Harry was standing on the beach with his arm round Hermione thinking that today couldn't have went much better.
As the parents and children started arriving Brutus and Cindy were revelling in their roles as head elves of the Institute and had everything running like clockwork, Dobby was more interested in serving Harry and Hermione though helped out whenever needed. The guests were led to their rooms and then a buffet on the terrace as everyone admired the view while enjoying the excellent food.
This was one of the few areas where Harry thought Hogwarts had them beat, the terrace ran the full length of the building, could comfortably seat two hundred and had temperature control and insect repellent charms but it wasn't the great hall though no one else seemed to mind.
After some very short welcome speeches they were split into groups and given guided tours of the institute, Pomona had set up a classroom outdoors as the vast majority of planting would be directly into the ground.
A greenhouse would be needed to house the more dangerous plants encountered for NEWT's but that was two years away yet, her explanation of the European system where the students grew plants, harvested them for potions and then studied the medicinal effects with Madam Pomfrey was a lot easier for the muggle parents to understand than turning a match into a needle or making a feather float.
Poppy was a big hit after she healed John Grady, a new first year who had fallen of his bike the previous day, watching his bruises disappear in front of their eyes brought home the benefits of magic to everyone and having a healer in campus was a big bonus.
The stars of the day though were Hermione and Harry who gave flying lessons on the beach; young Natalie MacDonald was born to fly and was soon zooming along the waves screaming in sheer delight unfortunately though not everyone was the same. Denis Creevey wasn't afraid of heights or flying, he just couldn't contain his enthusiasm and wasn't able to sit still on the broom far less control it.
This provided a good teaching point though as when he fell off into the sea Harry flew over and levitated the laughing boy onto the beach, it sure beat ending up in the infirmary with a broken wrist like Neville's first attempt at Hogwarts.
Dinner that night had been organised by Dan and Dobby to finish the day off in style, they were all on the beach with barbecues being tended by elves wearing chef's hats that had Dean's design on them.
There was a mixture of muggle and magical with everything from cheeseburgers to dragon steaks available and bottles of coke sharing the same ice buckets as butterbeer. Festive lighting had been erected along the cliffs and beach with tables, chairs or beach mats provided for everyone's comfort.
Amber Sprout had set up some telescopes on a platform for anyone who wanted to do some stargazing; Sirius was an almost constant visitor though seemed to do far more Amber gazing than actual viewing of the night sky.
Pomona had approached Harry and Hermione with a view to her niece teaching here, she was an honours graduate from a Muggle University who wanted to get away from the British magical world. Both had been impressed with her so far and were a lot more comfortable with the Institute offering astrology as opposed to divination.
Hermione kissed Harry before speaking, "there are times when I wish it was just Luna, Nev and us but I'm sure we made the right decision with the Institute. We both remember just how terrifying our first day in the magical world was but these kids are all looking forward to coming here and their parents already know more about our world than mine did in all the years we attended Hogwarts."
It was Harry's turn to kiss Hermione, "as usual my wonderful wife to be is correct but are you sure about the OWL's love, and I know how much they meant to you."
"You mean a lot more love. If we just sit the NEWT's then we can have a three week honeymoon instead of two, no contest as far as I'm concerned. The only reason for sitting them is to add to your emancipation and our marriage, we'll be fully qualified as well meaning we're legally adults in every possible way available to us."
"So after the trial it's cram for the exams in Potter manor library, sit the NEWT's then get married?"
....
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