22 November 2009

"Herschel Reid has indeed submitted his resignation," confirmed Hogwarts School Governor Olga Sprightly.  Madam Sprightly would not give any more information, but we are led to believe that the post has been offered to former headmistress and recent recipient of the Order of Merlin First Class Minerva McGonagall.  McGonagall had already been considered for the post this summer after the startling disappearance of Analiza Snark (still missing).  However, entrenched in retirement, McGonagall refused and instead backed the installment of Herschel Reid unflinchingly.

At that time, McGonagall was quoted to have said, "I've had my time at Hogwarts.  [Reid] has my complete support.  He's capable, well-suited, and will be a fine Headmaster."

As this will be the third headmaster of the school in a single term, parents are starting to get concerned. 

"The post is cursed! If they don't put Professor McGonagall back in the post, I swear I'll withdraw my children," said Ginniffer Strong, mother of two Hogwarts students. 

"Just so long as there's someone there and we can put a stop to all this swapping, I don't care who it is," grumped Daniel McGuffin, father of one. 

With rumors of a curse flying around, the Ministry of Magic isn't taking any chances.  They've pitted a skilled specialist to undertake a full investigation, but have found no evidence of foul magic.  Curse expert and ghost therapist Tranquis Elbon: "I have no reason to believe there is anything insidious afoot.  And I should know - I was the first to identify the Defense professor curse, you know.  No, this is probably only nargles.  Nothing more.  Easily sorted."

But even without a curse, the transition is leaving some in quite a lurch.  Sources say that the Department of International Magical Cooperation is abuzz with irritation.  This department, key in helping to organize the TetraWizard Tournament, has worries that the change in Hogwarts leadership could throw a wrench in international relations, even with someone as well-known and respected as Madam McGonagall.

"What kind of impression is Hogwarts leaving with our foreign visitors?" asks Bartholomew Hastings, assistant to Head of the Department Gabrielle Murray-Harker.  "We don't want to come off as slip-shod."

The Hogwarts Board of School Governors has yet to appoint a new chairperson since Persepolis Zephyr resigned to become Minister of Magic, and this gap has effectively created a barrier for communication with the Ministry of Magic, and so further developments could be a bit muddled.