Chapter Twenty-One
In a Spot
After having breakfast with his parents the next morning, Quintin met Jeremy outside of Transfiguration.
"I am so glad I can sit through this class just once without having to doze off," Jeremy said. "I don't suppose any more Astronomy classes fall on a holiday this term?"
"Nope, sorry," Quintin disillusioned him.
"We should petition to get out of Astronomy on bank holidays too," Jeremy suggested as they went to their seats.
"I thought you liked all of that space stuff, Jeremy. Didn't you you want to be an astronaut at one point?" Quintin reminded him.
"Only when I was a kid and didn't appreciate the value of a good night's sleep," Jeremy said. "I don't want any sort of job that makes me get up in the middle of the night to do star readings."
"So you don't want to take Astrology with me?" Quintin taunted him.
"Not a chance. You'll have to keep your own journal if you ever want to take any classes involving that tower again," Jeremy swore.
Professor Andrew had just come into the classroom, walking up to the front.
"What's the topic of conversation this time?" Andrew asked curiously, putting his notes on the table.
"I've decided that I'm not doing any jobs that make me lose sleep in the middle of the night. Are there many Transfiguration jobs that fit into that category?" Jeremy asked.
"Sure, plenty," Andrew replied. Jeremy nodded at that in appreciation. "Just don't ever become a parent."
It was only inevitable. Practically every child that was ever born into a wizard family had to deal with Tangerine Spots at one time or another. But when Anthos Storm Craw began breaking out in spots at the Craw's children's party, it didn't take any of the parents very long to realize they were about to experience a major family outbreak.
Pretty soon everyone was scrambling as one by one another child came down with it. Laura was the first to ask for a substitute, and since the girls were especially young and needed to be closer to the hospital in case of an emergency, she settled in with Elinor and Emma Elizabeth at the Baker Street House. Jennifer soon followed as Serendipity was the next to go, and then Ginger arrived, bringing Branwen and Brigid into the mix. The rest of the family's children sought refuge at the Craw Manor, except for Anna, Zoe, and Juliet, who brought their children to the comfort of the Black Mansion until the siege was over.
To say that Severus and Hermione had their hands full would have been an understatement. Not only did they need to find a lot of substitutes, but several of the witches and wizards who normally substituted were impacted by the outbreak as well. It also didn't help that Sagittari asked for the daycare to be shut down as a precaution. Twenty-four hours after his birthday dinner when Serendipity had her first spot, Severus was quite ready to throw in the towel.
Just after the clock struck eleven, at the time when Severus was feeling the most defeated, the painting of Caprica Dusthorn appeared in the Headmaster's Study.
"I have good news to report, and a lot of it!" Caprica declared with a voice so cheerful that it made Severus feel a little nauseous.
"Which is?" Severus prompted testily.
"The school board of Hogsmeade Primary has decided to shut down for two weeks because of the outbreak!" she informed him.
"That is good news?" Severus said dubiously.
"Yes, because Pyther has offered to come and help fill in if you need him," Caprica said with amusement.
"Tell him I need him, of course! Is anyone else at that school qualified to teach magic at a secondary level?" Severus asked hopefully.
"I don't know, Severus, but there was another inquiry," Caprica told him happily. "Isn't that right, Dippet?"
"We weren't supposed to mention it until Ember got here, Caprica," Dippet reminded her sternly.
"Ember?" Severus repeated, standing up with surprise.
"Yep! It seems that Dumbledore just made it through the portal! And while he's very sorry he missed your birthday, he heard about the outbreak and is asking how you're holding up," Caprica spoiled unabashedly. Severus ran up the Observatory stairs, staring out the window until the Phoenix dropped off the awaited letter. Quickly reading it, he grabbed his cloak.
From the students' perspective,Wednesday was nothing short of chaotic; quite a number of classes were canceled with notes on the door listing out their next assignments.
By Thursday, nearly all of the main classes had a teacher of some kind in them, although most of them had them doing their homework for the whole period. Many of the electives were still canceled, as well as sparring and other clubs.
But by the time Quintin woke up on Friday, things seemed to have settled in the castle. Their first class was double Charms class, and Professor Weasley was one of the few Professors had kept her original schedule. Broom class had been canceled as well, giving them an early lunch, and then they had a substitute for Defense. Albus Dumbledore was sitting at the professor's desk and reading the newspaper when the students walked into the classroom.
