Harry sat in his office, going through his emails, when he noticed one from the principal of Ilvermorny concerning changes coming to the school. It read:

Dear Parents/Students:

I do hope this finds you well and enjoying the holidays. I am emailing you about a possible momentous change to our beloved school of magic. We are seeking out some students, from years 2-7 to assess out a new change in the dorms.

We are currently moving two of our dorm buildings, one from the girls and one from the boys to a midway point between the two sets of dorms. What we are hoping to accomplish with this change is that we create a set of dorms that are co-ed. Meaning that boys and girls will live in the same building, and on the same floor. With this test this coming term, we will determine if it is a good idea and how many students will be interested in it. Our usual security will apply. That to get into the room of a student, only that student will be able to get in as these will be single person dorms for the remainder of the year. This will change for next school year as needed.

In the link provided, please click yes or no. If you have more than one student in these years, please select for each student. We are limiting the number to 250 students. So, if the number of students interested in being test subjects on this project, exceeds that number, it will be based on a number of factors including grades, class attendance, and how fast you respond on this form. If you do not respond on the form, we will assume that you and your children do not want to participate in this and they will remain in their current assigned dorm.

Sincerely,

Sarah Allen

Principal

Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Harry sighed. He was wondering if this was going to happen while Lily was going there. He called Winky.

"Yes, Sir Harry?"

"I need to speak with Ginny, James, and Lily. Please have them come to my office."

"Of course, sir."

Harry waited about five minutes before there was a knock on his door. Ginny entered followed by James and Lily.

Ginny said, "Is this about the email from Ilvermorny?"

Harry said, "Yes. James, Lily, did you get an email from Ilvermorny today?"

James confessed that he hadn't even looked at his school email since the holidays started. Lily said she had and had even emailed Mrs. Allen with a question considering the mentor program since Lily was also a mentor to a second year student, she was waiting to hear back.

Harry said, "Very thoughtful, Lily. So, to summarize for James. Ilvermorny is doing a test phase of a change to the dorms. They are making two dorms co-ed both building and floor. Their usual security will apply. It boils down to your mother and I's decision on if you are allowed to. James, I know you are of age, and can answer that on your own, which I think they will be asking since technically you don't need your parents permission anymore. My question is what is everyone's thoughts?"

Ginny said, "It is interesting that they are trying this now. However, we have raised our children to be independent and think on their own. I would say that they get to make their own decision on if they want to participate in this."

Harry nodded. He commented, "We did have co-ed dorms at Hogwarts, not as the same as they are wanting to do."

Ginny nodded.

James said, "I want to speak to Jasmine first. I'm sure the Young's are having the same conversation we are having."

Harry said, "I did give Robert leave to have an office on the ground floor."

"May I be excused, father?"

Harry nodded. After James left, he turned to Lily and said, "Your thoughts?"

Lily replied, "I would like to try it out, father, but primarily, I am concerned on how this will impact my friendship with Audrey. We have shared a dorm for two years now. I'm also her mentor. I have helped her quite a bit."

Ginny said, "Being a mentor seems similar to being a perfect at Hogwarts. You don't necessarily need to be in the same building as her."

While Ginny and Harry were helping Lily make her decision on if she wanted to participate in the test program at Ilvermorny, down on the ground floor the Young family were having their own discussion on the developments.

Robert said, "I'm not sure about this."

Lucinda said, "You know Mrs. Allen, Robert. She would not be asking if she does not want to at least try it out. You have heard Hogwarts has co-ed dorms. Not to this extent, though."

Jasmine said, "I want to try it, but I also want to talk to James about this."

Lucinda commented, "You are of age, we cannot stop you."

Heather sighed. She said, "I do not want to try this. Why change something is not broken?"

Lucinda answered, "One thing I have noticed is that students that have attended Ilvermorny, any of the campuses, have not been able to acclimate to dorms at Salem University or another school that has co-ed dorms."

Just then a knock came at the door. Robert nodded to Lucinda to answer it. Lucinda got up and opened the door. There was James.

Robert said, "You here about the email?"

James nodded. He said, "I was hoping to talk to Jasmine about her thoughts before I make my own decision."

Lucinda smiled. These two were meant for each other. Robert said, "Go right ahead."

At lunch, the discussion was all about the email.

Albus was making his opinion known that it was about time that Ilvermorny went co-ed on dorms.

Harry said, "So, what is everyone's decision, if you don't mind me asking?"

Robert said, "Heather has decided to forego the option. She doesn't see the need to change in the middle of the school year. I have yet to hear from Jasmine on that aspect, but she doesn't really need our permission to do this."

Harry nodded as James was in the same boat. Harry said, "I think Lily is going to do it, but we are waiting to hear back from Mrs. Allen. You see, Lily is a mentor for a second year."

Heather remembered that. She said, "I was wondering about that myself on how it would affect the mentorship program that Ilvermorny has started."

James looked at Jasmine, who nodded her head. James said, "Jasmine and I have both decided to do the co-ed option. We both agree that it would be beneficial in the long term to learn to live with others of another gender. However, I want to point out, this would never have worked at Hogwarts. Not to this extent."

Everyone burst out laughing at that as they all knew how Hogwarts worked in the way of dorms.

That afternoon, Lily had just finished her Potions essay and was sending it to Julia to proofread, when she got a notification that she had a new email. When she looked, Lily noticed it was from Julia.

Lily,

Did you see the email? Everyone here is up in arms about it. Renee has refused to do it. Emily is all for it. I am on the fence. Irene doesn't have that option as she is only a first-year, but I think she is a little jealous of the ones who are getting the option to do it. My concern is what about those who are mentors and their mentees.

Julia

Lily responded to the email in her own email that included her potions essay saying that she wanted to do it, but was waiting to hear back from Mrs. Allen on how this change would affect the mentorship program and those who are participating in as mentors.

About an hour later, Lily had gotten started on outlining her Ancient Runes essay. She wanted to get that done in case she wasn't able to drop it. As she was finishing the outline, she got another notification. This one was from Mrs. Allen.

Dear Ms. Potter,

I thank you for your quick response to my earlier email. Your concerns about the mentorship program are understandable and I have had many questions about this. You will still be able to mentor your mentee. You just won't live in the same building as them if you both choose different options. However, looking over the responses, I can tell you that Audrey's parents have opted to let her do the co-ed dorms.

Also, I have talked to Mrs. Cutter about your wishes to withdraw from the quidditch team and Ancient Runes. Your reasoning is sound. We are allowing you to drop the quidditch team and Ancient Runes. However, we are concerned that since you have not asked about the Tennis team, we would like to know your thoughts on that.

Hope you are having a good holiday. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Sarah Allen

Principal

Lily responded that she was still interested in the tennis team, and was looking forward to that. She also thanked Mrs. Allen for giving her the information on how the mentorship program was to be addressed with the new changes. After responding to the email, Lily sat back and thought out her options. It would be nice to be part of a change that isn't associated with her parents.

"Lily?"

Lily looked over and saw Jasmine standing in the doorway. Lily nodded to the chair that was by her window. Jasmine sat down.

Lily said, "I don't know what to think, Jasmine."

Jasmine said, "Well, lets do the logical thing and make a list."

Lily and Jasmine made a list of pros and cons of Lily doing the co-ed option. The pros outweighed the cons by a longshot. Lily sat back.