Stay Open Minded
Chapter 17
Saturday morning… They made it through the first week of school. There was a collective, unspoken hope from all the returning 7th year students that the year would pass quickly. Today though, they had no homework to work on, and no plans. That was until the announcement that was made at Breakfast.
"Good morning everyone. Now that we've reached our first weekend I would like to make an announcement. This year we have more, of age students than ever before. We have decided those of you 17 or older, should have the freedom to come, and go as you please."
This led to an excited rumble from the students in question.
"Now, this is only for outside of class time, and you must still return by curfew unless you have cleared it with me, or your head of house."
Hermione, and Ginny looked at one another excitedly. A similar exchange happened at the Slytherin table.
"The one thing I will require if What if you are leaving the grounds to please sign out using the books at the back of the hall." The headmistress concluded.
"Well that's nice." Hermione said to the group. She was excited for any amount of freedom.
"Oh yes, so nice. Giving a group of adults, who shouldn't even be forced to be here, permission to be adults and do adult things. They should be commended." Ron said sarcastically.
"What's got your wand in a knot?" Harry asked Ron.
"I'm just over all of this shit. They've shoved all of us back here because the Ministry wants to start mandating shit."
"Ron."
"They think that they'll be able to fix all of this shit that goes so much further than school kids with a few simple classes!" Ron continued, his face burning more and more red.
"Ron!" Hermione yelled again trying to distract Ron. She was unsuccessful.
"How can the ministry NOT understand that nothing, NOTHING will change when some death eaters are STILL running free, to spew their evil views. What does a class change if people still go home to hateful views?"
Ron's voice was so elevated, that students at the adjacent tables were starting to pay attention.
"RONALD WEASLEY!" Hermione shouted. "Enough! Quit shouting about things you don't understand. Calm yourself down, and go for a walk before you get in trouble!"
Hermione's shouting pulled Ron out of his rant. He glared at her, embarrassed, and stormed out of the Great Hall. The hall was silent. Everyone had heard Hermione Granger put Ron in his place.
"I'm going to go make sure he's alright." Harry said as he left the Great Hall to chase after Ron.
"Damn, Mione. That could've given one of mum’s howlers a run for it." Ginny said.
"I'm sorry Gin but he deserved it. He needs to gain control of his temper."
"No one disagrees with you Mione. Look around."
Looking around she noticed Ginny was right, no one looked mad. Neville looked impressed. Over at the Slytherin table, Draco, Theo, and Pansy looked like they wanted to applaud her. Luna looked like she hadn't been paying attention.
"Honestly Hermione, he really did deserve it. You haven't heard the way he's been in the common room. This was mild in comparison to some of the stuff he's been spewing." Neville elaborated.
"Well, I'm glad I was able to say something. He shouldn't talk like that. We are all frustrated being back. He doesn't have to be rude."
Neville, and Ginny nodded.
"It also was good for the firsties to see another student stand up to that behavior." Neville added.
"Okay, well. Now that we have our new found freedom do you guys want to go to the Three Broomsticks?" Hermione asked.
"I can't." Ginny said. "I've promised Harry we would go through all the quidditch changes today, and create a path forward."
"I'm up for it." Neville said. "Can Luna, and Susan come?"
"Of course!" Hermione then turned to Ginny. "What do you mean quidditch changes?"
"Have you not heard yet? They completely changed the quidditch format. They're trying something new. Two teams per house, 2nd - 4th year developmental team, and then the standard team which will compete for the house cup."
"How is that working out with quidditch captains?"
"Harry said he wants to work more with the developmental team, but still play on the cup tearn."
"Will the developmental team get to play games against one another?"
"They will. Their games will be timed to only an hour, with the snitch, and bludgers charmed to not be as difficult."
"Oh Wow. No wonder you and Harry have to go through all the changes."
"Speaking of, I should probably head out to meet up with Harry. Have fun in Hogsmeade!" Ginny said as she left the Great Hall.
Hogsmeade
Hermione, Neville, Susan, and Luna made their way towards the Hogwarts gates. Once at the gates they apparated into Hogsmead, and made their way to the Three Broomsticks.
The last time Hermione had apparated into Hogsmeade was before the Battle of Hogwarts. When she landed that time she was greeted with a Caterwauling Charm. Thankfully there was no such greeting this time.
Entering the Three Broomsticks, they realized there were no other Hogwarts students there yet.
"This isn't a Hogsmeade Weekend." Madame Rosmerta said when the group walked in.
"New rules madame, 17 and up can come and go as they please as long as it is within curfew hours."
"Well alright then. What are you having?"
The group took a booth near the windows. Hermione, and Susan ordered Butterbeer, while Neville had a fire whiskey, and Luna some elvish wine. It wasn't long before their drinks were ready and they settled in.
"So what do you all think of the new mandated classes?" Luna asked.
"I think there is a lot of potential there. I can see how Magical History and Culture could be beneficial for those muggle borns, and half bloods that spend the majority of their time in the muggle world." Neville said.
"I agree. My hope is that if this class can teach more appreciation of magical culture, then the purebloods who have issues with muggle borns will see that the tradition isn't being lost." Susan added.
"That's a valid point. There was so much I wanted to learn about the magical world. Binns was useless, and there's only so much you could learn from books without talking to people about their experiences.” Hermione explained.
As the group of four was talking, Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson, Theo Nott, and Blaise Zabini walked in.
