Hall of Heroes
Chapter 4
Two Be or Not Two Be
It was near the end of the term when it was announced that there would be a gathering in the Great Hall after supper. Rumors were again rife about whether or not this was another Hall of Heroes induction. Most of the students agreed that the meeting would be about the latest Hero.
Almost everyone was surprised when they reentered the Great Hall after supper, because they could see no sign of the covered easel that normally stood on the platform during the ceremonies. In fact, the only obvious changes were the large screen at the rear of the raised platform, and the banners of Gryffendor and Slytherin hanging side by side.
Headmistress McGonnigal, dressed in maroon and yellow Gryffendor coloured robes, and Professor Slughorn, dressed in green and black Slytherin coloured robes, were sitting near the center of the platform. The rest of the faculty and staff were sitting to the right, and on the left was Harry Potter, with a table next to him, and on the table, a small cauldron.
After the students and a few guests were seated, Professor McGonnigal stood and walked up to the podium. "As many of you have surmised, this gathering is about the Hall of Heroes. However, tonight we are going to explain why two people were not selected for the Hall of Heroes. This was a hard decision to make, but after much discussion and some disagreements, the Board of Governors thought this was best."
"I am here to talk about our first individual. Most of you knew and respected him because of his position here at Hogwarts. He always wanted the best for his students, and at times seemed to be blind to their faults. Mister Harry Potter has agreed to help us share memories of this person. Mister Potter?"
Harry stood and took a small glass container and poured it into the Penseive. After stirring it with his wand, he muttered an incantation, and the light in the Great Hall diminished. On the screen appeared the memories from Harry, and other people who had interacted with the Gryffendor hero. Several scenes showed Harry and others questioning his judgment, and others showing his compassion for others in need. The final scene was of Severus Snape holding his wand out, while the familiar voice pleaded with him.
"There are two reasons for not including him in the Hall of Heroes," continued Professor McGonnigal. "As you can tell, he was a Headmaster, and by virtue of this, his portrait is in my office. The other is that he already has a monument to him at the bottom of the garden, near the lake. It is felt that these are enough to honor Headmaster Albus Dumbledore.
Headmistress McGonnigal returned to her seat and Professor Slughorn came to the podium. "While I worked with our next candidate, I cannot say I new him well. He was an instructor here for many years, but was not considered to be a very sociable person. He was also a Headmaster, but unlike Albus Dumbledore, he was not loved nor respected. However, as you will learn tonight, he sacrificed as well. Harry will be sharing memories from him as well."
While, Professor Slughorn was talking, Harry had removed the memories of Professor Dumbledore from the Pensieve, and had prepared a new set in it. He again activated it and the screen showed the memories that had been collected from those that knew him, and ended with a final set that revealed his true intents and reasons for his actions.
Many students were shocked by these revelations and could hardly comprehend what Professor Slughorn had to say.
"As you have seen, Headmaster Severus Snape was probably the bravest person known today. Not only did he protect the students of Hogwarts, albeit in a manner that most despised, he is probably the only person who was able to double cross Lord Voldemort and succeed. However, as Headmaster, he will have his portrait in the Headmaster's office, and as you have learned, his motivations were not so much for Hogwarts, but as revenge for the death of someone he loved. The Board of Governors decided that this did not qualify as heroic, so he will not be included in the Hall of Heroes. The primary reason that this information has been shared with you is so that you will know the truth, and hopefully this will mitigate the hatred and anger that many felt towards him."
As Professor Slughorn returned to his seat, Professor McGonnigal stood and said "Thank you for your patience and understanding. You are dismissed."
A/N: Thanks to those who reviewed. At one time I had planned a chapter about Snape, but decided not to write it. Several people wrote asking for it, so I changed my mind and wrote it.
However, at this time, the muse has left me dry, as far as other Heroes. If someone else wishes to continue the series, please contact me, and we will work things out. Also, I will be unable to write for the next several months, as I will be working at a Boy Scout Camp.