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Hogwarts story: Part 19
Gotta run
The meal passed uneventfully. The new arrival ate largely in silence, only commenting occasionally to the headmaster. After dinner, the headmaster stood and “ahemed” to get everyone’s attention. An anticipatory silence fell.
“There are a few matters on which I must address you tonight.” Headmaster Nigellus surveyed the students with a look of mild irritation on his face. “First, and by far least important, is a matter of every day affairs. Students are now restricted to one blanket each. This will help you all to toughen up, and the like. It builds character.
“Far more importantly, I’d like to speak to you all about the Wizard Armed Patrol unit. As I’m sure you’ve all heard already, the WAP has completed their first mission. This is as admirable achievement, and in recognition of it we have a representative from the Ministry of Magic who wishes to address you all. I present Auror Maeve Weasley.” He gestured to the woman in red, who stood up and surveyed the student body with an appraising eye.
“Thank you, Headmaster,” her voice was loud and stern. “The ministry formed the Wizard Armed Patrol unit to train our next generation of young wizards, to prepare them for the duties that they will likely assume upon their graduation. To congratulate them for their successes so far, to set them apart from their fellows, the Ministry is bestowing them with these armbands as a mark of distinction and respect.” Auror Weasley held up a wide green armband embroidered in gold with an intricate heraldric symbol. “Please, step forward as I say your names.”
“Caius Serence.
“Guillermo Patil.
“James Ferguson.
“Marcus Relius.”
One by one, the boys she called approached the staff table in the great hall, and Auror Weasley handed them each in turn one of the armbands. Without hesitation, each boy put it on, though certainly it could be said they had different attitudes about the bands. Caius looked smug and rather superior, Marcus proud, Guillermo pensive, James almost puzzled. Once they had all come forward and received the bands, Auror Weasley turned to the staff sitting at the Headmaster’s table. “Professor Patronius, as their teacher you too will receive one these bands,” she added, passing it to him as he stepped forward.
“You have all done, and continue to do, an exemplary job. Under the tutelage of Professor Patronius, you have begun to learn all you need to in order to be successful as a unit.” She paused, and it took the assembled students a moment to realize that this was the point at which they should applaud their class mates. Scattered applause started rather tentatively, and people seemed somehow reserved and tense, and the clapping soon died away. When they stopped, she continued. “The ministry has asked me to bring my expertise and training as an experienced auror to Hogwarts, to aid in the magical education of the WAP boys.” A ripple conversation ran through the hall, cut off in an instant by a stern look from Headmaster Nigellus. “The Ministry feels that Professor Patronius has done an excellent job, and asks for his continued aid in teaching the WAP members about other matters.” She sounded oddly smug. “Please,” she gestured at the boys and the Professor, “be seated.”
Auror Weasley remained standing as the WAP boys returned to their tables. “Now that my first order of business is concluded,” she smiled, “I have great pleasure in announcing a special event to take place this year. As you all may or may not know, this year Hogwarts will once again be hosting the inter-school Quidditch match in the interest of international cooperation and magical fellowship. This years’ match will be against Durmstrang. The match will take place in early November, and will be preceded by a ball to take place on Halloween, that will be attended by all Hogwarts students and all the students who are visiting for the purposes of the match.” Excited, murmured conversation began immediately at this. I suppressed a nervous twitch, though, for my parents would insist on my asking a nice, pure blood Slytherin to such a thing, and I had no interest in doing any such. Auror Weasley allowed the murmurs to continue for several moments before gesturing for silence. “The third week of October, 12 Durmstrang students, accompanied by their headmaster, Palucid Nox, will arrive at Hogwarts.”
“No!!” exclaimed Professor Tremens, interrupting the Auror, her voice ringing with affront. She rose to her feet. “No, he cannot!” she continued. Conversation exploded again amongst the students as the headmaster moved to calm her down. Pleased to have something to think about other than the difficulties the ball would present me with, I eyed Elaina Sly, abandoned 40 years ago in the dungeons by Palucid Nox. I couldn’t help but wonder who he was, what he had done, how he could have upset our usually level-headed head of house to such an extent.
