Hogwarts United
Professor McGonagall, headmistress of Hogwarts, slowly stood up and the Great Hall became silent.
She always was amazed how the mere act of her rising to her feet, would capture the attention of her students.
Her eyes scanned the room and her gaze slowly moved from table to table, before she started to speak.
‘I have two announcements,’ she began.
‘First of all, I will be retiring at the end of this school year.’
This announcement led to a murmuring among the students and McGonagall raised her hand to silence them.
‘Don’t worry, you will all have the remainder of this year to show your appreciation and say good bye to me.’
This caused a slight ripple of giggles.
‘I would have retired before now, but it took me a long time to convince my successor to take the job, which I am happy to say, she now has.
I am therefore delighted to announce that Ms Hermione Granger will be taking over as headmistress of Hogwarts next September.’
There was a huge roar of applause from the staff, ghosts and students, as Hermione made her way to the lectern.
As she took her place beside Professor McGonagall, she noticed that even Moaning Myrtle had left her cubicle to welcome the incoming headmistress.
Myrtle was letting out a number of literal cat calls, meowing loudly, to show her approval.
Most students assumed that this was a reference to McGonagall’s animagus form, but Hermione knew that it was a reference to the time when the Golden Trio had used the Girls’ bathroom as their operations base in first year. Hermione was extremely touched that Myrtle had overcome her anxiety and left the safety of her bathroom to welcome her today.
At a gesture from McGonagall the hall grew silent again.
Hermione thanked the students, staff and castle ghosts for their warm welcome.
‘I am delighted to take over from this formidable woman next year,' she said pointing at McGonagall, 'so that she can enjoy an well deserved rest.
I will have some very big shoes to fill and will do my best to honour the traditions of this wonderful institution, by following in my predecessor’s footsteps.
I look forward to working with all of you, once I take over from Professor McGonagall in September.
You all know that I have worked for the past number of years as Minister of Magic and I just want to assure you that my appointment as headmistress won’t mean that the Ministry will be interfering in Hogwarts.’
Her comment went completely over the head of the current students, but the staff members knew exactly what Hermione was referring to and Professor Neville Longbottom, in particular, remembered all too well the reign of terror of a certain cat-loving, child-hating Ministry representative.
The two women shook hands and turned to go back to their seats.
Some surprised looks were passed between the students and some silently mouthed to each other ‘Weren’t there two announcements?’
Halfway back to her seat, Professor McGonagall paused and turned around.
‘Ah the second announcement…
I nearly forgot, which is why it is just as well that someone with a much better memory will soon take over.’
This got a few laughs.
‘Anyway, the board received an application from a young entrepreneurial student.’
At this McGonagall looked over to the Hufflepuff table and locked eyes with Jimmy Dursley, who blushed slightly under her gaze.
‘The application was very well written and made some compelling arguments outlining that this proposal would help young muggle born students to settle into Hogwarts and to integrate them better into the new wizarding environment. This student further made the case that the green space on the quidditch pitch was really a waste of space and could be put to better use by adding two soccer goals on either end of the pitch.’
An excited murmuring could be heard from all four tables.
Neville and Hermione had trouble keeping a straight face, as they knew only too well that this young student had been assisted in writing his compelling proposal by some very successful tech tycoons, who also happened to be doting uncles.
With a slight cough, not unlike the type Dolores Umbridge had used in her day to get the attention, the students were silenced once more.
‘The proposal included a Hogwarts soccer league and cup, training sessions and a way to incorporate league results into the house points. The proposal even included a sponsorship deal from an anonymous donor and I believe they were to make a presentation today, but I have not seen …’
Before McGonagall could finish her sentence, four large owls flew into the hall carrying a large piece of colourful cloth that appeared to be filled with something heavy.
When the owls reached the center of the hall, the two owls holding the back end let go and a large banner representing all four house colours unfolded saying Hogwarts United and depicting each of the house mascots in the four corners of the banner. Simultaneously one hundred soccer balls rained down on the students and started to bounce merrily on and around the house tables.
The students roared with surprise. Some jumped up and started kicking and heading the balls.
Then more owls flew into the hall in perfect formation. Four rows of eleven owls flew into the hall, each carrying a soccer jersey in one of the house colours, with a number on the back.
The students were elated and Jimmy had a huge smile on his face.
Neville and Hermione no longer needed to hide the smile on their faces and were clapping with as much enthusiasm as everyone else.
Professor McGonagall turned to Hermione with a smile and said, ‘Well, that could have been a lot worse. Jimmy could have taken after his prankster granduncle James, or worse he could have enlisted the help of George Weasley for his endeavour. Next year this lot will all be yours.’
Hermione grinned and was thinking that she could not wait to take over in September.