At the closing ceremony, after the general graduation performance, the Headmaster steps up to the podium once more.
I believe you all deserve both my sincerest gratitude and my sincerest apology.
For those of you who are confused, allow me to give you an update. Shortly after the students in the forest returned, from what I understand, there was discussion between them and some of the Council members that have been at the school. To make a long story short, the students agreed to hand over the two Blood Pact members they had captured in return for my reinstatement. Thanks to these students, I am now back and have reestablished the language debarrier. Just in time for the closing ceremony, too!
I cannot thank you enough, but I also cannot apologize enough. I did not realize how much danger I would be sending you into. I will take full responsibility for the incident. It was a horrific experience, and a terrible loss of life. I'm sorry I put you all through that and offer my deepest condolences.
The incident in the forest resulted in the death of a single student - one Vivian Summers, who, as most of you are aware, disappeared into the forest with the Blood Pact some months ago and had been making infrequent appearances in town since. She displayed animosity towards magicks and mundanes alike, easily provoked to attack for reasons only she seemed to understand. She was a threat to the school and the area in general and, to my understanding, ended her life on her own terms in the Forest.
Do not misunderstand me. This is not a cause for celebration. What happened to Miss Summers was a tragedy and I am going to treat it as one. The Council is going to villainize her, make her the scapegoat for all that has occurred this year, but the truth is far more complicated than that. Vivian Summers should not be pitied for her circumstances. She should not be hated for her actions.
Vivian Summers should be respected. That's what you do with the dead, after all; you do not pity them. You do not hate them. If you knew them, perhaps you mourn. But you respect the dead, and you listen to the stories that they have to tell.
They are dead for a reason, and understanding the past is the best way to avoid repeating it.
We are alive. We, and we alone, can avoid making the mistakes of the past. Do not forget Vivian Summers. Do not pity her. Do not hate her. Remember her, and learn from her mistakes. It's only in this way that we can continue to move forward.
Before I finally release you all for the summer, there is one more message I must share with you.
The Council has, in my absence, decided to instate a Committee of Education Enforcement at the Academy. Next year, there will be several Council agents on the campus enforcing new Council rules that you are all expected to follow. They will also have the power to handle infractions and deal out penalties, so I advise you to be courteous and cautious of our new guests.
Goodbye, dear students. For some of you (well, one of you), this is the final time I can address you as such, but remember: you are always welcome at the Academy of Merlin.
Here's to next year.
The Headmaster nods once, and with his words lingering in the air, leaves.
The ceremony is over.
I believe you all deserve both my sincerest gratitude and my sincerest apology.
For those of you who are confused, allow me to give you an update. Shortly after the students in the forest returned, from what I understand, there was discussion between them and some of the Council members that have been at the school. To make a long story short, the students agreed to hand over the two Blood Pact members they had captured in return for my reinstatement. Thanks to these students, I am now back and have reestablished the language debarrier. Just in time for the closing ceremony, too!
I cannot thank you enough, but I also cannot apologize enough. I did not realize how much danger I would be sending you into. I will take full responsibility for the incident. It was a horrific experience, and a terrible loss of life. I'm sorry I put you all through that and offer my deepest condolences.
The incident in the forest resulted in the death of a single student - one Vivian Summers, who, as most of you are aware, disappeared into the forest with the Blood Pact some months ago and had been making infrequent appearances in town since. She displayed animosity towards magicks and mundanes alike, easily provoked to attack for reasons only she seemed to understand. She was a threat to the school and the area in general and, to my understanding, ended her life on her own terms in the Forest.
Do not misunderstand me. This is not a cause for celebration. What happened to Miss Summers was a tragedy and I am going to treat it as one. The Council is going to villainize her, make her the scapegoat for all that has occurred this year, but the truth is far more complicated than that. Vivian Summers should not be pitied for her circumstances. She should not be hated for her actions.
Vivian Summers should be respected. That's what you do with the dead, after all; you do not pity them. You do not hate them. If you knew them, perhaps you mourn. But you respect the dead, and you listen to the stories that they have to tell.
They are dead for a reason, and understanding the past is the best way to avoid repeating it.
We are alive. We, and we alone, can avoid making the mistakes of the past. Do not forget Vivian Summers. Do not pity her. Do not hate her. Remember her, and learn from her mistakes. It's only in this way that we can continue to move forward.
Before I finally release you all for the summer, there is one more message I must share with you.
The Council has, in my absence, decided to instate a Committee of Education Enforcement at the Academy. Next year, there will be several Council agents on the campus enforcing new Council rules that you are all expected to follow. They will also have the power to handle infractions and deal out penalties, so I advise you to be courteous and cautious of our new guests.
Goodbye, dear students. For some of you (well, one of you), this is the final time I can address you as such, but remember: you are always welcome at the Academy of Merlin.
Here's to next year.
The Headmaster nods once, and with his words lingering in the air, leaves.
The ceremony is over.
