Sir Harry J Potter GCOM

### OUTDOORS ###

Draco and Harry awoke simultaneously with their stomachs rumbling.

Draco looked at his watch: “Ten thirty; we’ve missed breakfast.”

“No we haven’t, we’re not at school; we’re at home … Grouchy?”

Pop: “Yes Master?”

“Do you think you could rustle up some breakfast for us, please?”

“How soon?”

“In half an hour, after we’ve showered.” Harry peered through the window at the bright sunshine: “In the roof garden, please?”

“Yes Master.” Pop.

Draco and Harry showered carefully trying to avoid over-caressing their sensitised stakes. It was warm so Harry donned shorts and a light tee-shirt. Draco looked enviously at Harry’s attire.

“Borrow a couple of mine, if you like. They’re in that drawer over there.”

“Thanks!” Draco rummaged for a minute and found something he thought suitable.

Harry lent Draco a pair of shower flip-flops as well as putting on a pair of his own; strolling out to sit where they had the previous evening. Orange juice started out the repast, ice cold cream and cornflakes were next, boiled eggs and hot buttered toast formed the penultimate course, with more toast and marmalade washed down with freshly ground coffee to finish with.

“That’s filled a few corners, thank you, Grouchy.”

Grouchy’s eyebrows rose in surprise: “Thank you, Master Draco,” he replied carefully eyeing the new Malfoy.

“Now what shall we do Harry?”

“Let’s go down and see if the others are up, shall we?”

“Okay.”

“They’ve gone a walk into the square’s garden, Masters.”

“Thanks. We’ll go and join them shall we?”

“Okay.”

Downstairs and across the narrow street was the private residents’ garden in the middle of the square. Harry took a spare gate-key from behind the front door. The crossed the narrow street to the railings. Draco was intrigued by the Muggle locking device on the entry and insisted in locking and unlocking it a few times after he had seen Harry open the gate. Harry was reminded slightly of Arthur’s attitude towards things Muggle, but did not let on.

Grimmauld Place was a late Georgian square, one of the many that litter this part of London. It had only one vehicular entrance in the middle of the row that faced Harry’s house. The road then split to divide the square’s centre garden from the houses. The garden was lined with trees with a hedge inside the wrought-iron fence thus insuring privacy from passing gawkers, not that there were that many in this quiet backwater. Harry remembered the garden as being ill-kempt and remarked about it.

Draco paused and concentrated: “Someone has used a growing charm, Harry; I can still feel the tingle.”

Harry deliberated for a minute: “And on the flower beds too; now you come to mention it.”

“Perhaps the adverse hiding spells had something to do with it, also. So mother nature has responded to us being open and blossomed out accordingly.”

They searched the park-like garden. There was a paddling pond with some youngsters playing with model sailing boats on it. Another section had a sand pit, and a number of children making castles. A bowling green complete with white clad pensioners and a tennis court made up the sporting possibilities. There was a flower garden with seats under rose arbours facing the central blossoming oblong bed. However, search as they might, the duo could see no trace of their friends, so they decided to take a turn round the perimeter outside the fence. Again Draco insisted on unlocking one of the gates with the key.

Now that the magical houses had been revealed they could see that the corner houses were slightly inset and they presumed were deeper than the houses in their row. Draco remarked that the twenty seven houses that Grimmauld Place held had Arithmantic propensities. As they were discussing this possibility one of the corner-house front doors opened. Blaise stood in the doorway of the elongated porch and beckoned them over.

“Hey you two, did you know that Justin’s folks have a house here too. Only they think it’s called Grimond Place, after some famous Georgian Muggle gent or other. Isn’t that marvellous?”

A distinguished greying man appeared behind Blaise. “Are these the two friends you were telling me about, Lad?”

“Yes Sir.”

“Well now … You must be Harry Potter … You’re most welcome in my house. So the other one must be your friend with the bad dad … Mmm … Malfoy … Mmm … Draco you are also most welcome. Both of you come in; you’re all invited for lunch. It’s all right your … Mmm … Elves know that you’re here. I’m still getting used to my son as a mage and all that goes with it. Reappearing houses being one of the biggest shocks. I must say that the place is looking up now they’ve arrived. This house belonged to my granddad and, despite being shabby outside, it was so handy for London that I hadn’t the heart to get rid of it. I’m now really happy that I didn’t, from what I hear, Grimond Place will soon be moving upmarket.”

By this time they had moved inside the house and, as Harry and Draco had surmised, this house was longer than, but not as wide as Number Twelve. The entered a long hallway; on the right, at its end was the library – glimpsed through the doorway. They turned left and then right to mount the stairs. Harry noted two more doors as he turned. When the reached the top of this flight they walked along the passage parallel to and above the entrance hall.

