After

The first of June, the morning that the repairs were set to begin at Hogwarts would be well remembered for decades by all who attended- and it was a well-attended event. People poured in from all over the Wix world, each and every one expressing their shock and surprise at how far Minerva had managed to bring the school on her own. 

“I joost cannot believe eet,” Fleur murmured as she and Bill passed through the doors to the Great Hall where all new volunteers were reporting. “I know zat she ees powerful but zis is...” Fleur couldn’t seem to find the right word.

“Ridiculous,” Bill said, finishing her sentence while looking around him, wide-eyed.

“I think she must be mad,” Cornelius Fudge muttered to another Madam Hopkirk. The ministry was not in the good graces of much of the Wix world, but some representatives were doing what they could to repair the reputation.

“Normally I would disagree with you, but I can’t seem to find a reason to now,” Madam Hopkirk answered, trying to shake off the shock as they passed through the entrance hall.

“All of this vork vas done by vun person? Your Professor McGonall?” Vicktor Krum asked Hermione, confidently mispronouncing the new Headmistress’s name as he joined their group. He had flown in from Bulgaria with a delegation of kind volunteers who had come to Hogwarts from Durmstrang during the Triwizard Tournament.

“Hello Vicktor,” Hermione answered, trying to appear more collected than she felt, “Yes, I guess it was…” They fell into surprised silence.

Pomona Sprout and Filius Flitwick had been two of the first to show up, but still had not managed to find the words to express their shock as they stood in the main corridor, gazing around in awe. Finally, Pomona turned to Filius and asked simply, “How the fuck?” 

A second of silence between them and then Filius responded absently, as if his mind were somewhere else, “I couldn’t tell you, I just couldn’t say.” 

After letting everyone alone for a moment so that they might comment to each other on the state of the school, Minerva called the Hall to order just by walking from one side of the room to the middle of the raised dais. All eyes turned to her as if by instinct. She carried on as if it were quite normal to command attention so easily, though for her it rather was. 

“If I could have your attention for a moment please,” Minerva said, superfluously, “I would like to thank all of you for being so willing to volunteer your skills in this trying time in our world. Hogwarts as an institution has been built on centuries of this same community-mindedness, and it is a wonderful thing to see that the school maintains the power to bring people together to reach a common goal. I feel quite certain that, by our combined power, Hogwarts will be open and ready to receive its students on the first day of September.” She paused for a brief second and intended to go on but was interrupted.

Harry, who was feeling a little overwhelmed amongst so many people, and at the site of that life-changing battle, was also feeling a little mischievous. He interrupted the professor with a grin, calling out, “Combined powers? I was just wondering why we were here, seems like you could get it done without any of us.” 

Minerva turned to give Harry a faux sharp look and she said, “Potter, behave yourself.” 

Harry shrunk back melodramatically. “Yes, Ma’am,” he said with a grin.

That caused a ripple of laughter throughout the assembled volunteers, it stopped when Minerva spoke again, “I do not speak hyperbolically when I say that it is only by our combined powers that we can restore Hogwarts,” She lost her formality now and said sardonically, “I may be a witch of extraordinary talent and power but I do have other things to attend to, I’m far too intelligent and important to be spending all of my time on this menial magic.” 

Most people in the room chuckled at the sarcasm that she laid heavy on her words. She was clearly being sarcastic but it still seemed to rub the ministry officials the wrong way. Harry could hear newly reappointed Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge harumph discontentedly and that only made the situation funnier. 

“On a serious note,” Minerva began again, and all attention returned to her, “I would say that though much of the castle is in the beginning state of repair there is much to be done. I think it wise if we all now turn our focus away from what has been done to what is still in need of correction.” The volunteers who knew Minerva well enough knew that she really meant ‘Stop talking about all of the work I’ve already done, I know it’s impressive but we’re far too busy to be standing about chatting.’

“Professors Sprout, Flitwick, Sinistra, Vector, and Trelawney along with Mr Filch, Madam Hooch, and Madam Pince are organising specialised groups of volunteers. Professor Sprout to repair and reconfigure the greenhouses, gardens, Quidditch pitch, and lawn.” Several people, including Neville, quietly volunteered to join the still awestruck professor in those tasks.

“Professor Flitwick’s group will be working in specialised portrait and tapestry repair.” Fleur and Bill joined the tiny Professor’s volunteer group along with a small flock of other incredibly talented folks. 

“Professors Sinistra, Vector, and Trelawney are taking groups to reconstruct their respective towers.” A group formed with each of the three professors, consisting mostly of those without hyper-specialised skill including Ron and George. 

“Mr. Filch could use a few more wands working on collecting and reconstructing suits of armour and replacing trophy cases.” That group was slow to form and quite reluctant to approach the grouchy caretaker, but several did, including Luna.  

“Madam Hooch is assessing the quidditch spectator stands and outbuildings.” Oliver Wood, Katie Bell, Alicia Spinnet, Cho Chang, Krum, and Ginny all rushed to help with that. 

“And Madam Pince is reconfiguring and reorganising the library,” That was where Hermione and Percy broke away from their groups. 

Most everyone had found their way to some group, and others already had specific jobs. Charlie and Hagrid were working together to assess the populations of different Magical creatures in the forest. Molly had gone with Madam Pomfrey to help take inventory in the hospital wing. Arthur was working with Kingsley and several of the Durmstrang Alumni on repairing damaged furniture in the residential places in the castle. 

Harry was one of the few who hadn’t immediately joined some group. He was about to go ahead and join with Ron and George but stopped in his tracks when he heard Professor McGonagall said, “Potter, if I could have a word?”  Harry saw Ron and George start chuckling at him as he turned back away from them

McGonagall set the groups to work as she strode across the hall, checking in with several of the other professors and finally meeting Harry by the Great Hall doors as groups filed by to begin their work. “No need to look so grave, Potter, you’re not in trouble… for once,” She joked, then waved him on and said, “Come with me.”