A Generation of Professors

Many people cheered when Hogwarts letters were sent out to all old and new students on August 24th, 1998.

Headmistress McGonagall cast a teary eye over her new ragtag group of professors as they sent off the last letter, her Deputy Headmaster receiving the honour of tying off the last one and releasing the owl to the sky. 

The letters were rather late— an entire month late— in comparison to past years, but the act of sending them off at all negated that fact. This was also the first year Minerva herself wasn’t the one to have to pen and sign all the first-year letters, which made for an odd change as well.

Hermione and Fred offered to take the loop through Hogsmeade Village to deliver the few letters meant for children who lived in the Wizarding community. Owls were never sent to the village when they were needed for much longer distances, so it had always made more sense for one of the professors of the school to hand-deliver them. 

It was also a welcome delivery seeing as Hogsmeade had gone through its own turmoil during the last year, and the children Fred and Hermione came across were rather excited to receive a letter from two war heroes. Hermione later told Minerva that of the three first years in the village each mentioned something about the repairs done to the castle. Seeing the castle whole again had apparently helped them decide to give Hogwarts a chance, regardless of the horror stories heard over the past few years. 

Not receiving word from the recipients of the owl-delivered letters felt foreboding during the remaining time between then and the start of term. Minerva normally would have received a handful of letters from worried parents or the few students replying to say they were choosing to attend another facility.

According to her Deputy Headmaster, he hadn’t received one.

It wasn’t worth worrying over; Minerva was confident in the new curriculum planned and the adjustments being made to support all students in their return (or arrival) to Hogwarts. She was expecting a smaller student body as it was— war never discriminated amongst age, unfortunately.

Perhaps after one successful year, more would come back. There had been smaller classes after the first war as well; were these past couple years normal, they would have seen the spike in students after the baby boom that had naturally occurred. 

Patience, after all, was a key component of working with young minds. 

For now, Minerva busied herself with ensuring things were put in place; professors, lessons, house elves, walls, and trick steps.

The splendour of Hogwarts had always been part of the ‘magic’ for its students. Returning to an unclean castle was not going to help the students feel safe and comfortable. So all personnel who were available or able to put their lesson set up to the side were now going about cleaning or adjusting the castle.

It wasn’t much, but Minerva had always enjoyed the small details within the school walls. It was just that now there were a few more details many of the students wouldn’t remember.

Chipped stones in corridors from rebounding spells; scorch marks that wouldn’t scrub out. A missing window where before there had been a full pane. A door gone or closed permanently, the room beyond deemed uninhabitable. An entire turret gone from the side of the Hospital Wing. 

Still, Minerva’s professors did their best. Charming small specks they could get rid of; scourgifying the corridors one more time— ensuring the House common room entrances were welcoming… laughingly attempting to clean up the portable swamp still left in a patch along the fifth-floor corridor.

When the 1st of September rolled around, Minerva felt settled and ready for what felt like the first time in years. 

The Hogwarts Express— up and running smoothly once more— was scheduled to arrive in the next half hour. Like in past years, the professors were arriving in the Great Hall leisurely in anticipation of the student’s grand entrance. 

Minerva sadly took up the throne her old friends had once sat in, despairing for a minuscule moment over their loss before taking a breath and then her seat. Filius took the seat on her left, hobbling slowly as he was wont to do after the nasty spell done to his leg by a Death Eater. Hermione sat on her right but one, smiling at her through the empty seat between them before being distracted by Fred on her other side. 

George sat next to his twin, dragging his own partner, Miss Angelina Johnson, to sit with them. Ron and Ginny were down by Angelina, deciding the three of them should be together since they were sharing a class.

Daphne Greengrass sat next to Filius, squeezed between the short professor and Poppy, looking still a bit uncomfortable but putting on a strong face.

The Slytherin girl had come to Minerva the week prior, asking if Minerva would have any work for her in the castle. Regardless of the girl’s Sorting, Minerva had always thought Daphne was a clever and well-put-together girl. She also knew that when the time had come to fight, Daphne had not been on the same side as her House. 

Luckily, the Weasley twins had decided helping Filius with Charms on top of their plans for Potions might be stretching themselves too far, especially with the added responsibility of their business. So with Filius missing an assistant, Minerva offered Daphne the position and was glad when she seemed to practically float through the castle door, looking both happy and relieved to be back.

Bill and Fleur were next to Poppy, asking the woman something in hushed tones that had Poppy practically bursting with excitement. Minerva made a mental note to ask her friend what it had been about later. 

