Harry Potter & the Return to Honeychurch Institute of Magic

By Darkmoore

Tommy made a face and asked, "Why do you need a girlfriend?"

Harry smiled and thought of Will Beagle.

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Chapter Seven: Department of Magical Education Conference Begins

A few days later, after Harry had brought Tommy and Nanny Talmadge home with him to stay for a while, he was walking into the kitchen to have some breakfast when he found a certain house elf and a certain little boy playing under the table.

"Good morning Master Harry. What is you's liking for breakfast?" Winky said to her employer.

"Coffee and whatever you're making for a certain house guest will be fine." Harry replied, as he had every morning since Tommy and Nanny Talmadge had arrived.

Harry sat at the table and knocked on it and said, "Good morning you two scoundrels."

Dobby popped up on the top of the table and said, "Good morning Harry Potter." While Tommy crawled up in between Harry's legs and gave him a big hug and mumbled something in his shirt that sounded like "mood mornin'".

A few minutes later Remus, Tonks and Nanny Talmadge entered the kitchen to also have breakfast. Remus ruffled the boy's hair and said "good morning" to him, but Tonks kept her distance and went to get something to drink. This was good, because she scared Tommy and she knew it.

As she took her seat, Tommy scooted closer to his nanny and Harry threw a frown her way. "Tonks," Harry said in a low voice, "you promised to play nice with him."

"If he's not bleeding, then he's fine." she replied.

Harry would have said more, but just then Hedwig arrived for breakfast and had a reply for Harry from the school in Switzerland. "Hello Hedwig, I've missed you. Breakfast wasn't the same while you've been gone."

She hooted happily and nipped his finger as he gave her a piece of bacon.

Harry took the letter and began to read it. The school would accept Tommy for him; he had a place to go now. Harry knew he should be pleased, but wasn't sure how to feel. However, he didn't have time this morning to dwell on it; he had to get ready for the conference that morning.

As Harry stood to go back up and finish getting ready, Albus Dumbledore came into the kitchen.

"Good morning Albus." Harry said to his former Headmaster.

"Good morning, Harry, everyone." Albus replied and soon found young Tommy sitting at the table eating some scrambled eggs and said "Good morning to you also, Tommy."

"Good morning Uncle Albie."

"Good morning Professor, is you's needing anything to eat this morning?" Winky asked.

"Oh no thank you, the house elves at Hogwarts are trying their best to fatten me up every morning." Albus replied with a twinkle.

"I assume that you're here to collect me for this conference?" Harry asked.

"Heavens no, Harry, I merely wanted to be seen walking in with the most eligible bachelor in the wizarding world." Albus twinkled again as the room broke into laughter.

* * * * *

Later that morning Harry and Albus walked into the doors of the great conference hall with in the Ministry of Magic's offices. A few heads turned to see who had arrived, but most were still mingling and talking to one another.

"I'm afraid to tell you, but arriving with me has done little to increase your popularity." Harry said to his older companion with a smile.

"Just as well, I'm far too old for you anyway." They both laughed at the joke.

Minister Amelia Bones, soon found the pair and engaged them in conversation. "I'm so glad you have both arrived, I was beginning to think I was going to be outnumbered in this crowd."

"Outnumbered?" Harry asked, then with a wicked smile he continued, "What makes you think we're on your side?"

"Because I know that you are both dedicated to the well fare of children and to the education of them."

"There's no use fighting her on this Harry, she's very good at getting her way." Albus said twinkling.

"Well, I suppose I do, but usually when it's for the greater good. Let's find our seats, shall we, so we can get started."

A few moments later Harry found his seat, next to Professor Emil Yasinov, the deputy headmaster of the Maitland Magical School for Boys. They had only just introduced themselves to each other when Minister Bones, banged the gavel to begin the conference.

"Ladies and Gentlemen," Minister Bones began, "before we begin, I want to thank you all for giving up your free time and attending this conference. It is a very important meeting concerning the education and welfare of our young witches and wizards." Several people applauded her at this point, including Albus Dumbledore, who was seated to her right.

"One of the more important issues for this committee to decide upon is the consolidation of the smaller schools that exist around the country into larger institutions of learning. As was leaked to the press earlier this past spring," at this point she shot a glance over at Percy Weasley, who was also in attendance, "there had been some discussion about closing the smaller and poorly maintained schools in favor of larger ones"

"Minister if I may be allowed to interrupt for a moment, but which schools are being considered for closure?" asked a witch Harry had never met before.

