Chapter 20: Dinner Announcement
The trio shifted their chairs so that they were all facing the students, before exchanging glances. "I'll start," Harry volunteered, surprisingly calm. While he was not used to speaking in front of large crowds, the trio and Helena had spent many long hours discussing the changes they needed to make, and how best to implement them, and Harry just needed to follow Hermione's carefully scheduled planner. As the other two started to eat, Harry cast a sonorus spell on himself. "Please continue eating, everyone, but in the interest of saving time, I will address you while you do."
"As you know, last night, myself and my fellow heirs were made aware of our inheritance and claimed our titles as Earls Gryffindor and Slytherin and Countess Ravenclaw. You also know that several of your teachers and fellow students disappeared at that time. I can now share that those students committed crimes worthy of suspension or expulsion, so you will not be seeing any of them for at least a week. A list of the students, their general crimes, and the Wizengamot's rulings shall be posted. The same is true of the missing teachers."
Harry took a quick sip of his pumpkin juice to wet his throat before continuing. "We are going to be making several changes to Hogwarts, and depending on which year you are in, these may affect you greatly. That said, we realize that this will take some time. To that end, you will have the rest of this first week free from classes while we sort everything out. Changes will be pushed through as we can throughout the week, so we ask that every student attend all three meals in the Great Hall, so that we may make announcements and ensure you are informed."
"We understand that some of you have been at Hogwarts for many years, and are quite used to the way things have been run. For you, there will be fewer changes, as we will do everything we can to facilitate a smooth transition for you. For the younger years, who have not been at Hogwarts that long, the changes will be major. Generally speaking, we will divide you into the first through third years, the fourth and fifth years, and the sixth and seventh years. Sixth and Seventh years should expect some changes in teaching staff and policy, but few other major changes. We know that you are the most familiar with the routine of the old Hogwarts, and you are also studying for your NEWTs, so we don't want to throw too much at you. Smaller and more extracurricular changes will happen, but they should only make your time at Hogwarts better."
"In fact," Hermione spoke up, gesturing for Harry to take a break and start his dinner, "Every change we make is intended to make Hogwarts better for you, the students. It may not quite feel that way at first, as you war between change and comfortable routine, but in the long run, all of these changes will benefit each student individually, as well as Hogwarts as a whole."
"As Harry said, the younger three years will experience the bulk of the changes, while the fourth and fifth years will experience something of a hybrid version of Hogwarts. We understand that the Fifth years in particular will be busy with their OWL studies, but these changes should actually help them with that."
"To that end, we are going to split you up after dinner. The first through third years will stay here, while the fourth and fifth year students will meet in the empty classroom one floor up to the left of the stairs. The sixth and seventh years will meet in the temporary Wizengamot chambers next door. At that time, each of you will be told about the changes to your class schedule and the options for new classes. We want you to have as much time as possible this week to absorb those changes and make plans as needed."
Neville stood and waved Hermione to sit and continue eating while he took up the next part of the explanation. "Once these basic changes are announced, you have a choice. You are well within your rights to decide that the new Hogwarts is not for you. We would love it if you would give it a chance, but we understand that you might feel that it is best for you to continue your studies elsewhere. Thus, in each of these meeting rooms, there will be information provided with regards to the other prominent magical schools in Europe. You will be able to compare them to the new Hogwarts, and, if it the decision of you and your parents to switch, you should be able to do so without missing too many days of class at your new school."
"That said, I'm sure I speak for all three heirs when I say that our goal is to make Hogwarts the best choice around, and hope that you will stick it out with us in this time of change. We also know that this is not a decision to be made lightly, or on your own. Parents will be invited to an after-dinner meeting tomorrow to learn about the biggest of these changes themselves."
"However," Neville's gaze turned hard. "There are a few things you need to keep in mind before inviting your parents. Hogwarts is ours. It is our home, and just like anyone else may ward their home in whatever way they see fit, we have done the same. If anyone bearing the Dark Mark of Voldemort-" the students and teachers all twitched at the name - "crosses our ward boundaries, they shall be contained in a cell and handed over to the DMLE to face charges. Death Eaters are not welcome at Hogwarts!"
Several hands went up among the students, particularly at the Slytherin table. Knowing what they were going to say, Harry stood and nodded to Neville that he would handle this. Hopefully, as Lord Slytherin, they would take it better from him. "We do this not to deny you your rights. You have as much right to counsel as any other student, and we encourage you to invite another family member or trusted advisor to tomorrow's dinner in your parents' stead."
"As you all know, an emergency session of the Wizengamot was held at Hogwarts today, and another will be held tomorrow. What you do not know is that, at this meeting, several Death Eaters who had been found on Hogwarts grounds were tried. During the trial, each was given Veritaserum."
There was a gasp at that - Veritaserum was rarely used, even in trials, much to the confused disgust of the Muggle-raised heirs. The Wizarding world had the power to make sure that no one innocent was ever sent to prison, and no one guilty ever escaped justice, yet they never used it.
"Under veritaserum," Harry continued, "they confessed to two major things. The first being that no one may take the Dark Mark unwillingly, under the effects of the Imperious or a similar compulsion charm, or without knowing what they are getting. The second thing was exactly what was required in order to earn the mark--"
"Mister Potter!" McGonagall shot to her feet. "I do not think that is appropriate-"
"It will all be in tomorrow's Daily Prophet, Professor," Harry reminded her. "It will also be a part of the new history and defense curriculums next week. It is relevant, and more importantly, it is imperative that the truth be out. There are dozens of known Death Eaters from the last war who used lies and bribery to keep themselves out of prison a decade ago, despite the fact that they had to torture and kill someone in order to earn their Dark Mark!"
Gasps went up from the crowd, but Harry barged on. "These people have been raising children for the last ten years with those same ideals; follow Voldemort, maim, rape, and murder whoever you want, and then if you are ever caught, just lie and hand over a sack of gold to the right person. What do you think will become of children raised with that kind of moral code - or lack thereof? You don't need to guess; we saw several of them confess to their own crimes today."
"No. The truth needs to be told. Their parents and relatives are murders. And this society will no longer stand for their kind walking free. They will be banned from Hogwarts. They should be banned from the Ministry as well. Terrorists have no place in our society. Better for these students to learn that now and save them having to discover it tomorrow when their parents come for dinner and are instead transported to a cell!"
"And most importantly, these children need to know that they will be punished for their own crimes. But as important, they need to know that they will not be punished for the crimes of another. The sins of the parent will not become the sins of the child. Every student at Hogwarts has a clean slate, and will be judged on their own accomplishments and misdeeds. Calling someone Death Eater scum because of the choice of their parents is as bad as calling someone a blood traitor or a mudblood because of their parents. Hogwarts is our home, and we will not tolerate these slurs. Better for the students to know that now, before they decide whether or not to stay at Hogwarts or chose to continue their schooling elsewhere."
Hermione quickly rose, hoping to stave off too much anger from Harry's inflammatory words. "We know we have given you a lot to think about. For now, enjoy the rest of your dinners, and we shall meet everyone after the meal."
The noise in the room swelled as the students immediately began to discuss what the heirs had said. Those who had parents nearby immediately questioned them on the trials that had happened that day. The heirs ignored the furor in the interests of quickly finishing their dinners. It had been a long day, and it wasn't even over yet.
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