Auror Weasley, meanwhile, stood patiently, looking immensely irritated at the interruption. She waited as the Headmaster showed Professor Tremens to the student lounge, for the professor was crying and shaking slightly and clearly needed some privacy. Once they had departed, Auror Weasley snapped, “silence!” in such a harsh and commanding way that the stopped stopped talking with a slightly shocked silence. “I cannot emphasize enough,” continued the auror sternly, “how important it is that Hogwarts win this Quidditch match. Though normally the inter-league match is of interest only to the schools involved, the war has changed this in many ways. Already many are viewing this match symbolically, as representative of the greater conflict between England and Germany. Winning this match will show nor just the superiority of Hogwarts to Durmstrang, but of the greater superiority of our wizarding community to theirs.” She paused, and for once no conversation followed. Instead, all of the students sat silent and wide eyed. The Headmaster and Professor Tremens came back in at this point and silently took their seats. Professor Tremens was pale, her eyes red, and I felt a great deal of concern for her. “With that in mind, I will now announce the Hogwarts team for this match. I expect you all to support and respect these individuals to the utmost of your abilities.” She paused, then added, “due to the intensive nature of their training, members of the WAP patrol will not be able to participate.” All of the boys looked affronted at this, understandably for all were important members of their own houses Quidditch teams, but no one spoke. “Please rise as I say your name.”
“Reginald Farnsworth, chaser.
“Aya Lunari, chaser.
“??? (I need to look this up! :) ), chaser.
“Maya Lunari, beater.
“Serminia Gaunt, beater.
“? Malfoy, seeker.
“Delia Prince, keeper.” (yes, this isn’t how it actually happened. deal with it)
I stood when she said my name, more surprised than I could say. I felt like there was a spot light upon me, the eyes of so many students on myself and the other team members. Suddenly, I wished there was nothing more I had to worry about than my parents reaction to the news of the ball.
“Congratulations to you all. Extensive time will be set aside for you all to train together. To facilitate this, house play will be suspended until after the match.” A groan arose from many at this, but cut off just as quickly when she glared at the student body.
“I have one final order of business to attend to.”
Auror Weasley withdrew a scroll from her sleeve, taking her wand in her other hand. Unwrapping the scroll, she cleared her throat, and two burly wizards that I hadn’t noticed before stepped forward. “By order of the Ministry of Magic,” she said, speaking very quickly, “Icaria Tremens is to be arrested immediately on the charges of conspiracy and murder of the previous Minister of Magic.” Waving her wand, she cried out a spell, which caught Professor Tremens as she was just starting to stand up. She fell back, bound head to toe. Voices arose throughout the hall in protest, and the other Professors jumped to their feet, many drawing wands, though whether they thought to target Professor or Auror I could not begin to guess.
“Take her away!” said Weasley, and the burly wizards seized Professor Tremens, carrying her bodily towards the main exit from the great hall.
“What is the meaning of this?” demanded the Headmaster, his voice cracking with outrage.
“I’m sorry, Phineas,” said Weasley more softly, “but a crime has been committed and the repercussions are harsh.”
As she was hauled away, past the students who sat at their house tables, we started to rise, many voices raised in sympathy, protest, anger, and confusion. Shouting, struggling as best she could, Professor Tremens looked outraged. “This is all Nox’s doing! Mark my words,” she shrieked, “Palucid is behind this.”
The hubbub increased at her words, as she accused the very Headmaster who would be here in scarcely a months’ time. Stunned and disbelieving, one thought presented itself as foremost in my mind: we must find evidence of Professor Tremens’ innocence. A darker part of my mind added that it would be equally acceptable to destroy evidence of her guilt.
“SILENCE!” bellowed the Headmaster, but even that could not stop all of the scattered conversations. “You will all return to your house common rooms NOW. If I find any of you violating curfew this night, you will wish YOU were being sent of to Azkaban.”
