Chapter 11
"How is the arrival going?" Minerva glanced up from the paperwork on her desk that never seemed to end. She had managed much of it as Albus's deputy, but then Umbridge had neglected much of it in favor of torturing students. It would take her months to catch up.
"Only three Death Eaters so far, unfortunately none of note," Harry smiled at her. "Seventy-three Ministry employees are present, and each has been tagged. Four rejected the security measures and are currently outside the wards screaming at the injustice. I have one of the prefects watching it so we can view the memory later."
"A dozen 'on duty' Aurors tried to demand entry," Hermione continued for her husband. "When they were denied, they drew wands and ended up in the middle of the lake. I expect they may try to send me a nasty letter or something over that."
"Like they'd ever send you a letter, they don't know who you are," McGonagall pointed out.
"True, but it does give me a warm fuzzy feeling aggravating them," her smile lit the room. "But in any case, another ten minutes or so and it will be time."
"And the other preparations?"
"All the portkeys are ready, as are the sanctuaries. The goblins finally acknowledged their preparedness this morning. They are standing by to assist any families who wish to depart."
"Good."
Unlike previous times, this war would hopefully be shorter. That doesn't mean it would be bloodless. They had already seen an upsurge in dark mark branded Ministry employees, and at this point assumed that Voldemort was effectively controlling the government. The real suffering was coming and those not raised in the magical world would be the first to feel it. To counter that, the staff had spent the last two weeks preparing to help them. When they left today, every single non magical parent of a student would have a personal portkey. These were not normal portkeys however, for they included what Harry called a wardbuster charge. It was a small magical battery specifically designed to locally overload non-anchored wards like the ones Death Eaters used on raids, and break through them. This would allow the traveler to escape.
Their destination was another thing they had been working on. In the valley behind Hogwarts, in a sheltered glade edged by the forest, over a dozen buildings had been erected in secret. Effectively magical apartments, the lodges were set up and manned by elves for the express purpose of sheltering those who had to activate those portkeys. They were sure some would ignore their warnings, it was part of the human condition to deny such evil would happen to them. These living quarters were designed to give them a safe place to recover after they were proven wrong.
"How many do you think will leave?"
"Purebloods? Very few, though they'll scream bloody murder about the new rules and enforcement. The muggleborns, that's harder to say. Most will take a while to accept what we'll be saying, and unfortunately I doubt it will happen before someone is attacked. All we can do is tell them what we can, we can't make them do anything." Hermione rubbed her arms against an invisible chill, and Harry wrapped his arm around her in support.
"Reminds me of convincing them their sons and daughters are magical," McGonagall smiled supportingly. "My final question is this; When are you going to deal with that old goat who keeps trying to sneak his way into my school?"
"Dumbledore?" Harry chuckled. "He's mostly harmless now. He can poke at the wards for years and won't find a way through, mostly because there is a layered ward that specifically rejects his magical signature. I figured we could let him freeze his bits off walking the perimeter for most of the winter while we deal with Voldemort before we deal with him."
"Be that as it may, lad, his pokes at the wards are annoying. Every time he tries anything they alarm me. Woke me up twice just last night."
"I suppose we can alter the alerts to only let us know, instead of all of us. We have a group of house-elves spying on him, so even if we completely silence the alarms we'd know if somehow he did something that worked," Hermione conceded, though her tone spoke of unhappiness. "The downside of that is that we can't single out his attempts, so if someone else tried it, we'd not know about it."
"I see," McGonagall sat back in contemplation. "I suppose for now I can deal with it, but I would appreciate the timetable for dealing with him to be moved up if possible. Even though you two far outstripe him, he has had a century and a half of learning about magic. He might get lucky."
"I suppose it's possible, let me think. We deal with the parents this month, then Azkaban in February. We had planned on finishing the items needed to completely destroy Voldemort by March or April, along with some operations to undermine the stupidity of the Order alongside. The goblet managed to contain them, but we still need to destroy them. If possible we were hoping to confront the Dark Lord on the Equinox, otherwise the Solstice would be the best magically and that's not till June."
"And dealing with Dumbledore will cut into the time you need to make the Equinox?"
"Yes, plus the plans we have for him that need certain conditions to be met to use, namely the Ministry not run by a bunch of corrupt bureaucrats."
"Well, I can't really fault you for giving the Dark Lord your full attention. Just make sure the meddlesome old fool doesn't disrupt my students."
"Yes ma'am," the couple answered in perfect sync, causing the old scotswoman's stern veneer to crack in a smile.
"Welcome everyone to a new term at Hogwarts," Minerva spoke from the ostentatious lectern at the front of the Hall. She really didn't want to use it, but it was a position of power that commanded respect, and she needed all she could get tonight. "The last few years, or actually probably longer but especially the last few years, have seen many changes in magical society and especially this school. Some are obvious, such as the first Voldemort War and his recent return. Others are less so, including the slow isolationism and increased blood purity biases in our society.
