Frail and aged, Gatesdore stood trembling and feeble before the assembled student wizards of Gatesvillewarts.
"Welcome, one and all, to this new term at Gatesvillewarts" he said.
Harry and Hermione exchanged a worried glance. Once, Gatesdore's voice exuded authority and power. Now he needed to constantly refer to his notes, and lost his place several times as he rambled through his beginning of term speech.
Suddenly, Harry noticed a new teacher, standing impatiently behind Gatesdore, her foot tapping anxiously. At last she could take it no more.
"hem hem" she coughed.
Now slightly deaf, Gatesdore could not hear her.
"HEM HEM", she repeated, louder.
Eventually he noticed her. "ah .... yes .... this is .... Dolores Nervadar ......"
Dolores moved forward and smoothly took the microphone, pushing Gatesdore aside.
"I have been instructed by the ministry of magic to come into Gatesvillewarts to being a NEW BROOM into the region. I have decided that these old, dusty premises are not large enough for my needs."
Harry had to agreee. Given her ample girth, Dolores Nervadar would indeed have trouble getting through some of Gatesvillewarts narrower doorways. Dolores continued.
"I have therefore decided to expand into one of the Feeders. Please pack up your trunks, and move immediately into the North Pacific. Once there you will endorse The house-elf Chodean Kal, then wander around aimlessly until I order you to come back."
"But that is pointless, and will just make us look stupid" Ron Weasley shouted
"Ten points from the Order of Griffindor for cheek" shouted back Dolores, gleefully.
Everyone looked at Gatesdore. Surely this should be a decision for the headmaster. Sadly, Gatesdore just seemed confused, while Dolores was in control of the situation.
"MOVE" shouted Dolores, frothing slightly at the lips. "I want to see every house in the North Pacific RIGHT NOW, or there will be no quidditch for the rest of the term."
Harry sighed as he moved out of the dining hall. Shaking his head, he remembered happier school years when Gatesdore had been in full command of his faculties.
Things were certainly going downhill at Gatesvillewarts.
"Welcome, one and all, to this new term at Gatesvillewarts" he said.
Harry and Hermione exchanged a worried glance. Once, Gatesdore's voice exuded authority and power. Now he needed to constantly refer to his notes, and lost his place several times as he rambled through his beginning of term speech.
Suddenly, Harry noticed a new teacher, standing impatiently behind Gatesdore, her foot tapping anxiously. At last she could take it no more.
"hem hem" she coughed.
Now slightly deaf, Gatesdore could not hear her.
"HEM HEM", she repeated, louder.
Eventually he noticed her. "ah .... yes .... this is .... Dolores Nervadar ......"
Dolores moved forward and smoothly took the microphone, pushing Gatesdore aside.
"I have been instructed by the ministry of magic to come into Gatesvillewarts to being a NEW BROOM into the region. I have decided that these old, dusty premises are not large enough for my needs."
Harry had to agreee. Given her ample girth, Dolores Nervadar would indeed have trouble getting through some of Gatesvillewarts narrower doorways. Dolores continued.
"I have therefore decided to expand into one of the Feeders. Please pack up your trunks, and move immediately into the North Pacific. Once there you will endorse The house-elf Chodean Kal, then wander around aimlessly until I order you to come back."
"But that is pointless, and will just make us look stupid" Ron Weasley shouted
"Ten points from the Order of Griffindor for cheek" shouted back Dolores, gleefully.
Everyone looked at Gatesdore. Surely this should be a decision for the headmaster. Sadly, Gatesdore just seemed confused, while Dolores was in control of the situation.
"MOVE" shouted Dolores, frothing slightly at the lips. "I want to see every house in the North Pacific RIGHT NOW, or there will be no quidditch for the rest of the term."
Harry sighed as he moved out of the dining hall. Shaking his head, he remembered happier school years when Gatesdore had been in full command of his faculties.
Things were certainly going downhill at Gatesvillewarts.