Chapter Thirty-One
Wrapping up the Holidays
It was not at all unusual for Jennifer to come home from an event with more kids than what she had left the house with, especially during the holidays. Jennifer carried a very sleepy Serendipity in her arms as Jay, Rus, Quintin, Jeremy, Timothy, and Truman stepped inside just as the sky began to lighten.
"It seems warm compared to home," Timothy commented cheerfully, pulling off his new gloves. "Thanks for inviting me over for a week!"
"Of course, you're more than welcome," Jennifer replied.
"Put your coats and boots over here in the hallway," Rus instructed.
"After that, why don't you make sure that Timothy's overnight pack and all of the trunks have arrived and put in the proper rooms, Rus, so that anyone who needs to lie down for a bit can do so," Jennifer suggested.
"What? But it's morning here, isn't it? Quintin, you're not tired, are you? I'd like to try out my new broom at that fancy broom park of yours," Jeremy suggested.
"Do you mean Aviation Park? That's the best option in this weather," Quintin replied.
"Yes, the hanger one!" Jeremy confirmed.
"Aren't either of you in the least bit tired?" Jennifer said with exasperation, settling Serendipity downstairs in the pen and covering her up, pulling Duckie out of her Chest Cloak to hand to the girl. "Not to mention that you both are still too young to go to the broom park by yourselves."
"I'll go with them! Can we have money for sausage rolls from the cart?" Rus asked.
"I have already given you more than enough coins this week, and you can't have any money out of your bank, either, that's for school. Either use what you have or get something out of the kitchen."
"Can I go to the park too?" Timmy asked.
"I don't know, Timothy... perhaps you should stay here until someone older can go," Jennifer said.
"It's alright, Grandmother, I'll go with them," Jay said resignedly.
"Thank you, Jay, that would be a big help, but don't give your brother any more coins," Jennifer instructed. "And don't leave without changing and getting Truman settled... unless you're going with them as well?"
"I'd rather stay, if you think Jay can manage," Truman admitted.
"Yes, Jay is very dependable. Why don't you run along up to change? I'll be in the kitchen, Truman," Jennifer said.
"Yes, Professor," Truman said, and they all went upstairs. They were being so noisy getting up the stairs that Jennifer had to step out to the stairwell and hush them, reminding them that Serendipity was trying to sleep.
Finally they left for the park, and Jennifer shook her head as Truman came in the kitchen. She was smiling as she marveled at their stamina after being up most of the night.
"They haven't had much chance to actually go out with their gifts, though, have they?" Truman asked. Jennifer set a cup at the stool across from her and he sat down.
"Holidays are always a very busy time for us," Jennifer admitted, and Truman frowned.
"You're really exhausted, aren't you? Do you want me to go up and read or something?"
"No, I don't. I want to sit with a cup a coffee or three and have a chance to catch up first, just like you do," Jennifer reassured him with a smile. "And I'm so glad you decided to take advantage of the exchange program to come to Hogwarts for a while."
"Me too. It'll save me from my other trainer attempting to talk me into going into Wizard Investigations for a while," Truman said, Jennifer chuckling at that, filling their cups.
"Surely Mr. Gage has picked up you're not interested, Truman," Jennifer said.
"Yes, but he keeps hoping I'll change my mind," Truman said with exasperation. "I don't want my talent to be something that defines what I do for a living, no matter how 'easy' it would be to get a job and 'how high the demand is.' I don't think I could take sitting there and hearing all of those brutal stories day in and day out, anyway. I don't mind if my ability complements my job, but I don't want it to be my job, do you know what I mean?"
"Of course! Those are the some reasons I gave Wind when I was trying to figure out my own path," Jennifer said with a smile. "For the most part, I think it's served me fairly well in my current profession."
"Do you already know what Rus has been thinking of doing lately?" Truman asked.
"Yes, I do," Jennifer confirmed.
"His Truth Seeking ability would definitely help him in that profession as well, if he decides to go into it," Truman noted.
"If you ask me, it really doesn't matter what profession you decide to go into. As long as you're dedicated to your work, I'm sure you'll find ways to use your Truth Seeking no matter what sort of job you choose," Jennifer reassured him.
"But how could that possibly help me in Magic Items Design? I'll be spending most of my time in some company's drafting office," Truman said.
"That might be where you design an idea when you already have them, but where do you get ideas?" Jennifer asked with a smile.
"Mostly from things that I want to fix because they annoy me, like lack of space," Truman admitted.