“We call this the Morning Room,” said Mr Finch-Fletchley, although we tend to use this the most, because it has windows facing in different directions.” Harry was surprised how much this looked like the Tapestry Room at number 12; both in size and décor. The next surprise was Oliver Wood chatting to Hermione and Ronald.

“Hi Harry! Congratulations on the Knighthood. I saw you yesterday at the meeting. We were there briefly in the Strangers’ Gallery to see our Reeve inducted as a Fellow. We live in number ten the corner house at the other end of your row.”

“Nice to see you again Oliver, thanks for helping out in the battle. It’s not my row, you know. We only live in Number Twelve.”

“That’s what DA Members are for, Harry. Anyway I wouldn’t have missed it; I got to practice all those skills you taught us. The Clearwaters, who live between us, told my folks about your Consortium and I think they want in too. I’m at a loose end and would love to learn some of your refurbishment spells, if you’d let me. Number nine, the house next door to us is up for sale.”

“That’s right, Lad. Glad you reminded me, I’d like in too, I’m treating with our neighbours at number nineteen. You see, they’re emigrating and I’ve got first option.”

“I will put your requests to our meeting on Saturday next and let you know the results afterwards. It will mean Gringott’s having to up their renovation contribution as it will have to be divided by five instead of three, Sir. As for refurbishment skills, Oliver, Ron’s the ace on those, but yes please, all helpers are welcome, once we have a house in hand to use them on.”

Chatting amicably, the enlarged company descended the stairs turned right and entered Number Eighteen’s dining room for luncheon. Harry wondered about the other door in the entrance hall, because the dining room was double length, as at the Black residence. He found out later that it was a cloakroom.

### TUTORING LESSON ###

Just before two o’clock, Harry and his friends excused themselves, walking to number twelve and into the Tapestry Room, only to find a Gringott’s Goblin there.

“Hello Gallus, how can we help? It’s almost time for out first lesson in Magical Tutoring, so make it quick.”

Gallus grinned at Harry: “I had a talk with Minerva and she’s drafted me in to the course. Let me explain: because some of the older goblins have retired and some were killed during Voldie’s reign of terror, we have a new intake. And, as governor in charge of training – a newly created post – I need some insight into becoming a tutor myself.”

“Great, looks like all the knights, bar one are on the same course.”

Pop: “Harry, do you mind if I join in too,”

Harry chuckled, “Course not, Kreacher. Who are you going to be tutoring?”

“Erm … The Council has asked me to be tutor to the elfin orphanage. There are quite a few elfins without parents or a home of their own owing to the hostilities … Erm …”

“… How many?”

“About sixteen …”

“… Do you want to accommodate them here, then?”

“Erm … It had crossed my mind.” Kreacher looked slyly at Harry.

Harry broke out laughing: “No probs, Kreacher … Any of them old enough to go to Hogwarts?”

“Most of them … Erm … Minerva sort of suggested we could inhabit the room next to the Tower’s Library during the weekdays …”

“… And here during the weekends?” Harry shrugged and smiled; then he looked puzzled: “I don’t remember seeing a room next to the library.”

“The practice room isn’t quite double height, Harry. It was a place of concealment in the bad old days of elf hunting.”

“Clever, you can’t really tell. Do you intend to use the space in our attic for them – the one that we wondered what to do with?”

“It had crossed my mind – yes. It’s important that they belong to a family too, for their psychological well being.”

“Does that mean that I have to offer them membership of House Potter/Black?”

“The safety of some caring house-parents is more important at the moment. Once they are nearing adulthood; then is the time for a house to officially adopt them. That is why Grouchy and Huppert went with Mistress Narcissa; they were of the right age.”

“I see – Well Hermione; what do you think of the idea?”

For once Hermione was caught off guard and spluttered for a few seconds: “They’ll have two sets of adults looking after them here won’t they. Grandparent types in Winky and Kreacher and pseudo-parents in Huppert and Grouchy. Added to that they’re going to get a proper Hogwarts education … Mmm … That has all kinds of possibilities for the future.”

Kreacher looked worriedly at Hermione, but further discussion was cut short by Grouchy announcing Celestina Warbeck.

“Hello Harry and the Knights, nice to meet you all again; I see we have some new additions. Welcome Mr Zabini, Mr Malfoy and Mr Finch-Fletchley; nine is a very useful Arithmantic number for learning purposes.”

“I think you’d better call me Blaise, please.”

“And me, Justin.”

“Right ho! I’m Celestina, pleased to meet you. Is this the room we will use as a classroom, Harry?”

