Harry was excited. Even though not every possible trust was funded, the funds for all textbooks, wands, uniforms, and potion supplies were funded thanks to Professor McGonagall, Madam Bones, his Godfather Sirius, and the hard work of Sharpclaw.
Professor McGonagall had approached several families who had lost family members and who were well off and with whom she had a personal relationship. Madam Bones also had contacted a few families. Sirius, however, had been quite enthusiastic when Harry had told him about the idea.
After relaying the story and showing him the letter he had received, Sirius had latched onto the project as something he could concentrate on. He had known several fallen heroes from before his incarceration and, as it turned out, had a considerable amount of wealth that he could use for the Trust Group.
He had scoffed at making a Black Family Trust, but that didn't stop him from funding three trusts personally in the name of former friends. He had been awarded compensation in six figures and he didn't think he needed all of that. Harry had given him the loan of Hedwig so that he could write letters to the families involved and get their permission.
Sirius had also promised that as soon as he was released from St. Mungos (currently anticipated to be at the end of September, he would use the contacts he had, his tremendous charm (Sirius' words), and his pureblood status to push through enough Trusts that by the end of it, Hogwarts could be free or as close to is as possible for every wizard and witch invited.
When Harry mentioned that most schools were completely free to the average Muggle citizen, he had howled in laughter as he imagined using this as leverage to push the pureblooded idiots to not be "worse than the Muggles." Harry knew that most boarding schools DID require tuition so he wasn't so certain that this was possible. But it gave Sirius a goal and he noticed that following this conversation, Sirius was much more lively and interested in life.
Sharpclaw had even made his way, with Steelclaw who was the Black Family Accounts Manager, to St. Mungos to personally finish the necessary paperwork for the Trusts being arranged. Sharpclaw, Steelclaw, and Sirius had bonded over the idea of sticking it to the Purebloods and their bigoted ways.
This had led to the current meeting taking place on Thursday evening in St. Mungos. The meeting included Harry, Sirius, his friend Remus, Amelia Bones, Minerva McGonagall, Sharpclaw, and Steelclaw. Steelclaw would be the alternate Trust Manager when Sharpclaw was unavailable. Sharpclaw had brought along Griphook. Having received a good review from Harry, Sharpclaw had gotten Griphook promoted to the Assistant Trust Manager. He would be the designated goblin that would verify receipts brought in by the families of Hogwarts students and disburse the refunds.
As a large majority of students had already gotten their books, Griphook would be busy for the remaining days until September 1st collecting receipts and disbursing the recoupment being offered. Sharpclaw would be busy keeping track of ensuring payments were deposited daily to the corresponding vendors for the items they delivered each day. Under normal circumstances the deposits would be done weekly, but everyone present wanted the vendors involved to have smooth operations for this, the first week.
Sharpclaw presented the final paperwork to establish this Trust Group. He turned to Sirius. "This meeting is to complete the initial establishment of the Magical Education Trust Group. This group is the brainchild of the Potter Family and Harry Potter has been a driving force in its development." The wizard and witches present all applauded Harry. Harry blushed and turned his head away.
Sharpclaw pulled a sheet out. He covered the trust in detail. When he was done, he said, "There is one more item that Mr. Potter requested. Mr. Black, having consulted Mr. Potter as to the makeup of this Trust Group, I would like to offer you the position of President of the Board of Trustees. I shall be its Manager. Steelclaw will be its Treasurer. The Deputy Headmistress shall be its Secretary. We four will make up the Executive Board. Do you accept this position?"
Sirius was gobsmacked. He turned to Harry and saw the earnest expression on Harry's face. "Sure, Pup. I'd be honored."
Sharpclaw passed an agreement over to Sirius and Sirius signed it with a Contract Quill.
Sharpclaw placed the form with a large stack of forms and presented the stack to Amelia. "Madam Bones, as a Ministry Representative, I would like to have you witness that this Trust Group has been reviewed by you and poses no violation of any agreement between Gringotts, the Ministry of Magic, and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
Amelia look surprised for a moment, and then considered it. While it was being managed by a goblin, the money was being provided completely by private citizens. No one was being forced to take advantage of it. The President of the Trust would be a Pureblood wizard. This meant that Gringotts could not be accused of trying to meddle in the affairs of magical Britain. It only was responding to the requests and directions of several magical families. Amelia took a detailed look through the Charter and could find nothing objectionable. She signed on the final page, attesting that this was the case.
