HOGWARTS HIRES FIVE NEW PROFESSORS
by Rita Skeeter
Not even half the school year and Hogwarts had faced a major upheaval in its ranks as Hogwarts hire seven new professors to teach young minds of the new generation of witches and wizards. The new hires are prominent magical names of the age – including authors of textbooks in the Hogwarts curriculum such as Bathilda Bagshot, Newt Scamander, and Miranda Goshawk! Would the Hufflepuffs be favored this time?
"Shame that Hogwarts is now infested of people who are tolerant of people who do not respect and defer to the old ways. Isn't it a sad day when Professor Binns is relegated to minor teaching," said Lucius Malfoy, Chairman of the Hogwarts' Board of Governors, when interviewed.
However, Lucius is grudgingly admitting that hiring retired Potions professor Horace Slughorn is a magnificent idea. Professor Slughorn will teach OWL students in Potions, with Severus Snape solely teaching NEWTS. The first-years will be taught by none other than famous alchemist and Beauxbatons alumnus Nicolas Flamel – otherwise known as the only person capable of brewing the Elixir of Life!
What could be the reason to this hiring…. Is this Dumbledore asserting his power and influence?... See mor—
Harry set down the recent issue of Daily Prophet he was reading in disbelief. Rita Skeeter really likes creating drama and issues, doesn't she? Dumbledore asserting power and influence – bollocks!
Harry belatedly noticed the funny looks shot to him by his classmates and curious looks by the teachers and the older years. Harry reckons this may have to do by that younger people are not that interested by news – but Harry was not a normal eleven-year-old. Percy and Hermione, however, are beaming at him and complimenting him for catching up on current affairs.
It was their first day with new teachers, and they have Double Potions with Professor Flamel. As Harry treaded down the dungeons, he passed by Snape's classroom – still gloomy by the looks of it – and he was only teaching a handful of students, and then passing by another classroom which had Professor Slughorn laughing merrily with the class, and then entered the last classroom which didn't feel like the dungeons at all.
There were torches lighting up the whole classroom, with the walls lined with colors red and orange – warm colors that tend to bring the same feeling to the occupants in the room. The Gryffindors stared in awe while the Slytherins observed with mixed curiosity. An old, ancient man with silver hair with silver hair smiled at them kindly.
"I gather from Professor Snape that you are about to brew Sleeping Draughts," said Professor Flamel kindly before faltering at the Gryffindors' lack of enthusiasm.
"Now, why the long faces? Potions are magic unlike any other! They need not incantation or wands yet still require mastery and perfection," said Professor Flamel softly.
"You can achieve a lot by using potions – things that you do not normally achieve by waving a wand. Sleeping forever, being invisible, changing into someone else, subject someone to excruciating pain – potions can be life or death. Interesting, amusing, but also dangerous and terrifying. Why, if you're extremely skilled, you can achieve to delay, even put a stopper, in death."
Harry remembered Snape's introduction and the playful wink Professor Flamel gave the idea that maybe potioneers are really passionate about potion-making. However, as Professor Flamel isn't as terrifying as Snape, the students perked up, seemingly interested. Professor Flamel waved a wand and the writings on the board vanished replaced by the fundamentals of the Sleeping Draught.
"The Sleeping Draught is a simple potion but nonetheless, powerful," began Professor Flamel. "Now, there are two famous modifications of the Sleeping Draught, can anyone tell me what these are – yes, Miss –"
Hermione spoke. "Granger, Professor. The two modifications are the Dreamless Sleep Potion and the Draught of Living Dead. One to cause comfortable sleep without nightmares and one that induces slumber indefinitely."
"Excellent! Have ten points, Miss Granger."
The class was more engaged now that Professor Flamel isn't as biased as Snape is, even Neville was listening with rapt attention and fascination and he hated this course because of Snape's relentless terror.
"Now, there are four main ingredients to the potion. Lavender, standard ingredient, flobberworm mucus, and valerian. I'm sure you all know that the standard ingredient is a mixture of dried herbs while the flobberworm mucus is the thickening agent for the potion… can someone tell me why lavender and valerian are principal ingredients of this potion?"
No one seemed to know the answer, even Hermione was biting her lip muttering why she didn't read about the properties of ingredients beforehand. Professor Flamel was about to answer his own question when, to the surprise of everyone, Neville hesitantly raised his hand.
"Ah, yes. Mister –"
"Longbottom, sir," squeaked Neville.
"Yes, go ahead, Mr. Longbottom."
"W-Well, lavender in its r-raw form has a pleasant fragrance," said Neville, shakily but as he continued his voice began to steady and his enthusiasm is shining through.
