''Hello everyone,'' Kingley Shacklebolt's booming, deep voice resonated in the headmaster's office as he arrived through the fireplace and dusted off any ash from his royal blue robes.
''Hello Shacklebolt,'' Vector replied, ''or I suppose it is Minister Shacklebolt now.''
A few more greetings echoed from around the room, from each of the staff members who was present in the office.
''No need for formalities, Vector'' Shacklebolt replied with a smile.
''I do not want to interrupt any pleasantries, but I believe that we have a lot to discuss today,'' Snape said curtly.
''Of course,'' Shacklebolt replied, ''I also wanted to ask you, Pr. Sprout and Pr. Babbling-''
''That's Headmistress Sprout and Deputy Headmistress Babbling to you now, Minister Shacklebolt. Snape will be leaving the post in September in order to pursue a career as a freelance potioneer,'' Sprout said with a humorous glint in her eye.
''Is that so? Well, congratulations to all of you,'' Shacklebolt replied.
''Likewise,'' Sinistra added with a grin.
''So how's the international situation looking, now that Riddle has been defeated and magical Britain is rebuilding?'' asked Hooch.
''Unspeakables in MACUSA's (the USA's ministry of magic) department of mysteries are rumored to have created a vortex of some kind. They are trying to contain it within the department but it keeps on expanding. It is under control for now apparently, but I think a visit to the USA is in order,'' Shacklebolt said.
''Oh dear Merlin, '' Vector muttered.
''It is under control for now, but we need to be careful.'' replied Shacklebolt.
''I have made contact with my international connections and there is interest from foreign applicants to come teach at Hogwarts,'' Slughorn offered.
''Yes, that will actually be useful for once,'' Snape sneered.
''Yes, this will be very useful to repopulate magical Britain after the war. Of course, we will not resort to something drastic like a marriage law. We will welcome immigrants from all over the world, regardless of background, in the new magical Britain. We will also provide tax incentives to people who care for war orphans, but the adoptive parents will have to swear an unbreakable vow to ensure that abuse is unlikely to occur,'' Shacklebolt stated.
''You know, as the new headmistress, I think we need to revamp our educational system here at Hogwarts. No more corporal punishment, so we must dispose of those awful chain and whips that Filch used before he died in the battle. We also need stricter criminal record checks for teachers as we are looking for applicants to fill the vacant positions,'' Sprout said.
''Yes. We also want to ensure that no more Death Eaters resurface. We will be implementing capital punishment again in magical Britain for heinous crimes like murder, but no more usage of Dementors,'' Shacklebolt reassured.
''Well, this meeting is running late. I suppose we will have to resort Vector at our next meeting,'' Babbling remarked.
''Yes. We have lots of other important things to do in order to repair the nation,'' Shacklebolt finalized.
