Megan was again standing in front of the third place table with her bronze medal around her neck and her one hundred galleons and bottle of Coca Cola Classic in her hands.
Professor McGonagall now grabbed her purple megaphone again and said in a crisp clear voice. "Miss Nash's paper expressed concern that Hogwarts has failed to give its students full opportunity to prepare themselves for their careers due to what she says is a lack of useful information. An issue of concern expressed by Miss Nash centered around the electives students take starting in third year. Miss Nash noted the possibility that Hogwarts students, especially muggleborns and those raised in muggle households, may not have knowledge of what types of careers are available in the Wizarding World."
There were nods from just about every student from first year through fifth year who had not been raised in a Wizarding household and even a few sixth and seventh years who had not found the pamphlets and career advice offered in late fifth year very useful.
"As such," continued McGonagall, "It stands to reason that these same students would not understand which subjects are most useful with which careers."
There were more nods from those students who had not been raised in the Wizarding World.
"Miss Nash's paper offered several ideas and we will be implementing her ideas starting with the lead up to the 2020-2021 school year," said McGonagall matter of factly.
Everyone's mouth was shut as each student in the Great Hall listened intently to what McGonagall was saying.
"First of all, beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, all second years letters will be accompanied by a book on the various types of careers that are available to witches and wizards," said Professor McGonagall, "And I don't mean pamphlets or flyers. I mean an actual full length book that will describe the various careers that are available to witches and wizards, what subjects are most useful for each occupation, and, where applicable, what kind of post educational tests and qualifications are required for certain jobs. These descriptions will be detailed and give young witches and wizards a good idea of what it entails to be an Auror, Healer, Hogwarts Professor, etc. Students will be expected to read these books on their own time over the September-February time period of their second years and to keep the books as future references. It is the hope of the judges and of Miss Nash that the information provided in these books will allow students to make better decisions about which electives to pursue in third year as well which courses to continue with into N.E.W.T. years. Students currently in years two through seven may request a copy of this book as well. When this year's first years get their Hogwarts letters this August a copy of said book will accompany each student's letter and all future students shall receive this book prior to starting second year. Also, students currently in years two through four may request an option to change electives for next year. See me before going home for the summer if you have such a wish and I will provide you with the necessary information. Miss Nash was awarded third place for her idea being one that will allow students to make more use of their school years at Hogwarts to graduate better prepared for careers. Any questions?"
"What will this book be called?" asked Ainsley.
"It will be titled Wizarding Work and subtitled An Exploration of Magic Careers and Occupations," answered McGonagall.
"Will we still be getting career advice in fifth year?" asked Susan
"Yes," replied McGonagall, "Miss Nash's idea of providing a detailed book on wizarding careers to second years is intended to compliment rather replace career advice. Her idea was intended to expose all students to wizarding careers early enough to be able to take potential career interests into account when choosing electives. However, even with more information available to them, it is unreasonable to expect all students to know which careers they will want to pursue as early as second year. This is why Miss Nash has also proposed that students be given the option of changing electives after each school year. In this way, a student who realizes he or she is going down the wrong road has an avenue to correct his or her path. This option will be offered every year starting this year. Any student wishing to exercise this option should come to my office and I'll give you the information you need to execute such a change. Some courses may require students joining late to do catch up work and others may be easy to just jump into. I'll discuss your individual situation with you in my office should you make the choice to switch electives. "
Everyone nodded in understanding.
"It is the hope of the judges that when career advice does come around in fifth year, having had knowledge of wizard work for longer and having made better choices of electives will help the students come into career advice better prepared so that the staff is using these meetings for helpful discussions as opposed to having to spend a lot of time just showing a number of students the ropes. Now before she returns to her seat, let's have a round of applause for Miss Megan Nash, fifth year Slytherin."
Most people in the hall clapped and as she walked back towards her seat Megan found herself having her hand shaken by muggleborn and muggle raised students from each of the four houses.
This lasted a few minutes before Professor McGonagall decided to move on and present Samantha's idea.
"Will Miss Saver please come forward?" spoke Professor McGonagall.
Samantha raced up to the second place table, waving her silver medal at everyone she passed.
