Fathers, Godfathers, and Godsons...Oh My

Chapter 9

Pansy threw open the common room door, several Slytherins scattering while she honed in on her prey, standing cockily and regaling all who would listen of his tale of triumph, “...and so the little worm started to squirm and cry-...”

He howled and crumpled to the ground with a well placed kick to the groin. Rocking on the ground, cupping his seriously bruised genitalia. Pansy blinked innocently, “Did that hurt?”

A seventh year prefect by the name of Warren Huntington stepped forward, “You should calm down, Parkinson.”

Holding out her wand, “Do you really wish for a bat bogey hex? Really?”

Hands raising slightly, “Your actions are undignified.”

Cocking an eyebrow, “His actions weren’t?” She glanced around, seeing the warring expressions, “We’re Slytherins. We use our minds and our influence to exact revenge...” Curling her nose, “Not petty school yard nonsense.” Sniffing, “You attacked a Ravenclaw like a common thug, Nott-...”

“What?!” Warren stormed forward, outrage flashing across his face, “Get up.” Nott had frozen like everyone else, swallowing and slowly rising to his feet with a grimace. Slytherin prefects were picked because they were the best choice, not in grades but in leadership. Brown eyes searching the other boy’s face, “Who did you attack?”

Flinching, “It was just that traitor Malfoy-...”

Pansy slapped the back of his head, “That is not his name.”

Glaring, “Dumbledore. Alright?!”

Slowly shaking his head, “You complete idiot. You’ll bring the Headmaster down on all of us. And Snape. And the other Ravenclaws-...”

“One of them was in on it-...”

“It doesn’t matter! The code, you fool. We don’t attack our own and we stay clear of the Ravenclaws. Every first year knows that. Every retribution you have coming to you, you deserve.”

Warren shook his head and pivoted on his heels, retreating for the dorms. Nott hobbled a little, frowning to himself, “Retribution?”

Pansy sent him a sickly sweet smile, “Well of course, Nott. We’ve all figured out that Potter and his groupies are now friends with Draco. So naturally Gryffindors will retaliate. Then of course there will be the Ravenclaws...and me.” Smirking evilly into his rapidly paling face, “Let the blood bath begin.”

***

Albus moved with sad grace to the podium, the entire school gathered in the Great Hall. But the long tables were back in place, separating out the four houses. Two other things were instantly noticeable. The Home children were no where to be seen and the number of Professors had returned to the core group the older students were used to seeing. Students all looked to one another, a handful of them thinking worriedly of their friend still under Madam Pomfrey’s care and many more confused by what was happening.

Dumbledore looked over his students slowly, stopping to sharpen his glance at some before moving on until each felt the burden of his stare, “Students, I have the disappointing task of making a change. I did not wish to do so, but it seems that I was wrong. I had hoped that these improvements to our school would be for the benefit of us all, but I was mistaken. Not even one day into our new program, and a student was severely beaten. And while this may be unrelated, I cannot even begin to fathom why some would find it necessary...or acceptable. Even more distressing, is that a member of his own house was among the attackers.”

There were murmurs, the students glancing around while many Ravenclaws were looking at their table in shame, “Never, in the History of Hogwarts, even in the days of the Founders, has a student ever been physically assaulted by other students. It rankles against the very foundation of this school and it has become apparent to me that the founders had set up the curriculum the way that it is for a reason.”

Albus held up a hand, “I cannot change the past. But these actions cannot be repeated, for the safety of all students. So, the old curriculum will be reinstated next year, with many of the programs cancelled.” Eyes widened in shock, “Professor Snape will be taking over all potions courses, many of you will be sent new time tables as your classes will be condensed and remedial will not be offered.” Many flinched, the Gryffindors in particular. Ron didn’t even raise his head, “Professor McGonagall will be taking over all transfiguration courses and many more of you will be sent new time tables.” The Hufflepuffs flinched and the Slytherins glanced at one another, “The Ravenclaw House, has just lost a member...” Every single Ravenclaw flinched, even the guilty, “...and a replacement Professor will be taking over first through seventh year History of Magic.”

The students who’d had classes with Draco and Hermione were crushed. They were excellent teachers, both of them, and they all knew it, “To insure that student safety is maintained, students will not wander the halls past supper time, professors and the ghosts will patrol instead of prefects and Hogsmeade outings have been cancelled for the year, as there are not enough professors to monitor students. That is all.”

Hermione firmed her lips but said nothing to her house. She regretted not teaching. But Dumbledore had a point to make and she was going to help make it. She ignored all of them, standing and leaving the hall after the Headmaster.

Seamus swallowed. He’d never heard of a punishment so severe. But then he couldn’t remember hearing of students being attacked by other students like that, “Why isn’t...why aren’t Draco and Hermione teaching?”

