Chapter 19

Hogwarts

Great Hall

2nd September

Harry: I wish you could have seen it with your own eyes! He was standing outside the gates and stomping his feet like an infant.

It was a precious moment.

Anyway, here is the memory of the event and everything that happened after that. Hope you have fun with it.

Ragnarok: I will see to it that it reaches the right eyes ASAP.

For now though I wish to give you some good news.

With the release of the wards of the school, it has come to OUR attention that Dumbledore has been holding out on much more information that was necessary.

There are a few heirs that need to come in to the bank to accept their inheritances.

I will send a list of the names to Professor McGonagall and she can see to it that the named people gets here as soon as possible before the ministry has claim to those vaults.

On a more personal note…

How does it feel to have the wards of the Castle?

Harry: It was a mad rush I can tell you that much.

Hit me like a ton of bricks when it shifted, but the Castle is sentient and allowed the rush of information and power to gradually fill me.

She is quite the Lady.

There are a few things WE will have to get rid of ASAP, but otherwise all is well in the school.

I will contact you as soon as I have had a chance to speak with the Guardians.

I know for a fact that McGonagall will not stand for harmful things inside the Castle.

Ragnarok: Agreed. We will await your call and be ready to cleanse whatever needs to be.

I must say, you do not do halves very well.

Flitwick has come to see me and has had many praises for you and your room mate.

I congratulate you on rendering him speechless.

Harry: It was not meant, but greatly appreciated none the less.

He is a great man and holds his responsibilities close to his heart.

Ragnarok: That he does, even from a young age he has taken to his duties with a fierce attitude.

The Nation is proud of who he has turned out to be in both our worlds.

Harry: INDEED.

A few days later and the Castle played host to the first ever debate for positions of teachers and students, and the election of a new Headmaster or Mistress.

The subject of re-instating old subjects and new ones was also the talk of the town.

The main event was the arrival of the Board of Governors and Dumbledore, followed by the Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge.

The Great Hall also played host to well over 1 000 parents and guardians as well as the current students of the School.

To the side of the teacher's table sat the press and the Wizarding Wireless.

McGonagall: Ladies and Gentlemen, honoured guests, parents and guardians, students and teachers and our esteemed PRESS. Welcome to all at this 1st Debate at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft.

We wish to remind you all that this a SCHOOL sanctioned debate and that manners and respect WILL be expected at all times.

First order to the floor will be that of appointing a new Headmaster or Mistress to the School.

This position is open to all present EXCEPT to Mr Dumbledore.

Dumbledore was on his feet so fast; he actually knocked his chair backwards.

Dumbledore: WHY AM I EXCLUDED?

McGonagall: BECAUSE YOU RESIGNED!

Dumbledore: I was forced to!

McGonagall: You did so willingly. Otherwise the wards would not have shifted away from you. Now sit down and be quiet or you will be asked to leave.

McGonagall stared down the old man and soon had him submit defeat.

McGonagall: As I was saying, the position is open to everyone here and to anyone who wishes to extend their names to the position.

The Sorting Hat will be the judge for this and select the best person for the job. All you need to do is drop your name inside it.

Next we will discuss what the position will entail and which responsibilities follow it.

After that we will break for TEA TIME.

We will begin then with the appointment of the new teachers and the reappointment of the old ones. All posts will be re-evaluated.

We will then brake up for lunch.

Next will be the resorting of those students who wish so.

After all this, we will then open the floor to you all and to our esteemed guests to decide which subject will be dropped and which ones will be added to ensure the BEST education for our NEW generation of witches and wizards.

Following that we have decided that each HOUSE will have its own dedicated Guardians.

These guardians will only have one job and that will be to be available to the students in their common rooms.

They will have the authority to deduct points and assign detentions.

Are there any questions before we begin the debate?

Silence

McGonagall: Very well. I ask Madam Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to please join me on stage.

As you all know by now, Madam Bones is a fair and strict believer in the law.

I vote for her to be Madam Spokesperson for the debate. Can I have a second?

If it was under other circumstances it would have been very funny, but almost as one the whole student body's hands went up.

Madam Bones: I take that as a resounding second and thank you for the vote of confidence.

First order to the floor please.

Anybody who wishes to submit their names as Headmaster or Headmistress, please do so now.

There was a general shuffle of feet and a group of about 100 people stood to submit their names.