"I bet you can get those same sorts of ideas from other people, and all you'd have to do is find a nice tea room or a sunny spot in the park to see what they're thinking about," Jennifer said.
"But wouldn't that be idea stealing?" Truman asked with a frown.
"It's not their ideas you'd be looking for, Truman. It's their problems... the irritating ones that annoy them but that they never do anything about," Jennifer said. "For example, being a teacher, I tend to pick up a lot of irritation from students who don't like their book straps or packs... how hate their wand carriers, or how they don't like when their quills get smashed in their cases. Listening to people's everyday gripes might give you ideas on how to invent things to solve problems you frequently pick up from other people. That's not stealing ideas, because if they had any idea on how to solve the problem... they wouldn't be griping about it," she reasoned.
"Oh yeah, good point," Truman said with a grin. "So how long until we head for Hogwarts, anyway?"
"How long? Don't you like staying at the Baker Street house?" Jennifer said with feigned indigence.
"I've seen the house before on several occasions," Truman pointed out.
"We'll be going just after the new year. We have plenty of time to do some sales shopping and for me to teach a Truth-Seeking lesson or two to see how you're coming along, and for you to spend time with the others," Jennifer said. "Still, it will be fun to have you at Hogwarts for a while, just the same." Just then there was a fluttering noise that made Jennifer look up. Radiance peeked in the window, showing off the rolled paper in her talons. "Aren't you a helpful girl bringing down the paper! Come on in, then!" she told her familiar, pushing up the window enough that the large bird could squeeze through it. Setting her on a nearby stand, Jennifer brought the newspaper over. "Did you need anything for school, Truman, or did you find everything on the list Hermione sent you?" she asked, unrolling the paper and separating it to see if there was anything interesting on sale.
"Most of it. Might I see this part?" Truman said, noticing that she had ignored the front page altogether.
"Of course, help yourself," Jennifer said, going through them. Truman read the headline, then decided to read it out loud.
"'Consensus vote planned! The Ministry announced that a consensus vote will be scheduled for the Wizard's Council in two weeks. Close to full attendance is expected for this important vote.' What's a consensus vote?" Truman asked.
"Well, it's something that takes the place of a normal election," Jennifer explained, looking up from the advertisements. "The wizard government is modeled as a Ministry, even though it also has its own special set of quirks, rules. and laws that borrows from several different governments, cultures, and traditions; that is why we still use the Scales during the Wizard Council vote. Anyway, right now we're in a situation where there is an overwhelming amount of members of the wizard council who plan to vote for the current Minister, so many that the extra fifty of the popular vote doesn't matter. On top of that, the council majority is confident that the popular vote would also vote with the council... in other words, that most of the public would vote for Minister Malfoy. Under those circumstances, having a consensus vote is a way to confirm the current Minister for another term without wasting time and money on an election when we already know the outcome."
"The wizards in my country have elections the exact same way as the regular U.S. System, which means we have a vote even if we know it's going to be a landslide... even if there's nobody opposing them," Truman said.
"Yes, I remember," Jennifer said, turning the page. "I bet the Maxens aren't very happy about this vote. I'm sure that Worley in particular is in rare form."
"The Maxens? Who are they?" Truman asked.
"Someone you'll have to watch out for when we get to Hogwarts, considering several of their children go there, and their cousins, the Villins," Jennifer said seriously. "A lot of them are Truth Seekers who don't only pick up thoughts, but project them as well. They have even been known to use their talents to make suggestions on occasion, despite being nearly as illegal here as they are in your country."
"I guess it's just as well that I have been training with an Auror then. He's been teaching me some mind defense I can use even while I'm still in training," Truman replied.
"I'm glad of that, but I still recommend you keep your glasses up in the hallways and any time you don't need them for class, just to be safe," Jennifer suggested.
With the house sparkling clean, the Maxens and Villins donned their coats to head out to the moors, building up the large bonfire before stepping well back from it and up the side of the rolling hill, using their fire torches to light the way. They fastened the torches on staffs in the ground and sat on large tartan blankets as Fritjof lit the bonfire and joined them.
The wind suddenly picked up, and one by one the Moor Hags appeared around the fire, cackling and enjoying its heat and light while sometimes chatting, sometimes singing, sometimes even dancing a bit around the bonfire. Eben sat by Mari, who seemed unusually glum, since he knew this was her favorite part of the holiday season.
"They seem to be having fun. We should sleep well tonight," Eben commented. Are you alright? he added in his thoughts.
"As long as someone is," Mari replied.
