Summary: After Callisto Potter defeats Voldemort in the graveyard after the third task, Minister Fudge and Headmaster Dumbledore decide to create an exchange program with the Altair Institute of Magic, a school that caters to all types of magical beings, to "improve" relations with creatures. They just want the Girl-Who-Lived out of their hair. Like all things involving Callisto, everything goes sideways.

A/N: It makes me feel all giddy inside when I realize some of you actually like what I'm writing. I'm usually really self conscious when I write, but I find myself just wanting to write and write more chapters for this, just to be able to see how you feel about it. I've never 'published' anything for anyone to read before, and I never even let anyone read any of the stories I start. So, while 10 or so favorites may not really be much, it feels really awesome to know that just 10 people are enjoying my story. It's incredibly hard to resist not posting all of the chapters I have written right away, though I'm at the point where the chapters are getting longer and longer.

(and by the way, thanks for the review Spikey465 and Katzztar, I appreciate it)

Farewell for now,

~Insubstancial

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…..."We have planned an exchange with another school for 12 of our fifth year students. You included, of course." Dumbledore spoke

"An exchange?" Oh Merlin this was going to go horribly Callisto figured, "An exchange where, exactly?"

"With the Altair Institute of Magic, of course!" Fudge spoke up happily. Remus' choking noise behind her ensured that it was a relatively important and prestigeful school. "They have been generous enough to allow an exchange. The school caters to all sorts of magical creatures, dark ones as well unfortunately. Werewolves, vampires, veela. Even those ghastly Naga beasts!"...

.."Of course!" Callisto cried, still overplaying her want to participate,"I would be delighted to attend Altair for a year. All for the good of the Wizarding World, right?"...

Word Count: 1,890

[August 20, 1994 :: Altair Institute of Magic]

The massive mess hall-it was actually an enormous atrium filled wooden tables and comfortable chairs-was filled with a multitude of magical races, naga (human from waist up, serpent from waist down) curled up comfortably on the floor near a fireplace, fauns (mischievous half-goat half-humans) sitting in the soft grass near the few centaurs. The animal fae (they were really just animals that had a human form and the ability to wield some magic) were sitting closer to the werefolk than they usually did, and the vampires were just lounging in whatever shade they could find. The daemons (that's a whole other explanation) were lounging in a larger group, as were the other fae (nature-based beings that were generally stronger than humans) and elves (pointy eared imbeciles with a species-wide superiority complex, though that usually went for all of the non-humans). The humans sat wherever, sometimes closer together than others.

It wasn't segregated at all, however. There were plenty of groups that welcomed lots of different species, getting on agreeably with a limited amount of maiming (Not that this didn't happen every day at Altair. Maiming and death occurred quite frequently, in fact) and exchanging ideas about why they were all called here. Altair had always held some tension between the different species, but the students almost always tried to assist each other to be able to improve in many different ways.

Though it was frequent that students stayed at the school over summer, with breaks taken to travel or conclude business, it was extremely rare for all of the current students to be called to the school for a meeting before the start of school, even for important news. Usually, they would explain the news in the Altair Alumni and Student newspaper and allow students to discuss it with each other. The idea of a school-wide meeting was alarming, and all of them agreed on one thing; it was either really interesting news or extremely terrible news.

They were hoping for interesting.

The chatter ceased in an instant as the imposing forms of the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress appeared soundlessly. They were both wearing Altair cloaks-silver with a gold ashwinder nesting atop swords and knives with blue flames burning in the background-and were visibly armed. Knives, throwing stars, daggers, a sword or two, (was that a garrote?), potions and poisons, a crossbow. They were walking armouries.

The Altair headmaster, an Elder Vampire by the name of Riveren Aizaguirre, was one of the most powerful vampires that bothered even associating with young magicals. His hair was a glowing blue-silver, eyes a smouldering gold, and his skin seems to gleam bronze in the light. His face was perfectly aristocratic, high cheekbones and a strong jaw, and he seemed to resonate the message of "Danger! Danger!" with the dark aura that buzzed around him.

He glided up to a raised dais, not that it was necessary with the way every eye trained on him, Alith Mercuriel's arm tucked gently into his elbow as they made a flawless display of the strength, power and confidence that came with Altair Institute, not to mention interspecies cooperation, with Aizaguirre being a vampire lord in every sense of the word, and Mercuriel an extremely powerful and slightly temperamental weather fae.

"Evening." Riveren Aizaguirre purred, the magics in his voice that came with his over 2,000 years of age evident as the slightly weaker students cringed at the magic that came with the single word. "Altair has had an intriguing recent development… one I am sure all of us here will enjoy in one way or another."

Murmurs started, glances and wary mental messages being sent through the students. The headmaster and deputy headmistress let it continue with amused smiles until Mercuriel stepped forward. Even without being a thousands year old vampire, her voice brought everyone there to silence in an instant.

"We were… approached by a school that suggested an 'exchange' of a sort. 12 of their students would attend Altair Institute for one year, and in return they would be able to learn more about 'non-human' cultures" every single one of the students, including the humans, bristled at the phrasing, but were silent as she continued, "They also expressed the large possibility of their magical laws regarding said 'non-humans' being changed. They also insinuated that the attendance of one of their celebrities will increase the number of students that attend our school."

A multitude of students scoffed at that. Not only were the "non-human" comments incredibly offensive, they didn't need influence from celebrities because all of the greatest magic users came from Altair. But it was true that it would be enjoyable. They get to pick on idiot wizards and a stuck up celebrity who probably didn't do anything in the first place, and if they tried to leave the memories would be erased.

