Harry Potter and the Stitch in Time

Chapter 28

Charlus was at Hogwarts for the last time as part of the Potions Master committee. It was the second of January, and they were to decide on whether Snape would return to the level of Apprentice or retain his title as a Potions Master. The seven of them were meeting in Dumbledore's office this time, as the result directly affected the school and he and Professor McGonagall were sitting in. Charlus was the first of the non-Professors to arrive, finding Dumbledore, McGonagall, and Snape all waiting on them while Having a cup of tea. Charlus joined them and poured himself a cup after being sure to cast a few charms on everything to check there was nothing like a loyalty draft in there.

"Surely that's going too far," Dumbledore complained. "As if I would let someone spike the tea."

Charlus shrugged as he poured himself a cup. "This is a hearing deciding the fate of a Potions Master. He wouldn't be the first, nor would he have been the last, to try and use their skill as a brewer to solve the problem."

"Still, it's a little rude to think I would allow such a thing." Dumbledore didn't sound happy.

"Oh, can it Albus. You know full well that it's a legitimate concern. And you can hardly say Severus's attitude invokes trust in people," McGonagall said, shutting down the argument.

Soon, one by one Horace Slughorn, Tiberius Falter, Salem Matches, Dawn Lonshop, and Falon Jones arrived by floo and helped them to tea. Charlus was happy to see all bar one of them cast charms on the tea to check it was just tea. He even flashed Dumbledore a smile about it, which had the old man pouting.

After about ten minutes of catching up where they all talked about what they did for New Year's, Dumbledore stood and started talking about why they were there. Technically he was only supposed to be here as an observer, but as they were meeting in his office at the school he ran it wasn't unreasonable for him to say a few words. It was mostly waffle, with Dumbledore saying how much Snape had his complete trust, and tha. "I assure you that your point has been heard, and if and when you decide to vote to keep Severus as a Potions Master, I guarantee that your recommendations will be heard and Professor Snape will update his teaching where necessary."

Dumbledore would have continued, but Charlus stood up and cut him off. "Well, that's enough of that. Dumbledore, you have had years to get your Potions professor's teaching up to scratch, but you haven't done anything. You can't even say you knew nothing about it, as the number of students who get their N.E.W.T.s has very obviously plummeted, and there are hundreds of complaints about his teaching on record. But you never changed anything then, and I don't think we can trust you to do better now. I don't need any more time. I cast my vote now, and I vote to return Snape's title to that of Apprentice."

"And I, of course, cast my vote to keep my status as a master brewer," Snape said, speaking for the first time. It was no surprise to anyone that Snape voted to keep his place.

Tiberius Falter stood up next."Well, there has been a lot of back and forth on this subject since Christmas, and I can't ignore that even with his lack of appropriate safety spells this brewer has the skills needed to stay being recognised as a grandmaster. So I vote that Potion Master Severus Snape keeps his status as a potion master."

Next was Dawn Lonshop. "As much as I can agree that Severus Snape has great talent at brewing, a master needs to be proficient with the whole field and Snape demonstrates a weakness in a fundamental practice of the art. I feel that a few years' review as an apprentice will help make him a far better potions master in the future. I vote that Severus Snape be returned to the rank of apprentice." She sat back down.

It was now two votes all. Charlus was feeling a little worried now. If he failed here, Harry would be in the crosshairs of Snape for the rest of his time in Hogwarts. And even if they decided to run, Harry was stuck here until at least the end of the tournament.