Hermione was excited that her plan was approved once again. She hoped in her heart that it would work as well as her first one. If it did work, she was going to need a lot of help. They would need decorations and refreshments. She would have to impose on the house elves again. They had done so much already, but if the school closed permanently, they would have no one to care for. Maybe the pubs in town could set up booths?
The people would need to get organized into working teams once they got here. The Aurors could help again there. They already know what needs doing.
The work of those competing would need to be judged. Sounds like something Kingsley could do. We need to use his celebrity status to draw them in.
And maybe rebuild the quidditch pitch for an exhibition match! Victor could help with that. A show of unity and support from the faculty and students of Durmstrang.
Lastly, they would need teachers, all of them. How could they come up with them on such short notice? Apparently if they wouldn't come to us, we'll have to go to them. Someone in authority, someone who could convince anyone of anything, someone with contacts in the academic world, someone who had taught two generations of children who are now teachers themselves. Severus!
Everything seemed to fall into place as she considered it. She would have to meet with everyone involved one at a time and get their approval and co-operation. She shook her head and laughed at herself. She only had thirty days to pull it all off. Well, Severus had wanted her to rest more. This would mean she couldn't do any construction work, so he should be happy, right?
oopOqoo
The first quibbler article came out the next day. Luna was wonderful, and fast. It was an interview, (made up of course), with Madam Maxine. In the article she was polite, but snobbish. Overly proud of her school and condescending about her poor sad little sister Hogwarts, never really being able to compete with them as a quality school anyway. Sad at having to reject all those former Hogwarts students who would flock to her now. Only those with the best test scores would be accepted, if they could even be found, when Hogwarts had such low academic standards. Everyone knows the best educators are French.
On the next page was a small article on how well the repairs were going at Hogwarts and classes would only be delayed a week or so. An interview with Hermione about how she defeated Voldemort. And a tribute to Harry and Ron. Brave students fighting for what was right, hoping they would not die in vain. And another about the American Usys Corporation thinking of making a bid for the former school. A hotel and corporate playground. Of course, it would have to be completely gutted and remodeled, maybe painted the company colors mauve and yellow, and they expected large tax breaks and abatements for taking it off the ministries hands.
It all went off like clockwork.
The outcry hit the owl network so fast Luna couldn't keep up with the bags of mail that were piling up. She printed as many of the letters as she could, which generated more letters and more articles. In four days there were protests in the Ministry lobby to get the school rededicated and the children's education back on track. A new Hogwarts board of governors had been appointed and an investigation begun into how to get things rolling.
oopOqoo
Hermione smiled at the look on Kingsley's face. She should have given him more warning as to what she was up to, but she wanted his reaction in the press to be spontaneous. The Prophet was already roasting him for not doing something sooner. She met him for lunch in his office. "Kings I have been asking for months for the Ministry to step in and help and got nothing but the sound of crickets. You didn't really think I was just going to go away did you?"
Kingsley looked at her and sighed deeply. "Of course not Hermione, but we've been kind of busy around here if you'll recall. The ruckus below is not helping."
"I can appreciate that Minister, I know the feeling, but I'm up against a school year starting in September. I simply couldn't wait any longer." Hermione took a sip of her tea and dug into her pasta and garlic chicken. "I expect you to help us on the tournament day. I need a judge for the house reconstruction competition, and I'll need to borrow your aurors to help organize people into teams."
"Hermione you can't just walk in here and upset my carefully planned schedule. I am the Minister of Magic and you've no right to order me about. And 'My' aurors, as you say, are not rent-a-cops. They have duties here and in Azkaban. We need to get the trials started."
Hermione was calm as she knew she was holding all the cards. "Kings don't you remember how all of this fell into my lap? It had something to do with the downfall of a bad leader, do you remember who it was? I'll bet The Prophet does. Here's a headline for you. "Minister Shaklebolt turns down Granger's desperate request for help." She grinned as she raked the fork over her teeth, giving off a sound like a sword being drawn. "I only need a dozen or so. Just ask for volunteers. The guys know what I'm up against, and they know what their priorities are. Besides it's the last time I'll ask. If the Death Eaters must sit in Azkaban for a few more days for a trial, then that's what they are going to do. How long did you say they left their 'prisoners' waiting while they starved them into weakness. We're trying to fix what they've destroyed, and they can wait."
Kingsley Shacklebolt laughed loud and deeply. He had more brains than to argue with the savior princess of the new golden trio. "We'll be there."
Hermione smiled, "I knew you wouldn't mind. Now, we need to talk with the new DME. Can you get them to join us for lunch. I'm a little pressed for time. If they hesitate, ask them what they were doing six months ago."
Kingsley grinned. "You're really playing hardball today." He rang his secretary out front. "Mr. Robbins, ask the members of the Department for Magical Education to come immediately for an emergency meeting. Tell them I want them in my office in ten minuets or they will be replaced."
It was Hermione's turn to be impressed. "I like your style Minister. It has just enough kick butt in it. You seem to be enjoying your new jobs privileges."
He grinned as the first minister flew through the door. "You have no idea."
When they were all assembled Hermione took over the proceedings. She stood at the end of the table ready to take them all on. "Witches and wizards of the DME. I want to thank you all for coming so quickly for indeed we have an emergency on our hands. The school year starts in four weeks and we have no staff, students or headmaster. Severus Snape will not return now or ever. He is only at the school now because I begged him to be. That angry mob in the lobby wants answers why it has taken the ministry so long to rectify this problem. Do you have something to tell them?"
Minister Marina Pleasant stood at the other end of the table. "Considering we were only appointed two weeks ago, I think we have done a great job picking up the pieces of a department in shambles. Just what are you implying Miss Granger?"
"It's Mrs. Snape! Minister I am not implying anything. I understand and sympathize with the issues you had in the ministry. Having myself, just spent the last three months burying our dead and repairing what was left of a once proud and noble institute. Surly this appointment didn't come to you out of the blue? You must have had a few ideas in your interview for the position. Please, put my mind to rest. Tell me all our hard work reconstructing Hogwarts was not in vain. Do you, as yet, have a candidate for headmaster?"
Kingsley was grinning like a cheshire cat, as the whole table looked to Ms. Pleasant. "As it so happens, I have a short list of five here with me. Tamara Hughes, Wanda Brassbridle, Jamie Bloom, David Tillerman, Geoffrey Wildenrat. All of them have impeccable administrative and educational experience. I have already approached them all. Many had issues with going to a school in such disorder, but they have each agreed to a least a two year contract if chosen. It has come down to a matter of salary which has to go through the Board of Governors for the funding. I submitted my paperwork to Minister Shaklebolt, but have received no reply as yet."
Kingsley's grin disappeared as the two women scowled at him. "Ladies. I have submitted her proposal to the B.O.G. I, haven't received anything back from them, either."
