The House Cup

"Lord Gage, these proposals are ridiculous and unacceptable." Henry Rowle spat.

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"I don't see the issue," Gregory replied. "The board summoned me to bring about changes, and my proposal does exactly that, it brings about changes."

"But the cost is outrageous and unacceptable," Christopher Clay said. "250,000 galleons is an absurd sum."

"I justified all the expenditures in my proposal," Gregory said.

"The board understands, and accepts the 150,000 galleons for student scholarships, school materials, and salaries. The board, however, struggles to understand why we would need to invest in new school brooms, alchemy materials, and rewards for exemplary students," Li Chen stated.

"The new school brooms are necessary, as they have not been replaced since the 1800s, with many being in a state of total disrepair, making them a potential danger to students. Additionally, since we know that Beauxbatons is hosting the next IWSI, we can assume that their chosen subject will be alchemy. After all, Beauxbatons is the alma mater of the greatest alchemist to ever live, Nicolas Flamel. Lastly, we need a reason for the students to try hard at school, the house cup has no monetary value, and other than that there is nothing tangible for the students to work towards," Gregory said as he turned to Lucius Malfoy and gave him a glance.

Lucius, picking up the queue, stated, "worry not board members, my Malfoy family sees merit in these endeavors, and will there for cover 100,000 galleons of the 250,000." Lucius then gave a smug glance over the room, as if implying the Malfoy family cared the most about the welfare of Hogwarts students, since they are providing a significant number of galleons.

Emily Carter, the only muggle-born on the board, gave Lucius a withering glare and turned her head away, making it clear she would not agree to the proposal even if Lucius covered the difference. Lucius with a smirk, tapped his cane on the ground and said, "Very well, since the issue of money has been solved are there any further issues with Lord Gage's proposal, or is the board prepared to enact the proposal and make Lord Gage the new headmaster of Hogwarts?"

"I recommend making my son, Lynn Rowle, the new professor of alchemy," Henry Rowle stated. "Additionally, since the proposal replaces the dueling club with a dueling class, I recommend making Professor Flitwick the dueling class professor and hiring Ted Roddilm(OC) as charms professor."

Suspecting that he might need Henry's vote and galleons, Gregory replied, "Very well, your son can be the new professor of alchemy, however while I agree with moving Flitwick to dueling, I have never heard of Ted Roddilm and therefore would recommend Jonathan Cash (OC), the renowned spell researcher, as charms professor."

Elphias Doge, already getting annoyed with the meeting, stated, "I agree with Jonathan Cash becoming charms professor, a good Hufflepuff, that one."

After finding the two new teachers, a brief silence fell over the meeting room indicating that there were no more issues with the proposal, or with Gregory Gage becoming the new headmaster of Hogwarts. Thus, the meeting came to a close.

"Very well. Headmaster Gage, I look forward what your reforms will bring to Hogwarts," Malfoy announced as the meeting adjourned.

----

Later in the day, owls were sent out, and the wizarding world soon came to know that the new headmaster of Hogwarts was named Gregory Gage.

----

As the news was being announced, at Hogwarts, a clandestine meeting was taking place in an abandoned classroom on the 2nd floor.

"Sister, did Father tell you yet?" Justin asked.

"Of course, Brother," Brenda responded.

"Tell you what?" a pink-haired girl asked.

"Oh, you know Tonks, our father is the new headmaster of Hogwarts," Justin replied calmly.

"WHAT!?!?!??!?" Andromeda Tonks exclaimed as her hair grew in length and turned yellow. "Your father, the black sheep, is going to be the new headmaster!"

"Yup, another Slytherin headmaster," Brenda stated proudly, puffing up her chest to emphasize the Slytherin crest. 

"Ugh... I hope he is not like Snape," Tonks lamented. "We Hufflepuffs will just have to stick together, right Justin."

"Sure, sure," Justin said as he waved his hand dismissively. "Great Aunt will be really excited once she hears the news."

"I am sure she will be, after all, who would have thought a squib would raise the next headmaster of Hogwarts. Mother will be happy too, if she ever hears the news," Brenda replied, a little sullen about her mom being sent to Azkaban for a minor infraction. 

"She'll be out by the end of the semester, after all she was only sentenced to 9 months in Azkaban after that spell, she was creating backfired and blew up that street, killing a muggle," Justin said, putting a comforting arm around his sister.

As they were about to continue talking, Tonks' stomach rumbled, and she blushed slightly, stating, "well, I guess that is a sign that we should go the great hall and get some dinner."

"Very well," Brenda said, "I wonder if the news has spread yet, I can't wait to the looks on Flint and Farley's face when they find out! I am almost guaranteed the position of prefect when fifth year comes around now." Brenda smiled smugly as she got up from her chair to follow Tonks to the great hall. Justin, a bit exasperated by his sister's antics, simply shook his head and followed along