"While Miss Nash's ideas will help Hogwarts better prepare students for life after Hogwarts, Miss Saver's ideas will make being a Hogwarts student a more comfortable experience. Miss Saver's paper put forth the idea that a four day school week would be more beneficial to Hogwarts students than a five day school week. Miss Saver feels that it would be in the best interests of students to have Fridays off from classes. Her thoughts on the matter are that by having Fridays off, students could have a full day to work on their homework without having to cram it on weekends or the weeknights before class. Basically, by going to a four day school week in terms of classes, students will have Fridays, "freed up," to work on homework. Starting with the 2020-2021 school year, Hogwarts will be on a Monday-Thursday schedule for classes. This will allow students to use Fridays to do homework and study and free up their weekend time to really be weekend time. Some courses will be on a Monday and Wednesday schedule and others will be on a Tuesday and Thursday schedule."
Many students appreciated this idea but a number of Ravenclaws as well as a small group of academic minded Gryffindors led by Albus, Rose, and Pamela had a concern. It was Albus who spoke on this concern.
"That might sound like a good idea," said Albus skeptically, "But how do we know that these Fridays without classes will really be used for homework and study time as intended and that students won't just waste this time, say, playing Doddle Jump?"
"That is a fair question, Mr. Potter, " said McGonagall reasonably, "But Miss Saver foresaw this concern and included a mechanism that will ensure that classless Friday do get used for homework and studying."
"What is this mechanism?" asked Rose doubtfully.
"On these classless Fridays," said McGonagall clearly. "All students will be required to take at least two hours of library time and will be offered up to four hours of library time. Individual workstations will be set up in the library for each student. All students will be required to take two hours of homework/study time in the library every Friday from 10 A.M. till noon and will be offered optional hours of 9 A.M. till 10 A.M. and 1 P.M. till 2 P.M. "
"Will study groups be allowed during this time?" asked Pamela hopefully.
"No." said McGonagall firmly, "Students should be doing their own work. While study groups have never been banned at Hogwarts, the truth is that they are bad for students. Too often what happens in study groups is that one person becomes dominant and the others ride his or her coattails, preventing much of or even most of such a group from actually really learning as much as they would if they did their homework and studying on their own. "
The students in the hall seemed to accept this view as no complaints came forward. A nanosecond later McGonagall was talking again.
"Using Fridays for studying and homework rather than class time is not the only suggestion of Miss Saver's that is being implemented next school year. Though there was some reluctance on the part of the staff, starting next school year, Hogsmeade weekends will be open to second years. It is her view that Hogsmeade visits are more enjoyable for the younger students. And in fact, the staff has noticed in the past that students in third and fourth year really look forward to Hogsmeade visits whereas the thrill and novelty of Hogsmeade has tended to have worn off for a number of students by sixth and seventh year. In fact, it's not that uncommon for sixth and seventh years to decline Hogsmeade visits. We are NOT taking away Hogsmeade privileges from sixth or seventh years, only adding them for second years to allow more Hogsmeade visits at a younger age when students tend to appreciate them more."
All the first years applauded and grinned loudly at this.
"That's it for Miss Saver's ideas, let's have a round of applause for Miss Saver."
Everyone clapped and Samantha retuned to the Gryffindor table telling everyone who would listen what great ideas she had had and how she had proved how brilliant she was by becoming a silver medalist. As she had when she had come to the table, she waved her silver medal around at everyone as she passed them. Once at the table, however, she gave James a heartfelt thanks.
"James," said Samantha with genuine sincerity, "I really want to thank you for all the encouragement you gave me with regards to the Hogwarts Writing Competition. Had it not been for you making me see that I had far more to potentially gain than to potentially lose by entering the competition and had it not been for your encouragement I would not have entered. So, I just wanted to acknowledge that."
James smiled at Samantha.
"Samantha, I'm really proud of you," said James warmly, "Even with my encouragement, I know it wasn't the easiest thing for you to drop your paper into that box but you still had enough onions to do it in the end. Well done, Samantha."
Samantha smiled and started eating her Honeydukes slab chocolate prize.
Finally, it was time for the winning brother and sister to have their ideas revealed.
"Will Mr. Potter and Miss Potter please come forward?'
As before, James and Lily walked forward to the first place table with their arms around each other.
"Mr. Potter and Miss Potter both put forth absolutely brilliant ideas with regards to wands and no they were not the same as each other," said McGonagall proudly.
There was a sharp attentiveness level in the Great Hall at these words. Many students felt their spines tingle when the word wands was mentioned in relation to upcoming changes at Hogwarts.