The meal passed uneventfully. The new arrival ate largely in silence, only commenting occasionally to the headmaster. After dinner, the headmaster stood and “ahemed” to get everyone’s attention. An anticipatory silence fell.
“There are a few matters on which I must address you tonight.” Headmaster Nigellus surveyed the students with a look of mild irritation on his face. “First, and by far least important, is a matter of every day affairs. Students are now restricted to one blanket each. This will help you all to toughen up, and the like. It builds character.
“Far more importantly, I’d like to speak to you all about the Wizard Armed Patrol unit. As I’m sure you’ve all heard already, the WAP has completed their first mission. This is as admirable achievement, and in recognition of it we have a representative from the Ministry of Magic who wishes to address you all. I present Auror Maeve Weasley.” He gestured to the woman in red, who stood up and surveyed the student body with an appraising eye.
“Thank you, Headmaster,” her voice was loud and stern. “The ministry formed the Wizard Armed Patrol unit to train our next generation of young wizards, to prepare them for the duties that they will likely assume upon their graduation. To congratulate them for their successes so far, to set them apart from their fellows, the Ministry is bestowing them with these armbands as a mark of distinction and respect.” Auror Weasley held up a wide green armband embroidered in gold with an intricate heraldric symbol. “Please, step forward as I say your names.”
“Caius Serence.
“Guillermo Patil.
“James Ferguson.
“Marcus Relius.”
One by one, the boys she called approached the staff table in the great hall, and Auror Weasley handed them each in turn one of the armbands. Without hesitation, each boy put it on, though certainly it could be said they had different attitudes about the bands. Caius looked smug and rather superior, Marcus proud, Guillermo pensive, James almost puzzled. Once they had all come forward and received the bands, Auror Weasley turned to the staff sitting at the Headmaster’s table. “Professor Patronius, as their teacher you too will receive one these bands,” she added, passing it to him as he stepped forward.
“You have all done, and continue to do, an exemplary job. Under the tutelage of Professor Patronius, you have begun to learn all you need to in order to be successful as a unit.” She paused, and it took the assembled students a moment to realize that this was the point at which they should applaud their class mates. Scattered applause started rather tentatively, and people seemed somehow reserved and tense, and the clapping soon died away. When they stopped, she continued. “The ministry has asked me to bring my expertise and training as an experienced auror to Hogwarts, to aid in the magical education of the WAP boys.” A ripple conversation ran through the hall, cut off in an instant by a stern look from Headmaster Nigellus. “The Ministry feels that Professor Patronius has done an excellent job, and asks for his continued aid in teaching the WAP members about other matters.” She sounded oddly smug. “Please,” she gestured at the boys and the Professor, “be seated.”
Auror Weasley remained standing as the WAP boys returned to their tables. “Now that my first order of business is concluded,” she smiled, “I have great pleasure in announcing a special event to take place this year. As you all may or may not know, this year Hogwarts will once again be hosting the inter-school Quidditch match in the interest of international cooperation and magical fellowship. This years’ match will be against Durmstrang. The match will take place in early November, and will be preceded by a ball to take place on Halloween, that will be attended by all Hogwarts students and all the students who are visiting for the purposes of the match.” Excited, murmured conversation began immediately at this. I suppressed a nervous twitch, though, for my parents would insist on my asking a nice, pure blood Slytherin to such a thing, and I had no interest in doing any such. Auror Weasley allowed the murmurs to continue for several moments before gesturing for silence. “The third week of October, 12 Durmstrang students, accompanied by their headmaster, Palucid Nox, will arrive at Hogwarts.”
“No!!” exclaimed Professor Tremens, interrupting the Auror, her voice ringing with affront. She rose to her feet. “No, he cannot!” she continued. Conversation exploded again amongst the students as the headmaster moved to calm her down. Pleased to have something to think about other than the difficulties the ball would present me with, I eyed Elaina Sly, abandoned 40 years ago in the dungeons by Palucid Nox. I couldn’t help but wonder who he was, what he had done, how he could have upset our usually level-headed head of house to such an extent.
