Hermione's First Secret
The Daily Prophet had been delivered to the Burrow on August 1st, the same way it had been every day for as long as the family could remember. The only changes with time had been an increase in the number of copies that arrived. Saturday editions of the prophet tended to have more fluff pieces, so it took the residents of the Burrow more time to pick up their copies once the delivery owl had dropped them off. Hermione, never one afraid to find something to read while her friends talked, was the first to pick up a copy. Everyone in the room heard an audible gasp as Hermione took in the front page heading; “MINISTRY OF MAGIC ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO CURRICULUM AT HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY”. As everyone looked at her, she started to read the article aloud:
"From the desk of the Interim Minister of Magic: Kingsely Shackelbolt
Wizarding Britain, these last few months have been turbulent and scary for all of us. Many of us have experienced fear and loss that we should never have to bear and now we are asked to move forward with life. I am not here to ask you to move forward as though nothing happened. I am here hoping to guide us into a brighter future where the mistakes of the past cannot come back to haunt us for a third time. I have been assured by the Unspeakables that Voldemort is dead with no chance of returning. This is a question that went unasked during the first Wizarding War.
Now we are plagued with an even harder question we must ask as a community. How do we move forward? This is not something we can answer in a published letter, but what I can do is share with you the outline for what I think will help all move forward. First, we have started placing those captured fighting for Voldemort at the Battle of Hogwarts on trial. We are ensuring each trial is handled fairly, and without prejudice, thanks to the help of our friends at the ICW. This process has not only helped us take criminals off the street, but also helped us learn their motivations so we can work to ensure something like this will never happen again.
Based on the motivations behind the heinous crimes we have seen committed in the last year, and discussions with our friends at the ICW, the Ministry of Magic will be taking a new approach to how we educate young Witches and Wizards from all backgrounds. We will be announcing the phases of our program over time, but have chosen to start by announcing the one that will affect the most individuals at this current time.
All individuals who were enrolled, or should have been enrolled at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on 1 September 1997 are hereby mandated to repeat the year of schooling they would have started on 1 September 1997. All educational credits, attained at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the aforementioned year are hereby expunged from each student's educational record. This policy is universal, and without exception as new educational requirements shall also be mandated and required for graduation.
Additional Changes:
-History of Magic and Magical Culture is now a required course for all seven years of education. (An abridged version will be offered for all non first years.)
-Study of the Non - Magical World will replace Muggle Studies, and is now a required course for all seven years of education.
-Divination will no longer be an elective course. All students will be screened to determine if they have the gift of foresight. Those with the gift will receive private tutoring.
-Arithmancy Mathematics Basics is now a required course for the first and second year of education, as mathematics is necessary in all as
-There will be multiple Professors for each course, to allow Professors to better educate their students.
-The Wizarding Examination Authority (WEA) is currently evaluating the curriculum for each course to ensure students are getting an education that is up to date with the field of each subject.
Signed
Kingsley Shacklebolt
Interim Minister of Magic"
As though no one believed what she had just read, they all scrambled to pick up their own copies of the Prophet and sat in silence as they tried to digest what they just learned. Hermione, who had been staying with the Weasley family on and off since the end of the war, was trying to take in the scene around the breakfast table and simultaneously not ball her eyes out. She was finally ready to begin her adult life, to enjoy what life could offer beyond the Wizarding World and to spend some much needed time with her family.
Arthur, who was promoted to head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement with the Ministry Audits and rehiring, looked contemplative, it was clear from his expression he was unaware of these new changes. Molly looked overwhelmed, as though she was unsure how she would get her two children and her two bonus children ready for Hogwarts in only a month. Ginny looked annoyed, but was surveying the room like Hermione was. Ron had started turning various shades of red, and he appeared moments away from having steam come out of his ears. Lastly she looked towards Harry, who was starting to laugh maniacally.
"Mate, I know we've been through a lot in the last year and all but are you finally losing your damn marbles." Ron said, breaking the ice, as everyone in the room started to chuckle.