"Miss Potter's paper identified an issue that, quite frankly, the staff should have realized centuries ago. You have all heard the old sayings that "the wand chooses the wizard" and "you will never get such good results with another wizards wand," well, Miss Potter mentioned that a number of students come to Hogwarts with second hand wands. Her paper made the observation that if the wand chooses the wizard and if you can never get such good results using another wizard's wand, witches and wizards who are using second hand wands are at a severe disadvantage because a second hand wand has obviously never chosen the witch or wizard using it. Miss Potter has suggested that Hogwarts require all students to come to the school with a first hand wand that has chosen them. This suggestion shall be implemented for the 2020-2021 school year. Now, the main reason why some Hogwarts students have come to school with second hand wands is financial. Some families simply don't have it very good. While a fund does exist for Hogwarts students to get financial assistance to pay for school supplies, this fund only pays for books and robes and many of those have to be bought second hand. For some parents and guardians, giving their sons and daughters second hand wands has been their only option. At the request of Miss Potter, a new fund, to be named Worthy Wands, will be set up. The money that is donated into this fund will be used to assist first year students who are unable to afford a first hand wand. Excess money in this fund shall be held in reserve and withdrawn to assist needy students whose wands should become damaged beyond repair during their time at Hogwarts so as to allow them to attain new wands that have also chosen them rather than second hand wands. Current Hogwarts students who are presently using second hand wands will also be able to get wands that have chosen them through this fund. Donations will be collected starting tonight. A collection bucket will be placed at the front of the Great Hall in a little bit. We'll continue to accept donations until the end of the school year. A similar donation period will be set up in future years."
There were cheers, nods of respect, and thumbs up all directed at Lily from all angles, but McGonagall quickly transitioned into James's idea.
"Mr. Potter's paper, meanwhile, spotted a gaped hole in wizarding occupations. That is. there are VERY few Wandmakers. And if something were to happen to them, well, there are so few of them that we are only a few deaths in Great Britain away from having no wandmakers. This is a serious issue as a wand is a witch's or wizard's most crucial tool. Mr. Potter submitted the brilliant idea that Hogwarts offer Wandmaking classes. Starting with the 2021-2022 school year. Hogwarts will offer Wandmaking classes as an elective. Unfortunately, only students who started Hogwarts this year or will be starting Hogwarts next year or later will be eligible for this course as it absolutely requires being taken from third year. There is no practical way to "catch up."
"Why aren't these Wandmaking courses beginning next year?" asked Roxanne Weasley curiously.
"Because of logistics," said McGonagall briskly, "It's going to take some time for Hogwarts to set up an appropriate classroom for Wandmaking courses and to procure the needed supplies."
The Great Hall was awash in wonder, especially the first years. None of them could explain what it felt like to know that Wandmaking was going to be taught at Hogwarts and that they might be taking it.
Many people were looking up at James with wonder in their eyes.
The students and staff alike had to had to marvel at the brilliance and relevance of James's idea. Some were wondering why no one had thought of it before while others were just taking it in. Either way, everyone had to be impressed by James.
"This concludes the Hogwarts Writing Competition for 2020. While we do not intend for the Hogwarts Writing Competition to become an annual event, the staff feels it to have been a smashing success and we may well hold another a few years down the road," finished McGonagall.
James and Lily slowly walked back to their seats at the Gryffindor table looking at each other with quiet admiration in their eyes.
After the winning ideas were announced and everyone was back at their tables, James and Lily finally got started on their Old Faithful bars.
"Mmmm!" said James blissfully as he took his first bite, "Ever since getting my first taste of Old Faithful on Halloween I've been yearning to taste it again. It's every bit as awesome as I remember."
"You know, " said Lily happily as she took her first bite, "I liked Old Faithful the first time I tried it. But I'm finding I love it this time around."
"That oftentimes happens with candies that people are less familiar with," said James simply, "Old Faithful had a quicker impact on me because I'm a marshmallow lover and because I love the combination of marshmallow and chocolate."
James's and Lily's family and friends were quiet as they both savored the yumminess of Old Faithful. But when they had finished, a barrage of comments came their way.
"James, to actually think to have Wandmaking classes brought to Hogwarts was bloody brilliant of you," said Ainsley in an awestruck voice.
