"Ladies and gentlewizards, this is Samantha Whipperwill of Wizarding News reporting direct from The Pottery and the Potter Ball!" The well-dressed Witch chirped happily as the cameraman held the camera steady. "This year's Potter Ball is not just one for the upper class of our society, Lord Potter has offered invitations to quite a few of his fellow-students and their families. In addition, every Hogwarts student-to-be and their families have also been invited, irrespective of their blood-status.
"We are fortunate enough to have Lord Potter with us now. Lord Potter, thank you for allowing us a few minutes of your time."
"The pleasure is mine." Harry said politely.
"May I ask why you have invited so many who have yet to join our society and may never fit in?"
Harry kept his irritation off his face as he replied. "Of course. To Muggles, Magic is a thing of myth and legend but ultimately something that they do not generally believe exists. For Muggleborns, the Magical World is exciting but works on different rules to that which they are used to, meaning that without intending to, they quite often irritate or anger the more traditional members of our society.
"When I sent them the invitations, I also sent with each one a copy of the book by Theophilus Chivalrius which explains why the Wizarding World is how it is and thus how to avoid accidentally giving offense where none was intended. As such, between the book and meeting those of import in the society that they are entering, they will be better equipped to become productive, valued members of our world. After all, why simply complain about an issue when it can be easily solved with just a little bit of forethought and effort?"
"…A most thought-provoking answer, Lord Potter." Samantha managed, the smile on her face slipping slightly.
"If I may interject?" A voice asked and Harry looked round to see Draco approaching. "Since Lord Potter returned to us from the Muggle World, he has been the architect of many changes for the better. The Quidditch Tables are but one example of the ways he has improved life for us. Having him go out of his way to aid those who need that help is what I have come to expect of him and I respect him for his ability to do so."
With a slight bow, Draco moved away.
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"That bastard!" Neville Longbottom hissed, earning curious looks from Hermione and Ginny. "He's just managed to all-but-state that Muggleborns are inferior because they need help to fit in."
Hermione frowned slightly, then she bit back a curse before she could utter it.
"Malfoy's getting sneakier." Neville grumbled. "Given what he was like when we started Hogwarts, I don't know whether to be annoyed or impressed."
"Are there any potions which increase intelligence?" Hermione asked curiously and Neville frowned.
"…ye-es, but the effects are either temporary or have significant downsides such as reduced vision, premature aging or baldness." He finally admitted. "The strongest and most common mind-boosting potion in the past actually caused permanent sterility."
"…then why was it used?" Hermione demanded. "And by who?"
"Third-born sons onwards, mainly." Neville shrugged. "The parents had their Heir and Spare, but extra sons would split the family fortune too much, so by effectively sterilising them, they kept the line of family from splitting and since the sons in question couldn't have children of their own, they were used as accountants or advisers. After all, without any chance to start their own families, they had to remain loyal to their birth-family, unless they decided to renounce magic and hide in Monastaries. Of course, the Grindlewald War caused several families to lose all their fertile heirs and thus die out, so the potions began to fall from use at that point. The Blood War just finished it off since a single raid could cost a family both their primary and secondary heirs."
"The more I learn about the Wizarding World, the more it worries me." Hermione sighed.
"Worries me too at times." Neville agreed, then he looked up as a chime sounded. "Oh, time to get to our tables!"
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A chime echoed through the multi-level marquee and the hum of conversation died down as Harry Potter walked onto the stage, stopping just behind the podium that had risen smoothly from the floor.
"Ladies, gentlemen, boys and girls, honored guests, I thank you for coming tonight." Harry said as the background lights slowly dimmed, leaving him illuminated in the spotlight. "Soon the entertainment will begin, but before then, I ask for your indulgence for a few minutes. I promise I'll try to keep it short.
"For those of you born and raised in the Magical World, you will have noticed that I have departed greatly from tradition. At least part of that is because I myself was raised as a Muggle so when I started Hogwarts, it was as one new to the Magical World and the traditions it follows. I was lucky to meet one who would be my friend, Neville Longbottom, who used his knowledge of the Wizarding World to help me adapt to what was, and to a degree, still is a truly different world.
"However, many did not have such help to adapt and of those, most leave the Magical World, dismayed and even disgusted with it because no-one was willing to help them to understand. Of those who could have helped them, too many looked down at them for not understanding, driving them away and thus weakening us all.
"Now, though, Headmistress McGonogall has listened to my suggestion and initiated a new class at Hogwarts, Wizarding Studies. Although optional, it will be highly recommended for those from non-Magical backgrounds as it will help them to understand the intricacies of Wizarding Society as well as the potential pitfalls.
"By the same token, the Muggle Studies class has been overhauled to bring it up to modern standards and is now available from the first year rather than the third. Again, while optional, it is recommended for those of Wizarding backgrounds since it will help them understand why their Muggleborn friends often look at things from angles that they themselves were unaware even existed.
"To help with these new classes, my godfather Lord Black and I have set up a special account so that Hogwarts can provide the rquired books free of charge to those who are interested."
Harry waited for the murmuring to die down before continuing.
"After the first song is finished, there will be a raffle held for those about to start Hogwarts. Ollivander has been kind enough to donate a few wand-care kits as prizes, we have several vouchers for Ice Cream at Fortesque's and all participants will win something. However, the top prize is the use of the Penthouse suite at the Lily's Rest Hotel for the week of the Quidditch Finals, meals included, as well as joining Lord Black and myself as honoured guests in a private box for the game."
A gasp rose from the assembled croud and Harry saw several of the First-years-to-be tightening their grips on the tokens that they had been given as they arrived.
