Chapter 4:
Alas, the Board of Directors did find out about Hermione's change to the Arithmancy curriculum and they were not happy about it. Over the Christmas holidays, Hermione's students had apparently told their parents about the changes she was making and, while some parents were excited about the change and were glad their children were learning more than just basic numerology, the parents who preferred to stick to tradition threw fits and wrote to the Board of Directors.
When Draco got word that the Board was questioning his girlfriend's teaching abilities, he pulled his father aside and explained all the good that Hermione's changes were doing. Lucius, then, took it upon himself to visit the class in question and watch this new method in action for himself. McGonagall joined the elder Malfoy, her curiosity peaking as she had yet to see what the students were learning and, since he had a free period, Draco would be sitting in as well for moral support, of course.
When the sixth years entered, they seemed confused by the presence of their Defense professor, the Headmistress, and the Head of the Board of Governors sitting in the back of the class but soon forgot about it as the lesson started.
"Alright, so I was thinking about something the other day that I want to talk to you about," Hermione started. "How many of you know how to buy a house?"
No one raised their hand, although Lucius did raise an eyebrow.
Hermione nodded, her theory confirmed. "How many of you know how to properly budget your life?" Again, no one raised their hand. "Does anyone know what a mortgage is?" A couple of muggle-borns raised their hands but when she called on them, neither of the students had the proper definition for the word.
"A mortgage is when someone pulls out money from a bank or a creditor to pay for something, in this case a house. Once that person buys that house, they must begin to make payments back to the creditor for a certain period of time until their house has been paid off. Does anyone know why this is important?"
Victoria raised her hand. "Is it so that we learn how to pay something off in time?"
"Partially yes," Hermione answered. "It's also important because mortgages are quite common in the muggle world and, while they're fairly rare in the wizarding world, they're still around.
"As we discussed last term, muggle mathematics and wizard Arithmancy are not so different from one another once you find common ground between the two. The same can be said in regards to mortgages and buying a house. Now, for those of you from a multi-generation wizarding family, you may not have to worry about this so much as many of you will inherit your family homes; am I correct?" Many of her students nodded in confirmation. "That being said, those of us who are muggleborns or don't come from long lines of wizarding families don't have that same luxury. Once we graduate Hogwarts, we are left alone in a world that we only know about through Hogwarts and our various experiences. While some may choose to return to their parent's home and live amongst muggles for a time while they get set up in the wizarding world, others don't have that option and have to scramble to find a place to live while they get started in their careers. And once they are established, they have no idea where to start looking for a house or how to pay for one. That's why for the next few classes, I'm going to teach you everything I can about buying a house, budgeting your life, filing your taxes, how to take out a loan, etc. Even though you're not graduating for another year, having this information in your back pocket will make a world of difference once you leave Hogwarts."
As Hermione continued her lesson, smiling to herself as her students seemed to be completely engrossed by everything that she was saying, she briefly thought to herself that she wished she had had the opportunity to learn these things when she had attended school. The students groaned when the bell rang, signalling the end of class. She laughed at their reactions.
"Don't worry, everyone, this discussion is far from over; we'll pick this back up on Friday. No homework tonight."
Her students filed out of the classroom, leaving only the adults. Draco grinned and walked towards Hermione, pulling her into a tight hug and running his hands up and down her back, in an attempt to relieve some tension that she was feeling. When he released her, they turned to face Lucius and McGonagall, who were walking towards them. "Mr. Malfoy, thank you for coming today," Hermione said, shaking the elder Malfoy's hand. "I hope, now that you've seen pieces of the new curriculum in action, you have a better understanding of why I chose to make these changes."
Lucius' lips quirked into a small smile. "I will admit, Miss Granger, I had my doubts about these new changes you were making but after watching your class today, it seems that you, indeed, have the right idea in teaching the students this new information. I admit, there were some things in your lesson today that were new even to me and I do intend to look more into it; but that will have to happen later. Right now, I think it is rather important that you, Professor McGonagall, and I have a chat. When would be the best time to do that?"
"Er, well, my seventh years are next and then I'm done for the day. Would that work for the two of you?"
McGonagall and Lucius nodded and thanked Hermione before walking out of the classroom, talking quietly with each other. Hermione glanced at Draco who shrugged and kissed her temple comfortingly before leaving her to teach his next class, leaving her alone with just her thoughts.
Hermione climbed the stairs to the Headmistress' office with dread filling her insides. When she knocked on McGonagall's door, she took a deep breath to steady her nerves before walking in.
"Have a seat, Hermione," McGonagall said. Hermione vaguely noticed that Lucius was standing off to the side rather than sitting but did as she was told. McGonagall sighed before she began to explain why Hermione was there. "Hermione, there's no easy way to say this so I'm just going to come right out with it: you're being evaluated by the Board of Governors."
Hermione's stomach dropped. "Evaluated? For changing the Arithmancy curriculum?"
"I'm afraid it's more than that; the Board feels that by changing the curriculum, you're no longer focusing on the important aspects of the class and I quote 'distracting the students from their intended lesson plan to help prepare them for life after Hogwarts.'"