"Ron, my marbles have been gone for a long time. This is just fucking hilarious. Sorry Mrs. Weasley. We worked our asses off to find and destroy the horcruxes, fought dozens of Death Eaters, were captured, Hermione was tortured, and I was struck with the killing curses AGAIN, yet that's still not enough for us to be offered our Hogwarts Diplomas no questions asked." Harry stated.
"That's a valid point Harry." Hermione agreed. All of a sudden everyone went silent and just stared at Hermione.
"What! I'm allowed to agree with him. I'm getting too old for this shit. I turn 19 this year and should have been done with my education in June. The magical world has taken over my life since I first started at Hogwarts. Each year of schooling something insane has happened that has led to at least one of us almost nearly ending up dead. Now we do it again, but this time we save the Wizarding World and remove the threat Voldemort and the Ministry STILL wants to control our lives." Hermione ranted. "I'm just fed up and ready to move on."
Ginny wrapped Hermione up in her signature Weasley hug. " It will be okay Mia, we will be there together." Hermione gave Ginny a small smile and put her head in her hands.
"It's just hard Ginny, it's been nearly three months since the Battle with nothing being said. I started to make plans for my life outside of the magical world. So many people just don't understand how hard it is to be ripped away from the life you know and thrust into a world that you never seemed to fit into. I thought I was going to be free to start making my own choices now and nope…"
"I never thought I'd see the day where Hermione Granger was upset about being told to go back to school." Ron joked trying to brighten the mood. Hermione just glared at him.
Everyone sat silent at the table for a few minutes before Hermione cried "What am I going to tell my parents."
"Mione, what are you going on about? You obliviated your parents last summer and sent them to Australia." Harry said with a look of concern which was shared by Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.
Hermione cursed under her breath, realizing she would have to explain herself. "Yes, that's what I told you, but that's not what actually happened. My parents have been far more informed than I let anyone believe throughout all of my time in the Wizarding World. I discussed all possible outcomes with my parents. We decided together, we would make everyone think they were Obliviated and had moved to Australia."
Molly gave Hermione a huge hug. "Oh sweetheart. Where are your parents now? Are they safe and unharmed? Did they make it through the war unscathed? Can we see them?"
Hermione gave Mrs. Weasley a small smile. "They are at home now, they spent most of the past year volunteering with their favorite charity in South Africa. They are safe and they never had any issues with the Death Eaters. I'm sorry I lied to you all. I just knew it would keep my parents safer, if everyone that knew of them in the magical world thought they had been Obliviated and left the country. "
"I understand Mione." Harry said, as Ron nodded his head in agreement.
"Thanks guys!" She said, as she gave her boys a big hug. "I guess we need to fill in the other Order Members that knew about my parents, and I think it's time I wrote a strongly worded letter to the Minister." Harry and Ron glanced knowingly at one another and gulped.
Hermione quickly drafted her letter, which would rival a Molly Weasley Howler, to Kingsley. She made sure the delivery owl would deliver it to his home, not to the Ministry. While she did that, Molly floo called the Order numbers who had been aware of the situation regarding Hermione's parents, thankful the girl kept her circle small as she hated keeping her head in the floo.
One by one people started to come through the floo. First to arrive, once they heard the promise of dinner, was Fred and George. Hermione smiled when she saw the twins. Both had nearly died at least once in the past year and Hermione was just thankful they were still here and still making others smile. Fred spent a week in St Mungo's after the battle but came out of everything relatively unscathed in comparison to some.
Next to arrive was Remus, Tonks and their little baby Teddy. Most of the Order had thought Remus and Tonks had died during the first half of the Battle. They were incredibly thankful When the healers from St. Mungos told them they were alive, and needed special medical care but would make a full recovery! This was especially good news for Harry as Remus was his last living connection to his father. Remus had to spend two weeks in the hospital, whereas Tonks only needed a few days, but hospital time was worth it to be alive and with their family.
Last to arrive was Kingsley. Hermione had told him about her parents when they were paired together on the final rescue Harry from Privet Drive mission. He knew he was in for an earful after the letter he had just read.