Auror Weasley, meanwhile, stood patiently, looking immensely irritated at the interruption. She waited as the Headmaster showed Professor Tremens to the student lounge, for the professor was crying and shaking slightly and clearly needed some privacy. Once they had departed, Auror Weasley snapped, “silence!” in such a harsh and commanding way that the stopped stopped talking with a slightly shocked silence. “I cannot emphasize enough,” continued the auror sternly, “how important it is that Hogwarts win this Quidditch match. Though normally the inter-league match is of interest only to the schools involved, the war has changed this in many ways. Already many are viewing this match symbolically, as representative of the greater conflict between England and Germany. Winning this match will show nor just the superiority of Hogwarts to Durmstrang, but of the greater superiority of our wizarding community to theirs.” She paused, and for once no conversation followed. Instead, all of the students sat silent and wide eyed. The Headmaster and Professor Tremens came back in at this point and silently took their seats. Professor Tremens was pale, her eyes red, and I felt a great deal of concern for her. “With that in mind, I will now announce the Hogwarts team for this match. I expect you all to support and respect these individuals to the utmost of your abilities.” She paused, then added, “due to the intensive nature of their training, members of the WAP patrol will not be able to participate.” All of the boys looked affronted at this, understandably for all were important members of their own houses Quidditch teams, but no one spoke. “Please rise as I say your name.”
“Reginald Farnsworth, chaser.
“Aya Lunari, chaser.
“??? (I need to look this up! :) ), chaser.
“Maya Lunari, beater.
“Serminia Gaunt, beater.
“? Malfoy, seeker.
“Delia Prince, keeper.” (yes, this isn’t how it actually happened. deal with it)
I stood when she said my name, more surprised than I could say. I felt like there was a spot light upon me, the eyes of so many students on myself and the other team members. Suddenly, I wished there was nothing more I had to worry about than my parents reaction to the news of the ball.
“Congratulations to you all. Extensive time will be set aside for you all to train together. To facilitate this, house play will be suspended until after the match.” A groan arose from many at this, but cut off just as quickly when she glared at the student body.
“I have one final order of business to attend to.”
Auror Weasley withdrew a scroll from her sleeve, taking her wand in her other hand. Unwrapping the scroll, she cleared her throat, and two burly wizards that I hadn’t noticed before stepped forward. “By order of the Ministry of Magic,” she said, speaking very quickly, “Icaria Tremens is to be arrested immediately on the charges of conspiracy and murder of the previous Minister of Magic.” Waving her wand, she cried out a spell, which caught Professor Tremens as she was just starting to stand up. She fell back, bound head to toe. Voices arose throughout the hall in protest, and the other Professors jumped to their feet, many drawing wands, though whether they thought to target Professor or Auror I could not begin to guess.
“Take her away!” said Weasley, and the burly wizards seized Professor Tremens, carrying her bodily towards the main exit from the great hall.
“What is the meaning of this?” demanded the Headmaster, his voice cracking with outrage.
“I’m sorry, Phineas,” said Weasley more softly, “but a crime has been committed and the repercussions are harsh.”
As she was hauled away, past the students who sat at their house tables, we started to rise, many voices raised in sympathy, protest, anger, and confusion. Shouting, struggling as best she could, Professor Tremens looked outraged. “This is all Nox’s doing! Mark my words,” she shrieked, “Palucid is behind this.”
The hubbub increased at her words, as she accused the very Headmaster who would be here in scarcely a months’ time. Stunned and disbelieving, one thought presented itself as foremost in my mind: we must find evidence of Professor Tremens’ innocence. A darker part of my mind added that it would be equally acceptable to destroy evidence of her guilt.
“SILENCE!” bellowed the Headmaster, but even that could not stop all of the scattered conversations. “You will all return to your house common rooms NOW. If I find any of you violating curfew this night, you will wish YOU were being sent of to Azkaban.”
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