Whispers and shouts in Wizengmort and Hogwarts Respectively
After Harry and Dora left for their Respective schools after a fulfilling holiday,All the adults remaining started their new campaign which aimed at freeing Sirius from the darkest prison of country and improving quality of Hogwarts for their children.
Arcturus and Cassiopeia pursued the list of selected candidates who were going to run in the upcoming election and decided on one order of merlin 2nd class receiver, "Thomas Silvas", a 5th generation Pureblood who married a exceptionally beautiful and talented half blood enchantress in 1950's. Even his children were in respectable jobs and he had backbone and cunning which was needed when improving country and dealing with sneaky politics.
A few meetings were arranged and After that
Mr. Silvas signed some contracts in private which said that he would back and promote Black family goals if elected. They started promoting his name and ideals in political arena with full force after that.
He didn't had too much backing before the Black family came into the picture and one Cornelius Fudge had the most support which included about 14 lower tier, 5 Middle tier and 1 upper tier Pureblood family of Wizengmort.
Arcturus met with his old Associate Lord Abraxus Malfoy after selecting his candidate For upcoming elections and one look at Abraxus told him what he needed to know, Abraxus wasn't in this world for more than a few short months.
They both Gossiped about Politics like teenage girls, who was f* who, who had mistress or boy-toy in their spare house, who's children were doing what. Abraxus boasted about his grandchild Draco who was a great nephew of Arcturus and Arcturus not to be left behind boasted about his newly assigned heir and grand niece who was a rare MetaMorphes.
Arcturus had his house elf put an undetectable mild truth babbling potion in Abraxus's drink and in next few weeks he was aware of what was going behind the scenes everywhere in the Britain.
This potion was invented by Cassiopeia a few years ago and wasn't available to public. It helped him a lot and he thanked stars the day he had fought for Cassy's desires for further studies with his father and given half his own trust vault to her to escape to Colonies during the time of unrest in the country. Loyalty was a thing not bought by money but by Selfless care and Love for family.
He did similar to many of his old and alive associates, who trusted him and he wasn't a Slytherin worth his salt if he didn't took advantage. These were the same people who denied his Grandson a Basic Trial. He felt no shame in exploiting them.
A few back-stabbing words here, a few documents and photos shown to important people there and Thomas Silvas was running as the prime Candidate for the upcoming election.
They had neutrilized one of the popular running member for minister a Bartimius Crouch Sr., Son of Charis Crouch Neé Black and Bartholomew Crouch, one of the cousin and Cousin-in-law of Arcturus and Cassiopeia. They spied on him for dirt via some blood Scrying and found him housing his own son under imperious with the help of his house elf. Both Father-son duo went to azkaban after Crouch Sr.'s Trial. Crouch Estate went to his nearest living family member who was his half-blood half-sister from a mistress his father had late in his life and her muggle-born husband, Belladonna Harrett neé Crouch and Conrad Harrett.
She accepted the Crouch Wizengmort seat with Grace and politeness and was member of liberal faction.
Cornelius Fudge's popularity took a deep leap downwards when his blood purist Lackey and confident a vile Half-blood women named Umbridge, who looked like a toad was found, tried and sent to prison for murders of her own Family. Her pureblood father, Squib brother and muggle mother.
A few other candidates didn't gain much support and many of them even withdrew before the official commencement of Elections, 45 days before the final date.
Cassiopeia was focused on Hogwarts while Arcturus played British Wizarding world like a fiddle. She investigated all the current members in the board and was sure that she could be elected for Abraxus's seat after planting suggestions in her Cousin's little manly Tea parties.
She was a dignified women in her 70s and respected by many for her marvelous Inventions and discoveries. She was one of the premium Researcher across the globe, her success starting in Britain, then travelling to Americas, France and most of the progressive European countries and not even leaving continents of Africa, Asia and Australia.
She was the inventor of the truth serum known as Veritaserum in 1939 and many other modern concoctions and inventions used in daily life by most of the people. Her Potion's success was hailed in trials after World war with Dark lord Grindewald before hardcore Pure-bloods pushed for laws against using it in the formal british courts.
