CHAPTER 2: The Aftermath
Professor MacGonagall was first to reach the Minister's side. Shaking his hand, she remarked, "Well, Arthur, you have certainly requested a new future for us. I hope you are not simply haring off after your hobby with this Muggle reconciliation plan."
"I doubt that I shall have any time at all for hobbies, Professor," he replied. "Lucius Malfoy permeated the Ministry with bribes and threats. We still spend every day testing the loyalty of staffers and citizens accused of complicity with the Dark Lord. And then there are the suits for damages, reparations, and basic relief for those who have lost everything. The hospitals are overflowing still, but new cases have slowed to a trickle at least. Filling in positions left vacant by death or defection could easily take two or three years. Our losses in people were grievous: we didn't have so many people to begin with that we could afford such slaughter. The Magical world has lost 25% of its people in the past 30 years. Even with the growing influx of Muggleborns, we are losing ground. That is why rapprochement with the Muggle world is so important."
"And how are things at home, Arthur? Is Molly better now?" MacGonagall's lips quivered a bit. Molly had been one of her best Prefects.
"She is bearing up better, now that Percy is in rehabilitation. He is starting to respond to her, and the doctors are hopeful that he will make a full recovery. And the baby is weaving her own magic over our hearts. Bill and Fleur are flooing over every Sunday, which is a great comfort."
"It's hard to believe that you are grandparents already! It seems like thirty years flew by in 10."
"You will stay for luncheon, Arthur?" Dumbledore interrupted. "I know there are a million things on your plate, but a man must eat occasionally, too."
"Thank you, Professor, I shall, but I must leave by 2 PM. I know you also have much to finish today, and I won't presume upon your hospitality longer."
With that Professor Dumbledore announced luncheon, all returned to the table and conversations became more general.
Professor Severus Snape found himself seated next to Remus Lupin, ex- werewolf, with Hermione Granger and Harry Potter across the table from them. Snape was glowering, as usual. Harry and Remus spoke about the DADA course that they would be teaching together. Hermione joined in when they turned to the Muggle studies course she and Harry would be co-teaching. They were expounding upon the course outline, arguing the finer points of which topic should precede the other, when Professor Snape cleared his throat. The three turned to him as one. Remus had a smile and an expectant look on his face. Harry was petrified by fear, and Hermione appeared impatient, as she had been the one interrupted.
"I confess to nearly complete ignorance of Muggle-kind. I wonder, Miss Granger, if any thought has been given to a short course, for the staff at least, in the Muggle studies field?"
A look of shock came over Hermione. Harry's face took on the smile of anticipation, while Remus looked impatient. "I recall you received an Outstanding the last time you studied Muggles, Severus," Remus said in his gentle way.
"But that was 20 years ago, Lupin, and I have since been otherwise occupied. Besides, our studies then were devoted to literature and history, and not the most recent of histories, either. We did nothing with technology, past the Renaissance, at least. And history ended with the Salem witch trials, in America, no less." Snape lifted a forkful of peas and mashed potatoes to his lips.
"I think that if staff members are interested in learning Muggle ways, then Harry should take the men on field trips, while I take the women. There is still too much of the Muggle world that is sexually differentiated, and keeping a low profile is complicated enough without crossing that barrier, as well." Hermione was still no slouch at grasping the larger picture. Harry's smile grew to a nearly evil grin.
Snape paled a bit at the thought. "Perhaps a reading list would be the proper first step, and some recordings of modern music and culture? A field trip might wait until after some basic familiarity with the principles of modern Muggle culture was established."
"But Professor, you spent years passing through the Muggle world, spying on Voldemort and dealing with my aunt and uncle and so on." Harry was trying to be fair; a field trip to Muggle London with him in charge of Severus Snape sounded like an adventure worthy of a Marauder's son.
"A spy is not a cultural observer, nor does he interact with his surroundings, not if he wishes to live. He keeps a low profile, but conversely, he does not absorb much detail, nor mix with the natives, either," Snape continued. " And, if your relatives are typical of their culture, I for one do not want to know more about Muggles. Rapprochement is futile."
"I think it is safe to say Harry's family is unique," said Professor Dumbledore, who had stopped to listen. "A Muggle Studies course for the staff is an excellent idea, Severus. Perhaps Miss Granger and Mister Potter would join me this evening after dinner to discuss this?"
"Of course, Headmaster," said Hermione and Harry.
"And perhaps we can arrange some independent studies for senior staff, Severus," Dumbledore continued.
"I can hardly wait," murmured Severus Snape.
