A New Paradigm
The four Marauders caught a carriage to Hogwarts from the Express. James still hadn't seen Lily yet. When they finally entered the Great Hall, James saw the object of his affection sitting with the other 5th year Gryffindor girls. He made a B-line.
"Lily-Flower! You are looking wondrous as ever! Might you go with me to the first Hogsmeade weekend?"
Lily rolled her eyes. Her very secret crush still hadn't grown up. "Not as long as you're an arrogant toe-rag."
James started pouting then even as the Grffindor girls giggled together. He quickly withdrew.
Gary, watching from the staff table, groaned internally. His father was less mature than Ron Weasley was in fifth year. No wonder his mother couldn't stand him until he got to seventh year. He saw his father sit back with the rest of the Marauders and soon he was cheerful as ever.
Finally, the time for the beginning of the sorting arrived. After Professor McGonagall got the students' attention (already having checked on the new students), the Headmaster spoke.
"Welcome back to Hogwarts! Please join me in welcoming the new first year students, newly arrived to learn magic."
The staff and students all applauded and the first years, newly retrieved blushed at the attention. The Headmaster turned and said, "Minerva?"
The Deputy Headmistress moved to the back of the dias and returned with a stool and an old-looking hat. The new students were shocked when the hat began singing!
Come and set me upon your brow
And when we're done you will know
The place that shall fit you best of all
Which House for you will be the call?
Perhaps Gryffindor shall welcome your heart
When Bravery is needed you'll do your part
Courage and action seek you here
To face your future regardless of fear.
Or perhaps your mind is for Ravenclaw
Knowledge and wit your clarion cause
To contemplate and to learn what you can
A future of knowledge is your plan.
Perhaps the ambition of Slytherin House
For you and yours is what you espouse
Cunning and guile the tools embraced
On planning and position your world is based.
Or perhaps you belong to Hufflepuff
Loyalty and hard work when times are tough
You'll succeed there by sheer strength of will
With friends to help to fill the bill.
But remember well as I find your trait
And place you where you best relate
For best success and to avoid strife
Unite together to succeed in life.
There was a pause before the students started applauding. Something about this year's song seemed more serious than the students remembered other songs being. The staff all looked thoughtful at the Hat's words even as they also applauded. But finally, Professor McGonagall began calling each new student forward.
When the sorting was done, each house received about the same number of students – about ten each.
And when it was done and the Hat was taken away, Professor Dumbledore stood up. "There is a time for speaking and that time is not now! Announcements shall be after dinner. Let the feast – Begin!" And with a wave of his hand, the tables were now groaning with the weight of the food and drink now placed upon them.
The students dug in with gusto. Soon the hall was full of plates clanking, knives cutting, forks spearing food, liquids pouring and a background chatter as the students caught up with each other.
While enjoying his meal, Harry looked out and considered the students. While he was planning on having fun foiling the Marauders so that they would learn some semblance of responsibility and the difference between pranking and bullying, he also had plans to ensure those who used malicious magic were punished properly.
And from what he was gathering from (unsurprisingly) a few older Slytherins and (more surprisingly) some students from other houses showed him that his work was cut out for him. He should have known better but he had almost got himself caught in the "Slytherins are the ones who are evil" trap – even if he knew that it was wrong.
That being said, the Marauders were the first to be caught: During the meal, after being goaded by Sirius and Peter – and against the advice of Remus – James Potter was going to send a surreptitious spell toward the Slytherin table. Luckily for James, it was a harmless color-changing charm toward his "nemesis."
Just as James was casting, the other staff watched their new Defense Professor quickly point his wand at the students – or between them. Suddenly, a shield popped into the room … and James Potter turned green with very green hair by the reflected spell.
The entire Great Hall stopped at the sudden action and everyone took a long look at James Potter – and the entire room burst out laughing. James however, didn't: He saw his skin color and gave a little scream.
Before any of the other staff could say or do anything, Gary was down among the students. The staff watched curiously as Gary leaned over and said something quietly in James' ear. James' face went from outraged to mutinous to sheepish to resigned very quickly. Gary quickly retreated, the students still laughing.
With gathered poise, James stood up and bowed to the students around him in each direction and said, "Thank you! Thank you! I'm here all week!" and then sat down. The laughter suddenly went from somewhat derisive to more amused and the tension gathering quickly dissipated.
Albus looked out at the students and back to his Defense Professor who calmly sat back down and went back to his meal. Curious, Albus asked quietly so that only the staff could head, "What did you say to him, Garrick?"
