Kevin's Watch

I think most of us have read the HBP, but for those who haven't, a big spoiler will follow, which is what I almost named the thread. Anyway, here's the question:

I've been reading HBP for the second time, and it occurred to me: who will be the next headmaster? McGonagall? A new character? Will Hogwarts even be open for classes this year? Seems like it would as it has been the backdrop of all the stories so far. It makes sense that he might not come back, as he is hunting down horcruxes, but still...I think it will still be in the story.

Well?

McGonagall, without question, IMO.

McGonagall certainly. She's the deputy headmaster under DD so it stands to reason that she would follow him as headmaster. I think Hogwarts will stay open and play at least a minor part. I base this theory on one of the teachers saying something along the lines of "If even one student wants to learn I will teach them."

Also, the subtitles of all the books have been Hogwarts: Year 1, Hogwarts: Year 6, etc. If it's part of the the same series, woudn't it be subtitled Hogwarts: Year 7? And if so, Hogwarts has to be featured somehow...

I agree that McGonagall would assume the role as Head-master since Dumbledore wasn't officially relieved and died in office as it were, same with an assassinated president where the VP would take over until election time.
Since Headmaster seems to be a life-long position or held for as long as the Ministry of Magic deems fit...

I seemed to have forgotten but didn't Dumbledore's portrait appear in the head-master's office after the funeral?

Speaking of which (and it may have to be split into a different thread) the question begs to ask are the portraits throughout Hogwarts ghosts or ?? You think about the living collectors cards from the Chocolate Frogs... Dumbledore was in them but he was still alive or was it another magical thing?

Things that make you go hmmmm?

I remember distinctly talk of a totally new headmaster being brought in. Am I making this up?

Lord Mhoram wrote:I remember distinctly talk of a totally new headmaster being brought in. Am I making this up?

Only you know the answer to that puzzler, LM. I seem to recall no real talk of who would take over...it's just that McGonagal makes so much sense... unless I am making THAT up.

Heh.

I think that McGonagal is the most likely of choices. She is magically strong and was close to dumbledore. It seems like the logical progression to me.

On page 625 of the hardcover HBP it says "It was several minutes before Harry became aware that they were not heading for Professor McGonagall's office, but for Dumbledore's, and another few seconds before he realized that of course, she had been deputy headmisstress....Apparently she was now headmistress...so the room behind the Gargoyle was now hers."

Cameraman Jenn wrote:On page 625 of the hardcover HBP it says "It was several minutes before Harry became aware that they were not heading for Professor McGonagall's office, but for Dumbledore's, and another few seconds before he realized that of course, she had been deputy headmistress....Apparently she was now headmistress...so the room behind the Gargoyle was now hers."

Well that just answered the question now doesn't it. Thanks Jenn!

Thanks. I'm still in the middle of rereading that book, so I guess if I had waited until I finished, I would have answered my own question. Thanks Jenn!

I dunno though...

Perhaps it means she's the interim headmistress, and the Governors of Hogwarts, or perhaps even the Ministry of Magic, will assign a different permanent Head over the summer break?

Yes, I do recall the room would not open for Umbridge when the Ministry sacked Dumbledore and put her in it's place, but...

Why would they bother. McGonagall is the perfect person to take over IMHO.

Agreed.

But, because both the Board of Governors and the Ministry of Magic are mostly comprised of twits? I mean, why else would they have brought Umbridge in to begin with? McGonogall was there at that time as well.

Umbridge was there because Fudge was trying to control Hogwarts but more importantly to spy on Dumbledore. Now DD is dead. Fudge has been sacked. There's no real reason or motivation to bring any more ministry officials into the school.

All valid points. But, I think both the Board of Governors and/or the Ministry are going to want their own puppet in control, after dealing with Dumbledore. McGonagall may not be as strong as Dumbledore, but she's cut from the same cloth. I suspect the Board or Ministry will want to prevent that type from being Headmaster, for a while anyway.

I can't believe Scrimgeour would take what Dumbledore dished out to Fudge sitting down, if Dumbledore was still alive.

Honestly, with DD dead and Harry not planning to return to school as per his statement in the end of HBP, I don't really see any reason for The Ministry to interfere that much at Hogwarts. I could be wrong though.

McG certainly is the obvious choice, and Lucius is longer on the Board of Governors to influence anyone's decision, but, Scrimgeour didn't strike me as all that much different than Fudge, so, I'm not 100% confident that McG will be given the position. I think as pointed out, Harry has to spend some time there, due to the books being numbered "year X at Hogwarts". Also likely that a Horcrux is right under Dumbledore's nose, right there at Hogwarts, giving Harry a reason to return there. And perhaps, something will happen during the summer before that tells Harry he does need to start the year there.

sindatur, you've read my mind. Those are all things I think could happen.

Menolly wrote:sindatur, you've read my mind. Those are all things I think could happen.

Oh, sorry 'bout that, guess I should've asked permission first, eh?