Story Arc 6, Chapter 11

Monday morning was rather dreary, so Harry was happy that he didn't have plans for outside. Right at 9 o'clock, he floo'd into Professor McGonagall's office to sit his Arithmancy and Ancient Runes tests. While he was a little nervous, he was certain that he'd learned enough to be added to the fourth years' class. Each test took about an hour. He'd taken the Arithmancy test first, so while he was taking the Ancient Runes test, Professor Vector had graded his Arithmancy test. Finally, time was up. Professor McGonagall sent a Patronus to Professor Babbling when he was done.

Professor Vector said, "Well done, Mr. Potter. You could actually attend my OWL class if you wished. I added some additional questions to the test from the fourth years' test and you had no problem. I suspect I could put you and Miss Granger in that class and you would both do well."

"Thanks, Professor, but I'm fine just attending with the other fourth years," Harry replied.

"Very well. I will see you in class, then."

It didn't take Professor Babbling long to grade his Ancient Runes test and he was also allowed into that class. Harry breathed a sigh of relief that he no longer had to put up with Trelawny's death predictions. All of the current Divination students were being moved into other classes. Since this was the first year for the Magical/Non-magical Cultures classes, it would count as an elective for this year only.

The Magical/Non-Magical Cultures classes were mandatory for everyone. The first two years were Magical Culture and the next three were Non-Magical Culture. Students raised in one culture or the other could opt to take the year end tests and be excused from attending. To test out of the Non-Magical Cultures class required passing the OWL exam for Muggle Studies. Madam Marchbanks had talked with several of her counterparts in other countries and had gotten updated syllabuses from them. The ICW had an OWL standard test, which is what students testing out of it would take. Those opting to test out of one of the subjects would be taking their tests on Friday. Harry and Hermione both opted to test out of Muggle Studies. Ron was thinking about testing out of the Magical Cultures class, but hadn't made up his mind.

- Scene Break -

Tuesday was the August session of the Wizengamot. Harry tagged along to see what new ideas would be brought forth. This was the first scheduled Wizengamot session since the end of Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Sirius had developed several bills to allow more freedom for magical creatures, especially werewolves. Another was to regulate the treatment of house elves. There would be a house elf liaison office added to the Goblin Liaison office. Elves would be able to come and file complaints against their masters for unfair treatment. It was a requirement in the law that no owner could forbid their elves from seeking help from this office. This would be the first reading of both bills, so he was hoping to have them pass at the September Wizengamot session.

The Wizengamot was less contentious than it had been with the demise of the majority of the Dark families. Those families that were able to appoint a regent did so, but there were still a few seats that had not been filled. In some cases, there were no other heirs (Carrows). They sped through the agenda fairly quickly. When the final item on the agenda was complete, Albus stood up to speak, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I have been a member of the Wizengamot for over fifty years. I have seen two dark lords rise and fall. I have had thousands of our youth come through the halls of Hogwarts, eager to learn.

"It was brought to my attention, and none too subtly at that, that I am an old man. I am not as spry as I used to be, however, my mind is still quite good. With the final demise of Lord Voldemort, I think it is time for me to spend my twilight years more productively. I hereby resign the offices of Chief Warlock and the British representative to the International Confederation of Wizards. I have already sent my resignation as the Supreme Mugwump to the ICW. This will allow me time to concentrate on building Hogwarts' reputation back to where it once was.

"Hogwarts is no longer the premiere school of magic in this corner of the world. We have let our standards fall as well as reduced the available classes, thus handicapping our youth as they seek to find their way in this world.

"I shall remain the headmaster for the coming school term, then I shall resign. I would hope I would be able to lecture from time to time as I still feel I have much to offer our young witches and wizards. Thank you for your time. I declare this session of the Wizengamot closed!" he said as he banged his gavel for the last time.

The absolutely stunned silence after he banged his gavel gave him a few minutes to get a head start on the crowd. By the time people had recovered from the announcement, Albus was gone.

There were a few people who were aware of the reasons behind this move. Amelia, Madam Marchbanks, Madam Longbottom as well as Harry, Sirius, Remus, and Andi all knew what was driving this decision.

Harry and Sirius thought they were going to have to go to Hogwarts on Wednesday and have the castle toss him out, but it seems like Albus wanted to go out on his own terms. While everyone was trying to recover from the announcement, those in the know reassembled in Amelia's office.

Amelia asked, "Well, did anyone have Albus resigning his two political positions in their crystal ball?"

Sirius replied, "Nope. My money was on having to forcefully eject him from the school tomorrow."

Augusta said, "I'm not as surprised as most people would be. Over the past couple of weeks, Albus has thrown himself fully into the running of the school. He's taken an interest in the new subjects and is suggesting we add others. With a Master Healer in the castle now, he is talking about bringing back the healing elective. It's actually been quite refreshing."

Harry said, "The question is, how long will it last? Will something of 'grave importance' come up that he must stick his nose in it or will he keep his word and retire at the end of this coming term?"

"We still have leverage, pup. If he steps out of line, we can force him to retire immediately," said Sirius.

They all agreed they would take a wait and see attitude for now.

- Scene Break -

As soon as Harry popped out of the floo, he grabbed his broom and went down to the gatehouse to call Hermione.

"Hermione! You're never going to believe it! Dumbledore resigned from the Wizengamot and the ICW!"

"But isn't that what you wanted?" she asked.

"Well, yeah, but we all thought he'd rather be a politician than a school headmaster."

"So, you're surprised that he didn't follow your predicted action?"

"Well, yeah. Wouldn't you be?"

"Not really. Look at it from his perspective. By staying on as headmaster, Professor Dumbledore still has access to the impressionable youth. He can still influence people from here, just in a different way. I think it was quite crafty of the man, myself."

"Well, it's just for one year, then he said he's going to resign. He wants to stay around and give lectures if we'll let him."

"That's actually a very good idea. He does have a wealth of knowledge about a myriad of subjects."

Harry's bubble had burst by that point. Hermione was right, there could still be more ulterior motives involved. Harry was just going to go with it for now.

- Scene Break -

Wednesday afternoon Harry, Sirius, and Remus went to the Potter flat in London. It was a short walk to Kings Cross Station the next morning. They had time to see an early movie and get some pizza before Harry retired for the night.

Tomorrow he would be returning to Hogwarts. If you'd asked him three months ago if he could see himself starting his fourth year, he would have told you 'No'. So much has happened since that fateful night. He now had a family – albeit a weird hodge podge of people – and a home. He had friends and was meeting more people. Neville was now a close friend and even Susan Bones was beginning to join in their little circle. Ron, well, he was Ron. He was lazy and felt being a pureblood entitled him to things others weren't. In some ways, he was like Draco. Harry wasn't sure if their friendship would survive the next year. Harry was much more focused on his academics. He also had learned that he could be himself and not worry what others thought about him. But the one thing he now had, that he hadn't at the end of the last school year; he had hope.

FINITE INCANTATUM