"You're back!" Quintin declared with surprise.
"Yes, yes, I'm back. Yes, it's just me, and it is good to so you, Quintin, my have you grown - do come in," Albus said all in one breath, smiling at the students as they filed in. "I was just catching up on my reading. Things change very quickly for me here... such a fine current events agenda you have! I can't wait to read all of your essays. I am Professor Dumbledore, and I am going to be filling in at Defense while Professor Laura is on emergency family leave."
"Along with half of the other female members of the staff," Pete said dryly.
"What an interesting observation, but let's concentrate on getting out our essays and passing them forward, thank you. Once I am certain everyone is here and I have all of your essays, I will allow you fifteen minutes to look over current events. Yes, Pippa?"
"Does the Tangerine Spots outbreak count as a risk to our Defense?" Pippa asked, more than a little exasperated with the situation.
"I can easily see several arguments you can make on that, Pipaluk. It'll be very interesting to read your essay next week," Albus replied, and Pippa looked pleased about that. "Now, while I am here, I will not only be going over your Defense agenda, but I will be lecturing you on some of the Dark Fae races from Tir Na Nog. While they are creatures that are much more prevalent in my world, they have been known to sneak over and cause havoc in this world from time to time as well. By learning to identify their traits, you can help the Ministry by identifying these creatures, even before you are skilled enough in Defense to take one on yourself," he explained. "Some of them are related to the Fae races that exist in our lands, and others exist in our legends. For example, how many of you have heard of the Glaistig?"
Severus frowned at that as he watched from just outside the doorway. Albus was correct to include her, but he didn't like the reminder that she was out there somewhere. Severus listened at the doorway for a few minutes more before stepping back from the door and turning for the stairs. Corey had taken on Rose's classes, while Jennifer's classes were split between himself, Arcadia, and Pyther, who was delighted to take on her Items Classes.
Then Severus called in a favor to have Nancy Atchison teach Muggle Studies, who gave them a lesson on her specialty of soil biology. She escorted her classes over to the Muggle farm to use the microscopes and to teach them methods to get the farmland ready for winter now that the crops had been harvested until spring.
Severus arrived in his study to find his tea set out and the fireplace lit against the chill air that was coming in.
"Ah, good, you're back, Severus," his secretary painting said.
"Yes, Armando, did you have messages?" Severus asked, rather hoping that one of his appointments about the auction might have canceled. He checked his appointment journal only to find that none of them had.
"Good news or bad news first?" he asked. Severus frowned at that, staring at the painting.
"Good," Severus said, and Armando brightened.
"Ah, good. Well, your sister says that she might be able to come back on Monday if you need her back early. Everyone is settled at the house and she thinks that Zoe and Sirius is more than capable of taking over, no matter how orange Samantha is," Armando said.
"No, let her know that I found a capable substitute and she needn't worry, Nancy has things well in hand," Severus replied. "Next?"
"Ah, now we get to the bad news. Andrew is asking if there's any way you can cover his security duties for the evening, because he would very much like to check in at home. Apparently they took Emma Elizabeth to the hospital as a precautionary measure since she's under a year..."
"Then he should have left at once. Do we have anyone not in class at the moment who can take over for Transfiguration?" Severus asked the painting. The painting gazed at him calmly for a moment, and then blinked.
"Oh, did you mean that as a serious request? I thought you were joking," Armando admitted. Severus groaned.
"Fine! It isn't as if it can be helped at this point. Tell him to put a note up, Armando. Family comes -"
"Severus?" came Icarus Ravenclaw's voice, followed by his customary knock. "I don't have any more classes this afternoon. I may not be the best choice for teaching Transfiguration, but Scribe is right next door, and I can teach History. Perhaps she wouldn't mind the change, especially since she hasn't had a chance to step in and help yet."
"Very well, find out if she's willing to switch, and thank you! Even if she isn't, tell Andrew to put a note on the door and go. Armando, let Janus know about that missing security shift," Severus said.
"I'll go speak to Sally now," Icarus replied, quickly making tracks.
"Yes, Severus," Armando said more reluctantly.
