Chapter nine

The following day, Harry saw the magical builder and showed him pictures of how he wanted his bathrooms done and the kitchen. They spoke about some idea's and designs and Harry went away feeling happy.

Right after leaving the magical builder, Harry spent hours with Amos Diggory who was taking him through everything he will need to know about what is involved being a governors for Hogwarts. They went over the ideas of what was discussed with the ICW and what ones will be implemented straight away. The point system was basically scrapped, now it would be individual points. To go with the point system there would be a book charmed that would show up what teacher took the points, from who and the reason. If the student felt they were treated unfairly they could take it to the headmaster or deputy, depending on who that was. There would also be a set amount for points given and taken for all punishments and achievements that way no teacher could give more to a favourite student or if he didn't like a student they he couldn't be unfair, like Snape had been. It would be the same for detentions, but the book that is charmed will show if the punishment is earned, or not. If it's not, than the punishment is overturned. It would mean no staff member could say a student earned his points or loss points when the book would show it all.

One that many wanted to get rid of was the house system and sorting students into different houses. It kept everyone separated which sometimes caused rifts, like with Gryffindor and Slytherin. Amos mentioned that they could keep the founders names by having study or practice rooms named after the founders. Harry liked that idea, he always wanted to get to know students from other houses but by the time they finished lessons, used the library for their homework, it was curfew.

Harry also knew that if he did get to spend more time with other students then many of them might not have turned on him when it was discovered his was a parselmouth, or when he said Voldemort had returned. The other students didn't know him so they just believed the rumours. Since Hogwarts would not open until the following year, due to the damage and now implementing new ideas, Amos hoped the house system will be gone by the time Hogwarts is open again. Harry had one concern about that, students safety of a night when the student was sleeping. One thing that was discussed was giving all students a small private room. It would be as if walls had been erected between all the beds in the dorm room. They might need to organise the rooms better but they felt this would give the students some security but also allow them to sleep better since they wouldn't be listening to all the noises from the others in the room.

Amos Diggory organised a meeting with all the governors and the staff of Hogwarts also they were going to tour the castle to decide where the study rooms would be along with working out where the first years would be housed and up to seventh years. But also making sure they could work on small private rooms for every student.

Even though Amos was chief governor, he only took it for now until they could organised the changes for Hogwarts. He was actually hoping to get the headmaster's job. They planned to vote for that in a few months time. They knew there could be some of the teachers that may want to put their name forth, but first they had to hear about the changes to the old ancient school.

Minerva McGonagall stood at the doors to wait for the new governors. All they said was they needed this meeting to discuss budget but also some changes. She was nervous about the changes but also just who the governors were.

She looked up at the sound of apparition. She was not surprised to see people like Amos Diggory, but she was surprised to see Harry Potter. The group of ten talked for a minute them made their way up to the steps leading to the castle.

'Professor McGonagall, I've been named chief governor, at least for the time being. Everyone here with me has taken the offered position as one of the governors. I'm sure introductions won't be needed.' Amos said.

'No, I taught all of them, but I must say I am surprised to see Mr Potter, only because of his age.'

'We, along with the minister and his staff had many meetings with Harry and others to discuss Hogwarts. The ICW along with Minister Shacklebolt was impressed with Mr Potter during those meeting. How about we get inside and get this meeting underway?'

'Follow me, we will be using the great hall as they old room is still one with a lot of damage.'

Minerva led the group inside the see the rest of the staff already sitting around a large oval table. The governors sat on one side while the staff sat on the other. House elves popped in with tea, coffee, juice and sandwiches.

'Let me start with some information that will probably surprise many of you, but we all felt it was necessary. Now the minister, with the help from an unspeakable worked on an oath so all employees now work for our world with no discrimination, but he also made sure that workers cannot take brides or ask for favours when it concerns the ministry. All jobs are now based on the right scores someone received during their newts or owls,' Amos turned to Harry and nodded.

'The minister asked me to test every employee with the Merlin power orb. I found out recently that I am a direct descendant of Merlin and found his home along with the orb.'

'The minister worked out the details so anyone in a job or applying for a job will need the right power score. For example, to be minister, you must have a score of 190 or higher. Heads of some departments you need a score of 180 and over. The department of magical law enforcement must have a score of 170 or higher, unspeakables, 200 and over. The governors must have a score of 180 and over. Clerks and secretary's, along with cooks and maintenance workers can score as low as 20, but no lower as they are basically squibs. Another thing the minister has changed is everyone, no matter who they are, can only hold one job, unless they are part time jobs. Like Harry, he works part time as a governor and part time testing people's power levels. It will be the same for Hogwarts.'

'I always believed the heads of house should not be a teacher,' Minerva said, 'I'm sure many of you know that I could not take any time away from my other duties to see to my Gryffindor's.'

