Second Destiny
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
A few days later, Abraxas popped into Harry and Hermione's married quarters. "My Lady, Acting Headmistress McGonagall has asked me to inform you of the final decision regarding Vincent Crabbe," he said before handing Hermione a folded piece of parchment.
"Thank you, Abraxas," Hermione said. Abraxas smiled then POPPED away. Hermione then unfolded the parchment and quickly scanned the words written there. "Harry, listen to this," Hermione said.
Lady Potter-
Vincent Crabbe has been expelled from Hogwarts School, as you recommended. However, your recommendations to have Mr. Crabbe's wand snapped and his memories of magic erased were overruled by the Board of Governors.
Mr. Crabbe will be allowed to continued being tutored in magic by teachers approved by the Department of Magical Education and the Wizarding Examinations Authority and will be allowed to sit his OWLs and NEWTs at the appropriate age levels.
I realize this is not what you wanted to have happen when Mr. Crabbe said what he said about you and House Malfoy, but Mr. Crabbe's family has some very powerful supporters, especially among the families in the Sacred Twenty-Eight. Many of those supporters even sit on the Board of Governors.
However, while I must officially remain neutral in this matter (owing to my new and current position), as a long-time friend of the House of Potter, I can unofficially recommend a course of action.
As you are descendants of three of the Founders of Hogwarts, you (or a proxy of your choosing) can claim the Founders' seats on the Hogwarts Board of Governors—which have remained vacant since the families were declared to be extinct. Please see me at your earliest convenience if this is a course of action you wish to take.
Respectfully,
Minerva McGonagall
Acting Headmistress, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Hermione looked at Harry as she placed the parchment from McGonagall on the table they sat at. "What do you think we should do?" Hermione said.
"Hand me my comm mirror," Harry said. Hermione nodded, then handed Harry his communications mirror.
"Moony?" Harry said after opening it. Remus' face appeared on the mirror in place of Harry's own reflection.
"Yes, Harry?" Remus said.
"Enlarge factor four," Harry said as he placed the mirror on the table.
Hermione then read off the letter from McGonagall. Then, Harry looked at Remus."Remus, would you be amenable to sitting as my proxy for the Gryffindor seat on the Board of Governors?" Harry said.
"Just name me as your proxy when swearing the oath to assume the seat," Remus said.
"Thank you again for your assistance," Harry said. "Bye. Restore standard."
The reflection returned to the mirror before it shrunk back to normal and Harry closed the mirror.
"Let's go to the Headmistress' office," Hermione said.
And so, Harry and Hermione made their way to McGonagall's office. "Lord and Lady Potter, you got my note," McGonagall said.
"Abraxas gave it to me," Hermione said. "How would we go about taking the seats?"
"I will invite you to the next Board meeting this Saturday and, in front of the Board, you will swear your oaths to serve Hogwarts, the staff and student body," McGonagall said.
"We already have a proxy in mind to sit the Gryffindor seat; while Harry will sit the Slytherin seat and I will sit the Ravenclaw seat," Hermione said.
"Let me guess: Remus?" McGonagall said.
"Exactly," Harry said.
And so, the following Saturday, McGonagall stood in the Board of Governors meeting room as the week's meeting was called to order by Board Chairwoman Augusta Longbottom. "Acting Headmistress McGonagall, I notice three new chairs at table today," she said.
"Indeed, Madam Longbottom," McGonagall said. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the Board, it is my responsibility, privilege and pleasure to announce that House Heirs for three of the Founders of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry have been discovered and will be assuming their places today."
"That is indeed good news," a member of the Board said. "Please bring them before us."
"As you wish," McGonagall said. "Mipsy, please inform the House heirs that their presences have been requested."
"At once, Headmistress," a Hogwarts house elf said before popping away. The doors into the boardroom opened, revealing Harry, Hermione and Remus.
"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Board, may I present Gryffindor and Slytherin Heir Lord Harold Potter, Ravenclaw Heir Lady Hermione Potter and Gryffindor Proxy-Designate Remus Lupin," McGonagall said. "Lord Potter will be assuming the Slytherin seat, while Proxy-Designate Lupin—as mentioned—will sit the Gryffindor seat."
