrollment, which lasted until the class entering in 1993, that number has gone down, proportionally. Given that trend, I will most likely have room in Mr. Potter and Mr. Malfoy's class to go down to all of those with Exceeds Expectations. Of course, I really won't know that until the OWL results come out."
Danegeld, the member from Yorkshire held out his hand, getting a nod from Madame Longbottom. "What do you mean, there are only 20 stations for NEWT level Potions? There were 31 NEWT level potions students in my 6th year alone, let alone those in 7th year."
"And there were probably two sections for your sixth year. Each first through fifth year gets three instructional hours in potions, That's thirty hours a week. NEWT potions is five hours a week, sixth and seventh year. That's forty total. That is, it was forty total from 1983, when I took over as the sole Potions Professor from Professor Slughorn, until 1993, when we could not do two sections a year for the first years. This past year, we couldn't for the first and second years. I'm now doing forty-eight hours a week of instructional time. Next year that will actually go up to fifty-six, unless I get an assistant. Unlike Professor Slughorn, I never have had an assistant, save this past year when I drafted four of my Slytherin Sixth years to assist in monitoring the Potions Practicums for First Years."
Vance, the member from Edinburgh got Madame Longbottom's attention by twirling her wand. "Do you think that limiting the maximum amount of NEWTs Potions to 20 per academic year is a reasonable activity for an academic institution?"
"That's half of Mr. Potter's year. Half of the year going on to the highest level of instruction is well above average. My limits are both time and attention required for the class. I assure you that the maximum size in the NEWT potions lab is an international standard."
"And is it international standard to frighten off students with bullying behavior?" Madame Longbottom questioned. "I have testimony from my own grandson, as well as two members of the Wizengamot that your control of the classroom has been less than satisfactory. I've heard of deliberate sabotage-caused accidents – notably one you didn't even acknowledge the injury of a muggleborn Gryffindor! Your blatant favoritism of your house is of legendary proportions. Seventy-three percent of your NEWT Potions classes are Slytherin, amazing since they are only twenty-three percent of Hogwarts sixth and seventh years during your tenure."
"I do not engage in bullying behavior. I run a very strict classroom. If I did not, the list of potions related injuries at Hogwarts would not be down by twenty-six percent since I started teaching." Snape folded his hands on top of the name plate in front of him.
Harry looked down the slightly curved table on the dais were he and his fellow committee members sat at Draco. He'd been surprised when Draco had expressed his opinion of his head of house. It was not one that he'd ever heard from Draco, before. Draco nodded. He'd take the lead. Madame Longbottom nodded back.
"Professor Snape, it has only been two weeks since myself and Sir Harry were last in your class. I agree that you run a strict classroom ... for the other houses. I agree that potion accidents are down, as long as my house didn't cause them. I do not agree, however with your characterization as not engaging in bullying behavior.
"Recently I've found myself reexamining my own behavior. Having a child on the way, and your father hung for treason, tends to cause that, I've been told. I have to admit that I have been a bully. Monday afternoon, I took a deep breath, and I apologized personally to Neville Longbottom, and others that I'd bullied. I have no evidence that you have ever apologized to Neville, Harry, Hermione Granger, Hannah Abbot, Seamus Finnegan, Vincent Crabbe, Mandy Brocklehurst, Ron Weasley, or any of the many of those I've seen you bully in class and out of class. You intimidate them, you deny them care, you insult them, you treat those you find the most flimsy reason to hate as if they can do no right, and deserve no help.
"Do not insult the intelligence of this committee, with two members that have been your class with lies about how your class goes. Harry, I'm sure you have something to say."
Harry nodded. He'd watched Professor Snape's face throughout Draco's comment. It had began with a smile, as if he had expected Draco to stand up for him. It had been lost at 'for the other houses.' Now the man's expression was one of fury, and Harry hadn't even said anything yet. Thanks to Neville, and to a lesser extent, Hermione, he knew what he had to say.
"Professor Snape, I'm not here today to seek out glory, as you have been accusing me of since I arrived at Hogwarts. I am here today to deal with the issue. When I came to Hogwarts, I had no idea what I was getting into. I did not even know I was a wizard until Hagrid told me on my eleventh birthday. I was no celebrity, I was just Harry. I came to Hogwarts to learn how to be a wizard. I come to this committee to learn, to find out exactly why there are issues with the number of NEWT qualified potions graduates.
"You may find it hard to believe. You found it hard to believe that I was not a self-centered fawned-over glory hound, those are your words. After what you just said about your teaching, in front of two members of this committee, sharing the same class with each other for four years under supervision, and I use that term deliberately, I find it hard to believe what you say about anything. You have, however brought up a few points which I think we will need to consider, despite what I see as this committee's increasing disbelief in what you say.
"Madame Chairwoman, I don't think Professor Snape is the only reason the number of NEWT graduates are down. With your permission, I would like for the moment to ask a few questions of Professor McGonagall as follow ups to Professor Snape's statements thus far. I believe that by doing so, we may be able to find some important issues underlying the situation, not just with NEWT classes in Potions, but with others as well."
Harry had been told that follow ups were traditionally only addressed to the person first questioned by the member of the committee, but it was important that some things be asked now.
"The chair yields to the member from Surrey."
"Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape states that he took over from Professor Slughorn as sole professor having been his assistant," Harry began. "Pardon me for my ignorance, but I know of no Professor at Hogwarts with an assistant presently. Is there a need for additional staff, such as another Potions instructor?"
Harry wasn't sure that he'd ever seen McGonagall smile like that before. "Mister Potter, Potions is actually quite in need of another instructor at this time. International standards require that no entry level Potions class have more than twenty-eight students, twenty-five is what British Official policy is generally targeted for Potions. At the NEWT level, twenty per class session is indeed the maximum allowed, hence the current NEWT potions classroom. While in recent years, we have been able to get away with less staff, beginning with the incoming class in 1993, we have been quite stretched.
"Based on the expected incoming class this fall, at the very least we will require an additional Potions instructor, I shall most likely require assistance in Transfiguration, as it has been increasingly hard for me to handle all my duties and teach all the Transfiguration classes. Professor Flitwick is also in need of an assistant in Charms. Herbology, we can still handle for another year, but if the 1996 incoming student count is as projected, Professor Sprout will need assistance as well."
"Forgive me for the accusation, Professor, but you do have three jobs at Hogwarts. How in the world do you have time to get it done as well as you have?"
"Excellent time management, and only needing two hours of sleep at night. Unfortunately, the role of Deputy Headmistress is required to be one of the Heads of House. Otherwise I would have probably convinced Albus to hand it over to Professor Vector. Head of House is given to the senior professor hailing from each house."
"Professor, do you believe that Hogwarts has been adequately staffed for the past few years, especially in Potions?"
"No, I do not. Severus has needed an assistant for at least the past two years. In my professional opinion, Potions, even when we are at the record low attendance that we were in you second year, should always have an assistant professor. I also believe that Heads of House should have an assistant."
"I see. And have you expressed this to the Headmaster?"
"Yes, and to the Board of Governors. Unfortunately the Board has not authorized the additional positions."
"Do you expect this problem to continue this year?"
"No, I do not. With the Baron Amesbury having inherited his father's seat, and five of his father's chief supporters having also left the board, I expect a much greater approval rate of changes than have occurred in the past score of years."
"Madame Chair, I have no further questions at this time," Harry said. He hadn't known that Draco was going to be on the board. He'd have to talk to Neville about how that could change things. He wrote a brief note to Hermione for a briefing on Hogwarts Board of Governors. She'd probably refer him to Hogwarts, a History.
Not a single question was addressed to Professor Snape the rest of the hearing.