After Hogwarts

Chapter 2

Over the next few weeks Harry and Hermione made several initial contact visits to muggle-born students, and they took a new second year with them each time. The response was great, the kids responded to the 2nd years and the parents were pleased to see someone close to their child's age explain things from that stand point. Harry and Hermione didn't always go together, some times Harry took only the boys and Hermione took the girls, it seemed to work out better that way.

When Harry or Hermione weren't visiting they were at Hogwarts or Hogwarts Extended, as the old Malfoy manor was called now, helping with renovations or setting up classes and rooms. Harry enjoyed his time at Hogwarts and he really enjoyed the changes that were being made to the school. One of the rooms on first floor was turned into a school store and Harry helped stock it initially, or at least plan the layout. At first Harry was the only one who understood how to prepare a room for computer usage, but he soon taught others how to do that – mostly new seventh year Ravenclaws. Luna had found out that a couple of the younger Ravenclaws were the kids of parents who installed computers as their careers. Luna convinced the parents to agree to help in exchange for a chance to visit the school. One of the hardest things was running the electrical lines, an easy and rather ingenues answer to that problem happened when someone suggested transfiguring some people into rats to pull the cables through the walls.

McGonagall had not found a potions instructor but the Weasley twins agreed to teach that subject, as long as they could make some changes. The first change was to move the lab out of the dungeon. The space where the potions lab used to be was now the new server room and a professional IT person was hired to take care of that space and the equipment. The next change that the twins made was to update the equipment and enlarge the storage closets so that each year had it's own closet with the needed supplies.

Neville was in charge of renovating the greenhouses, and he made a few changes. There were now a total of eight greenhouses, one for each year and the extra was to be used for research and growing some of the potion ingredients needed most often. Prof. Sprout was thrilled to see that she had room to grow more plants and room to let the students spread out some. Sprout and Neville would share the classes so neither would be over loaded, and each would have time to research new techniques and plants.

The defense classroom got a major overhaul, all the specimen were arranged so that they were grouped by year and type. The room was painted a cheerier color and new pictures of animals and creatures were hung. The desks were changed out with newer ones, or at least transfigured into a newer style. Modern projection equipment was installed so that the visual media was clearer and easier for the students to see. A separate room was setup for spell-work, in fact that class now had several rooms assigned for spell-work only and they could also be used by the Charms classes.

One of the biggest problems was the library, Madame Prince didn't want anyone messing with her books. That was until Hermione showed her what they hoped to accomplish by reordering the books and by making copies of the oldest and most delicate books so they would be preserved. Now the books were arranged by subject, then by year of relevancy. The books on really dark magic could only be accessed by seventh years and staff, and they could not be removed from the library without setting off an alarm.

A few of the unused classrooms were redone and put to use for new subjects such as basic cooking and household charms, warding – available to fifth years and up, medical education, and mind skills. To save time and space one room was a basic setup to learn how to make wands and magical aids, this would be used mostly by Harry to allow him to create specialty wands for now – and the occasional staff.

Transfiguration now had two rooms assigned to that subject, and one of them was to be a surprise for McGonagall as she wasn't allowed to enter until it was completed. This second transfiguration classroom had better desks and a small library along the back wall that contained reference books on that subject alone. There were several computers placed in this room and they only accessed transfiguration material, except for the instructor's computer which had access to any material on the school network. The same configuration was used to design a second classroom for Charms, this time Flitwick wasn't allowed inside until completed.

Runes and Arithmancy classrooms were redone to make them lighter and airier. These two classes required that students have a laptop to do their work on and each desk had a docking station and a regular monitor for the students to use during class. Of course the instructors had to be trained to use the computers first and the laptops' software would be upgraded each year to allow better usage and function.

Hagrid now had a classroom inside the castle for lectures and to show the students what a creature looked like before they had to meet them for the first time. Harry helped arrange for several very rare creatures to be housed at Hogwarts so the students would have access to them, but not handle them. Harry arranged a real surprise for Hagrid, Charlie was going to bring a few dragons to the school for a few of the classes.

The Great Hall was redone so, like Peaks, the students didn't have to sit at the big tables except on special occasions, such as the opening and closing feasts or when they had special guests or visitors. The menu was also redone to include healthier foods and less sweets. Most of the time it was buffet style for the students, this would be a real surprise for the returning students that fall. This arrangement also made it easier on the elves as they didn't have to fix so many different items every meal.