With a small smile, Gary swallowed. He then replied calmly, "I pointed out that if what he did was intended as a funny prank that he should still find it funny if it got reflected back at him. He should therefore take the laughter with grace and dignity. Otherwise, it was a malicious prank – and therefore deserved some heavy punishment. I told him it was his choice and then I came back."
The other staff contemplated what the new Defense Professor said – and most nodded in agreement. Most also had amused smiles. They, each of them, appreciated the lesson in what Garrick had said. It was far different than what Minerva would have done – but she decided that perhaps this was slightly better – in this case only of course.
When most peoples' attention had been returned to their meal, with James Potter finally having accepted the reversal, Gary moved as though to go to the toilet. No one paid any attention – except the Headmaster. When Gary stopped, he motioned for the Headmaster to be quiet.
Albus resigned himself to allowing his new Defense Professor to do what he wanted. He had already assured himself that the man had no true malice in him except for those whom would harm others. So, Albus watched the hall expectantly to see what would happen.
His curiosity was satisfied quiet quickly as suddenly, instead of James Potter standing out as Green among the rest of the normal students, EVERYBODY now had been changed: Gryffindors now all matched James Potter in being green, Slytherins were all Hufflepuff yellow, Hufflepuffs were Ravenclaw blue, and Ravenclaws were all Gryffindor red.
The staff took one gobsmacked look at the students, and then, when they turned to their colleagues, they noticed that they too had all been changed. The exception was the Headmaster – who blinked in all four colors. The now-Red (he had been chosen Ravenclaw here after all) Garrick Septimus tried to quietly return to his seat even as the Great Hall was torn between laughter and outrage.
Minerva first looked to the Headmaster and saw that he would not be of any help, but she did notice his eyes following the new Defense Professor. The Great Hall was interrupted in their reactions by the call of "Professor Septimus! What mad spirit possessed you to do this?"
Everyone in the hall looked to the man they now confirmed as the new Defense Professor who, at first tried to look innocent. "What?" When he saw Minerva wasn't buying it, Gary grinned. "Well – I didn't want anyone to feel left out! I mean, the new first years could have been scarred for life feeling that they weren't worth the time or effort to be pranked like the older years. I mean, look at those cute faces! Who could disappoint such young, curious minds by leaving them out?"
Almost against her will, the Deputy Headmistress looked at the afore-mentioned first years – who all looked terribly amused especially as compared to the older female students in each house.
"Besides!" Gary continued. "You look absolutely smashing in green!"
At that, Minerva, who had quickly calmed down, suddenly couldn't help herself – she let out a small laugh which she tried to hide but no one was buying it. "Fine! But reverse it now that you've had your fun!"
"It will automatically go away when one passes any threshold of the room. Making it permanent or hard to reverse would have been bullying," the entire room suddenly saw a much harder and more serious man than had been apparent, "and I loathe bullies," (the collected bullies in the room were suddenly feeling very nervous – as were the Marauders and a few others who had crossed the line on more than one occasion), "so – no worries," the man was smiling once more, "it will all go away soon and we'll all have had a good laugh. No one hurt and everyone can smile: the only acceptable way to prank, in my book."
The Marauders had quickly gotten the point that was being made, as had a few others. Severus Snape contemplated the man who had given him a job and ensured he had new clothes and supplies this year, as well as who had gotten him and his mother legally away from his arsehole of a Muggle father. Severus was feeling particularly fond, in that moment, of the new Professor – his rival's hated spawn that he was not-withstanding. That he, too, was a bit nervous considering some of the spells he had cast back at the Marauders over the years was to be understood.
Albus was rubbing his (color-changing) beard and contemplating his new Professor with a smile and twinkle. Yes, he was a man of good conviction. He would do.
Minerva rolled her eyes and decided to let it go – it was obvious that it wasn't worth it. Those who were most bothered quickly exited and returned and confirmed that, yes, it would go away once one passed the doorways.
The entire room was now more amused than anything. The first years were almost disappointed that it would go away so soon – it was very interesting magic to them.
Very soon, the last of the deserts were eaten and the tables cleared. The Headmaster stood to address his students.
"Good evening and Welcome back for those who are in second year and above and Welcome to Hogwarts to the first years. I am Albus Dumbledore and I am your Headmaster. There are a few announcements to be made.
"First: Let me introduce you all to a new member of staff: Teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, Professor Garrick Septimus." He motioned to Gary who stood up and bowed briefly before sitting back down. "Professor Septimus is quite trained in the subject and should be a fine Professor for you all." Albus had a kind smile on his face.
