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Actions matter, not intentions





When Harry left, Neville decided he would see about the things Harry said. He sat down at his desk and wrote his Grandmother a note to find out if she knew about muggle fire drills or emergency procedures. His Gran could tell the Headmaster and the staff to come up with something which would train the students to better handle any strange creatures who chose to enter Hogwarts. The staff could designate a teacher or a group who managed the students while the rest handled the situation. Harry was right about a couple of things: 1) if good intentions were not enough to protect them the staff needed to give them instructions whereby they could handle the situation themselves and 2) if the students' luck ran out, comfort would not help any injuries or death that came to them.



Neville was not the only one who was having a crisis of faith in authority, Percy was reaching out to his father. Percy knew that his mother loved him, but she was not the right parent to handle this situation. His dad was the one who handled direct threats to the family. As far as Percy knew, multiple mountain trolls in Hogwarts was a direct threat to Percy's health. Percy protected the second through fifth years, but he didn't feel good about the remaining Gryfindors left to fight the mountain trolls.



If the teachers were thorough and the prefects were worth their office, he should have known what to do. He and Missy had to make a choice. They chose the second through fifth years. If things went the other way, he was pretty sure that he would not be able to face himself in the mirror. If his classmates had died last night while he and the rest of the Gryfindors were safe in Ravenclaw tower, Percy was sure he would be far from the contained perfect Percy the Twins teased him for being.



No matter what went right last night, a number of things went wrong. If his Dad didn't have any thoughts on this, he'd contact Bill. Bill knew things as acurse breaker and as a former head boy that his father didn't. Maybe he could help him figure out what he could have done. He never wanted to feel this helpless again.



Susan Bones was also reaching out to her aunt. She didn't feel good about how she handled the troll. Hannah had to bail her out. She knew her spells. She had studied most of her first year texts. The books didn't tell her anything about handling a troll. Her auntie might have a solution to cover the shortfall. Her aunt always talked about rookies who stood in the face of danger for the first time. She said their training kicked in. She wanted to know what happened when her rookies didn't have any training. What did they do then? The firsties did well enough, but they could have been hurt without the sixth and seventh years.



At the same time all those letters were being written and sent out to Hogwarts guardians, McGonagall was in the midst of a debate with Albus which would have far reaching consequences for all in the castle. Lady Hogwarts only inserted herself when necessary. The Headmaster and Deputy Headmistress were doing what was right. The Founders could not have done better.



"Voldemort was in this castle with children, Albus! Much more specifically, Voldemort was in this castle with all these children when Harry Potter was here.



Albus, you want to be emeritus headmaster. I welcome you to it. I expect you to keep the children safe in all things. There will no longer be any artifacts held in this castle which will draw Voldemort to us. Harry Potter is one thing. The Philosopher Stone is an entirely different kettle of fish.



Voldemort will attack Harry Potter no matter where he is. If he is back in spirit form, this school needs an entire security/defense against dark arts team overall. Harry Potter needs to bring a special contingent in protect him from Voldemort specifically, but our students faced mountain trolls last night.



If you want to take a step back, I need a deputy headmaster/headmistress to take on my former responsibilities. If you want to handle, the Ministry you can. We have a farm to manage. We have an apothecary to grow. We have the entire Forbidden Forest to nurture and husband. Hogsmeade was a former extension of the Founders' vision of Hogwarts. The town has its own managing major and council. If we fulfill the calling that Lady Hogwarts has set before us, we need to have more hands on this ship.



Hagrid has the Forbidden Forest, but he needs workers. Severus has made an impressive start building an apothecary from what we grow here at Hogwarts, but he needs workers. The students can help but they do not have masteries. If I get involved in the daily grind of Hogsmeade as a leader, then I will fall into the trap you have as Chief Mugwump in the Ministry. I need a politician capable of inserting him or herself in Hogsmeade with a management team which lets them know what Hogwarts needs.