Sharpclaw then took a prepared letter out and handed it to the Professor. "Mrs. McGonagall. As Manager of the Trust Group, I hereby present you with the approved letter to be distributed to all students accepted by Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It shall be your responsibility to do such distribution. Do you accept that responsibility?"
Professor McGonagall nodded. "I accept." She turned to Harry and said, "Well done, me wee bairn" and then embraced him.
Sirius laughed. Before anyone could leave, he motioned to Steelclaw. Steelclaw brought out a parchment and Sirius signed it with the Contract Quill. He handed this to the Professor. "This is not a part of the Trust Group but I would like to make a one-time donation to Hogwarts to purchase thirty decent brooms to replace the travesties that are currently used to teach kids to properly ride. I will leave it to you and Madam Hooch to pick the brooms that would be the best choice."
Professor McGonagall was floored, as were Amelia and Harry. Remus just smiled. Sirius had gotten the idea from Remus.
Harry finally had something he wanted to say. "Err. Remus?"
Remus turned to him. "Yes, Cub?"
Harry motioned to Sharpclaw who handed him a form. "Can you be my proxy on the Board of Trustees? Sirius can't be proxy for my family seat because he's the President of the Executive Board. That means I need someone else to sit my place on the board. Can you do it?"
Remus was surprised. "This was all your idea. Don't you want to see it the rest of the way?"
Harry shook his head. "It was a good idea, but I want to spend my time studying. Since you don't have a job currently, the pay is 100 G a week to help Sirius get the rest of the Trusts funded and pushed through. I'll be too busy to do it." He put his best pleading face forward and said, "Pleaaaaaaase, Uncle Moony?"
Remus tried to object – he really did. But Harry had apparently taken Sirius' "Puppy-Dog-Eyes" lessons to heart and it was almost painful trying to say no. Finally he sighed and said, "Sure, Cub." Harry grinned.
Remus turned to Sirius and smacked him on the head. Sirius yelled, "Hey!"
Remus said, "I blame you for teaching him that face."
Harry and Sirius grinned at each other while witches laughed. The goblins were starting to get impatient so Harry signed the Proxy form and handed it to Remus to sign. Once he did so, he gave it to Sharpclaw. The three goblins gathered all the papers together and left. Sirius' copy was taken by Steelclaw for safekeeping and Professor McGonagall shrunk hers to take with her. Amelia left right after the three goblins.
Remus was starting to feel worn as it was close to his time of the month so he told Sirius he would be back the next day but then would be gone for three days. Harry hugged the two Marauders and left with the Professor, who was taking him to Privet Drive.
Once Harry got home, he sighed in satisfaction. Although it was over a week before Hogwarts, he was pretty much finished with the Ministry and the bank for the summer. He would spend his time continuing to read the books his Dimensional alternate self had suggested, reading his school books, practicing his writing, practicing his wand movements, visiting Sirius and Remus, and generally having fun.
A/N: The actual wording of the agreements and notes, you may notice, are always after the end of the chapter so that they can be ignored if you don't care to read them. Only when it's vital do I put it in the middle of the chapter. If it bores you, ignore it. I'm just trying to get him to the Hogwarts Express at this point.
Dear Hogwarts Student and Parent/Guardian
As of 22 August, 1991, The Magical Education Trust Group has begun funding all assigned Hogwarts Texts and some required student materials. The full list is attached with the Trust that applies being named. No student is required to avail themselves of the listed trust funds. No student who qualifies for a Hogwarts education may be refused, regardless of gender, income level, blood status, or any other reason.
Should any student or family already have purchased qualifying items, they may qualify for recoupment as stated for each Trust. Contact the Assistant Trust Manager for the Magical Education Trust Group at Gringotts, Griphook, to accomplish such recoupment.
Should any witch or wizard wish to donate to an already established Trust as a charitable contribution, contact the Treasurer for the Magical Educational Trust Group at Gringotts, Steelclaw.
