InsaneJournal

Current mood:

hopeful

Start of Term Feast
As this was to be the first meal with all his students together -- those from the future (save one), as well as those who normally called this time home -- Albus had his first opportunity to address them as a group. Although he usually tried to restrict his urge to make speeches to the banquets at start of the autumn term and the end of the spring term, this situation was a special case. When he got to his feet, a hush fell over the crowd, and all the students, be they from this time or not, looked to their Headmaster with expectant expressions.

"Good evening, and welcome back to Hogwarts," he began, smiling around at them all. "I trust that everyone had an enjoyable and restful holiday, and that you are all eager to get back to filling your heads with as much knowledge as possible before forgetting it all this coming summer." He paused to smile around at each of the House tables in turn. "As you may have noticed, almost all of our visitors from last term have now emerged from the hospital wing. They have also been sorted and have taken their places amongst you at our four House tables. And it is of this Sorting Ceremony that I wish to speak to you tonight.

"The arbitrary division of pupils devised by the Founders of this school was never intended to be permanent. The aim was merely to subdivide the students for ease of teaching, rather than to judge your worth by affixing a contrived label to follow you for the rest of your days and determine the course of your future. I fear, however, that somewhere along the lines, the Sorting Ceremony has degenerated into just that: a perceived separation of the wheat from the chaff." He avoided looking at two tables in particular whilst saying 'wheat' and 'chaff,' although he had no delusions that everyone in the hall knew to which tables exactly that he was alluding.

"Each Hogwarts House has its own unique attributes -- its own strengths and weaknesses -- and none of these Houses is in any way superior to another. There is nothing wrong with ambition," he added, glancing over toward the Slytherin table, "provided it is tempered by ethical choices. Nor is there anything wrong with courage in the face of danger..." This time he glanced toward the Gryffindor table, and they seemed surprised that he might have a caveat. Their surprise, however, did not surprise Albus in the least. "So long as one has identified the true enemy prior to attack."

"None of us is beneath contempt, by virtue of our House alone. Nor is any of us above reproach, regardless of our House. No matter what the Sorting Hat might have seen inside our Heads, it is our actions that matter -- how we employ those attributes that are likely to identify us as belonging to one House, rather than another. And each of us has a little of every House inside us. We are much more alike than different ... as I hope each of you will learn, soon enough. To that end, you will be undertaking a new assignment this term." He paused to allow time for the collective groan he was sure was to follow.

"Your assignment will be to write, anonymously, to a member of another House in order to educate yourselves as to the differences, as well as the similarities, between the Houses. When you return to your rooms this evening, you will find a piece of parchment tucked underneath your pillow. On the parchment will be written your codename and the codename of your writing partner. Also indicated will be whether you are the sender or recipient of the first letter. Throughout the course of this assignment, you will not be allowed to ask your penfriend his or her name or House, although any other questions that may occur to you are allowed.

"At the end of the correspondence, the name and House of your penfriend will be revealed. Once these are known to you, you will each compose an essay -- to be handed in to your Head of House -- regarding what you have learnt. These essays will not be marked, although I shall personally read each and every one. Therefore, I trust that you will all do your best." He smiled at each table in turn, certain his eyes were twinkling. "I would like to emphasise that this assignment is less about the essay itself and more about getting to know someone whose acquaintance you would not otherwise make. Should you have any questions, please direct them to your Heads of Houses. Now, tuck in!"

He clapped his hands, and the four House tables filled with food. His Heads of House, Albus noted as he resumed his seat, did not appear any more thrilled at the prospect of this assignment than their charges. Perhaps he ought to unveil an analogous exercise for the staff at their next meeting? Minerva in particular looked as though she had just swallowed a whole lemon. A fool's errand, she had called it, but Albus liked to think she might be mistaken. Ignorance led to fear and, eventually, prejudice, which further reinforced the ignorance and fear. If he could circumvent that cycle before it became ingrained -- in even only a few of his students -- he would certainly count the exercise a victory.