Chapter ten

'We'll discuss that idea in more detail at a later time. Did you have any other idea's?'

'Um, well if the house system remains as is, then I figured we might be able to have common rooms that are opened to all houses. That way students from the four houses could spend time with each other during their free time. Another is some type of social activity like a dance that could be held say, every two months. Again it allows the students to socialise and get to know one another. I also think something should be done so no teacher can abuse the point system, like Snape did, even McGonagall and Dumbledore manipulated it. There should be a system that all teachers follow so the same points are given or taken for the same thing. I'm sure a charm could be invented to help make it fair.'

'Can you give me an example of how the teachers differed when awarding or taking points?'

'Well, in my first year, we were helping Hagrid. He had a baby dragon so Ron contacted Charlie who had some friends come to get it. We didn't want Hagrid in trouble so Hermione and I snuck it up onto to the astronomy tower so Charlie's friends could take it away. There's a lot to this so I'll just give you how it ended. Draco Malfoy was caught out after curfew as he found out what we were up to and wanted to get us into trouble. McGonagall took twenty points from him and gave him a detention. Hermione, Neville and me also got caught so we got detention but she took fifty points from each of us. The following week was terrible since all the students turned on us since it put Slytherin in the lead for the house cup. Everyone knows Snape was bias. Even though Hermione betrayed me, she would end up with the best potion yet she never got points. He would give points to Slytherin's even if there potion turned out like sludge. Dumbledore manipulated the points at the end of my first years so instead of Slytherin winning the house cup, he made sure Gryffindor did, which cause more friction between those two houses. There has to be a way to make the teachers give or take the same amount of points so there is no favouritism, or like Snape because he hated everyone in Gryffindor. He should never have been allowed to teach since he had been a death eater and some of his victims families were students at the school. But even if he was allowed, then something should have been done so he couldn't manipulate the point system, or give detentions when the students didn't deserve it.'

'There were many victims that involved Snape, just like Harry was one of his victims,' Sirius said kindly as he stared at his godson.

'Can you explain that?'

'Snape was the one that told Voldemort there was a prophecy about him and a baby boy born at the end of July. It's why he went after me and my parent's. There was another boy born at the same time, and that family always went into hiding the same time mine did. We never found out why he chose me over the other boy. Dumbledore believed he picked me because I was a halfblood, like Voldemort, where the other boy was a pureblood. That is the only thing he could come up with. Sirius and I couldn't figure out if there was another reason he chose me over the other boy.'

'Thank you for telling me, I'm sure it's not easy for you. But now back to your ideas. I do like the idea of a common room for all students. I would say having a few spread out through the castle would work best. Also the dances would be a good way for students to interact. Is there anything else Harry?'

'Um, well, prefect. It's not really the best time for them to have extra duties. I mean it's owl year for them. It's like with head boy and girl, it's newt year yet they have to organise the prefects and spend time of an evening listening to why students are out after curfew. Also, curfew, why can't the library be opened later? By the time we had dinner and had quidditch practice, I sometimes never got to the library in time so naturally my homework wasn't finished. But there is one big thing I think needs to change, it links to some other ideas as well.'

'Go on.'

'How I was told I was a wizard. I mean I had one month before I was thrust into a world I didn't believe existed before. Why can't muggleborns or muggle raised be informed earlier and maybe go to a magical school from a younger age where they can learn theory but also things like laws and customs, along with the normal studies like reading and writing? The information I got and what Hagrid told me barely covered what I needed to know. He also forgot to tell me how to get onto platform nine and three quarters. I knew nothing about the night bus until just before my third year. I also didn't know anything about St Mungo's. And one other thing, I might not have liked those people I lived with but many kids were scared and missing home. Sirius told me how my mother almost left after her first year because she couldn't ring or see her parent's for months, and she had never been away from them before. Hermione told me she missed her parent's and wished there was a way she could speak to them. I know this will not go down well especially with people who like traditions, but why can't students go home every second weekend that way it won't affect the quidditch matches? I mean they can use the floo to a magical home, if it's a muggle home then the parent's could pick them up at the Leaky Cauldron or some other designated place. They can stay for two weeks then spend time with their family every second weekend. It would be good for the teachers as well, it would give them time to do what they want or just have a relaxing couple of days without having to worry about what the students are up to. I know not all would go home, so even if half did stay the staff would still have some time to themselves. If that's too hard to organise then one weekend a month and it will help the students and staff and maybe everyone won't be so stressed all the time.'

All the adults in the room could not believe some of the idea's Harry had come up with. They weren't sure if any could be implemented or even if they should. But they did like the ideas and thought it just might be what is needed to make Hogwarts a better place for students and staff.

Amelia told Harry that his ideas would be discussed in length with the board of governors, along with some parent's. They would definitely work on individual points, the dances and the extra common rooms. As for the rest, she couldn't say until the board had a few more meetings.

Sirius needed to remain to attend his first meeting with the other governors, so Harry was going to head to Diagon alley for a while. They would meet at home later.

'Okay, yes we can work on some of these ideas, which I have to admit make a lot of sense and I believe it will be better for the students and staff.'

'I know I like the idea of having weekends to myself, or even a weekend every month. I also think Harry's right about the prefects and head boy and girl. Why does it have to be students who have to patrol the castle? They have their own work to do and there is only a small amount of time they can socialise, or relax for a while,' Charlie said.

'If we can work on more funds then maybe we can hire two extra people who will patrol the castle. It's something to bring up with the board.'

'I believe bringing muggleborns or raised here earlier would help as well. I remember what Molly told me about when she had to explain to Harry on how to use the floo. He still got lost and ended up in Knockturn alley. It was lucky Hagrid found him. Our kids are taken by floo from the time they are babies,' Arthur said, 'but the muggleborns, or raised have no idea how to get around or if there was some emergency where they need a healer they don't even know about St Mungo's. Harry found out about the night bus by accident. I remember explaining to Harry what an auror was and what they did. If he saw something that an auror should know, he had no idea how to contact them or police as it's known in the muggle world.'

'We know most of the reasons why muggleborns or raised weren't introduced earlier, many of the old pureblood families that didn't want them here. Since most are dead, I believe we will be able to work on changing that. They do need to be introduced earlier and learn how to contact people like healers or aurors, if it's needed. They also need to know about the night bus in case they wish to visit a friend in the magical world. It's too risky to have muggle homes connected to the floo network. They get visitors which could be dangerous if they see someone step out of the fireplace. Even though we might want a lot of these ideas of Harry's to become reality, if we do they won't be ready for when the students return to Hogwarts. We will get the basic ones done and work on the others for the next school year. Now to the ministry, I would like your idea's on how to make this place a better working environment but also a place that is fair to all.'

They began by giving idea's and writing things down that might work or might need a few changes. But the group in the minister's office wanted to do all they could to make their world a better place, for them and for future generations of workers. One of the first things they were going to do was change the rules so anyone applying for a job, whether it's in maintenance or an auror, they had the right test scores, but also the right attitude. There will be no more jobs offered to people due to blood status or they are related to someone high up in the ministry. That was something they could implement straight away, some of the other ideas they had will take time to set up. But they will get a ministry that work for all witches and wizards, not just purebloods, like it is now.