Days after the tragic demise of Hogwarts School's former Headmaster, the late Albus Dumbledore, Professor Minerva McGonagall
appears to have the post of Acting Headmistress well in hand, writes Rita Skeeter, Daily Prophet correspondent. If
the Hogwarts governors allow the school to reopen next year, her position might become permanent.
McGonagall has taught Transfiguration at Hogwarts for forty years, and her appointment as Deputy Headmistress came as no surprise
to most of her former students. Many Headmasters, including her predecessor, taught this complicated subject early in their
careers. The former Headmaster (quoted in a 1969 interview) claimed full confidence in Professor McGonagall. "She is an excellent
educator and Head of House," stated Dumbledore. "And did I mention that she knits a very mean sock?"
The opinion was shared by the rest of the faculty. Professor Filius Flitwick, Head of Ravenclaw House, is no less sanguine
about having McGonagall at the helm during these troubled times. "Minerva is a lovely woman. Heart of a lion she has, when
it comes to defending her students. I'm glad she's on our side!"
Cornelius Fudge, former Minister of Magic, was less clear on the subject.
"McGonagall? Erm... peaky biddy in the tall hat, wasn't she? Eh... shut up, Weasley, I remember -- took four Stunners to
the chest in an altercation involving... yes, shut up, Weasley -- er, defending the castle, yes. Well, it's up to the
Board, don't you know? You can't expect me to take sides on this."
Some Ministry officials, such as Dolores Umbridge (former Hogwarts High Inquisitor), openly registered dissent.
"I'm disappointed," she said. "During my tenure as High Inquisitor I was saddened to discover McGonagall as a major player
in the laxity of school discipline. Her students were completely uncontrollable. I can only hope that the Ministry will be
able to impose order in this crisis."
[Omitted here is a long political section involving the chances of Hogwarts being reopened next year,
especially now that teen celebrity Harry Potter is rumored to have quit the school for good.]
(Potter) could not be reached for confirmation, but fifteen-year-old Ginevera Weasley denied that his decision was based
on a lack of confidence in McGonagall as Headmistress.
"It has nothing to do with who's in charge," said the redheaded stunner, Potter's Quidditch understudy and the younger
sister of his best friend. "We're all sure Professor McGonagall will do a fabulous job, but Harry's got his own row to hoe
at this point."
Professor McGonagall was not available to discuss her possible appointment. She also declined to comment on the man who
got her into this predicament, fugitive murderer and Death Eater Severus Snape (see 'I Knew It All Along' p.6),
who, as Head of Slytherin House, was her colleague for eleven years.