Her appointment was approved even before Easter when Arcturus hinted and mildly ordered Abraxus to nominate her for his position in Board of governors.
On 24th March, 1988 , Thomas Silvas, order of merlin 2nd class, won the elections and became Minister for magic of Wizarding British Isles and Wales.
On 4th April, 1988, Cassiopeia Black, Researcher and inventor took her position in Hogwarts Board of governors and lit fire under their A* for falling quality of Britain's premium school.
Her research was indisputable and it showed that other 3 younger schools were considered choices for many respected families now and only hardcore alumni and ignorant Muggleborn sent their children to Hogwarts.
London Magical Academy, Fluxwerth School for Witches and Wizards in Edinburgh and Edgecastle School of Advanced Magicks in Wales were now preferred by many Pure-bloods, Half-blood and even Muggleborns who got ministry visit at their home before Hogwarts representative.
Hogwarts only had 40 to 70 students per new batch whereas previously in 20s, 200 students per batch was Capped limit and Hogwarts had to turn down applications from all over the world. 1400 was the limit beyond which Hogwarts couldn't accommodate.
Most of the governors had attended the school before 50s and were able to compare differences and accepted Cassiopeia's research with shame.
They decided to follow Cassiopeia's lead and made her Head and spokesperson of the board after many meeting and debates which happened in month of April.
New rules were discussed and installed, All the staff was screened in the month of April and May and everyone was astonished about what was going on just under their nose. A few already knew but didn't thought about it as a big deal. They were the minority.
Albus Dumbledore was too busy in his 3 full time posts to take care of the school as was his responsibility.
Minerva McGonagall had 3 full time posts on her name. She couldn't handle half her load and wasn't an effective teacher because of that.
Filius Flitwick was buried under half the minerva's load and his own load of teaching his popular subject to 14 full batches of students. He had his own head of house duties as well.
Severus Snape wasn't fit to teach any child below 15 even with his mastery. Slytherin house was in disgrace with excessive bullying, name calling and a duel every other day in their house duelling room. He had sucked the joy of learning potions from the most of the students. He didn't fulfilled his duties in providing hospital wing with required potions as was written in his employment contract.
Poppy pomfrey wasn't able to conduct basic health checks for students and necessary health classes were cancelled when most of the hospital staff was dismissed a few decades prior. She had excess workload with taking care of hundreds of explosive magical teenagers alone.
Pomona sprout was too busy in maintaining 10 greenhouses of Hogwarts to take care of Her own house. She was a good teacher but bad head of house.
Sibil Trelawany was a drunk hack who didn't know difference between ends of her own wand. She wasn't deserving of the divination professorship.
Argus filch, the squib caretaker was one vile man who didn't had any Business being near children.
Silvias kettleburn didn't have half his body parts left even if he was a good and well loved professor. His age and condition didn't allow him to teach efficiently.
Rubeas Hagrid who held keys of the Hogwarts didn't have proper qualification on paper to protect school and had many Harmful pets residing in the forbidden forest under his singular care.
Curthbert Binns, the ghost of history professor wasn't fit to teach anyone and students slept in his most of the classes.
Less than few words Could be said about defense against the dark class the better. A new teacher every year and none of them staying for more than an year.
Wards were weak around the boundry of the Hogwarts and Downright diminished in forbidden forest and near Lake.
School was in state of despair with how much empty and dirty rooms and suites it had.
There was only one physical sport namely quidditch for the students which was only played by 28 students from whole school and school brooms were not even worth sweeping the grounds with.
Kitchens were not self sufficient like a century in past and house elves were low in number and wasn't allowed to have families without the permission of headmaster. Hogwarts farmlands and cattle farms were empty and all the food was purchased when it could've grown easily.
Library wasn't updated in half the century and even ransacked and transferred to long term faculty's private collections slowly.
Madam pince was stretched too much and didn't help children rather discouraged them from using the library.
Astronomy was taught in night when there were means available to teach it during day and resulted in young children being out of their beds untimely.
There were only 5 electives starting 3rd year, 2 of which were useless and 3 were the ones which should be compulsory.
Hogwarts only had 15-17 proper staff members which was even less than most lowly department of Ministry.
