WHO: All students and staff WHERE: The Great Hall WHEN: Sunday breakfast WHAT: An announcement, and reactions RATING: TBD
The atmosphere in the Great Hall was different that morning, Dumbledore noticed as he took his usual seat in the center of the staff table. Even though few knew what had really happened, it seemed that the students had caught wind of it as well. Some were speaking quietly amongst themselves, some looked frightened, and many of them were casting wary glances his way, as if they knew what he was about to say.
It did no one any good to let these sorts of rumours circulate, allowing them to grow legs until it was impossible to catch up with them. And while Dumbledore did not relish ruining anyone's breakfast, this was the sort of news that could not wait.
Standing up, he cleared his throat and waited for the buzz to calm. While not all of the students were present, given it was a weekend, he trusted that enough were here that the news would quickly spread.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said in a loud, clear voice, although with a heavy hint of sorrow. "As many of you have heard, a tragedy occurred last night that affects all of us. I thank you all for your cooperation with last night's events. It is a great comfort that you can all be trusted to be mature and respectful during difficult times.
"There is no easy way to say this, and you all deserve to hear the truth, rather than rumours that may or may not carry any degree of accuracy. Last night, shortly before ten o'clock, Professor Septima Vector's body was found at the base of the Astronomy Tower."
He waited for the reaction to die down, but soon it became apparent that it would not. Shock was written all over many students' faces, and the staff that joined him at the table all wore somber expressions as well.
"The Ministry has ruled out any foul play, and Professor Vector's death has been ruled an accident." Which was not entirely truthful, but he didn't dare mention the possibility of suicide, not when no such thing was proven, not when there wasn't a shred of evidence to uphold such a claim. "I share your grief, as does the rest of the staff. We will all make ourselves available to you today and in the following weeks, if any of you would like to talk to us about what has occurred. Tomorrow's classes will be canceled as well, and for the foreseeable future, the Astronomy Tower will be closed off to students. I thank you all for your maturity and respect throughout these difficult times, and please do not hesitate to come to us if you would like to talk."
He sighed. It had been years since he had had to deliver such tragic news - not since the war had he been forced to stand up in front of students and add to an already intolerable amount of grief. At least this time, there was no war.