DISCLAIMER: That part of this world and those characters you've seen before belong to their Creator: JKR. The rest is mine - although I cannot quit my day job as I make no $$$ from this…
A/N: And so it begins. This year is pretty important. 1990 - 1991 not so much so it might only have two chapters.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE: THE LAST WAR
SATURDAY, AUGUST 19th, 1989 - POTTER HOUSE, LONDON, U.K.
Harry, Hermione and Clarice had returned from their holiday in France only a couple of days earlier. They ahd a wonderful time even if they were too young to buy another wand. The three of them wondered what they would be doing this year. At the very least, they knew they would probably have a chance to destroy one of the Horcruxes, the one in the vault and they planned to get to that task the next week. Beyond that, there was the Weekend Warriors who would begin meeting again after almost two months while they and the ten others had been in Japan and they had been on Holiday.
Excluding themselves, there were thirty Weekend Warriors. Ten were now Watanabe Students and had attained at least their O.W.L.s, in the case of Susan Bones, Neville and Luna. The other seven had their N.E.W.T.s already. Those ten were now known in Harry's mind as Watanabe Year 1989 and many were slated to attend through the summer of 1992. They now ranged in age from eight years old to seventeen. Luna would turn nine in less than a month and Harry's cousin Jason Evans and his two friends were all seventeen and were, last he heard, debating whether they would go back for their final year. Seven of Year 1989 were in school already. Of those seven, only Dora Tonks was a Hogwarts student having finished her fourth year in Huffelpuff House. As Susan, Neville and Luna were all slated for Hogwarts, that meanr Year '89 had Seven St. George's students and four Hogwarts. Harry, Hermione and Clarice were Watanabe Year 1988 and would complete the full program of studies in the summer of 1991, before any of them were scheduled to attend magical school here in Britain.
Year 1990, those who would begin the Watanabe School next summer also had ten "members" including the Weasley twins. Two had finished their second year at St. Georges. Five would begin magical school very soon. The twins and Alicia Spinet would start Hogwarts on September 1st. Two others would start St. Georges on Monday, August 28th. The remaining three would not be expected to start St. George's until August of next year.
The last group from the last year was Watanabe year 1991. This group included the youngest of Harry and Clarice's Evans cousins, the Greengrass sisters and Ginny Weasley. They ranged in age from seven to nine and were scheduled to start the Watanabe School the summer of 1991. The Evans twins were the only St. George's future students in this group. All but two of the rest were certain for Hogwarts. The last two, the Patil twins, did not know where they were to go. Their family had emigrated to London from India when they were toddlers. Given where they lived, if they did not attend Hogwarts, they would attend St. George's.
Minerva McGonagall arrived at Potter House at around 7:30 that morning and had barely cleared the floo when the rest of last year's weekend warriors began to pass through as well. They had learned last year that if they arrived early they could expect a nice breakfast. The dinning room was soon filled with over thirty children who were eating and many were listening to the ten who made their first trip to Japan tell about their time there. There was one new "member" in the group. It seemed Hogwarts current resident Prank Master had decided to attend as well. Percy told Harry that from everything he had heard from the twins and Ginny, he had to check this out. He had even asked his Head of House Professor McGonagall whether he could participate this year and she had assured him arrangements would be made for all Hogwarts students who became part of this "club."
Percy made it clear he wanted to learn as much wandless magic as possible and anything else he could pick up. He had responsibilities after all. He had to make sure the twins could continue the legacy he and his brothers had set before them and had vowed, to himself, that the Weasley pranks this year would be one that would have to require a revision of Hogwarts: A History. He was joking - a little.
Harry, Hermione and Clarice had anticipated the possibility of new members. After all, most of the current members had friends who might be interested and at least a few had younger siblings. Renee Greengrass, for example was six. She would likely join the club after next summer. None of them were prepared for what started piling through their floo at around nine that morning. It seemed to be going nonstop for ages. When it finally stopped disgorging children, another forty-one had arrived. Hermione took a pad of paper and pen and began writing down names, ages as schools of each of the new arrivals, as well as how they found out about the club. Somehow, they had all learned of it either from their friends at school or from their parents.
"Parents talk too much," Harry observed at an impromptu meeting Hermione had called. Present were Harry, Hermione, Clarice and the ten who had been in Japan with them as well as Minerva McGonagall. Sirius was left with the impossible task, given his nature, of trying to ensure the sixty-two others did not inadvertently burn down the house. Then again, both of the Grangers were there to provide at least a modicum of adult maturity.