Harry glared, fed up with his house, with all of the houses, “Because he was attacked by a bunch of bloody cowards and Albus can’t risk that happening again...and by his own damn house, too.” Eyes jerked around to him, his voice carrying, “And Hermione willing declined teaching as well. So everyone clap and be thankful, you won’t have to be taught by him.”

His magic peaked for just a moment, what glass was in the Hall shattering before he stormed out. Professor Sprout calmly repaired the windows before leading her house out while Professor Lappish leveled a severe glare at her House. Severus was close to his breaking point as his cold eyes swept over his house before eyeing Nott who looked extremely nervous. The little toad should be nervous. No one attacked his godson. He led them out after Ravenclaw, many of them certain they were being led to their doom.

***

Cassie and the twins sat to the back with the other first years, letting Professor Lappish glare freely at the older students close to her, “I have never been ashamed of being a Ravenclaw. Back in my student years it meant something...until today. You’ve just proven how petty and low our house is...and it is a blow that we shan’t recover from. Never in Hogwarts history has their own house attacked one of their own...even the Slytherins don’t break that code.”

Roger frowned to himself but said nothing, glaring at Thomas who inched away ever so. Oh, he was going to pay for this. Lappish jutted out her chin, eyes flashing, “No one shall be allowed in the library. It was a privilege and it has just been revoked.” All the older students were devastated and glared even more hatefully at Thomas. “As all Hogsmeade outings have been cancelled for the year you’ll have plenty of time to study in the school library.” She spun on her heels and left. She couldn’t stomach them another second.

***

Severus wasn’t sure if he was going to kill Nott or let Parkinson do it for him. Whatever the girl had planned he knew it was something horrible. Instead, he addressed his house, “As I have no doubt, you have quickly found out the circumstances of what occurred.”

The Zabini boy had a glint in his eyes but Snape didn’t address it, “What happened can never happen
again. I am sure you are aware of the House allegiances. It is unspoken that Slytherin and Ravenclaw exist peaceably. Having three houses attacking us would be most...inconvenient.” There were glances and shifting feet but no one dared move, “I’m about to do something I have never done before. I will insure that the point is driven home. In my classroom, from now on, I will be taking as many points from this house, as any other.” Eyes widened. Oh yes, he was well aware that Draco had been helping them every year. He’d encouraged it. And he would love to see them pass now, “And as you have lost your tutor, I would recommend preparing for a very long year.” He looked them over carefully, turning before pausing, “And one other matter...this Ravenclaw, a former Slytherin, will not be harassed again...I will take it as a personal grievance.”

Eyes widened further even as Severus swept past them, the Slytherin portrait closing behind him. Now it wasn’t just Pansy sending Nott evil glares, even as the Slytherin rapidly retreated from the room.

***

Professor Sprout looked over her House, immeasurably saddened that it had come to this. Hufflepuff were loyal and true. They didn’t attack each other or other students. Usually it was quite the opposite. And it was a maliciousness she couldn’t understand. She shook her head, watching their heads drop, “I don’t understand what you’ve done and I don’t want to. You’re forcing the Headmaster to punish everyone for something that shouldn’t happen here. You’re my Hufflepuffs, you know what the world is like. This is Hogwarts, it’s not supposed to happen here. We’re supposed to keep the world out and protect our own. It’s not about the Houses, you know that. It’s every student in this school. The House isn’t the family, Hogwarts is...as far as I’m concerned the Headmaster is wrong. You didn’t attack a fellow student you attacked one of your own.”

***

Professor McGonagall sat stiffly in a chair, the Gryffindors surrounding her. Many of them were confused and hurt, “Professor...we didn’t do this...why are we being punished along with everyone else?”

“Because we must protect every student. We can’t reinstate the programs for one house, it might prompt a second attack, Miss Granger has refused to teach and quite frankly Mr. Dumbledore is in no shape to teach as it is.”

She fiddled with her hands while Ginny sat, moving her hair behind her ears, “But he’ll be okay, right?”

Giving the redhead a small smile, “I hope so, my dear. I’m afraid I’m as much in the dark of his condition as you are.”

Fred and George glanced at one another, “We could guard him.” Minerva looked at the twins, “...and Hermione. Make sure no one comes near them again.”

Raising an eyebrow, “At all times, Mr. Weasley, what of your classes?”

Ginny firmed her chin, “I have Draco first period.”

Ron raised his head, “I have him second.”

Soon there were more hands and heads raised, each of them volunteering, defending their abilities and Minerva raised her hands with a smile, “Alright, alright. Now, it seems to me, as long as each of you has a class with them, you are all willing to...er, watch their backs, as it were.” There were nods of agreement, most vehemently so. She nodded slowly to herself, “I can’t promise anything...but I will let the Headmaster know.”