Written for Writer's Month 2022. Prompt #18: Bridge.
Takes place two years after the war, EWE (Epilogue-What-Epilogue).
Happy reading!
- And now, before you begin eating, I have an announcement to make. Those of you who've been at Hogwarts last year as well are very well acquainted with our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Harry Potter, and our Transfiguration teacher, Hermione Granger. They've been teaching at Hogwarts before, of course, but during the summer both have gained Masteries in their respective subjects, becoming the youngest full professors at Hogwarts in the past century. Therefore, I suggest a round of applause for them!
The Great Hall exploded with noise. The students who had been at Hogwarts before loved Harry and Hermione. The two of them were known to be great professors – they were patient, just, and ready to explain anything which the students might be having a problem with. Also, they were eager to help whenever a student was having trouble, even if it had nothing to do with their class. They were quick to step in and protect anyone from bullying, ridicule or any kind of harassment – and they did so with no regard to the student's House. All this made them very beloved in the eyes of the student body.
On the other hand, the First Years were in awe at the prospect of being taught by the Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. The two of them were war heroes – their names were known to every witch and wizard in Great Britain. With that in mind, many First Years clapped with great enthusiasm as well.
However, not all the students knew who Harry Potter and Hermione Granger were – there were those who had heard their names mere minutes ago, and could only wonder at the great reaction caused by the news. After all, two teachers getting promoted surely couldn't be reason enough for so much clapping, could it?
Of course, as it often happened, children imitated each other, so even those who had no idea why they were doing so clapped along with the others, doing their best not to stand out. Thanks to that, nobody really noticed their confusion and lack of comprehension – an occurrence which often happened in the Magical world; after all, people raised in that world rarely saw the plight of those who didn't know it well, expecting them to figure things out on the go, and fit in just like that.
The meal began, and both the students and the teachers enjoyed the festive atmosphere of the Welcoming feast. Harry and Hermione sat next to each other, their faces shining with joy and pride. The two of them had worked very diligently in the past two years, finishing their Masteries a year earlier than people usually did – after all, the last person to complete their Mastery in two years instead of three had been Severus Snape, and before him it hadn't happened in decades. They had all reason to feel happy about their accomplishments.
Soon enough, the meal was over, and the students went to their dormitories. The teachers headed for their quarters as well, wishing to get ready for tomorrow's day of classes. Harry and Hermione left the Great Hall hand in hand, going to their quarters. Usually, teachers' quarters were located next to their classrooms; however, an exception had been made for the two of them so they could stay together. After all, once upon a time it had been quite commonplace for teachers to share their quarters with their spouses, and even children; however, it had been a long time since a teacher at Hogwarts had had a family, so the two of them were an exception of a sort.
They reached their quarters and went inside. Having prepared everything for the beginning of the term days ago, they had nothing special to do. They spent some time relaxing together, and then went to bed, wishing to have a good night's sleep so they would be well rested for the first day of classes. Sharing a good night's kiss they went to bed and fell asleep.
The next day they went to breakfast together, feeling excited about the beginning of classes. After eating they each went their own way, seeing as their classrooms weren't near each other. The each had three classes, and then went down to lunch. Serving themselves with various dishes, they talked about their mornings.
- So, how were your classes, Hermione?
- Great, really – quite calm, if you believe it. I think it has something to do with the different House combinations – it's truly better to have Gryffindors and Ravenclaws together, and Slytherins and Hufflepuffs, than it is to stick to the combinations they used while we were students.
Harry nodded at that, swallowing a piece of meat.
- Yeah, I think that has something to do with it. I also had a calm morning – first I had the Fourth Year Hufflepuffs and Slytherins, then Second Year Gryffs and Ravenclaws, and just now Slytherin and Hufflepuff firsties.
Hermione smiled at that.
- I had First Years as well this morning, although it was the Ravenclaw – Gryffindor group. They are a good bunch of kids – most of them, even the Gryffindors, seem eager to learn.
Harry laughed at that.
- C'mon, Hermione, you don't need to sound that surprised – not all Gryffindors are like Ron and me!
Hermione snorted at that.
- Merlin forbid that – I don't know what I'd do if all of them were like the two of you!
Harry's smile turned into playful indignation.
- Hey! I'm not that bad – look, I'm even a professor! Bet you didn't see that coming back while we were in school!
She shook her head in amusement.
- Alright, alright, you're not that bad...
They ate in companionable silence for a few minutes, when Hermione spoke once again.
- There are quite a few Muggleborns this year – more that there were even last year, let alone in our class.
Harry looked at her in thought.
- Yeah, I guess there are a bit more than usual, but it's not such a great difference – our class was exceptionally small, what with the war reaching its peak around our births. I think this number of children in general, and Muggleborns as well, isn't really strange.
Hermione looked at him.
- You're right, we were a very small class... Thankfully, classes are only going to be getting bigger now – there's no more reason for people not to have children out of fear.
She chewed on a bite of food before speaking again.