Severus sat down with his tea, attempting to get a breath in before his first appointment with Xavier about which Myrkinbrek shop owners were considering donations. But as he sat there, sipping his tea, Armando's expression hadn't changed. It was if the painting was bracing himself for a delayed reaction from the headmaster.
"What is it, Armando?" Severus asked at last, sighing with exasperation. "Did you have more news you're reluctant to tell me about?"
"It is... perhaps a minor thing... unless it isn't. What I mean to say is, I'm not sure you really meant to do what you did, but if you did mean to do it, it's probably high time anyway..."
"Never mind the run around, Armando, tell me what I missed," Severus snapped.
"Quintin's house has a double in History on Friday afternoons," Armando explained, watching as realization finally sank in. "After all, Severus... I really don't think you could have kept them apart all seven years, realistically. Did you?" Severus frowned at the painting, wondering if he had time to stop it and simply cancel Andrew's classes outright. "Xavier is on his way up, by the way," Armando added. Severus' expression shifted again, resigned to the situation.
"Yes, alright," Severus said. "But I want to speak to Janus later this evening."
"Yes, Severus," Armando replied, and Severus opened his top drawer to get one of his headache powders.
When Quintin and his class arrived at History, none of them expected a substitute. After all, Professor Scribe had been taking her regular classes all week, so there was no reason to believe differently. Quintin couldn't help but be a little surprised that she wasn't at her desk, organizing it in a meticulous way and preparing to accept their worksheets on both penmanship and end-of-chapter questions and essays.
"Please pass your homework to the front, thank you," said a voice that made a chill go down Quintin's back. Recognition took hold, along with all of the times that his father had sternly told him not to go anywhere near that ghost.
"Ick?" Quintin asked in complete surprise, and his rolled up homework suddenly picked itself up and gently whacked him on the head.
"Remember where you are, Mr. Snape," Ravenclaw reminded him sternly, putting it back down. Quintin dutifully began gathering the homework behind him and passed it forward, while Jeremy looked at him questioningly, wondering why Quintin seemed anxious for some reason.
Icarus Ravenclaw materialized behind the desk as the bell chimed, glancing around.
"I see there are two missing Slytherin students. Does anyone know where they are? Yes, Mr. Baldrick?"
"Ian and Broc hadn't had Tangerine Spots yet and are quarantining in the Hospital Wing," Danson reported.
"Ah, thank you," Icarus replied, writing it down on his sheet. The homework that had been gathered on the front desks of each row were swept into the air, landing in a neat pile on the desk as Icarus floated through it to address them. "In case we haven't met yet, I am Professor Icarus Ravenclaw, the Divination Instructor, also sometimes Astrology, sometimes Potions, and I am the Ravenclaw House Assistant. As to my qualifications in History, since I lived during the time of the founders, I've centuries of experience, so that should be enough to go on. And as I would not want to take away from one of Professor Scribe's planned lectures, I shall not be discussing her agenda today. Instead, I propose that we discuss the founding years of this school, since I happen to know for fact that the new house has been studying the time period to meet their end of year requirement to come up with a house name. Feel free to use Dictation Quills during my lecture. Yes, Mr. Baldrick?"
"That's all great for them and all, but it has absolutely nothing to do with us," Danson said critically. "We've already done the section of the book about the founding of the school, so how about giving us a break and letting us go early?"
"It has everything to do with you, Mr. Baldrick, you simply don't realize it yet," Ravenclaw replied evenly. "After all, they're going to have to research Salazar Slytherin and Janus Craw just the same as any of the other founders, and I wonder, when the unabridged truth is told, how you will come to feel about it? I wonder how everyone will feel about it, and what will happen to me because of it. Because as terrified as I am of how much worse my condemned existence may suffer if all of the truths be known, it is high time that this school faces its controversial past with a critical eye," he said seriously, glancing around the classroom to make eye contact with each and every student.
"Have you ever wondered why Professor Scribe teaches history the way she does?" Ravenclaw went on, floating so close to the desk that he almost looked as if he was leaning on it. In fact, he was so solid that Quintin could easily see the poison stains on his robes. "If I had a sickle for every student who spent their entire climb up to the North Tower moaning and groaning about how boring History was and how Scribe puts too much emphasis on dates rather than events, I'd probably have enough to start my own bank," Icarus said, earning a smirk and even a smile or two. "Surely she said something. Mr. Snape?"
