CH 15
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Professor Snape knew that a one week holiday for the students would allow them to come back alert, refreshed and supposedly ready to take on a final term of school, where end-of-year exams loom in their future waiting to test the comprehension and knowledge of all things learned for their year level. It was also a week that was supposed to go by quickly for many of the Professors, but this time around it was slow moving for him.
He hated it. He hated the Dark Lord and his infernal Dark Mark that prevented him from attending a specialized training session with the Goblins. He brooded on and alternately sulked about it. He worked on potions to take his mind off of it, but at the end of the day he drank only two glasses of his strongest brandy because he was still pissed off about the missed opportunity due to the foolishness of his youthful ideals.
He wanted to be by Harry Potter's side for this and he didn't care that it was Potter's brat that would have kept him company. He wanted to learn something new. He wanted that chance, but he was fully aware that the rejection might have been because he was too old as well as having the Dark blight on his arm.
Two weeks before the boys left, the dratted Gryffindor Gold Boy had extracted two promises from his Potions Professor. One to oversee the launch of the 'Hogwarts' Student Presentation & Creative Assistance Centre' and two to keep an eye on the young Sooty Owls and Hedwig, which the three house-elves who were bonded to Snape had prepared a similar delivery tree to the one in Harry's assigned rooms.
'It's a bloody boring name for a place, but you can't mistake it for anything else,' he thought taking a sip of Brandy.
The boys had argued about it and in the end it was Ron Weasley that stated, "You need to be clear about its purpose. So do it with the name." He was also the one that stated only five items per House from years three and up should be displayed. "All artists can't have a place on the first floor, as there are only about twenty cases there. There has to be some honest judging by the teachers. Start with the 'Top of Class' for some projects and as for the second floor. The students should do it on a first come first request basis and it should be limited to a maximum of two or three weeks in the display cases, as there are only thirty display cases available on the second floor."
"The limit of the years from three up makes sense, as students can only visit Hogsmeade beginning in their third year anyway," Draco had agreed. "The time-limit will give the students time to review any ideas presented by the general public. Also you should consider extended hours on weekends to match the shop hours, that way all students get a chance to visit the place. How are you going to run it?"
"Goblins and house-elves," Harry said. "I've already lined up a couple of younger Goblins who'll earn supplemental training in security and how to be proper guards by putting in hours there. They'll have a Managing Leader, they'll report to, who'll be the school's liaison with the Centre. The leader will report to my manager and the house-elves were purchased, unfortunately, from the House-Elf Relocation Section of the Ministry, but they'll live there full-time and be responsible for the maintenance of the building completely."
The Potions Master was present at that debate because it had taken place in the third floor meeting of the old 'Shrieking Shack' during one of the weekends that they were together planning their outing to Muggle London. He was given a list of things that needed to be in place before the opening of the Centre during the March Break. It was obvious to him that the Boy-Who-Lived didn't want it to be known that the Centre was his idea and that he would not be present to authorize anything related to it.
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Minor FlashbackSeverus had ensured that all paperwork for the Centre was taken care of prior to letting his colleagues know about it. He presented everything at the Staff meeting and handed them the outlined contract the School's Board of Governors had agreed to. It was interesting to note that every member of the Board had voted positively for the Centre to be opened. Now it was just a matter of getting the most promising projects on display.
'That Brat has just given me another headache,' he though listening to the various Professors argued about which project should be presented. He sighed deeply and that cause Dumbledore to take notice.
"Severus," the Headmaster said. "Perhaps you should find an arbitrator here for this."
"No arbitrator is necessary Albus," Severus said. Then he raised his voice and said loudly, "That is enough. All of you have students that you're proud of and I understand that very well." He sneered at the scoffs he received. "However due to the timing not all students will be permitted to show off their projects and I quite agree with the time-frame on the per term basis set up."
"We're going into our third term," Professor Sinistra said. "How exactly is that fair, when the two previous terms haven't had the chance to select items for display?"
"The problem is choosing which project to display," Professor McGonagall said.
"Rotate them," Severus said. "Perhaps you should all consider that come summer something will still need to be displayed in order to keep the facility open year round. First term projects can be shown then and third term projects will be displayed during next year's first term. Choosing the, 'Top of Class' projects shouldn't be that difficult because you graded your students and know who they are."
"What if there is nothing physical to display," Professor Flitwick said. "Some 'Top of Class' students are there because of the essays that they've written, not because they created something tangible. Not all years create anything magically either."