- It's interesting how you can recognize Muggleborns without ever asking them for their name or family. You can just see the wonder in their eyes – the marvel at every bit of magic they can see, the surprise at seeing someone perform the kinds of spells children raised in magical homes don't blink an eye at. It's painfully obvious they are only seeing so much magic for the first time in their lives.
Harry looked at the students for a moment.
- Yeah, I remember being like that – it took me quite some time to get used to the magical world.
Hermione nodded.
- Me too – even though I read so much about it, it was absolutely different experiencing that first-hand.
Harry hummed in agreement, letting her talk.
- And it's not right – those children can't focus on their studies as much as others can, because they have to make a huge effort in order to understand the world they're in. It's all a great unknown to them, and they're just expected to bridge the gap on their own.
Harry looked at her.
- I really isn't right. I mean, I know how confused wizards are when going into the Muggle world, and they don't even have the excuse of not knowing of its existence before. It's a really heavy burden for eleven-year-old children to bear.
- You're right, but how do we help them?
Harry scrunched his face in thought.
- I'd say make a Magical Studies class as a counterpart to the Muggle Studies, but it's too late to teach them about the wizarding world in third year.
Hermione frowned at that.
- It would be too late in third year, but maybe we could organize a similar class in first year? It would be good to ask Professor McGonagall about it for next year, huh?
Harry's eyes lit up, as they often did when he got enthusiastic about an idea.
- Why don't we set it up this year as well? I mean, it's too late to find a professor, but we could make a crash course taught by a number of professors – all those who have the time and are willing to sacrifice a few hours.
Hermione tilted her head to the side.
- We might be able to do that. Let's talk to McGonagall after dinner.
Just about then it was time for them to go back to teaching students. They both spent the afternoon thinking about their Magical Studies idea, wondering if McGonagall would be willing to help them. Once dinner came, they ate quickly, filled with excitement over it. As soon as McGonagall finished her meal, they left the table as well and followed her to her tower.
- I see you two have something you wish to talk about. I hope your classes are doing well?
The two of them smiled at the woman they respected and cared for deeply.
- Yes, everything is going perfectly – we had a great first day. We actually wanted to talk to you about an idea we had for the school, if you have the time?
McGonagall smiled at the girl – young woman, now – for whom she held a soft spot for the past ten years.
- Of course I have the time – tell me, what did the two of you come up with now?
Harry began describing their idea.
- We were talking about the Muggleborn students today – how they were easily recognizable by the awe they show for every single magical thing they see, and how they don't really know much about the wizarding world. Since both Hermione and I know how it feels to come to Hogwarts without having known about magic before, we wanted to find a way to make it easier for the Muggleborn and Muggle-raised children to bridge the gap and catch up with their magically raised peers more easily.
Hermione picked up.
- We wanted to ask you to add a Magical Studies course to the First year – it wouldn't be a course with grades and homework, but just a way for them to find out some of the more important aspects of the magical world. We were thinking of making it official next year – you know, finding a professor who would teach it and all that – but we also wanted to do something this year, if possible.
Harry began speaking once again.
- We thought that there could be a crash course this year as well, held by a number of professors – you know, everyone who agrees with the idea and has enough time could help, so we could all teach a few lessons and make it easier on the children. If you think that can be worked out, that is.
Harry and Hermione looked at their former Head of House. She smiled at them, her eyes filled with pride – she could expect nothing less from her lions than an educational reform the first day of their full professors career at Hogwarts!
- I believe it can be arranged. Of course, we would need to run it through the Board of Governors for next year, so we can get the funding for another staff member, but I believe that won't be a problem – now that there is no Lucius Malfoy to prevent any kind of reform which would benefit the Muggleborns, I don't expect any trouble. As for this year, I don't see why not – I trust the two of you would want to teach a lesson or two –
The two of them nodded at that enthusiastically.
- and I wouldn't mind doing the same either. I'll ask some of the other professors as well – I'm sure there'll be enough of us to at least give those students some general pointers.
Harry and Hermione smiled at her.
- That would be great, Professor! Thank you so much!
She smiled at the two of them fondly.
- Absolutely no problem. Thank you for doing this – I believe the students will appreciate it a lot.
She looked at them, and they blushed a little. Thanking her once again, they left her office and went back to their quarters, happy their plan was coming true.
Next week a notice was hung up in all Common rooms, letting students know a series of lessons about the magical world would be held by some of the professors in order to help all those raised in the Muggle world better understand the world of magic. Many First Years signed up for them, but there were students up to Fourth year who wanted to attend – it seemed that many of them, despite going to Hogwarts for years, still didn't know much about the wizarding world. The classes were a great success, and all of the students who came left them with much more knowledge, feeling better prepared for the life they now lead.
Come next year, the Board of Governors approved the official addition of the class – after all, there were Muggleborns among them as well, and they remembered all too well the feeling of confusion brought on by all the strange things going on in the wizarding world. Harry and Hermione sat at the table during the Welcoming feast next year, clapping with the rest of the Great Hall at the introduction of the new Magical Studies professor, enjoying the fruits of their efforts. They had made a difference, and there was no better feeling in the world.
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