Apprenticeships were not provided to graduated students to further their studies under professors as not even one professor had time to take on the Apprentice.
Many of the governors felt too ashamed because of their negligence and trust in Albus Dumbledore who they finally accepted as holding too many jobs to take care of Hogwarts.
They had to dip into old Hogwarts founders Vaults for emergencies to revamp the school but 12 members of the board worked hard for months and did their best starting April of 1988.
Month of May and June went by in the conducting interviews and upgrading the curriculum to include all the things it held a century prior. As well as internal upgradation of school about which headmaster of the school was unaware of and his Deputy was oath bound not to tell him after she was Removed from her 2 posts.
About 150 House elves were purchased and bonded with the castle to boost its magic. Hogwarts previously had only around 40 elves to take care of the students. They were asked to even bond with each other and increase the house elf population of the Hogwarts castle by their free will.
1 senior goblin team was hired to restore and boost Hogwarts wards and remove harmful lingering curses in 2nd last week on June after headmaster left for his ICW duties and students left for vacations.
The Hired Team of goblins discovered Room of Requirements, Mainly Room of hidden things which was an important Tresure trove and helped in upgradation of school after a few auctions of rare and precious Things discovered there.
Many dark objects were cleansed and they even discovered a few founders items which had a dark curses on them, mainly Ravenclaw and Slytherin things. They weren't salvageable and many of them were destroyed with fiyendfire deep Inside the Bowels of gringotts as they were found linked with the wards somehow.
Dark objects redirection wards were also installed which would alert elves about dark object present and entering via luggage or clothes of any person, which they would remove sneakily and inform their head of houses or deputy as the level of darkness in the object present.
Upgradation of Curriculum in the Hogwarts happened as follows in the months of June, July and August.
8 people were hired for four houses of Hogwarts. They all held some qualifications in child care and had worked with teenagers or pre-teens in their precious occupations for many years. There were 2 couples among them who were assigned to Gryffindors and Slytherins after discovering less than stellar inside reputation and neglect inflicted on both the houses by previous faculty.
Argus filch was forcefully retired and Rubeas Hagrid was promoted to Head of Caretakers and Groundkeepers. He was allowed to have wand and had to take 5 OWLs and 3 NEWTs in the ministry before he was awarded the post. He got a minimum of acceptable and even high grades like Outstanding in a few subjects.
He had 5 people under his Authority, a squib couple, 2 witches and a wizard to take care of school properly.
Ghost council was called and instructed to take care of peeves else the school won't host any ghosts. It worked like a miracle as the ghosts banished peeves to deep dungeons below Hogwarts. Ghost professor Binns was removed by them as well from the classroom he permanently occupied and was now lecturing in some dungeon room deep down in bowels of Hogwarts.
1 Visiting senior Healer was hired for Advanced medical courses and situations as needed.
2 permanent Nurses were hired as well under Healthcare department. Hospital wing was kept under Madam Pomfrey as she was the most experienced with magical teenagers.
Divination was Removed as an Elective and was now under supervision of a Visiting faculty who would test students once an year and teach only those who displayed signs of the gift.
Sybill trelawany was fired and her contract rejected on grounds of major negligence and drinking while teaching.
A new Deputy Headmistress in her 50s named Madam Jaquline Brown was hired to co-ordinate with different departments and staff members as well as Board of governors.
Albus Dumbledore remained Headmaster in name only as his was a tenured post and was informed of the changes a week before commencement of the new semester. If he didn't contribute in school in next academic year he would be reduced to the post of a professor with agreement of the whole board of governors and they would assign a new Headmaster or Headmistress to the school.
Severus Snape had a 20 year Employment Contract and was retained even after major debates and dis-satisfaction among the board as an advanced potion brewer for hospital wing and Professor for only OWL and above students. He was reduced to teaching only 2 classes and brewing to keep up with the hospital wing supply most of the time. His less than stellar record got his Head of house previliges as well as House point and detention authority suspended.
2 more librarians were hired under Authority of Madam pince to take care of extensive Hogwarts library and restricted section was divided into many sections and warded only to be entered with permission of a librarian and a faculty. Many governors donated a number of tomes and titles to Hogwarts library and books found in room of hidden things were sorted and assigned to their respective sections in the library.