"Kingsley Shacklebolt! I do not like you at all right now! You're only here because you need to hear the information I have to say. How dare you force those of us who have given up everything for the wizarding world to give up another year of our lives to your decree. Some of us have been held captive by the Wizarding World long enough and we have started making plans for our future. Now, thanks to you we are being held captive again. I had enough being a tortured prisoner at Malfoy Manor. I didn't think you'd be the next one to hold me captive!" Hermione shouted at Kingsley, who just stared back at the girl in shock. She was the last person he expected to be upset about his new plans.
"Good Evening " Molly started, "I've called this small meeting on behalf of Hermione, so I'll let her share what she has to say. "
"Thank you! You're all here because you were given information about my parents' location and how I chose to keep them safe during the war. I just wanted you all to be aware my parents are now home and their memories are fully intact. I just didn't want to share this information by any means other than in person." Harry nodded at Hermione, agreeing with her choice to not share the full store with everyone.
There was a chorus of "That's wonderful." and "Congratulations, Hermione " from the occupants of the room. It was also in that moment Kingsley realized why Hermione was so angry about the mandate to return to Hogwarts. He vowed to himself that he would do whatever he could to make it right.
Now that the news had been shared, Molly invited everyone to tuck in for dinner. Everyone stayed, including the Minister. It was so nice for all involved to enjoy sharing dinner without the looming threat of war hanging over everyone's head.
After dinner Kingsley asked Hermione if she had a moment to speak in private. She nodded and the pair walked out to the garden, where Hermione cast a muffliato before saying anything.
"What more did you have to say Minister?" Hermione's body language was clearly showing how uncomfortable she was talking to Kingsley.
"Hermione, please don't be like that." He begged.
"Like what? Angry, pissed off, upset, disappointed? Sorry Minister, this is what you are going to get, because this is how I feel." Kingsley shook his head in shame while Hermione continued.
"I have given the last seven years of my life to the Wizarding World. When I should have been getting my education, I was instead put in countless situations where my life was in danger. On top of that, I was away from my family, the world I grew up in and thrust into a society where many people thought I wasn't worth the dirt on their shoe. I don't think you understand how much muggleborn's have to give up to come into the Wizarding World. I was to receive a private education at a premier institution, I had a small, close group of friends, hobbies I loved and we travelled all the time. I had to give up most of that to come here Kingsley, and most people don't even care enough to ask about where or how I grew up because of how narrow-minded everyone's view of Muggles is. Now, lets fast forward 6 years, I gave up the last year of my education to help fight a war that only continued because your generation and ministry couldn't properly end it the last time!"
Kingsley tried to interject but Hermione didn't let him. "It's been nearly three months since the war ended Kingsley and I can count on one hand the number of times you, or anyone from the ministry have asked the thoughts of those who were on the front lines, for far longer than the Final Battle. Not only that, it was three months without any communication from the ministry regarding our education. Many of us started to make plans for our future, then in the blink of an eye we have a month to undo all of those plans and prepare ourselves to go back to the place where we saw our friends die. Sure you may have made decisions based on the prisoners you were interviewing, but you forgot who you were making those decisions for."
Hermione took a moment to collect her thoughts and in that moment Kingsley started speaking. "I am so sorry. We never wanted this return to Hogwarts to be seen as holding you all captive. What can I do to make this better for everyone, and especially for you. "
She took a moment to think about his words before responding. "One, you, nor I fully understand what students had to go through last year with Shape and the Carrows' in charge. You need to interview the students who stayed at school last year to determine how best to support all of them. Two, we're coming off a war. Many students lost people they care about, the school needs to be staffed with mind healers, enough to properly manage the number of students. Three, No detentions where a student is left alone with a teacher and no students put in charge of other students' detentions. From what I've heard about last year, detention was often used as an excuse to Crucio students and they were sometimes forced to Crucio one another, before that Umbridge would used a blood quill in detentions and would try to use Veritaserum on students she wanted to question. As for what you can do for me. If I'm to attend Hogwarts this year, I'm going to need help making sure I can balance it with the commitments I've made outside the wizarding world. That means I need international portkeys and the ability to occasionally miss a week or weekend of school at a time, with no questions asked."
"Can I ask what for?” Kingsley added.
"The life I have outside of the Wizarding World." Hermione quipped.
"Consider it done."
"I'll be in touch." Hermione stated as she canceled the muffliato and walked away.