Mourning Dove

Chapter 7

In a shocking turn of events, Vernon and Petunia Dursley etched their names into wizarding history, leaving a stain that would never be forgotten. For the first time in the history of the Wizengamot, there was a unanimous decision on both of the Dursleys' trials. They were swiftly sentenced to 7 years, 8 months, and 16 days in high security at Azkaban - the infamous wizarding prison known for its soul-sucking dementors. Never before had muggles been held captive within its walls. And as if that wasn't enough, upon their release, they would become the first non-magical individuals to receive the Dementor's kiss - a fate worse than death.

The date was etched into everyone's minds: May 2nd, 1988. A day that would go down in infamy for all the wrong reasons. The entire nation mourned the loss of an innocent child, and bitter anti-muggle sentiments reached new heights - surpassing even those at the peak of the witch burnings. It left Severus Snape with a heavy heart and deep worry for what this could mean when Voldemort inevitably returned...because he would return, and with him, even more devastation and destruction.

The summer sun beat down on the Hogwarts grounds, casting long shadows across the castle as Albus Dumbledore trudged towards his fate. It was July 30th, the day before what should have been Harry Potter's 8th birthday, but instead, it marked the beginning of Albus' downfall. Stripped of all his titles and expelled from Hogwarts, he stood in front of the Wizengamot sentenced to eight years of magical probation, only barely escaping a prison sentence himself, with a heavy heart and shattered reputation.

His once beloved name was now tainted with disgrace. And to make matters worse, Rita Skeeter had just published a scathing book exposing all of Albus' hidden misdeeds. Rumor had it that she received some help from a certain potion master, but that was a secret known only to him and Harry, who couldn't help but smirk at the chaos their actions had caused.

In a surprising and controversial decision, the board of governors and the Wizengamot select Filius Flitwick as the new headmaster of Hogwarts, bypassing Minerva McGonagall for the position. The announcement sent shockwaves throughout Hogwarts, as it meant a significant overhaul of the school's administration for the upcoming year. During the summer of 1988, the school itself also underwent a major overhaul with numerous changes implemented. Among them, Minerva was given an ultimatum: choose between remaining as the head of Gryffindor House or the Deputy Headmistress. In a fit of frustration akin to that of his godson, Severus Snape would later relate, she chose neither and decided to retire early instead.

Thankfully, the board did not leave Filius to struggle alone in filling not only the newly vacated roles but also creating new positions for classes that had been unjustly removed. This new school year would see the re-introduction of courses in wizarding culture, politics, alchemy, magical theory, and warding. And with future plans to add even more classes in the years to come, Hogwarts was on its way to becoming a well-rounded and comprehensive learning institution for young witches and wizards.

Filius, with his uncanny ability to persuade and negotiate, had managed to secure the cooperation of the goblins in lifting the curse on the defense against the dark arts position at Hogwarts. In a tense and unexpected meeting with Severus, Filius revealed that the binding contract Albus had used to trap him at the school was now null and void. The news left Severus reeling, but after much contemplation, he made the difficult decision to remain at Hogwarts - not for any love of the school or its headmaster, but for a 7-year-old ghost who had grown to depend on him.

Amendments were made to his contract as well - he would receive a substantial pay increase while retaining his title as Head of Slytherin House, but he would now instead take on the role of Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. A new potions professor would be hired in his place, but Severus had agreed to continue aiding Poppy in brewing the more complex medical potions she required. This shift in responsibilities brought both relief and added pressure to Severus, but he knew he had made the right decision for himself and those who depended on him, especially Harry.