There really is nothing to do while you wait for assistance when your car breaks down… Except use up your laptops battery and the down time to start to write a new chapter.
Nothing recognizable belongs to me.
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On Friday, November Twenty-ninth, Hermione Granger was given a great deal to think about at the weekly House meeting. There had been a few small matters that were quickly taken care of and then seventh year prefect Jaydon Brett had stood and spoken.
"I have tried to sort this problem out privately, but the other person has ignored what I say. I have to report Hermione Granger for emotionally abusing other people."
Professor McGonagall was horrified! She had thought that Hermione, a quiet, studious girl, was one of the few she wouldn't have to worry about.
"Please give us a few examples." Was all she could think to say.
"In the evenings she takes over the corner table here in the common room and snaps at anyone who is talking or trying to relax or play a game while she is studying. She is often heard bullying her year mates or telling them off if they are doing anything other than studying like her. She snaps at them and harasses them until they either get their books or they run to their dorms to escape her nagging. She has tried to present many of us, including upper year students, with study schedules that leave no time for anything other than school work." Jaydon took a deep breath and continued. "I and several prefects have tried to talk to her and explain what a 'work/life balance' is and encourage her to relax and be a child. She brushed us off and said that this is how her family does things and she wouldn't change her habits just because her parents are not here. Several others have asked her to take her studying to her dorm room after curfew if she cannot concentrate in the common room but she refuses." He finished and sat.
"Miss Granger? What do you have to say about this?" Professor McGonagall asked solemnly.
"I… I didn't realize that people saw my behavior as being as bad as that! I was trying to help people, not bully them!" Hermione replied, nearly hyperventilating. She then explained "In my family we don't 'relax' like everyone seems to do here. We work at school or work, come home and study or do housework until bedtime. Our 'relax' time is when we go on holiday during the summer, and even then, we study the places and things we see. My parents expect me to get top marks like they did at school and don't like me when I don't. I have tried to do my work in my dorm but we don't have desks and it is hard to write on my bed and my roommates complain if I ask them to be quiet or if I have the lamp on too long. I have been doing my work in the library, but when I have to come back for curfew I need to finish what I have been doing. I just don't understand why others don't work like I do and I want to help the others to improve and get good marks too!" She finished, nearly crying.
"Miss Granger, I feel that this is something that we will need to speak further, privately, about this. But for now, I would like to restrict you to only two hours of homework or study a night. I am going to set you a new assignment, one that will last for the rest of the year." The usually stern professor smiled at the frightened girl. "I would like to see you learn how to play like your classmates. Do not worry so much about your marks or your parents' reactions. I have been happy to have seen some improvements in your class behavior and I am sure that we can work this out too."
"Professor?" Harry asked. "Maybe you could also restrict Hermione from the amount she is allowed to help the other students too. I have been a bit worried that some people seem to take advantage of Hermione's hard work." Here Harry glanced at Lavender and Ron who looked down guiltily.
"I will look into the matter Mr. Potter. In the meantime, I would like you and the other first years to help Miss Granger learn how to be a twelve-years-old child."
"Yes Professor." The first year's chorused.
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On the first of December Harry Potter received a letter from Gringotts bank. Harry opened it eagerly and read.
'Dear Heir Potter,
We are writing to inform you that we have questioned your previous guardians, Petunia and Vernon Dursley, regarding the usage of the stipend that they had been provided for your care.
We have found that they have misspent the monies provided to then and are now in our custody, repaying what is owed to you (eleven thousand, six hundred and fifty galleons, fourteen sickles and three knuts, plus compounding interest). They will be laboring in our tunnels at the rate of three sickles per working hour (minus the lodging fee of one galleon per day). They will be released upon their successful repayment of all monies owed. They are also facing criminal charges by the muggle police in regard to their treatment of you on their release. This will be handled as quietly as possible and they may face further punishment from the muggle law in the future. I will keep you appraised as to the situation.
In regards to their son, Dudley, he has been found to be innocent of his parents wrong doing and, as such, has been awarded a stipend loan from your estate to fund his schooling and living expenses. This will be repaid through garnishing his wages once he achieves paid employment.
Any contact between yourself and your cousin is recommended to be, initially, through this institution in the interests of both parties.
Hoping that this meets your approval,
Yours in banking,
Account Manager Daggerclaw.'
Harry folded the letter with a contented smile on his face.
"What's got you so happy?" Neville asked him.
"How long do you think that it would take someone to pay back eleven thousand galleons at three sickles an hour?" Harry asked.
