When they arrived at the gates of Hogwarts, Padfoot jumped down and changed back into Sirius. Still under the invisibility cloak, he followed his grandfather into the school. Once safely in the Entrance Hall, he took off the cloak.
"Go see your friends. We will talk later. I have to speak to the former headmaster," Arcturus said. Sirius nodded, and dashed up the stairs to Gryffindor Tower. He handed the cloak back to James.
"Thanks for letting me use it," he said.
"Still not sure what you used it for, but you're welcome," James said with a grin. "You can ask for it anytime you want."
"Thanks James," Sirius said with a smile.
Meanwhile, in the headmaster's office:
Dumbledore sat at his desk, sucking on a lemon drop. He was staring at one of the notices for the ICW. All of a sudden, the door to his office opened. Dumbledore looked up, surprised. No one had knocked. Before he could register who was there, a piece of parchment was thrown at him. He caught it and read:
The Board of Governors hereby terminate Albus Dumbledore's role as Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In his place, the Board of Governors voted to appoint Lord Arcturus Black to the Headmaster post.
Dumbledore looked up and sighed. "I suppose I better get out of your office," he said, standing. "I hope Hogwarts will be in good hands, even if it is a Black in charge."
"It will be in better shape now than it was under your leadership," Lord Black stated. "You have fifteen minutes to get your belongings and go." Dumbledore nodded in acceptance and headed into his quarters to grab his belongings that he had packed three days prior. He was outside of the gates of Hogwarts within ten minutes.
"Goodbye Hogwarts," he whispered. With that, he Disapparated.
Pomona Sprout and Horace Slughorn were just talking about the different plant ingredients she needed to gather for him when they saw a raven patronus approach them.
"Staff meeting in one hour," the voice said. Horace and Pamona looked confused.
"That sounded just like Lord Black. Why is he the one sending us a message? Where's Dumbledore?" Horace asked.
"Let's go to the staffroom and find out," Pamona replied, wondering if the Board meeting had anything to do with this.
Slughorn and Sprout met up with McGonagall and Flitwick. "Minerva, what's going on?" Sprout asked.
"Staff meeting, of course," McGonagall replied, knowing what the Herbology professor was really asking about, but deciding to let the new headmaster explain it.
Sprout rolled her eyes at the lack of a response, but decided to wait and see what happened when they got to the meeting.
Everyone got to the meeting on time. The last person to arrive was the new headmaster.
"Lord Black?" Flitwick squeaked.
Arcturus chuckled. "You may call me Headmaster." The staff in the room gasped.
"Did they throw Dumbledore out?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"They did," he answered. "I went to the Board meeting this evening to bring evidence that Albus Dumbledore was failing with his duty as headmaster. Professor McGonagall nominated me to take Dumbledore's place, so that is why I am standing here tonight."
"The look of shock on your face was one I'll never forget," McGonagall said with a smile.
Arcturus nodded. "Let's get started. First of all, I have fired Professor Binns. It is hard to fire a ghost, but I managed. A replacement will be announced within the next twenty-four hours. Since it is Friday, we have a little time to find someone before Monday. Onto the next order of business, there will be some major changes here. First of all, first years will be required to have a health screening with Madam Pomfrey during the first week of term. This will help ensure that if any students are being abused, we can help them get out of the situation they're in. Any questions about this, Madam Pomfrey?"
"Would it be beneficial to have all students get a health screening this year, since we've never done it before, then it could be first years starting next year?" Madam Pomfrey asked.
"I agree with you. Yes, all students will have to have a health screening within the next six weeks. Is that a reasonable time frame?" Arcturus asked.
"Yes, that will be more than enough time," Pomfrey agreed. "Thank you, Headmaster. I've been wanting this for a long time, but it never happened."
"You are a great medi-witch. I trust you to do your very best. If you find a student who has suffered from abuse, you will need to inform the students' Head of House and myself, so we can be sure that student can be safe," Arcturus said. Madam Pomfrey nodded. "Good. Next, I want to make it clear that there will not be any favorite students. If a student does something well, then they shall receive points, no matter which house they are in. If anyone breaks a rule, then they shall face the consequences no matter the house they are in. If I hear that these guidelines are not being met, you may find yourself on probation, or worse." He then looked at Slughorn. "Your Slug Club is clearly for your favorite students. Either you allow ALL students to attend, or you will not be having that club anymore. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Headmaster," Slughorn said respectfully.
"Good," the headmaster said. "And don't forget, I am a Slytherin myself, so don't try finding any loopholes or other means of keeping this club going for just your favorite students. Next, I want to discuss punishments. I see your hopeful face, Mr. Filch. However, I am not Phineas. I will not allow those kinds of punishments in this school. If I hear you threatening a student with such punishments, you will be sacked. A student can get points deducted, detentions, suspensions, or expulsion. Suspensions and expulsions will be the responsibility of myself and Professor McGonagall. No other staff will have that power. All other staff will have the power to hand out detentions and take points. If you feel that a student should be suspended or expelled, then you will schedule a meeting with Professor McGonagall and myself."
Filch looked very upset by this news. The rest of the staff agreed with the terms readily. McGonagall was relieved that her input would be wanted.
"We will be discontinuing Divination class here at Hogwarts," the headmaster continued. "You cannot just learn it. You either have the gift or you don't. Plain and simple."
McGonagall couldn't help but smile. She had not been expecting this change, but she rather liked it. The Divination professor, Annabel Jones, looked relieved.
"Thank you," she said. "I have been finding it a waste of time. Dumbledore told me that the students could learn Divination, and at first, I believed him. But I have found that he was wrong. I haven't had a single student pass with even an E. So thank you for understanding that Divination is a gift, not a skill that you can just pick up."
Arcturus nodded. "But in its place, I plan on bringing a new class to this school that will be for Muggle-raised students only. It will be called Magical Studies. Each Muggle-raised student shall take it in their first year. Professor Jones, seeing as I do not want to dismiss you, would you like to teach this new class?"
Professor Jones smiled happily. "Yes, thank you, Headmaster!" she exclaimed. McGonagall nodded. She liked these new rules and guidelines so far, including the new class. She felt that Professor Jones would be great at it.
"On the other hand, Muggle Studies will become mandatory for all magical-raised students," Arcturus continued. "This year, all magical-raised students from first through seventh year will be required to take this class. Starting next year, it will only be first years." The Muggle Studies professor smiled.
"Great idea, Headmaster," she said with approval.
"Good, now, I think that is all the new changes for the time being," Arcturus stated. "If any of you have any questions, I will be available for the rest of the evening. We will announce the class changes tomorrow at breakfast. Have a good evening." The staff started filing out of the room.
Finally, it was just Arcturus and McGonagall. "I like the changes you're making," McGonagall stated. "These are long overdue changes."
"Are there any further changes you would suggest?" Arcturus asked.
McGonagall thought for a moment. "Perhaps I could make a suggestion for the History of Magic professor?" Arcturus nodded. "What about Melania?" she questioned. "I feel that she would be a great fit for that position. Your younger grandson could also stay here, with you and Melania, until he starts his first year next year."
Arcturus nodded thoughtfully. "That could work," he said thoughtfully. "Let me talk to her this evening and see what she says. I'll inform you of her decision in the morning."
"Very well," McGonagall said, standing. "Have a good evening, Headmaster, and I will see you at breakfast." She swept out of the room. Arcturus headed to his new office to talk to Melania and Regulus.