"She told us that she grew up in a privileged class and household in South Africa, and she said that she learned early on that history books were filled with conclusions made by those who weren't present, and those conclusions generally favored the agenda of the societies that made them," Quintin said, reciting it straight from his notes.
"Yes, precisely," Icarus nodded. "In fact, I think it's no exaggeration to believe that Scribe is one of the best History and Essays teacher we've ever had at Hogwarts, simply because she realizes that. By teaching you facts and dates and having you write out your own conclusions, she is passively teaching you how to separate the two in hopes that you will view all history accounts with a healthy dose of skepticism. By making you find different source materials with opposite opinions, she is teaching you how to get the whole picture... yes, and strengthening your technical writing skills, of course, but surely you see now there is more to it than that. Critical thinking isn't something that should be applied simply to math or philosophy, after all. In fact, one of the most important ways to apply it is to test your own personal ideas and beliefs, and test them on a regular basis. As you mature and experience more of life, those ideas and beliefs will change. As you become more enlightened and expose yourself to different viewpoints, they will change again, especially if you face each viewpoint with an open mind, even if you don't agree with it. There may be a day ten years from now when you will be shocked to learn that the differing viewpoint was right all along. Mistakes are a part of life; everybody makes them.
"That, believe it or not, is one of the most important things to realize when studying different people from history. Despite how glowing their record may be, despite how brilliant they were, or heroic they were, or what part they played in changing history, they all made mistakes. Sentient beings do good things. They also do bad things. Yes, they may do terribly good things and terribly bad things to the point where you cannot personally imagine they've never done anything bad or good, but it is true none-the-less. No one is perfect," Icarus said, and a chalk floated up and wrote it on the board. "Care for some examples?"
"How about Gryffindor?" asked Lester Stone over on the Slytherin side. Quintin flashed him a dirty look.
"Very well," Icarus said readily. "Gryffindor was a brave wizard, and a champion of both Muggles and Muggleborn. He was a fantastic school administrator and gave his all to help put this school together and get it running. But he was also so idealistic and self righteous that he often couldn't see past the end of his nose," he continued, a few of the Slytherins exchanging grins. "He was as stubborn as an ox and had the temper to match, but he was such a famous duelist that when he did get on his high horse about something, the other wizards typically let him have his way, whether he was right or not. Lord help anyone who told him he made a mistake or something, because that's when he really got his back up," he said, then glanced around. "Yes, Quintin?"
"How about Slytherin?" Quintin asked, glaring at the other side of the room.
"Oh, yes, Father," Ravenclaw said thoughtfully. He could tell from the range of looks he received that very few of the students even knew that fact, and those who had been told frowned at the reminder; only Quintin was gazing at him intently. "Slytherin was known as the most powerful wizard of his age and the most brilliant. He also had several very rare talents due to his heritage, including Parseltongue and some natural legilimens, which made it hard for people to lie to him," he explained. Even Quintin's jaw dropped, not having known that part of it. "He was an expert in many fields, from Potion Making to Transfiguration, and he helped design and problem solve a number of challenges that came with building in this remote location, settling on this grassy slope to minimize the need for a motte and other earthworks during the initial construction. He designed the original cistern and filtration charms to provide both a clean water system and a dirty water system throughout the castle, something that was virtually unheard of past kitchens and outbuildings in those days. He was also very focused and goal driven, but unfortunately that often lead to obsessive behavior," he admitted, growing somber. "He had an ego as well, but quite different than Gryffindor's, bolstered as it was by everyone's acknowledging how intelligent he was and how it frightened them," he added, making Quintin feel uncomfortable. "He was also quite convinced that wizardkind was a completely different race, separate and unrelated to non-magic humans in any way."
"Unrelated?" Pete repeated in confusion.
