Minerva stood outside and watched as the broken pieces of the castle were put back together again. With her arms crossed she pondered what the next school year would look like. She realized there were many changes that needed to be made in order to continue on this path of change that the final battle had started. She was glad of course that things were moving in the right direction, but the dust was far from being settled.
In thought Minerva failed to realize that Kingsley, the newly appointed minister of magic, had come to stand by her side. "Hard to believe there was a final battle here just a few days ago, isn't it?" he questioned. Minerva finally distracted from her thoughts, glanced over once to see Kingsley watching the castle as well. Resuming her position she finally replied, "Indeed it is."
They both continued to watch as stone after stone replaced the empty holes in the beautiful building. Each lost in their own thoughts. A few minutes passed by, Minerva glanced over once more to find Kingsley watching the building intently. Finally deciding that she had waited long enough she spoke. "I assume a man as busy as yourself these days has very little time to watch buildings be reconstructed." Kingsley finally shifted his eyes away from the castle and stared Minerva intently in the eyes. "Indeed, you are as astute as ever. I have a proposition for the following academic year." Minerva glanced away for a second, before looking intently into Kingsleys eyes. "And what pray tell may that be?"
"As you know the war resulted in many casualties on both sides. I think it will be imperative that we encourage the next generation of students to marry as quickly as they can after graduating school. In doing so it is also important that we prepare the children to lead proper lives as adults. Many of them lost parents and family in the war and it will be important to equip them to be functioning members of society as early as possible. I think with some ministry resources and restructuring of classes and the building we would be able to create a program that would help equip the students for everything they would need to know as well as integrating some muggle customs to integrate their way of living into our own, thus reducing the vast amount of bias and prejudice that has existed for so many years."
Minerva slid a nail across her bottom lip in thought. "I see this is something you have been thinking of for a while. I do appreciate the effort, however, I am not sure this program that you suggest would be wise, especially with some of the returning students that played large parts in the final battle. I will have to consider the impact that such a program will have on my students following their return to school. It is of utmost importance that the following year go about free of troubles that we have had to endure the previous 7 years."
Kingsley nodded. "Of Course I understand your hesitation. Just take some time to consider it." Passing over a scroll Kingsley added, "I took the liberty of outlining a proposal for you. What the classes should look like and be about that way you can have a better idea of what exactly needs to be done to execute the program." Minerva took the scroll and tucked it under one arm. "I appreciate that, I'll be sure to look it over and let you know in the next few days of my final answer."
"That would be wonderful. I look forward to your response." With a final glance at the castle Kingsley pulled out his wand and with a crack was gone in an instant off to handle other matters. Minerva took a look at the scroll still underneath her arm and proceeded to make her way into the castle. There was lots to prepare for the upcoming semester, her heart skipped with anticipation. With a swift stride in the direction of the headmistresses office the faintest prayer to Merlin could be heard under her breath.