Chapter Text
The atmosphere in the Great Hall wasn’t the same as in other years. After last year the students had only one summer to come to terms with the war that had taken place. And clearly that wasn’t enough.
Andy sat at the table with the other professors, waiting for the Sorting Ceremony. The hat itself was scorched in a few places – it had been ablaze when Neville had pulled Gryffindor’s sword from it after all – but it still worked as it should. It was to be expected; a magical hat that could stand the test of time wouldn’t burn to ashes that easy. And it was possible someone had doused it with a well-aimed Aguamenti; during the chaos of the battle he hadn’t really kept track of what happened with the hat.
It wasn’t until after Voldemort had been defeated by his own doing – after everything Harry had said Voldemort should have known not to attack – he had gone outside with McGonagall to walk around the castle. There she had found the hat, picked it up, dusted it off and carried it inside.
Now it was once again telling students where they belonged and McGonagall led the ceremony as Headmistress.
But the applause lacked strength and he shared a look of concern with McGonagall. Andy turned to the Gryffindor table, where Hermione sat alongside Ginny. It wasn’t a surprise she wanted to go for her N.E.W.T.s after missing out on the opportunity last year, nor was it a surprise Harry and Ron had decided they had enough formal education. Ron wasn’t the first Weasley to not finish their education, of course; the twins had done so before him and had been successful.
After all the new students were sorted, McGonagall held a speech. She welcomed all the new students, reminded everyone to treat each other with respect, and announced the new teacher that had joined their team this year to teach Defence Against The Dark Arts. And that Professor Bansing would teach Muggle Studies from now on. She also informed the muggle-born witches and wizards that Professor Bansing was available to help them adjust to their new environment and he saluted them with quick double-finger tap at the side of his head
Andy had worked at Hogwarts for years as an Ethics teacher and a counsellor for the Muggle-borns who needed some time to adjust to the world of magic. Now he took over Muggle Studies from the late Charity Burbage. Her murder had hurt; she always had been one of his favourite colleagues and they had often talked about Muggles.
With all the official announcements out of the way, the banquet began and everyone dug in. The children chatted amongst each other and Andy observed them as he ate.
“You hear it too, don’t you?” McGonagall said as she looked at Andy.
“One summer isn’t enough, Minerva. They need more time to come to terms with what has happened. They had to live and study under Death Eater rule last year and that was followed by a battle in which people died. That leaves scars.” He picked up his cup. “I came in with the train today and I observed them on the train station. I saw some of the older students crying at the station, saying they didn’t want to go. They got on the train eventually, but…” he let out a sigh. “I got on the train at the back and stopped at every compartment to see how they were doing. Some told me they were worried about this year, some told me they were fine but I could see they weren’t. This is going to be a tough year, Minerva, even compared to last year when the Death Eaters ruled this place.”
McGonagall nodded as she sipped from her cup. “I know you like to spend your free time doing research,” she said, “but could you free up some time to help the students?”
“I’m not a certified counsellor, but my office will be open to anyone who needs to talk.” Andy glanced over the tables, where it was easy to pick out the nervous and excited new students. “I envy the Muggle-born first-years; they have no idea a war took place and they step into a world of magic for the first time. They will probably enjoy being here the most.”
“Probably so,” McGonagall replied with a small smile.
After the banquet, Andy returned to his office. Having arrived just that day, he still needed to unpack the trunk he had sent ahead. McGonagall had wanted to keep the ceremony and first banquet light-hearted, but she had asked if he could take an active role as counsellor and hold a small speech before breakfast, to remind the students it was okay to feel the way they did and to remind them they all could talk with him whenever they needed it. Depending on how many students would come, he might not get much research done. Luckily both Muggle Studies and Ethics weren’t classes that many students chose to follow, so he was fairly sure he could still do some research of his own. He’d need it.
Andy closed his eyes. It wasn’t just the students who needed more than one summer; the war had left scars on him too. Death was never an easy thing to deal with; it hadn’t been during the First Wizarding War and it hadn’t during the second. At least the wars were over now; Voldemort was gone and he wouldn’t have to fight anymore.
Someone knocked on his open door and he looked up. A student who he only knew by face stood there, chewing on her lip. “Can I help you?”
“You asked if everything was okay, on the train, and I said it was…”
“Yes?”
“It isn’t. Professor, am I evil because I’m in Slytherin?”
Of course, that was also an issue that needed to be addressed; Andy decided to add that to his morning speech as well. “I am actually going to debate that in my ethics class, but no, you’re not.” He sat down at the edge of his desk. “I’m sure the Head of your House will address the issue as well, but you have to remember, and so does everyone who will claim otherwise, it’s not because Death Eaters mostly came from Slytherin that everyone in Slytherin is a Death Eater.” He put his hands behind him on the desk and leaned back a bit. “I know a few Ravenclaws had joined the Death Eaters in the First Wizarding War and there were Slytherins who didn’t agree with what Voldemort and his gang of misfits were doing. It’s not your house that determines whether or not you’re evil, it’s your own decisions and actions that do that. Resourcefulness, cunningness, ambition, determination, leadership… those are qualities that are strong in Slytherins and none of those qualities are evil in nature.”
The students nodded and thanked the professor for his time before leaving.
Andy continued unpacking his belongings, thinking about the year that lay ahead. Maybe it would be a calm year for once – ever since Harry Potter had joined Hogwarts things had been rather eventful – but it wouldn’t be a normal year just yet.