"Okay, this can be done," Hermione said.
"How?" Harry asked.
Harry then had to marvel. If there was one skill that truly set Hermione apart from others, it was her ability to organize things. She had already gone over the lists she had made as the new "members" had poured through the floo. First of all, she reminded Harry and the other Watanabe students that last year she, Harry and Clarice had managed with thirty other "members." That was ten members per wandless trained witch or wizard. Now there were only sixty-two who were not trained at the Watanabe School and thirteen who were as trained as the three were last year, if not more so. That was only five to six trainees per trainer. They could easily divide the groups into small sections based upon their comparable experience.
For example, there were twenty who had a full year's worth of coaching and practice in wandless and mind magics. This would be one group. There were forty-two without such experience who would be another group. The "Second Years" could be divided into two groups, just like before and the new members into four. Moreover, they now had twenty-eight "members" with wands. They did not do much wand training last year because only eight of the thirty had wands. Now they could include that. Hermione seemed to have the whole thing figured out.
Harry agreed with the training structure Hermione devised. He was more concerned about how they would be able to send this new lot to Japan. Hermione convinced him that was something they could work out later. They had, after all, until May to figure that bit out.
Hoping that the would, the new forty-two were divided into their Watanabe years. The twenty who either were already at school of slated to begin as first years joined the existing members of Year 1990. There were eight Hogwarts students who had finished their first through third years, two from each house. In addition two these eight, there were two eleven year olds who would start Hogwarts on September 1st. That gave them fourteen total Hogwarts students including Dora. Getting them here was left to Aunt Minnie to figure out. There were also six St. George's students, again having finished first through third years as well as four new St. George's first years who were to start school on August 28th.
The remaining twenty-two new members ranged in age from seven to ten. Ten were from Hogwarts families and the other ten from St. George's families. Two, a brother and sister by the last name of Chang, did not know where they might end up. Their family had emigrated from Hong Kong eight years ago. Given where they lived, if they did not go to Hogwarts, they would most likely be invited to attend St. Andrew's.
What surprised Harry were the number of families in this group. Only five of the new members did not have at least one brother or sister in the Weekend Warriors, and two of those five had younger siblings who would probably join next year. Last year, sixteen of the thirty members were either only children or the youngest in their families. Now there were nineteen groups of siblings in the Weekend Warriors. From Hogwarts, these were the families Adair, Abbott, Brocklhurst, Clearwater, Collins, Davis, Greengrass, Johnson, Smith and Weasley. From St. George's were the familes Adams, Evans, Jackson, McDonald, Palmer, Parker, Richards, and Watson. Finally there were the Changs and Patils. Professor McGonagall noted that it was "quite a haul."
With everything finally organized and after the introductions were made, as well as the now expected dueling demonstration, this time it was Neville, Luna and Susan Bones who had each made it to the quarterfinals in their Fifth Session tournaments, the greatly expanded Weekend Warriors sat down for a large lunch before dividing up into groups for that day's practice. As had happened the year before, every new member achieved a minor feat of controlled wandless magic by the end of that afternoon.
"So what about your brother Ron?" Harry asked Percy as the group began to get ready to leave for the day.
"Mum says he's not ready," Percy shrugged. "Maybe later this year. Maybe next year."
"What's his problem?"
"He's still an immature git," Ginny said.
"Yeah," Fred agreed.
"At least he can now read," George added.
MONDAY, AUGUST 28th, 1989 - THAMES HOUSE, LONDON, U.K.
By a unanimous vote, the Weekend Warriors had agreed to meet almost every day the previous week. Today, the older St. George's students would begin their school year. All but three of the Watanabe students were returning. Those three - Jason Evans, Justin Parker and Ian Smith - were all seventeen, had their N.E.W.T.s and had apparently been offered jobs, although they would return to Japan for at least two more summers to complete their magical and non-magical educations. They said their new employer insisted on that. The Hogwarts students would be bound for Scotland on Friday, September 1st.
This day, however, a group of witches and wizard had been asked to meet some people at a large former palace on the Thames, now the headquarters of MI-5. Harry, Hermione and Clarice were brought there by Sirius and Minerva McGonagall with the two elder Grangers there as well. The kids had no idea what this was about, but Harry was certain that at least Sirius and maybe even Robert Granger had a clue as they did not look nearly as confused as the others. A young woman ushered them through security and into a large conference room where several other adults were seated. Harry recognized Remus Lupin among them and was not that surprised to see Mike Evans and David Greengrass as he knew they worked here. Still, he wondered what this was about.