"Yes, well, I think that some of that was a response to the dramatic differences and changes in civilization and technology levels at the time," Icarus explained. "Even in this day and age, I'm sure that you're perfectly aware that there can be some very stark differences in civilization advancement and technology when you different countries, especially when comparing an economically rich country to a poor country. Before Callum's Seal, these islands saw invasions from Fae, Formorians, Giants, Vikings, Romans, and so on, and they all had such vastly different levels of technology and civilization that it was easy for those with better technology to marginalize those who had less technology," Ravenclaw explained. "Along with that, wizards didn't experience the drastic setbacks in technology that non-magical humans did during that time period. Most wizards retreated and stayed out of Muggle wars altogether; they used spells to hide their houses from being burned and castles from being brought to the ground. Because of this seclusion, wizardkind managed to accumulate the best technology from every invasion. We retained the knowledge of waterworks from the Romans and the monastic settlements that built irrigation canals. We learned the secrets of magic from the Fomorians and Fae, and during the Merlin age, developed human magic, separating each type into the four houses of magic that we know today. And, since wizards did not have the devastating setbacks that non-magical denizens had to endure, many wizards thought that non-magical humans were nothing short of ignorant barbarians.
"Humans by nature like to justify themselves and their existence, so it is not altogether surprising that many wizards in that time period believed that magicborn were a superior race, altogether different from the menial species outside their hidden dwellings. When questioned about why magic children were sometimes born to non-magic families, the ready answer was that somewhere in their family line, a wizard took liberties with a Muggle, so those children became wizards and witches by way of polluted lineage. In fact, the idea was so widely accepted that to this day there are still purists that believe that marrying a Muggle is the worst crime any wizard can commit. It is grounds for disinheriting, rendering impotent, or even murdering a family member who crosses the line," he explained seriously. He wasn't surprised when the majority of the class looked uneasy, while a handful of Slytherin students seemed more interested in drawing in their notebooks than paying attention to the lecture.
"But Slytherin's beliefs about wizard purity wasn't his worst offense," Ravenclaw went on. "It was his hatred and obsessive nature that drove him to do horrible, unspeakable things; his political views were simply an excuse to carry those obsessions out," Icarus explained. "Anyway, I could probably sit here and go on all day pointing out the flaws of Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and all of the apprentices who went on to become the first teachers of Hogwarts. But if I did, we'd be on this particular point all day. Shall we move on? Yes, Mr. Baldrick?"
"If everyone has flaws, then what's yours?" Danson challenged him. Quintin could tell that Danson was more than a little angry about what had been said about Slytherin, and he didn't believe a word of it.
"Oh, I thought everyone knew mine," Ravenclaw said with surprise. "When I was alive, I was prone to bouts of insanity," he explained. Most of the class stared at him. "I'm not insane now, of course," he assured them, then ignored their dubious expressions as he wrote, "Part II: Understanding Different Points of View" on the board.
Having Icarus Ravenclaw for a normal class period would have been enough to chase most of the students out of the room. But after a double, the students were practically racing each other to the door. Even so, Quintin had a quick word with Jeremy and then waited for the class to clear out, walking up to the desk.
"Is this about your History class, Quintin?" Icarus asked, besides knowing that it wasn't. "If it isn't, I'm afraid I have another appointment."
"No, you don't. You just don't want to talk to me. We live in the same castle and yet I haven't seen you in years! Just what did you do to make my father so angry that we weren't allowed to be friends anymore?" Quintin demanded.
"Let me assure you of one thing, Quintin," Icarus said with a sincere smile. "I have always been your friend, and I always will be. But if you want to talk to me further, you'll have to ask your Father's permission. That said, you may not want to do it straight away, since I rather tricked him into letting me teach your class today," he admitted with amusement. "Even so, I suggest you go talk with him after you put your books away. Something has come up at home and he will want to speak to you about it."
"Is my sister alright?" Quintin asked worriedly.
"I'm sure she's fine," Icarus replied. "Run along now, and have a good weekend."
"Okay," Quintin said with a frown. "It's good to see you again."
"It's nice to speak with you too," Icarus replied, shooing him out of the room with a ghostly hand.
After he walked with Jeremy up to the common room, Quintin changed and was just about to open the door to his parents' sitting rooms when a painting told him that his father wanted to see him. He immediately stepped through, making his father do a double-take when he came in from the nursery-side door.
"You got up here fast," Severus observed.
"I was already in my room," Quintin said. "You needed to see me, Dad?"