Should any student's family or Hogwarts graduate wish to fund a memorial trust to further Magical Education, contact the Trust Manager of the Magical Education Trust Group at Gringotts, Sharpclaw.
After 30 September, 1991, questions about the Magical Education Trust Group may be directed to Sirius Black, Head of the Most Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, President of the Magical Education Trust Group.
Best Regards,
Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress, Secretary for the Magical Education Trust Group.
Trust Group Definition and Purpose
The Magical Education Trust Group is hereby Established to provide a sound education to all members of Magical Britain. Each fund provides for a necessary item for the education of the youth of Magical Britain.
Qualifying Trust Disbursement
Any item deemed necessary or desirable for the proper education of a student and which must be paid for by the student or his family shall qualify for coverage under a Trust, should a Trust be established to cover the cost of that item.
Any funded trust which replaces the necessity of funding using proceeds of student tuition will result in a reduction in tuition costs for all students by an amount agreed upon between the Hogwarts Board of Governors, Head of the Wizarding Examination Authority, and the Executive Board of the Board of Trustees. No such Trust may begin disbursement until such agreement is put into effect.
Financial Vision Statement
The Board of Trustees does not consider the proper education of witches and wizards to be a valid source of profit for those that manage such education or for the government.
Embezzlement
Should any recoupment be claimed or attempted and the qualifying evidence for such recoupment be found false, the Trust Manager or his alternate may direct Gringotts and the Ministry of Magic to prosecute the perpetrator as a thief.
Current Trusts
The Trusts included under this Trust Group are as follows (In the Order of Establishment and/or Funding):
1. 8/8/1991. Wands and Magical Foci. Lily and James Potter Memorial Trust – Potter Family. This Trust establishes that every student shall be ensured a wand or magical focus in good repair that is fully compatible with said student. For any student not currently in possession of a wand or focus and which has never been provided a wand or other magical focus by this Trust, this trust shall cover the cost of the purchase of a proper wand or magical focus. For any student who already owns a wand or focus, this trust provides for the inspection by a licensed Wandmaker to ensure that the wand or focus is a) in good repair, and b) compatible. Should either criteria not be met, this trust will provide for the purchase of a new wand or magical focus. Should both criteria be met and the student later needs a replacement, this will be the responsibility of the student's family as described under the Replacement of Funded Items Clause.
2. 8/8/1991. Transfiguration Texts. Robert McGonagall Memorial Trust – McGonagall Family. This trust provides that every student shall receive a textbook(s) for the proper education of Transfiguration. The purchase of these texts can be done directly through a bookseller who agrees to honor this trust or the cost can be recouped upon verified evidence that the student or his family has already purchased the texts themselves. Should a student damage their texts through their own error and need replacement, the replacement of these texts shall fall under the Replacement of Funded Items Clause.
3. 10/8/1991. Charms Texts. Filonia Flitwick Memorial Trust – Flitwick Family. This trust provides that every student shall receive a textbook(s) for the proper education of Charms. The purchase of these texts can be done directly through a bookseller who agrees to honor this trust or the cost can be recouped upon verified evidence that the student or his family has already purchased the texts themselves. Should a student damage their texts through their own error and need replacement, the replacement of these texts shall fall under the Replacement of Funded Items Clause.
4. 10/8/1991. Herbology Texts. Heather Sprout Memorial Trust – Sprout Family. This trust provides that every student shall receive a textbook(s) for the proper education of Herbology. The purchase of these texts can be done directly through a bookseller who agrees to honor this trust or the cost can be recouped upon verified evidence that the student or his family has already purchased the texts themselves. Should a student damage their texts through their own error and need replacement, the replacement of these texts shall fall under the Replacement of Funded Items Clause.
5. 13/8/1991. Defense Texts. Edgar and Ceres Bones Memorial Trust – Bones Family. This trust provides that every student shall receive a textbook(s) for the proper education of Defense Against the Dark Arts. The purchase of these texts can be done directly through a bookseller who agrees to honor this trust or the cost can be recouped upon verified evidence that the student or his family has already purchased the texts themselves. Should a student damage their texts through their own error and need replacement, the replacement of these texts shall fall under the Replacement of Funded Items Clause.
