"So that is why there are construction crews ripping out walls and building new ones," Mr. Filch said, still looking horrified at the mess it created while petting his young cat Mrs. Norris.
"Be assured, Argus, that the crews will leave everything in pristine condition once they are done," the Headmaster reassured the caretaker, then addressed Professor Sinistra. "Aurora, the biggest construction site is, as you observed, the astronomy tower. You know the hassle Astronomy class is for students and you alike. I was impressed how other schools solved the issue, but what did inspire me was my visit to the London Planetarium."
Professor Sinistra as a trained astronomer of course knew what a planetarium was. "You mean...?" She felt it difficult to ask.
"Yes, it will work a lot like the echantment on the ceiling of this very hall, only that precise alterations are possible. This not only solves many of the problems by making class independent of the weather and moving it to a more convenient time, but also gives our school something new to show." The Headmaster clearly was pleased. "Though, sadly, of course not all things I planned I managed to get approved."
McGonagall sighed. "And it's such a pity that some quill-pushers prevented that of all things. It would have been such a relief for all of us."
Dumbledore sighed, regretting the stubbornness of the Ministry on that point. "Minerva is talking about the fact I did plan for the school to have an full administrative staff to take that burden off our shoulders. Alas, for some reason the Hogwarts Board objected to that point, as well as the school having more than one professor for each of the subjects. They however did approve me having a personal secretary, thus why the corridor leading to the gargoyle guarding my office is rebuilt to an anteroom."
"Such a shame..." Professor Quirrel sighed, clearly speaking for everyone involved.
"Yes, but perhaps I can try again in some years." The Headmaster then decided to get the big one out of the way first. "Now, the biggest change without doubt will be, that the system of house points will be abandoned."
Stunned silence greeted him. That was no wonder, since all of them had experienced said system in their own school years and had given and taken countless points over the years. To see something they took for granted suddenly be gone was almost unthinkable.
Finally, Professor Vector voiced the concerns of the others. "Headmaster, this is quite a substantial change. The point system has been part of Hogwarts for centuries. It also does raise the question of the House Cup, how to award students and to maintain discipline."
"Yes, the point system is an old tradition we all grew up with. However, as I learned, just because something has been around for a long time does not have to mean it's existence is still justified. I leave it to Minerva to explain, as she had a very compelling argument why the point system has become more of a hindrance," Dumbledore said, then nodded to McGonagall to take over.
"Thanks, Albus." She then explained the reasoning. "The point system originally was implemented to foster competition between the houses and create social pressure to behave with the motto 'I won't punish you, no, I'll punish your entire house'. However, by now the system has shown its weaknesses."
McGonagall didn't look happy about her findings, that was clear. "What was intended as healthy competition between houses has devolved into battle lines and only serves to cause friction between the houses. By now there are students who actually see it as a badge of honor to cause their own house to lose points, and they don't care about social pressure. Individual merits no longer shine through; going under in the house points. And as much as I dislike to admit it, the point system is inviting being abused by teachers who dislike certain students."
Snape didn't say one word, but he knew that the final point was meant to mean him as well. He was however at least honest enough to admit that yes, he was misusing the point system for his own ends. As for students not caring for the points, he felt James Potter and his little gang had been prime examples of that behavior, so he did see the point.
"Therefore the hourglasses in the entrance hall will remain purely for historical value. Students will be encouraged to work hard and go beyond what's expected by the fact, that instead of the House Cup, individual merits will be awarded at the end of the year. Group efforts also will be awarded, and are encouraged, especially if the group has members from more than one house," McGonagall explained further.
"Yes, but what about discipline?" Argus Filch snorted, this being his favorite topic. "The punishments you give don't seem to be much effective anymore and now you're robbing yourself of one big way. These little snots get more daring each year ever since you abolished caning in 1973."
"We all know you would love nothing more than to hang students from these chains of yours," Professor Flitwick remarked.
"And you know like everyone else, these are just for show to scare the living daylights out of these little shits! I'm not stupid enough to get locked up for using them," Filch snorted, leaving unsaid he still felt broken over no longer being able to give out canings for misbehavior.
"Then it will interest you, that the disciplinary situation will be addressed next, Argus," Dumbledore said, and got the attention of the caretaker. "You noted that the students not exactly take the punishments seriously any longer. While I won't re-introduce corporal punishment, there will be a new catalog of punishments."
"Excuse me if I'm skeptical," Filch said, scratching Mrs. Norris behind the ears.
"Oh, your skepticism will leave. After all, I decided to make you the school's full-time disciplinarian," the headmaster said.
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