CHAPTER 28 - THE ST. LOUIS SCHOOL OF SORCERY (SLSS), Fri, 7/12/96, Pt A
"Welcome to St. Louis. Hope you have had an enjoyable journey so far."
Remus replied, "Yes we have, thank you."
"We are really looking forward to seeing your school and curriculum."
"Yes, we had a letter from your headmaster. I think we have everything prepared for you."
"You had a letter from Albus?"
"Minerva, It seems he has written to every school he thought we might be visiting. He wasn't particularly friendly about it either."
"That old coot. What is he playing at?"
"Well, apparently he didn't take us seriously that the kids would not be returning to Hogwarts in September. Mr. Grahamson, can I presume his letter said something to the effect that you should show us whatever we want to see, but that you do not allow the kids to enroll in your school or give us any help otherwise?"
"Yes, Mr. Lupin that is exactly what it said. Is there a problem? We really don't like getting threatening letters, and we don't want to get involved in a dispute between you and your headmaster."
"That will not be a problem. The fact is, these four students have decided that they do not wish to continue attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but Albus Dumbledore won't accept that. We knew he would give us problems if we just pulled the kids out and home schooled them, so we established and registered out own school. Now, we are visiting other institutes to get some ideas on more advanced or just possible different curriculum to teach. We are also searching for tutors in the subjects that we are not qualified to teach, hopefully even learning something new ourselves."
"Mr. Lupin, I think that is admirable. For a man to admit he isn't qualified to teach everything and is willing to learn is probably the best quality for a teacher to have. We are honored that you think our school has something to offer. My personal and professional assistance and that of our school are at your disposal." Mr. Grahamson then handed everyone a badge. "These are personal portkeys. You will need to hold them in your non-wand hand, tap them with your wand while saying your name, and then pin them on your lapel."
"Mr. Grahamson, my wife and I are not magical."
"Oh, is one of these children yours?"
"Yes, Hermione is our daughter."
"No problem then. Hermione?"
"Yes sir."
"Very good you have yours done already. Hold Mr. …?"
"Granger, but please call me Dan and my wife is Emma."
"Of course. Hermione, take your dad's hand with your non-wand hand. Dan, hold your badge in your other hand. Now, Hermione tap the badge with your wand while saying your dad's name." After Hermione completed the steps, "Now repeat for your mom."
"Mr. Grahamson, I am a charms master and this is absolutely fascinating. I would really love to learn more about it.
"Professor Flitwick this is a charm of my own invention, but I would be more than willing to share my secrets, perhaps we could come up with a trade…"
"A trade?"
"Professor, even here in the colonies we have heard about the legendary Ferocious Flitwick the master duelist." Flickwick turned every shade from red to purple.
"Speaking for my friend, I am sure we can come up with something to trade."
Mr. Grahamson stood there rubbing his hands together, "Good, good. Now I am sure we can find something interesting for everyone. We thought you were planning to spend a couple of days with us, do you have any luggage with you?"
"Right here sir," Harry said as he patted his shirt pocket where he had stashed the shrunken trunk.
"Let's be off then. To activate the portkey touch it with your bare hand and say 'school'." Everyone complied and after a very smooth ride they wound up in a small tree-surrounded garden. "Welcome to SLSS. This is our meditation garden. The students use it mostly when they are learning animagus transformation." The four teens eyes lit up at the mention of animagus training. "Principal Maloney asked me to convey his apology for not being able to meet you himself, but he had a meeting with the curriculum committee that couldn't be put off. It is a new book on transfiguration and if it is decided to be used we have to get it to the printer in the next two days. But, they expected to be finished by lunch time, which is about now."
"That has got to be the smoothest portkey I have ever used. As much as I hate to admit it, it even beats the goblin portkeys."
"I agree. That is definitely a charm I would like to learn."
"And, because it is a charm I created and am giving to you, it won't be held accountable by the British Minstry of Magic. You will be able to make and use it freely. I just ask that you keep it to yourself. You can use it as you want, just not share the charm with anyone else."
"Of course." They had started walking towards the nearest building and Remus noticed a man coming towards them.
"Welcome, welcome. Greg Maloney. Mr. Lupin?"
Offering his hand. "Please call me Remus."
"Of course, and I am Greg and you have already met Gram. Follow me, we have a nice lunch prepared."
As they walked along Hermione asked, "Mr. Grahamson, if I may ask, what is your animagus form?"