6. 13/8/1991. History Texts. Gideon and Fabian Prewitt Memorial Trust – Prewitt Family. This trust provides that every student shall receive a textbook(s) for the proper education of History of Magic. The purchase of these texts can be done directly through a bookseller who agrees to honor this trust or the cost can be recouped upon verified evidence that the student or his family has already purchased the texts themselves. Should a student damage their texts through their own error and need replacement, the replacement of these texts shall fall under the Replacement of Funded Items Clause.
7. 14/8/1991. School Uniforms. Alice and Frank Longbottom Trust Fund – Longbottom Family. This trust provides for each student to receive up to twelve (12) full sets of school uniforms during the duration of their education at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with a maximum of three (3) sets per year. Should a student need replacement uniforms beyond these amounts, the responsibility for their replacement shall fall under the Replacement of Funded Items Clause.
8. 16/8/1991. Potions Texts. Hepzibah Smith Memorial Trust – Smith Family. This trust provides that every student shall receive a textbook(s) for the proper education of Potions. The purchase of these texts can be done directly through a bookseller who agrees to honor this trust or the cost can be recouped upon verified evidence that the student or his family has already purchased the texts themselves. Should a student damage their texts through their own error and need replacement, the replacement of these texts shall fall under the Replacement of Funded Items Clause.
9. 17/8/1991. Astronomy Texts. Dorcas Meadowes Memorial Trust – Meadowes Family. This trust provides that every student shall receive a textbook(s) for the proper education of Astronomy. The purchase of these texts can be done directly through a bookseller who agrees to honor this trust or the cost can be recouped upon verified evidence that the student or his family has already purchased the texts themselves. Should a student damage their texts through their own error and need replacement, the replacement of these texts shall fall under the Replacement of Funded Items Clause.
10. 17/8/1991. Care of Magical Creatures, Divination, and Muggle Studies Texts. Marlene McKinnon and Family Memorial Trust – Hagrid Family. This trust provides that every student shall receive a textbook(s) for the proper education of Care of Magical Creatures, Divination, and/or Muggle Studies. The purchase of these texts can be done directly through a bookseller who agrees to honor this trust or the cost can be recouped upon verified evidence that the student or his family has already purchased the texts themselves. Should a student damage their texts through their own error and need replacement, the replacement of these texts shall fall under the Replacement of Funded Items Clause.
11. 20/8/1991. Runes and Arithmancy Texts. Selene Lovegood Memorial Trust – Lovegood Family. This trust provides that every student shall receive a textbook(s) for the proper education of Ancient Runes and/or Arithmancy. The purchase of these texts can be done directly through a bookseller who agrees to honor this trust or the cost can be recouped upon verified evidence that the student or his family has already purchased the texts themselves. Should a student damage their texts through their own error and need replacement, the replacement of these texts shall fall under the Replacement of Funded Items Clause.
12. 21/8/1991. Student Potions Supplies. Caradoc Dearborn Memorial Trust – Dearborn Family. This trust provides that every student shall receive the necessary ingredients as defined by Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The purchase of these supplies can be done directly through an apothecary that agrees to honor this trust or the cost can be recouped upon verified evidence that the student or his family has already purchased the supplies themselves. The supplies allowed are those that are considered the standard package for a student entering a designated year of Potions study at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Supplies beyond this minimum or replacement supplies shall be the responsibility of the student or his/her family.
The Magical Education Trust Group
Trust Group Definition and Purpose
The Magical Education Trust Group is hereby Established to provide a sound education to all members of Magical Britain. Each fund provides for a necessary item for the education of the youth of Magical Britain.
Length of Trust
This Trust Group shall remain Established as long as at least one Trust within this group is established and extant.
Each Trust, once Established, shall remain valid Indefinitely, for as long as said Trust is funded.
The Trust Group may be dissolved only by UNANIMOUS approval of the Executives Board of the Board of Trustees, the Hogwarts Board of Governors, and the Head of the Wizarding Examination Authority, and a three-quarters approval of the Board of Trustees.