Our enrollment is down more than 50% this year. We need to find willing students to educate. If we have a plan to continue as a school, we cannot go forward with this. These new schools operating within these walls are working out because our students are exposed to more fields of study than we normally offer. Most of the sixth and seventh years have signed up for Derringer so they know how to feed themselves when they leave Hogwarts. These new schools have contributed teachers who have filled in the gaps in staff for heads of house and teachers, but we need to fill out our own roster.



Tell me what you are going to handle, /O Emeritus Headmaster/, so I can plan on something."



Lady Hogwarts inserted herself in the discussion. "Before you answer, Headmaster, let me help you Headmistress. The residents of Hogsmeade have helped to secure Hogwarts. They have guarded our boundaries against hostile muggles or any threats from creatures. There is no reason that they cannot take up their former role.



The Founders each had an area they specialized in. The Forbidden Forest, the animal farm, apothecary, and political networking fit within their profession. You are strained to manage each function by yourself. Hagrid and Snape will be handle their area if they have professional help. You are not expected to handle the farm or crops. Give that to Professor Sprout. You need to have her Hufflepuff counterpart take control as head of house.



You need to find a Hogsmeade resident to be the politician Hogwarts needs. The Ministry of Magic is separate an apart from Hogwarts. We will provide for ourselves. The political team should also come from Hogsmeade or Hogwarts. It all needs to remain in house.



Professor Flitwick has a team of Ravenclaws who can find the students we need. They have been working on it for three months. If you want to hear a proposal from them on what should be done, you should ask them for it.



I am also interested in hearing what the Emeritus Headmaster will manage and be responsible. You have kept your word from the summer. You have put in 20 hours a week. You have not been distracted at all. What do you have in mind for student defense and your role here?"



Albus smiled and stretched his arms out so they were completely open. "I will work with the Ministry of Magic for Hogwarts. I want out of the daily routine of running this school. Headmistress McGonagall consider yourself hired and me entering my dotage. For a century, I've devoted myself to education: mine and everyone elses here at Hogwarts.



You both can see the cracks in the administration I've held together solely relying on will and determination. Do I wish I did better? Do I see room for improvement? Did some things fall through those cracks?



Yes, Merlin, YES!



I want to try my hand at doing what Madam Grisdela Marchbanks does in education. She bosses all the younger staff around while she learns new and interesting magic. She leads the NEWT and OWL educators forward by her example. She is doing well filling in for me in the Wizengamot. I have a proxy voting for the Dumbledore seat. He tells me how impressive she has been forcing compromise. Considering the fact that she was a mature effeminate teacher when I was a lad, I cannot find a better model to pattern my waning years. She taught or examined every member of the Wizengamot. Maybe Madam Marchbanks will let me take up her current post while she sticks with mine. I'll ask.



I can change the 20 hours I spend here at Hogwarts. Tell me what else you think I could do here without undermining your leadership."



McGonagall put forward her hope. "How about you find a way to break the curse Voldemort put on the Defense of Dark Arts position? Maybe you can teach alchemy with one of the Flamel family. Have you ever considering teaching advance transfiguration to Hogwarts graduates? Maybe you would consider bringing your lifelong flame to teach ethics in magic. Your time could be used as effectively as you want. Well?"



Albus responded, "I can and will lead a team of curse breakers to work on whatever threats Voldemort introduced into this school. Maybe we can discover what he has been doing here for the last 2 months. Lady Hogwarts, why didn't you tell us we had a new spirit drifting across these halls.""'



The Sorting Hat responded for her. "The Lady can not go against the Founder's heirs. Tom Riddle may be many horrific things, but he is Slytherin's primary heir."



Lady Hogwarts took over from the Sorting Hat. "I cannot go against him anymore than I can undermine the rest of the Founder's heirs.



Albus, you know this better than anyone else."



"Even in spirit form, a heir you must continue to obey. Remarkable!" Albus pretended to be shocked.



