"But furthermore, we learned it wasn't actually he who kept all of you safe in these halls. For that you have to thank your peer, Mr. Harry Potter. We will, in recognition and honor of his efforts, be awarding him a special commemorative plaque in the trophy room as is often done when students show uncommon valor and concern for their fellow students. This award comes with a small trophy that will be yours to keep Mr. Potter. The trophies are done in the house colors and engraved in with the deed performed and the date on which said deed was performed. I do believe there will be at least two awards with trophies for you due to your actions in both your first and your second years here. Possibly more as I'm sure we don't yet know of everything you have done to keep our school safe. Congratulations to you from the School Board."
Harry stood briefly from his place at the end of the Gryffindor Table and bowed his head slightly to the applauding students before turning to include the staff in his thanks for the honor shown him. He didn't speak because Mr. Malfoy was still standing. Instead, he retook his seat as quickly as possible so the students could quit applauding.
Lucius turned back to the assembly of students and waited for the applause Harry was receiving to die down. "So these last few weeks, we've been conducting a very thorough indepth investigation. What we've found is shocking to us and has caused us to take steps we would normally wait until the end of a year to take."
"We found that he has been lying to us while making your school life a nightmare all to test and train one of your school mates. He has been endangering you as you try to study simply because he could. His games have forced Mr. Potter to risk his own life each year for your benefit and embroiled three other children in matters they should have been sheltered against. And when Mr. Potter should've been receiving your thanks for his actions, Mr. Dumbledore had the other three children spread lies about his actions amongst you while he quietly shipped Mr. Potter back to his muggle home. All four of those children have paid a very heavy price for their involvement in Headmaster Dumbledore's games and one has lost her place here amongst you. It never should have happened. Nor will it ever be tolerated again."
"As of today, Albus Dumbledore is no longer the Headmaster of Hogwarts. Your new Headmistress is Lady Augusta Longbottom who has graciously agreed to retire from her seat on the ICW so as to give her full attention to running the school. Her term in office begins now. Unlike Mr. Dumbledore, Madam Longbottom does not feel she can do two or more jobs at one and the same time. As she put it, 'I have one head. I can only wear one hat at a time.' I find I quite agree with that sentiment and am hopeful this school that I love will once again prosper under her leadership."
"Because our investigation also showed us a lot of the endeavors Mr. Dumbledore engaged in wouldn't have occurred had there been a full time Deputy Headmistress who had no other duties in the Castle, we have also decided to appoint a new Deputy Headmistress to the school. My Lady wife, Narcissa Malfoy, will be taking over the position. She will have an office here on the main floor of the Castle with rooms behind it while Madam Longbottom will be taking over the Headmaster's office. Beginning next year, Cissy will also be teaching an Introductory to Magic course for all incoming muggleborns and muggle raised children to help you adjust to our world. It was pointed out to us, the School Board, there are many things the incoming students from the muggle world do not know and they make many mistakes simply because they don't know they are. It was also pointed out that these children are never taught simple home running skills anyone born and bred to this society already knows so Cissy will incorporate that knowledge into the course she teaches to fill this gap between the cultures. Any of you who don't know these skills already are welcome and encouraged to join that class."
"For those of you who are seventh years now, the School Board stands by ready to answer any question you may have about how to find a place to live or a job in this world once you graduate. We can also answer questions on customs and traditions that you might have and will gladly do so."
"Professor McGonagal will still be the Head of Gryffindor House and your Transfigurations Professor. She's a good teacher and just because we have dismissed Mr. Dumbledore doesn't mean we found fault with her. It seems she's been so busy trying to do all her own work while attempting to do his normal work load as well, that she fell behind in keeping track of what mattered most. Really her workload was just too much for any one person. And the fact that the school has been operational at all is to her credit. So we have lightened her load and hope she will find it in her heart to forgive us for overworking her for so many years." Minerva smiled slightly and inclined her head acknowledging the apology.
"Because we feel we could've discovered this game of Mr. Dumbledore's sooner if she'd just had help in her tower, we've instituted a new policy as well. From now on all Heads of House will have a deputy head to help them maintain order in the tower. Given the reason we're here today, we've decided two people are needed to run a tower correctly just as a home needs two parents. So you'll have both a den mother or father and a Head of House to help you with any problems you encounter. It's also recommended to each Head that the den parent be someone of the opposite sex as themselves so as to further promote the idea of parenting the Towers."
"We hope this will not only prevent what happened in Gryffindor these past few years but also a lot of the bullying that goes on in the halls between and after classes. The den parents will be setting up game rooms and study chambers for all of you to use. Yes, we have been informed of your need for proper places to study outside of class, remedial study halls or the library. And for additional recreational activities. After all, not everyone wants to or can play Quiditch."
"Understand though, these new rooms will only be open to you when you are not scheduled to be elsewhere. In other words, no skipping classes or bending curfew. The den parents won't be teaching classes so you don't need to worry that their own teaching schedule will conflict with your classes schedules making it impossible for you to avail yourself of the game rooms or study halls. So yes, there will be some new faces around the Castle."
"We are also considering new courses to be offered here at Hogwarts as it was pointed out the current curriculum is lacking several basics a society is not a society without. That won't begin until next year or maybe the year following as it will take time to decide what courses are needed, find the funding and suitable teachers for each new course. We will also have to decide when said courses should be available to you. We may even be able to bring in some new sporting options for you to enjoy. We don't know yet."