Once the positions in the Great Hall began to become clear, Allen gave Dumbledore, who was waiting patiently before him, an apologetic smile. He turned around and raised a steady hand in a calming gesture, and as his gaze swept over the crowd, his expression became deeply moved. "I'm grateful... truly grateful that at a moment like this... so many people are still standing behind me. I've even noticed that many of you aren't really my students... but please, let us professors resolve this..."
"Professor Harris! You haven't done anything wrong! My strength has improved more this year than in the past five years put together!" Parvati Patil, the Indian girl, was once again the first to speak up.
Flag Brown echoed her. "They already drove away Professor Lupin, and now they want to drive away Al—"
Ben Bulstrode could not help cursing aloud. "It was the Ministry of Magic that drove away that Werewolf, not us! Mud—"
"Enough, Mr. Bulstrode. I will not allow that word to be spoken in my school!" Dumbledore sternly stopped Bulstrode, then turned back to look at the students before him. "Children, I am very gratified that the students of Hogwarts can show the courage to express their stance. But as Professor Harris said, please let us resolve this matter. I understand how you feel, but just like Professor Harris's wish, we too want to make the Magical World better... so please trust us, trust your headmaster, trust your professors, and let us resolve it. What do you think, Professor Harris?"
"This is indeed something we should resolve..." Allen bowed slightly and nodded in acknowledgment, then looked around. "Headmaster Dumbledore, the headmaster and we members of the School Board are indeed the only ones qualified to discuss it. But this matter itself is also