"In these hallowed halls, our purpose is to educate. To teach the facts of the world around us and to prepare the students for life in the world after graduation. Many seem to have forgotten that that world is wider than just the magical enclaves, and far more dangerous than many believe. We call those without magic muggles and think we are better for it, but they have a magic of their own. Technology is growing, as is the speed at which they communicate. It is now possible to watch events a world away from the comfort of one's own home. Many would see this as a threat, and raise alarm.
"And alarm should be raised, but not in anger. In fear, for those who scoff at the muggles and their ways don't realize how these advances could expose us. 'Oh we can just obliviate them' is a common response, but how do you obliviate someone who is watching from the other side of the world? You can't. And so we must adapt.
"And it is not just the non-magical society that has left Britain behind. No, other societies have become much more integrated with their non-magical counterparts. By using and adapting the muggle ideas to service their own needs, many other magical societies have flourished. Meanwhile, we can't even prevent a couple hundred terrorists from creating chaos.
"Our own government supports the ideals those known as Death Eaters espouse, blaming those new to magic as the cause and the reason so many of so-called purebloods were killed. Yet, they claim this without regards to the fact that the terrorists killed more of those in that category than anyone else. In the war fifteen years ago, if you were not in support of the ideals of Lord Voldemort, you were termed a blood traitor and targeted for death. Of the original sixteen great families at the beginning of the war, only seven survive today. Of those, three have less than four members remaining. Every one of those now extinct Houses and endangered Houses were labeled as blood traitors and attacked by Voldemorts followers."
Minerva paused for a moment here, looking out at the sea of faces looking back at her. She noted the varied expressions of those assembled, from disgust to fear to denial. Many of the muggle parents looked confused, and obviously wondered what was going on. Those magical parents that had lived during the previous war had many expressions, ranging from denial of the statements she had made from those that supported the dark, to agreement from those that didn't. Now it was time to really shock them.
"Today, we are facing a return to those times. Six weeks ago, the Wizengamot- the parliament that controls our government - was presented with evidence of wrongdoing on an unprecedented scale. Bribery, extortion, and possession of dark and dangerous artifacts in contravention of Ministry law. Today, none of those criminals have so much as been charged or investigated. The Ministry response was to deny the allegations and demand those making them pay for "slandering the good names of fine upstanding citizens". Hogwarts finds this unacceptable.
"From its inception, Hogwarts was supposed to stand outside of these conflicts, to be simply a place of learning. Unfortunately, that has not been the case in recent times. Or rather, it has but it has also taught to students the bigotry that has grown in the wizarding world. It has become a plaything for those in power, manipulating the courses and ideals taught to better conform the new generations to their beliefs.
"That stops now. Hogwarts has broken with those who manipulate our children, who endanger people just because they are different. We will not take a side in the coming conflict unless someone attacks us first. We will be a sanctuary for those who feel oppressed or threatened. We will be a beacon of sanity in a world full of chaos.
"What does this mean you ask? It means this. There will no longer be any difference in treatment of students. Someone whose family has entered the magical world for the first time will be treated the same as someone who can trace their family's magic back a thousand generations. There will be no difference in punishments or rewards for blood status, only personal accomplishment. Starting next year, tuition will change so that other than any extras you wish to purchase, every student will have a standard package purchased in their name. Every student will be given the same quality supplies, from cauldrons to robes. It will still be the prerogative of parents to purchase additional supplies if they so wish, however no refund for these alternatives will be given. Also, any denigration based on not having better quality supplies will not be permitted, and any such offense will be punished as harassment and bigotry.
"Students, tomorrow morning you will receive a copy of the school rulebook and a standard list of merits and demerits. By Friday, you will be required to have read and submitted an agreement that you have read and understand them. You may of course just sign the agreement, but the excuse that you did not know the rules will not be accepted and your signature on the agreement will be used as proof of this fact. All merits and demerits will be reviewed at the end of each week by a committee of both students and professors. A random student from each year, a random Prefect, three random professors, one of the Head students, and myself shall meet Friday after dinner to review these. If there is any question whether the award is fair and just, we shall review it with those involved on Saturday and make a determination. This will also be the time any suggestions or other grievances can be addressed.
"Classes will also change. I mentioned a couple of those changes before break, and shall review them now. There are two new classes, mandatory classes, that will eventually be just for first and second years. The first is an introduction to wizarding society class for anyone raised in a non-magical environment. This will cover common differences, pitfalls, and general rules of society. The other is the same but for those raised in a magical environment and introduce them to the non-magical world. The times where we as magicals could just obliviate someone who sees us do something egregious is over. The recording technology alone makes that impractical and likely to cause more issues. Everyone will be taking these classes over the next two years, then they will be relegated to first and second year only.