"Second: Also now working here is Eileen Snape, a Hogwarts Alumni." He motioned to Eileen who also stood briefly and bowed her head respectfully and sat down. "She is a special assistant to the Headmaster. At times, she will be having students assisting her. As she is faculty, she has all the powers, privileges and responsibilities. She can give and take points and is to be respected utterly." The students applauded her briefly and then put their attention back to Dumbledore.
"Thirdly: Forbidden items, as always, can be found on a list which is posted next to the Caretaker's office. If you have any questions, please feel free to ensure what is contained therein. You might find that items that you have brought might not be in your luggage. Hogwarts' wards were updated this summer so as to ensure your best protection. As a result, I believe that you are far safer here than ever before." There was loud applause to that, though some looked worried (for good reason they would find out later).
"Fourthly: Though many might be aware as it was announced in the Daily Prophet, there have been some improvements to Hogwarts made over the summer. For students taking Potions, which is most all of you, the classroom has been updated to be safer and more conducive to teaching the subject. I believe you will enjoy it. In addition, the Library has had some additions. While the vast majority of material has stayed the same with both general access and the restricted section, improvements were made to the lighting and layout so as to allow students an easier time in finding and studying material there.
"Also, there is now an additional section: The Masters' Library." The room was actually a bit excited just hearing the name. "While the Restricted section can be accessed with permission of any staff member, more advanced, rare, and even questionable texts were all placed within this Library. It's purpose is to allow a repository of ALL magics of ALL types – many included just to ensure their counters can be researched or found."
Albus took on a more pronounced look – less grandfatherly and more Sorcerer. "No texts can be taken from this room – once included, it stays there. Permanently. Access is only with permission of myself as Headmaster plus one other person from the following list: A recognized Master (several Professors qualify), the Director of the DMLE, the Head of the Department of Mysteries, the Head of St. Mungo's, or the Wizarding Examination Authority. In addition, a contract must be signed which agrees that any information obtained shall not be used for nefarious purposes or for purposes contrasting basic Magical Law. This means that if an underage person wishes to use this room – a very hard proposition to argue for successfully – than that person's guardian must also approve as it is a magical contract."
Albus took on a serious look. "Let me be clear: Any violation of this contract will have severe consequences for those who do so. You have been warned." Albus took on a much more congenial look. "That being said, the Master's Library is a permanent tool ensuring that no magic, regardless of its obscurity or even its character, will even be lost again from Magical Britain – once it has been entered into the record. Such can only be considered a gift … for the future of us all." There was a massive applause for the announcement and for such a valuable resource.
"Will the following please stand up." Albus listed all of the students who had worked over the summer on the Potion's classroom. "For everyone save Mr. Severus Snape: 25 points each for your assistance this summer in the improvement of the Potions classroom." There was a lot of applause – there were students from each house present.
"And for Mr. Snape who was the leader of the group: 40 points." Severus sat down to much more applause from his own House than any other.
Albus sighed. "And finally: I must mention that there has been rumor of Dark activity against the Muggleborns and those that some traditionalists feel are lesser. I would remind you all that such is not acceptable in this school. I expect any who have information to pass it along to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement so that the perpetrators can be brought to swift justice. But, such things will not be allowed to invade this sanctuary of learning. On this: You have my word."
"And now, the school song. Everyone, find your own tune!"
"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts,
Teach us something please,
Whether we be old and bald,
Or young with scabby knees,
"Our heads could do with filling,
With some interesting stuff,
For now they're bare and full of air,
Dead flies and bits of fluff,
"So teach us things worth knowing,
Bring back what we've forgot,
Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot."
Looking extremely happy with the singing the Headmaster soon dismissed the students.
Later than night, the Marauders talked about what had happened at dinner.
Remus said, "I don't think this new Professor will be as lenient as the Professors have been in the past."
James shuddered at how his prank had been reflected back. "Yeah. Being the only one green wasn't fun – it was much funnier when everyone else joined me."
Sirius scoffed. "He can't be everywhere! We'll still be able to have some fun."
Peter nodded in agreement and then said, "What do you think that Dark activity is about?"
Sirius said with some disdain, "I bet it's that Lord Voldemort that my cousin and her husband were so glowing about – taking steps to clean the Wizarding world of bad influences. Merlin I hate my family."
The others commiserated with Sirius' long dislike for his family and Dark magic.
"I say we start planning something fun against Snivellus. He looked entirely too smug at the Feast," James said.
Peter replied, "We have to be careful though – I think that new employee is his Mum. We don't have the luxury of having our Mums on hand in case we get in trouble."
Sirius sighed, "As if mine would say anything against it."
For a moment, Remus considered that Sirius sounded like a broken record. But then he shook that off and asked James, "What's the idea?"