Father said I had to entertain Lord Eadwig's invitations whether I like it or not. He thinks we can use his intentions to take advantage of the situation against him, she thought. I find him repulsive, and not only are his thoughts reprehensible, I don't want to get stuck with someone older than Professor Snape!
Isn't there anyone else you could possibly turn to that you could live with? Eben thought worriedly.
Horus Crumb perhaps, divorced with no children, although even he is pushing forty, Mari thought back.
He's the one who owns the Falmouth Falcons, right? Eben queried.
He and his family does, yes, Mari agreed. But he's also the lead traditionalist on the school board, and I think father would go along with it if he though it'd get him more power against Hogwarts. In fact, he was the one Father spoke with to get me nominated, so I might be able to use the excuse of getting acquainted with my new board position as an excuse to extend an invitation himself.
It sounds like you have a plan then, Eben thought encouragingly. But don't forget, if you get into real trouble, make sure you go to one of the paintings.
If I get desperate enough to turn to a painting, I really am in trouble, Mari thought dubiously.
If Merlin's painting thought they could help, I trust that they can, Eben thought back firmly, and Mari sighed and nodded, turning her attention back to the bonfire.
It was Norman Balmweed who alerted Severus that there had been a change in board members when Theresa Meyers decided to leave, with both she and Horus recommending Mari in her place.
They had been putting pressure on me about leaving as well, reminding me of my traditionalist roots, Norman wrote. But you know how stubborn I can get, especially when it comes to forcefully moving me out, because that is when I dig in my heels for the long fight. That they found another avenue in doesn't surprise me, but since it came at the expense at another traditionalist seat, I am hoping that the change isn't too disruptive. As for me, I hope to stick it out several more years just to prove that I can, and then recommend my seat to my granddaughter Pimra. In fact, if I recommend any other, you have my permission to be suspicious of it.
Severus pondered the letter thoughtfully. There could be little doubt that Norman must have felt more than a little concerned about a Maxen on the board, and how Mari, barely out of school, could have gotten on the board was a bit of a mystery. Perhaps not everyone had been there that night, Severus mused, knowing that Tonks especially was known to miss on occasion to help Harry, and the moderates on the board had been favoring the traditionalists ever since the new house had been Sorted. Many of them had decided to join the new solidarity party, which seemed to center around compromise and offering a moderate option. How would that change the dynamic of the meeting, he wondered, checking the time before he finished getting ready.
"You want to go out for drinks after?" Horus frowned at Mari. She had gotten there early, and had waited in the lobby to walk him to their normal meeting room. "You know I just nominated you as a favor to your father, right?"
"Yes, I know, but there aren't exactly a lot of traditionalists on this board, are there?" Mari pointed out.
"Don't remind me," Horus said testily.
"Well, I have some ideas on how to fix that, but I need help getting used to the board first. Besides, since you nominated me, you wouldn't want me to look like a complete idiot in front of the rest of them do you?" Mari pointed out.
"Fine, but not drinks, people will get the wrong idea," Horus said. "As for tonight, if you don't know want to do, just keep quiet, watch me, and follow my lead."
"Whatever you say," Mari said, pulling a couple of education newsletters out of her pocket and carrying them in, putting them on the table in front of her as she took the seat next to Horus. "Good afternoon, Eric."
"Good afternoon, Mari, welcome back. I assume you've had time to look over the information I sent you," Eric said.
"I did, thank you. I went over all of the rules quite thoroughly, and since I had some extra time, I also began going through educational journals and reading articles comparing the rules here to how other school boards work, just to get a better feel of things," Mari explained.
"Oh, did you?" Eric asked curiously.
"This one in particular is highlighting the school board at Whitebridge," Mari said.
"Those magazines seem to compare all school boards to Whitebridge these days," Norman said critically.
"Yes, I'm afraid that's quite true," Eric chuckled softly, nodding to Minerva as she came in and took her seat next to Mandria. "Jennifer and Wind were fortunate enough to be able to start from scratch and build the school board from the ground up. But despite having a clean slate, the two of them and the Whitebridge staff were very experienced with problems that can come up in school administration, and were able to put in a great many rules in place that would be an afterthought in other boards that have been around for decades."
"All the same, Eric, their system is so new that you can hardly call it anything but experimental," Norman protested.
"Can you still call it experimental when it's been running for five years?" Angela Greisley inquired.
"Considering none of the students that started with the new system have graduated yet, I would have to say yes," Norman said.
"True enough, Norman, but that doesn't mean there aren't things we can learn from them, just as they learn from us," Eric said.
