It was only Arthur Weasley's first meeting as a member of the Board of
Governors of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and already things
were not going well. Of course his wife Molly had been right when she told
him to just listen quietly for the first meeting or two, to get a feel for
the other board members and the way that they did things before he started
bringing up his own ideas. Molly was usually right about these things,
when it came right down to it, but somehow he never realized this until it
was too late. Like at this moment, for instance.
"Muggle Appreciation Day?" Isaiaus Flebber was saying in utter disbelief. Flebber was a thin, nervous looking wizard of slightly more than middle age. Mr. Weasley knew that he was a bachelor and therefore had never had any children at Hogwarts. He was on the board solely because of his status as the inventor of Flebber's No-Stain Robes, the official robe of all Hogwarts Quidditch teams. "Come on, man, you can't be serious. We can't have Muggles running loose all around Hogwarts for a day. Just think of all the problems that could cause!"
Mr. Weasley let out a small, disappointed sigh. "I'd rather expected more from you, Mr. Flebber," he said, as calmly as he could manage. "I'm not suggesting that we let random Muggles 'run loose all around Hogwarts,' as you so colorfully put it. If you'll just hear me out."
"Well, I for one think it's a marvelous idea," interjected Bella Zimm. She was a young and fairly attractive witch and a fairly recent graduate from Hogwarts herself. A former Hufflepuff, Bella was known for solving problems and urging members of different groups to get along. Word had it that she had been instrumental in the formation of the Gryffindor/Slytherin Exploding Snap League about 10 years back. Of course, the league had folded immediately upon her graduation, which only proved how instrumental she had been to the group's success in the first place. No wonder Dumbledore had pushed for her appointment to the Board of Governors, just as he had for Arthur Weasley. It was a special honor for her given that appointment to the board was for life. Undoubtedly Bella Zimm would be on the board dispensing her special brand of magic long after the other members had all been replaced.
Mr. Weasley brought his thoughts back to the present as Bella continued to speak. "As long as the Muggles are supervised at all times, I don't see what harm can come to them or Hogwarts. And there's certainly plenty to see and do to keep them occupied for a whole day, even without revealing any of our secrets, which I'm sure none of us would want to do."
Flebber refused to be placated. "That's all well and good," he said, "but can we trust these Muggles? I mean, most of them don't even know of the existence of our world. If we just show it to them without any warning, who knows what their reaction will be?"
"That's precisely my point," Mr. Weasley said politely but firmly. "To ensure good relations with them in the future, more Muggles need to learn about our world, and if we don't make the effort, how are they ever going to?" He banged his fist on the table for emphasis.
Bella Zimm interrupted him again. "Gentlemen, you both make excellent points. Might I suggest a compromise? It seems to me that it makes no sense to introduce Hogwarts to Muggles who have no connection with the school whatsoever. It also seems to me that most of the children at Hogwarts would have some kind of connection to Muggles. The majority of them, aside from the Slytherins, of course, have Muggle relations of one sort or another. And almost all of them began their education in Muggle schools. Why don't we let each child invite two or three Muggles of their choosing? That way each of the Muggle attendees will have someone that they know to look after them and keep them out of trouble. It also ensures that those who are invited will have some knowledge of the wizarding world already and won't be totally overwhelmed by the experience."
The conversation dragged on for some time after this, as the details were ironed out and the other governors had their say on the matter. But after Bella's speech, there was no longer any doubt that Hogwarts would very soon be having a Muggle Appreciation Day.
*************
Of course, when Headmaster Albus Dumbledore was presented with the board's plan, he had no objections whatsoever. Since the Hogwarts rumor mill was up to its usual snuff, within the day, almost everyone in the school, faculty and students alike, had heard about Arthur Weasley's unusual plan. All of the students, except for the Slytherins, were very excited at the prospect of finally getting to show off Hogwarts to their favorite Muggles. That night in the Gryffindor common room, Ron's ears were still ringing with all the praises he'd heard about his father.
"I knew it would be great having my father replace Lucius Malfoy on the board of governors, but I had no idea it would be this great!" he said dreamily. "At last everyone knows how wonderful the Weasleys are. And I hope they never forget!" His chest puffed out and his eyes took on a far- away look.
"Oh, shut up, Ron," Hermione said irritably. "If you keep this up, you'll be just as bad as Draco ever was. I thought that things would be better around here since the Malfoys had their downfall, but if you're going to start up right where he left off, I don't know what I'm going to do." She hugged a sofa cushion across her chest and scowled at Ron.
