Capítulo 60: chapter 60
Once the last of the chatter died off, he said, "We have a couple of items of business to attend to before we start tonight's meal. We'll get them out of the way now, so you won't have to hold back after you've filled your young tummies and have become sleepy.
"For the first announcement, I call on Professor Flitwick to address you."
The Headmaster stepped aside from the lectern and conjured a smell set of steps where he'd stood as Professor Flitwick came around the head table and took his place at the lectern.
Allowing a moment for the light chatter that had arisen as he walked to the lectern to die back down, Professor Flitwick said, "It has been brought to the attention of the senior staff we have been quite lax, or simply blind, to what's been going on in a few areas.
"One of those areas is that a member of Ravenclaw House has been the victim of long term ongoing and systematic bullying. This afternoon, I held a full House meeting in the Ravenclaw tower common room to investigate just how bad it had become. I was both shocked and appalled to discover it was even worse than even I could imagine.
"As a result, I made a number of sweeping changes, and handed out quite a number of punishments. One: all Ravenclaw prefect positions have been stripped from those who held them. It is an important responsibility of the prefects to both protect House members from just this sort of thing, as well as act as a conduit between the Head of House and the students under their care. That not one of them even informed me of what was going on, that some of them were even involved, and that it took a member of another House to inform me, speaks to how badly all Ravenclaw Prefects were remiss in their duties. I will endeavour to select new prefects for Ravenclaw House over the coming week who better understand their responsibilities.
"Two: Because of the great number of members of the House who were involved in the bullying of one of their own, let alone anyone else, I hereby deduct one thousand points from the Ravenclaw tally for the House Cup. Though the House Cup is not running this year, having the loss of points displayed for everyone to see... including the delegations from our soon-to-be visiting schools of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang... I hope will stand as a stark reminder of their shame, and my disgust with them.
"Three: Again, though the Quidditch Cup is not being held this year, all members of the Ravenclaw Quidditch team have been stripped from their positions. I shall select a new Team Captain, and task that captain with developing a new team, later in the school year. With the exception of two existing members of the team, the rest of the existing team is now forbidden from playing until further notice.
"Four: In my shame in not being aware of this bullying within my own House, I offered my resignation as Head of House for Ravenclaw to the Headmaster. However, he has chosen not to accept it. So, instead, I offer my most sincere apologies to you all, to the staff, but... most especially... to the victim herself. Miss Lovegood is a wonderful person and a true Ravenclaw. She has Ravenclaw's Gift. If there is anyone who deserves to be a 'Claw across the entire school population, it is Miss Lovegood. And, as a mark of my own shame, I have offered myself to her as her Personal Champion."
That made quite a few of the students, who knew what he meant, to gasp in surprise. Even amongst those Harry and his bondmates were sitting with, there was shock. A Personal Champion was effectively both bodyguard, as 'shield', and meter of justice, as 'wand'. It was the responsibility of the Personal Champion to act as defender and warrior for those to whom they were Champion. If Luna was to be challenged, Professor Flitwick would stand in her stead.
"Did you know about this?" Tracey demanded in a whisper.
"About the bullying; yes," Daphne whispered back. "But not the Champion thing."
Further discussion was cut off as the Headmaster, once more, took the lectern. "The bullying, however, has not been limited to just one person within one House. It has been most clearly impressed upon me that we, the staff, have been entirely too lax in dealing with this abysmal behaviour across the entire school.
"That ends now. As of now, all bullying will be punished most harshly. Personal slurs, such as 'Loony', 'Scarhead', and the like, are now forbidden. Likewise, are generic slurs such as 'Mudblood', 'half-breed', 'filthy snake'... and 'dunderhead'."
As he said each, the Headmaster looked at the main perpetrators of those slurs, including Professor Snape; before he turned back to face the hall, at large.
"How punishments and awards are issued has also been addressed. The staff and I are in the process of reviewing how such are handed out. We're setting down a system that will see fairness return to the point system; as well as to detentions. We're aware that many of you have become... disillusioned... with the point system; and have, as a result, developed the behaviour of just ignoring the point system entirely. You feel it is a waste of time; and, having now reviewed the ledger that lists down each and every point deduction and award, it does not surprise me. It is my hope the new methodology will see you, once again, respecting the point system for its fairness.
"To aid us, and you, we're also implementing a review process. If you feel you have received unjust point deductions, or another has received unjust points awarded, you can take the matter to your Head of House. The matter will then be reviewed. However, be warned, abuse of this system could see you punished, as well.
"As you're aware, we'll be hosting delegations from both Beauxbatons and Durmstrang starting from a few days before Halloween. And they will remain here until late June. In many cases your behaviour has been appalling. This new point system should go a long way towards rectifying that. However, for those who feel they can ignore this directive, I point out that the castle is going to need a good spring cleaning between now and when the delegations arrive; and for the time they are here. I'm sure Mister Filch would love to have your assistance in getting the castle cleaned and ready for our guests."
The Headmaster then paused for a few moments to let the chatter die down again before moving on to the next item. With a nod towards Professor McGonagall, who rose from her place and ducked out for a moment through the staff entrance, the Headmaster said, "As you'd also be aware by now, three of your fellow students have found themselves in a unique situation. They are involved in a three-way soul bond.
"On the very rare occasions of when a soul bond or binding occurs between current students, when both... or, in this case, the three... reside in different Houses. They are offered the opportunity to be re-sorted. After wisely having considered it for some time, Mister Potter, Miss Granger and Miss Greengrass have decided to accept this offer.
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