The Great Hall of Hogwarts was alive with the sounds of clattering cutlery and chattering students as Harry, Hermione, and Ron sat at the Gryffindor table, indulging in their breakfast. A gentle autumn light filtered through the enchanted windows, casting a warm glow across the room. The trio's laughter and camaraderie filled the air, but underneath the surface, an air of anticipation buzzed among them.

"So, what happened?" Hermione asked, her curiosity evident as she carefully savored her porridge. Harry had been awakened that morning by Ron's grumbling as he searched for his prefect's badge. After a lengthy hunt, they discovered it in Hermione's hands, much to Ron's chagrin and Hermione's smug satisfaction. "Honestly, Ron, you forgot it in the common room again," she scolded.

Harry, still groggy from sleep, shrugged and muttered, "Well, Snape said I didn't need to learn from him now that I've got the hang of it. The Headmaster will be taking over."

"What?!" Hermione cried out, causing Ron, who was still sipping his juice, to spray it everywhere. With a flick of her wand, Hermione cleared the table. "What do you mean he will be teaching you?" she whispered urgently.

"That's what I said," Harry replied, wiping juice from his chin. "He just told me that since he's more skilled and experienced in Occlumency than Snape, he will take over. Something about Snape being too rough with me."

"And you're okay with that?" Ron questioned, his eyebrows raised in disbelief.

"Well, I don't know," Harry chimed in, finally speaking up. "He doesn't act like Salazar Slytherin."

"I told you, it must be Dumbledore," Ron said, nodding sagely, convinced of his theory.

As the trio continued their conversation, a flurry of owls swooped into the Great Hall, delivering the morning post. Hermione untied the Daily Prophet, her eyes widening as she read the headlines aloud. Whispers erupted throughout the hall, and Harry and Ron leaned in closer to get a better view.

"Ghost of Salazar Slytherin Takes Over Hogwarts!" Hermione exclaimed. "In a surprising twist of events, the great and ancient founder Salazar Slytherin has returned to Hogwarts in the form of a ghost. He spoke to us about the declining standards of education at Hogwarts, emphasizing the importance of not only survival but also prosperity in the real world. As a result, several old traditions will be reinstated, and forgotten magical arts will be revived. Furthermore, parents need not worry about their children's safety, as the wards of Hogwarts, while already formidable, will be strengthened even further. Headmaster Slytherin expressed his discontent with the incompetence of Delores Umbridge, and when asked about his past, he simply stated, 'The past is the past; it does not matter. I do not care what gullible fools wish to believe. You may remove your child from here if you wish, but any parent will end up regretting it.' The Daily Prophet advises parents to maintain close contact with their children as the management of Hogwarts undergoes changes. Hasty actions are ill-advised as..." Hermione trailed off, her expression one of concern.

"Well, it seems the Prophet is supportive of the new headmaster," Hermione said, biting her lip anxiously. But alarm bells were ringing in Harry's mind. He knew from experience that anything the Daily Prophet supported usually turned out to be bad. He turned to Ron, who seemed more interested in Hermione than the Prophet. "Well, any word from Percy?" Harry asked, trying to distract himself from the growing unease.

"Um... No, he's a prat anyway," Ron replied absentmindedly. As Harry's worry increased, Professor McGonagall called for the prefects to join her. Harry joined them, and McGonagall simply nodded, signaling the seriousness of the matter.

The prefects assembled in the hallway outside the Great Hall, their badges gleaming on their robes as they stood in neat lines. The buzz of excitement and uncertainty filled the air, and Harry couldn't help but notice how diverse the group was – a mix of Gryffindors, Slytherins, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs. Their unity in this moment transcended house boundaries.

"Well, well, Potter, it's prefects only! Or have you deluded yourself again?" sneered one of the Slytherin prefects. The others laughed, reveling in their momentary superiority.

"The Headmaster has specifically asked for Mr. Potter," McGonagall stated firmly, her tone brooking no argument. "And Mr. Malfoy, I hope you remember your place. Or should detention suffice?" The sternness in McGonagall's voice silenced Malfoy, who glared at her before begrudgingly complying.

The prefects made their way to meet the enigmatic Headmaster Salazar Slytherin, and Harry observed the proceedings with great interest. After the meeting, he would have a private session with the headmaster to continue his Occlumency lessons.

As the prefects entered the room, Harry couldn't help but feel a mix of apprehension and curiosity. The new headmaster awaited them, his form ethereal yet commanding. The ghostly figure of Salazar Slytherin, with his translucent green robes and the scar on his forehead, exuded an aura of power and ancient wisdom. The prefects took their seats, and Harry found himself seated directly across from the spectral headmaster.

Salazar Slytherin's eyes surveyed the room, piercing and perceptive. "Welcome, prefects of Hogwarts," he began, his voice resonating with an otherworldly echo. "I have called you here today to discuss the future of our beloved school. It is time to restore the traditions and values that have been lost over the years. Hogwarts must reclaim its position as a beacon of magical excellence and integrity."

"You have been summoned here today for myself to better understand the position of the student body. It has come to my knowledge that your education, as of yet, has been subpar. Let us begin with Defense Against the Dark Arts. Professors have been changing for the last 20 years, and if we see the last 5 years, 3 of the professors have been utterly incompetent and all of them a major risk to the students' lives." Harry grit his teeth at that; he did not like the jabs at Professor Lupin.

"So, I wish to understand your views on the education being provided at Hogwarts. Are there issues with the current stock of professors? Trouble with the coursework? Is there some form of targeted bullying?" he gazed at them silently for a moment as Hermione raised her hand, "Yes."

"There are multiple issues, sir," she said hesitantly, looking at Harry for support. "Sir, you are well known for wishing to purge Muggle-borns from the school. How can we trust you?" she said quickly. Slytherin fixed her with his gaze as muttering arose within the prefects, and Malfoy smirked.

"I am well aware of this, young lass. However, you mustn't worry about your safety. It is my greatest desire to protect each and every student in Hogwarts' sanctum. What I will say, however, is that history is often muddy and biased," silence reigned in the room as everyone absorbed these words, and Hermione seemed to want to ask something when Slytherin continued.

"All of you are young, and it seems you are yet to come to terms with the situation. As Professor McGonagall rightly pointed out, I wish for you to submit reports to your heads of houses. As the student council, you are the voice of the students, and you have the power to bring their problems to the Hogwarts staff."

"Now then," he nodded at McGonagall, "you may all leave except Potter."