End of an Era

[Ivy Tunstall]

Prophet Evening Standard: 30th January 2000 Issue 823 p1

END OF AN ERA

DUMBLEDORE ANNOUNCES SHOCK RETIREMENT!

In an unprecedented move, Albus Dumbledore is stepping down from his position as Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He first entered the school as a Gryffindor student in 1892, has been a teacher there since the 1920s and has been the Headmaster since the 1950s. (A full biography of Albus Dumbledore is provided on p8). This is, then, the end of an era, and a time of uncertainty for the historic school.

Dumbledore announced his shock retirement in an emotional farewell speech to the school. In his final charismatic words to the pupils, he asked humbly that he would not be forgotten by the students and staff of the school that he has dedicated so much of his extraordinary life to. It is too soon to know what lies in store for Hogwarts with their greatest guardian gone, but he will be sadly missed by everyone whose lives he has touched there.

Taking Dumbledore’s place is Minerva McGonagall, who has been teaching Transfiguration at the school since 1956 and is well known already as the long standing Head of Gryffindor House and Deputy Head. Amaryllis Hardy, a Muggle Studies teacher, will fill her place as Head of Gryffindor, while Isaac Thorne, reportedly an Animagus, will be the new Transfiguration teacher at Hogwarts. Severus Snape, the school's Potions Master and Head of Slytherin House becomes the new Deputy Head.

As for Dumbledore, he is prepared only to comment that it is his intention to enjoy retirement to the full. We wish him many happy years spent in more tropical climes than the Scottish winter he leaves behind him at Hogwarts.