Work at Hogwarts Extended was just as hectic but in a different manner. Rooms had to be changed so that the males and females were separated for sleeping. Classrooms had to be reconfigured for Hogwarts students instead of aurors. Books had to be gathered for the courses, especially the new courses in ethics and manners. It was decided that incoming first years would be given basic flying lessons during their summer session, as such newer brooms were obtained thanks to the manufactures support – and their hopes that the students would purchase their brand of broom when the time came.

For this summer session the current books from the preceding year would be used, but newer books would be needed for the fall term. Flourish & Blotts agreed to provide copies of the newer books for the instructors to look over during the summer, and each instructor was required to update the book list for the fall term with newer more modern books by the 1st of August so they could be ordered in and ready in time for the start of classes.

While all the renovations were being done at Hogwarts and Hogwarts Extended, Kingsley Shacklebolt was busy putting the new aurors to work cleaning up Knockturn Alley of all the dark stores and objects. Borgin & Burkes was the first to be visited by the aurors and it took almost a week to clean that store out, the owners paid a very large fine for all the dark items found there, the store went out of business due to the fines. Each and every store was visited over the summer and many never opened again. Some of the objects obtained were placed on display in the Ministry of Magic behind very secure wards and glass. Some of them were donated to Hogwarts for use in classes, after being deactivated or at least their effect reduced significantly. Some of the money from the fines was donated to Hogwarts to help with the cost of replacing and buying new equipment, but most of the fine money was put into the ministry treasury to cover the cost of operating.

It was Friday June 28th and the students would be arriving at Hogwarts in two days. Once everyone had arrived they would be port-keyed to the summer campus where they would be fed and sent to their dorms. Harry and Hermione were busy getting maps of the campus made so the students wouldn't get lost the first few days. Neville was busy doing the final setup of the new greenhouses. There were several house-elves doing last minute cleaning and rearranging. Over the past few weeks Harry and Hermione had visited many new students in addition to helping with the renovations at both Hogwarts locations and they were tired. Sunday the 30th would be a long day since Harry, Hermione, Neville, and Luna would be going to pick up the new students who lived too far from London to ride the train. The students they picked up would be brought straight to the new campus instead of Hogwarts itself. Once at the new campus the kids would be turned over to several of the instructors who had volunteered to "babysit" the students and show them around the facility. But Saturday had been set aside as a day of rest for all involved.

Hermione had all but moved in with Harry; she spent as much time at Potter Manor as Harry did, but they didn't share a bed – yet. When the day ended that Friday Hermione would go to her parents house to spend time with them before the summer session started. Harry was going to visit Petunia and Dudley, even if he did have to put up with Vernon. While Harry was at Privet Drive he was asked if it might be possible for his aunt and cousin to visit the new school and maybe learn more about the wizarding world, Harry said he would have to check to see if there was enough space. Harry also explained that once there they would be gone for a month since the new school used time compression and nobody could leave once that started.

After a very strained meal, due to Vernon's attitude, Harry and Dudley went out for a walk and to get a cup of tea, or coffee in Harry's case. While they were out they ran into some of Dudley's old friends as they were bullying a younger kid. Dudley asked Harry to watch his back as he intended to put an end to this behavior. Everything was going well until one of the boys pulled a knife, there was two problems with that action – both Harry and Dudley saw the knife. Harry was sure Dudley broke the boy's jaw when he hit him and from the odd angle of the boy's arm Harry knew the boy had a broken arm. The police came and were going to arrest Dudley until the young boy explained what had happened and why the boy had a broken arm. The boy was taken away in an ambulance, the young boy was escorted home by Harry and Dudley where they received the thanks from the child's parents. What the parents and the young boy never saw was Harry healing Dudley's arm where the other boy had cut him.

As the two young men were walking back home Dudley commented that he wished he could learn more about the magical world and how magic worked. Harry explained that if Dudley and Petunia were allowed to attend the summer session then he would learn much more. Dudley asked if maybe Harry could teach him a few more spells, Petunia had been trying to teach him what she knew but Dudley didn't seem to be able to do them very well. Harry asked when Dudley had gotten his wand and was told Dudley was using his mom's wand. "That may be the problem. A wand that doesn't match the wizard doesn't work very well. If you would like we can see about getting you a proper wand that works for you" Harry explained.

"Does that mean we can go to that wizarding shopping place? That would be great; can we go tomorrow?" Dudley replied.

"How about we go down this alley and talk about it, away from other people", Harry continued.