Professors McGonagall, Snape, Flitwick and Sprout were called by the Hat to submit their names as well.

A few minutes later the Sorting Hat turned itself right side up and dropped out one slip of paper.

Madam Bones walked over and picked it up.

Madam Bones: I have read and confirmed the name on the parchment.

The position for Headmaster goes to Arthur Weasley.

Please step forward to take the oath.

Lucius Malfoy: I believe that will not be possible. You see he already has a "job" at the ministry and one cannot have two conflicting posts at the same time.

Lucius Malfoy said this with way to much smugness in his voice for the liking of almost every person in attendance.

S.A.M: That has been taken into consideration and it has been decided by MAGIC that Mr Weasley WILL be the next Headmaster.

His position at the Ministry has already been vacated and his position as Headmaster has already been approved.

Do you wish to be known as the one who TRIED to stand against the wishes of MAGIC Lord Malfoy?

Lucius Malfoy: Certainly not. A slight oversight on information I assure you.

Malfoy said as he bowed out and sat back down with a scowl on his face.

S.A.M: Very well then, Mr Weasley if you could please join Madam Bones on the stage and accept the vow as Headmaster.

Arthur Weasley stood up in a daze. Yes he put his name in the hat, but he never expected to be the one to be chosen.

Stepping up on the stage, he walked over to where Madam Bones was standing and removed his wand from his inner pocket to initiate the vow.

S.A.M: You can put away your wand Mr Weasley. This vow will be made in the presence of MAGIC.

There came a rush of warm wind and it filled the Great Hall from roof to floor. Every heart was filled with peace.

Those who knew what was about to happen, stood up and bowed their heads in show of respect.

Those persons being Harry, Sirius, Flitwick, Ragnarok and the small group of Goblin guards with him.

MAGIC appeared and smiled to her children.

MAGIC: Blessings to you all on this momentous day.

The beginning of a new age for all who sit here and those who could not join us today.

It is with a joyous heart that I join you here and with my greatest wish for the event to be the best for the future and those who enter it.

As for you my child, do you take this blessing in your position with an open hearts and swear to uphold all that goes with it?

Do you swear to be the best that you can be and to carry those in your care to be the best they can be?

Arthur Weasley: This oath I take with my whole heart and swear to uphold all that comes with it. With Your blessings Great Mother, I solemnly swear on my very soul and magic to be the best I can be and to carry those under my care to be the best they can be.

MAGIC: Then with My blessing, I name you, Arthur Weasley, Headmaster for Hogwarts, School for Magic.

S.A.M will be your confidant and second in command.

I will leave it to you to decide on a deputy to assist you in your task.

A rush of magic sealed Her words and She was gone from sight.

Nobody moved in fear of losing the wondrous feelingthey held in their hearts.

It started as a single pair of hands clapping, but soon turned into a thunderous wave of applause to welcome Headmaster Weasley to his new position.

Headmaster Weasley: I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for this privilege. I will serve you all to the best of my abilities until the end of my days.

The crowd again showed their approval with thunderous applause.

Madam Bones: Congratulations Arthur. I know you will do us proud and lift the School for Magic up to be the best there is.

Next on the agenda, what the position of being Headmaster will entail.

ONE: The current Headmaster WILL be responsible for every student under his care.

TWO: The current Headmaster WILL ensure that a yearly budget will be available for upgrades to school property, including the INFERMARY, LIBRARY, BROOMS and GREENHOUSES.

THREE: The current Headmaster WILL ensure that future students are made aware of school policies before joining Hogwarts.

FOUR: The current Headmaster will ensure that all rules will be amended and adjusted where necessary.

FIVE: The current Headmaster WILL ensure that the WARDS of the Castle are at optimum levels to protect the students and teachers.

SIX: The current Headmaster WILL cooperate with the CHAMPION OF MAGIC in protecting Magic and ensuring that future generations have the best provided for them.

Madam Bones: Do you agree with these requirements?

Headmaster Weasley: WITH MY WHOLE HEART.

Madam Bones: Then it is me extreme pleasure to welcome you to the community as HEADMASTER ARTHUR WEASLEY, HEADMASTER TO HOGWARTS, SCHOOL FOR MAGIC!

THE FOLLOWING APPLAUSE WAS CLOSE TO DEAFINING.

Madam Bones: We will now break for Tea and give our guests some time to mingle.

The DEBATE will continue in 45 minutes.