Upon such Dissolution, the Trust may only be disbursed to the original established families, the maximum disbursement being the original establishment amount. Ten percent of any remaining principle will be given as a fee to the Trust Group Gringotts Trust Manager. The remaining principle must be donated to the NON-MAGICAL Ministry of Education for the proper education of Non-Magicals.
Board of Trustees
Original members of the Board shall be approved by the Senior Family of the Trust Group and the Manager of the Trust Group.
The Board of Trustees shall consist of the following:
Executive Board to manage the day to day operation of the Trust Group.
The Executive Board shall consist of:
A duly appointed President named by the previous President or approved by a majority vote on by the remaining members of the Board of Trustees.
A duly appointed Trust Manager. The Trust Manager shall be appointed by the previous Trust Manager or his alternate, or by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board of Trustees.
The alternate of the Manager shall be the duly appointed Treasurer. The Treasurer will be appointed by the previous Treasurer, the Trust Manager, or a majority vote of the entire Board of Trustees.
A duly appointed Secretary. The Secretary shall be appointed by the previous Secretary, or a majority vote of the members of the Board of Trustees.
A tie-breaking vote on the Executive Board shall be the responsibility of the Senior Family of the Trust Group or his or her duly appointed Proxy.
A non-voting member of the Executive Board shall be the Assistant Trust Manager which shall be a goblin which shall assist the Trust Manager in proper disbursement of Trust funds. Should either the Trust Manager or the Treasurer be unavailable for a proper vote of the Executive Board, the Assistant Trust Manager may vote either or both seats by proxy.
The remaining portion of the Board of Trustees shall be constituted by a single member of the sponsoring family of each trust that shall be a part of the Magical Education Trust Group.
Management of Trust
This trust shall be managed exclusively by the Trust Manager, supervised by the President of the Trust. The Trust Manager shall be a Gringotts Account Manager.
Removal of Members of the Board of Trustees
The removal of a member of the Executive Board shall be by unanimous approval by the other members of the Executive Board and a Two-Thirds majority of the remaining members of the Board of Trustees.
Removal of other members of the Board of Trustees shall be according to the Clause defining Withdrawal from the Board of Trustees and/or Trusts.
Trust Eligibility
Eligibility for this trust will be at the sole discretion of Gringotts Trust Manager, Gringotts Bank, based on contracts signed with those Families which have contributed to the establishment of these trusts. The Criteria shall require that no student shall be excluded based on income, blood status, or any other factor than their eligibility to be educated at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Replacement of Funded Items
Replacement items for things funded by this trust shall be the responsibility of the family and not these trusts. Should this prove to be a hardship, the replacement costs may be covered by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Trustees.
Included Trusts
The decision as to which trusts may fall under the umbrella of this Trust Group shall be at the sole discretion of the Gringotts Trust Manager if established within one year of the inception of this Trust Group. After this date, Trusts may be included in this Trust Group upon majority approval by the Trust Group Board of Trustees.
Withdrawal from the Board of Trustees and/or Trusts
A family may withdraw from this trust group by
1) Providing an alternate family which will replace their position and initial capital.
2) Accept the return of the initial amount of their contribution only without regard for increases that have been generated to the principle of the trust. Should any trust have a lower amount of principle than was originally contributed, that lower amount shall be the amount that shall be accepted in return.
Should any family withdraw from the Board of Trustees, agreeing to not recoup the capital they originally provided, a replacement family for that trust can be named by two-thirds approval of the other members of the Board of Trustees. This replacement family shall not qualify for any recoupment under the clause above.
Should the Board of Trustees find that any family currently involved is a detriment to the image of the Trust Group, they may be removed by a three-quarters majority vote of the entire board and agreement from two voting members of the Executive Board. Their initial trust contribution must be returned in full as well as a ten percent portion of any available principle beyond this amount.
A replacement family may be agreed upon by a two-thirds majority vote of the Board of Trustees.
Suggested possible future trusts:
Magical Customs and Laws.
Student Equipment (Astronomy, Other)
Hogwarts Library
Hogwarts Potions Department
Howarts Astronomy Deparment
Hogwarts Brooms
Gryffindor Quiddich Team
Hufflepuff Quiddich Team
Ravenclaw Quiddich Team
Slytherin Quiddich Team