"If it's for the goblins, forever!" Neville grinned.
"I almost feel sorry for my former relatives." Harry smirked. "Almost!"
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During yet another staff meeting the Professors were talking about how to continue implementing the new programs throughout the school. Many of them would not be ready until the new term but were hopeful that they would be a way to further integrate all of the students and keep them from leading an exodus from their world.
They had approached several parents, asking them to open their homes to the students in both worlds and show them how things were done. They were being taken to middle class homes in both worlds and allowed to stay for the day learning, as the saying goes, 'how the other half lived' in a hands on way. There was also talk about creating a house that combined the best of both magical and muggle technologies. The theory was that it would be a compromise between the worlds that sounded equally thrilling and terrifying to the older generation.
"Does anyone have anything new to report?" Albus Dumbledore asked mildly.
"Several of my Hufflepuffs have asked if they can have some of the subjects that they would have learnt in the muggle world taught here. Several were wanting to go on to further studies at university levels and a pureblood student also made the observation that if all magicals learnt these things it would help them blend in with the muggles if they want to. I was rather surprised to realize how much the suggested subjects could help in the magical classes as well." Pomona Sprout said.
"What classes do they want and what do they learn in it?" Dumbledore asked curiously.
Pomona explained what the students had suggested and looked to Dumbledore for approval.
"Does anyone have an objection to any of this? No? We can look into getting teachers for those subjects and aim to start in the new year. They should not be too hard to find." Dumbledore said. "We can announce that we are trying to help students to study both educations during the week."
"Perhaps we can tell the students tomorrow and ask them to return here after Christmas and try the new classes we will be teaching here." Minerva McGonagall said. "We also need to announce the first 'family day' that is coming up."
"Very well, I will do that tomorrow. On to a new subject. We have been offered the opportunity for the students to find out if they have a magical ancestor and possibly, an inheritance. The Goblins of Gringotts have generously offered to perform the Heritage test on all students at no charge. There was also a suggestion about explaining their financial services at the same time. Does anyone have an objection to this?"
"What do the Goblins want out of this? It is unprecedented that they do something for nothing." Fillius Flitwick asked.
"From what they said, they want to get stagnant gold back into circulation and to try and help stop the muggleborns from leaving our world."
"It sounds like a positive thing to do. I cannot see why we shouldn't let this happen." Fillius said.
The other teachers murmured their agreement.
"Wonderful! I will let the goblins know tomorrow. They also hinted that they may make this a yearly occurrence for the first years." Dumbledore said happily. "Finally, for tonight, we have had another new note from one of our students." Dumbledore said seriously. "It reads 'I am the eldest of four children and I have been told that I am the only one who is magical. I miss them terribly and I am debating if I want to stay here and be separated from them even further because of my abilities. Is there another school or some way to help keep us closer than this?'"
Albus placed the note on the table and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I have lost count of how many times I have had letters from the siblings of students that simply are not able to come here. In one case I know, it caused a deep resentment that led to that person abusing the child of our student. Can anyone think of an alternative?"
"We are starting new non-magical classes so why not make a new school for the children that know about magic but cannot perform any?" Septima Vector offered.
"We could make it a pre-Hogwarts age school for all students as well, an elementary school I think they are called. Then the students could continue into secondary school without problems." Pomona added.
"But where would we be able to place it? Muggle children would not be able to see Hogwarts, so here is out. But where could we build without muggles noticing?" Minerva queried.
"There is a property that I know of that, I think, was owned by the Dagworth family. It has been empty for as long as I can remember but it might be suitable." Fillius said thoughtfully.
"What do you know about it?" Dumbledore asked.
"Not much. I only know that it is a large property that has been empty for the last sixty years or so and that it is being managed by Gringotts since." Fillius finished.
"Would you be able to arrange a tour to see if it would be suitable?" Dumbledore asked. "And enquire as to the terms that they would want for us to use it as well."
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The following morning at breakfast Professor Dumbledore stood to make the announcements.
"Good morning students. I have some good news for you all. Firstly, after the Christmas break we will be starting a new series of classes for those that wish to continue or gain a non-magical education. These lessons will be held on weekends and I hope that many of you will take advantage of this opportunity."
There was a buzz as the school started to discuss the implications of yet another change.
"Secondly," he continued, "we have been offered a wonderful opportunity for you all. Next week the Goblins of Gringotts are coming to Hogwarts to perform a heritage test for anyone who wishes to participate. For those who do not know, this a blood test that will show your family tree and, for some, perhaps a possible inheritance. This will not cost you anything and I hope that even if you think that you know your family lines that you will still come along. The Goblins have also offered to host a class on managing your money and how to invest it. This is an optional class, but I urge you to attend. It promises to be very informative."