"Yes, and I only have a few minutes. I haven't had a chance to catch up with Albus yet, so I have an appointment for dinner," Severus said, cleaning up. "But afterwards, I am planning to head to the Baker Street house for the weekend, and your mother is going to take over here. You may come with me if you like, or stay at the school if you prefer; there is no obligation intended, simply the opportunity if you want to go home for a while."
"How is Seren doing?" Quintin asked.
"Your mother says she's out of sorts because of being sick, but the doctor on house call said she was doing well and should be recovered by the end of her quarantine on Wednesday or Thursday," Severus replied. "As I understand it, the only bad case in the house was Emma Elizabeth; it's more common for severe cases to develop in children under a year, but she is being closely monitored now and Andrew says she should be allowed to go home in a few days. However, it sounds to me that their absence in this school will be a little longer, but I expect that Rose, your mother, and your aunt will be back at work by this time next week at least," Severus assured him, then he glanced at Armando.
"I don't suppose Dale has an update for me about how things are going at the Craw Mansion?" Severus inquired. Armando looked thoughtful for a moment.
"Dale reports there have been no severe cases, just a lot of cranky babies," Armando said.
"There you are then," Severus said, and Quintin smiled softly. "So, coming or staying?"
"I think I'd rather stay... unless you need the extra help," Quintin prefaced almost guiltily.
"I believe they have all of the help they can stand, you know how this family get when there's a crisis," Severus said with exasperation.
"I want to talk to Mum about research stuff anyway," Quintin said. "But I do want a lunch or dinner or something with Serendipity when she gets back."
"Of course. Don't worry, we'll keep you informed," Severus assured him.
"Thanks, Dad," Quintin said, turning for the door. "Good evening, Hat."
"Good evening, Quintin," the Hat replied on his way by.
It was only after Severus turned to get ready for dinner that he realized he had forgotten to ask him how his last class went. But before he could put in some inquiries, he heard footsteps on the spiral staircase and Albus stepped into view.
"Ah! Here we are... oh the memories. Just as I left it, except perhaps the carpets," Albus replied with an appreciative smile.
"I did everything I could, but alas, I had not the power to save them. You have no idea just how hellbent Fate was in destroying that carpet," Severus replied empathically.
"I do love the new one," Albus reassured him.
"It's a lot less prone to disasters too. I know, because it was recently attacked by mushy peas, and it stood up wonderfully," Severus reported expressionlessly.
"I'm glad to hear it," Albus said with a chuckle. "How is your granddaughter? I heard she had to go to St. Mungo's."
"Doing better from what I've been told, but they're likely to be out longer because of it. The rest of the faculty should be back by the end of next week, but I can easily -" Albus held up a hand in protest.
"No, no, I was asking out of concern for the baby. I am more than happy to fill in here. It is rather like being on holiday," Albus added with amusement. "I have been helping out at the school at Caerbrenin, but it's quite a different experience, and the children are much younger. This is a refreshing change, and I get a better feel of how things are going when I'm actually working in the castle."
"I understand entirely," Severus replied, bringing the tray over and sitting down. "I have gotten into the habit of taking walks through the castle to get a sense of how things are going."
"I see, and how are things going?" Albus asked, then thanked him as Severus handed him his cup.
"Fairly well for the most part, but a bit off-balance," Severus admitted. "No one is quite sure how to react to the addition of a new house, specially students of the other houses and even my staff, with some notable exceptions. I rather blame myself for it, really. I have known for some time it needed to be done, but I didn't want to have to deal with the politics. And I had absolutely no idea at all that you had put provisions in for that in case it came up. That foresight saved me a lot of grief when I had to explain this to the board."
"I'll bet it did," Albus acknowledged. "And I'm quite glad it helped you when the need arose."
"It does beg the question why you had that put in there in the first place. Even Minerva didn't know," Severus said. "I'm even more curious after you decided to come visit after I inquired."
"Yes, this wasn't something I wanted to explain over the Teledim, Severus. In fact, in the wrong company, it might be quite delicate," Albus admitted.
"Go on," Severus said, getting comfortable.
"It happened not long after Lily and James died... when Voldemort disappeared and everything was chaos, and the Ministry had their hands full rounding up his supporters," Albus explained.
"That part I remember vividly," Severus said icily.