Harry looked anxiously from Ron to Hermione and back again. He hated to see his two best friends fighting, and so he decided it would be best to change the subject. Immediately. "So who are you guys going to invite?" he asked, trying to put enthusiasm in his voice.
Hermione perked up noticeably at the question. "I'm going to invite my parents, of course! It will mean closing their dental office for the day, but I'm sure they won't mind. They've been dying to see Hogwarts forever, and I have so much I want to show them!"
"How about you, Ron?" Harry asked.
A scowl flitted across Ron's face. "I dunno," he said. "I don't really know any Muggles. My family's all wizards, you know, and my mother taught us at home until we were old enough to go to Hogwarts."
"What about your cousin the accountant?" Harry asked helpfully.
"No, he's a squib. I don't think that counts." His face fell and then suddenly brightened. "You don't suppose my dad would suggest a Squib Appreciation Day, do you?"
"That would be neat," Harry said excitedly. "I could invite Mrs. Figg and thank her for watching over me all those years. Just as long as she leaves the cats at home!"
"No, wait, I just thought of something," Ron said. "If we have Squib Appreciation Day, that means we'll have to appreciate Filch for a whole day." He gave an involuntary shudder. "Best forget the whole idea, I expect."
Harry patted Ron's shoulder sympathetically. "Don't worry," he said. "I don't have anybody to invite either."
"HARRY JAMES POTTER! HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT?" Hermione was scowling again, this time at him. "You have the Mugglest family there is and you say you don't have anyone to invite. You should be ashamed of yourself!"
"Hermione," Ron whispered. "You can't be serious. Not even you could suggest that." He gulped and trailed off.
Harry was shaking his head. "I did think about that, Hermione, but I just know they wouldn't come. Uncle Vernon would never allow it. And even if they did, well, just think about the mayhem that it would cause. I don't want to be the laughingstock of the whole school."
Hermione spoke again, more gently this time. "People will surprise you, Harry," she said. "Besides, don't you realize that people fear most what they don't understand? If your Uncle Vernon could just see what goes on here, maybe he'd realize that the wizarding world isn't as frightening as he imagines. This could open up a whole new chapter of your life, Harry."
"Yeah, or maybe just a can of worms," Ron said darkly.
"Muggle Appreciation Day?" Isaiaus Flebber was saying in utter disbelief. Flebber was a thin, nervous looking wizard of slightly more than middle age. Mr. Weasley knew that he was a bachelor and therefore had never had any children at Hogwarts. He was on the board solely because of his status as the inventor of Flebber's No-Stain Robes, the official robe of all Hogwarts Quidditch teams. "Come on, man, you can't be serious. We can't have Muggles running loose all around Hogwarts for a day. Just think of all the problems that could cause!"
Mr. Weasley let out a small, disappointed sigh. "I'd rather expected more from you, Mr. Flebber," he said, as calmly as he could manage. "I'm not suggesting that we let random Muggles 'run loose all around Hogwarts,' as you so colorfully put it. If you'll just hear me out."
"Well, I for one think it's a marvelous idea," interjected Bella Zimm. She was a young and fairly attractive witch and a fairly recent graduate from Hogwarts herself. A former Hufflepuff, Bella was known for solving problems and urging members of different groups to get along. Word had it that she had been instrumental in the formation of the Gryffindor/Slytherin Exploding Snap League about 10 years back. Of course, the league had folded immediately upon her graduation, which only proved how instrumental she had been to the group's success in the first place. No wonder Dumbledore had pushed for her appointment to the Board of Governors, just as he had for Arthur Weasley. It was a special honor for her given that appointment to the board was for life. Undoubtedly Bella Zimm would be on the board dispensing her special brand of magic long after the other members had all been replaced.
Mr. Weasley brought his thoughts back to the present as Bella continued to speak. "As long as the Muggles are supervised at all times, I don't see what harm can come to them or Hogwarts. And there's certainly plenty to see and do to keep them occupied for a whole day, even without revealing any of our secrets, which I'm sure none of us would want to do."
Flebber refused to be placated. "That's all well and good," he said, "but can we trust these Muggles? I mean, most of them don't even know of the existence of our world. If we just show it to them without any warning, who knows what their reaction will be?"
