It soon became clear that Dumbledore's judgment had been, if anything, overly conservative.
"My god! Have you seen today's Daily Prophet?"
"No… did something shocking happen? Didn't the investigation team's report come out a while ago already?"
"It is still about the investigation report, but—"
Early that morning, just a few days later, the students and professors who had already received the Daily Prophet could scarcely believe what was printed inside. People barely spared a glance at the owl feathers falling into their bowls; instead, they clutched their newspapers—some falling into heavy silence, others flushed red as they argued heatedly. Even the professors at the staff table wore dark expressions.
The Daily Prophet's front page headline read:
"Albus Dumbledore's Severe Negligence May Have Continued for a Very Long Time"
[With the Hogwarts Board of Governors' independently formed investigation team taking up residence at Hogwarts, the student coma incidents that have long troubled students, parents, and the wider public were finally resolved completely within two weeks. What is astonishing, however, is that the root cause of what was once believed to be a grave security crisis turned out to be surprisingly simple—one might even say absurd…]
Below it was the investigation report exactly as it had been posted at Hogwarts, reproduced word for word.
[Finally, according to confirmation from the research institution, those Banshees did indeed undergo mutations that met the aforementioned conditions. Yet even such an unpredictable situation was fully uncovered by the investigation team within two weeks. By contrast, Albus Dumbledore—long regarded as the most powerful and knowledgeable wizard of our age and the Headmaster of Hogwarts—spent over a month without discovering a single clue. During the investigation team's operations, he provided no assistance whatsoever; on the contrary, his absurd actions may even have exacerbated the attacks…]
[Naturally, it was the attacked students who bore the consequences. Although Dumbledore claims that the potions administered will allow them to make a full recovery, the investigation team has nevertheless discovered deeply troubling signs…]
[We interviewed one of the affected students, Pansy Parkinson. During the interview, her condition was clearly unstable…]
What followed was Pansy Parkinson's personal account. She described in detail how she felt after waking, her words filled with pain and despair for the future, convinced that she might have been left with incurable aftereffects.
Further down, the article even brought up last term's Voldemort incident. Drawing on Dumbledore's relationship with You-Know-Who and Nicolas Flamel, and reconstructing the entire affair through student interviews, it suggested that Dumbledore had very likely deliberately allowed You-Know-Who to enter the school, placing all staff and students in extreme danger.
In short, the article adopted an extraordinarily harsh—almost accusatory—tone, fiercely criticizing nearly all of Dumbledore's actions since becoming headmaster. It accused him of acting recklessly in his advanced age, repeatedly placing the entire school in unsafe conditions. Using the coma incidents as a starting point, it went on to analyze in detail just how senile, muddle-headed, and unfit Dumbledore had now become…
Suddenly, a deep rumbling sound echoed through the hall.
Everyone turned toward the source and saw the Great Hall doors slowly opening, revealing seven stern-faced wizards standing beyond them.
"It's the Hogwarts Board of Governors!"
Someone cried out. "Parkinson, Flint, Alex… more than half the Board is here!"
The Board of Governors consisted of only twelve members in total—and seven had arrived at once. That meant they fully represented the Board's collective will, granting them authority that surpassed even the headmaster's.
"We regret interrupting your breakfast, professors and students," Robert Parkinson stepped forward, though there was not the slightest hint of apology in his voice. "However, by unanimous decision of the Board of Governors, we will be carrying out a critically important personnel appointment. We therefore felt it necessary to deliver this notice to the entire school at the earliest opportunity."
Many noticed the professors' expressions growing even darker. And when people realized that the central seat at the staff table was conspicuously empty, they already knew what was coming next.
"I trust that you have all read the investigation team's report. Some of you may also have read the latest Daily Prophet," Robert Parkinson continued gravely. "Perhaps many of you feel it is no great matter. After all, you have studied here for years without incident. You even spent a year in the same school as You-Know-Who without falling into danger. And since you are sitting here today, it means you yourselves were not harmed by the coma incidents…"
"But that does not mean those dangers and risks can simply be ignored. Among the seven governors present today, myself included, four have close relatives who were affected by the coma incidents. Some have yet to awaken; others face an uncertain future…"
"And you may not be aware of this, but public outcry outside the school has nearly overturned Hogwarts itself. After learning of these events, no one wishes to send their children back to such a dangerous environment to study. Even the Ministry of Magic has made it clear that it does not wish to see Hogwarts continue harboring such an unstable factor…"
"So—"
He drew a piece of parchment from within his robes and unfurled it, projecting it magically so that everyone could clearly see its contents: a formal dismissal order bearing the signatures of all twelve governors.
"I regret to announce the official removal of Albus Dumbledore from the position of Headmaster."
Robert Parkinson sighed, though his voice remained firm and powerful. "Though he was once among the greatest wizards Britain has ever known, making outstanding contributions to magical research, the preservation of peace in magical society, and the protection of this school, it is now evident that he no longer possesses the ability to safeguard Hogwarts, nor the clarity of judgment required to lead it toward a better future."
As his words fell, the Great Hall lost its only sound, leaving behind an icy silence.
At the four long tables, students looked at one another, unable to speak. In the hearts of most, Dumbledore had always been a kind, wise, and powerful headmaster. His nonsensical speeches at the opening feast, the woman's nightcap perched perpetually atop his head, and the gentle gaze from Chocolate Frog cards had long fixed his image in everyone's mind.
Yet it was also undeniable that a mystery he had failed to solve for over a month had been resolved by the investigation team in just two weeks—and the Daily Prophet's analysis did seem well-reasoned…
If what the Daily Prophet and Robert Parkinson said were truly correct—if Dumbledore really had become like this—
"And as for the appointment of a new headmaster," Robert Parkinson spoke again, drawing out another parchment and projecting it. Once more, it bore the collective signatures of all twelve governors—along with a name no one had expected.
"By unanimous decision of the Board of Governors, we hereby appoint Severus Snape as the new Headmaster of Hogwarts. All relevant procedures have been completed. This appointment takes effect immediately."
"Snape?!"
The students instantly erupted. By all logic, even if Dumbledore were removed, the headmaster's position should have passed to Deputy Headmistress Minerva McGonagall!
Yet what shocked and confused everyone even more was that Professor McGonagall remained completely silent. Like the other professors, she simply watched as Snape stood, bowed deeply to the entire school, then stepped forward and calmly took his seat in the center—slowly settling into the chair that had once belonged to Dumbledore.
(End of Chapter)