"The concept or idea was developed so that students who're in 'Club' activities like 'Creative Arts' could participate in displaying their efforts," Professor Snape said. "Not all students wish to put their projects on display in such a fashion anyway, but those that do will be given the opportunity. The 'Top of Class' suggestion by the owner was only that, a suggestion. However the limit is still going to be five entries per House. The only reason is because the facility spacing is limited to twenty displays, of various sizes and not because of any other reason. Make your choices and let me know who they are and what the projects are by next Monday. You all have leave to visit the facility to see what it looks like and to get an idea of the presentation of the place. End of discussion."
"I have a related question," Albus Dumbledore said with a small smile on his face. He was amused by the whole deal, but this question had to be asked. "Why are you in charge of managing such a project?"
Severus just scowled and thought about what to say. He couldn't tell them that he promised some brat to look out for this project. That would lead to questions that he didn't want to answer as to who could ask him to do such a thing without expecting anything in returning. So he said the only thing that would guarantee him some privacy in the matter and get everyone to stop wondering why he was involved.
"I took an Oath," he said.
In essence that's exactly what he had done. His promise was as good as an Oath and Harry knew that. The young man never once took advantage of his Potions Master position, even when asking for his Counsel the young man never overstepped the bounds of their contract. So making a promise to oversee the launch of this for the boy wasn't difficult to do.
Professor Dumbledore knew then that asking for any more information would harm his Potions Master and therefore the line of questioning was dropped.
Even the other Professors knew when to stop asking questions and at least they now had something interesting, non-War related, to focus their time on. Not only that, but the promise of displaying future class projects was a kind of incentive to alter some of their upper class syllabus to include a physical project per term rather than only one or two for the end of the year.
'Sneaky brat,' Severus thought as he listened to some of the syllabus projects being changed for the third term. 'He's changing the school from the outside. I wonder if there is something that I can do get a Potion Project displayed and how it could be presented.' He looked around and noticed that some of the Professors had left the meeting when the Headmaster had dismissed the school business. The old man was looking at him strangely.
"Albus," Severus said, keeping a general appearance of normality. "Is something wrong?"
"Just wondering if the Dark Lord is behind this," the Headmaster said. "It seems quite sudden to have a Facility that would attract a lot of students don't you think."
"That's just like you Albus," Severus told him. "I can safely assure you that the Dark Lord knows nothing about this place or this project. It was some old person who died, leaving behind money and a Will stating that lacking any Heir they wanted to do some good for the Wizarding World, specifically for the Students of Hogwarts, like opening a facility or Gallery that would improve some corner of the Wizarding World or rather some such nonsense. The Goblins took the Will and made appropriate queries and found that this was quite within the purview of the Will. The place will act in a Museum-type capacity which permits them to charge people to visit or walk through the place."
"Charging the students to see their own projects," Albus questioned. "That's highly unorthodox!"
"Practical," Severus then explained. "I believe they got that idea from the Muggles, who charge nominal fees to visit such types of institutions. They only plan to set up minimal fees to assist in the maintenance of the place and students can all well afford the few 'Knuts' for the entry cost."
"Knuts," Albus said. "Why only Knuts?"
"Ten Knuts to be precise, as for why, well it's probably because students will always have Knuts in their pockets and that not much in Hogsmeade costs only ten Knuts," Severus said. "I'm guessing that the deceased old fart was very well off because I've been given to understand that the vault donation will be using the vault interest accumulations to oversee the bigger fees. I was only asked to oversee this first time set-up to ensure that by the time that the Hogsmeade week-end before March Break is here that the Facility will be opened and accessible. This is to allow those students choosing to leave for Break will have a chance to see it. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a few detentions to monitor."
"Of course, of course," Albus Dumbledore said watching one of his youngest Professor's leaving the meeting room. "That's such an enterprising idea. I wonder why no one thought of doing something like this before now?" He muttered making his way back to his office via a shortcut that very few knew about. His attention was once more riveted on the pile of paperwork waiting for him at his desk.
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Minor Flashforward, Opening of the Facility
Students were lining up outside the new 'Hogwarts' Student Presentation & Creative Assistance Centre'. A few there were nervous because some of their projects were on display, but each House had come up with a system of nomination and grades that would permit a student to place one of their projects on display.
Professor Snape was there to re-read the rules of the Centre and to post them at the entrance, exits and next to a few of the wall displays. There were other rules, like 'No touching the displays', 'No magic is permitted by visitors to the Centre for whatever reason or you'll be fined', 'No consumption of food or drink is permitted in the building or you'll be fined', etc... The list was basic was going to be 'subject to re-evaluation by the discretion of the building's owner based on...', whatever law the building owner decided to use.