They were apparently waiting for others to arrive as another woman offered them tea and biscuits. One by one they were joined by five other men and women whom Harry could tell were magical.
"Any idea what this is about?" Harry asked Hermione.
"Nope," she replied, "although I don't think we're in trouble if that's what you're thinking."
"Good morning everyone," a man with short, graying hair said as he entered the room. He was carrying a file folder of some kind and took a seat at the head of the table. "For those who have not met me, I am Roger Grant, Director of Office W, State Security. For those who do not know what that means, State Security also known as MI-5 is tasked by Her Majesty's government with dealing with internal threats to the realm: terrorists, foreign agents and the like. Office W is specifically tasked with magical threats. We are a mixed bag of magicals and muggles and have been operating since the 1920's, although there were prior offices that performed similar services in the past. I myself am not magical, but I do have magical relatives. To be part of this office you must either be magical or know about magic. More to the point, you must not be biased against it.
"The vast majority of Her Majesty's magical subjects are law abiding and of no threat whatsoever to either world. It is that small minority that concerns us - and many of you as well. Right now, things are quiet but we all know that has not always been the case. We also know or should know that evil comes and goes. The main reason I've called this meeting is we believe an opportunity has presented itself that might one day mean we will not repeat the mistakes of the recent past. Now I'd like to introduce some of the members of my team: Mr. Mike Evans, non-magical; Mr. David Greengrass, magical; Mr. Remus Lupin, magical and head of our investigation into certain rogue werewolf elements; and soon we will be welcoming Mr. Sirius Black, also magical. Now, I think we should go around the table and introduce ourselves."
"Professor Marcus Fleming," an older man said. "Deputy Headmaster and Potions Master at St. George's School of Magic here in London."
"Professor Coleen Malloy," an older woman said. "Headmistress of St. Patrick's Magical College, Republic of Ireland."
"Professor Walter Mason," a younger man said. "I teach Charms at Preston Academy of Magic."
"Professor Elaine Walsh," another older woman said. "I am Deputy Headmistress at St. Alban's College of Magical Arts in Wales."
"Professor Sir Ian McGregor," an older gentleman said. "Used to work for Office W before I decided to teach. I am Headmaster at St. Andrews School in Scotland."
"Professor Minerva McGonagall," Minerva said, "Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and Professor of Transfiguration."
"Interesting collection," Ian noted. "Is it just me, or is there a reason why the six rabble rousers are here."
"Rabble rousers?" Robert asked, not yet introduced.
"Indeed," Ian said. "The six of us are the most vocal critics of magical education in Britain. Have been for years and years. I dare say we are less than welcome at the Ministry for Magic and are not well liked by many of those who wish to maintain the low standards here."
"I can assure you, Sir Ian, that though has crossed our minds," Roger Grant said. "Shall we continued?"
"Robert Granger," he introduced himself. "I am the parent or guardian of these children. Dentist by trade."
"Don't be so modest, Captain Granger," Roger Grand said. "I do remember you from the Oxford raid back in '75."
"Sir?" Robert asked. He was not trying to deny it, but that raid was Most Secret.
"Everyone here, except for these three young people have signed the State Secrets Act, Captain," Roger replied.
"Raids?" Professor Mason asked. "And you know about magic?"
"The Kings and Queens have always known about magic, Professor," Mr. Grant said. "Naturally, if they know, they expect certain advisors to know as well. For a time, said advisor was usually a wizard, but that changed following the Treaty of Westminster in 1196 during the reign of King Richard the Lion Heart, which you might note predates the Magna Carta."
"Treaty of Westminster?"
"Indeed. The leaders of the magical world were a little put off by the Crusades. This treaty followed the Third Crusade and fall of Jerusalem. King Richard, while grateful for the support he received from all his realm in that war, understood the magical concerns and granted the magical realm home rule. While by treaty, the magical government still answered to the King, in practice it was allowed to manage its own affairs provided it maintained the King's Peace. Basically, so long as the average Muggle remained ignorant of magic, the obligations under the treaty were deemed fulfilled. For the next several centuries and in particular following the enactment of your Statute of Secrecy in 1692, while there were occasion 'incidents,' the Crown never felt it was necessary to get involved in your affairs. That changed somewhat about sixty-five years ago."