Luna sat nearer to the end of the table, where the large chair meant for Hagrid was still empty. The Groundskeeper and Professor had gladly stepped in to revise his role of first-year corralling. Harry, Ron and Hermione had looked especially excited for this position to be taken by the man again. 

With all the new professors, the Head table was looking fit to burst— and Minerva thought it wonderful.

However, she was still missing a few members of her staff and she found herself looking about the Hall for them. Hermione caught her stretching her neck around and leaned over to whisper, 

“Hannah’s still in the kitchens. She told me she might be late, just to make sure the elves don’t get overwhelmed on the first night.”

Minerva felt a rush of fondness for the kindly Hufflepuff deep in her chest as she nodded to Hermione, thanking her for telling her. She hoped Hannah would come up by the time she was making her yearly announcements; there was rather an important one she wanted the young woman here for.

Still, she was missing two of her lion cubs (well… perhaps no longer cubs) and there were mere minutes left before the students would be arriving. She hoped her Deputy Headmaster was at least where he should be, waiting for the student to arrive to lead them into the Hall. It was the second missing one that was worrying her.

Ginny was suddenly announcing that she could see the carriages arriving, and the table resorted themselves to appear more presentable. It made Minerva and Filius smirk a bit, thinking of the past years they’d had these young people in their classrooms and finding it endlessly amusing that those absolute scatterbrains were here in this moment. How these adults had managed to come out of those lessons always baffled them.

They all certainly cleaned up nicely as well; the last time she’d seen them all dressed up would have been either the Yule Ball or perhaps Fleur and Bill’s wedding. Now rather than the floating dresses or dress robes, each of her staff members was dressed professionally with their own spin on things. 

Hermione was impeccably dressed, as Minerva assumed she would be. A lovely tailored set of robes that set off the deep brown of her curls and cut a rather impressive figure. Minerva had complimented her on them as soon as she’d seen the young woman, finding the sight of a fully grown Hermione Granger a heart-warming one.

Minerva’d also had to then knock some sense into her partner, as Fred also seemed to find Hermione’s new teaching robes a rather splendid sight. George had only stopped cackling about ten minutes ago about it. 

Speaking of the twins, Minerva could only shake her head at herself for momentarily being pleasantly surprised at their muted colour palette. Their matching (of course) robes were also very professional-looking. Up until they smirked at Minerva and revealed the insides of their robes were a myriad of colours, mixing and swirling on their own in an impressive display of magic.

Filius had teased them for leaving him in the lurch for Charms only to try and show him up now. Daphne had blushed (patting down her simple black robes) when the twins had teased their old professor for thinking they wouldn’t have shown him up even as his assistant.

Minerva dearly hoped it wouldn’t develop into a friendly contest between the three of them. She wasn’t sure she could handle having more Charm-based one-ups sitting in the castle. The swamp was already attracting wildlife.

Ron was dressed in his Auror robes, which Minerva had approved of when he’d shown up looking a bit timid. She told him it was proper, seeing as he was literally going to be splitting his time between teaching and policing. His students should acknowledge that he was an Auror. He was.

Ginny and Angelina teased him of course, saying perhaps they should also dress for their shared professions. When Harry, Fred and George had perked up, Minerva had had to put a kibosh on wearing Quidditch kits while teaching. She, Daphne and Hermione had rolled their eyes all together at the typical moaning that came after that.

Bill and Fleur wore what looked like their regular workwear— leather and sturdy boots, all meant to keep up against multiple landscapes, weather, and incantations. They each cut imposing figures as well. If it weren’t for their ever-present good moods and smiles at one another, Minerva might have been a bit worried they would scare a few students. 

Luna was… Luna. Minerva didn’t even bother trying to teach the young woman what ‘professional’ wear was meant to be. She was going to be outside with Hagrid or teaching Art anyways. Let her wear what she wanted. Besides, the radish earrings were no worse than the large turban Sybill had wound on the top of her head. Minerva seriously worried it might topple over onto poor Lavender, who already looked fidgety and nervous.

It did make her smile to see Ron sitting next to Lavender, his hand open and relaxed on the table, as if laid there just in case. Lavender hadn’t taken it, but Minerva grinned when she noticed her look at it more than once. 

Everyone looked so well and put together, it made Minerva feel even more pride. In her staff, in her past students, and in her new Hogwarts family. 

The doors to the Hall creaked open then, and Harry’s head popped in. Relief at finally finding her missing professor, Minerva looked at him with raised brows.

Harry grinned, mouthing towards the table silently, “Ready?”

It was like the magic word; everyone nodded, relaxing into their seats and suddenly looking relaxed and calm. As if they had been just putting their feet down off the table or laughing until they were teary-eyed with one another.