"Yes. Whenever there is a conflict between the Founders or their heirs, I have remained outside of the conflict. I remain true to this original proposition." Lady Hogwarts finished.



Minerva looked at Albus. "You didn't answer my questions. I have known you too long to let you slide away from this conversation."



Albus smiled widely. "So you have. If the Flamels plan to turn away from their reclusion, I am more than willing to co-teach the N.E.W.T. potion and transfiguration students Alchemy.



Gellert has spent these last 50 years in seclusion working under a different name. He suggested that I turn completely away from Hogwarts, leave Harry Potter in your capable hands, and retire completely from public life. I am sure he'd be amused to co-teach ethics with me here at Hogwarts.



I can only imagine what my biographer would call me when it is discovered that Isnuck a dark lord into Hogwarts to train the next generation."



"Albus, you decided long ago to turn away from the 'greater good' that Grindenwald espoused. When you finally tracked him down and cornered him for killing so many muggles, you were able to convince him to set it all aside in exchange for his life. His dark army was broken up into parts. They continue to practice dark magic; eschew torture, rape, murder, and widespread destruction; and have grown old enough to contribute to society. We both know a jail would not hold them. They walked far enough down the path of darkness for prison nor death to keep them.



Grindenwald is every bit as dangerous as Salazar Slytherin was, but he made a lifelong impact on dark wizard's impact on our world. He may be tired of what he does in continental Europe, but he'd be meddle in what you've done with your time here at Hogwarts. He might even be capable of containing Governor Malfoy, Herr Snape, and rest of Voldemort's minions.



It might take a dark wizard master whose lived that history to contain the latest dark lord. When you talk to him, tell him Lady Hogwarts and I require abinding oath before he ever set foot in your residence, in a classroom, or interacts with any student. Gellert will offer us a security all his own."



Albus responded. "We'll see what Gellert has to say.



My brother, Aberforth, is willing to help me make my transition to Emeritus Headmaster. He can switch off with the new defense professor. He has Molly Weasley running the Hogshead Bar most days. Before you ask, I am sure there is a story behind her new assignment. I do not know what the story is. Aberforth is pleased with her management style. Most of his customers have learned to adapt to her style.



If you have three elderly gentlemen such as ourselves at Hogwarts at the same time, the stamp we leave on Hogwarts will forever change what retired headmasters are expected to do. You will be forced to find a master who is willing to grade all essays, assign homework, and administer tests. I'm too old for any of that."



"I agree in principle Albus. Once I see what you intend to do, I can tell you after a few months whether it will work or not."



"The student becomes the teacher. You are welcome to manage my labors as best you can." Albus' eyes twinkled madly as completed his sentence.



Minerva asked the Sorting Hat. "Does this satisfy Lady Hogwarts?"



"She has no complaints. The last dark wizard to run Hogwarts was Headmaster Black. It would be a change of pace to have an openly declared former dark wizard at Hogwarts."



The Sorting Hat asked the Lady when she would inform Minerva about the convergence of educators scheduled to descend on Hogwarts over the winter break. Lady Hogwarts responded that Minerva needed to get through this mountain troll challenge to her administration. If she could competently handle all affected, she would let Professor Flitwick inform Minerva about the upcoming extravaganza.





Across the pond, Hermione Granger felt like someone had walked across her grave. She was freaked out and didn't know why. She had come to love Avalon. It was so much better than her primary school. Her mentors were wonderful. There were other students who challenged her and worked at their grades just as hard as she did.



Her parents had visited her every other weekend to see her, check on how her school work was going, and participate in the Avalon Parent Association. She was friendly with a few of the other children. It could not have gotten better academically. Her problem was she was bored. It seemed like something was missing. The chilly feeling she had gotten today was a small portion of it.



She was thinking about getting involved in the Quodpot League Avalon had. Her flying instructor coaxed her onto a broom and worked with her daily. She thought since she overcame her fear of heights, maybe she had a chance to defeat her failed athleticism. She wished wizards offered more team sports, then she would not be limited to quidditch or quodpot. She was grateful that so many students disregarded sports here. At least now she would have a chance in a team sport. She looked forward to each and everyday at Avalon.