"But I am preparing these kids for life after Hogwarts!" Hermione argued. "I'm teaching them how to survive after they leave school and how Arithmancy fits into their daily lives rather than just in the classroom or workplace!" She turned her attention to Lucius. "Mr. Malfoy, you watched my class with your own eyes today and even said so, yourself, that you learned things today that you never knew about! Can't you explain that to the Board and convince them to retract the evaluation."
Lucius shook his head, grimly. "I'm afraid I've been outnumbered, Miss Granger. Even with my experience from watching your class today, the Board still insists that the changes you're making are unnecessary and they refuse to budge on their position."
Hermione was shaking and gripped the chair she was sitting to keep herself from falling over. "How is the evaluation going to happen?"
Lucius answered. "The top members of the Board, myself included, will observe several of your classes and then make a decision about how we feel about the new information being taught."
"What then?"
"Then, we'll call you here into McGonagall's office and give you our decision," Lucius said.
McGonagall looked at her with sad eyes. "At this point, it looks like once you and your class have been evaluated, you'll be given a choice: return to the old curriculum or forfeit your position as the Arithmancy professor at Hogwarts."
"What?!" Hermione said. "That's it? Those are the only options they're giving me? It sounds like they've already made their decision!"
"In a way, they have," Lucius answered. "I've asked for them to give you the benefit of the doubt but they seem pretty set in their decision."
Hermione thought she was going to cry. It wasn't fair! Why was she being punished for trying to make her student's lives easier and prove a point that Arithmancy will come in very handy throughout their lives.
"When will the evaluation happen?" She asked, her voice shaky as she struggled to fight the tears.
"In one month's time," McGonagall answered.
"'Evaluated!' Like I'm a bloody pig being prepared to be shipped off to the damn slaughter house!"
"That seems like a bit of a strong analogy," Neville said.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Well it doesn't change the fact that it's sadly true." She took a swig of her Firewhiskey. "Gods, I change things up in my class and next thing I know, my bloody job is being threatened! Who the hell came up with that dumb idea?!"
"The same morons who thought it would be appropriate to have a tournament at a school where people have died in the past," Draco said. "The Board of Governors is nothing more than a bunch of old pricks who don't like change so they try to shut down any effort at modifications, no matter how big or small, being made to the school."
"You realize your father is among that group," Neville pointed out.
Draco nodded. "And he's an old prick. But he's a smart old prick who knows a good idea when he sees one! Ever since he sat in on Hermione's class, he's been trying to get the Board to retract the call for evaluation, putting everything he has into it. He's managed to change a few minds but not enough to make a difference in vote." He entwined his fingers with Hermione's and squeezed. "He's going to keep doing what he can in the time he has until the evaluation."
Neville sighed. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Hermione shook her head. "Not unless you can convince the Board that what I'm teaching my kids will have countless benefits for them in the future."
His shoulders dropped and Hermione reached across the table to squeeze his hand. "I appreciate the effort, Neville, really. This is just something I'm going to have to fight on my own."
Draco cleared his throat and Hermione chuckled. "You know that's not what I meant, love. I mean, no matter who your father talks to or what strings either of you can pull, unless the evaluation gets retracted, I will be facing the Board that day alone. And only I can prove to them that I'm doing the right thing by changing things up."
"And if they give you the ultimatum?" Neville asked.
"I'm not returning to the old methods. I've already decided that. If I'm pushed to that point, I'll quit and apply to other schools; I know Ilvermorny in America teaches Arithmancy the way that I do so that right there could be a potential job opportunity for me."
Draco's hand tightened around Hermione's and she put her free hand on top of their clasped ones. "I don't want to leave Hogwarts; but I will if they back me into a corner."
"Well, if you leave, so will I," Draco said.
"Me too," Neville agreed.
"Guys, no! This is my fight, not yours. I don't want you leaving just because I am."
Neville shrugged. "I'm not worried; being a professor has its perks, one of which being that I can get a job anywhere."
"Same," Draco agreed before looking to Hermione. "And there's no way in hell that I'm letting you go. If you leave, I leave too." Hermione smiled and rested her head against Draco's shoulder. "Besides," Draco continued, "how would it look if the Board lost three professors after challenging changes to one of it's classes that's had students graduating with high marks for the past few years?"
"It would look pretty bad on the Board's part," Neville agreed.
"It would look very bad on the Board's part. Which is exactly why us leaving would have them reconsider refusing changes to the curriculum. I think we can all agree the Board would rather change the class rather than lose three professors due to a choice they made."
Neville's eyes widened at that. "That's genius! What do you think, Hermione? Hermione?"
Neville and Draco looked to their brunette companion only to find out that she had fallen asleep on Draco's shoulder. Both men chuckled and looked back to each other. "I suppose we'll have to pick this back up at another time," Neville joked, standing up.
Draco nodded and picked Hermione up bridal style. Neville smiled at the sight. "Take care of her, Malfoy."
"I will, Longbottom," he smirked. "Good night."
"G'night!" Neville said as he walked out of Draco's quarters. Draco gently placed Hermione on the bed and covered her with the blanket and kissed her temple. "Goodnight, love." The last thing he thought before falling asleep himself was Merlin, let the evaluation go well.
One more to go...
