Arrow Deflection

The first class after the start of term was highly unusual. The Prefects of each house had announced that all students were to gather in the Great Hall.

Everyone from the First Years to the seventh-years had to attend. No excuses were allowed.

The last time they'd had a lesson attended by the entire student body had been when Anton helped Dumbledore demonstrate the Tickling Charm.

This time, the class was being taught by Deputy Headmistress Professor McGonagall.

Apparently, something horrifying had happened in the Americas yesterday. Dumbledore had rushed there overnight, and it seemed he wouldn't have time to laze around the school eating Cockroach Clusters for the next few days.

"Arrow Deflection!"

A huge blackboard, transformed from a chair, stood on the Head Table. The words of the spell were written right in the middle.

"Students, I'm sure many of you have heard about the battle in New York. It will certainly go down in History of Magic, with a prominent place in its pages."

Professor McGonagall gazed sternly at the students. "This was the first time Wizarding society and Muggle society had come into contact on such a large scale, and had seen the strength of the other side."

"As a school, we have never instilled any political stance in our students. That is your freedom, and something you must seek out for yourselves after you graduate and enter society."

"You must find your place in this world. Seventh-year students should remember that I've spoken to you about this. It is your first assignment after graduation."

"We will not teach you to discriminate against Muggles, let alone hate them. Nor will we teach you to devote yourselves to Muggle society. That, too, is your freedom."

"Great Dumbledore once said that we are all human beings. Muggles and