Moving Forward ch30
Disclaimer: J.K.R owns the rights to Harry Potter and I'm not her.
Harry Potter sat perched on the edge of a table as he addressed his Slytherins. "As many of you know, I wasn't a Slytherin. I was sorted into Gryffindor. What few people know is that the hat wanted to put me in Slytherin but having interacted with a bratty bigotted boy who had already been sorted here, I begged the hat 'not Slytherin, please not Slytherin' I didn't want to share a dorm with that Ponce. Many people believe this is the house of evil witches and wizards. Hippogriff droppings! There is nothing evil about cunning and ambition. That said you would be smart to learn that stepping on others or stabbing them in the back, in the long run will hinder your goals.
Ms. Parkinson, Pansey is your aunt correct?"
"Yes sir."
"I understand you would like to be a fashion designer after you finish school. Is that true?"
"Yes sir."
"Then I have an assignment for you. There is a third year Hufflepuff who's family owns six textile plants around the world. I want you to find a way into their favor. Do you possess the ability to sew?"
"No sir."
"Then perhaps you should start a fashion club here at Hogwarts for networking purposes. If you can find a talented seamstress or tailor while in school, it would make, making your dreams come true that much easier. Also you might want to think about a club fashion show. Showing off your talents to your future customer base couldn't hurt your future career. Perhaps I might be inclined to invite my wife to such a show."
The girl looked both thoughtful and excited.
"My challenge to all of you is to get to know the other students in this school. Find out about their families, what they do for a living. How might you or your family help them get ahead. Network! Professor Slughorn was a master of getting people together who could benefit one another. Is befriending a muggleborn to high a price for you to achieve your goals? I think not. Now, I don't live here at the school. My wife is pregnant with twins and I have a toddler at home. If I have to wake up in the middle of the night to come here and deal with misbehaving Slytherins YOU WILL REGRET IT! You will not be writing lines or scrubbing cauldrons. I will have you out in the paddock shoveling hippogriff shit until your hands bleed. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir!" Echoed around the room.
"Prefects will have communication mirrors to contact me in case of emergency. I have no problems with coming here if a first year has a nightmare and just needs a friendly face and some hot cocoa. I will be in the common room three nights a week to help you with your homework. Any students particularly gifted in any subject are encouraged to help the others. I expect you all to work towards your goals. Ambition is worthless without hard work, intelligence and courage. Good night."
With that professor Potter left the common room leaving many thoughtful students behind.
000
"Whatever you want Harry the answer is no. I'm leaving on vacation tomorrow. Mitchell and I are going to Australia to visit our parents and I don't have time for whatever crazy thing you've thought up to give me hours of paperwork!" Hermione snarled.
"Oh this is something that can be handled by one of your junior solicitors maybe even a paralegal. I just need a basic secrecy contract drawn up."
"What junior solicitors? What paralegal?" Hermione huffed.
"You are the head of the legal department. Are you telling me you haven't been able to hire anyone? I thought the five million Galleon budget would be enough." Harry asked curiously.
"I'm head of the legal department? Budget?" Hermione asked dumbfounded.
"You know finding out my lawyer can overlook such major details does not fill me with confidence." Harry said in mock horror.
Hermione drew her wand. Harry ran for it.
After a safe distance he chuckled to himself. He had had no idea how overworked Hermione had been until Mitchell had talked about their upcoming vacation.
000
Minerva McGonagall looked at all of the club proposals. Fashion club, debate club, stock trading club, knitting club. A small business club that wanted to open a store in the school to supply treats, basics like parchment and ink and bottled drinks. For younger years that couldn't go to Hogsmead. That was actually a brilliant idea. The baking club could even supply some of the treats.
Nearly every one of the proposals was the initial idea of a Slytherin student. Perhaps Harry was a good choice for head of house.
000
A/N; I still had a few scenes swimming around in my brain. The story is complete but I might as just a bit more.