“Oy, what the hell do you think you’re doing here?” A random customer yelled.
The Slytherin’s stopped in their tracks. Unsure how to take being confronted.
“Shut up you.” Rosemerta scolded. “They’re here for a drink, and that’s fine by me.”
Neville looked at Susan and Hermione who both gave him a small nod in silent agreement.
“You four, just pull up a chair and come over here.” Neville said to the Slytherin’s, diffusing the tension.
The group of Slytherin’s were confused by Neville’s generosity, but realized they had no place to argue. They made their way over to Neville’s group to join them.
“Thank you, Longbottom.” Draco said.
“Just Neville please, or you’ll make me feel like Snape is back to yell at me.”
The mixed group laughed at Neville’s statement.
“Oh my gosh, do you guys remember when Neville’s boggart turned into Professor Snape?” Hermione said.
Laughter at the table continued, as they all re-lived the memory.
“I think the best part was when it turned into Snape wearing your Grandmum’s clothes. Snape couldn’t understand why we kept laughing at him that week.” Theo told the group. Causing more laughter.
“This sounds wonderful. Can someone show me the memory later?” Luna asked. To which Neville agreed.
“We’re obviously thankful for you diffusing the tension earlier Neville, but why invite us over?” Pansy asked.
“On the train during the prefects meeting, you asked for us to give Slytherins a chance and be open minded. We can’t expect any of the other students to do that unless we do it as well, so we decided that we have to lead by example.” Susan said. Again, Hermione, Neville and Luna nodded along in agreement.
“Thank you for that. We really are trying.” Pansy replied.
“There are so many kids in Slytherin, who have at least one parent in prison. We’re seeing a lot of them, the young ones especially, start to question their parents beliefs. Throw in the 6th and 7th years that are actually excited for the field trips in Non Magical Studies, and our house looks completely different.” Draco added.
“It’s nice to know that open mindedness is going both ways.” Luna said. “Hermione was just telling us how she’s interested in the Magical History and Culture class as there’s so many things about this world she could learn from books.”
“Granger, saying books are not enough? What?” Blaise said dramatically. Earning a laugh from the group.
“Merlin, have I really made everyone believe that I have absolutely no common sense?” Hermione drawled. “As I said earlier… Sure, there’s plenty you can learn about in books, but without talking to others about their experiences how can you truly learn?”
“Damn Hermione, who are you and what have you done with the annoying swot who would just regurgitate facts from a book?” Pansy asked.
“She’s dead. Got sick and tired of trying to get people to accept her for her smarts.”
“Well then who are you now?”
“I guess you’ll just have to wait and see Pansy.”
“I like this new version of Granger, she’s fun!” Blaise said.
“Oh Blaise, you have no idea the fun and thesecrets this version of me has.” Hermione added with a smirk, stunning the Slytherins into silence.
“Damn Hermione, you’ve changed. I like it.” Susan said with a laugh.
“Or maybe I’ve just gotten sick of hiding who I am…” Hermione said cryptically.
Draco looked at Hermione with curiosity. There was definitely far more to this girl than meets the eye, and he was about to make it his mission to find out. After a few moments of awkward silence, conversation continued.
“So, before you all arrived we were discussing the new mandated courses. You mentioned how your classmates feel, but how do you four feel about them?” Neville asked curiously.
Pansy was the first to respond. “Honestly, I’m kind of excited for both of them. My mum’s biggest concern with muggle borns was the loss of magical culture. So to hear Professor Tonks discuss the preservation of that, and Hermione saying how there’s so much she’s wanted to know but no one would discuss gives me hope. I’m hopeful there’s a way to preserve magical culture, and be accepting of those with different backgrounds.”
“See that sounds like a legitimate reason to be concerned about muggle borns.” Hermione said to the surprise of the Slytherin’s.
“Why the look of surprise? Honestly I’ve always been surprised, and upset by how little is done to teach muggle born students about the magical world. We’re kind of given a Hogwarts letter, then told to just deal with it…”
“Wait what?” Draco interjected.
“You heard correctly. We’re given our letters, told where Diagon Alley is, and when to show up for the train. Then we’re just left to show up on September 1st like everyone else. The only difference is someone comes to explain, but they’re only there for maybe 30 minutes.” Hermione elaborated.
“That doesn’t seem right.” Theo said.
“That makes how well you’ve done in classes even more impressive Hermione.” Susan said. “I was getting the basics at home for years before showing up for our first year.”
Hermione could only grimace. “It’s why I feel like the disdain for the magical world goes so much deeper than just those who would call me mudblood. There’s a built in dislike for those who are considered outsiders throughout the magical world. People just have different ways of showing it.”
For what felt like the 7th time, Hermione had stunned the group of purebloods silent. They were being forced to look at the magical world from a different lens as Hermione spoke.
“Wow. I can’t really say you’re wrong at all. In fact it’s clearly present for everyone to see.” Pansy said. “Hermione, any time you want to chat about Magical History, let me know. I’d be happy to have someone other than these three to talk with.”
“Thank you Pansy. If any of you have questions about the muggle world, I’d be happy to help or chat as well.” Hermione responded in kind.
This was exactly the new start that was needed. A way forward powered by curiosity and acceptance, rather than hatred and disgust. Neville and Susan hoped this was only the beginning of the changes they would start to see at Hogwarts.