"Why then?" Professor Walsh asked.
"There were rumblings from the Continent about a Dark Wizard name Grindewald. Of particular concern was that he was getting a large following and advocated for magical rule of the world. As this was occurring at the same time as two Muggle despots were either in power or on the rise, we became interested. That was when Office W was formed."
"But we were neutral in that war."
"Indeed. And that was a policy His Majesty's government was willing to support. Still, while neutral, we did not get the impression that your government was doing all it could to prevent the spread of hostilities to our shores. While we adopted a largely hands off approach to your people, we cannot say we took the same approach regarding foreign magicals. Many who came to these shores then did so as refugees. But there were more than a few agents intent upon dragging your Britain into the war. Your Ministry did little to stop them. We, on the other hand, were less apathetic. Like the German Agents in World War II who stood no chance against MI-5, we killed or turned most every magical agent who landed on these shores. We like to think that your continued neutrality was at least in part our doing. We know that during that war there were prominent members of your government and very influential families who were at least sympathetic to Grindewald's cause, and enough so to keep your government out of it entirely. And that means not even taking measures to ensure the enemy stayed out.
"We learned a lot from that war. Most notably and thanks to our magical allies - mostly Muggleborns as you saw - we learned to tell the difference between magic and accident. Any time your Obleviators are deployed, we get an alert. Most often it's nothing more than a random incident or a case of accidental magic by a child. Same's true for the efforts of the Muggle Worthy Excuse Committee. Truth is, they are not terribly convincing. Still, most often we do nothing but note that it happened. After all, it is the policy of this government to allow you lot to handle your affairs.
"Unless your affairs become ours. This was not a real issue for a long while after your Grindewalt problem. But, in 1965 we began to note a disturbing trend. Attacks on our side of the line - lethal ones that had nothing to do with accidental magic. We quickly were aware of your Voldemort and his Death Eaters and, because they precipitated or at least added to and helped trigger - whether they intended it or not - the unrest in Northern Ireland, our government demanded answers from you Ministry. They ignored us.
"Voldemort declared himself to you in 1970. We were already on to him. Our Prime Minister demanded action from your government and nothing happened, so we took action against the Death Eaters. Office W is not a combat branch. We lack the ability. Yes, we are trained to fight as are our magicals, but we are not a large group and we found it was far easier to find a gathering of Death Eaters than the odd individual. We had to employ our military against them when we had the chance.
"You can see our problem, can't you? In addition to the fact we were killing your bad guys by muggle means, we had an issue with security. Office W, while in charge, never had the numbers to constitute an assault force against a hard target, which was what we usually went after 'cause it was fixed and we could hit it. That meant we needed folks like Captain Granger here. They had to be 'read in' to the notion that magic is real, dangerous and yet at the same time that most magic users were okay. Not an ideal scenario.
"Yet, your government refused to act, so what were we to do? Allow our people to be murdered? Ninety percent of your enemies losses in the war - as in fatal losses - were our results. Captain Granger here led a force that killed thirty-four Death Eaters…"
"And sixty-seven others," Robert added. "While not Death Eaters, they were families. I left the Service for that. The sight of dead women and children…"
"What?" several voices asked.
"We put up one way apparition, portkey and floo wards," Mike Evans said. "They could get in, but the only way out was through our guns. We figured they would reinforce if they could. They brought in their families. Used them as human shields and bargaining chips. Basically, they wanted to be allowed to walk out with a free pass. That was not going to happen. That group made the IRA look tame. Over two thousand murders were on their bill at that time. They were not walking out alive."
"And they didn't," Robert continued. "Anyone who poked their head up got it blown off. Still, they would not budge. Finally had to call in the RAF. Bombed it to bits and then sent in the assault teams. Fifteen were still alive and had wands. They lasted a couple of seconds. It was a slaughter. I am not proud of that op. Not at all. I agree that the thirty-four Death Eaters we killed probably deserved worse. The others? They were only there because those thirty four were willing to sacrifice them to continue to kill others. We were not about to get into a standoff and let either our press or yours get wind of it. They had forty-eight hours to surrender, then we hit them."
"Did you kill any?" a voice asked.