A picture of stoicism and professionalism.

Minerva smiles and nods. Harry nods back and disappears. 

The reason for her Defense teacher’s absence makes sense a moment later when he swings open the doors and leads the second through eighth-year students to their tables. 

The Head table breaks into applause when they see the students, having decided prior to tonight that the returning (and new) students deserved just as much recognition as the new professors did. They’d all fought to be here and deserved to feel appreciated and welcomed.

Minerva fought to keep her usual countenance on her face as she saw many of her students break out into their own applause at seeing the incredibly familiar faces lining the Head table, smiling and clapping at them as they took their seats. 

Many people here had fought at the side of their new professors and were happy to see them there and well. Regardless of the small age gap for many of them, Minerva was suddenly content that there would be no ill will or loss of respect between teacher and student. Respect was readily available, it would seem.

The table filled as people came in, each person laughing and loud, all signs of fear or uncertainty was gone as soon as they entered the Great Hall. All signs of battle had been erased, also erasing students’ fears of returning to the place they’d last seen in disrepair. 

Harry climbed to take his seat at the Head table once everyone was at their tables, patches of empty spaces much more clear in some tables than others. Minerva and the rest of her staff showed no prejudice as they clapped and hollered (on account of Fred and George being on staff) for each and everyone until all were seated.

Harry fell into his seat at the end of the table, sitting next to Professor Trelawney as Ginny was squished between Angelina and Ron. He was all smiles and cheer, most likely looking the most relaxed and happy than anyone in the room had ever seen The-Boy-Who-Lived.

But it certainly raised a few eyebrows that Harry took the seat at the end of the table and not the one next to the Headmistress or nearer to his girlfriend.. 

(And as Ginny would tell him and everyone later, ‘You snooze you lose, Potter. Angelina’s a better table mate anyway.’)

Minerva stood now, her hands up in a sort of ‘welcome’ gesture. The Hogwarts student body (and her unruly group of educators) quieted down immediately, all watching her eagerly.

“Welcome! To a new year at Hogwarts School!” Minerva smiled widely as the applause began again, which she allowed for a time before silencing them once more.

“We will be welcoming our new students in just a moment when our Deputy Headmaster leads them in. Please, we invite all to celebrate them as they come, much as we did for you. No one will be left out at this school as we all adjust and rise to the occasion; to overcome our fears and succeed together.”

More polite applause this time, more as an answer to her request than dimmed spirits. Minerva nods and retakes her seat, smiling at Hermione once more in fondness.

Allowing the students to delve into small talk and whispers, Minerva finds herself eagerly anticipating her new students’ arrival. Greeting the past students was better than she expected and now the anticipation of seeing those new, starry-eyed first years seemed like years away.

But finally, Hagrid was slipping from the chambers behind the table, slipping in next to Luna, careful not to upset the table. The dreamy-headed Lovegood girl patted the half-giant’s hand in silent greeting. 

And then… Minerva’s pride of lions was complete when Neville opened the doors again, beaming up at them as he led in the first years as his first act as Hogwarts Deputy Headmaster. 

Neville led the students through the thunderous applause coming from all sides— House tables and Head table— as they looked both spooked and incredibly excited. Normally, the ceiling would have been enchanted with floating candles as Dumbledore always said they were calming and pleasant for dinner time. 

But Minerva thought this school year was to be a celebration, not a pleasant dinner. Dinner and a show, perhaps for this time.

And who else caused a bigger show and spectacle than the Messers Weasley?

Fireworks and sparks were flying around the ceiling, the charm recast by Filius and Hermione giving a dark night sky background so the colours popped and fizzled as the students walked beneath them. Daphne’s small (as she called it) contributions were long strings of streamers that launched themselves down the length of the House tables while their members cheered. Once down the entire table, the streamers were suddenly transfigured into long lengths of cloth to represent each house colour, making for a rather spectacular display.

Yes, Minerva thought, this year’s group of professors just might bring back the magic to Hogwarts.

The first years were huddled in front of the Professors and the school, all waiting impatiently as Neville stepped up next to the unassuming wooden stool where a very beat up and tattered hat sat.

It was like Neville silenced everyone when he touched the tip of the hat, lifting it with one hand while he turned to face the first years with a kind smile. 

The last time anyone had witnessed that hat… was when Neville had drawn the sword of Godric Gryffindor from it.

Seeing the man holding it once more was like seeing history in live action. 