"That's precisely my point," Mr. Weasley said politely but firmly. "To ensure good relations with them in the future, more Muggles need to learn about our world, and if we don't make the effort, how are they ever going to?" He banged his fist on the table for emphasis.
Bella Zimm interrupted him again. "Gentlemen, you both make excellent points. Might I suggest a compromise? It seems to me that it makes no sense to introduce Hogwarts to Muggles who have no connection with the school whatsoever. It also seems to me that most of the children at Hogwarts would have some kind of connection to Muggles. The majority of them, aside from the Slytherins, of course, have Muggle relations of one sort or another. And almost all of them began their education in Muggle schools. Why don't we let each child invite two or three Muggles of their choosing? That way each of the Muggle attendees will have someone that they know to look after them and keep them out of trouble. It also ensures that those who are invited will have some knowledge of the wizarding world already and won't be totally overwhelmed by the experience."
The conversation dragged on for some time after this, as the details were ironed out and the other governors had their say on the matter. But after Bella's speech, there was no longer any doubt that Hogwarts would very soon be having a Muggle Appreciation Day.
*************
Of course, when Headmaster Albus Dumbledore was presented with the board's plan, he had no objections whatsoever. Since the Hogwarts rumor mill was up to its usual snuff, within the day, almost everyone in the school, faculty and students alike, had heard about Arthur Weasley's unusual plan. All of the students, except for the Slytherins, were very excited at the prospect of finally getting to show off Hogwarts to their favorite Muggles. That night in the Gryffindor common room, Ron's ears were still ringing with all the praises he'd heard about his father.
"I knew it would be great having my father replace Lucius Malfoy on the board of governors, but I had no idea it would be this great!" he said dreamily. "At last everyone knows how wonderful the Weasleys are. And I hope they never forget!" His chest puffed out and his eyes took on a far- away look.
"Oh, shut up, Ron," Hermione said irritably. "If you keep this up, you'll be just as bad as Draco ever was. I thought that things would be better around here since the Malfoys had their downfall, but if you're going to start up right where he left off, I don't know what I'm going to do." She hugged a sofa cushion across her chest and scowled at Ron.
Harry looked anxiously from Ron to Hermione and back again. He hated to see his two best friends fighting, and so he decided it would be best to change the subject. Immediately. "So who are you guys going to invite?" he asked, trying to put enthusiasm in his voice.
Hermione perked up noticeably at the question. "I'm going to invite my parents, of course! It will mean closing their dental office for the day, but I'm sure they won't mind. They've been dying to see Hogwarts forever, and I have so much I want to show them!"
"How about you, Ron?" Harry asked.
A scowl flitted across Ron's face. "I dunno," he said. "I don't really know any Muggles. My family's all wizards, you know, and my mother taught us at home until we were old enough to go to Hogwarts."
"What about your cousin the accountant?" Harry asked helpfully.
"No, he's a squib. I don't think that counts." His face fell and then suddenly brightened. "You don't suppose my dad would suggest a Squib Appreciation Day, do you?"
"That would be neat," Harry said excitedly. "I could invite Mrs. Figg and thank her for watching over me all those years. Just as long as she leaves the cats at home!"
"No, wait, I just thought of something," Ron said. "If we have Squib Appreciation Day, that means we'll have to appreciate Filch for a whole day." He gave an involuntary shudder. "Best forget the whole idea, I expect."
Harry patted Ron's shoulder sympathetically. "Don't worry," he said. "I don't have anybody to invite either."
"HARRY JAMES POTTER! HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT?" Hermione was scowling again, this time at him. "You have the Mugglest family there is and you say you don't have anyone to invite. You should be ashamed of yourself!"
"Hermione," Ron whispered. "You can't be serious. Not even you could suggest that." He gulped and trailed off.
Harry was shaking his head. "I did think about that, Hermione, but I just know they wouldn't come. Uncle Vernon would never allow it. And even if they did, well, just think about the mayhem that it would cause. I don't want to be the laughingstock of the whole school."
Hermione spoke again, more gently this time. "People will surprise you, Harry," she said. "Besides, don't you realize that people fear most what they don't understand? If your Uncle Vernon could just see what goes on here, maybe he'd realize that the wizarding world isn't as frightening as he imagines. This could open up a whole new chapter of your life, Harry."
"Yeah, or maybe just a can of worms," Ron said darkly.