"The smallest of the bunch are being targeted first unfortunately, Rudella." Amelia replied

"May I ask why this measure is even being considered at all?" Harry asked next.

"Yes, that is a good question." offered Professor Ogden Pelham, who served on the board of governors of the Sirius Black Memorial Child Care Facility with Harry.

"Well, there is a theory that the examiners would be able to more efficiently test students, if they were in a more centralized location." Once again Amelia shot Percy a dirty look that Harry caught.

"If that's the reason behind the consolidation, then why not simply create a facility and have all the students taking their O.W.L.'s and N.E.W.T.'s come to this centralized location? It would be less expense in the long run and keep the students together, who wish to remain together." suggested Professor Emaline Marwood, the ancient looking witch Harry had met last month at Honeychurch.

"That has been one of the ideas that we've come up with," admitted Minister Bones, "but it wouldn't be a savings in the long run."

"What are the other theories that your community has developed? Knowing them may help us decide how to proceed at this point." Albus Dumbledore added to the conversation.

"Whose idea was this consolidation process to begin with?" Harry asked, having an inkling where it came from already.

"From an internal committee within the Department of Magical Education, Professor Potter."

Harry looked and saw that Weatherby had responded to his inquiry rather quickly. Harry also saw that Madame Fineburch from the Office of Magical Education Introduction and Professor Marwood were both looking uncomfortable.

"I see; would this internal committee be comprised of anyone here today? I think we should be able to question those responsible for these decisions for clarification purposes." Harry responded.

"The members of that committee wished to keep their identities a secret as it is not pertinent to this conference." replied the cold voice of Madame Fenella Ramsden, the head of the Department of Magical Education.

"I think Professor Potter has raised a valid point, we should be able to question them to see what they have considered and not considered." Professor Rudella St. James pointed out.

Madame Ramsden did not look happy as she gave an affectionate glance towards her junior, Weatherby, and responded coldly, "Professor St. James, I am more than capable of answering any questions you might or might not have in regards to that committee."

At this point Harry began to remember a conversation he had with Weatherby in the school library of Honeychurch…

***FLASHBACK***

"Do you have someone special in your life?" Harry asked Weatherby.

"Yes"

"Are you in love with this person?"

"Yes, Harry I am."

"Are you loved back?"

"I hope so."

"Then that's where you start with your mother, tell her you want her to meet who ever this person in your life is."

"I don't think my parents would approve."

"Why?" asked Harry, not certain if he really wanted to go here or not.

"Just … because, it's not really any of your business anyway."

"It's not a guy is it?"

"NO!" Weatherby responded very offended. "It is a woman."

"Then it's your problem then, go and fix it yourself." Harry said very annoyed and stormed out of the library.

***END OF FLASHBACK***

Harry shot a glance over to Amelia and to Albus Dumbledore, who were both taking in this conversation very carefully. Amelia returned Harry glance with a nod.

"Madame Ramsden," Harry asked, "may I ask you a question?"

She sneered at Harry but replied, "As you wish Professor." The way she said the word 'Professor,' Harry could tell she didn't like him at all and was prepared to divert his attention to other topics rather than committee.

"Have you met Arthur and Molly Weasley yet?"

Both Madame Ramsden and Weatherby's eyes grew large at the question, neither had expected it.

"Why would you ask such a thing?"

"Because, your junior here has been instructed to make nice with me by one of his superiors, of which I can conclude was not you. However, I informed him that in order to make peace with me, he had to first do it with his parents, as they have far more earned this act of respect than I have." Harry explained, with the rest of the conference members looking at him oddly, except for the Minister of Magic. Amelia was wondering where he was going with this.

"What does that have to do with my meeting with Percy's parents?"

"That's simple," Harry began, "it was the condition he had to meet in order to make nice with me once again. He had to introduce the woman who loved him to his mother."

"What?" several of the panelists cried?

"Professor Potter, are you suggesting that one of the Department heads of this ministry is having an affair with one of her juniors?" Amelia Bones asked in mock outrage. Harry suspected she already knew the answer before she asked the question.

"I am suggesting nothing, I am merely speculating. Though it would explain a few things if it is true."

"Well, Harry, once again you've given us something to think about. Perhaps, if I might be so bold as to suggest it, we might recess until tomorrow, in order to investigate this alleged affair." Dumbledore suggested to the Minister of Magic.

"A fine idea Albus," she said and continued, "Meeting adjourned for today, everyone you are free until tomorrow morning. Madame Ramsden, I would like to see you if I may."

