As breakfast earlier had been, lunch was also interrupted by the castle's guests. They entered the Great Hall and, without even giving a look to Dumbledore, Griselda Marchbanks stepped up to the Headmaster's Podium in order to address everyone in the Great Hall.
"Good afternoon to you all," she began "for those of you who do not know, I am Griselda Marchbanks and I am the Head of the Wizarding Examinations Authority for the Ministry of Magic. I, and those within my department, am responsible for setting the questions that you have to answer during your O.W.L. and N.E.W.T examination, as well as invigilating those examinations and mark them. We also monitor the scores that you students receive for your school work in order to assess how well you are doing in school and to see if there are any obvious areas where we need to improve the quality of education."
Here she paused and looked at each house table before continuing "Now then, I am certain that there have been many rumours circulating as to why we have elected to come here today and I would like to take this opportunity to put those rumours to rest by informing you of the truth. Yesterday evening, Harry Potter arrived at the Ministry of Magic in order to file a formal complaint against certain members of staff at this school. We came here today in order to assess the validity of his complaints and after interviewing various students and staff we were able to confirm that Mr Potter's complaints were not only valid, but also long overdue.
"As such, we have taken the necessary disciplinary actions against those members of staff whom Mr Potter complained about. Those members of staff know who they are and we will continue to watch them in order to see if our message has gotten through to them. In the meantime, I wish to assure each and every one of you that if you have a complaint to make against a member of staff, you are free at any time to bring these concerns to our attention and we will take steps to first make sure that the complaint is valid and second to make sure that appropriate actions are taken.
"I understand that there is a fair bit of trepidation being felt amongst the student body as to the new position of Harry Potter within this school. At this point I would like to reiterate the purpose of his role. He is not here to be against you. He is not here to pick on you. He is here to help you. We in the W.E.A have selected Harry Potter to be your voice. We have allowed him the authority to reprimand a prefect acting out of line as well as to back them up if they need it. We have allowed him the authority to act as the voice of the students during staff meetings. And most importantly, he is here to back you up when you need it.
"If you have a complaint to make, whether it be to a member of staff or to us in the W.E.A but do not feel brave enough to do so, go to Mr Potter and he will either speak for you and submit a written complaint on your behalf, or he will go with you and stand by your side when you make your complaint.
"He is here to support you. Thank you."
She stepped down from the podium, only for Madam Longbottom to take her place.
The elderly witch cleared her throat and began "As of eleven forty-five this morning, potions master Professor Severus Snape has stepped down from his position as Head of Slytherin House-"
She didn't get any further for three out of the four house tables broke out into a roar of cheering celebrations. Surprisingly, although they were not making a complete spectacle of themselves, more than two thirds of Slytherin House were looking pleases at the news as well.
It seemed that the greasy potions master had gained little respect within his own house, even with how much he generally favoured them.
"That will do," Madam Longbottom called out after giving them a good two minutes to express themselves. They quietened down and she continued "Thank you. Now, as I was saying, Professor Snape is no longer the head of Slytherin House and hopefully by tomorrow morning we will have found someone to step into the role on an interim basis until a permanent appointment can be made."
Malfoy stood up at the Slytherin table and shouted out "You can't do this!"
"Actually, Mr Malfoy," replied Madam Longbottom, calmly "I think you'll find that we can."
Pink in the face Malfoy continued on "My father won't stand for this-"
"Your father was booted off of the Board of Governors over two years ago," replied Madam Longbottom "surely you cannot have forgotten?"
Malfoy stood there, shaking with barely supressed rage.
Professor McGonagall was more than prepared to add insult to injury however "Mr Malfoy, that will be twenty points from Slytherin for your blatant show of disrespect. Now sit down before I round it up to fifty."
When Malfoy showed no signs of moving to sit down, Pansy grabbed him by the wrist and forcefully pulled him down so that he re-took his seat. Several of those watching were interested to not that she did not appear to be all that impressed with his little display.
Madam Longbottom continued as though the interruption had not occurred "As to other news, you will soon notice a new teacher going about in this castle. She is Sarah Abbott, and yes that makes her the mother of Hufflepuff fifth year Hannah Abbott…"
At this many eyes in the hall turned towards Hannah and she grinned broadly at them and waved.
"Usually," continued Madam Longbottom "Madam Abbott works for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry as a healer, potions brewer and instructor. Following on from his complaint about Professor Snape, Harry Potter requested a private tutor for his potions classes and, after due consideration, Madam Abbott agreed to take the job, as it were. I am unsure as to how clear the school's stance on this matter has been made to you, so I will state here and now that there always has been and there always will be the facility for students to have a private tutor for any subject that they like, be it potions, transfiguration, charms, defence or any other.
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