When Harry met Wednesday

Chapter 19: Plotting and Keeping Secrets

Author's note: This one's the shortest chapter yet, unless you count the bonus scenes at the end. If all goes well, the next chapter should more than make up for it.

As always, thanks for reading, and special thanks to all who review. Whether by using the review feature or sending me a PM, let me know what you think. Positive or negative, every bit of feedback is appreciated.

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Chapter 19
Plotting and Keeping Secrets

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"Now that we've all had a month to settle in, let's address any concerns that may have cropped up." Headmaster Tofty looked at each of the heads of house, who sat with him at a small round table in his office. "Minerva, I'm afraid that the DMLE has yet to learn anything of your wayward student's disappearance. Except for that tragic situation, do you have anything to share?"

McGonagall frowned slightly. "That would be my main concern. Other than that, my new prefects all seem to be working out. Mister Longbottom has grown considerably, and in truth has been doing a better job than Mister Weasley. As for Miss Patil, she has been... adequate. I would prefer Miss Granger, but she has been resolute in her decision to turn in her badge."

"Why did Miss Granger give up her position?" Flitwick asked. "I was under the impression that she loved the responsibility, and took it very seriously."

"Perhaps too seriously." McGonagall shook her head. "Something about not seeing herself graduating if she remained a prefect. I told her that her schoolwork of course came first, and no one would be upset if she let her prefect duties slide every now and then. She insisted though, and I found myself replacing two prefects instead of one."

"Oh dear. Well, it may be for the best." Sprout pointed out. "None of us want to see Miss Granger burn herself out."

"What about your badgers Pomona?" Tofty prompted. "How is Miss Addams fitting in?"

Sprout pursed her lips in thought for a moment before answering. "I'm not entirely sure what to make of Miss Addams. She seems to be fitting in with her roommates, and the first years absolutely adore her."

"The first years, why? I had thought only the prefects bothered to help out the younger children, even in your house. Have things changed since my retirement?" Slughorn asked, curious about any information regarding Miss Addams.

"As near as I can tell she has taken, 'your house is your family,' very seriously. Miss Addams has been treating the first years as if they were her younger brothers and sisters." Sprout explained. "More often than not, they will ask her for help instead of a prefect or a professor, which leads me to why I'm uncertain about her. She's been advocating defending oneself with more... enthusiasm than is appropriate."

"Ah, I think I see where you're going with this." Slughorn held up his hand to interrupt. "I've had quite a few of my snakes wind up in the infirmary as of late, but they haven't been honest about what put them there. I wouldn't worry too much about it. There hasn't been any permanent harm, and I'm afraid my students have probably deserved it."

Frowning, Slughorn elaborated. "Severus was an absolutely brilliant student, and even surpassed me in some ways as a potion master, but I don't know what Albus was thinking allowing that man to teach, let alone become head of house. Quite frankly my house is a mess, and if a few of your badgers can beat some sense back into my students, then I have no problem looking the other way. I'm doing my best to straighten Slythein out, but it's an uphill battle."