“We could use the Dining-room table if you prefer; or even Portkey to Hogwarts.”

“No need for all that fuss; this’ll do fine with a little furniture rearrangement. I prefer to teach in a circle.”

There was organised chaos for five minutes ending with Celestina having her circle of chairs, more a square of settees in fact, each cushion inhabited by an eager student.

“Right! Our first exercise is about recognition of talents. This is one we will practice on ourselves. The object being twofold, to understand a little of how other people see us and to begin realising how different our pupils will be, even if they all wish to learn the same skills. For instance: I imagine I could order Kreacher around and he would say ‘Yes Mistress’ and jump to do whatever I wanted. That would not bring out his inherent skills, only negate them. In the same way, if I treated Draco like that he’d bristle and defy me – nothing learned there, either. Some of us, like Hermione would like a full background first, others like Ronald prefer clear but precise instructions, reasoning left until later. Do you see what I mean?”

They all nodded and made affirmative noises.

The first session was quite embarrassing for each of them, because they had to sit silently and listen to their mates’ assessment of their character. There was to be no arguing back or defending a position of perceived weakness. Celestina acted as referee to ensure that no one took advantage of the silent target and indulged in needless vituperation. Harry’s dithering came into the open, balanced by his empathy with other magical creatures, witnessed by his Parseltongue. Draco was still perceived as supercilious, but his willingness to heal others was a surprise to him, belied by his interest in Potions. Hermione was castigated for her bookishness but praised for her work in warding and protection. And so it went on, with each feeling both pleased and mortified at their friends’ revelations.

In the second session the roles were different. Each of them had to take on a character – as a student – that was foreign to their normal behaviour and someone else had to try and teach them a simple skill for which the student was not suited. Then a general discussion took place from what the observers had noted. This included observations as to how they might have altered the instructor’s approach. The participant pair were asked to reveal their frustrations, both in learning and in teaching. In that context, Justin trying to teach Draco how to boil an egg was quite a revelation.

After tea and cherry cake, there was a light-hearted game with kiddie’s shaped building blocks. Every pair took it in turns, having two goes each with a different partner. They sat back to back and the instructor had to tell the learner where to place the block in the imaginative structure the instructor was building – the big snag was that the learner was not allowed to speak or turn round and look. The results were hilarious, but they learned how to issue clear and precise instructions. The second time round was more productive, but by no means perfect. As with the transfiguration practice the two ex-Slyths learned that to make a mistake was not the end of the world, and that to laugh at themselves was a very healing process.

Celestina accepted Harry’s invitation to dinner – not a grand affair as during the weekdays – nor was it the relaxed hurly-burly of the Saturday kitchen.

### TIMETABLES ###

Minerva appeared just before they started the meal and was invited to partake.

“Thank you Harry, I must admit I was hoping to get away from the bun-fight at school.”

“Yes?” Harry saw the crafty look on Minerva’s face and adopted one of his own: “And I suspect you have another ulterior motive as well.”

“Very perceptive Harry.” Minerva gave him her usual tight lipped smile: “The staff and I have had a long look at the timetables; bearing in mind the recent problems with older students and your needs for being on duty with the Wizengamot. Ronald, you let the cat out of the bag when you said you had been practicing your construction spells, and I now have a number of students wishing to take a course if we can make it available, Monday mornings being available for those participants.”

Ronald looked surprised and then very pleased whilst nodding his agreement.

“Coupled with the Harry/Horace ideas for your tuition,” Minerva continued, looking round at all of them: “Plus the other extra commitments you have willingly taken on, we have rejigged the whole school timetable. It took my staff most of the weekend to finalise it. I have forgotten how many times we revised, but now we have something that is workable. Gone is the general supervised homework period after tea, replaced by classes. Instead there are groups of supervised homework periods throughout the day for the first to fourth years. After that, each student is to be given adequate time for revision etc, but they are to become self-programming and responsible to their tutors.”

“Do you think that will work, Minerva?” asked Blaise

“Yes, we talked to the maturer students and they promised that that kind of arrangement would be preferable. After all, your group showed us the way, by self programming whole sessions, never mind personal study periods. Of course, word got round the grapevine as quickly as usual.”

Minerva chuckled and then looked seriously at the golden trio:

“Harry and Hermione were the most difficult to programme. Each of you will have the same group in double classes. During normal weeks, when both of you are available, the classes will be split half and half. If one of you is attending on court duty then the other will take a double period in his or her own subject. The whole thing evens out two or three weeks later when the second one is in court and a double period booked to the former. Rolanda says, Ronald, that she has complete confidence in your flying skills and that she will remain only as your backstop when you have your turn of court duty and the deputy chairman will take over ruling the court. As well as taking the first years, she expects you to supervise all four house’s Quidditch practices which will take place during the day, a double period per house per week. That is much better arrangement, because daylight is scarce around Hogwarts during the winter months.”