"A bear."
"Oh."
Minerva was curious about something Gram had mentioned earlier, "May I ask a question? What is a curriculum committee?"
"It is a committee made up of several of the parents of students and myself, and any teacher whose curriculum is being examined. We get together twice a year to discuss the curriculum that is used in the classrooms, and on special occasions like today if there is something in particular that needs to be discussed. The transfiguration teacher had found this book and wanted it to be examined for possible use in her classes. At our December and June meetings if a teacher has any concerns about the current textbooks they can bring it up at that point and a decision made as to whether to continue with the book or find something else. Mind you, that doesn't happen very often since we have been examining and evaluating the curriculum on a six month basis, but the teachers are always allowed to place an item on the agenda at any time."
"Thank you."
"Is this not a boarding school?", Harry asked.
"Yes and no. If the students live in the area and would prefer to stay at home they are allowed to do so, for those that don't and don't want to portkey in and out every morning and night dorms are provided. Of course, at exam time any student, whether a boarder or not can stay at the school to have the added resources for studying, along with the study groups that are always organized."
"Wonder why they don't do that at Hogwarts?"
"My question exactly. I have been trying to get Albus to do that for years, but he always says it would be detrimental to the educational experience if you were allowed to go home at night."
"Actually, we find that the students do much better if they have the option of going or staying, or mixing it up. We have some students that stay during the week, but then go home on Friday and come back on Sunday evening or Monday morning. For those that stay here as boarders that is actually what we encourage. It gives the kids some time away and allows the teachers a break as well. After all, we are human and we can get burned out just like the kids to be on duty 24/7."
Principal Maloney led the group to the staff dining hall where all the other teachers were already assembled. There they were treated to typical American lunch faire - ham and cheese sandwiches, salads, corndogs, pork n' beans, and potato chips. No fancy desserts, just chocolate chip cookies.
"Now that the important thing is taken care of, let's get to the fun stuff." Mr. Maloney quipped, "I know that most of you have introduced yourselves to each other, but I would like to play a little get-to-know-you game. It's something we do with the students that stay at the school during the week on their first night here at the start of term. We take turns introducing ourselves to everyone. I know this may be a little more familiar than you usually are, but I hope you will humor us and play along." Without giving anyone a chance to disagree he continued, "and to get us started I will begin. I'm Greg Maloney. I was born right here in St. Louis. My mother is a first generation witch and my father is a first generation wizard. My father is currently the legal counsel to the U.S. Minstry of Magic. My mom is a teacher. Well, actually, she is the principal at the St. Louis Primary Sorcery School. I don't know if you are aware, but we start our children in their magical training at 6 years old. But, we also concentrate on academic schooling throughout magical training, and the only real magical training the children get for the first two years is how to control their accidental magic. By the time they get to us here at 11, and receive their wands they are all very good at wandless and silent casting. Now, back to my introduction - I am 35 years old. I have one brother and two sisters, all magical. I have been teaching here since I finished college when I was 23. I have my mastery in charms, defense, and school administration, as well as a degree in education from the University of Missouri and from the University of Georgia, GO DAWGS (in stereo). Sorry, that is a requirement, whenever you say the University of Georgia, it is always followed by GO DAWGS." Everyone laughed at this. "I have been the principal here for three years. Remus, would you like to go next?"
"Okay. My name is Remus John Lupin, I am 36 years old. I am a pureblood wizard, both my parents are magical and I am an only child. I am going to tell you something that I feel needs to be brought out immediately. If you wish me to leave after I tell you, I will understand." The SLSS staff were wondering what he could possibly have to tell them that would have him leaving. "I am a werewolf, I was infected as a child." Remus paused to give the SLSS staff time to react. All the PBIHL group held their collective breaths.
"Remus, we appreciate your honesty, but don't see a problem. As it happens we already knew, Mr. Dumbledore told us." Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thank you. And I would like to discuss with you later what all else Mr. Dumbledore told you."
Minerva, under her breath, but loud enough for those around her to hear, "So would I."
