Monday

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316. I am not allowed to organize a witch burning, even if I have been assigned to do a presentation on Muggle history in my Muggle Studies class.

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Bright and early Monday morning found Hermione dressed, once again, in her Daisy shoes, bell bottoms, and ribbed tie-dye peace shirt. Goyle shadowed her, arms loaded with signs, while Crabbe stood with his arms folded across his chest glowering at everyone who came within five feet of her. Students were milling about, yawning and laughing, while house elves served breakfast and beverages. Dean Thomas was lying on the front steps putting the finishing touches on a poster depicting Binns hovering over a mass of sleeping zombies, Ginny Weasley and Dennis Creevey were gleefully composing songs while Terry Boot strummed commercialized sounding ditties on his guitar, first and second years ran around in their Halloween costumes, and Daphne and Pansy lounged about in conjured chairs and observed the whole scene from a safe distance. Colin Creevey was running around taking pictures of the whole thing.

"Alright," Hermione pushed the hair out of her eyes impatiently. "The signs are done, refreshments are keeping people occupied, lines are forming, and Rita Skeeter is running around interviewing students and waiting to ambush the ministry." She snagged Neville as he jogged past. "Is everything set up?"

"Yep.'

"Good." She released him and walked on, handing out signs to empty handed people as she passed.

Dumbledore came out to the front steps and blanched at the sight of the students on the lawn. "What is going on here?"

Professor Snape looked shocked to see two of his Slytherins dressed up in Muggle clothing and chatting away while two more of his Slytherins hovered protectively over Hermione. "She's bewitched them," he decided. "Headmaster, you must have her expelled!"

"Twinkle, Twinkle little star

How I wonder what you are.

But I have no new books to read

So for all I know you're a bum-ble-bee.

Twinkle, Twinkle little star

How I wonder what you are."

The headmaster's eyes widened in shock when he noticed his Deputy Headmistress mingling amongst the students. "Minerva! Whatever are you doing?"

Graying hair ironed straight, wearing a paisley print wrap around dress and shoulder length earrings, Minerva arched an eyebrow as she approached the clustered teachers. "Why, overseeing the student group, of course. Dear me, you aren't suggesting that this many students should be allowed to form their own club without adult supervision, are you?"

Flitwick eyed Minerva's legs appreciatively. "Why are you dressed like that, though?"

"I always support my Gryffindors in any way I can."

"Iiiiii'mmmmm brewing up a cauldron full of love for you!

Doing everything my fellow students tell me toooooooo,

No sex-ed classes teaching how to play fair,

Just friends answering questions of 'It Goes Where?'"

"This isn't a club," Snape protested. "This is a mutiny!"

Dumbledore eyes Rita Skeeter's hovering Quick Notes Quill and looked around for the lady in question. "We will discuss the technicalities of what this grouping represents later. For now, let's get everyone inside and off to class."

"Oh we're not going to class today," Hermione offered helpfully; approaching the teachers and handing out pamphlets. "We're protesting the lack of educational resources, as well as the marked decrease in standards over the years." She smiled pleasantly at the group. "There will be a few lessons provided later in the morning, but, for now, feel free to enjoy the provided refreshments."

Snape watched Crabbe and Goyle eye the professors suspiciously before leading Hermione away. "Did she manage to master the Imperius curse?"

"How dare you imply my Gryffindors are less than exemplary in their conduct!"

"Now, now, let's not argue." Dumbledore held up his hands in a placating manner. "I'm sure there is a reasonable explanation for all this."

"Hey ! Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me
I'm not sleepy and there is no place I'm going to
Hey! Mr. Dumbledore Man, play a song for me
In the jingle jangle morning I'll come followin' you."

"Can we at least stop the singing?" Snape glared at the group of children over on the right. Terry was still playing his guitar, someone had given Ginny a tambourine, Seamus had managed to produce a set of drums, and Anthony Goldstein was wearing dark sunglasses and playing the piano. Even more students were dancing about and laughing as they came up with new songs to sing.

"Oh I don't know," Madame Hooch snapped her fingers and moved her hips in time to the beat. "I had rather a large crush on Bob Dylan back in the day." She wandered closer to the students.

"Headmaster, what is the meaning of this!"

Dumbledore looked up and sighed at the sight of Amelia Bones, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Nymphadora Tonks, and Lucius Malfoy standing mere feet away. "Just a little demonstration by the students. Nothing to worry about." He gestured to the front doors. "Please, come inside. I have all the requested files waiting for you in my office."