"And for Lily to have a fund set up to help those Hogwarts students who don't have it very good, I'm really proud of her thoughtfulness," said Devon in a meaningful voice.
"That's Lily," said Hugo radiantly, "Always thinking of people and always wanting to help people."
This went on for about ten minutes with Hugo, Devon, Albus, Fred, Rose, Pamela, Rachel, Ainsley, Stephanie, and Samantha all paying James and Lily various compliments and expressing their pride them. Then it was time to put Lily's plan into action.
A large donation collection bucket that displayed a vivid Arizona Cardinals red color with black lettering reading Worthy Wands was now put in front of the Great Hall.
"I would like to make a donation," said Lily brightly as the donation collection bucket was placed," I am going to donate 20% of my prize money to Worthy Wands."
Lily walked up to the donation collection bucket and placed the two hundred galleons in the bucket. This surprised precisely zero people in the Great Hall. Lily had developed a reputation at Hogwarts as someone who was gentle, kind, classy, caring, thoughtful, forgiving, empathic, helpful, and unselfish and she absolutely deserved this reputation.
Several students followed suit. James matched his sister's donation and dropped two hundred galleons of his prize money into the bucket.
Surprising many people who didn't know her well but not her friends, Samantha followed James's and Lily's 20% lead and placed one hundred galleons of her prize money into the bucket. Those people who didn't know Samantha well were surprised because to them Samantha was a boastful and unloving girl. Her pride, cockiness, and ability to be impressed with herself were well known at Hogwarts. It was also very well known that Samantha neither valued nor had capacity for love or affection. Many students had heard her talks discouraging people from becoming attached to other people so as to avoid being set up for grief or sadness. However, Devon, James, Hugo, Ainsley, Stephanie, and Lily all knew the other side of Samantha Saver. Stephanie remembered how Samantha had empathized with her when Stephanie's original Beater trial had ended in heartbreak. Lily remembered the thoughtfulness Samantha had put into her Christmas gift to Lily, a gift that had helped out Lily quite a lot. Samantha may be cocky, and she was unloving, but she did have capacity for thought and compassion. Her friends knew this side of Samantha and were unsurprised to see her make a significant donation.
Megan similarly followed the 20% pattern and donated twenty galleons of her prize money. After this some students made smaller donations ranging from one to ten galleons. There were some people who were thinking of donating to Worthy Wands but didn't want to commit right away. Family and friends of the prize winners were amongst those who had taken an approach of waiting to contribute so as to give more thought to how much they wished to donate. The staff had anticipated this, and this was why donations would be open for several months.
Later on, as they were all leaving the Great Hall for their common rooms, James cracked up by yelling, "In other news, Jimmy is no longer cracking corn and I do care!"
This lighthearted humor caused a lot of laughter and giggling to be present on the walk to the common room.
Once they were back in the Gryffindor Common Room, Lily requested James to follow her up to her room. He did so.
"James," said Lily radiantly, "I can't tell you how proud I am of you, baby bro. To introduce the idea of having Wandmaking classes at Hogwarts is a stroke of genius that is certainly worthy of your gold medal. I'm equally proud of you for following my lead and making a donation to the Worthy Wands fund. And I'm also proud of you for the role you played in getting Samantha into the Hogwarts Writing Competition. Your help turned a non enterer into a silver medalist. I'm really proud of you for that."
"Lily," said James with equal radiance, "I'm just as proud of you. Your idea of setting up a fund to allow Hogwarts students who are not well off to get new wands that have chosen them will benefit both many individual students as well as Hogwarts and the Wizarding World as a whole for years to come. You're a special person but I've rarely been prouder of you than I am tonight, big sis."
"To be a gold medalist is an awesome feeling," said Lily jovially, "But being able to share it with you makes it so much more special."
"The feeling is mutual, "said James pleasantly, "Being a gold medalist is very satisfying in and of itself. That I shared this win with you made it that much more wonderful. This is one of the most special days of my life."
"And mine," added Lily.
With their hearts glowing inside, James and Lily messed up each other's hair. Before leaving Lily's room for his, James gave Lily a hug.
"I love you, big sis," said James warmly.
"I love you too, baby bro,' said Lily warmly as she returned the hug.
When James left, Lily spent some hours awake replaying the whole night in her mind. James was doing the same thing in his room.
Yes, this had been a very special, satisfying, and meaningful night for the Potters.