Chapter 20: Issues
The order meeting that evening was not very pleasant. Harry had sent out notices to every form of media there was in the wizarding world. Everyone knew Harry Potter would be out in public and there was nothing the Order of the Phoenix could do about it. Harry and Ginny sealed their suites and floo, and Harry asked Hogwarts to seal and protect the Apprenticeship's wing where Luna, Neville, Ron and Hermione had already moved too. Little did anyone know that Bill, Fleur, Tonks, Remus, Charlie, Percy, and the twins were already given access and would report back with news from the meeting.
Albus was very tired, but needed to make sure everything was as ready as they could make it and protect Harry. "William, do you have anything you can tell us about security in the Alley?" Bill internally grinned and then remembered that he owed Charlie ten galleons on a bet.
"Of course Albus. As you know, I was recently promoted to Vice President in charge of Security. Mackrack has tasked me to handle the security arrangements for tomorrow. I have one battalion of goblins who were be patrolling Diagon Alley along with seventy five of my wizard security team members. Tonks and Kingsley have given me an additional 50 Aurors, and 30 Hit Wizards. I have already weaved the Portkey and Apparition Wards into the existing wards of Gringotts where they will be powered from."
This was a flat out lie; Bill had used ten black onyx stones as the anchors for the wards. There were 2 different sets of wards. The first set was somewhat weak portkey and apparition wards that would allow Voldemort and the Death Eaters to enter. The second set of wards was the real wards that would take quite a bit of power to go through them. Dumbledore, Harry and Voldemort would be the only three who could possibly do it, but only Harry would be in good enough shape to fight afterwards.
"Once Harry and his entourage arrive, I will raise the wards and wait. As soon as the Press Conference is over, I'll escort Harry and others off stage and into the bank where they can floo back here. In case of any emergency, Gringotts is my emergency evacuation point. I would like as many Order members there as possible to assist us. Mackrack believes this press conference is a mistake, but since Harry controls a large amount of money…you get the picture. I would also remind everyone that the general seating area will be covered with sticking charms and booby trapped with Full Body Bind curses that I will activate if anything happens."
Albus nodded at Bill and turned towards Severus, "Severus, any word on Voldemort's movements? Does he know about this Press Conference?" Severus Snape, Potion Master, Professor, Spy, and greasy git was about to pull off the performance of his life, lying to Albus Dumbledore.
"No. The Dark Lord has no idea what is going on. He has placed himself in a potion bathe made of Unicorn blood, snake venom from Nagini, water from the Nile and Amazon Rivers, a few other ingredients I do not know about. We were summoned two nights ago and told not to attack or do anything for seven days while this potion recharges his magic. Headmaster, I must point out that the Dark Lord is also trying to build stronger Occlumency walls against Potter. Since he can no longer enter his mind, he feels that Potter may be able to enter his." The only piece of information that was real was the bit about the Occlumency. Everything was created by Harry and Snape to make it sound like it was some powerful magic. Snape had been to Voldemort last night and told him of the plans for the Press Conference. He gave him detailed plans about Potter's arrival, departure and security plans. Well what the group wanted Voldemort to think the plan was, in reality he had given Voldemort the same useless information that Tonks and Bill gave the Aurors. Minister Bones had the same plan that the order had. This would provide the Minister with more evidence to clean house some more since there were still Voldemort supporters in the Ministry.
After the meeting broke up, with everyone having their assignments, Albus held back the senior members of the order. This included Albus, Minerva, Kingsley, Tonks, Remus, Arthur, Molly, Bill, Mad-Eye, Severus, and Charlie Weasley.
Mad-Eye got right down to business, "Albus someone is playing us. I don't think its Voldemort; providing what Snape is saying is true. If I had to guess, I would say Potter has something up his sleeve."
Everyone nodded at this assessment. Harry was running the show; there was no question about it, but why?
Molly spoke up, "If Harry is planning something then I guarantee Ginny and the others are in on it. This has Ron's strategy skills, Hermione's organization, Ginny's cunning, Neville's loyalty, Luna's intelligence and of course Harry's leadership written all over it. The only things we are missing are dragons, cursed tombs and jokes and I could say it was a family affair" Molly stared directly at Bill and Charlie.
"No mum, we haven't seen any of them in the last three days, we've been too busy with work to worry about them." Bill nodded in agreement. Shortly afterwards everyone broke up and headed home.
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Bill, Charlie, Tonks, Remus, and Severus all walked to the Room of Requirement where Fleur, Fred, George, Harry, and the others were already waiting. As they walked in Remus asked them if the others had brought them up too speed already.