Tenured senior faculty already established at Hogwarts became Department heads with more than half their load distributed and now they even had breathing room in their schedule to enjoy a bit of the life.
Even than they had multitude of Teachers under their department which each taught their Individual subjects. They still had heavy duties even if they weren't as stretched as before.
Subjects were now divided into 5 Major Categories which each had their own further division as Required.
1. Department of Wand Arts
Head - Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Head - Filius Flitwick
Staff - 12 Faculty exc. Head and Deputy
a. Transfiguration (1st to 5th yr compulsory)
b. Charms (1st to 5th yr compulsory)
c. Defense (1st to 5th yr compulsory)
d. Spell weaving (after OWLs Elective)
e. Wandless Studies (after OWLs Elective)
f. Enchanting (after OWLs Elective)
g. Ritual studies (after OWLs Electives)
h. Warding and Curse Breaking ( after OWLs Elective)
2. Department of Litrary Studies
Head - Sinistra Vector
Deputy Head - Batsheba Babbling
Staff - 16 Faculty exc. Head and Deputy
a. English Literature (1st to 5th yr compulsory)
b. History and Culture studies (1st to 5th yr compulsory)
c. Arthimancy (1st to 5th yr compulsory)
d. Magical Languages and Cultures (1st to 5th yr compulsory)
e. Ancient Runes (1st to 5th yr compulsory)
f. Foreign Languages (3rd yr and Beyond Elective)
g. Social Sciences (1st to 5th yr compulsory)
h. Advanced Political Studies (after OWLs)
g. Business and Estate management (after OWLs)
3. Department of Visual and Performing Arts
( Minimum 2 compulsory)
Head - Quinreas Quirell
Deputy Head - Charity Burbage
Staff - 12 Faculty exc. Head and Deputy
a. Instrumental Music
b. Vocal Music
c. Dance
d. Drama Poetry
e. Photography
f. Painting Sketching
g. Architecture and design (after OWLs Electives)
h. Journalism (after OWLs Electives)
4. Department of Healthcare and Nature Studies
Head - Pomona Sprout
Deputy Head - Poppy Pomfrey
Staff - 13 Faculty exc. Head and Deputy
a. Potions (1st to 5th yr compulsory)
b. Herbelogy (1st to 5th yr compulsory)
c. Care for Creatures - Magical and non-magical (1st to 5th yr compulsory)
d. Astronomy (3rd to 5th yr Elective)
e. Home Economics (3rd to 5th yr Compulsory)
f. Healing arts (after OWLs Elective)
g. Alchemy (after OWLs Elective)
h. Magizoology (after OWLs Elective)
5. Department of Games and Sports
Head - Ronalda Hooch
Staff- 3 exc. HOD)
(Minimum 2 course compulsory for first 3 years)
a. Broom Flying
b. Qudditch
c. Broom racing
d. Chess
e. Duelling (4th year and above)
f. Gobstones
Final Staff Of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardary as on 1st August 1988 -
1 Headmaster
1 Deputy Headmaster
1 Visiting Healer
1 Mediwitch
2 Nurses
6 Castle and grounds Caretakers
8 Head of Houses
1 visiting Professor of Divination
3 Librarians
66 Professors
1 month before commencement of semester, Letters were sent with an alloted time slot for Parents-Board member-Faculty meeting in an office in Diagon alley, where existing students were given basic Questionares to test their skill levels while parents were explained the changes in the school.
Hogwarts board of members sent Hogwarts invitation letter to Every existing Witch or Wizard below 16 and above 10 years in age in British Isles, Wales and Ireland.
Over 3000 letters were sent and the upgraded staff of Hogwarts and it's Board members talked to the number of parents, guardians and students about the upcoming years. They conducted basic exams for new comers with the help of Department of Education located in Ministry of magic and sorted students 2nd year and beyond on the spot with a written personality test as sorting for newly accepted amount of students by the old sorting hat wasn't feasible.
That traditional ceremony was kept for upcoming new batch at the sorting feast.
Previously as on end of semester 1987-1988 Hogwarts had 330 students excluding graduating class and as on 1st September 1988, Hogwarts was going to welcome total 1252 students to its glorious halls for education and socialization.
