After the War, or
When There's Been a Shower of Rain
Chapter 11
The banquet was nearly over, the most delicious banquet Lucia had ever gone to. Professor McGonagall rose, impressively.
"I would like to say a few words to all of you now that you are no longer in danger of starving to death, and not the sort of nonsense words Professor Dumbledore used to delight in. There is much more to be said on this occasion.
"After what took place here last spring, some people thought that we ought not to open Hogwarts again for a year or so, to give both the castle and the people time to recover, but we all believe that what this school needs most is its students. We all need normalcy again. Over the summer much has been done to repair what was damaged, and repairs will be ongoing.
"Many changes will be taking place this term. We need normalcy, but we also need changes that will acknowledge what we have all gone through. You will notice that there are very few Sixth- and Seventh-Year students here. This is because they have all been given the option to graduate early, without taking their N.E.W.T.s." A murmur of astonishment arose, and she held up her hand. "The part that the students of this school played in the recent War has more than served for a final exam, don't you think? Some few have elected to return because they value scholarship, and we are pleased to have their maturity and wisdom. Other students who were expelled or otherwise missed their last year for reasons relating to the War have been granted honorary N.E.W.T. passes. These students include but are not limited to Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley, Justin Finch-Fletchley, and George and Fred Weasley." The silence in the Hall was palpable, broken only by a few sniffles.
Professor McGonagall's voice was softer than Lucia had expected was possible. "We have suffered a number of casualties among our members. Among the professors we have lost Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, Remus Lupin, and Alastor Moody. Among the students we have lost Fred Weasley, Colin Creavy, Nicholas Aberforth, Viola Maudman, Eve Pommel, Natalie Anastas, and of course Cedric Diggory three years ago. And it would be remiss of me to neglect to mention Hogwarts' support staff who gave up their lives, the faithful house elf Dobby and a number of his friends who work here. They have all been honored posthumously, and you will see new paintings of them outside their Houses.
"We have suffered another loss, as you can see by observing the Slytherin table." Everyone turned to stare, and some of the Slytherins put their heads down, ducking away from the eyes, while others put their chins up proudly. "It is well known that a significant number of Slytherins chose to follow Lord Voldemort." (There were some gasps as she pronounced the name firmly.) "They have not returned. But you see a number of Slytherin students who have elected to return to Hogwarts. Many of these students fought the Death Eaters in the battles, and many of their parents did. I will not have you judging them by what their fellow students have done. We count Slytherins among our heroes as surely as we count Gryffindors. That is why it is a new rule that discrimination will be grounds for expulsion, no matter who you are.
"This leads me to the biggest change of this year. There will no longer be a House Cup."
A gasp and a veritable babble of protest arose. She held up her hand again.
"I knew this would not be a popular decision, but it is a necessary one. The House Cup has been tradition for so long that we have been unable to see the rivalry it created between the Houses. Our greatest asset, our unity, was greatly compromised because of this. We have created rifts by pitting you students against each other when we ought to have been strengthened by our differences. Therefore, instead of competitions based on who is better, we will have competitions based on contributions to the success and unity of the school as a whole. You will still have your fun and your celebrations, but the emphasis will be different. Your Heads of House will give you more complete information later.
"Another change is this: each student in the first three years will be assigned a mentor, an older student from the fourth, fifth, and sixth years. The Seventh Years are excused from this because of their heavy workload, unless they particularly wish to take part. These mentors will be assigned across Houses; no student will have a mentor from his or her own House. You will spend four hours a week together. The mentors will help the younger students get to know the castle and learn to fly and will perform tutoring in the subjects that are their specialties. This mentoring idea was Professor Dumbledore's, as was the desire to stop the House Cup competitions. He believed it would promote unity. For this year it is an experiment, but we believe it will be a success. The Sorting Hat will choose the pairings, and you will all be informed of the results tomorrow.
"Now we come to the changes in professors and classes. You know we have not had great success with our Defense Against the Dark Arts professors. In the last seven years, the two most successful have been a werewolf and a student. You may wonder why such a class is even necessary now that Lord Voldemort is really and truly gone, but evil never sleeps, students. We all hope and believe that we have moved into an era of peace, but the truth is that there is always evil to be fought, in our own hearts and out in the world. With that in mind, I myself will taking the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, with some assistance from my fellow professors. We will frequently have guest teachers, and these will not only be from among the adult population but will also include your fellow students who have proven themselves in battle.
"Of course you know that we are missing our Potions Master. I would like you all to welcome your new Potions Master, a wizard many of you have heard of, Professor Regulus Moonshine."
There was polite applause as the tall, trim, black-haired wizard in dark purple and silver robes rose and bowed. The Ravenclaws were the most enthusiastic applauders, but Lucia, who recognized him as the very innovative man who had become famous for his potions to help hags resist their need for human flesh, was among them. She was going to look forward to his class, she thought. She would have dreaded it under Severus Snape.
"In addition, we have a new Muggle Studies professor. Muggle Studies are going to be more strongly emphasized from now on, and Professor Phoebus Penrose is among their foremost proponents. Please welcome him."
The Hufflepuffs applauded one of their own joyously, and the stout, gentle-looking man bowed to them.
"You will notice that Professor Horace Slughorn is no longer among us. He told me he was going to truly retire this time and become a hermit. As we all know, that means that at any time he is going to show up at a Ministry party or as the official sponsor of a big Quidditch match." She joined in the general chuckle. "But of course that means that Slytherin is again without a Head of House. Therefore, I have appointed Professor Aurora Sinistra to be the Slytherin Head."
Everyone appeared to be somewhat surprised at the appointment of the tall, dark, serene Professor of Astronomy who gave a grave bow. Lucia decided she liked the woman's way of looking out of her eyes, though, and the quietness with which she held herself. Slytherin would be much different under her than it had been when Draco was in it.
"And finally, I am pleased to announce that Professor Pomona Sprout has been appointed as my Deputy Headmistress. As your Headmistress, I will be an excellent administrator, but Professor Sprout will more ably fill the much-needed role of mediator and leavener. She is beloved by many of you, and you are beloved by her. Please congratulate her."
The applause was again surprised, but everyone seemed pleased. The round, smiling woman seemed to be a popular teacher.
"That is all I have to say today, and I think you'll agree it is quite enough. We will have a good and hopefully quiet year, which we all need. Please continue your feasting. Prefects and Heads of House, I wish to see you in my office after the banquet."