'Exactly. Now we are going to be splitting the years up as well. But I'll explain that in a moment. First, is I'm sorry to say Professor McGonagall but you were passed over as headmistress, mainly down to the fact that some of the changes that we are implementing might be something you are against. You can stay on as the deputy head if you wish and teach, but only the sixth and seventh years. You have the experience and you will have the time to dedicate to helping the older students who wish to do well in transfiguration. Many others could take the job as transfiguration teacher for the lower years, as it is not advanced. All subjects will have two teachers from now on.'

All the staff seemed to like this idea, even Minerva, 'I actually was hoping someone else wanted to be head. I do not mind stepping in like I did with Albus when he needed to be away from the school, but I would not like to do that full time. Who will be the new headmaster or mistress?'

'We are going to be putting it to a vote. The staff, the governors along with the heads of department will be voting on this. If any of you wish to put your name down, all you need to do is notify one of the governors. I will tell you that I will be putting my name down and that is why I told the minister I will take this job until the election has decided who will be head.'

'I believe you would make an excellent headmaster Mr Diggory. I also believe and I'm sorry if this brings up painful memories, but the headmaster or headmistress should be a parent or had been a parent.'

'That is one of the many ideas that were thrown around at the meeting with the ICW. We feel the head of this school will know what the students need if they have been a parent, or raised a child. Now as to the heads of house, there will not be a house system anymore.'

The governors were expecting a lively discussion when this was brought up and they were right. Many of the staff seemed outraged.

'Let me explain,' Amos said after sending off a loud back with his wand. He nodded once it fell silent, 'There will be dedicated rooms named after the founders, as none of us wanted to forget them entirely but the house system does not work anymore. It separates the students and instantly makes enemies out of students who may have ended up friends. There are also children who grew up together, but the moment they get sorted they never get to spend time with each other anymore, so they grow apart. It's the same with siblings who get sorted into different houses, that can cause a lot of trouble at home. The students will now be housed by year, but a wall will be erected around all the beds which basically gives the student their own, small but adequate space. Also, there will be no house point system, it will be individual points, with a gift for the top ten students. We've worked on a book that will record all points given and taken, the reasons, along with the name of the student and the teacher. We do not want another Snape who manipulated the system. Also, this will stop teachers always giving more points to their favourites when other students deserve the same amount. There will now be set points. For example, answering a question correctly in class is five points. Being out after curfew, twenty points will be taken. If the student was found doing something serious or dangerous, then depending on what they did, they could lose fifty points. If the house system was still around then it could be just a couple from different houses wanted to find some time to snog, then it would be as low as ten or twenty points. Handing in homework on time and completed will be twenty points. We will be handing out a booklet that explains all this soon. But with the gift, we believe it would make even the problem students try harder if they believe they could win a gift,' Amos looked at Harry again.

'We were discussing this with Arthur Weasley. Now as most of you know the Weasley's were a very low income family so naturally they could not waste money on certain items. We talked about Ron and both believed if Ron thought he could get a signed picture of the Chudley Cannons then he would have worked harder, or at least tried to stay out of trouble. But I will say that this was my idea and why I came up with this was people like Hermione and Neville. Both of them earned a lot of points for Gryffindor just to be punished when me, or others lost points. That really is unfair to the student who works hard to earn points. Another thing, the students are the ones that earn points, yet they see the heads of house winning the prize when they get the house cup. Eleven, twelve and even people my age would put in more effort if they thought they would get something out of it. People work and earn a pay at the end of the week. Work for what you will earn, it will be sort of the same thing here. Now the top ten will receive expensive gifts, but the rest of the students can cash in their points at the end of the school year in exchange for items, such as signed picture of famous quidditch players or books. There will be a wide range of items offered so no student will be left out.'

'The minister assigned Harry, being the-boy-who-lived, to speak with quidditch stars and see if they would be willing to sign pictures or jersey's. They have all agreed, but they did say they would do it if Harry did it,' Marlene Malkin grinned at Harry's groan.

'Yes, so Harry has already agreed to have some pictures taken and signed to be used as gifts. Also, Harry has doubled the budget for Hogwarts by a generous donation and just so you know, it was not a bride. He planned to offer the money before he knew we planned to ask him to be a governor. Now you will be able to buy new desks and chairs, more books and other items Hogwarts needs. There will be another sport's field added for the new racing league we are introducing and for the indoor heated swimming pool,' Amos said.

Amos and the rest of the governors noticed that most seemed excited and liked the idea there will be more funds but also more things for the students to do. Only a few didn't seem to like the changes that Hogwarts is about to go through. This would give them time to decide if they wanted to stay or leave. It would also give the governors time to find more teachers, if it was needed.