"When we break it down, lavender can have medicinal properties and helps people to relax and relieve them pain. Valerian, on the other hand, was known in medieval times as All Heal because of its sedative and antispasmodic properties which was when people are using it for sleep and nerve remedy. Add the relaxing quality of lavender and the sedative property of valerian, then you have a Sleeping Potion."
The whole class was staring at Neville in surprise. That was the most Neville had spoken in Potions. Neville must have realized this and flushed red in embarrassment as Professor Flamel was beaming proudly at him.
"Well, Mr. Longbottom – you are absolutely correct! How do you know –"
"I've read it referenced in One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi," replied Neville hastily.
"Well, it seems you are a talent in Herbology. I'm certain Professor Sprout is proud of you as a student. Take fifteen points, Mr. Longbottom."
Neville's mouth hung open as he heard those words. In the last two months, Neville lost more points in Potions than in any courses combined. Ron patted Neville's back as he cheered with the Gryffindors as Harry grinned while Hermione gushed about his knowledge in plants.
When they proceeded to brewing, Neville was livelier and actively being coached properly by Professor Flamel on his brew. He wasn't prone to bumbling anymore that happened because Snape was breathing down on his neck every time. Draco was not amused by this development and attempted to sabotage Neville's potion only to be caught by Professor Flamel.
"Five points from Slytherin, Mister."
The Gryffindors smirked while the rest of the Slytherins, particularly Daphne, glared at Draco.
"Did you all see that? I properly brewed a Sleeping Potion! It's not perfect, mind, but it was passable! First time!" exclaimed Neville excitedly as they trudged the way back to have lunch in the Great Hall.
"Yes, Neville. As you've said it three times," said Ron, exasperated but nonetheless happy for Neville.
"We're proud of you, Neville," beamed Hermione.
Neville can't help but gush even as they settled themselves in the long table.
"Why does Longbottom here look like Christmas came for him early?" asked Victor playfully as he joined them in the Gryffindor table.
"Mate, he's just acquired points for Gryffindor in Potions," said Ron as he munched down the roast beef. Hermione gave him the stink eye as she said, "Manners, Ronald."
Victor's eyebrows shot up. "Well done, Neville! Professor Flamel is a great professor, then?"
"Fantastic," said the whole Gryffindor first-years that apparently had been eavesdropping to the conversation.
Victor's lip curled in amusement at the answer while the other students looked at them in curiosity and delight. Harry refrained from laughing as he saw Snape sulking in the High Table having heard this.
After lunch, the five of them headed back down to the dungeons as Professor Flitwick sent them notes of having the first session of Duelling Club that afternoon.
The center was free from any distractions – as it was where the duellists position themselves. The wall had a board wherein they count points of wins and loss while the other wall had the coat of arms of Hogwarts in a shield; beneath it were two wands sculpted in a cross signifying a battle.
The cobble interior of the Duelling Room was filled with scorch marks and bits and pieces that have been blown or torn. Harry reckoned that this was the marks left by duellists. The others were looking at the room in apprehension. It was Harry's first time here since he hadn't explored the castle that much in the dungeons and the duelling club he had was settled in the Room of Requirement.
"Ah, good! You are all here," said Professor Flitwick as he entered.
"Welcome to the Duelling Room! This room was built years ago as a safe and supervised environment for students to practise duelling. The destruction around you serves as a reminder that casting a spell against friend or foe can have lasting implications."
They all nodded very seriously as they listened to Professor Flitwick. The Charms master and erstwhile Duelling Champion stood at the center of the room.
"Duelling is the art where two or more wizards challenge each other to engage in combat under magical means. The objective in a formal duel is to defeat the other in any mean – injure, maim, stun, disarm, or kill. But we will not be doing the killing method nor maiming and grave injury! Do you understand that?"
They nodded.
"And, do you understand that whatever you learn here in the Duelling Room must only be used in times of dire need and self-defence?"
They nodded.
"Very well. Now, as this is our very first session – the very first thing you need to know is the duelling etiquette."
Everyone groaned.
"Now that we've learned the etiquette, it's time to tell you the importance of duelling. It is a practice that might just save your life. In a formal, spectated duel – the only rule is to defeat the other with the conditions set by the participants. But in real life, it's life or death. You must use anything to your advantage.
"This is why Professor Dumbledore is correct when he said that the most dangerous wizard is one that knows how to wield spells and magic so exquisitely that they make the most mundane and useless ones deadly," said Professor Flitwick in a conspiratorial and dramatic flair.
Harry figured that was effective as they were entranced by Professor Flitwick and hanging on to every word he says.
