"Well, the school is still a disaster,'' Snape said with a long, sneering look.
''Yes, Severus. It would be ideal to get it into some semblance of order before September,'' sighed Vector as she gazed into her coffee cup and watched the lukewarm, pale, brown liquid slosh around.
The surviving Hogwarts staff were gathered in the Headmaster's office, which was fairly intact due to its reinforcements, even after the battle. This consisted of Poppy Pomfrey (the school nurse), Bathsheda Babbling (ancient runes prof), Aurora Sinistra (astronomy prof), Pomona Sprout (herbology prof), Rolanda Hooch (flying prof), Horace Slughorn (potions prof), and Septima Vector (former arithmancy prof but now the new DADA prof).
''We have a lengthy agenda today,'' Snape continued, ''We need to find new professors for the vacant positions. We need ones to fill tranfiguration, care of magical creatures, divination, muggle studies, alchemy, arithmancy, charms, history of magic, and a new librarian. I will be stepping down as headmaster, as I do not want to deal with wiping the noses of spoiled brats and teaching incompetent dunderheads the fine art and exact science of potion brewing any longer. The new minister of magic, Kingsley Shacklebolt, will also be here to discuss affairs of the light side's new government. Any of you have contacts in your respective fields for prospective professors?''
"Well, I will certainly ask around from my former Slug Club members,'' Slughorn added with a gleam in his eye, ''They have all achieved great success in their chosen professions. Of course, I generously helped them and I would not mind returning to my leisurely retirement, now that Riddle is dead.''
''Noted, Horace,'' Snape sneered, ''Leave some biscuits for the others or your robes will not be able to contain the radius of your waistline and rupture.''
Slughorn looked around sheepishly and his round cheeks turned red with embarrassment.
''Due to regulations, if the new professors did not attend Hogwarts as students in the past or left temporarily, they will have to be sorted into houses. A new headmaster will also be chosen by the hat, along with a deputy. We will worry about this for most cases in September, but Vector will have to be resorted as she left her position of arithmancy prof last December under the Carrow's regime,'' Snape continued.
''Huh, what?!'' The normally stoic and composed Vector looked up with a startled expression on her face.
''Yes,'' Snape said, with a hint of amusement in his voice, ''Let's hope that you remain in the house of cunning, resourcefulness, and ambition. You are a credit to our house.''
With both of them being Slytherins, Snape and Vector had a mutual respect and ongoing banter with each other (despite Snape's normally icy demeanor).
''Yes, anyone who is interested in being the new headmaster and/or deputy may try on the hat in an orderly manner. I will remain in the position for the summer,'' Snape added.
Everyone tried on the hat and it ended with Sprout being chosen as the new headmistress and Babbling as the new deputy headmistress. There was applause and cheering in the room.
''Well, thank you. We will do our best in our new roles,'' said Sprout and Babbling in unison.
''I guess we will also need a new herbology prof now,'' Sinistra said.
''Also what about new heads of house? Maybe the sorting hat can also choose those, '' Hooch added.
''Noted, of course. We will pick new heads of house once we have filled the vacant roles, '' Snape replied curtly.
''As for the curse on the DADA position, Arithmancer Dr. Granger and Cursebreaker Rakepick have confirmed that it has been broken due to Voldemort's death,'' Snape updated, '''Vector will be taking on this role until she is retrained as an arithmancer.''
Suddenly, the roaring, blazing flames in the fireplace turned a pale, cool shade of blue.
''Well, it seems as if the minister of magic has arrived,'' remarked Sinistra.
"Yes, it appears so," Snape acknowledged as he turned his attention towards the fireplace.
Moments later, Kingsley Shacklebolt, the Minister of Magic, emerged from the flames. He was a tall, distinguished wizard with a calm and authoritative presence. The room fell silent as everyone turned to greet him.
"Minister Shacklebolt," Snape greeted, inclining his head respectfully.
"Severus," Shacklebolt replied with a nod. "Thank you for convening this meeting. I believe we have much to discuss regarding the future of Hogwarts and the wizarding community."
With a wave of his wand, Shacklebolt conjured additional chairs for himself and the others to join the gathered staff. He settled into one of the seats and addressed the room.
"I have been working closely with the new Ministry administration to establish stability and restore faith in our institutions after the dark times we've faced. Hogwarts, as the premier magical school, plays a crucial role in shaping young witches and wizards. It is imperative that we rebuild it to its former glory."Shacklebolt's gaze swept across the room, and he continued, "I understand the need for new professors to fill the vacant positions. I have been in contact with various organizations and individuals, both within and outside the wizarding world, who might be interested in contributing to Hogwarts' faculty. We can work together to ensure a rigorous selection process that brings in the best candidates."
"I must also stress the importance of diversity and inclusivity among the staff," Shacklebolt added. "We need to reflect the changing times and provide a welcoming environment for students from all backgrounds. Muggle Studies, in particular, should receive special attention in light of recent events."
Sinistra raised her hand tentatively and spoke, "Minister Shacklebolt, what about the cursed Defense Against the Dark Arts position? Snape mentioned that it has been broken, but it has long been a position of instability. How can we ensure a lasting appointment?"Shacklebolt nodded, acknowledging the concern. "Indeed, the Defense Against the Dark Arts position has been plagued by a curse for far too long. We will implement additional measures to safeguard against such curses in the future. The new appointee should be chosen with care, and I trust that Professor Vector will hold the fort until the necessary retraining is complete."
"I will work closely with the Ministry's Department of Magical Education to develop a comprehensive curriculum review," Shacklebolt continued. "We must ensure that our students receive a well-rounded magical education that prepares them for the challenges of the modern world. This will involve revisiting course offerings, updating materials, and incorporating the latest research and practical applications."
The room was filled with a sense of hope and determination as the surviving staff members listened intently to the Minister's plans. They understood the importance of rebuilding Hogwarts and shaping the future generation of wizards and witches.
As the meeting progressed, they delved into more specific details and began outlining the steps needed to restore the school to its former glory. It would be a long and arduous process, but with the combined efforts of the Hogwarts staff and the support of the Ministry, they were determined to create a better future for the school and its students.