"Another change will be to the Herbology, Care of Magical Creatures, and Potions classes. These subjects are intricately linked, one greatly affecting the other, and shall have interwoven curriculums. While it is not required to take all three post OWLs, those advancing to the NEWT level for any of these will require a passing grade on the OWLs for at least one of the others.
"Muggle Studies and Divination are being revamped. Muggle Studies has been found to be extremely out of date and inadequate to properly educate students of the marvel of the muggle world. A pair of new instructors have been found, and will be introduced shortly. As for Divination, it has been found that it really does no good unless you have the gift, and very few do. There will be no new Divination classes, though any who have the gift will be allowed to be tutored in the subject. Existing classes will have the option of continuing or choosing an alternative subject.
"Additional subjects are being worked on, including a Magics of the World class, as well as Healing, Warding, and Enchanting classes for post-OWL studies. As those become available, notices will be sent out.
"Finally, allow me to introduce the new staff. Teaching the revamped Muggle Studies class, Professor Sebastian Edwards. Professor Edwards has lived in both societies and is uniquely suited to teaching about the non-magical world. Miss Elizabeth Wood is our new potions master, and will be working this term on coordinating lessons with Professor Sprout and Professor Hagrid. Our introduction class professors are Miss Susan Broadchurch and Mr Alexander Cousins. Taking over my former position as Transfiguration professor will be Miss Constance Evermoor. And finally, returning to us as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is Mr Remus Lupin.
"Now before anyone objects, I will state this now. Yes, Mr Lupin is a werewolf, however his condition is regulated. Miss Wood will be brewing his Wolfsbane potion every month, and he will be escorted to a secure area and monitored continuously during his transformations. This meets or exceeds the requirements for employment by werewolves by law. He was asked back because he is acknowledged as the best defense instructor this school has had in the last two decades. Anyone who doesn't like it, well, there's the door."
Silence stretched as everyone glanced at their neighbors, looking to see who would take the offer.
"Very well, since everyone is still here, I will assume everyone approves. In that case, students, it is time to head to bed. You have a long day tomorrow and breakfast will start early to accommodate the new schedules. Rulebooks and schedules will be distributed at eight, so be sure to be here before then. Goodnight all. Parents, please stay."
As the noise of students bidding their parents farewell died away, the hall emptied of students. As the final student departed, the doors shut behind them and Harry stepped forward.
"As the Headmistress stated, this is a new Hogwarts. In its capacity as a neutral party, we offer conditional sanctuary to any affected by the coming conflict. Every non-magical parent was offered a charm today to allow them through the wards. That charm is also an emergency portkey, a kind of magical transport, to bring you back here. There are conditions on this offer however. It will only take you and allow those you are closely related to by blood, so for instance other children you have, to come with you. It also carries an intent ward, which if it detects hostile intent, will take you to a secondary area where you will be detained until your intentions are verified. This is to prevent anyone from taking your portkey and using it to attack us. That said, we understand that if you are being attacked and defending yourself, you will have hostile intent, just not towards the students here.
"Magical parents, the same offer is being made to you in the manner of our doors being open to any who are endangered in the conflict. Merely apparate or floo to Hogsmeade and walk to the gates. So long as you mean none inside these walls harm, you will be able to enter. Exceptions to this are any bearing the dark mark. They will instantly be disabled and taken into custody. The acts required to obtain such a mark mean that none of them will be allowed near children.
"We understand that this is not going to be happy news to everyone. Well, we honestly don't care because we are not here to make everyone happy, we are here to protect the future of the world, the children. If you wish to withdraw your children, we understand. However, we will remind those present that under the law, if your student is withdrawn without properly filed and accepted transfer paperwork to an accredited school or tutors, the Headmistress will be required to bind the magic and obliviate of magical knowledge any student that does not have passing grades in three subjects on their OWLs. This is the law, and no, despite previous irregularities, there are no accommodations in the law for those raised in magical families.
"As for the non-magical families, knowing what is coming can be scary, even terrifying. We understand if you wish to move and take your families away from this insanity. You were targeted a lot during the last unrest, and no one will blame you for wanting to protect your families. The goblins of Gringotts have established a series of offices to help you if you so wish. They can help sell any holdings you have, set up paperwork such as visas, and help find employment in other countries, even assist in the move and setup of your new homes. They are also offering Friend of the Nation rates on loans if you have your own business and would want to establish the same wherever you go.
"For the magical families who wish to do the same, many of the same services are available to you, though not all. In the end, it is up to each family to decide what they will do to face the coming crisis. No matter what you decide, Hogwarts will be here, a sanctuary to all. If you decide to take us up on our offer, please remain seated as we will circulate with documentation you'll be needing. Otherwise, goodnight."