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"Yep. I bet most of them won't remember what we're speaking about." Joked Alexandra.
"We have longer memories and lives than Muggles." Sniffed Morag, which Alexandra reacting only by raising an eyebrow.
"Okay. Neither the Prophet nor the Farfadet are giving us significant details. No names, nothing save Hagrid. Are there any other articles?"
"There are not a lot more articles for Hogwarts in summer 1945 and they're all about OWL, Newt and different inter-school competitions. We will search more, but don't keep your hopes up. They didn't announce the attacks when they happened, just at the death of the student and when Hagrid's was arrested."
"On page 5, half a page or article and no follow-up the next day or the rest of the week?" Morag frowned. "Looks like a cover-up. Everything which happens at Hogwarts like the Quidditch plays or the NEWTS results are highly publicised," the red-haired girl explained to her less political astute friends. "A murder in the castle should have made the front page and the headlines, war or no war against Grindelwald."
"But it didn't." Nigel said unnecessarily.
"Yes, it definitely smells like a cover-up or should I say another cover-up. But in this case, if Dumbledore wasn't responsible why should he continue the secrecy policy?"
"Oath?" The reply of Hermione was very tentative and not very convincing.
"He was a teacher so it's a possibility. But once he was Headmaster of Hogwarts and Dippet died, he should have been released from it. The Headmaster position is rumoured to have leeway with binding oaths sworn inside these walls, in order to protect the interests of Hogwarts."
"Convenient." Was Alexandra laconic remark, thinking about plenty of situations where the Chief Warlock had benefitted from this loophole.
"It is a good advantage in the Wizengamot and international politics." Agreed the Irish witch.
"Let's examine all the facts we know, shall we?" Alexandra frowned and tightened her fists. "We have the man who was accused close to forty years ago on Hogwarts grounds as the moment we speak. A man certainly innocent and framed for the crime in spite of the minor fact no spider of any kind has the power to petrify. That I know of."
"We have a Headmaster and a number of unknown Professors willing to maintain the secret of the previous events at any cost." Added Hermione.
"We have this fraud of Lockhart, who is the new Quirell or the worst imbecile the earth has seen walked."
"Don't forget his fan-girl named Professor Reed." Piped Nigel.
"Oh, yes the fan-girls. Let's talk...no let's not talk about them. Our minds are not sure to survive from this discussion. Really."
A mutual groan of assent followed to confirm the wisdom of this decision.
"We have Longbottom who is a Parselmouth and is always found near the crime scenes. Then there was their little attempt to use Polyjuice and pass for me." Hermione's voice was silent condemnation, and her eyes blazed of cold fury. Alexandra winced. Convincing her bushy-haired friend not to murder Patil in the days which had followed the discovery of this rule-breaking had necessitated the combined efforts of Morag, Nigel and herself. It had met success, but the black-haired witch was far from convinced Hermione would ever forgive Parvati. The two girls had already not been close or shared any passions at Hogwarts. The Indian-born girl loved gossiping, the cosmetics and everything linked one way or another with beauty, reputation and appearance. Hermione was studious, loved books, desired to be at the top academically, and couldn't care less about looks. Now any friendship between them was well and truly ruined. Strangely, it had made Parvati and Lavender go further in the Boy-Who-Lived inner circle. Go figure.
"And the Slytherins and the Gryffindors attack each other every time the Heir attacks or something goes wrong. Like Quidditch."
Sign of how things had changed since they all met and were Sorted on September 1 1991, it was Nigel who interrupted this depressing series of fact.
"I think that's enough. We won't solve the situation like this. What about speaking about a more joyous subject? The Electives?"
"Yes!" The support had come from Hermione, no surprise as an academic point had appeared from nowhere.
"We are not supposed to inform our Head of House before Easter..." Sighed Alexandra while stacking piles of spare parchments. Inwardly she knew pertinently the cause was lost from the beginning, if Hermione's expression was any indication. "Oh, very well...five possible electives in second year from what I read. Correct, Morag?"
"Essentially, yes. The Five Electives are Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Muggle Studies, Divination and Care of Magical Creatures. It is mandatory to take two out of five, and advised to brilliant students to take three. At least that is the theory."
"This is not true?" Hermione seemed really indignant the Professors had yet again 'forgot' to inform them of several key points in their school choices.
"It's not completely false." Amended the Ravenclaw pure-blood. "Due to the high rate of wealthy and influential families attending Hogwarts, many of the students have already a job in politics or the family businesses to manage. Sometimes both. And there are other electives available in fourth year. Not free and available to everyone, but they exist."
"You are in the first category." Pointed Hermione Granger.
"Yes." Agreed the blue-eyed witch. "Instead of taking a third elective, my parents are going to hire a tutor for me in classes of business management and Wizengamot politics every Saturday of our third year."
"Why not Alex too?"
The Potter Heiress laughed in a tone which was sincerely amused.
"Hermione, who am I?"
"You're Alexandra Potter, Heiress of the Most Ancient House of Potter, daughter of...oh..."
"Yes, 'oh'. The odds of a tutor accepting me as a student are so low the odds of Sauron appearing in the middle of the Great Hall at next lunch are significantly higher I'm sure."
"When will you stop the Lords of the Rings references?"
"Never." Alexandra retorted, knowing Hogwarts was rife with comparisons with Middle Earth and reality was rarely proven as simple and fair.
"And the classes you will take?"
"Hmmm...Arithmancy is a must-be, I think."
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