* * * * *

Later when Harry returned to Gimmauld Place in the early afternoon he found Tommy napping in his room. So he went to his room, changed his clothes and went to seek out Zinnia, he wanted to talk to her about the boy.

A few minutes Harry found her in the library reading a book. "Zinnia?" he asked gently so not to startle her.

"Professor Potter." She greeted him as she looked up from her book, which she sat down on the table. "We didn't expect you back so soon, Tommy will be pleased when he wakes up."

Harry smiled and said, "I'm sure he will be. I wanted to talk to you about him."

"Yes, sir."

"I've received a reply this morning from a boarding school in Switzerland that is willing to take him in as a student. I was wondering what you might think about this decision."

"It's your decision of course, sir, nothing for me to say about it. I take it you need someone to escort him there. I know that you'll need to be getting ready for you to go to school about the same time." Zinnia inquired.

"That's part of it, but I was wondering how you think he'll take the news."

"I'm not sure, but I suspect that he'll want to stay with you. You're the only one he listens to and you're the one he ever wants to see. However, I'm sure that if you explained it to him, he would understand."

Harry thought about it for a moment. "Well, we have some time to think about it, don't we?"

"Yes, sir, you do."

Harry was slightly stung by her words, but thought he probably deserved them. However, he was brought out of his reverie by a scream.

"HARRY!!"

To Be Continued…

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Author's Note: To everyone who reviewed, thanks again...

TuxedoMac wrote Actually Tommy reminds me of a mix between Will and Dobby. Mainly cuz of the laching onto him. You know I thought I saw somthing like that coming when they made the Polyjuice. and then what happened was a nice funny security check. It will also be interesting for when you have the education meeting/conference he goes to. all will look like it will turn out for fun and I hope you feel better.

Answer - Actually, I'm trying to make Tommy his own person, but I gotta give someone those comic relief lines. :D

athenakitty wrote Is Tom making a good case for himself? Will somebody send a howler/letter to Narcissa about her being a good clock? What will change the minds of others? Who's hosting the two conferences? Will Tom go to Hogwarts? Will Harry make up his mind? I'm going to try another account to send an e-mail.

Answer - The two conferences, well, the first conference is hosted by the Department of Magical Education, as you just read above, the second conference is hosted by the Department of the Regulation of Magical Creatures, headed by Hermione actually. Where he goes to school won't be that important, he's only 5 years old.

Treska SilverFlame wrote Another wonderful chapter. Harry's got a tough desision ahead of him. However, if he keeps his mouth shut about just who Tommy is most people won't know it's Voldemort (ex Vesta didn't know until someone explained it to her). Also I go back to the nature vs nurture theory. If Tommy gets the love he needs and the attention that all children crave it will/should cancel out any evil intentions that is running through his blood. Some of your other reviewers pointed that out. I do hope Vesta won't dump Harry because of this. She doesn't seem like the type, but then this is a unique situation. Perhaps if she spends some time with Tommy she might change her mind (your call). Oh, and you might want to sack that woman at the institue (personally eyes baseball bat in corner). I do not approve of what she did. No child deserves that, I don't care what they were like in a PAST life. Also locking a child up for any reason is cruel.

Answer - Well, we won't be seeing Nanny Lanthrop anymore anyway, so I'm sure Ginny did the right thing.

tigerlily98 wrote I'm just too lazy to sign in right now. Anywho... I love this story. I hope Harry takes Tommy in. I've gotta say I feel sorry for the kid. I mean, he is only five, and he's not Voldemort YET... Please update soon! I'm a very impatient person.

Answer - You'll see what happens when it happens :D Also, like I make you wait for weeks and weeks for updates. :D

kraeg001 wrote Nice update! Excellent work! Keep going! BTW, will Tommy get a pet snake? Being a fellow Parselmouth, Harry might be able to supervise with that.

Answer - Interesting that you should ask that...

Tanydwr wrote You have a point about what he might see Harry and Vesta doing. A five-year-old... Okay, now I'm giggling. This is your fault, you know! Anyway, good chapter. Harry cares about Tommy, it's obvious when you see them together and Tommy adores Harry, which is kind of funny anyway. I really think that Tom Riddle could have been a good person, if he'd been brought up the right way and not become Voldemort, and Tommy Riddle can be good. Dobby's comment says it all, really. Tonks and Remus and the others haven't met Tommy, so they have no idea what he's like. He's just a sweet five-year-old who's lonely. I never thought I'd say that about a Riddle!

Answer - Your giggling is my fault? Somehow I soooo do not think so. :D Just wait and see. I got me some plans for those two.