" I have my mastery in defense, runes, and arithmancy. I also have a black belt in Tai Chi and a brown belt in Tai Kwan Do. I think I should explain a little about how our school got started. Sirius Black, a very good friend of mine and Harry's godfather, left his title of Lord Black to Harry here. Harry also inherited the title of Lord Potter from his dad, another very good friend of ours. Harry didn't want both titles, well, if the truth be told he would have preferred not having either, so he gave one to me, which is a long drawn-out story we will skip for now. Sirius had been looking into various alternatives to Harry's schooling when he discovered that Headmaster Dumbledore was not offering the best available and was not getting Harry the training that he needed for a task that Prof. Dumbledore had decided that he must do, again another long story that we can go into at another time. The upshot is we decided to explore those options, but when Harry tried to withdraw from Hogwarts Dumbledore was having none of it, so we started our own school, The Potter-Black Institute of Higher Learning. At the time we only had one student, Harry, and two instructors, myself and Dora. Shortly we added two more students, Neville and Luna, and another instructor, Augusta Longbottom. Finally we added our fourth and last student. Hermione Granger. Ms. Granger was actually the first to be asked, but as she is the brightest witch of their generation, she needed to study all the alternatives and make a logical decision. While she may be a true Gryffindor in her heart, her mind is definitely a Ravenclaw. Although I have taught defense at Hogwarts for one year, I have only been a head master for about six weeks now."
"Welcome to the world of academic leadership." Everyone laughed. "Okay, Mr. Grahamson, you're up next."
"I'm Steven Grahamson, but everyone calls me Gram or in the case of students Mr. Gram. I've known Greg since we were both 6 and started to school. We along with Greg's twin brother were a real handful in primary school and here at the SLSS."
Minerva to Flitwick and Sprout, "Sounds familiar." Remus had the grace to blush.
"Sounds like a story for another time here! I have my mastery in charms, runes, and arithmancy. I am currently working on my spell creation mastery. My family has several generations of magic users on both sides. I have been here since I graduated from the University of Georgia, GO DAWGS (this time everyone in the room joined in), and have been the lead teacher for the last year."
Mr. Maloney added, "Just to give you a little more information, our lead teacher is not an appointment by the principal, the lead teacher is elected by the teachers and other staff members. It is quite an honor from my point of view. Remus, who would you like to go next?"
"Dora Tonks."
"Um, um. I don't know where to start, but I usually end up on the floor, I'm a bit clumsy. I am 25 years old and have never been a teacher before. After I graduated from Hogwarts I joined the Auror Corps, but to be quite honest with you, the last couple of years things at the Minstry of Magic have gotten so that we can't even do our jobs and I have been reevaluating my choice. So when Harry asked me to come help train him, I decided to take him up on the offer. I have my mastery in defense, but would like to look into transfiguration and potions and magical travel. My specialty is undercover work, I am a metamorphamagus. Both my parents are barristers. My mother is a pureblood witch from the Black family, and my dad is a first generation wizard."
"Ms. Tonks, are you a full metamorphamagus or are you abilities limited?"
"Full. The only limits I have are mass. I cannot be something or someone that is too much larger than my own physical mass, but I can manage a good deal smaller. I can make myself look like anyone or anything, just may not be able to achieve their mass."
"That's so cool! I am so jealous. My brother and I would have given anything to be able to do that. We weren't identical, but would have given our right arms to be sometimes."
Mrs. Owens, one of the older teachers present, "Just what we would have needed."
"I can sympathize completely. We must talk!"
The get-to-know you game kept going back and forth until all the teachers, professors, the four teens, and the Grangers had introduced themselves.
"Professor Flitwick, I understand you have agreed to a trade off for Gram teaching you his portkey charm. So, I was wondering if you would be willing to watch our dueling team and give them some pointers? We compete in interschool competitions throughout the year and are always looking to improve our strategies."
"I would be happy to do that."
"That was easy. So here goes, would you also be willing to give us a demonstration?"
Laughing. "Of course. Although I am sure my old-fashioned moves will seem a little out of place."
"Actually, they might be exactly what we need to give us an advantage. Nobody would be expecting them. I was thinking for the afternoon we could pair off with our counterparts and get settled. Then after dinner we will have a special treat. Our drama club will present the three one-acts they offered this year in competition. They didn't win, but they were rated 5th overall, and we're very proud of their first efforts."
The group spent the rest of that day and the next touring the school and facilities and reviewing the curriculum. All the professors found ideas to take back to their schools. Mr. Maloney was even able to provide Remus with a correspondence program for school administration. The teens were shocked again at the non-magical courses that were offered, which included literature, history, drama, music, martial arts, and computing. What surprised them most was learning that electronics could work around magic. Remus and Minerva spent time with Mr. Maloney and were able to go over the letter that Dumbledore had sent him. Apparently he had used every trick he could think of to dissuade them from helping the traveling group, even going so far as telling them that he was the kids magical guardian and he would not allow them to enroll in any other school besides Hogwarts.
