Chapter 706 - Rachel Grimond Ⅳ (2/2)

Professor Slughorn doesn't even notice as he pompously continues, ”Professor Mortimer has graciously agreed to be the Slytherin Assistant House Head until the winter holidays-.”

Every Slytherin student in the common room keeps their face pointedly blank. But they were all thinking exactly the same thing, ”Slughorn's dumping all the detentions and work on her.” But at least, maybe, now, they'd have a more stable House Head even if it was a proxy.

However, they were all shocked silly by Professor Slughorn's following statement. ”After the winter holidays, I shall humbly step down from my position as Head of House of Slytherin and turn the position over to Professor Mortimer. I am not as young as I once was, and though I amply enjoyed my time as your Head of House, I wish to spend my time pursuing other interests of mine.”

The shock must have been visible on all of the student's face including that of Rowan that Professor Slughorn hastily said, ”Not to worry, I shall continue to remain at Hogwarts teaching Potions to all of the older years for more years to come. In fact, it will allow me to devote more time to-.”

Most of the students drone out Professor Slughorn's boastful words, while they carefully reevaluated the smirking, smug figure of Professor Mortimer. They all had a single question on their mind. By Salazar Slytherin's beard, how had Professor Mortimer managed to persuade Professor Slughorn to willingly step down from Head of Slytherin? It must have been some cunning bit of flattery that persuaded Slughorn to agree so easily without any protest.

While Terry looked inexplicably proud at his cousin's achievement, Rowan couldn't help gawk, a bit at Professor Mortimer. Rowan had vastly underestimated Professor Mortimer's powers of persuasion. Then again, Professor Mortimer did inherit genuine Veela charms inherited from her great-grandmother. Truthfully, it was a bit frightening to behold.

Though now, Rowan couldn't help but begin to bitterly regret her suggestion that had opened the door to this drastic change. Not that the Slytherin students wouldn't be that much better for it with an actual a.d.u.l.t, who cared. It's just that she had the feeling that a lot of students were going to have the rug pulled out from underneath their feet. It was easy to pull over the wool over Slughorn's eyes, but certainly not over Professor Mortimer. If anything, Professor Mortimer would manage to turn the tables in her favor.

Slughorn realizing that he had been droning on for a bit loudly clears his throat bringing the student's attention back to him. ”In the meanwhile, Professor Mortimer will immediately begin to take over Head of House duties to prepare her for the full transfer of power after the winter holidays. In the future, should you need or require anything or have any further questions, please direct them all to Professor Mortimer. Her office hours are clearly posted and as the current Slytherin Assistant House Head she will be available to all of you.”

Slughorn self-importantly bounces on his toes causing his large bulk to ripple, before saying, ”That being said, it has come to my attention that our transfer students are in urgent need of aid. As such, after careful deliberation, it has occurred to me to assign each transfer student a mentor. These mentors will provide aid in tutoring or even keeping an eye out for their protégé.”

There is a loud chorus of groans that sweep the common room, particularly from the seven years. ”Now, now, calm yourselves,” Slughorn briskly said. ”I am not asking you all to spend every single day with them nor much less tutor them every day. But set an hour or two per week to tutor them and keep an eye out for them. I don't want to hear that anyone's protégé was abandoned to their own devices.”

The seventh years look a little more relieved at Slughorn's response, but not by much. They would still have to give up an hour or two each week to take care of some pesky younger year. It was annoying, to say the least.

”That being said,” Professor Slughorn said. ”There will also be a reward. For those that properly do their job, they may attend one or more of my parties. It is quite the exclusive event if I do say so myself.”

More than a few faces brighten up at Slughorn's offer. Slughorn's parties though annoying at times did indeed offer an excellent chance to make higher-up connections. Any Slytherin knew the worth of such an invitation and instantly agreed in their minds to at least try not to hex their brat and attempt to drill intelligence into the brat's mind.

Seeing that none of the Slytherins are verbally protesting, Slughorn pulls out a rolled-up list from his pocket. ”Naturally not everyone will be matched up,” Slughorn said to the relief of some, and the disappointment of others. ”However, that being said, if you do not feel equal to the task, please say so, and the opportunity will be offered to one who did not receive such a chance.”

Some students immediately opted out such as Hortense Sicca and Gertrude Fowl. Not that they were suitable to be mentors at all, but it was the principal of things. No, Slytherin wanted to be told that they were less than acceptable.