The one notice by the doors or at various locations inside was a small magical placard that said, 'These premises are under surveillance and any infraction of these rules will be fully recorded and dealt with in severe accordance to Magical Law.'
The Mayor of Hogsmeade was there because he had been formally invited to a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the Centre. A crisis-type distraction at the Ministry meant that the Minister of Magic wasn't able to show up to usurp the Mayor's right to have this little ceremony to open a brand new business in his town.
A couple of reporters from the Prophet and the Quibbler were there to take pictures of the place and to write honest articles about the new business. Copies of the rules were handed out to them so that they may be included in their articles.
Prominent business men and women of the community were given a 'sneak-preview' before the formal opening that early Saturday morning. This allowed them to see the displays before the 'Grand Opening' in order to be able to maintain their normal hours of business for the Hogsmeade weekend. Only the Heads of House were permitted into the building prior to that, as they had chosen to be responsible for bringing in the first of the projects to be displayed on the first and second floors.
The students were given an explanation of the second floor displays a week before the 'Grand Opening' and that's when the total number per student was limited to three and only for three weeks time. That rule was added quickly as one over exuberant 'know-it-all' female Gryffindor sixth year student came forward to submit twelve projects to get public opinion and ideas for acceptable conclusions.
Students were given strict instructions that this was not to be used to gain assistance in homework matters and any caught would be severely punished with detentions. They would also be forfeiting the right to display anything for two active school terms, including the summer holidays, should the infraction occur during second or third term.
The Mayor of Hogsmeade was fully aware about the limited patience of teenagers, so he kept his speech short and to the point. The newspapers had commended him for it. The entrance fee was negated only for that first opening day, but when the students found out that the price of admission was only going to be ten measly Knuts they felt that it was a fair price because they were just students. Besides those that wanted the chance to show off, felt a boost in their confidence to know that someone, it didn't matter who, actually 'paid' to see their works.
Albus Dumbledore was present to see if he could find out who the mysterious owner of that building was, as the building currently has a secret entrance to the school. He had been exploiting it for his Order members throughout the year, but it seemed that entrance was now completely bricked off and warded by powerful Goblin wards that even he couldn't penetrate without destroying the building too. He was hoping to persuade the owner to allow the entrance to continue being used, but it was looking like a hopeless endeavour. The goblin manager in charge of the place was not forthcoming and the younger guards just didn't know.
The house-elves would have been able to tell say something about their Master, but they could not mention his name, such was their bond. Besides they didn't like the nosy old man trying to poke his long beard in their business. They caught him trying to find the entrance to the basement and to the third floor, but were glad that the wards had firmly blocked him.
The Goblin noticed this and said, "Headmaster Dumbledore, cease and desist this behaviour. You are coming close to being fined for trying to access rooms that are unauthorized for use by the General Public."
"Perhaps you should inform the owner of the building that I wish to speak with them," the Headmaster stated.
"You're request has been forwarded to the appropriate personnel," the Goblin said. "You will receive a response in due course. That is the best that I can do in this situation."
The Headmaster fully aware that he had an audience, twinkled at the creature that just showed him his teeth in a hostile gesture, nearly growling. The old man shrugged and turned his twinkling looks to the students that were watching him and he said, "As you were."
The children started to chatter and whisper making speculations about who the owner of the building was. However they were quickly diverted by the projects on display. It made many of the think about other types of projects that they could create to display here in the future.
Hermione was there without Ron or Harry and that was only because Harry refused to be anywhere near sneezing distance of any news reporter of any kind.
"Can you just imagine all the articles in the papers," he told her when she asked if he was going to be there. "If I showed up at such a place and on their 'Grand Opening Day', the stories would have nothing about the business, but the fact that Harry Potter had been there. They'd print all sorts of crap stories about who he was with and all sorts of speculations on whether I displayed something in the cases. So you'll have to go on your own. In fact I think I'll remain at the school and a get a head start on my assignments for the Break."
She had huffed and then had tried to rope Ron into going with her, as a date, but that failed when he said that he'd stay with Harry to keep him company. "I'm going to make sure that he doesn't drown in his studies," the red-head had told her. "I figure that I can pull him away for a game of chess or maybe take him to the pitch and fly around a bit."
Hermione didn't think that there was anything wrong with that. She was quite pleased that she had been able to get her ideas posted somewhere. There were a few projects that she had wanted to get public help or opinions on, so she couldn't wait to see how they were shown to the public. She was disappointed when they limited her on the number of projects that she would be permitted to show.