But the highlight of the visit occurred on the 2nd night after dinner. The dueling club presented a round robin competition that they allowed the four British teens to participate in. Tonks and Remus also took on the two dueling club sponsors from SLSS. When the round robin ended Harry asked if the four British teens could take on members of the dueling club in a team bout? Mr. Maloney asked for volunteers from the SLSS club. Seven members volunteered. Before Mr. Maloney could whittle it down to four Harry accepted. It would be a 4 on 7 fight. They were given 15 minutes to discuss strategy.
"Okay, we have worked together, but we don't know about them. Their style is different from ours. We'll have to be on our toes. What do you think, two shielding and two on offense, and we switch every three minutes?"
"I think that would work.", Neville remarked.
Hermione, always thinking ahead, "We need a code word."
"Why a code word?"
"So we know when to change. And so only one person will have to keep tract of the time. But it can't be the same word every time. Of course, if we work with the same pair we can decide between us when to change. Then we don't have to necessarily change at the same time as the other half of the team."
"Either way sounds workable."
"Luna, what do you think?"
"I agree with both of you, but I think the 2nd option would be the most efficient. What do you think of using a patronus as a surprise if we need them?"
"Luna, that's a great idea. We save them for a time when we get in trouble or are ready to end the match.", Hermione agrees.
Harry added, "Great. But we definitely need a code word so we all do it at the same time. Personally I think using house names would be good for shielding swaps. But what about using the patronus?"
"Snorkack."
"What?"
"Snorkack. I'm sure no one here knows what one is."
"I have to agree with you there. So whoever is in trouble shouts snorkack, then everyone count to three, then cast."
"Sounds good."
"Good plan."
Meanwhile the dueling club members were discussing ways to mesh their individual fighting styles. To this point they had never had to work together as a team as they had only participated in individual one-on-one meets.
Four minutes into the bout the 7 SLSS club members realized they were outclassed when it came to working together. At that point they had yet to land a hit on any of the British teens, a lot of this could be because they had never worked together before and even with discussing a strategy beforehand, when it actually came to dueling, they all fell back into their own style of working alone. The 4 had managed to stun one and disarm another of their opponents. The other 5 were constantly on the move, but they couldn't get a bead on the Brits. When Luna took out the third competitor Harry decided to end the round. "Snorkack!" he shouted. On three a silver stag, otter, rabbit, and bear were suddenly bounding around the ring. The remaining opponents, as well as most of the adults in the room, were totally surprised. All action stopped. "Expelliarmus!" Four wands came flying into Harry's hands which he caught with ease. This effectively ended the bout. Although all the American teens were proficient in wandless magic, since that was against the rules of competition they never even thought to use it against the British teens.
Greg Maloney, "Thank you for a wonderful exhibition. You worked very well together. That is definitely something we need to add to our repertoire."
"Those patronuses were very impressive and not something I have ever seen used in a duel. May I ask who taught you the spell?"
"Professor Lupin taught Harry during our 3rd year because dementors were placed around the school. Then Harry taught the rest of us in our 5th year."
"That is impressive. Now, we have another treat. Professor Flitwick are you prepared?"
"I am. And I would like to introduce you to my opponent, Griphook of Gringotts." Griphook had rejoined the party just after lunch that day and had agreed to help Flitwick with his demonstration.
"Fine, fine. Professor Flitwick has agreed to give us a demonstration. I was planning on asking for volunteers to be his opponent, but it seems he has brought his own."
Griphook and Flitwick began in the standard fashion of dueling, bowing to one another. That was where the similarities ended! As both had been taught in the style of the goblins it was a very fast paced and ferocious looking bout. In the end Flitwick managed to floor Griphook and took the bout. Griphook bowed to Flitwick, "Thank you. I have not had a workout like that in many years. I appreciate you not killing me." The British contingency all laughed at this comment, while the Americans who were not familiar with goblins looked on puzzled.
"Would anyone like to try a hand at opposing Master Flitwick?" After a minute with no volunteers Remus looked at Dora who nodded her head.
"We would, Dora and I will take him on for demonstration purposes."
"Would you like some help?"
"Filius, two or three?"
"Why not, three sounds fair."
The three professors managed to last two minutes against Flitwick.