Hogwarts had a capped limit of 200 students per batch as that was the limit of accommodation available at Hogwarts.
Even after half a century of neglect, The prestigious name of Hogwarts was still able to gain Required no. of students and faculty easily and they even had to turn down many who didn't pass the curve set for admission.
1st years - 200 new students
2nd years- 42 old 158 new
3rd years- 46 old 154 new
4th years- 68 old 132 new
5th years- 64 old 134 new
6th years- 58 old 142 new
7th years- 52 old students
Board of governors had left the assignment of dorms to new head of houses whose only job was to take care of children in their house to best of their capabilities, sorting out students schedules after co-ordinating with department heads and assign dorms to students who had similar timetables.
Each dorm room, whether wizards or witches, across every house now held 6 to 10 students and a shared bathroom with divided shower and WC stalls for them. Ever bathroom had a set of laundry basket which took away dirty laundry and delivered it fresh in every 3 days. Each and Every student was provided with a 4 poster Bed with closable curtains, A half bookcase attached with decent sized study table and a chair as well as an expanded Cupboard with a mirror for their daily used Property. They had space to keep their luggage under their beds. A set of comfortable couches and armchairs with a low coffee table which held a self filling and ever fresh snack and fruit basket and jugs of water juice were also present in every dorm room in front of a large fireplace.
Both girls and boys Dormitories were warded against opposite sex when previously only girls Dormitories held wards.
Previously available individual or twin sharing dorm rooms were kept for exceptional upper year students, Prefects and head students. No student below 5th year was allowed to get an individual room except in major conditions and request from parents on ground of health issues.
House common rooms were expanded into multiple levels of different functions to hold around 320 to 350 students now living under the strict supervision of their head of houses, who had their own suites and offices attached to the common rooms itself and could be reached when necessary without leaving the Entrance Portrait or riddle or barrels or wall.
Strict curfew with caterwauling charms were enforced for students and as astronomy classes were now taught with life like models, there was no need of leaving common room after 9 P.m. in night for younger students and 10 p.m. for older students studying for OWLs and NEWTs. In morning students were not allowed to leave common rooms before 6 A.m. for any reason other than permitted sports practice.
One level of common room was converted into study room cum library where most common and necessary texts were kept to help students.
There was even a open Mail collection warded area in the common room which students had to visit to collect any mail they had received. It was warded against malicious mail. Sending of mail still happened from the school communal Owlery.
All the apprentices lived in a newly Refurbished tower named Appreciates Tower which was previously divination tower.
They all had un-warded individual rooms and communal bathrooms. A common room was available for them and their curfew depended on their respective masters. They were allowed to leave grounds via main gates as long as they filled and submitted the departure and arrival information forms before leaving.
All the professors new and old had their own set of suite, office and classroom. It included a bedroom, a living room cum dining room with an open kitchen setting, a private study cum lab and a personal bathroom attached with an office and there Requested Required sized classroom and other facilities they needed to live and teach with. They all shared a few elves on call attuned to their needs.
Every faculty had some basic duties in their employment contract which they had to fulfill towards the school. It included patrolling the halls a fortnight every quarter, attend a minimum number of scheduled meals in great hall, to see over a number of detentions, and to conduct all inclusive lectures on their field of study atleast once a month in the allotted time for all the students and faculty.
Faculty was allowed to leave grounds by personal Floo available in their quaters and live elsewhere with permanent permission of their department head and deputy headmistress as long as they reported timely for their duties and responsibilities. If certain faculty was commencing from elsewhere they had to fill similar forms as Apprentices. Spouses and children were not allowed to reside on hogwarts grounds if not employed by hogwarts.
Strong intention wards of Hogwarts didn't allow for malicious intentioned faculty to enter the ground if they were compromised in any way. Even if Apprentices and students were having dangerous and malicious intentions, they were detained in their living area and information was sent to Headmaster, his deputy or responsible party, be it be head of house of the student or master of the Apprentice by wards.
A few enchanters were hired to expand the Hogwarts Express as well as Carriages and boats which carried students to the castle.
