InsaneJournal

Current mood:

evasive

Dumbledore attempts to lay the rumours surrounding the Future Students to rest.
For the previous week, meals at Hogwarts had been accompanied by the constant buzzing of whispers in the Great Hall. Arrival of these new students on the school grounds was a complete secret, so naturally, the whole school knew. The news had spread like wildfire, and before the rampant rumours had the chance to solidify fully into misconceptions, Albus wished to put an end to the speculation. It wasn't a special event -- just another dinner in the Hall -- but a hush fell over the expectant pupils as their Headmaster got to his feet.

"By now, you have all undoubtedly heard of the recent arrivals at Hogwarts," Albus said, smiling around at those assembled. "These students dwelt in a remote village that was recently ravaged by a plague. They are the only survivors. In the days to come, when our guests feel up to venturing beyond the hospital wing, they will be moving into dormitories along with students their own age, will attend lessons with the rest of you, and come to meals here in the Great Hall, with all of us. I would ask each and every one of our students to do his best to make our guests feel welcome at Hogwarts.

"Madam Pomfrey does not believe the plague these students encountered poses any threat to anyone else here at Hogwarts. To be on the safe side, however, our visitors have been placed in a strict quarantine until our diligent school nurse can ascertain the risk. The western portion of the hospital wing is therefore out of bounds, with no one but myself and Madam Pomfrey allowed entrance, until further notice. Please be aware that disregarding this warning may cost you more than House points. It could literally mean the difference between life or death."

When he had resumed his seat, Albus was greeted with a sea of puzzled and even frightened looks, but he really couldn't say anything more. He didn't really know anything more himself, as Poppy had given them all strong sleeping draughts to ease them through the worst of their injuries. This cover story, however, ought to work as well as any other explanation, in the absence of the full story. After all, the students themselves couldn't tell him much. Even their thoughts had been jumbled and confused -- flashes of violent images, with few cohesive threads linking them together. Once they were awake and aware, Albus would attempt to get to the bottom of all this.