"The first spell that I will teach you is one that may give you a tactical advantage, a single second to take the upper hand, to save your life, or to escape –"
Harry grinned as he knew what spell this was. He looked at the others and their eyebrows were furrowed but they were clearly expecting a powerful spell.
"—the Disarming Charm."
The others deflated which amused Harry. If only they knew it was the spell that defeated – or wait, will defeat – the greatest Dark wizard of all time. Professor Flitwick raised his brows.
"Do not underestimate the Disarming Charm. Though it may be simple as you think, it can just be the thing that will save you. Now, follow my wand movement" – Professor Flitwick brandished his wand – "and – Expelliarmus!"
A conjured training target's wand flew out of its hand.
"That's how a simple Disarming Charm would work, but a powerful one –"
Professor Flitwick raised his wand again and fired – CRASH! A red spell came to life and collided with the training target and the target got smashed to the wall hard that it left a small crack. Satisfied, Professor Flitwick showed a rare smirk to flit his face which Harry took as an I've-still-got-it kind of smirk.
The others stared with stars in their eyes and renewed perspective on the Disarming Charm. Harry grinned. This year is going to be good.
Harry didn't know what to make or expect at the upcoming History of Magic class. He knew Bathilda Bagshot would be stellar in teaching the course but a memory of her being possessed by Nagini was surfacing to his mind. Not that he was scared but the memory of it made him queasy.
They filed in together with the Hufflepuffs the following Tuesday to another History of Magic classroom where a short, old witch was waiting for them – beaming at everyone kindly. As she made a roll call, her eyes shone in recognition at the name Harry Potter and her eyes seemed to water before she blinked and called out the name of Olive Rivers.
"Good morning! Now, as this is our first day together – I won't delve directly to the lesson first. I want to get to know you, your perception towards history, and what did you learn while Professor Binns was your teacher," said Professor Bagshot which the last condition made everyone groan.
Professor Bagshot giggled heartily at their reactions.
"Now, now – I'm pretty sure Professor Binns is a droning old coot –" said Professor Bagshot with mirth in her eyes as the students were surprised, "I was taught by him too, you know. But I hardly believe that you didn't even retain even an ounce of information."
Hannah Abbott was called first. The Hufflepuff first-year shared that history to her was connecting to her roots while the only thing she learned from Professor Binns was Emeric the Evil.
"Five points to Hufflepuff."
When it was Hermione's turn, she answered that history is something people should keep close to their chests and preserve them because information is important and proper knowledge is power. By far, she was the one who shared what she learned from Professor Binns but her classmates did not know if she learned it from him or their textbooks.
Professor Bagshot was impressed at her "knowledge, maturity, and articulation" so much she gave points to Gryffindor.
"Mr. Longbottom," called Professor Bagshot softly.
"Er… history for me professor is one way to look back. To commemorate… so as to not forget events be it a wondrous discovery, a joyful memory, a memorable event, or… terrible atrocities and tragedy," said Neville, voice thick and heavy, as his eyes glazed in reminiscing.
Harry reckoned Neville was thinking about her mother and father's demise at the hands of Death Eater. Silence blanketed the room before Professor Bagshot gave Neville a smile of understanding as she kindly brought him back from his trance.
"Five points to Gryffindor."
Then, it was Harry's turn.
"You look just like your father but your mother's striking eyes," said she, emotion struggling to break through. Harry politely nodded and smiled. "Well, go on then. Tell me your perception about history."
Harry remembered the First Wizarding War – what Hagrid told him the first time – the deaths of the Bones, McKinnons, Prewetts, his parents. Harry remembered the last timeline where he felt the loss of Cedric, Colin, Remus, Tonks, Fred, Dobby and many others – the history that it made, about to be made, and which Harry risked to change.
"History is a collection of factual evidence grounded on truth. But it also serves as a reminder, Professor. A reminder… to not make the same mistakes as those who came before us, to learn from those mistakes to be better."
His answer was met with silence and with looks of awe and curiosity. Professor Bagshot herself seemed taken aback before smiling.
"Oh – I didn't think I learn much from Professor Binns" – said Harry, sheepishly – "but I know he discussed Emeric the Evil and Uric the Oddball."
Professor Bagshot chuckled, "Oh, dear me. Aptly put, Mr. Potter."
She then proceeded to call Sophie Roper. Hermione called to him surreptitiously from his side. "Psst, Harry, are you sure you're really not a Ravenclaw?"
"I am quite sure that I'm not, Hermione," said Harry, amused.
Hermione's eyebrow raised playfully. "Well, you awfully know which words to say."
Harry groaned quietly, "C'mon, Hermione –"
"I'm just playing with you, Harry," she said, smiling. "Your answer's quite alright."