Roy MacDonald was standing in the magical shopping area in Naples and the experience put the final seal on his decision, translation spells had been used before they left the Institute but it was the body language being displayed that spoke volumes to the muggle.
He was comparing this experience to the one they had in Britain where his family had been visited by a Hogwarts professor who informed them magic was real and Natalie is a witch, a few pointless tricks later (why would you want to turn a table into a pig?) and they were taken to Diagon Alley. There the family were given a provisional supplies list and instructed where to buy each item but it was the stares, sneers and even open hostility that greeted the MacDonalds everywhere they went that had unsettled Roy.
Natalie was an only child who had been a precious gift late in the couples life when they had almost given up on ever having children, and now both parents were agonising over a decision that would have a major effect on all their lives.
It wasn't until they attended the meeting for the Potter Institute and Dan Granger spoke that the family realised they weren't alone, his words resonated deep into their souls as a third option they were so desperate for became available.
'There are parents sitting here today that are wrestling with the hardest decision of their lives, I know because three years ago my wife and I were in the exact same position. If at that time I had the information that I do now our daughter would never have set foot in the magical world and we would just have made a monumental mistake. You see my daughter is a witch, it's not an illness or condition to be cured, it's who she is!'
Both parents had practically made their minds up that Natalie would not be attending Hogwarts but those words had changed everything. After seeing the elation on his daughters face on that iconic moment when she flew on a broomstick for the first time it really drove the message home more than any words ever could, their daughter is a witch.
Standing observing this magical community that had welcomed them with open arms and went out of their way to make them feel comfortable was the final box ticked for the MacDonalds, Natalie would be a witch in a country where she was accepted irrespective of her linage and would not be going to a school that her parents couldn't even see.
They also decided pretty quickly that any money spent would be in Naples rather than Diagon Alley though Natalie was insisting she get a Harry Potter poster, which weren't on sale in Italy yet.
That little Creevey boy had taken her picture with Harry and Hermione and the poor soul wouldn't get a moments peace until his daughter had the print. She was obviously crushing on Harry and from what Roy had seen of him so far Natalie couldn't have picked a better role model unless it was his girlfriend Hermione.
Adrian Greengrass had explained the incident that Emma Granger was involved in and the alternative outcome had she not been under Lord Potter's protection, he would gladly sign a tithe agreement tonight when he confirmed Natalie was going to be attending the Potter Institute.
.....
Albus was not a happy bunny, he was quickly running out of options and this was a situation he had little experience of. The Lovegoods had proved fruitless, the Grangers must have been on holiday, Privet Drive now had a rather large crater where number four used to be and even the Longbottoms were out of the country.
He was scratching his head while trying to figure out his next move when he decided to try the Clearwaters; Penelope had been Percy's girlfriend for over a year now and might have some information he could use.
Penelope answered the door clearly flustered and her face only got redder as Albus enquired about the Weasleys, when Percy popped his head round the door still buttoning his shirt the reason for his girlfriend's embarrassment was clear.
Dumbledore was delighted that the situation would keep both of them off balance and he finally might get some answers.
Penelope left to make some tea while Percy spun the tale of Weasley woe from Molly destroying the Burrow, Arthur swapping Ginny for a house and the attack by the muggles on a pureblood going unpunished. Albus now found himself in a bind as, no matter how much Percy thought otherwise, both his parents were in serious trouble and definitely wouldn't be available to teach at Hogwarts come September.
Penelope returned with the tea and Albus suddenly had the answer to his problems right in front of him, "Mr Weasley I was very impressed with your tenure as Head boy, so much so that I would like to offer you the post of transfiguration professor and head of Gryffindor house."
Both eighteen-year-olds just sat there with their mouths hanging open but Dumbledore wasn't finished, "Miss Clearwater I hold you in the same high regard so therefore would offer you the post of charms professor and head of Ravenclaw."
Albus knew he had them but decided to sweeten the deal since it wasn't costing him anything, in fact he would be saving a fair bit on salaries as he had no intention of paying them anywhere near their predecessors level. "The posts of course come with their own accommodation which can be adjoining rooms if you so desire."
Percy Weasley had been convinced he would have to move abroad for employment, as the Weasley name was now a hindrance in the ministry, all that hard work and years of study for naught. His two older brothers were both successful in their chosen fields but he planed on outshining them both, now here was his opportunity and he would get to be with Penny as well.
The young couple just reached out their hands for each other before giving their unconditional answer, "YES!"
"Excellent," beamed the old wizard, "now if I could ask you both to start on Monday as there is a mountain of paperwork to get through and it will also give you a chance to work on your lesson plans. You will of course be paid from the date you arrive at the castle and the elves will have rooms ready for you."
It was actually pathetic to watch the way both thanked him as if he'd just done them the biggest favour in the world, instead of them helping Albus out the shit, people were so easily led. He was sure both would receive good NEWT's but wasn't worried about their qualifications, after all even breathing wasn't a requirement for being a Hogwarts professor.
He left a lot happier than he arrived and decided to pay Mr Woods a visit and conscript him into the defence professorship, he was aware that Oliver wanted a career in Quidittch so he might have to use some compulsion charms. After all if the curse held true it would only be for the one year and again Albus would save gold on his salary too.
....
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