"For now, fresh from their tour of Wizarding America, a band recommended by Selena Warbeck herself, please give a warm welcome to The Magical Melodies!"
Quickly moving aside as the light rose, Harry half-turned enough to see the lead singer of the band, a Veela clad in a high-necked catsuit and lightweight open over-robe that managed to be both provocative and demure at the same time, stepping forwards and waving as the Guitar-wizard took a stance, the Goblin on the drums raised his sticks and the vampire with the violin stood ready to play. For a long, breathless moment, the tableaux remained motionless, then the sticks descended onto the drums to start their first song.
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"What a party!" The chubby man smiled, then he held out his hand. "Horace Slughorn, once the Head of Slytherin and Potions Professor at Hogwarts, retired. It is a real honor to meet you, Lord Potter!"
"Thank you." Harry made a mental note to check how the man had managed to get a ticket since he didn't remember the name as being one of the ones on his list.
"My good friend Albus was kind enough to invite me since he had a spare ticket." Horace burbled on. "While he might not be the Headmaster any more, he is still one of the greatest Wizards that I have ever met."
"He is indeed." Harry agreed as he tried to surreptitiously reclaim his hand. "I witnessed his power first-hand during the liberation of Hogwarts."
"Oh yes, did you ever find out just how you-know-who got into Hogwarts?"
"Yes, we did." Albus confirmed as he joined them. "We found the Vanishing Cabinet after questioning some of the survivors and destroyed it. In addition, the Wards are now set to recognise the presence of any Vanishing Cabinet or similar within the grounds of Hogwarts and to alert the teachers. Lord Potter, may I steal my old friend from you? There are several other people that I feel he must meet."
"Of course. It has been an honour meeting you, Mr Slughorn."
"The honour was mine, Lord Potter." Horace replied with a bow. "I hope to meet you at Hogwarts where I have accepted the position of Wizarding Studies Professor."
Harry watched the two men walk off, then managed not to jump as Hermione spoke.
"He seems… almost slimy. I'm glad I don't have to take Wizarding Studies."
"Sssh." Harry motioned for her to be quiet, then he nodded a moment later. "So that's it. He's coming to Hogwarts because Riddle's return scared him and he's heard how strong Hogwarts' new Wards are."
"You have incredible hearing." Hermione noted.
"It has its perks." Harry shrugged. "Downsides, too. I've had to learn to not hear quite a bit… like when Padfoot is entertaining or when people sing in the showers."
Hermione paled slightly. "Erm… right. I… er…"
Taking pity on her, Harry made a point of looking up at the stage. "Sorry, I think it's time for me to oversee the draw."
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Harry held up the container with the tokens in and shook it so that everyone could hear the rattling inside as the vampire carefully placed his violin and bow into their case and almost glided to the rack of prizes that had been levitated onto the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, honored guests… and anyone I may have left out…"
Harry paused for the laughter to die down before continuing. "Miss Jessamine will be picking our winners while Monsieur Sanguine will be handing out the prizes. Please give them a round of applause for volunteering."
Sanguine smiled, flashing a fang in the process, while Jessamine waved back at the cheering audience.
"If the token-holders and could move to the front… we'll be doing the Ice-cream vouchers first."
Taking her cue, Jessamine reached into the container and pulled out a token, holding it up so that everyone could see.
"Number seventeen!"
One of the boys jumped up and down in excitement, then ran up onto the stage as Sanguine stepped forwards with the first of the vouchers.
"…and you are?" Sanguine asked with a gentle smile.
"Dennis Creevey, sir!" The young boy almost bounced as he answered.
"Well, here is the voucher so that you and your family can have free ice cream at Fortesques."
"Thank you, sir!" Dennis clutched the voucher to his chest, then he let himself be ushered off the stage and scampered off to where his older brother was lowering the camera he had just used to take a picture.
"Next up is… number twenty-three!"
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"…and that leaves the final number, twelve!"
A blond-haired boy with a reserved expression stepped forwards and gave Sanguine a slight bow.
"Graham Pritchard, sir." He said in response to the unasked question.
"I know that name." Sirius mused as he gave stepped onto the stage, handing Sanguine a goblet filled with a red liquid. The vampire inhaled the aroma of the liquid appreciatively, then stepped back to allow Sirius to take his place. "Your father is Dominic Pritchard, is he not? Aha, there he is. Hey, Dom!"
"Lord Black." A man in Formal Auror Dress Robes nodded back.
"I see your family is doing well!"
"We are." Dominic responded, his serene calmness an almost perfect counterpoint to Sirius' manic energy.
"Well, here we go, young Graham." Sirius presented an envelope to the young boy, the crests of both the Black and Potter families emblazoned on the front. "Reservations and tickets to the World Quidditch Cup."
"Thank you, sir…" Graham seemed almost overwhelmed for a moment and Sirius patted him on the shoulder.
"Well done. I'm sure you're looking forwards to it."
Graham nodded before almost scurrying back to his father and Sirius moved aside to let Harry retake center stage.
"Before we resume our festivities, let us have one more round of applause for Miss Jessamine and Monsieur Sanguine for volunteering to help with this presentation!"
Jessamine bowed while Sanguine raised his goblet in a salute, before draining the final few drops from it and handing it to a nearby server. Moving to his violin case, he lifted his violin to his shoulder and poised his bow, ready to play once more as Jessamine moved to the microphone stand.
"You managed to do that very well." Hermione she accepted a glass of lemonade. "I don't think many here noticed you leaving the stage."
"I learned how to sneak a while back." Harry replied with a smile before taking a sip of his own drink as the music rose once nore. "It comes in useful occasionally."
Hermione started to nod, then frowned.
"Harry… what have you been doing that needs sneaking?"