"Where are they from?" one brave, nameless werewolf called out.

"Hogwarts." Riveren Aizaguirre smirked at the abrupt burst of laughter from the students. If they were from Hogwarts School of Incompetent Fools then they'd never catch up to any of the students. Half would be gone before the first month was up, they were sure of it. "The celebrity is Callisto Potter, the 'girl-who-lived.' Perhaps she'd be willing to assist our necromancy and blood magic students in figuring out just how that happened. Not to mention the others studying that rather interesting spike of magic a month ago."

"Ooh, we'll eat them alive!" the same nameless werewolf cried in delight.

"Unfortunately, one of the rules their dear Minister established was that they couldn't die here… so I'm afraid you might have to be discreet." Aizaguirre murmured, though his voice was heard by all, incredibly amused by the constantly bloodthirsty Altair mentality. Well, he amended to himself, the healers-in-training aren't as bloodthirsty… just manipulative.

Some of the more sadistic and slightly insane students actually cackled, thinking about being able to take their aggravation out on practically defenceless British wizards. Eager and excited whispers passed through the students. One of the necromancy students placed a sonorus on his voice as he stood, "Will Potter actually submit to having us test however she survived the pesky killing curse? Or can we force her to?"

"Considering that they are saying it was her magic appearing 'accidentally' to kill the fool Voldemort, I'd suggest discretion, at least." Aizaguirre mused. They weren't his students-he would fiercely protect any student and alumnus from Altair, but that didn't extend to "exchange" students from an overrated English school. If any of them proved themselves competent, however, he planned to gleefully steal them away from Hogwarts, as he had various times in the past. They always liked it better here, anyways.

Aizaguirre straightened his posture slightly, and his expression morphed to one of insistent sincerity, "We will, of course, welcome them with our very best hospitality and ensure that they… enjoy their time spent here." One of his eyebrows raised in a challenge, "We are the best, after all, and we must show off."

...

[August 27, 1994 :: Daily Prophet: Special Issue]

HOGWARTS TO VISIT ALTAIR INSTITUTE OF MAGIC

Daily Prophet, Rita Skeeter

After the incredible defeat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named at the hands of Callisto Potter, the Girl-Who-Lived, many have been calling for changes. Without the threat of You-Know-Who hanging over our heads, we will be able to focus more on other issues of importance.

These include, as the Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge says, "The relations between Britain's Wizarding World and the sentient magical creatures around the world."

To improve said relations, Minister Fudge has enabled twelve of Hogwarts students to attend the Altair Institute of Magic for an entire school year, believing that the incredibly diverse population of different magical creatures that attend the school (which includes vampires, werewolves and fairies) will provide Hogwarts students with opportunities to learn more about their various cultures. To help the families adjust to their students being so far away, Minister Fudge has graciously gifted each family with 500 galleons, to be able to buy new school supplies to prepare for this exciting opportunity.

"I am sure that this will enable these Hogwarts students to learn about different cultures outside of Britain," Minister Fudge said, "and I will do my best to ensure that everything goes smoothly with each of the students and their families."

Twelve fifth-year students have been allowed to attend a year of schooling at Altair Institute of Magic, three from each of the houses of Hogwarts. From the house of bravery, Gryffindor: our esteemed Girl-Who-Lived herself, Callisto Potter, with Ron Weasley and muggleborn Hermione Granger. From the house of Hufflepuff: purebloods Susan Bones, Hannah Abbott and muggleborn Justin Finch-Fletchley. From Ravenclaw: half-bloods Terry Boot, Michael Corner and Luna Lovegood. From Slytherin: purebloods Draco Malfoy, Blaise Zabini and Daphne Greengrass.

"We at the Ministry of Magic offer them the best of luck." Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge commented, "We are sure that they will succeed in the best of ways, and that they will be outstanding representatives for Hogwarts and all of Britain's Wizarding World."

For more on the Altair Institute of Magic, see page 4

For more on the various magical creatures attending Altair, see page 5

For more on the Hogwarts students selected, see page 6, 7

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[August 29, 1994 :: Daily Prophet: Special Issue]

GIRL-WHO-LIVED SPEAKS ABOUT OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT ALTAIR

Daily Prophet, Rita Skeeter

As we all know, twelve students of Hogwarts have received the opportunity to visit Altair Institute of Magic, including our very own Girl-Who-Lived. I was fortunate enough to obtain a brief interview with Callisto Potter as she shopped in Diagon Alley, today, and received incredible insight on her opinions of the opportunity.

"I think this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the British community to understand people from different walks of life, including different races and species." the Girl-Who-Lived said with a smile.

As I questioned her one whether any of her friends were going to be at Altair with her, she nodded happily. "Luna Lovegood is one of my dearest friends, and we plan on learning as much as we can during the year we have been allowed to spend there. Susan Bones and Hannah Abbott are also good friends of mine. That I am looking forward to spending time with."

"I'm most looking forward to being able to experience an entirely different lifestyle. As I understand it, Altair Institute is far more than just a school and ends up being a community-a family friend described it as a 'family'-of incredibly powerful people. Graduates of Altair have created the most incredible spells and potions over the ages, and hold many impressive positions in governments and other positions of power." Callisto Potter explains.

When I asked her how she felt about being surrounded by dark creatures for an entire year, she frowned and made this comment. "We need to remember that the worst thing to happen to our wizarding community recently was [You-Know-Who], and he was assuredly human. If we still believe in humans after him, we should not judge other races by the actions of one or few."

For more on the life of Callisto Potter, see page 4

For more on the year at Altair, see page 6

For the full interview with Callisto Potter, see page 9

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