"Three or four before the assault. Dumb bastards didn't know to keep their heads down and at two hundred meters, that's average marksmanship. Four in the final assault. Two were not Death Eaters, but they had wands and were using them. I still have the nightmares."
"That's!" Professor Fleming began.
"Horrific?" Roger Grant replied. "You've all taken oaths on you magic not to speak of this meeting to anyone not currently in this room. It was not pleasant. But despite numerous calls to your government - and yes ours has a means of communication - they said it was nothing more than some pranks gone wrong. A thousand of our people dead from pranks?? We took action because your government failed to honor its treaty obligations and keep the peace. Had it fallen, full scale military intervention had be pre-approved."
"It would have been the end of us had that happened," David Greengrass said. "Those of us loyal to the Queen may have survived, but the rest? It would not have been good."
"And you stand with them?" Fleming asked.
"I joined them because our government was doing nothing. I was a fully qualified Auror at the time. I stand with them because I have a wife and four daughters and I feel safer with them under Her Majesty's government than the Ministry of Magic. They don't play the same games. A bastard like Malfoy would be rotting in prison, if he had been taken alive. In the magical world, if you know the right people and have enough Galleons, the law is some one else's problem. I am a wizard. I always will be. But I will not support that government - ever."
"I should note you were a Slytherin," McGonagall said.
"Which means I pick the side that will best protect that which I consider important in the end. That has always been my family. Voldemort could care less about that. He kills Death Eaters and their families for sport. The Ministry could care less 'cause that would mean they would actually have to work for a living. The Order of the Phoenix could care less as well - and yes we know about that group. They lack the resources to protect any but their own, and even then they can't or didn't or wouldn't. Just look at the Longbottoms and the Potters!"
"Er…"
"Alice and Frank Longbottom were under the supposed protection of said Order now reside in St. Mungo's! They were tortured into insanity after the last war was supposed to be over! Where was the Ministry for them? Only their son lives and has any faculties at all. The Potters were - er - wiped out as you well know. All were supposedly under the Order's protection! I have a family to think about, Professor. Given history, I'll take my chances with Her Majesty's government as imperfect as it is. It is still better than what we wizards have created! My daughters are part of the 'Club' we are here to talk about because they are friends with these three kids before us. More importantly, they are part of the club because my wife and I agree they will be safer in the end.
"The reasons for the last war have never been dealt with. The Pureblood elitists still exist and thrive. Deal with them, and there can be no Dark Lords. Regrettably, our magical government will not! They still allow racism to exist - particularly at Hogwarts which supplies many of our government's future leaders. I am a Pureblood as is my wife. We don't care about that nonsense. Magic is magic! But too many of our kind DO care. So long as they do, the last War is not truly over! That is why I crossed over to Her Majesty's government and that is why I remain!"
"And why did the rest of you join?" Professor Malloy asked.
"I'm what you call a Muggle," Mike Evans answered first. "There is magic in my family. I had a sister who was a witch and I married a witch. All my children are magical as well. I was in the Army when MI-5 recruited me because I knew about the world of magic. Most of us Muggles in Office W were found that way. As you know, your government would not hire us even though we have a vested interest in the security of your world for we have family within it."
"My story is even simpler," Remus said. "I too am a fully qualified Auror and worked for Alastor Moody during the last war. I am also a werewolf and have been since I was a boy. The laws regarding Weres were relaxed somewhat back then due to the need for manpower and wands. Unfortunately, as soon as it was over, the old laws were back in place. As a Were, I cannot legally obtain employment in the magical government and most others in our world won't hire me. MI-5 has no such qualms. Here I am not a Dark Creature, rather a person suffering from a manageable illness."
"And you?" Professor Malloy asked Sirius.
"I too was a fully qualified Auror during the last war. At its end, I was thrown in Azkaban for seven years without a trial for crimes I did not commit. It was in the papers last year, as I recall. Needless to say, I do not hold the Ministry in high regard."
"While this lesson has been interesting," Professor Mason said, "I assume we are not here to learn about the last war."
"In a way you are," Roger Grant said. "You must be Mr. Potter," he continued looking at Harry. "Would you pleased introduce yourself and tell these good people about your last two summers in Japan and that Club of yours."
Harry then introduced himself telling the newcomers that he was nine years old and had spent the last two summers at the Watanabe School of Magical Studies along with his sister Clarice and his best friend Hermione Granger, the other two children in the room. Their first summer, they covered five years of materials in five sessions consisting of two 150 day terms each. They advanced from primary school to secondary school in non magical classes and through the completion of their O.W.L.s in magical classes. This past summer, they completed secondary school, completed their N.E.W.T.s and each had earned a Mastery.
