She did have to transfigure a large set of steps before it, though, as she was such a little thing. But, once she stepped up on them she could see clearly above it and across the four House tables.
As she did, Professor Sprout used a little hammer on a chime bar and rang it. That had everyone who was still making a bit of noise quiet back down.
As soon as she had silence she began to speak. "For those who do not know me because they left the school before I arrived and did not know me from my work with the WEA, I am the new Headmistress of Hogwarts, Lady Griselda Marchbanks. Before I worked at the WEA I was the Professor of Charms and Acting Deputy Headmistress here.
"Now, bear with me. I have quite a few introductions to make before we can start dinner."
Ron gave a wince and an almost sub-audible groan. Only Seamus heard him, though.
"First," she said. "For those who do not already know, we no longer have the services of Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Severus Snape, Sybill Trelawney, Cuthbert Binns, Poppy Pomfrey or Barty Crouch Junior posing as Alastor Moody. Rubeus Hagrid is also no longer a Professor.
"That means a lot of permanent positions needed refilling.
"So, I shall introduce them all to you now. I know you won't remember all their names, but they'll remind you as you each have classes with them. I won't, however, cover all their achievements. Instead, I will leave that to them.
"First, I present our new Professor of History and Deputy Headmaster, Professor Ebenezer Goodstone."
A middle aged wizard stood and bowed to all four house tables before sitting again, as applause sounded throughout the Hall.
"Next, I'll cover the new Heads of Houses. Please save your applause for all four, together. Otherwise, we'll be here all night.
"For Hufflepuff, Professor Pomona Sprout remains your Head of House; the other three are all new. For Gryffindor, we have Professor Bathsheba Babbling; for Ravenclaw, Professor Aurora Sinistra; and for Slytherin, Professor Septima Vector. You may congratulate them now." And led the applause while all four stood there.
A quick gesture from Marchbanks and all four sat almost as one, which also brought the applause to a near abrupt halt.
"I now have one re-tasked and a further six new professors to introduce. Please hold your applause until I've introduced them all."
After giving that a moment to sink-in, she began.
"First, I need to mention Professor Charity Burbage has moved from Professor of Muggle Studies to Professor of Wizarding Traditions, a new course.
"Second, I present our new Professor of Muggle Studies, Professor Phyllis Claystock.
"Third, I present our new Professor of Potions, Professor Doris Grimfield.
"Fourth, I present our new Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts, Professor Ian Murdstock.
"Fifth, I present our new Professor of Care of Magical Creatures, Professor Oliver Senkinhall.
"Sixth, I present our new Professor of Divination, Professor Rebecca Brottingwell.
"Seventh, I present our new Professor of Transfiguration, Professor Johnathan Biffingwater.
"I'll add him in now, because he's the only other new member of staff. I present our new medi-wizard, Journeyman Healer Peter Robinson.
"That is all the new staff we have starting with us. Please join me as we give them all a round of applause for taking on their roles."
As all the new staff, except the new Deputy Headmaster, stood the entire student and remaining staff population applauded them. Marchbanks let it go on for a while.
Finally, Professor Sprout rang her chime again and everyone settled.
"That's staffing," said Marchbanks. "Now for new rules..."
Once she was finished describing them she said, "You'll find a list of these new rules, in written form, affixed to the noticeboards in each of your common rooms. That document is not to removed for any reason other than under my direct order. Breach that rule and you will be suspended on the spot... and sent home.
"I'll also announce that the temporarily suspended school Inter-House Quidditch League is now reactivated. However―"
That was as far as she got before almost every student suddenly starting celebrating. She let it go on for about fifteen seconds before she signalled Sprout to ring her chime again.
When they all calmed again, she said, "Let me finish before you celebrate. As I was saying... However, because there is only six months of the school year remaining, the number of games is also reduced. Instead of playing each House once... meaning three games for each House team... you'll only be playing two of the other House teams. The draw will take place as to which team will be playing which in my office between me, Madam Hooch and the four Team Captains. We'll carry out that draw on Tuesday evening.
"Finally, though the Tri-Wizard Tournament is not yet cancelled, discussions are still being held as to if it will or will not. So, for the time being, it is still on.
"For those who do not receive, or otherwise manage to read, a copy of the Daily Prophet while you've all been away, you'll notice that the contingents of both Beauxbatons and Durmstrang are not with us. Both school representatives have returned to their schools. However, together with their respective Headmistress and Highmaster, they will return on the evening prior to both remaining events and stay for that day and evening. The next day they shall leave us, once again"
"That is all. I now call on our House elves to serve the meal."
Before the students could start celebrating or otherwise making noise, the tables immediately filled with food.
For almost all children, filling hungry bellies took precedence over celebrating.
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