Minerva's lip curled in amusement as she thought of all of the things Jennifer had learned not to do from them.
"Might I ask about one of the rules I read about before we get started?" Mari asked as Charlie, Stella, and Janders also worked their way to their seats.
"Of course," Eric agreed.
"Whitebridge has a rule that only one member of any household can be on the board at any given time. Does this board have that rule?" Mari asked.
"No, there's never been a reason to add it," Eric replied. "There's a long history of couples specifically that serve on the board, such as Mandria's parents, who served for many years together, and like my wife and myself."
"And the Coventry's," Minerva offered wryly.
"Yes, well, I won't speak ill of the dead, but you're right in that there have been rare instances where it was problematic, but they were remedied," Eric pointed out.
"Sorry, I didn't even know your wife was on the board," Mari said.
"Yes, Tonks, being an Auror, she's been busy the last couple of meetings, but I'm sure she'll be joining us soon," Eric said.
"Oh, I see. Yes, that is a much more important job than this board, so I can see how it's a low priority for her," Mari said. Eric squinted slightly, while Horus looked decidedly amused. "I'm sorry I brought the matter up, then. I just thought it would be a good rule to have in place to keep other members of my family from asking me to recommend them. After all, it won't be long before some of my cousins, brothers, and sisters will be graduating, and personally, the last thing I want is my father to be pressuring me to try to get them in here."
"I will tell them that it's unlikely," Eric replied with a cool smile.
Charlie frowned uncomfortably, thinking of how he'd feel if his relatives attempted the same sort of stunt. Then he glanced around at Norman, Stella, and Janders, who also seemed to be pondering the point. The silence became awkward and uncomfortable, only breaking when Severus came in.
"Good afternoon, Severus," Eric said gratefully.
"Good afternoon," Severus said, seeing that they all had assembled and taken their seats already. "I brought the budget for the last half of the year and the preliminary proposals for the renovations over the summer, since I assume that's mostly what you'll want to talk about this meeting... or am I wrong?" he asked, wondering about the strange glances. "Welcome to the board, Miss Maxen," he added, wondering if she had something to do with it.
"Thank you, Professor," Mari replied.
"Yes, this is our typical second half budget meeting," Eric confirmed. "Any major changes since the advance copy you sent out?"
"Before we get started on that, Eric, do you mind if I ask Severus a quick question about something unrelated?" Charlie inquired.
"Of course," Eric said.
"It's about a Whitebridge policy, actually," Charlie prefaced, dashing Eric's hope that he was going to change the subject. "We were wondering... off the record... if you knew why Whitebridge instilled that policy of only one family member on their school board."
"Oh, lord, yes, that was Jennifer's doing really. In many ways, it's the whole reason that they had to turn Whitebridge into a charter school in the first place," Severus replied.
"Why is that?" Charlie asked with a frown.
"The public school board were elected by everyone living in the district, not just the teachers and other board members as it is set up now. Half of the members on the public board were made up of Masons and Powers, the Masons being one of the most powerful wizard families in the community and the Powers a wealthy family that married into them. Because there were so many on the board, they had a suffocating grip on the local schools to the point that the Deans and their faculties couldn't even begin to do their jobs. In the end, they even tried to force out every good teacher who tried to break free from their increasingly unobtainable demands. Fortunately, Lunette Vallid offered Whitebridge a good lawyer to break away from that polluted board and file the paperwork to be self-governing. Of course, being that there are plenty of respectable Powers and Masons who taught at the school, Jennifer and Wind still wanted to limit the chances of a repeat event of what had happened with the public board. Putting in a restriction stating that only one family member could be a board representative at a time was one of the very first things they put in the new charter," Severus explained. "All of the teachers still get a vote on major issues through the charter assembly meetings, of course, so the teachers are still provided an equal vote in the assembly, regardless of relation."
"Of course," Eric said, ready to move on.
"So it's rather like an order, where all of the members, in this case the teachers, vote on large issues, and the board is like the representatives who make every day decisions," Charlie conjectured.
"Sort of. Really, it's more complicated than that, so I suggest making an appointment with Jennifer if you want any more detail in the matter, since it really doesn't have anything to do with me," Severus replied.
"Yes, good point, let's move on to talk about the budget and curriculum, shall we?" Eric insisted.
As they got to work, Minerva looked over her fellow board members thoughtfully, noting just how pleased Mari and Horus seemed that the conversation had gotten so much attention. She then glanced over at Tonks' vacant chair, wondering how long it would be before it was filled with someone else.