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The issue, no matter what each of the participants was prepared to admit outside this room, was that these 'extraordinary' meetings had skyrocketed so much in frequency these last two years they were in the process of becoming a regular event. It wouldn't have bothered so much Filius Flitwick, Head of Ravenclaw, former Duellist Champion and Charm Master, if the Headmaster was just willing to offer them sorbet lemons, tea and scones. Alas, the convocations were in each case to speak of events Filius Flitwick felt they should never have had to cope with in the first place. Placing an obstacle course and diverse traps in an entire wing of the castle came to mind. The hostilities occurring after each Quidditch match, the week-long prank wars causing bitter feuds between the Houses. This disturbing business with the Chamber of Secrets and the Heir of Slytherin was not far behind. And now Gryffindors taking upon themselves to impose their own rules over the rest of the students' population. Speaking of which...
"And Miss Greengrass will need to pass the next two weeks in the infirmary." Finished Professor Sprout. "Thankfully, she was not subjected to the same curses as Mister Higgs, who will need to stay a bit at Saint Mungo's. Poppy has done her best, but the number of students wounded and hurt in this whole incident has just emptied half of her available curative potions."
The jovial Head of House Hufflepuff had been asked to gather all the evidence about the attack of yesterday. This was not because she was a gifted investigator, but rather because with no Hufflepuffs involved in what promised to be from the very beginning a thorn in Hogwarts Professors backsides, she was the closest thing the four Head of Houses had of an impartial member.
"And your opinion on the punishments?" Asked Albus Dumbledore in the grandfather voice Filius Flitwick and the three others knew so well.
"Immediate expulsion for all the Gryffindors involved." Affirmed Professor Sprout.
"Surely we can find a less radical outcome." Protested Dumbledore, grandfather voice still present, though the coldness in his eyes was growing. "I'm sure this was all a misunderstanding-"
"Damn it Albus!" Filius Flitwick could not stop bursting in anger." This is not a misunderstanding or a prank gone too far this time! Young Mr Longbottom and his friends have ambushed a group of Slytherins, and when the students of my House arrived on the scene they were busy beating one disarmed second-year for fun! I dread to think what would have happened if they were left to their own devices!"
"I'm sure..." Dumbledore had not the time to finish, as it was Severus Snape of all people who interrupted the venerable Chief Warlock.
"Filius is right, Albus. I may not like all the pranks a lot of students do on a weekly basis -" an understatement if there was ever one, "- but I understand if one or two teenagers want to colour the hair of a fellow student differently or making him singing a funny hymn. This however, was no prank. I had half of the Wizengamot Lords screaming at me by the Floo network so bad I had to disable my fireplace, I received Howlers by handfuls, and I have half of my students in the dungeons plotting their counter-strike against the Gryffindors. I had to confiscate temporary a lot of their supplies and heirlooms today to avert a catastrophic retaliation, but I'm afraid that if we don't take serious measures, this is going to get out of our hands." A note was present in Snape's voice which had never been before. Something which strangely sounded like fear or anxiety.
Filius Flitwick felt suddenly very grateful he wasn't in this Den of Vipers or charged to keep an eye on the Snakes. The Charms Master was really not sure he would be able to accomplish the task without hexing his way through their Common Room. On the other hand, Severus Snape had a point. Several very good ones, in fact. With so many children of powerful member of the Wizengamot involved, the political crisis which had just been created was a shit storm of unimaginable proportions. The Dark Houses were going to scream murder and demand the expulsion of the culprits. The Light Houses were going to protect the members of their families involved in this mess. Merlin and Morgana only knew the side the Neutral Houses were going to jump into, though the attack on the Zabini Heir was a very bad indication how...less than optimal the situation could develop.
"I am going to formulate an answer." Said Dumbledore in a tone tolerating no discussion. "I will communicate it to you when it will be ready. Is there more to discuss?"
"Yes, Albus." Said Pomona Spout. "I know that Gilderoy and Filius wanted to reopen the Duelling Club, but given the circumstances I don't feel it will be prudent."
"I approve." Said Flitwick, although his heart ached in pain at the fact once more time he was forced by internal violence to remise in the luggage his Duelling Projects. Britain had become a joke in the last years on both the teenager and adult Duelling Circuit, and it looked like the renewal would not be anytime soon.
"Very well." Approved Dumbledore a bit too quickly. "The Duelling Club is cancelled."
"And what about the Heir of Slytherin?" Asked Snape. "Have we any idea who is behind this?"
"Alas, there has been no further information since what I shared with all of you on Halloween." Sighed Dumbledore in a pained expression Filius knew enough to know it was not a genuine one.
Minutes passed, and soon the Heads of Houses left the office hidden behind the large gargoyle. Three of the participants did not miss to note that of all the Professors presents, only one of them had not spoken a single word to contradict the Headmaster.
House loyalty indeed, thought Filius Flitwick. The failure of Minerva McGonagall to control her House was looking each day more evident.
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