Chapter 6: Wizengamot and Start of Term

The next day, Archie and Veronica went to the Ministry of Magic for this month's Wizengamot meeting. This was a meeting that made Archie nervous for the future of Hogwarts. Because Hogwarts was independent from the Ministry of Magic, it really didn't need a Board of Governors, but Madam Marchbanks and Professor Dumbledore had rightly pointed out that Archie was only one person and that he should at least let the Board of Governors exist as advisors if nothing else, so Veronica put in a motion to reinstate the Hogwarts Board Of Governors as an advisory board to help Archie decide what was best for the school.

Walking to the private lift, Archie took some deep breaths. "Everything will be okay, Archie. You know who you want on the board and who not to invite." Veronica said. Archie smiled and pulled out the list of how he would organize the new Hogwarts Board of Governors. This was just a proposal, but he had a good feeling about this.

The new Hogwarts Board of Governors

1. The Board of Governors is to be renamed the Hogwarts Advisory Board

2. The Hogwarts Advisory Board will consist of the following: Two former students from each house, two students from each year and each house, the Heads of Houses, the Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress (Or Headmistress/Deputy Headmaster), and the Head Boy and Girl of the year.

3. The Hogwarts Advisory Board will meet once a month at Hogwarts during the school year and the Ministry of Magic during the summer

4. The Chairperson of the Hogwarts Advisory Board will be required to be a former student of Hogwarts. Should the Chairperson have a child or more than one child that is a current student at Hogwarts, the Chairperson's child or children depending on their year, will be invited to sit on the Hogwarts Advisory Board.

5. The Chairperson and all members of the Hogwarts Advisory Board bar the Headmaster and his deputy will be required to take an oath that they will uphold the Hogwarts Charter and to keep the best interests of the students of Hogwarts in mind when making all decisions as a member of the Advisory Board.

Archie truly hoped that he'd be able to push this through and then immediately start appointing people to serve. Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall, as the current Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress had already been asked and accepted their appointments as members of the Hogwarts Advisory Board pending formal Wizengamot and Education Committee approval. The Wizengamot Committee on Education had approved the forming of the Hogwarts Advisory Board with enthusiasm, with Madam Marchbanks admitting that she was concerned about Archie's mental health as up until the committee meeting Archie was the only one handling anything regarding Hogwarts.

At 10:00 sharp, the gong sounded and the page cleared his throat. "Hear ye, hear ye the 456th meeting of the Wizengamot and the 26th and final seating of the summer session is now called to order. Chief Warlock Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore presiding along with Deputy Chief Warlock Augusta Rosario Longbottom, Minister for Magic Penelope Lucia Pendragon and Senior Undersecretary Anthony Octavius Greengrass." He said. Dumbledore, Madam Longbottom, Minister Pendragon, and Senior Undersecretary Greengrass walked to their seats. The page cleared his throat again. "All rise for His Grace, Archibald Emmanuel Andrews-Black-Gryffindor-Ravenclaw-Hufflepuff-Slytherin-Le Fey-Emrys-Peverell and Her Grace, Veronica Marie Lodge-Andrews Duke and Duchess of Gryffnsmore King and Queen of Avalon and of all British wizards." The page said.

Archie and Veronica walked into the chambers and walked up to their seat. "Be seated." Archie said. When everyone sat down, Archie looked at Dumbledore. "What is the first order of business, Chief Warlock Dumbledore?" He asked. "The first order of business isthe approval of reinstated the Hogwarts Board of Governors as the Hogwarts Advisory Board. It has already been approved by the Wizengamot Committee on Education, we now need the approval of the whole Wizengamot." Dumbledore said.

"Very well, members of the Wizengamot what say you? Those in favor, please light your wands green, those against light your wands yellow, those who wish to abstain light your wands white." Veronica said. Archie held his breath as the wands lit up. Looking up, Archie saw a sea of green light. He smiled and Dumbledore smiled. "With a full Wizengamot vote, 400-0 with no abstentions, the vote passes." Dumbledore said. Archie let out the breath and smiled.

The Wizengamot meeting ended after Archie gave a short speech outlining what he wanted the Hogwarts Advisory Board to be. Lord and Lady Andrews went home after that and went to bed after dinner. Soon enough, the 1st of September was upon the Andrews family. Archie flooed to Hogwarts the night before and checked in with Sadie.

When the start of term feast came, all of the students bar the first years started trickling into the Great Hall. Archie watched from his usual spot on the right of the headmasters seat. Again, it was not the normal spot that the potions master and Slytherin Head of House would sit, but Archie sat wherever he wanted normally. At the beginning of term before taking over Professor Snape's duties, Archie sat with his Uncle Sirius and Remus on the left end of the table, but towards the end of term, he thought it would be better and more appropriate for him to sit next to Dumbledore as the owner of Hogwarts.

After the sorting, Dumbledore took to the lectern as he'd done every year since becoming Headmaster and began his start of term notices. "Welcome, to another year at Hogwarts. To those returning, I welcome you back to this beautiful castle. To those first years just joining us, I hope your time here as a student at Hogwarts will be memorable. I have a few start of term notices to give before we are all too befuddled by our excellent feast. As always, first years are to note that the Forbidden Forest is precisely that, forbidden. Anyone caught, will be given three months of detention and will lose 200 points for their house. Next, I would like to officially welcome Professor Forsythe Pendleton Jones III, who has replaced Professor Kettleburn as the Care of Magical Creatures professor. Please join me in wishing Professor Jones good luck." Dumbledore said.

Archie was the loudest of all of the people clapping as Jughead stood up and bowed to each house table. Dumbledore smiled as Jughead retook his seat before continuing. "Next, for those who are not aware there is a 1,000 year old basilisk roaming the castle. I have been informed that she is quite sweet if she's not protecting the castle so please feel free to say hello to her. Her name is Sadie. I now turn you over to Professor Emrys, who has a few notices as well." Dumbledore said before walking back to his seat.

Archie replaced Dumbledore at the lectern. "Thank you, Headmaster Dumbledore. I only have one notice for tonight, for those of you interested, I have created the Hogwarts Advisory Board to replace the Board of Governors. It has been brought to my attention that I am only one person, and it doesn't hurt to have advisors. I will be picking two students from each year to represent the students of each house. If you're interested in serving on the Hogwarts Advisory Board, please see your Head of House for the forms you need to sign." Archie said before sitting down.

After everyone ate, the students were escorted to their dorms, and the professors had a short staff meeting before going to bed.