Tonks whistled at Minerva. "Wow Ms Mc, you look hot!"

Amelia frowned at the side of the school where a large grouping of children was surrounding something. "What's going on over there?" Ignoring Dumbledore, she headed over.

Luna stood gazing dreamily up at the sky, appearing largely unperturbed by the fact that she was tied securely to a pole atop a large stack of wood. Harry and Ron flanked her, talking animatedly to a group of curious Muggle born and pure blood students. "… Like I was saying yesterday, Wendelin the Weird enjoyed being burnt at the stake so much she did it several times."

A first year raised his hand, looking fascinated. "Why didn't the witch or wizard just apparrate away, or spell the flame off?"

"Most people who died were Muggles. They couldn't do anything."

Harry nodded. "Witches and wizards have a naturally built in defense against flames, but even they were susceptible to poison. Most witches would die from inhalation of carbon monoxide from the flames, which would break down their body's defense and allow them to fry."

Blaise Zabini rearranged his index cards and spoke up. "Puritans believed that fire was cleansing. It was their belief that the purified soul would be allowed clemency since the evil darkness that is witchcraft was burnt out of them." He stared at his cards. "Seriously? Muggles are idiots." Ron elbowed him.

"You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one"

Luna started shrieking and wailing, tugging at her bindings enthusiastically. "Let me go! I'm innocent! Innocent I tell you! I'm too young to die! I've never been to Rome!" Her hand slipped free of its bindings. "Oh, sorry," she apologized, spelling her hand back into place. She continued her wailing; intermixing it with the song lyrics floating over.

Tonks wandered away, over towards the singing group. "Nice sense of rhythm they've got. Wonder if they know any songs by the Weird Sisters."

"What is going on here?" Kingsley was so shocked he forgot to instinctively bow to Dumbledore's whim.

"Hello!" Luna greeted cheerfully. "Have you come to document my death so future generations can martyr me?" She smiled over at Millicent Bulstrode. "Do I have lipstick on my teeth? I want to look good for my close ups."

"No, you're good."

"What do you mean?" Harry looked confused. "We have a project due on Muggle history for our Muggle Studies class. We thought it would be fun to work together." He shook his head sadly at Blaise. "They really must not want the Slytherin and Gryffindor students to get along." Rita started furiously muttering to herself as her photographer excitedly snapped out pictures.

"But," Amelia looked like she didn't know where to begin. "But you can't actually burn a student simply for a presentation!"

"Really?" Ron looked surprised. "But there's no rule against it in the rule book. Hermione checked. In fact, it says usage of props is encouraged."

"I've always wanted to be a prop," Luna sighed happily.

Lucius Malfoy looked bored. "I'm disappointed in you Draco. You, of all people, should know to use a Muggle born or Half blood as a prop. Not a Pure blood."

"Sorry, Father."

"Lucius!"

"Well what do you expect?" He turned away from Amelia, gesturing to the students marching in lines while waving about signs. "I've been trying to tell you for years that the glory of Hogwarts is no longer wholly deserved." He turned back to where Luna was tied to the pole. "Look at what the students are allowed to get away with. I'm telling you, we must declare war on the falling standards or the future of the wizarding world is doomed!"

Ron turned to Harry suspiciously. "Where did Hermione say she hired her solicitor from?"

Amelia stormed off, heading to the Headmaster's office, muttering dire threats about ministry involvement and a school supported PTA. Dumbledore hurried after her, lost for words. Snape looked smug as he watched their retreating forms. "I've been telling him for years that he pampered his Golden Boy. He turned him into a monster, and now he has to reap the results." Giggling quietly, he followed Lucius back into the building.

Hermione came running over. "I think its working! Two other newspapers have shown up already and have begun interviewing the protestors! And my lawyer just informed me that a representative from the PTSA of Beaubaxtons wants to meet with me on Thursday!" She screamed. "We're actually starting a revolution!"

Seamus watched her hurry off. "I think I love her," he decided.

Harry grinned, turning to Draco and pulling him close for a fierce kiss. "Sorry, Father?" He laughed. "You're amazing Draco. Did you know that?"

"Naturally."

Blaise patted an anxious looking Ron on the back. "Remember: I'll explain everything to you after the dance." Ron nodded, looking relieved.

Luna looked disappointed. "Does this mean you're not going to light me on fire?"