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Flashforward - Training
The boys were taken to the Under Mountain Training Compound. They were all fascinated to learn that it was actually an old military compound or old fortress type of Keep. There were buildings around the outer walls and it had an internal courtyard for the physical training aspects. Each building had a purpose, Barracks, Forge, Kitchens and eating area, and several rooms that used to house families, but had been converted into a massive Library. Several other rooms were slated for independent studies and for hobbies such as carving, spell-crafting, growing plants in a magical atrium and internal greenhouses, etc... There was even an underground room that was specifically built to contain powerful magical excess when training with new magics.
They had their lists, but they didn't have the chance to look them over before they were instructed to make sure that they had everything that they needed. Their house-elves were already there making sure that their belongings were safely stored.
Their teachers were going to show up and they'd be introduced in the morning. It had been explained that the compound would be 'Locked Down' and sealed in such a way that once the time spells were activated they would not be able to leave until they had finished their training complete to their own satisfaction and that of their teachers.
Harry walked around the barracks and noticed that Dobby or Winky had formed upper bunks on which they'd sleep and that under the bunks their packs were opened and most of their contents were moved to the dressers under the bunks. There were silk screens that could form walls to separate the bunks and in effect give them privacy. It was a good thing that the room was large enough for such because it had been created to house at least twenty humans bunked.
"Very practical," he said praising them. "Now where are we going to put the stuff we had to collect?"
"This way," Henrik said coming to view the barrack room assigned to the Wizards. It was the only one with the appropriate height for them.
"Henrik," Harry said in a surprised tone. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to teach you about armour and how to properly forge your own," the Goblin said. He didn't get the sense that he was unwanted and he had admitted to his father that he wanted the chance to get to know the new Lord Grindelwald. One of them had to stay behind and take care of the Clan, besides his father had trained the last human in the compound to forge his weapons. However that human has passed away.
"I'm glad," Harry said as the left the room in order to seek out the others. "Do you know who will be here to teach us?"
"I do," he said. "But I'd rather keep it a surprise for the morning. I do know that the Elders were speculating about the actual length of 'Time' that you'd have to be here. They suspect that it will be likely three to five years."
Harry just shrugged and said, "It takes time to develop skills like proper forging and such. I kind of figured that it'd take longer than one year."
"What would take more than a year Potter?" Draco asked. He was seated at a conference table that looked big enough to be a good gathering location for end of day discussions.
"Our training," Harry said, pulling out the parchment that contained his list of alter-gifts. "Telekinesis, how cool is that?" He paused and then said, "Oh my god this is incredible. Wizards have that as a gift or talent, but I wonder... is it questionable like the Muggles or is it certain fact?"
"Cool? What does the weather have to do with this?" Draco asked. "What are you talking about? Muggles don't have that ability because it's purely a Wizarding trait."
"It is not," Harry said. "I wonder if our net-books will function Under Mountain? Weather is not involved Draco. It's a Muggle expression for something interesting, fascinating, etc... It's like when someone says 'wicked' in the Wizarding World, but not as a description of something foul."
"Oh," Draco said. He turned to look at the Goblin who answered Harry about the functioning net-books.
"They will not," Henrik said. "Interference from the enclosing spell will not allow for the access you used to have. Also, we are far underground and closer to the Earth's core than you might realize, but that is only because within this compound there are mines below that you boys can access. You'll find it interesting to harvest in there and this will be your only chance to do so."
"That will be good training for my alter-gifts," Ron said re-reading his list. "It will be interesting to see what the dousing for minerals will turn up."
"Yes, but what about telekinesis," Draco said. He turned to Harry and explained, "That may be known as an alter-gift, but it's not as rare as all that."
"Muggles have made a study of it," Harry said. "It works for some and doesn't for others so it is fascinating that the Muggles have been studying what you call an 'alter-gift'. They consider it a part of entire field in Science."
"They do not," Draco said.
"They do," Harry stated firmly and without a hint that he was making a joke. "The Scientific Field is called 'Parapsychology'. That's where they study many things that the Wizarding World might categorize under Divination. If we could use our net-books without fear that we'd ruin them, I'd show you, but as it is I don't think it would even be a good idea to remove them from their protective covers."
"Well we only brought them in order to write to Severus," Draco said. Whenever they weren't in a classroom or studying the Slytherin had always used the man's first name.