He then talked about the club they had going. They started it to help their friends. But it had quickly grown beyond that. The first year they had thirty members ranging in age from six to sixteen. Including themselves, sixteen were "affiliated" with Hogwarts, meaning they either went there or would when they were eleven. There were fifteen affiliated with St. George's School and two whose family was new to Britain. Ten of those went to the Watanabe school the past summer. The seven older students completed their N.E.W.T.s and the younger three their O.W.L.s. The plan was that next year another ten would go, followed by ten more in the summer of 1991. But just this past weekend, the club grew by forty-two.
"It's pretty popular it seems," Clarice said.
Minerva and Sirius followed providing their own observations both of the Japanese school, as they both had been there and the kids group here as well. They were questioned at length by the other educators, each seeming to try and find a flaw of some sort. The idea that such young children could have Masteries stunned them, but they could not refute the evidence that was presented. Professor Fleming seemed pleased that so many of his school's top students were members and admitted he now understood why three of his rising seventh years had "dropped out."
"They're going to be working for us," Roger Grant said. "This year, they'll spend three days a week getting training in non-magical fields. Next summer, we are sending them back to Japan for their Defense Mastery and to begin another Mastery of their choice and to get their degrees. We will probably send them back the following summer as well."
"So I take it we're here to both unofficially endorse this course of study and, perhaps, allow our own students to participate?" Professor McGregor asked.
"That is our proposal," Mr. Grant said. "Our government will cover the expenses involved. We will also offer the Club one of our under used facilities west of London. It is heavily warded and cannot be detected by the Ministry of Magic, so they can practice without running afoul of your laws."
"Is there a reason why you are doing this?" Harry asked.
"Indeed there is. It is in the best interests of both our worlds that our young people get the best possible education they can. Many of you have issues with the quality of magical education as it now stands in Britain. This is a way around that. Moreover, this education is not limited to magic. The students will have the opportunity to attend university as well, an option not realistic here. It is expensive, but Her Majesty's government considers this a sound investment."
"Sound investment?" Professor Walsh asked. "That means you expect a return; conditions and such."
"Not much really," Mr. Grant said. "Our only conditions are that any student whose education is funded by our government must take Defense as one of their Masteries. They must also obtain a non-magical degree."
"That's it?"
"We will offer them employment upon completion of their education or their sixteenth birthday, whichever is later."
"And they have to accept?"
"No."
"But," Remus said, "seeing as the salary here is twice what they could expect to make in the Ministry of Magic, we feel many will accept the offer."
"So they all are going to work for you?"
"No. Some will, no doubt. But there are other magical sections like ours in other departments within the government. The Secret Intelligence Service - MI-6 - has one as does the Ministry of Defense, Foreign Office, Home Secretary to name a few. Plus, they need not necessarily be employed as magicals, which opens up other opportunities."
"That's it? They don't have to work for your government? You're spending goodness knows how much and you do not even require payback?"
"A fund was set up twenty years ago managed through our office to provide financial assistance to your government. We offered. They refused. But the fund remains and is added to each year just in case either they would change their minds or another opportunity, such as this, presents itself. We would prefer to spend that money rather than have to give it back one day."
"Any other conditions?"
"Yes," Harry said. "Students starting this year cannot be over the age of fourteen as of June 30th, 1990 or under the age of seven at that time. Families are to be kept together. That means if a family has kids within that age range, all kids will be allowed to join. And no pureblood bigots! That kind of attitude gets you expelled from our school and will not be tolerated in our - er - club. How are we going to handle this, Hermione?"
"Easy enough," she said. "Those students who are in school, be it magical or otherwise will attend on weekends just like last year. All others - well I guess we could do two additional days during the week. That should keep things manageable."
"And what will they be learning?" Professor Malloy asked.
"Everyone will be learning wandless magics and shifting…"
"Shifting?"
"It's kind of like apparition only easier in many ways. They will also be learning mind magics as well. Those who have wands will be able to train and learn with them as well. We learned non-verbal spell casting practically from day one at school and it is easier than you might think. We also can coach them in physical fitness and the martial arts. A strong body is good for magical development. We can provide tutoring in Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, Potions and Herbology for those interested. And every week, we spend an afternoon in Muggle London."