Molly Weasley had decided to return home to Arthur. She missed him. Now that Ginny informed her of all the wonderful things she did at that muggle school, she better understood what Arthur had been trying to do. He still had no business making decisions for their children without her consent, but she realized Arthur had a dream of what his family could be. Molly had stuck with what she knew and failed to venture out into the wider world.



She had spent her time away from her husband thinking about what she wanted. Madam Rosmerta owned and operated the Three Broomsticks in Hogsmeade. She had taken her talents and expanded them. Molly could do the same thing. Ginny was the last child at home. Aberforth would let Molly expand his business and use her talents because he wanted something new too. He had been stuck in the past for far too long. The way she saw it, they could both come into the future together. She'd have to convince Arthur to expand the Burrow so she could have a bigger kitchen.





Arthur was seething after he read Percival's letter. As soon as he could collect his thoughts, he would be gathering Bill and Charlie together and head to Hogwarts. He could tell Percy was upset. Bill could calm him down and help him learn how to manage his duties better. Percy took himself too seriously not to address his concerns quickly.



Charlie could return to the castle to help Hagrid manage the mountain trolls. It would help Charlie at the dragon reserve. Mountain trolls were some of the best workers for dragons because they were so magic resistant. If Charlie could manage this feat, the reserve would release Charlie to work with Arthur's new business. Bill had already managed to wrangle some concessions from the goblins. He would reserve his true ire for Albus Dumbledore. He needed to know how this happened and what they were prepared to do about it.





Augusta Longbottom knew exactly what the Board of Governors would do about the mountain troll situation. The wards surrounding Hogwarts and Hogsmeade would need an overhaul and should be updated to protect against creatures. Govs. Vance and Malfoy should be willing to allocate funds for this project. In fact, the Board of Governors needed to overhaul and update a multitude of security features throughout Hogwarts. Her brother, Mr. Unspeakable, could find the best disciplines to do the work. With Hogwarts taking the steps to become self sufficient, the next step for the Governors was decide what they should be done to prevent tomorrow's emergencies. Neville seemed to understand how badly it could have gone for each student. The Governors would have to expand their schedules to include safety measures for the entire building.





Minerva's first response her new position was to call a staff meeting at 9 a.m. in the Great Hall. She asked the schools sharing the castle to be present. They needed to review the memories of what took place last night, decide on new safety precautions in the event of an emergency, and help to child proof or idiot proof the zone of the castle where they taught or lived. It would not help the students feel safe if the staff had no idea what was going on. The staff needed to be trained in sending and receiving patronus messages. No one had sat still and coordinated their efforts last night. At best, it was a hit or miss operation from start to finish. They could do better and they should have done better.



The next order of business was to contact the parents to explain what happened last night. Minerva decided she would need one parent or a group of parents to stay on top of communicating with the parents. In the past, she had only contacted them if there were disciplinary problems. She could do better.



Albus could deal with official inquiries from the ministry. The last step she could take was to meet with the students. They needed to understand the steps which the staff would take to help keep them safe. She would keep the students in the two towers, release them for lunch in the Great Hall, and meet with them after their meal. They should know no matter how safe the staff tried to keep them, there could be events in the future which would leave them vulnerable like the mountain troll contingent deciding to forage for food within the castle. They should understand the responsibility of the prefects, but also know that the prefects alone could not have kept the students' safe last night.





Amelia Bones, Head of Magical Law Enforcement was the first guest to appear at Hogwarts. Hagrid brought her to Minerva's office no sooner than she arrived at the gates. Hagrid returned to the fields and to his fabulous creatures. Minerva took the burden of having a conversation as a responsibility of a teacher to a parent. Albus could answer any law enforcement questions Amelia had.