Neville cleared his throat gently, his tone kind and simple as always, “When I’ve called your name, come sit for the Hat to Sort you. And remember what I told you,” he says even softer, making many of the students already sitting lean in, interested in what he was about to say.

“No matter where you’re Sorted, you belong and will find the place you fit best. Even if you think the Hat chooses wrong— I promise, the Hat knows what you want. Even when you might not.”

Hearing Hermione and then Poppy sniffling around her has Minerva biting down on her tongue to fight back her own tears. She knew asking Neville to act as Deputy had been the right decision. 

“All right,” Neville lifts the scroll (so much shorter than ones Minerva herself had seen in recent years) and says gently but loudly.

“Holly Devon!”

Minerva catches her breath as a little red-haired girl she recognizes as one of the muggleborns Neville had visited moves around her peers, her eyes determinedly set on the Hat as she steps up and sits down beneath it. Neville looks over his shoulder quickly before he sets the Hat down gently until it covers little Holly’s eyes.

The Hat becomes animated, whispering Holly’s name like he was getting a taste for it. It mumbled and speculated to itself, its words nearly discernable from the utter silence that had fallen over the entire hall.

Everyone held their breath whether they’d meant to or not when the Hat straightens and loudly declares Holly—

“SLYTHERIN!”

The Hall explodes with cheers. 

Every House is clapping as little Holly Devon leaps from the stool like it burned and skipped over to the green-clad Slytherin table, where it's few occupants are smiling and gesturing her over. 

Filius knocks her elbow with his, with twinkling eyes meeting her own, their pride mingling together while the school celebrates its newest member— free of the booing or prejudice of old.

Relieved at the first one done, Neville leads the rest of the first years through their Sorting until each has been placed at a House table. Minerva has always been the one to record each student's Sorting— this time obviously being done by Neville— and finds she is eager to see the final numbers for each House. 

With the naked eye, she would place bets on Hufflepuff receiving the most first years, but keeps her lips sealed even as she hears Hermione huffily being pulled into a bet with Fred and George over the same topic. 

All students Sorted, Minerva stands and goes to the podium while Neville finds his seat between her own and Hermione’s. Minerva raises her hands again and waits for quiet once more.

“Welcome, once more, to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!” The clapping is polite once more and quiets quickly, ready for the Headmistress to share her message before their meal, “we, your professors and teachers, are incredibly happy to see you all here; happy and healthy.”

“That being said,” she pauses to make sure her voice does not tremble, “Health, as I hope you all come to know, is an important aspect we have realized will be impacting a great deal of us. All of your professors as well as our Healer, Madame Pomfrey, are here for you should you ever need to talk… about anything.”

Minerva lets that linger for a moment, not wishing to bring up why a student may need to talk to someone. Leave it up to them to decide what that meant for them.

“A few housekeeping things before we introduce our…” Here she glances back at her staff, who all either grin or send her a cheeky wave much to the amusement of the rest of the school, “rather extensive list of new staff members.”

A few students titter but do not interrupt as Minerva goes on, “As always, your House Prefects will lead the first years to their dorms tonight. Normally, we allow past students to follow at their own pace— however, due to the changes made to many parts of the castle, we ask for the entire House to follow your Prefects tonight, to ensure no one is lost or confused along the way. After tonight, you will be free to explore on your own.”

Excitement was already sparking among the students, especially at the mention of new additions to the castle. Best get this done as soon as possible then.

“Due to the battle Hogwarts had waged upon it, you will notice there are many aspects of the castle that are different to what you may recall. Know that Hogwarts is as safe as it has always been, however, regardless of the amounts of repairs we have made over the summer, there is still a chance something still lingers or slipped through the cracks. If you, or a friend of yours, stumbles upon something that seems dangerous or not-right, please inform a teacher as soon as possible for them to fix it.

“That said, the Forbidden Forest is still… forbidden,” Either George or Fred was terrible at muffling their snorts, but Minerva makes a note to thank Hermione or Angelina for elbowing them later, “Any student caught around the Forest will be dealt with accordingly. Any sixth, seventh or eighth years who have chosen to take the elective courses in Care of Magical Creatures will be allowed to join ventures into the Forest when accompanied by a teacher during class.”

This had many wide-eyes looking up at her, the change in status for the (admittedly limited) entrance to the Forest very new.

“The fifth floor is still half-covered in a swamp, so please watch your step when accessing the classroom in that corridor.” Again, thank you to Hermione or Angelina.

“Reminder the kitchens are not meant as a social area. If you are taking an elective cooking class with Miss Abbott, you are not included in this rule when working on an assignment with the house elves.”

