Heat of the Moment

My name is Headmaster Maverick, and I ran this school for over forty years. Hopkirk listened to me on most things, of course. You will find out I'm always correct.

February Fortescue
Writer, Slytherin

It had really happened. A wonderful, never to be forgotten day. Professor Amanda Dalloway was now Headmaster of Hogwarts! She couldn't remember the last time she felt so excited.

“Let's see....I'd like the Pensieve here, my hourglass collection over here, and, oh, yes, my fire crab, Godric, gets a special place next to my desk. Thanks so much for helping me move in, Mr. Fletcher! I can do the rest.” Before long, Amanda had arranged her new office exactly the way she had always dreamed it would appear when she held the position and the office was her's.

She heard a “harrumph” sound coming from just above her left shoulder. She was startled at first, but then she remembered: the portraits! How could she have forgotten about the magical portraits of all of those wise, wonderful previous Headmasters who were there to offer her their ageless wisdom on all matters of importance? Amanda smiled warmly at the figure of a wizard who appeared to have lived a very long time ago.

“Young lady,” the Headmaster began, “that purple robe you've hung over your chair is simply not appropriate Headmaster attire. Only black is a suitable color for this important office.”

Amanda was briefly stunned, but she knew the man would not share this information if it were not of absolute importance to the running of the castle. Still, she was a bit surprised. “I'm so sorry! I'm sure you're correct; however, if I remember correctly, Professor Hopkirk preferred to dress in bright colors, especially lime green. Oh, and before I forget, what is....er, was...your name?”

“Present tense will do! My name is Headmaster Maverick, and I ran this school for over forty years. Hopkirk listened to me on most things, of course. You will find out I'm always correct. Now, about those robes...”

“Oh, Maverick, give the woman a break! She just moved in! Hello, I'm Headmaster Mathias Ford. Don't pay any attention to the man over there. He's just upset his portrait doesn't have a window view.”

Amanda noticed Headmaster Maverick's face was turning beat read. He looked like he would explode. “Ford! Don't make me go to the Minister of Magic once again! He doesn't like having to come to Hogwarts every week to shut you up, but he's family and he knows I'm the best source of advice this young lady has, so just one word from me, and he'll be here!”

To Amanda's complete surprise, Ford was laughing. And couldn't stop. His laughter bounced off the walls. Maverick's face became a deeper shade of red.

Amanda heard another voice, this time coming from a lady. “Hello, Headmaster! I'm Headmaster Juniper. Don't worry, you'll get used to those two. Besides, the Minister's weekly visits are almost pleasant. Just be sure to offer him lots of chocolate frogs. Oh, and don't mention anything about your hourglass collection. The Ministry tried to ban them from school property just last year. They're still trying to get that law to be passed. Seems students were removing sand and then insisting the time was correct. Even the clock tower was getting confused.”

Her hourglass collection? Those hour glasses had been in her family for generations!

Headmaster Maverick's face took on the appearance of smug assurance. Amanda knew from the look on his face that she would either need to remove the hourglasses, or Maverick would hold them over her and use them to control her every decision.

Headmaster Ford had stopped laughing. Each face from every portrait was watching her. Waiting. How would she handle her first major decision as Headmaster of Hogwarts?

Amanda turned to her fire crab. “Godric!” The creature looked at her expectantly. “See that portrait?”

Several gasps were heard from the portraits. One “No! Don't!” was distinctly heard. Amanda ignore them all.

“Aim! Incendio!” Fire shot out of Godric's rear end incinerating Maverick's portrait. Amanda felt relief wash over her, until she realized she was probably in much bigger trouble now than she had been earlier. But what could she say? It was the heat of the moment, and she always was an impulsive witch.