Neville answered, "Moony, we are already taken care of on that front. What happened with the Senior Meeting?" Severus chuckled, "You have Med-Eye paranoid and Albus nervous. If you didn't have a Phoenix bonded to you, I think Albus would accuse you of going dark." With a small laugh Harry called everyone attention back to the plan of attack for tomorrow. They went over everyone assignments and where Order members, Aurors and others would be.
Hermione, Bill and Ron all had Mercury flame them to Gringotts so that they could install and setup the aura scanner and recorder; Hermione would calibrate it tonight and then again tomorrow when the usual magic of the alley was going. This way they would have accurate readings of Voldemort, the Death Eaters and everyone else in the fight. It was well past midnight before Harry and Ginny fell into bed, completely exhausted.
Harry woke up just as the sun was rising over Hogwarts Castle. His beautiful wife was still sound asleep and would remain that way until 8:00am when her alarm clock would go off. Harry quietly got out of bed and decided he wanted to go fly for a while. He transformed into his phoenix form and flamed to the top of the astronomy tower, the highest point in Hogwarts.
As he was basking in the early morning sun, three phoenixes appeared in flames and set down next to him. Fawkes spoke in his mind 'Good morning Hatchling Harry, what troubles you?'
Harry just huffed, 'There is a lot going on Fawkes. Albus doesn't trust me enough to join the order, so I have planned something rather large. Hermione has discovered a way to examine Voldemort's magical aura so that we can find out what he did to make himself immortal.'
Apollo told Harry to relax and soon after there were four phoenixes flying over the grounds. Minerva, who was already awake and enjoying her tea on her and Albus' balcony, smiled at the birds, she never heard her husband come up behind her and wrap his arms around her waist.
"I see Harry is out enjoying himself this morning." Albus said, with a sad look on his face. He missed many things in his old age, but none more then young Harry. Albus knew he had to apologize to Harry and soon, after all Harry was now an adult and earned the right.
Albus held his wife for a wile longer as a fifth phoenix, undoubtedly Ginny, joined the others and played a sort of tag where the phoenixes flew and flamed all over the place. At 8:00am, the five phoenixes flamed away, Harry, Ginny and Apollo to the Lord and Lady's suite, Mercury to Ron and Hermione, who had been watching them from their own balcony, and Fawkes to Albus and Minerva. Albus stared at his friend for a few moments then smiled, "I take it Harry knows what he is doing?" Fawkes simply nodded and gave a simple trill.
Albus and Minerva floo'd to Grimmauld Place and met with the rest of the order; after one last briefing, Albus apparated to the VIP apparation point on the steps of Gringotts where he met Bill, Remus, Harry and Ginny.
"Good morning everyone, beautiful day isn't it?" Bill and Remus simply nodded.
Harry spoke, "Good morning Headmaster. Here is what we are doing; I am going to open the press conference with a statement explaining about my inheritance and how I am now Lord Gryffindor and High Lord of Hogwarts and how I disbanded the Board of Governors and made the school independent from Ministry control. I am then going to have Ginny jump into the new classes we are offering and talk about the apprenticeship program.
"At the end, we will open for questions from the three of us. I say we only answer five or six questions each. After that, we walk off the stage, head to Gringotts and then floo back to the castle. Does that sound good to you Headmaster?"
Albus nodded, "That is very acceptable Ha—"
Ginny cut him off, "Excellent! Thank you Headmaster, now if you'll excuse us, we have to change into some presentable robes and meet with Mackrack before the conference begins."
Harry and Ginny then headed straight off towards Mackrack who was standing in front of the bank. Albus just looked at the two young people and shook his head, 'I really screwed this up!'
With a sudden flame, Fawkes appeared and sat on Albus' shoulder, "Minerva and I told you so Albus."
At 10:00am, the general population and the press were seated. Minerva and the Order of the Phoenix were in their positions along with the MLE and Aurors. Neville, Luna, Ron, Hermione, George, Fred, Remus, Tonks, Bill, Charlie, and Fleur were all in position around the alley.
Underneath all their normal robes, each one of them wore their new battle robes, their dragon hide gear and their weapons. Harry, Ginny, and Albus walked out of Gringotts and took their seats on the stage with Apollo perched on Harry's shoulder and Fawkes perched on Albus' shoulder. Harry and Ginny were wearing their formal Gryffindor robes with their respective swords. Albus was wearing deep purple dress robes like usual. Like all the other people who went to Harrods, they wore their battle robes and dragon hide gear.