"As I am sure Susan told you, we had a teacher lead a clan of mountain trolls into the building last night. The staff searched the building immediately and captured any trolls found. A few staff was injured and is recovering in the Infirmary. Morning classes have been canceled. Your daughter helped the sixth and seventh years defend her class yesterday. As soon as the staff was able, those students were brought to Gryfindor tower was they have remained. The healers are in the process of examining each student to make sure they are all sufficiently healthy after yesterday's trial."



"I want to know what you will to do to insure Susan will not face any future mountain trolls who decide Hogwarts is a great place for food." Amelia watched Minerva closely because she could not accept any pat answers after yesterday.



"As you know Albus has given me leave to manage Hogwarts schedule. At no time did I or any member of the staff suspect that we had a specter of the Dark Lord Voldemort inhabiting this castle. Up until now, we thought Mr. Potter had effectively killed him. As a result of his displacement, we have had 10 blissful threat free years at Hogwarts. Now that we are better informed, we will take the war time precautions of 10 years to screen all applicants at Hogwarts. The children at Hogwarts will learn how to better protect themselves in the event of Voldemort re-emerging here at Hogwarts.



If you have some suggestions as a parent, I'd be glad to hear them. Albus handles all ministry inquiries." Minerva looked at the wall. She knew Amelia Bones when she was a student. Director Bones was like a dog with a bone with a new project. She would not let this go.



Amelia responded, "I have 2 suggestions as a parent and a few as a member of the Ministry. You must use your student's parents. We have been lax in letting Albus Dumbledore handle our children's best interests. He is one man, an aged leader. The muggles have parent associations in their schools helping the teachers to insure the health and safety of their children. We need to get the parents directly involved to counter previous bad Defense of Dark Arts teachers and the lack of a formal security force at Hogwarts.



You have a demerit system and prefects, but you need fully trained adult witches and wizards who can act to defend against a threat. As talented as the staff at Hogwarts is, you left your students poorly defended while most of the staff went to assess the threat. Your main assets or treasure was left to fight for itself. Blind luck averted disaster this time. You should let the professionals handle threat assessment, manage the problems when they arise, and clean up the aftermath while the staff fulfills their priority responsibilities at a place of learning.



The second suggestion is really the main one: it is time for the magical guardians to take responsibility for their charges. Each student has a magical guardian so far as their training and ministry affairs are concerned. The practice has fallen out of use for reasons as varied as the ministry wants to reject its responsibilities to its students and magical families do not want external interference within their family affairs. It is a magical guardians responsibility to take a magical child from the start of their magical education to the completion of it. The parents and the magical guardians can help fill in the security deficit you have here at Hogwarts. We all want our children as safe as they can be. If there is a consistent presence here, you will have more than Hagrid guarding the gate.



The other matter is unrelated to the direct safety of Hogwarts students. It has to do with using Hogwarts grounds and facilities to begin refresher training for the magical people of Britain. Mr. Potter has shook the pillars of the Ministry by asking for an account of his father's donation to Magical Law Enforcement. Minister Fudge knows as Mr. Potter's case moves forward the public will discover that he has misappropriated James Potter's fortune. He has done none of what the Ministry was bound to do for the people of Britain. He is scrambling to cover himself for 10 years of mismanagement.



The MLE is obligated to teach basic self defense post N.E.W.T. level for each magical resident. There is money available to teach basic warding techniques for home and workplace. James Potter also made a provision to extend the Dark Defense League if they promised to act as a secondary force for the Aurors and the Unspeakables. Voldemort was able to kill as many muggles and muggleborns last time because they failed to have an escape plan, did not have the necessary portkeys, their floo access was denied, and the Ministry was not alerted in time. The Dark Defense League filled in the gaps, but failed to reach enough people in time.



Veteran aurors and unspeakables are coming out of retirement or inactive status to train the people, but we are asking the schools to help us facilitate a class schedule for evening hours. We also like to provide food and lodging for our veterans throughout the year for this MLE program. We'd be prepared to allow Hogwarts to students to observe. If any student is capable, they can participate in any basic class we host.