“That means I have almost complete charge, doesn’t it?”

“Yes Ronald, it does.”

“Wow!”

“Now Draco – in view of the political situation we deemed it wise for you to take only first and second years, and that will be in the tower’s potions lab. None of those students were involved in the fracas, nor do they have siblings who were involved. Your personal study periods are booked when at least one of the knights has their own study periods – mainly Harry and Hermione. The same pertains for you and Charms, Blaise.”

“THANKS MINERVA,” they chorused.

“As Fellows are not allowed Advisors during trial courts but all of you should be available for the Saturday legislative sessions; we felt that one day a week ought to be yours entirely thus Friday is your day-off. By luck your Twins Transfiguration group can meet early Monday afternoon Hermione, and Septima has agreed to move her Arithmancy to Monday after tea, as long as she’s invited to dinner afterwards. I must say your dinner has really intrigued the staff. Pomona will be having her class with you at the same time as Septima’s. That was drawn from your chart Harry; all we did was alter the day and time. Thus you will have to entertain four professors on Monday evenings.”

They all chuckled.

“Now Justin, I want you to help Kreacher with his elfin’s education. You have a good all round knowledge and between the two of you, you have to work out a suitable curriculum. In places elfin magic surpasses that of us Mages and some of our normal subjects are hardly pertinent. Once you have your charges settled I would like to see them grafted into classes suitable to their talents, and new subjects introduced. For instance; Magical Cuisine should be available right across the board and I happen to know that this is one of your hobbies. Why Hogwarts has never had such a course beats me. Many magical homes have no elves, so the adults have to cook for themselves and should have had a proper nutritional training. As well as that, there are a number of magical restaurants crying out for cooks, chefs, waiters and bartenders. Fortescue has promised a bursary and practical placements for the most capable students. That means that, like Ronald, you will be starting a new course. To help both of you arrange your ideas; we will sit together and make out a growing syllabus; I have set aside Tuesday’s after tea for that session.”

“Thanks, Minerva. I wondered if I was going to be included. As you say magical and Muggle cookery has been a lasting interest and I’d be glad to set up a suitable course.”

“So would I, in construction,” added Ronald, eagerly.

Minerva handed out the various timetables. They perused them, occasionally asking questions.

“I’d like to help with the construction, Ron, if possible. I have Monday mornings free and Oliver would like to be part of it, as well.”

“Right Harry; that’d be useful because we learned together from Charlie and George.”

“That goes for me, too,” put in Draco: “I imagine mixing cement is a skill akin to stirring potions.”

“You’ll get blisters, Draco.”

“What, on top of the ones from playing Quidditch, Ron?” Draco displayed his hardened hands.

Ron looked at his own callouses and chuckled: “Okay Dray, point proven.”

Draco winced and scowled at Ronald, deciding that, in the cause of new found peace and harmony, he would let the nickname slide. Then he caught Blaise staring at him.

“Well Dray, all the Slyth girls call you that don’t they?” Blaise smirked.

“Yes Flame, they do. That doesn’t mean I have to like it, does it?” The smirk was returned.

“Oh …! Sorry Draco … It was me trying out silly rhymes.” Ronald tried to look repentant, but an impish smile gave the game away.

Draco heaved a melodramatic sigh: “I suppose it had to come out some time, Won-won.” He returned an equally impish smile to the red-head.

Kreacher coughed: “Some of the elfin students would be interested in the construction course; as am I.”

“Well, you did a lot of work alongside us, Kreacher, so join my team. A ratio of one instructor to three is about right. We have to make sure they don’t injure themselves too badly. Hey, Draco; could you have some graze and burn salves made up, please. We’re bound to need some and you can practice your newly discovered healing skills.”

“That reminds me; Poppy wants to run a first aid course on Tuesday mornings before break,” put in Minerva: “Considering your interest in healing, Draco, you should attend.”

“Thanks, Minerva I’d love to.”

Ronald and Neville added themselves to that list.

After further chat Celestina and the Constructors drew aside to make up some form of syllabus based on health and safety issues. So they could present something to their prospective students on Monday morning.

Hermione and Minerva chatted about Transfiguration and Neville sorted out his notes ready for the classes he would be taking.

Kreacher went with his fellow elves to collect some of the orphans and settle them in to their new abode at Hogwarts. “I’ll introduce them here later on,” he remarked to Harry: “It will be less disturbing for them. They’re still very nervous.”