Harry rose from his chair and moved to the phoenix podium, "Good morning ladies and gentlemen, goblins, elves, centaurs, ghosts, ghouls, other magical creatures, and members of the press."
There was a slight chuckle at this, "I have called you all here today to explain a number of changes that have happened at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. My name, for those who do not know, is Lord Gryffindor, Harry James Potter, High Lord of Hogwarts. With me is my wife, Lady Gryffindor, Ginevra Molly Potter, High Lady of Hogwarts, and Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and President of the Hogwarts Advisory Council.
"After we are finished, we will answer six questions each, so with further delay…On June 23rd of this year, I was diagnosed with having a block on my magic. Upon further inspection it was discovered that my parents, like many other parents, placed a magical block on my magic when I was young so that I would not hurt anyone. Because of my…unique history…I was never informed about this block. When I first arrived at Hogwarts, my block was not detected because of the level of magic I had, it was assumed that I never had a block.
"Shortly after my block was removed, Headmaster Dumbledore and myself were transported to the Gryffindor family cemetery where I was informed that I am the last direct blood descendant of Godric Gryffindor thru the Potter family line. My Great-great-great-grandfather married Glendora Gryffindor, Godric's only child.
"Glendora's identify was kept secret because her mother died in childbirth. That same evening I was told by the spirit of Godric Gryffindor that I am also his magical heir. A magical heir is an old pureblood ritual in which a person, who is on their death bed, takes all the remaining magic and embeds it in a family heirloom. Generations later, if someone is deemed worthy by the magic of the heirloom, the heirloom releases the magic stored within it into the heir, this magic merges with the heir's, making him or her stronger magically.
"In my case, I am Gryffindor's heir thru both blood and magic. His blood runs through my veins as a Potter, and his magic was given to me once I proved I was worthy enough to receive it. I was deemed worthy by discovering and using the Sword of Gryffindor in my second year when I defeated a basilisk. Because of my power block, the magic within the sword could not merge with me until Albus Dumbledore removed the block. After we returned to Hogwarts, we proceeded to the Great Hall where I was made the Magical and Blood Heir of all four of the Hogwarts founders through a very ancient ritual.
"Once the ritual was completed, Hogwarts acknowledged me as her Master. As per the last will and testament of the four founders, I retook control of all Hogwarts possessions, including the castle, grounds, vaults, and open land around Hogsmeade. I dismissed the old Board of Governors, and placed Hogwarts under the jurisdiction of the International Confederations of Wizards, like Durmstrang Institute, Beauxbatons School, and twenty five other schools through out the world. I have created the Hogwarts Advisory Council, which I have appointed Albus Dumbledore as its president, to advise me on school matters. I would also like to state right now that Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore is still the Headmaster and will remain the Headmaster until the day he decides he wants to retire.
"At this time, I would like to introduce my soulmate and wife, Lady Gryffindor, Ginevra Molly Potter, High Lady of Hogwarts, who will go over the changes we have made in regards to the facilities, classes, professors, and programs."
Harry moved from the podium and sat down in his chair where he took a rather large gulp of water. He scanned the crowd, waiting for Voldemort's arrival. If he was correct, then he would make his entrance when the Question and Answer period started.
