"I heard of one House receiving new top-of-the-line brooms, while the rest of the Houses did not. This, in my opinion, is not in any way fair. It ruins the sanctity of Hogwarts Quidditch; how many dreams will be lost because the other students have better brooms, preventing the real talent from shining through?"
...
Harry's eyes scanned the crowd, noticing the entire Hall—even the teachers and students that didn't care for Quidditch—were watching and listening with interest. All the while, the reporters' quills skimmed across their notepads. "Frankly, that's despicable. How can one know who's truly the best, when one team has such an advantage?" Sirius asked them.
"So, my godson and I decided to give our own set of brooms to reset the balance between the Houses. Not just to our own house, but all three Houses that have been wrong-footed: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw." Whispering broke out amongst the students as they realized what was about to happen; the Slytherin team started to dread what was about to transpire.
"So I'm incredibly proud to announce that 21 new Nimbus 2001 Quidditch Brooms are on their way as we speak to Hogwarts and have been entrusted into the care of your Heads of House for the use by your House Quidditch teams!" he shouted over the thunderous applause through the Hall.
Gesturing with his hands for them to quieten, he continued, "Yes, I know it's exciting, can't wait to watch the games. Of course, these are not your brooms; they are your Head of House's brooms, and it's up to them to decide whether you will be allowed to use them," he said sternly. "This has led to the Potter-Black Quidditch Fund creation," he declared, getting everyone's attention.
"The purpose of this fund is to ensure in the future that all four Houses always have similar, equal-quality brooms. Hence, this fund will replace these Quidditch brooms every 7 years so all students can try out for a position, not just ones who can afford the best brooms," he said, getting another round of applause. "It's also aimed at encouraging our national Quidditch skills to new heights, so the talented can shine! Yes, yes, thank you!" Sirius laughed at the continued applause, in his element. "I'd also like to announce this morning: England has been confirmed to be hosting the Quidditch World Cup!"
Harry cast a Sound Dampening Charm on himself so he wouldn't lose his hearing from the applause as well as the cries of excitement that lasted several minutes before the Deputy Headmistress finally recovered herself and fired a Cannon Blast Charm to get everyone's attention. The students were buzzing with excitement and energy, despite the noise made by the Gryffindor Head.
"Thank you, both of you, for your generosity," she said to both of them. "Students, can you give one final round of applause for both Lord Black and Mr. Potter for such a wonderful gift to the school?"
Smiling deviously, Harry finally spoke up, "We're not done yet, Professor. May I take over, Sirius?" His announcement surprised every one of the staff aside from Madam Hooch, who was buzzing in excitement for her own moment.
"Of course, Pup," Sirius graciously allowed.
Remembering the speech he had planned in advance for this moment, "Yes, now you may be wondering what I might have to add, and I'll admit it's not as exciting, but it's just as important," Harry announced, capturing their attention once more.
"An additional sub-fund has been created as well for the purpose of maintaining the Quidditch pitch and the training brooms for first years, ensuring future students have safe brooms to use to help them learn how to fly. After all, I remember last year how one of the brooms failed in midflight, putting a year-mate in the hospital wing.
I believe something similar happened this year as well. Hence, this fund's purpose is to ensure good, safe brooms for students to learn on. This fund will also be used to make sure the players, both starters and reserves, can play with working and top-of-the-line pads to prevent any future accidents and possible deaths," he explained, getting a respectable round of applause.
"Thank you, I hope this will encourage students who've had bad past experiences with flying to reconsider learning with safer model brooms. After all, I was raised with my Muggle relatives following my parents' deaths, but I remember that feeling of joy when I first flew on a broom—the freedom it offered—it was magical. I believe that it's an important part of British magical culture and should be encouraged.
Not only because it's great fun, but because it's also a part of our history as witches and wizards. I hope this will encourage first-generation Magicals to take learning to fly more seriously now that they have proper brooms to learn with, not ones from 1930." He eyed Hermione momentarily, since she'd been a big critic of the school brooms. She seemed interested in the offer, and he could safely say she would at least give flying another try.
"Once again, thank you for your time." He finished, allowing the Hall to once again slip into wild applause.
"You did good, Pup," Sirius whispered. "Rita looks like she wants to eat you up."
"Thanks," he replied, ignoring the comment about Rita for now. "How did you find out about the Quidditch World Cup?" he inquired, since he hadn't heard about it yet.
"Well, since I got out, I've naturally been catching up with friends from school and my days as an Auror, plus from the Order," he said, the last part in a near whisper. "One of them just happens to be a part of the team campaigning for the right to host it. Well, there's a party tonight, I just happen to be her escort for it."
"Ah, so you're back in the game already, you old dog!" he said cheerfully, quite happy that his godfather was starting to reach out more. "When do I meet her? Is she the next Mrs. Black?"
Sirius chuckled nervously, "Hold your horses! I'm just escorting her, it's not a date or anything," he protested.
