Chapter 419 - Hogwarts Governing Board (2/2)
The solemn, middle-aged Japanese wizard dark piercing eyes carefully studied Albus Dumbledore. Unlike the rest of his compatriots, Izuki Sato had completed his education in his native land of Japan at Mahoutokoro School of Magic. However, he'd fallen in love with an exchange British student from Hogwarts and followed her home to this somewhat cold, and rather wetland, where it always seemed to be raining at some point in the day.
Mr. Sato's long sleek black hair is pulled back into a rather elegant top knot. Mr. Sato barely nods his head at Albus, but the tiny bow is full of genuine respect causing Albus to return the head nod. After all, Mr. Sato still carried with great pride, and dignity the blood of his samurai wizard ancestors.
With introductions now completed, Albus with a bit of usual twinkle in his eyes, says, ”It is no trouble at all, Malfoy. I am rather glad to be here this evening and welcome the new board members.”
Lucius's lips twitch in annoyance at Dumbledore welcoming his council members as if they were Dumbledore's. Trying not to frown, Lucius instead coolly says, ”Thank you, Professor Dumbledore. Your words are much appreciated. That being said, the Governing Board has called you here today in order to hear the already voted upon proposals for Hogwarts.”
Albus Dumbledore's eye's slightly narrowed at Lucius Malfoy's words. ”Have I any say in these said proposals?” Albus crisply asked.
”Not particularly,” Lucius replied with a great deal of relish. ”The Board has already voted, and we have already received the funds to enact said changes.”
Albus furrows his brows at Malfoy's statement. ”And just what are these funds to be used for?”
Lucius's lips curl with triumph as he leans back into his seat and says, ”The upcoming new school year will receive the greatest influx of Hogwarts first years not seen since the very founding of Hogwarts. And that is not even mentioning the wave of transfer students in the second and third school years.”
”I am well aware of that,” Albus slowly said. ”And what is the Board proposing in that case?'
”Firstly, there will be four more professors hired to aid as sub-professors for the following courses: Potions, Charms, Transfiguration, and Herbology,” Lucius smugly explained.
”It is not reasonable to expect that four professors will be able to handle the abnormal influx of students, and all the while managing their duties as the Head of their respective Houses. As such, there will be four new sub-professors to be hired that will teach first years to fourth years, and therefore lowering the already existing burden on the Head of Houses. And thereby permitting the already overburdened Head of Houses more ample time to complete their already existing duties.
The board already has a list of potential candidates for each position and will only need the Professors themselves to interview the candidates to select which of the candidates will serve directly under them. And this will, in turn, allow Hogwarts to possess a veteran Professor already in place to replace any of the Head of Houses when they decide to finally retire and thereby facilitating the hiring of a new Professor to complete the education for the lower years,” Lucius said with a great deal of satisfaction.
Albus thoughtfully purses his lips and says, ”Yes, that would certainly go a long way into easing the burdens on the Head of Houses.”
He'd received enough complaints from Minerva and the three that he could earnestly flush from the guilt and the shame. But he was the Headmaster of Hogwarts, and all funds for Hogwarts went directly through the Hogwarts Governing Board and not through him. Though he had to admit, he was pleasantly surprised and shocked that Malfoy was being so altruistic. It was most certainly not in Malfoy's nature to do so.