Harry turned his attention back to his wife, "Thank you sweetheart for that foundation and brief history lesson." Ginny smiled at her husband then turned her attention back to the crowd. "Hello, I am Ginny Potter. This summer Harry and I, with the advice of the Hogwarts Advisory Council, have approved the following capital improvements for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry:
New and Improved Security of Hogwarts Grounds
Goblin Guards Patrolling Grounds
New and Improved Wards including Floo Network
Construction of Security Shack
All incoming Floo travel to Hogwarts must pass though shack
new Greenhouses and remodel of all existing greenhouses
Habitat
Construction of Dragon Habitat for Care of Magical Creatures Classes and School Defense
IV. Stables
Horses
Hippogriff
Griffins
Thestrals
Potions Laboratories
VI. Expanded Hospital Wing
new Equipment through out school
House for Black Lake
"These improvements are on going and will be completed by August 25. This year, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will be starting a new program aimed at giving some unique students the opportunity to earn their mastery in a particular field thanks to the Hogwarts Apprenticeship Program. This program, headed by the High Lord and Lady, will give fifteen students the chance to apprentice under of the very best minds in all of Great Britain:
Assistant Professors/Apprenticeships
All Apprentices will be considered Assistant Professors
Must be a minimum of 6th of 7th Year Student
As part of program, they will earn their OWLs and NEWTs via private tutoring
There will be a total of 15 Assistant Professors/Apprentices
Ancient Runes
Arithmancy
Astronomy
Care of Magical Creatures
Charms
Defense Against The Dark Arts
Herbology
History of Magic
History of Muggles
Muggle Studies
Physical & Magical Education-2
Potions
Transfiguration
Magical Healing
The Assistant Professor/Apprentice will be bound to Hogwarts for ten years
After ten years of being bound to Hogwarts, Assistant Professor/Apprentice will have a mastery in their field (minimum)
Assistant Professors/Apprentices will not participate in House Quidditch Teams and House Points
They shall be have the full powers and responsibilities of a full professor
Except-Detentions and House Points must be approved by their Head Professor
"As you can tell, this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for the selected students. We currently plan on having new apprentices every five years. This year our inaugural class of Apprentices is:
Ancient RunesOrla Quirke Ravenclaw (5th)*
ArithmancyLuna LovegoodRavenclaw (5th)*
AstronomySusan BonesHufflepuff (6th)
Care of Magical CreaturesRachael Dawes Hufflepuff (7th)
CharmsCho ChangRavenclaw (7th)
Defense Against The Dark ArtsRon WeasleyGryffindor (6th)
HerbologyNeville LongbottomGryffindor (6th)
History of Magic Daphne GreengrassSlytherin (6th)
History of Muggles Colin CreeveyGryffindor (7th)
Muggle StudiesErnie McMillanHufflepuff (6th)
Physical EducationJonathan DaviesRavenclaw (7th)
Magical EducationElizabeth Marie KilpatrickHufflepuff (7th)
PotionsBlaise ZabiniSlytherin (6th)
TransfigurationHermione GrangerGryffindor (6th)
Magical HealingHanna AbbottHufflepuff (6th)
* Due to lack of interest, fifth year students were considered for this year's apprenticeship program.
"Due to interference from the Ministry of Magic and the corruption of the former Board of Governors, we have changed a number of our classes and added a number of new ones. One thing we believe in is having a fair and safe learning environment; to that end, we have mandated that all Professors are subject to review and inspection of their classes, grades, and points taken and given while in class and outside of class. We will not tolerate any bullies, whether they are students or teachers. This year's staff and faculty are:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry Professor and Staff Assignments
Albus Percival Brian Wulfric Dumbledore
Headmaster
President, Hogwarts Advisory Council
Professor of Magical Law and Government
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Head of Gryffindor House
Professor of Transfiguration
Professor of Animagus Transfiguration
Filius Flitwick
Head of Ravenclaw House
Professor of Charms
Severus Snape
Head of Slytherin House
Potions Master
Professor of Potions
OWL Potions (Years 1-5)
NEWT Potions (Years 6-7)
Everyday Potions (Years 6-7)
Pomona Sprout
Head of Hufflepuff House
Professor of Herbology
Sybil Trelawney
Professor of Divination
Team Taught with Professor Firenze
Firenze
Professor of Divination
Team Taught with Professor Sybil Trelawney
Guest Lecturer History of Magic, Centaur Unit
Rubeus Hagrid
Gamekeeper
Keeper of Keys
Professor of Care of Magical Creatures
Sarah Sinistra
Professor of Astronomy
Rolanda Hooch
Flying Instructor
Quidditch Coach
Quidditch Referee
Remus John Lupin
Professor of Defense Against The Dark Arts
Guest Lecturer-History of Magic, Werewolves Unit
Arabella Fig
Professor of History of Muggles
Professor of Muggle Studies
Molly Weasley
Professor of Living in the Magical World
School Moral Officer
Nymphadora Tonks
Professor of Physical Education
Alastor Moody
Professor of Magical Training
Coordinator-Beginning Auror Training
Professor Vector
Professor of Arithmancy
Poppy Pomfrey
Head mediwitch Hogwarts Hospital Wing
Professor of Magical Healing
Argus Filch
Senior Caretaker, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Penelope Weasley
Assistant mediwitch-Hospital Wing
Positions Still Open
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Hospital Wing
Assistant mediwitch
Professor of Ancient Runes
Professor of History of Magic
"Anyone who wishes to apply for any open vacancies please contact the Headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry…At this time, I would like to start our Question and Answer session. Please remember that we will each only answer six questions each," With a wave of her wand, two more identical podiums appeared on stage for Harry and Dumbledore.