"Why?"
"'Cause most magically raised kids know nothing about it and tend to look like idiots as adults in that world."
"It's about time," Professor Fleming said.
"Excuse me?" Hermione replied.
"It's embarrassing in a way," he continued. "We have argued for more rigorous education and here it is three children do what we and our own government can't! Regardless, it's about bloody time!"
"They won't be able to take everyone," Remus said. "Just a few."
"A few is more than none! How many?"
"Hermione?" Harry asked. "Can we managed this?"
She chewed her bottom lip as she thought. After a couple of minutes she nodded. "It's only fair," she said finally. "Excluding those of us who went there, there are thirty from Hogwarts families and thirty from St. Georges. Naturally, that means thirty from each of the other school communities."
"Preferably equally divided between students in school and younger children," Clarice added.
"I take it our role is to provide you with those students?" Professor Walsh asked.
"Volunteers only," Harry said.
"And they must have parental permission," Mr. Grant added.
"But I do recommend you keep this quiet," Remus added.
"Why?" a few voices asked.
"We are asking you and them to thumb yours and their noses at the Ministry of Magic and our system of education. They won't take kindly to that."
"But, it can't be kept secret," Sirius added. "Too many will know. Too many will talk."
"Then how…" Minerva began before she saw an evil grin form on the old prankster's face.
"These three are the leaders of their Club whether they wish to believe that or not. You saw them at school, Minerva. They are looked up to and followed. You know how well their friends did both in their year and the year behind them. Mostly their doing, I can tell you.
"But, on the books, Hermione and Clarice are labeled as Muggleborn, even though they are not. Harry's blood status is also not common knowledge now. The powers that be probably would laugh at the notion of some young, pre-magical school age children without discernable magical heritage running a club that 'supposedly' teaches magic the Ministry considers beyond all but the best of witches and wizards. It'll keep the questions to a minimum."
"Seems being a Marauder does have its points," Minerva said. "Inside joke," she said to the others as she laughed with Sirius and Remus. "These two were part of a small group of notorious prank artists when they were in school. I am proud of you two," she added softly and with a warm smile neither Remus nor Sirius had ever seen directed at them from her before.
"Now," Mr. Grant said, "as to the matter of compensation and Ms. Clarice's other options."
"Compensation?" several voices asked.
"Other options," Clarice added.
"Well you don't expect that you three and the others you ask to help you run this club are going to do it for nothing, do you?"
"You want to pay us?" Harry asked.
"How much?" Robert added.
"Two hundred quid a week," Mr. Grant said. "Two twenty-five for these three and two hundred for the rest of their fellow - er - instructors."
"Blimey!" Harry exclaimed. Even though he knew he was one day going to be quite wealthy, that seemed like a lot of money.
"Bloody good wage," Robert added. "Better than most teachers make."
"And Clarice?" Robert asked.
"While I'm sure she would love to continue what she is doing," Mr. Grant said, "we run a magical clinic for our magical employees and their families. It is understaffed. We could use a part time Healer."
"Really?" Clarice squealed. "Of course I will! I was - I was hoping, but who would want little me as a Healer?"
"People who'd rather not go to St. Mungo's," Remus said.
"And I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do more than O.W.L. level first aide! Of course I will!"
"Rate's a hundred a day for non-board certified types," Mr. Grant said.
"Oh who cares!" Clarice replied. "This is wonderful!"
"O.W.L. level first aide?" Professor Mason asked.
"Basic part of the Watanabe studies," Clarice said. All students are taught basic Healing; how to stabilize injuries and such. After all, magic can be both dangerous and unpredictable."
"Why don't we teach that?" Professor Walsh asked.
"We do," Hermione said. "It's important."
"So," Mr. Grant said with a smile, "are we all in?"
They were. Little did they know that the revolution had just begun, although this would not be recognized for years.