The buzz was even louder. This was an amazing chance! Most of the students had never heard of anything like the tests, that they could trace any family, find where their magic came from? It was unbelievable to many of them.
"Thank you for listening and have a good day students."
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After classes had finished that day, Fillius and Minerva went to inspect the empty property he had remembered.
Landing beside the front doors, they used their wands to light their way. Minerva and Fillius had just started looking around when Fillius suddenly stopped and peered around curiously.
"What is it?" Minerva asked curiously.
"Can't you feel it? This place has wards!" He exclaimed excitedly.
"What? They are still active? But it's been standing empty for so many years!"
"They are almost gone but they are still trying to protect the area. And look at the door!"
The double arched door which had a faint carving on each side. Carvings that were becoming more pronounced the longer the pair of magicals stood there. Two Griffins facing each other became clear and slowly started to move.
"They are feeding off the excess magic from our spells!" Fillius said excitedly.
"I think that this just might be the perfect place for the school." Minerva smiled.
As Minerva and Fillius stood there, the door carvings started moving more freely and looked at them. It felt to the humans that they were being analyzed.
"Who seeks entry beyond our portal?" The left Griffin intoned formally.
"I am Professor Minerva McGonagall and this is Professor Fillius Flitwick. We are both from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"Ahh… Hogwarts! And what is your purpose here?" the right Griffin asked.
"We are searching for a place to open a new school for the non-magical family of our students. We had hoped that this could be an appropriate place." Minerva answered.
"The original purpose of this house was as a school to teach those Hogwarts students that did not know, how to read or write." The right Griffin said.
"We would be glad to have students here again, even if they are mundane." The left griffin followed.
"You may enter and see if this building is suitable for your needs." They said in unison as the doors creaked open.
"Thank you." Minerva said politely.
They entered and lamps lit as they walked. Soon the whole first floor was lit and ready to be inspected.
The building was set out over a central building with two wings, all three floors high. The entry hall was spacious and had several doors leading off it. One led into a larger hall that could easily hold several hundred people.
"This would be a fantastic Great Hall. Let's go and look at the rooms we can hold classes in."
"My Lady McGonagall!" a voice called.
"I know that voice." Fillius said, puzzled, looking for the source.
"My lady! It is I, Sir Cadogan!" A portrait called from high on the wall.
"Oh Merlin! It would have to be him." Minerva quietly groaned. In a louder voice she replied "Good evening, Sir Knight."
"I believe that I may be able to offer some assistance. During my youth, like many of my contemporaries, I attended this place for several delightful years. As such my portrait hangs here, my youthful place of learning, as well as the hallowed halls of Hogwarts. Mayhap I can guide you to your destinations?"
"Thank you, Sir Cadagon. That would be very helpful. Could you please tell me about the history of this place?"
"Very well. This was opened as a school for the illiterate before schooling became common. It taught the potential Hogwarts students what they needed to know before they started their magical lessons. This began shortly after Hogwarts was opened. It was found that even amongst the gentry there were few that had the literate knowledge to begin their magical education. This continued until the early eighteen hundred's when the Minister of Magic of the time saw the beginnings of universal literacy on our beloved island and closed the school as the Minister felt that this school was redundant. The building and lands were sold and repurposed as a home. Now, let us continue with your valiant endeavor. Where do you wish to inspect?"
"We would like to see the former class rooms and then the dormitories. Possibly followed by the kitchen." Minerva said quickly.
"This way then my lady!"
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After seeing the whole building Minerva and Fillius were enthusiastic. There was the potential to house around four hundred students and enough class rooms to have over twice that in day students.
"I think this may be perfect!" Minerva enthused. "The only problem I can see is staffing."
"We could get some house-elves to do the cleaning and cooking, so that wouldn't be a problem. Teachers? Well, we could just start advertising as a selective private school and offer the posts initially to qualified muggleborns or muggles that know about us and expand the staff as we gain more students. We would need the basic subjects covered and we also need people to supervise any boarding students."
"And how would we sort them into classes? Should we just have male/female dorms for each year or have houses?" Filius asked, overwhelmed at the thought of the work to come.
"They are all some of the thing's to be considered. We also have a slightly bigger problem if we want to be open by next September. What on earth are we going to name the school?" Minerva asked with a strained smile.
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