Author Notes: In response to guest reviewer Rose, who asked me questions on the last chapter of "Forcing Change." I had intended to post the answers to your questions on chapter one, but I forgot. Bella will not be important to the Cullens when they get to Forks. She will be there but won't be well liked. And yes, Edward and Hera will start to become romantically involved when she's sixteen, but they won't have sex until after marriage. Thank you, and sorry for the late response ;)

Also: Counting this chapter, I have officially archived 103,408 words since the 9th of May! I don't know about you guys, but I'm impressed.

Chapter 2 – Moving On

Headmaster Vance Durham of the Ardaigh Institute of Magic had just received the list of students willing to be a part of Frank Longbottom's vision of a new and improved Hogwarts. His deputy and closest friend had simply laid the report on his desk and left without saying a word. The satyr understood what was bothering Seamus about this entire situation, as he too was deeply worried. His tail twitched in anxiety as he wandered over to the huge bay window overlooking the empty campus below. Vance leaned his head against the wooden frame and thought back to the meeting he'd had with the UK's Minister for Magic.

~Flashback~

"I'd like to thank you for meeting with me, Headmaster Durham," the minister genially shook the satyr's hand before taking a seat in front of the massive desk.

Vance smiled and ran his fingers through the large mass of chestnut-colored curls on top of his head. "Vance, please. And it's my pleasure, Minister. I've been hearing about some wonderful things that you've been able to accomplish, amidst the growing evil, no less." His chair creaked as he leaned forward. "Is it true you've eradicated the vampire and werewolf detainment compounds?"

Frank scowled at the mention of the dreaded facilities. "Absolutely, Vance. Not only did I have those despicable areas torn down completely, but I instated a program to help those who've been institutionalized reintegrate themselves into society." He shook his head. "Of course I can't do anything about the branding, but I have spell crafters looking into the issue."

"I see. Tell me about this idea you have, Minister Longbottom. You want Ardaigh to send some students to Hogwarts?" Vance poured a cup of tea for himself and his guest, who accepted his with a polite nod.

"Please call me Frank, and not quite. What I'm proposing is that we add a building to the grounds of Hogwarts, which would serve as both housing and classrooms for your students. Some of these classes would be open to both schools' children, just as some of Hogwarts' curriculum would be shared between the two… History of Magic and Potions, to name a few." He took a sip of his tea and awaited a response.

The satyr shook his head. "I'm sorry, Frank, but I don't think I can get behind any idea that may put this school's children in jeopardy." Vance stood and began pacing, his long tail constantly flicking with agitation. "I know that you've been making many great changes to bridge the gap between humans and non-humans, but you're asking me to hand over students that this institute has sworn to protect!" He ran his fingers through his hair. "I applaud what you're doing, but I simply cannot allow these children to be placed in an unknown situation and under the rule of a shady headmaster."

Frank set down his cup and saucer on the desk. "No, you're misunderstanding me. At no point will Ardaigh's students be beyond your control."

"But you said earlier that my students will be joining Hogwarts… your new vision of Hogwarts."

The minister nodded. "Yes, but that's only on paper. Every student who takes part in this program will get an acceptance letter to join Hogwarts. However, Headmaster Dumbledore will never be in control of any non-human students. Anything having to do with discipline or resolving conflict of your students will fall to you, or whomever you put in charge of the new building."

The satyr retook his seat. "So even though they'll be listed as attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, they'll really still be Ardaigh students. Once they graduate, even if this idea is a huge success, their academic resumes will show them as having graduated from Ardaigh?"

"Exactly, though I'm planning to change the name to 'Hogwarts School of Magic.' And if this does turn out to be a successful endeavor, I'm hoping that future non-human students will have two really good options when it comes to choosing a magical school."

Vance leaned back in his chair and thought about the proposal. "I can't give you an answer now. This is something I would have to bring up with our own Board of Governors. We would have to iron out a lot of details before I would be comfortable with doing this." He sighed and cast his gaze out the window. "Even with some of our own faculty there on location with the students I'm not sure that this situation would be safe."

Frank sighed and nodded his head. "I know. I'm essentially asking you to send some of your cherished students out to be guinea pigs and it's very frightening. But please understand that something like this has to happen in order for the next generation to fully accept living and working with magical non-humans. Someone will have to go first, and this is the best idea I could come up with that will offer those who do go first as much safety and support as is possible."

After a moment of meeting Frank Longbottom's gaze, the satyr nodded his head. "I'll propose it to the board and give you an answer as soon as possible." They both stood and shook hands. "But know this," Vance added, "no matter what the final decision is, no student will be forced to take part in this program. I must insist that both the children and their families know exactly what they may be getting into should they decide to participate."