Hogwarts express was now a double decker a very long train as it was previously when it was commissioned.
All the boats and carriages were upgraded to hold double they did previously and many were even purchased new to keep up with the requirement.
1st September 1988
Previously enrolled students of Hogwarts were shocked when they saw the sheer number of students and faculty present in the great hall after they left the carraiges.
Great hall was extended to the size of a Quidditch pitch and now had 8 students table, 2 per house and 1 Apprentices table parallel to each other and 2 faculty tables on a 3 tier platform.
Both upper platforms held about 40-45 seats each for professors and visiting board of governors and the lowest platform was empty except for the stool which held sorting hat on it. It was just step above students level. Around 130 Apprentices sat on their specified table.
Board of governors had instructed students to purchase or get their previous robes enchanted to change color affiliated to their year.
changed students robes color to Black for 1st yr , Deep Brown for 2 and 3 year, Deep Voilet for 3rd and 4th year and Deep Olive green for 6th and 7th year students. Deep Grey was the color for Apprentices with the trim of their choice.
Only faculty didn't had a dress code as everyone knew that no one can stop Albus Dumbledore from wearing garish robes.
Only indication of house affiliation was trim of red/gold, yellow/copper, Green/silver and Blue/bronze on the robes and Ties worn by students.
Sorting of the new students took around 1 and half hours and students munched on snacks during that time provides courtesy of hard working elves.
Each house gained from around 40 to 55 students individually, an amount that was the whole batch of last several years.
Feast was as delicious as ever, even if it was more healthy and nutritious.
New and old Rules were told and every student were provided with a help manual which held basic map of castle as well as all the necessary rules and rights of the students. It was a self updating manual and students were told to keep it handy as it would be used by them for next many years.
Students sang the house song after dinner and it was decided collectively by faculty that it won't happen again as the sound of so many voices made many temporary deaf.
All the students new and old were lead to their houses by their new Head of houses in 2 long lines and were allotted dorms spontaneously for now. Later when they had semi permanent group of friend it could be changed.
Timetables were distributed after discussion of electives chosen by students with their head of houses the very next day.
Cassiopeia Black sitting near other governors who were attending the opening ceremony of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardary year 1988-1989 was delighted to see her hardwork in front of her eyes.
Hogwarts could be again truly called one of the most prestigious school of the world with its impressive and highly in demand faculty, intelligent and hard working student who each had to pass basic requirement tests to enter in the school. They had to let go a few previously enrolled students from each year but the seats were filled with deserving students soon after that. Even if the parents grumbled and tried to bribe them they held stead fast.
When they had called Albus Dumbledore into the Board of Governors meeting on 1st August to be informed about the changes, He was caught unawares and lost the twinkle in his eyes. He was told over one hour about the even change and every upgradation. He was not happy about being uninformed in his own school which he considered his solid loyal territory. Letters were already sent and staff was already hired, only his signature authority remained and even that was threatened with demotion to a minor faculty member's post if he didn't co-operate.
When he protested on one note or another after the threat, he was asked to either hand in his resignation or accept the demotion. He was ordered to put all the removed books and material back in the library like all the other faculty were told to. He had 5 days to sort out books and give them back to Madam Irma pince, who held an upgraded list of every book he ever removed from the library since his tenure as Professor in the school.
He received major verbal backlash from each and every member about the direction school had taken under his mis-management and how he was responsible for systematic destruction of the Education of the Future generation of the country and destroying previous generation's education level. If not for 3 other schools of the country they wouldn't even have capable people of leading the country.
It was blasphemy, his school was compared to the ministry operated schools of the country and he was held responsible for everything. Still even at highest authority, his hands were tied in front of 12 high level Governors who each held high qualifications in field of research and education and was more than able to rally the country and ministry against him if needed.
Governors were happy at the direction their hard work was going at. Well now that they had shamelessly poached a few hundred students and dozens of faculty from each such school for their own school's development still it was a thing of principle and self respect.
They had even admitted many high ranking foreign officials and scholars children who previously didn't want to send their children to the Hogwarts while living in Britain or nearby it.
After all what could possibly go wrong among about 1400s magical teenagers living together in supervision of less than 100 faculty.
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