A/N: WEEKEND WARRIORS AS OF END OF CHAPTER:
FAMILIES
Olivia Adair, age 14, Hogwarts Slytherin 3rd yr. 1990
Melissa Adair, age 12 Hogwarts Slytherin 1st yr. 1990
Reginald Adair, age 10 (Hogwarts) 1991
Oscar Adams, age 14, St. George 3rd yr 1990
Rachel Adams, age 11 (St. George) 1990
Connie Adams, age 9 (St. George) 1991
Jack Adams, age 7 (St. George) 1991
Justin Abbott, age 13, Hogwarts Hufflepuff 2nd yr. 1990
Hannah Abbott, age 9 (Hogwarts) 1991
Robert Abbott, age 7 (Hogwarts) 1991
Mandy Brockelhurst, age 9 (Hogwarts) 1991
Cynthia Brockelhurst, age 7 (Hogwarts) 1991
Cho Chang, age 10 (Hogwarts?) 1991
Aaron Chang, age 7 (Hogwarts?) 1991
Penelope Clearwater, age 13 Hogwarts Ravenclaw 2nd yr 1990
Stanley Clearwater, age 11 (Hogwarts) 1990
Annie Collins, age 12 Hogwarts Hufflepuff 1st yr 1990
Jasper Collins, age 10 (Hogwarts) 1991
Tracy Davis, age 9 (Hogwarts) 1991
Alois Davis, age 7 (Hogwarts) 1991
Jason Evans, age 17, St. George 6th yr 1989
Amber Evans, age 15, St. George 4th yr 1989
Michelle Evans, age 13, St. George 2nd yr 1990
Aaron Evans, age 11 (St. George) 1990
Billy Evans, age 9 (St. George) 1991
Cynthia Evans, age 9 (St. George) 1991
Hermione Granger, age 9 (Hogwarts) 1988
(Clarice Jameson), age 8 (Hogwarts) 1988
(Harry Potter), age 9 (Hogwarts) 1988
Daphne Greengrass, age 9 (Hogwarts) 1991
Astoria Greengrass, age 7 (Hogwarts) 1991
Jessica Jackson, age 10 (St. George) 1991
Gregory Jackson, age 7 (St. George) 1991
Michael Johnson, age 13 Hogwarts Grffindor 2nd yr 1990
Angelina Johnson, age 11 (Hogwarts) 1990
Aaron McDonald, age 13, St. Geroge 2nd yr 1990
Elaine McDonald, age 11 (St. George) 1990
Justin Parker, age 17 St. George 6th yr 1989
Robert Parker, 15, St. George 4th yr. 1990
Michael Parker, age 13, St. George 2nd yr 1990
Justin Palmer, age 10 (St. George) 1991
Pamela Palmer, age 8 (St. George) 1991
Padma Patil, age 9 (Hogwarts?) 1991
Parvati Patil, age 9 (Hogwarts?) 1991
Debbie Richards, age 13, St. George 2nd yr 1990
Charlie Richards, age 10 (St. George) 1991
Maria Smith, age 13, Hogwarts Ravenclaw 2nd yr 1990
Zacharias Smith, age 9 (Hogwarts) 1991
Maggie Watson, age 11 (St. George) 1990
Angie Watson, age 9 (St. George) 1991
Eric Watson, age 8 (St. George) 1991
Percy Weasley, age 13 Hogwarts Gryffindor 2nd yr 1990
Fred Weasley, age 11 (Hogwarts) 1990
George Weasley, age 11 (Hogwarts) 1990
Ginny Weasley, age 8 (Hogwarts) 1991
OTHERS
Erin Bates, age 11 (St. George) 1990
Susan Bones, age 9 (Hogwarts) 1989
Terry Boot, age 9 (Hogwarts) 1991
Millicent Bullstrode, age 9 (Hogwarts) 1991
Regina Darcy, age 11 (St. George) 1990
Colin Dunbar, age 15, St. Geroge 4th yr 1990
Marcus Finch, age 12, St. George 1st yr 1990
Andrew Kirke, age 10 (St. George) 1991
Megan Logan, age 9 (St. George) 1991
Neville Longbottom, age 9 (Hogwarts) 1989
Luna Lovegood, age 8 (Hogwarts) 1989
Ernie McMillan, age 9 (Hogwarts) 1991
Maggie Meeks, age 10 (St. George) 1991
Cathy Nolan, age 12, St. George 1st yr. 1990
Theodore Nott, age 9 (Hogwarts) 1991
Justin Palmer, age 17, St. George 6th yr 1989
Trisha Powell, age 15, St. Geroge 4th yr 1989
Roger Sluvey, age 10 (St. George) 1991
Ian Smith, age 17, St. Geroge 6th yr 1989
Alicia Spinet, age 11 (Hogwarts) 1990
Nymphadora Tonks, age 15, Hogwarts Hufflepuff 4th yr 1989