"Yes, I know," Albus agreed. "Well, while you were still deep into that, back when I finally had to step away and concentrate on putting Hogwarts back into order after all of that mess, the governors' board was having its own discussions on the fallout. They had deep concerns about the reports on how many students both former and enrolled were involved, and it was not lost on them that the vast majority of them were in Slytherin house. That was when one of the board members suggested that perhaps it was time to replace Slytherin house with someone less controversial, honoring a different wizard of historic significance in his place, such as Muldoon." Severus scrunched up his nose at the suggestion.
"Obviously that never went anywhere," Severus replied.
"Considering the wizard who proposed it was found dead the next day, I didn't think it would," Dumbledore agreed. "Even so, by that point I was quite fed up with that brutal type of persuasion method, so when some of the board members invited me to some secret meetings on the issue, I made sure to attend, knowing even then as I did that the likelihood of it ever going anywhere was bleak. In fact, I myself felt uneasy about the proposal. I wasn't certain that it was the right time for such a dramatic change, especially when it was obvious that even discussing it was as dangerous as it would have been unpopular. But eventually, word leaked out that it was still being considered, and not long after, three of board members had resigned unexpectedly, and they were all replaced by traditionalists. One of them was Lucius Malfoy, insuring that the idea would never brought up again. Severus, I know you've had some heavy traditionalist boards before, but I can tell you that I never had to deal with a board that critical or stifling as that one. It was worse then even compared to the board ten years later when they forced my resignation," he admitted. "Of course, there was one bright spot that came out of that particular school board; it helped me get you hired."
"Yes," Severus replied. "I remember the 'friendly' board that helped settle me into that job, and they rebuffed parental complaints about me. In fact, I believe it was the same board that suggested I take over Slytherin House."
"Indeed it was," Albus replied. "It took several of them to retire and a power shift in the Ministry before the stranglehold began to ease, but those who replaced them were wizards still frightened from the Terrors. Things really didn't turn around until Eric, then young and bold, earned a seat, and later the Shea's, also from West of Whitehall, both moderate enough reformists that their presence was accepted by the majority. That was when the numbers finally began closing in on equilibrium.
"And I had been very much waiting for that moment," Albus confessed. "I had not forgotten what had happened because of that proposal, and while I knew it would be impossible for me to change the school's makeup when rumors of Voldemort's possible return had begun to grow, I thought that perhaps I could tip the balance in favor of the future by writing up these rules to the plan for that eventuality. I did not want the house structure of Hogwarts to be suffocated by politics before discussions even began, and the only way I could think of to make that possible was if the details of the new house were voted on by the members of the new house themselves. Naturally, of course, the school board assumed that they would have a lot of advance notice on a new house, and they would have plenty of time to put their oars in, to offer 'name recommendations' and so forth," he said with a thin smile. "So I must say, Severus, that the Sorting Hat saved you that grief delights me to no end."
"Yes, and it also explains some of the language used in those rules," Severus replied in realization. "This wasn't just about making certain that adding new houses would be handled internally. This was also written to provide a back door for a Headmaster to act if the validity of Slytherin house ever came up again."
"Correct," Albus confirmed, then gazed at him seriously over his glasses. "Just how do you feel about that, Severus?" Severus frowned, meeting his gaze for a long time.
"I don't know," Severus replied evenly. "I really don't. I don't even know how I'm supposed to feel about it. But I do know it's just as unlikely to happen while I'm headmaster as it was when you were headmaster. The four original houses are tied to everything Hogwarts is. Generations of students have come through that house, good students with fond memories of their years here and who are proud of being in Slytherin and proud of what it stands for," he snapped.
"True, but the question is, should they be so proud?" Albus asked, and Severus' expression hardened.
"That is something they have to work out for themselves. To be perfectly frank, it doesn't really matter how we feel, does it? You know as well as I do that Slytherin House is always going to be Slytherin House, even if its values have changed."
"Have they changed?" Albus pondered. Severus was getting quite tired of Albus' irritating open-ended questions.
"Aren't you more interested to hear about details of the new house?" Severus asked testily. "I would have thought you'd like to hear about its progress so far."
"Indeed I would," Albus said, allowing the conversation to be changed. From behind Severus' shoulder, Albus saw the Sorting Hat nodding approvingly.