Professor MacGonagall was first to reach the Minister's side. Shaking his hand, she remarked, "Well, Arthur, you have certainly requested a new future for us. I hope you are not simply haring off after your hobby with this Muggle reconciliation plan."
"I doubt that I shall have any time at all for hobbies, Professor," he replied. "Lucius Malfoy permeated the Ministry with bribes and threats. We still spend every day testing the loyalty of staffers and citizens accused of complicity with the Dark Lord. And then there are the suits for damages, reparations, and basic relief for those who have lost everything. The hospitals are overflowing still, but new cases have slowed to a trickle at least. Filling in positions left vacant by death or defection could easily take two or three years. Our losses in people were grievous: we didn't have so many people to begin with that we could afford such slaughter. The Magical world has lost 25% of its people in the past 30 years. Even with the growing influx of Muggleborns, we are losing ground. That is why rapprochement with the Muggle world is so important."
"And how are things at home, Arthur? Is Molly better now?" MacGonagall's lips quivered a bit. Molly had been one of her best Prefects.
"She is bearing up better, now that Percy is in rehabilitation. He is starting to respond to her, and the doctors are hopeful that he will make a full recovery. And the baby is weaving her own magic over our hearts. Bill and Fleur are flooing over every Sunday, which is a great comfort."
"It's hard to believe that you are grandparents already! It seems like thirty years flew by in 10."
"You will stay for luncheon, Arthur?" Dumbledore interrupted. "I know there are a million things on your plate, but a man must eat occasionally, too."
"Thank you, Professor, I shall, but I must leave by 2 PM. I know you also have much to finish today, and I won't presume upon your hospitality longer."
With that Professor Dumbledore announced luncheon, all returned to the table and conversations became more general.
Professor Severus Snape found himself seated next to Remus Lupin, ex- werewolf, with Hermione Granger and Harry Potter across the table from them. Snape was glowering, as usual. Harry and Remus spoke about the DADA course that they would be teaching together. Hermione joined in when they turned to the Muggle studies course she and Harry would be co-teaching. They were expounding upon the course outline, arguing the finer points of which topic should precede the other, when Professor Snape cleared his throat. The three turned to him as one. Remus had a smile and an expectant look on his face. Harry was petrified by fear, and Hermione appeared impatient, as she had been the one interrupted.
"I confess to nearly complete ignorance of Muggle-kind. I wonder, Miss Granger, if any thought has been given to a short course, for the staff at least, in the Muggle studies field?"
A look of shock came over Hermione. Harry's face took on the smile of anticipation, while Remus looked impatient. "I recall you received an Outstanding the last time you studied Muggles, Severus," Remus said in his gentle way.
"But that was 20 years ago, Lupin, and I have since been otherwise occupied. Besides, our studies then were devoted to literature and history, and not the most recent of histories, either. We did nothing with technology, past the Renaissance, at least. And history ended with the Salem witch trials, in America, no less." Snape lifted a forkful of peas and mashed potatoes to his lips.
"I think that if staff members are interested in learning Muggle ways, then Harry should take the men on field trips, while I take the women. There is still too much of the Muggle world that is sexually differentiated, and keeping a low profile is complicated enough without crossing that barrier, as well." Hermione was still no slouch at grasping the larger picture. Harry's smile grew to a nearly evil grin.
Snape paled a bit at the thought. "Perhaps a reading list would be the proper first step, and some recordings of modern music and culture? A field trip might wait until after some basic familiarity with the principles of modern Muggle culture was established."
"But Professor, you spent years passing through the Muggle world, spying on Voldemort and dealing with my aunt and uncle and so on." Harry was trying to be fair; a field trip to Muggle London with him in charge of Severus Snape sounded like an adventure worthy of a Marauder's son.
"A spy is not a cultural observer, nor does he interact with his surroundings, not if he wishes to live. He keeps a low profile, but conversely, he does not absorb much detail, nor mix with the natives, either," Snape continued. " And, if your relatives are typical of their culture, I for one do not want to know more about Muggles. Rapprochement is futile."
"I think it is safe to say Harry's family is unique," said Professor Dumbledore, who had stopped to listen. "A Muggle Studies course for the staff is an excellent idea, Severus. Perhaps Miss Granger and Mister Potter would join me this evening after dinner to discuss this?"
"Of course, Headmaster," said Hermione and Harry.
"And perhaps we can arrange some independent studies for senior staff, Severus," Dumbledore continued.
"I can hardly wait," murmured Severus Snape.