As they walked down the alley Harry told Dudley to take his arm and to hold on tight. Harry and Dudley held each others arm and the next thing Dudley knew they were spinning and when they stopped they were inside a large stone room. Dudley's first question was "What was that and where are we?"

"That was apparition, one of the ways wizards and witches travel. We are in what used to be called the Chamber of Secrets, but we just call it the Chamber now – at least the ones of us who are able to get in. there are only four ways to get here, apparition like we just did, using a portkey which is a magical device for traveling, sliding down a pipe from the girls restroom which is kinda messy, or walk in through the Forbidden Forest and enter through a cave of giant spiders – not very pleasant and a little dangerous. Now that we are here lets see if we can find you a proper wand", Harry explained as he lead Dudley to another room.

Once they were inside the second room Harry asked Dudley to hold his dominate hand out over some pieces of wood and see which piece seemed the most friendly. It took a few minutes but Dudley finally pointed out a piece of wood that felt "friendly", it was Hazel from the forest. Next Harry had Dudley try the same thing but with common wand cores, he got a reaction from Thestral hair. Harry checked and he had enough samples of both items to make Dudley a wand, so he started on that project. It took about 30 minutes for Harry to assemble the components into a wand.

Now it was time to test the wand before sealing it, Harry took Dudley back out to the main room and had him try a spell that he had been able to do with Petunia's wand, the levitation spell. The spell worked great so it was time to finish the wand; that would require a drop of Dudley's blood and then the sealing process. Harry took Dudley back into the workshop and carefully opened the wand and had Dudley drip a single drop of blood on to the core. After closing the wand Harry applied the sealant and told Dudley that it needed to dry overnight before it could be used. Harry took Dudley home and said he would return the next day with the new wand.

The next morning, after breakfast, Harry went to Hogwarts to speak with McGonagall. "Professor, my aunt and cousin have asked if they might attend the summer session so they can learn more about the magical world. I told them I would have to check and would get back with them. So, I came here today to ask your opinion and permission" Harry said hopefully.

"Well Mr. Potter I think the presence of a more mature woman might be of some help, and if she and her son happen to learn something while there that would be a plus" McGonagall answered and smiled.

Harry thanked McGonagall then went down to the Chamber to retrieve Dudley's wand, if it was ready yet. The wand was dried and appeared to be ready so Harry polished it well to remove any rough spots and apparated to Privet Drive. When Harry arrived he found Dudley mowing the yard and Petunia working in her flower bed. "Good morning Aunt Petunia, how are you today?" Harry asked in way of a greeting. Petunia replied she was fine and commented on how dry it had been and that Vernon was complaining about the water usage again.

Dudley saw Harry and shut down the mower and came over, "Morning cousin. You wouldn't want to help me out here would you?"

Harry looked around as if Dudley was talking to someone else before replying, "Who me? The one who had to cut the grass when he was younger so you could go out and play with your friends?" Harry looked around again and waved his hand and the yard was perfect. Dudley just started to laugh.

The three of them went into the back yard and Harry brought out Dudley's new wand. But before he gave it to him Harry had him claim the wand. After he had claimed the wand Dudley had to try it out and was surprised when it worked so well, even better than the night before. Harry spent a couple of hours working with his aunt and cousin showing them simple spells and improving their techniques. He also told them that they had permission to attend the summer session and to be ready at 8am the next day.

After leaving his aunt's house Harry made a stop to see Hermione and to let her know that Petunia and Dudley were going to attend the session. Harry spent the rest of the day, or what was left of it, just relaxing at home. Supper that night was a quiet meal with just Harry alone. Harry went to bed early, after packing his trunk, so he could get some well deserved, and much needed, rest.

Harry was up at 530am and for the first time in a few weeks he ran his 6 miles and swam a few laps before breakfast. Harry was at Privet Dr. by 755am to see if his aunt and cousin were ready. The door was answered by Dudley and inside Harry found a surprise, Vernon Dursley was on the floor stiff as a board and Aunt Petunia was giving him what-for in a loud manner. Harry had to laugh at that sight, Dudley even snickered some. After she had finished "talking" to Vernon Petunia blushed and asked Harry how to release the spell she had done. Harry laughed some more then told her to try Finite Incantationem, which worked. Harry took both his aunt and Dudley to Hogwarts Extended by way of side-along apparition, thank goodness he thought to shrink their luggage.

