The Grey-eyed Serpent

Chapter 25: Lilacs

"A duelling club, Albus?" Barty blinks, a frown making its way between his arched eyebrows.

Headmaster Dumbledore nods, clasping his hands together on his desk as he leans forward, his eyes twinkling as it always does. Barty had always wanted to ask how he manages to do it.

"For the 4th years and above, yes?"

"No, for all of the students, from first to seventh years"

Barty straightens and tilts his head, moving his hands behind him. "The first years are not even aware of what duelling is, the half-bloods and purebloods might have an idea but the muggleborns – Albus, it is not a good idea" he argued.

"They can learn and I am confident in your abilities, Barty" Dumbledore smiles, his eyes turning into half-moons identical to his glasses.

Barty choked. "Are you saying you want me to manage a duelling club all by myself? For all of the students?"

"Not exactly all of them, I'm sure they won't all be participating"

Bartemius stiffened from where he stood. Oh, he was more than aware of what his current reputation at Hogwarts is and he couldn't deny it, he was admired by the students. Not that he was complaining, he is, after all, brilliant at teaching, despite the whispers that some of his lessons were absolutely brutal. But how could the students learn if they don't experience it first-hand?

He was brilliant, yes, a genius, maybe, but what Albus was asking was absolutely impossible.

"I cannot manage a duelling club. I am already busy enough as it is with teaching students every day or every week. Albus, I also have my job in the Board – as much as I would have loved to start a duelling club, it will not be possible with my schedule" a duelling club was very interesting, and if Bartemius had the time and the freedom, he would have started one himself, of course, with age limitations. He can't have first to third years in a club that could prove to be very dangerous, after all.

"Come now, I'm sure you would like some time to think about it?" Dumbledore suggested and if he thought he was being sly about it, he was not.

"My answer would still be no, Albus, regardless of how much time you give me" Barty snarked.

Dumbledore sighs in defeat. "Very well" still, he finds the idea of a duelling club would be a good educational experience for the students.

"May I go now?" Barty asked and Dumbledore nods and waves his hand, leaning back on his high chair. Before Bartemius could open the door, however, he turns back to the Headmaster.

"Albus, if I may suggest something?"

"What is it?"

Barty glances at one of the shelves before looking at Dumbledore again. "I think you should really hire more teachers. Possibly a different one for the younger students? Since their syllabus is not that difficult compared to the OWL and NEWT students, therefore, you do not necessarily need a very experienced teacher" he said.

Dumbledore runs a hand down his beard as he looks to enter his thoughts. "I'll keep your suggestion in mind, Barty, thank you"

Barty shows a small nod before leaving the office, hoping that the Headmaster would really consider his words carefully. The system in Hogwarts is crumbling and it almost breaks Barty to see it. Especially since the castle had been more of a home for him than the manor that he had always considered to be a prison.

But it was not the staff problem that Barty was worrying about. It was also the lack of other subjects that had him shocked when he returned to Hogwarts. And why, pray tell, do the extra-curricular subjects have only muggle arts and muggle music in them! What about wizarding art and music? Where has it gone? Not to mention Divination being an elective for third years. That subject was the worst, it should be an extra-curricular as well, really. He remembers dropping out from that elective after a class, it was that horrible.