We'd pay Hogwarts to host our evening program. We are currently expanding the Auror academy to brush up on our skills and strengthen our core capabilities. Mad Eye has been given leave to manage the Potter professional development fund. He is going to put every single auror, unspeakable, and law enforcement auxiliary competent and capable of fighting forces like he trained against Grindenwald. Voldemort overran our aurors, but Moody wants to bring the Grindenwald standard back.



The corollary position Moody holds is the citizenry must be capable of defending itself. It took eight years of training for the Grindenwald fighters to battle as well as they did. The citizenry has to be able to defend itself against the raids we have already experienced; otherwise they will be sheep waiting for abusy Sheppard to notice the danger before it gobbles them up. We have wasted 10 years. If Voldemort is determined to re-emerge, we don't have 10 more years to wait."



Minerva had taken notes about what the MLE needed. Even with the other schools currently housed within Hogwarts, Hogwarts basement to dungeon levels were currently unused. She wasn't sure how she could work out all the facility requirements, but she thought she might be able to swing it and reduce the current budget shortfall too. Madam Pomphrey was looking to expand the Infirmary and use St. Mungo healers to fulfill staffing positions. The apothecary could also have a ready made client base if that many magicals passed through Hogwarts on a weekly basis. If the MLE was willing to train the residents of Hogsmeade, then she had her security force.



Minerva had to sell it first. "Amelia, I'd be willing to open the doors of Hogwarts for the British people. Our current enrollment has dropped. We need to fill the shortfall that exists here in order for this project to be a success. As I've been reminded lately, Hogwarts charter separates us from any muggle or magical government. If we host this service for the people, we are not opening up our books for the Ministry to do whatever it wants here. When you are here, you will respect our independence in all things.



We also need to build a dedicated public floo network access point by the gates. Our wards will help keep people with bad intentions off our grounds. The ministry can key public portkeys to that site so people will not interfere with the normal operation of Hogsmeade businesses. We will house the veteran trainers, but the public will need to use the Three Broomsticks or Hogs Head if they want an overnight stay. You will need to work with them to expand their businesses to accommodate the kind of traffic you will create in Hogsmeade."



Amelia had jotted down a few notes too. "I will talk to Albus about what the Ministry needs to do to guard against any future Quirrel sized Trojan horses. I will also find out how much money we will devote to Hogwarts for this venture. It will take some time to get Magical Transport to build a hub of fireplaces for apublic floo access point at Hogwarts gate. I will get Head Auror Rufus Scrimgeur to speak to the Hogsmeade mayor so the residents can prepare for increased traffic. Scrimgeur should be able to get the mayor to agree to use unused portions of Hogsmeade as a practice area for simulated raids so the public can be remember of how dangerous it all was. Please equip several classrooms to be dedicated for defense classes while we iron out all the details. If I know Alastor, he will inspect and rearrange the area repeatedly before we ever get the first class together."



Minerva spoke up immediately. "I like Mr. Moody as well as anyone who has fought alongside him in the last war. The corridors the MLE uses will need to be separated from the rest of Hogwarts by intent wards and MLE personnel that keeps the public out. While we would like to accommodate the MLE, we can't have the public disturb the rest of Hogwarts normal operation. As long as Mr. Moody refrains from wandering throughout the building, he can spend as much time as he wants in the MLE apportioned areas. I'm sure Albus will enjoy matching wits with Mr. Moody." Minerva stood and walked around her desk. She shook Amelia's hand.



Amelia smiled, "I look forward to working with you in the future. Do not hesitate to call me as a parent or as the director of the MLE if you need assistance. We will come and investigate any problems you have."



Minerva called the Head house elf, Miriam, to see Director Bones out of the castle. Minerva started to wonder if Albus talked her into this role because he knew what was coming. She wouldn't be surprised knowing his history.