Hogwarts and the New Headmaster

6. Homecoming

As he and Murmann walked along the corridors leading to the Great Hall, Viridis couldn't shake the feeling that this was somehow all just a dream. Three days ago, he'd been sitting at home, convinced he would never visit Hogwarts again, and now here he was, strolling through the castle, talking with Professor Murmann, and about to compete for the job of headmaster.

The throbbing in his hand, however, convinced him that it was all very real. He shook his hand, trying to bring some feeling back into it. He began to understand why Professor Limbeck had always been so annoyed with Murmann.

As they approached the Great Hall, the familiar din of hungry students drifted out through the open doors and Viridis's pulse quickened. By the time they'd covered the last few yards and stepped through the doors, the blood was pounding in his ears. Viridis slowed to a stop, his emotions roiling as memories of the hall came flooding back. The long wooden tables, the suits of armor along the walls, the banners hanging from the ceiling (Ravenclaw, he was pleased to note), the odor of hot wax, the moonlit glow of the enchanted ceiling. The only noticeable difference was the extra set of tables brought in to accommodate the additional guests.

A hush fell over the hall and heads turned in their direction. With a start, Viridis realized dinner must have been waiting on him. Murmann nudged him forward, indicating he should sit with the rest of the candidates, then headed off to join the instructors at the High Table.

Feeling everyone's eyes on him, Viridis hurried to the nearest empty seat and sat down next to a wizard with orange hair that draped lazily to his shoulders. The silence of the hall gave way to the buzz of a hundred whispers and Viridis blushed. He hadn't felt this conspicuous since he'd put on the Sorting Hat his first day at the school.

Up at the High Table, the faculty was also staring at Viridis. Most of them wore puzzled expressions, except for Dawn, who appeared relieved that he'd returned. Viridis was surprised to find there'd been a large amount of turnover amongst the faculty in the last ten years, and he recognized less than a third of the instructors. He was happy to find Professor Searles was still around. The good-natured Charms instructor had always been a favorite among the students, due, in part, to his bushy crop of shockingly white hair and perpetually beet colored nose that always made it appear he was suffering from a cold. Next to him sat Professor Evergreen, the Herbology instructor, and beside him was the astronomy instructor, Professor Hibbitt.

And of course, there was Professor Limbeck, who sat at his usual place on Murmann's right. Over six and a half feet tall, with broad shoulders and a crew cut, the potionsmaster towered over the rest of the faculty. His bloodshot eyes, supposedly the result of having stared into too many simmering cauldrons over the years, were noticeable all the way across the hall.

Murmann rapped his knuckles on the table and the hall quieted. "I wish to welcome all those who have come to participate in the headmaster competition." Despite his small frame, his voice carried to the farthest reaches of the room. "Though there can be but one winner, I believe each of you will find the experience rewarding."

Many of the candidates nodded and there were general murmurs of agreement. Viridis scanned the tables for any familiar faces, but didn't recognize anyone, except for the green-cloaked wizard from the train station. The man was glowering at Murmann with undisguised contempt. He turned to the witch next to him and said something that caused them both to laugh.

"I would ask that the candidates stay within the prescribed areas of the castle," Murmann continued. "If you require any assistance, please feel free to ask any of the faculty or students. I'm confident they will wish to be helpful, as any of you could turn out to be their next headmaster."