"This is outrageous!" a member of the Board said. "Students—no matter their familial descent—cannot sit on the Board of Governors!"
"That is where you are wrong, sir," Hermione said. "By rights granted to Founders' Heirs in the original Hogwarts founding charter, Lord Potter and I are permitted to sit on this body or avail ourselves of any rights or privileges that Hogwarts can provide."
"Lady Potter has a point, Mr. Corbin," Longbottom said. "If they can prove they are Founders' Heirs."
"We were thinking you were going to say that, Madam," Harry said. At that cue, Remus reached into the satchel slung across his shoulder and began to distribute to the Board members copies of Harry and Hermione's Gringotts inheritance tests.
"These inheritance tests were performed a few months ago at Gringotts Bank and are verified as authentic by Director Ragnok and London Branch Head Healer Goldcrown," Remus said. "You are more than welcome to verify them for yourselves."
"That will not be necessary, Mr. Lupin," Longbottom said after examining her copy of the reports. "In my observation, these reports are verified and genuine. What say you? Raise your wands and light them green for yea, red for nay."
The members of the Board—some with reluctance—all lit their wands green. "The 'ayes' have it," Longbottom declared. "Lord and Lady Potter and Proxy-Designate Lupin shall be permitted to assume their seats. Headmistress McGonagall, will you administer the oath?"
"Yes, Madam Chairwoman," McGonagall said. "Lord Potter, Lady Potter, Proxy-Designate Lupin, raise your wands and repeat after me. 'I, (state your name)...'"
"I, Harold James Potter..."
"I, Hermione Jean Potter..."
"I, Remus John Lupin.."
"...do swear on my life and magic..." McGonagall continued.
"...do swear on my life and magic..." all three echoed.
"...that I will obey the will of the Hogwarts School Board of Governors in all actions over which I will sit in judgment..." McGonagall continued.
"...that I will obey the will of the Hogwarts School Board of Governors in all actions over which I will sit in judgment..." all three echoed.
"'...and that I will forever act in the best interests of the school, its staff and its students,'" McGonagall said.
"'...and that I will forever act in the best interests of the school, its staff and its students,'" all three said.
"So I swear, so mote it be,'" McGonagall finished.
"'So I swear, so mote it be,'" all three finished as well. The wand tips glowed to signify Magic's acceptance of the sworn oaths.
"Heirs Potter, Proxy Lupin, please take your places and we shall formally begin today's meeting," Longbottom said.
"Thank you, Madam Longbottom," all three said before sitting down in their respective seats.
Half an hour later, Hermione raised her hand. "Yes, Lady Potter?" Longbottom asked.
"I wanted to inquire about the punishment given out to Vincent Crabbe," Hermione said. "I was informed by Acting Headmistress McGonagall that you voted to expel him but permit him to retain access to magical education and our world as a whole."
"That is true, Lady Potter," Corbin said.
"I thank you," Hermione said.
McGonagall cocked an eyebrow. "You recommended to Professor Snape when Mr. Crabbe was confronted regarding his comments about you and House Malfoy that you wanted his wand snapped and memories of the magical world erased," she said. "What changed your mind?"
"Over the last few days since learning of this Board's decision, and in consultation with my husband, I came to realize that he deserved a second chance to make up for his mistake and—eventually—becoming a functioning and valued member of our society," Hermione said. "Despite what he did to my husband, that was one thing on which I and former Headmaster Dumbledore agree: that if they make themselves worthy of it, everyone deserves a second chance."
"Well said, 'Mione," Harry said.
An hour after Hermione's statement, Longbottom smiled at the members of the Board. "If there is no further business, I declare this meeting adjourned. See you all next month," she said. The members of the Board began to either file out of the boardroom or directly apparate out of it.
McGonagall smiled at Harry and Hermione. "You did well for your first meeting," McGonagall said.
"Thank you, ma'am," Harry said. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Hermione and I want to change back into our students' robes and get down to the Great Hall for dinner."
"Of course," McGonagall said. "Have a nice evening."
"You too, Headmistress," Hermione said. Harry and Hermione held hands and walked out of the boardroom.
::TBC::