The minister smiled and nodded. "Of course! That has been my intention all along, I assure you."

With that the meeting was concluded.

~End Flashback~

Even though the headmaster had half expected no one to sign up to be a part of this revolutionary undertaking, it seems he had underestimated just how far the non-humans were willing to risk to gain equality. Vance just wished he knew how this was going to end. He felt like he was sending the students he'd vowed to protect with his life to the front lines of a warzone.

The fact that these students had the permission of their families to be a part of this did little to ease his mind.

"Family meeting," Carlisle called loudly enough that Hera would be able to hear him from where she was playing a game on Emmett's computer. It wasn't long before he was sitting at the head of the table and staring into the smiling faces of his beloved family. "I called you here because this morning your mother and I were talking and we came to a decision that will affect all of us."

Edward's eyes widened in excitement as he, no doubt, pulled the information from Carlisle's mind. "Whoa."

The vampire patriarch sent a playful glare at his impatient son before sating the others' curiosity. "We've decided that with Hera attending school at Hogwarts this year, we didn't want to be an ocean away from her. I know that magical travel makes the distance somewhat moot, but we would still feel better being at least on the same continent."

Hera eyed her dad warily. "You promise you guys won't be setting up some kind of patrol around the grounds… I would really like to make some new friends at this school, dad."

Esme laughed and pulled her daughter into a loving hug. "Of course not, sweetie. We'll save the embarrassment for family days, if they have them."

Everyone laughed as Hera blushed. "So where would we be living? Uncle Nick's and Aunt Nelle's island?"

Carlisle nodded. "That's exactly where we were thinking, princess. Foulclaw assures me that the wards will keep us very safe while we're there, and it's already connected to the floo system." He smiled and met everyone's gaze. "So, that's the plan. Does anyone have any questions or comments to offer?"

Edward glanced at Hera. "What about Hera's non-magical education?"

Esme smiled. "We've already looked into it, Edward dear. There's a non-magical town close-by that will accept her into the school system. And since the UK allows parents to homeschool their children we can take care of that without any major complications."

"What about our electronics and things," asked Jasper. "If she's getting homeschooled, Hera's going to need access to a computer."

"They work on the island, Jasper," answered the phoenix. "I had a stereo in my room there… well I guess it's still there. And Uncle Nick had a television and DVD player in the den where he liked to watch movies."

"Hera's right," said Carlisle. "Nicolas explained it to me one time that electronics only tend to short out where there are extraordinarily high concentrations of magic… such as the all-magical schools and villages. Anything else?"

Emmett laughed. "Only thing I can think of is to say yay for no high school this year!" His feelings of relief were obviously shared by the other eternal teenagers as they went back to whatever they were doing before he'd called the meeting.

Deloris Umbridge was cooing at one of her beloved cats when she heard the whooshing sound of someone flooing into her home. Knowing that the only people who would dare interrupt her at home were the Dark Lord's followers, she rose to greet the newcomer. Lucius Malfoy was standing in her den, sneering at her collection of knickknacks and looking anything but comfortable.

"Lucius," she said with a simpering voice, "what brings you to my humble abode?"

Sighing, the austere wizard nodded in greeting. "Deloris. I am here on our lord's orders to ascertain whether or not you fulfilled your obligations."

The witch giggled, thoroughly enjoying her guest's awkward demeanor. "Of course, Lucius. Dumbledore was greatly impressed with my resume, as anyone would be considering the ministerial position I held." She ran her fingers along the bottom of one of her favorite kitten plates before facing the blonde once more. "Something simply must be done about Longbottom's disgusting stance on giving common beasts the same rights as those of our pedigree."

Raising an eyebrow, the Malfoy lord said, "I fully agree. What's next… allowing non-magical animals the same freedoms we enjoy?" He nodded to the witch once more. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I'll return to our lord and let him know he can now expect to have two spies inside Hogwarts. And don't forget…."

Sighing in unconcealed irritation, Umbridge interrupted the dignified wizard. "Yes, Lucius… I know my orders. Don't allow Snape find out to whom I report. Our lord doesn't fully trust him."

Once the blonde sneered and whirled away in a flash of green Deloris stared at her beloved set of decorative plates without really seeing them. How she despised half breeds and mudbloods. She wasn't looking forward to being forced to endure their presence, but anything Deloris could do to undermine Frank Longbottom's efforts would be worth the indignity.

Leaving the ministry had been a difficult decision to be sure, but Lord Voldemort had given her the opportunity to help his cause of ridding their world of undesirables for good. He had promised her an even higher-ranking position once he gained control of the wizarding world.

Of course the fact that she would get to put a few half breeds in their place while serving him was a bonus, in her mind.

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