“Flying or Physical Activity courses are mandatory and will be further explained by your Coach when you arrive for your first class.”

“Workshop classes, for now, will still be held in the classrooms correlating to their subject. This may be adjusted after the first term, depending on the success of these new structures.”

Minerva clears her throat, casting an eye over the school to see how the new rules were being taken. It seemed the intriguing changes made to Hogwarts and its classes were keeping the attention all on her. 

With no instant disdain or boredom present, Minerva steps back a bit from the podium.

“With that, I believe a quick roll call for our new Professors is necessary,” 

Students sat up, perking up and looking up and down the Head table eagerly.

“Firstly, I would like to thank our staff, old and new, for stepping up and helping me to bring Hogwarts together again and allowing us to open to you all this year,” Minerva pauses to clap alongside the rest of the students, giving a smile to her staff who all return it easily, “If it were not for their volunteering and later their agreement to help teach, Hogwarts would not be what it is for you today.”

“There are many new and exciting subjects and curriculum for you all, which I believe whole-heartedly you will enjoy as much as they have while creating them. Now, please join me in welcoming our professors:

“Our Care of Magical Creatures and Head Groundskeeper, Professor Hagrid, who will be joined by his assistant, Professor Lovegood. Miss Lovegood will also be teaching core, elective and club Art classes.”

“Madame Pomfrey will continue her role as Healer for our school and welcomes any sixth year or older student who wishes to assist and learn alongside her this year. Please speak with Madame Pomfrey after today if this interests you to learn more.”

“Professor Flitwick will continue teaching Charms, and is being joined by his assistant, Miss Greengrass. Professor Flitwick and Miss Greengrass are also the Heads of House for Ravenclaw and Slytherin. If either of those Houses is in need of assistance or guidance, this is your person to turn to.”

Daphne gulped but threw a kind smile towards the Slytherin table, accepting Filius’s small hand pat. Minerva had coached the young girl on how to be a Head of House, apologetic that she was almost forcing the role on Daphne. But there was rather a lack of Slytherin mentors available, and after some discussion, Daphne stepped up and accepted. 

Minerva claps for each person as she introduces them, the cheers from the school bolstering the happy mood of the Hall.

“Herbology will be taught by Professor Longbottom in the greenhouses as usual. Additional credit is available to students who are willing and have time to help restore many of the collapsed greenhouses and plants.”

“Professor Granger will be teaching core combined History of Magic and Muggle Studies, as well as running our library for us. She will be accepting second-year and older students who wish to be added to a rotation to help her sort and care for the library and books.”

“Professors Fred and George Weasley will teach Potions as well as run different sets of Workshops for the subject. Please note they will be splitting their time at the school in order to run their business in Diagon Alley and may not both be available during all school hours. The Workshop times set for Potions will be meant as a work period and a collaborative space. They encourage group work where there is a lack of teaching time.”

“Divination will be continued by Professor Trelawney and her assistant, Miss Brown. Please note the use of muggle mood rings is strictly prohibited unless proven not to consist of silver.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Bill and Fleur Weasley will be teaching the distance learning classes for Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. There will also be Workshops for these classes, as Bill and Fleur may need to travel as they continue their work as curse-breakers. Group work and workshop periods are also encouraged for these classes.”

“Flying and Quidditch will be split depending on your year and capabilities between our Coaches, Mr. Ron Weasley, Miss Weasley and Miss Johnson. Between Auror duties and playing professionally, your coaches will also be in and out of the school depending on their schedules. Please ensure you are prepared for each class prior to the time on your timetables to ensure your full participation in each class.”

“Miss Abbott, who is still in the kitchens for the moment but will join us soon, as I said, is teaching Cooking and Household Charms. There will be more elective and club times available after the first tem if you missed signing up for her classes before the start of term. Miss Abbott is also the Head of House for Hufflepuff; should anyone require her assistance, she will most often be found in the kitchens.”

Minerva grins as she says, feeling a bit out of breath after all the introductions, “I will continue to teach you Transfiguration as well as perform my duties as Headmistress. And as Headmistress, I have moved my role as Head of Gryffindor to our last professor,”

Here gasps were heard around the Hall, as if Minerva just saying it without even speaking his name yet had solidified the fact that the students were about to gain Harry Potter as a professor.

“Head of Gryffindor will now be our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Potter.”

Minerva didn’t bother trying to continue speaking above the roar of applause. She summoned the dinner made diligently by Hannah and the house elves silently, allowing her true smile to come out as she gestured for her students to eat and caught the entirety of her Head table throwing grins and catcalls down the table at her blushing Defense teacher.