Once at the site both were shown their rooms, Petunia would be acting as a chaperone for several of the younger girls dorm rooms (mostly first timers). It was 9am before McGonagall and the rest showed up to start the escort duties. McGonagall took Petunia to the side and explained what was expected of her and Dudley and the help they could provide as a welcoming committee for the incoming students. Once that was finished the lists were handed out to Harry, Hermione, Neville, and Luna so they would know who to pick up and where. There was no special order to the pickups so they could do them any way they pleased. Luna said she was going to get Sam and Bonnie first, then see who was next.

When Luna arrived at Sam's house Bonnie was already there, she had spent the night. Luna took a few minutes to explain how they were going to travel to Bonnie, Sam had already traveled by side-along before. As the threesome was about to leave they saw that there was a house on fire just down the street. Luna asked Sam to keep an eye out for anyone as she called Ariel to put out the fire. Once the fire was out Luna did a quick search and found the occupants, a man, a woman, and a baby and removed them from the house. Luna and the two girls left quickly after making sure the people were okay. When they arrived at the school Luna told Petunia what had happened and what she had done, just to cover herself, then left to go get another student.

By the end of the day Harry, Hermione, Neville, and Luna were tired again. The soon-to-be first years had been shown their rooms by Petunia and Dudley and were given maps of the campus so they could find their way around easier. It was decided that Dudley would act as chaperone for the boys and Petunia for the girls for the new first years. McGonagall had persuaded Rick and Lucy to act as chaperones for the retuning students and they were already there since some of the students picked up were previous students.

It was 6pm when the group from Hogwarts port-keyed in and were directed to a single table for the meal. McGonagall stood and said she had a few announcements before the meal started. "First I want to welcome all of you to our first summer session. This will be an experimental session but you will be exposed to very highly qualified instructors. You will note that there are only two tables beside the head table, during this session you will not be divided into houses but divided by incoming and returning students. This and the end of session feasts will be the only times you will be seated formally, the rest of the meals – starting with breakfast tomorrow – will be served buffet style. The menu has been redone and will be much healthier and much lighter on sweets.

"At this time I want to introduce the newest instructors and give you all one of the first of many surprises. Your instructor for Herbology will be Neville Longbottom, he holds a Masters certification in that field. You primary instructor in Defense will be Harry Potter, he will also be helping out in Charms and Transfiguration – again he has his Masters in each subject. The lead instructor in Charms is Hermione Granger and she too will be helping in Transfiguration, she also holds a Masters certification in each of these subjects. Now I am sure most of the returning students are wondering why Harry, Hermione, and Neville are your instructors, well the short of it is that for the past few years these three have been going to school somewhere else and taking a full year of study in three months and have all graduated and obtained their Mastery level in their chosen subjects. I was only made aware of these certifications after OWLs and NEWTs this past year when it was Harry and Hermione who tested Prof. Flitwick and I for our own Masters.

"The chaperones for the returning students are Mr. Rick Green and Ms. Lucy West. Mr. Green was one of the ICW inspectors and one of the many that fought Voldemort this past year. You may remember Ms. West as the fill-in potions instructor and she is also a fully qualified Med-Witch and will be providing health care during this session. The chaperones for the incoming first years are Mrs. Dursley and her son Dudley. I am also pleased to announce that the school has obtained new brooms and some of those brooms will be made available for your use during free time. The next surprise is that while you will only be here for 28 days you will get 2 months of instruction as we will be using time compression, so nobody will be able to leave until the session is over except in an extreme emergency. I hope you all enjoy the fine meal prepared for us tonight and with that said, let the feast begin." McGonagall finished.

The incoming first years were taken back when food just appeared on the tables, but that didn't stop them from digging into the meal. There was much talk during the meal, especially from the returning students concerning Harry, Hermione, and Neville as instructors. The talk at the "freshmen" table was about all the wonders they had seen so far and each was wondering what else they would see while here.

After the meal McGonagall stood and reminded the students that breakfast started at 630am and the first class started at 8am. She also reminded the students that extra maps were available so there was no excuse for not finding the correct classroom and getting there on time. Harry stood and informed the students that he would be conducting voluntary fitness training starting at 530am each day and anyone interested was welcome to join him in front of the building each morning, if it wasn't raining. Then McGonagall suggested that the students follow their adults and unpack so they could get a good nights rest before classes.

A/N: Well, the first summer session has started. The next chapter will cover the first day of classes and possibly the rest of the summer session (just depends on how fruitful my imagination gets). If anyone would like the previous books in a ZIP or RAR archive just send me a PM or EMAIL and include your address and I will send it to you.

Please be kind and comment