"We can't," Harry said. "Don't worry. When the two of you were getting magically cleansed, I wrote to him to let him know that we had arrived safely. He stated that he expected us to communicate with him before we return to Centre. I think that he wants to be there to provide us with an adult escort back to school."
"Yeah right, Potter," Draco said. "It's more like he wants to find out what we've learned while we were away and if we brought him anything back."
"I did mention that I thought we'd have enough time to create something for him," Harry said. He looked over his list of gifts and said, "I'll make most of it. It will help to have something to do that will calm our minds."
"You're right about that," Ron said. He didn't want to get into his gifts. They were interesting and it was clear that they had a lot to learn. He looked at the Slytherin and said, "You know you've been calling us by our last names for a while now, even though we started training together in November. Why don't you want to use our first names?"
"I haven't been invited to do so, Weasley," Draco said. "That you two disregard proper etiquette doesn't mean that I'll do so."
"I never had etiquette classes," Harry said. "I don't know what the proper form of address is for most people. In the Muggle world, if you're of the same age you call a person by their first name. There are no more ranks in the Muggle World unless you count your educational rank and then only Doctors get an actual title. There are few now that are knighted by the British Monarchy and then it's seems like they get that kind of title if they do something extraordinary or something. I'm not sure how that works. No Muggle-born or Muggle-raised would understand the need to respect titles unless they're history buffs."
"That is so strange," Draco said. "However that does explain quite a bit about them."
"If I knew you were waiting for my permission to call me by my first name," Harry explained. "I'd have told you to do it the same day you showed up for training. Still..." He paused and bowed while looking at the blonde Slytherin in the eyes and said. "Young Lord Malfoy, as my peer, I'd appreciate it if you would address me by my first name, in casual situations like this."
Draco bowed in turn and said, "As my peer, I'd appreciate it if you would do the same."
Ron shrugged and repeated Harry's request, although he did say, "I prefer to be known as Ron and not Ronald, if you don't mind."
"Understandable," Draco said. "So what do we do first?"
"First you will be trained and tested," Henrik said handing each of them a packed schedule. "We will begin slow and figure out what level you are at in each of these activities and then we will schedule around what you need to re-enforce and learn."
Harry's eyes widened. It was like the school blocks of work only this schedule was far more packed and had a lot less down-time or study-time. "We'll need to be careful not to overdo it."
"Don't you worry about that," a melodious voice said. The boys turned and their jaws dropped at the presence in the room.
"I was wondering when you were planning to show up, Amaya," Henrik said the ethereal looking High Elf with a side glance.
"I was unavoidably detained," she said looking at the three Humans that were clearly surprised to see her. "Is there something on my face?" She asked rubbing different parts of her face to wipe imagined dirt.
"No m'am," Ron said.
"We're just surprised to see you," Draco explained.
"Why," Amaya asked.
"We didn't know that any of your race existed," Harry said. "I read several books at our school that states that your race had either died out or left. It was never conclusive except for the fact that your people were no longer around."
"Well, I like that," Amaya said. "High Elves have always existed. We just live in another dimension because we felt that it was the right time to move on. We've always come back to visit."
"It's been quite a few centuries since any Human has interacted any of your ethereal kind," Henrik said.
"Really," she said looking at Draco. "But this one..."
"Veela," Draco said shaking his head. "We have a few Veela in the mix, not High Elves."
"Oh my," Amaya said. "Very well then, I'm here in a healer capacity and my twin Lahki is here to train you in your long-range weapons. She's strict, but fair and will further ensure that you're suitably compatible with your chosen weapon type."
"Thank you," all three boys said at the same time.
"Now why don't the three of you plan out your future free time and training and we'll meet here for the evening meal at six o'clock," Henrik said. "Don't be late or else you'll do without. That goes for every meal. You'll meet all of your trainers then and we'll approximate how long the full training will take once we've been here for a month."
"Thank you Henrik," Harry said. "I think I'm going to go see where Dobby and Winky have chosen to stay."
"I'll join you Harry," Ron said. "I'd like to get to know Maze."
"Likewise with Salix," Draco said.
"We'll see you at six," Harry said to his future healer and instructor for forging.
The High Elf and the Goblin nodded and then turned their heads to think about what the three Humans would need in the form of care. Should things go wrong during training they wanted to be ready for it, plus the Goblin was explaining that there were four 'other' elves that were bonded in service to the boys.
Amaya was surprised to hear that, but then again since none of her kind, have interacted with Humans for a long time. It was going to be refreshing to visit with them again, even if it was for the purpose of training them for War.
HPHPHP
TBC...