Snorting at the older man, Harry gave him an amused look. "Yeah, right, I know all about your youth. Now I need to talk to Mrs. Skeeter; I think she wants me to do an interview with her," he explained before looking around the Hall, seeing the reporter already talking with groups of students. Mr. Jones himself was talking with the gathered staff, aside from Snape, who appeared to be missing, no doubt reporting in to the Headmaster.
...
Once again reading the Thursday and Friday Prophet articles of the high-profile event he'd missed within his own school, he felt awfully bitter over the whole ordeal. Not that it affected his plans—it would just have been a good chance at some good publicity. After several months of being on the negative end of it, after the Professor Quirrell incident and the Lord Black scandal. Even a month later, he was still being hounded by Madam Bones for answers.
Sipping at his tea, he reread the articles over the last couple of days' events. With Sirius announcing the World Cup to the general public a whole day prior to Ludo Bagman and Barty Crouch's planned announcement, he unintentionally stole their moment in the headlines.
At least the school was in a buzzing mood, filled with excitement that the brooms had arrived. However, he would have to talk with the staff this weekend, to remind them to tell him of such dealings with other lords and ladies in the future.
Not that he could blame them for wanting to readdress the balance on the Quidditch field, he just didn't like finding out about such events by fireplace calls. After all, he was the Headmaster, and Hogwarts was his dominion, his realm. He didn't like surprises happening inside his home. Plus, it was just good practice to keep the politicians away from the place so they couldn't influence and corrupt young minds, or pull them into the political games and dramas before they were old enough to understand the consequences of their actions.
At least this one could be worked to his advantage. He would write a letter of thanks to Sirius and Harry, as well as give them a token of gratitude for their support of the school. After all, the funds could last for several decades, and that extra money would free up the school's own funds for other projects, such as maintaining the greenhouses. Maybe an expansion project?
How many centuries had it been since the greenhouses had been properly replaced and redeveloped? Plus, hopefully the Prophet's articles would encourage other families to give donations to the school's maintenance. After all, none of them would want to be outclassed by another family.
"Come in, Severus," he called, his wards triggering and confirming someone was at the door, and since he had summoned the Potions Professor upon his return, it was easy to guess who it would be.
"Albus," the petty man greeted.
"Severus, do you have a copy of the memory of Wednesday?" he asked.
"Here, just as you requested," he replied, throwing the vial to him, which he caught easily with his off-hand.
"Thank you. I would like to review it," he stated before putting the vial down on the desk, safely within sight. "Have you heard any more about Lucius' scheme?"
"Yes, the plot is in play. We just have to wait," the younger man replied. "What are we going to do about Potter and Black? You planned to give new brooms yourself next year to readdress the balance."
"Nothing for the moment," he stated, cleaning his glasses. "I need to watch for a bit and try to understand what's going on. Besides, Lucius is a greater concern, and Sirius is just being Sirius. It just means the teams will be even this year.
Even if I planned for Gryffindor to lose this year so my gift would have more of an impact. Besides, this year was all about undermining Neville and showing him that the public can and will shift rapidly. Harry gaining some limelight achieves this as well, and will help deflate Neville's ego and counter his popularity if there's another 'hero' on the board," he explained sagely, not really sure what to do with the Potter boy.
"Besides, from the chat I had with Remus, he and Sirius have gone on a holiday for a couple of months by now, coming back just before the Christmas break. Just to warn you, I'm thinking of inviting Remus to teach here next year, either as DADA teacher or as the Professor for Magical Creatures, both of which will need replacements come next year. Hopefully, he will be able to help cultivate a relationship with Mr. Potter and Sirius. I am not on the best of terms with them at the moment."
"Really, Albus, a werewolf for a teacher? What are you thinking?"
"Neville needs to learn that not all creatures such as werewolves are evil. Dangerous, yes, but not evil. Besides, we both know Remus is one of the safest werewolves around; he's never bitten a soul. You worry too much—it will make you go grey before your time," he scolded playfully. "The students also need a capable DADA teacher, and Remus is a safe bet. Even with his condition, he scored a solid 'O' in the subject, consistently scoring second in his year, only topped by Lily, as well as O's in five other subjects."
...
( Elsewhere in the Castle )
Making his way back to the Ravenclaw Common Room, having spent the last 5 hours hidden away in the Potions Lab so he could get some work done without being harassed by the crowds and groups of students wanting to thank him. It made him feel good, yes, but at the same time, he'd always preferred his own company rather than having large groups of people following him around all the time.
It was distracting.
However, the groups did provide an effective shield for any pranks, and provided him with an escort around the school, protecting him from direct reprisal from the Slytherin Quidditch team. Draco seemed to be out for blood, now far more concerned with him than Longbottom, but he doubted it would last long; as soon as Neville did something or said something, he would be forgotten about.
Seeing a flicker of a shadow out of the corner of his eye, he shifted into a ready stance as he continued his journey. He felt his primal sixth sense flare up; that gut feeling telling him that something was wrong—something was watching him, stalking him.
Scanning the shadows, unable to find anything amiss, even the tell-tale signs of a Disillusionment Charm, he carried on. The feeling persisted, and Harry wondered if it was a group of Slytherins attempting to ambush him like Daphne had forewarned.
"Avada Kedavra!"
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