Chương 53: chapter 53
Inside were Dumbledore, the four Heads of Houses and Madam Pomfrey. They were sitting in a circle around a small table that Harry suspected was very recently a much larger one for their meeting. There were three chairs left vacant together, with another next to the Headmaster. To that last was where Professor McGonagall headed.
As Harry escorted the two girls to the other three chairs, before sitting in the middle one, as surreptitiously as possible he tried to gauge the mood of the senior teaching staff. They all looked quite happy, except for Dumbledore. He looked like he'd sucked on too many of those Lemon Drops he favoured, with a somewhat pinched countenance.
As Harry sat down, the Headmaster said, "Thank you for coming again, Harry. And, thank you for giving us the time to go over your... conditions."
Harry gave a slight head nod in response.
"As I mentioned earlier you raised a couple of points of which I was unaware were going on in this school," the Headmaster continued. "Firstly, we were all completely unaware of the bullying of Miss Lovegood that was going on. That will be dealt with this afternoon and during the evening meal. Professor Flitwick, as Head of House, will be immediately addressing that problem.
"As for the general and... oft times... public bullying that's occurring, the entire staff has been instructed to come down on the perpetrators of it with the full weight of the Headmaster's office. You are correct in positing that displays of one or more students bullying another or others is not something we want our soon-to-be arriving guests from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang to witness.
"No, it's something that should never occur. So, the staff has been told to be extra vigilant in both looking for it, and dealing with it. And that includes use of slurs such as 'mudblood' or 'half-breed'.
"You also indicated great disappointment in how the House point system is being... tainted. That, too, is being addressed. New guidelines for both awarding and deducting points are being drawn up. And the teaching staff will be required to adhere to it. Further, if you have a complaint about what you believe to be unfair points deducted or awarded, you can raise the issue with your Head of House or, if they're the one you believe is being unfair, you... indeed, any student... can raise it with me. What you are probably unaware of, is that there is a ledger kept within this office that records the awarding and deducting of points, and why, and it will now be constantly reviewed.
"Now we get to the more serious issues you raised. Though, I do recognise bullying as a serious issue. First, Professor Snape is now on probation. I have spoken with our Head Boy and Girl, and other senior class students, and have confirmed everything you told me. I was completely unaware of just how... bad... it had become. For that, I am deeply sorry; and, hope you can find it in your heart to eventually forgive me for being lax in that regard in the past.
"Professor Snape has now been instructed he is to use the points awarding and deducting guidelines when awarding and deducting points. He is to also refrain from using or intimating any denigrating language when communicating with students. He will be monitored for compliance. If he breaches these instructions in future, he will be summarily dismissed. He will also provide proper instruction for the making of each and every potion. He will no longer be allowed to just say, 'Instructions are on the board. You have one hour.' or similar. I, or Professor McGonagall, will conduct random reviews to ensure these conditions are met."
With a surprisingly genuine sigh, he said, "As for the two Weasley children. I had already spoken with Arthur and Molly, Mister and Missus Weasley, about the two children before that... unpleasantness... this morning. At that time, I gave them both my assurances the children could return to school and classes until the trial. As such, I cannot go back on that promise."
Harry was about to interrupt when the Headmaster, recognising Harry's ire, held up his hand and continued, "However, I also understand your view on how it makes you both uncomfortable and feel there is further risk to being attacked via potion with them in the school, though I do not agree.
"To address that, all Weasley children, including Percy, were subjected to a snap inspection of their belongings, late this morning; and their incoming mail will be monitored. Other than prank items in the possession of the twins, there were no other suspicious packages. What the younger Weasleys had in their possession from before, were already seized by aurors from within the DMLE when they were first taken away. I can assure you that they will be closely watched and monitored to ensure they do not attempt such a heinous act again.
"Further, it has been decided you will be allowed to be re-sorted and change Houses. It is clearly uncomfortable for the three of you to remain in the Houses you are currently within. If you want to be re-sorted, it will occur immediately before the evening meal, this evening. The student body will only be told it is an option made available to you due to the bond, so that you can all be in the same House."
Harry simply nodded in response.
"As to the matter of your godfather, Sirius Black; I, once again, apologise I have been somewhat lax in that area. It is good that you're organising a solicitor for him; and I commend you for that. Once you have the solicitor organised, and he or she is ready for trial, I will use my office as Chief Warlock to push for the trial. I can only hope that he is exonerated. The Ministry, including the Wizengamot, is rife with corruption. As such, nothing is a given."
"The final matter you raised was the Tri-Wizard Tournament, and how you feared you'd be entered into the event against your wishes or desire. With what you have gone through over the past three years you've been here, it's quite understandable you fear the worst. So, I'm going to tell you how the choosing of the champions will take place. I trust the three of you not to share this information with anyone else."
Harry and the two girls nodded.
With a responding nod, Dumbledore then went on to describe the Goblet of Fire, and how it would be used. He also gave the information that the minimum age of a contestant was seventeen.
Harry was then ready with his questions.
"What is to stop someone of-age deciding to submit my name against my wishes?" he asked.
His first question and Dumbledore clearly didn't expect it. He was surprised by it. "I must say, that did not occur to me. I shall take steps to ensure that cannot happen."
"And, if it still does? If my name comes out of this... Goblet... after all?" Harry asked. "It sounds like an incredibly dangerous artefact, Sir. It could be used by one wizard to see the magic stripped from another."
"There are safeguards to the second part of your question. But, in the highly unlikely event of the first, you would have to compete."
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