Talk with Students (1)

Once the meal was over, the trio split up. Hermione and several teachers led the upper years next door, while Neville took the lead on getting the OWL students upstairs. Harry was left with the younger years, and the first thing he did was encourage them to gather around the front of their House tables.

"Right," he began. "I know that some of you have already been here for one or two years; however, you are still going to be going through a lot of changes. Before you object, I have to ask. You had Snape for potions. You had Binns for History. You had Professors Samson, Gothard, and now Quirrell for Defense. Did you really learn anything in any of those three classes?"

Many of the students shook their heads, and several said "no."

"Right," Harry said. "So changing those three classes for you would already be a big change, and a wonderful one. Now, third years, you're set to start your elective classes this year. What if you had more elective options? Would you like that?"

This idea was met with agreement, so Harry ploughed on. "Those who were Muggle-raised, like me, you've always had classes in maths, science, literature, languages, and the like, yes?" Several students nodded. "Now, if I told you that Arithmancy - one of the electives - was mostly maths based, but that you weren't going to be taking maths at Hogwarts before you were expected to just jump right into that, you'd think I was a little barmy, yeah?"

"And most of you were going to into chemistry at secondary school if you hadn't gone to Hogwarts. What if I told you that knowing the basics of chemistry would make potions a snap! What if you were encouraged to continue studying whatever language you've been taking. What if we actually taught you how to write the kind of essay that the Hogwarts teachers want to read? All good changes, yeah?"

Harry received a chorus of "yeah"s and many nods.

"And of course, how would you like less class time, less homework, more clubs and sports, and the like?"

This was greeted quite enthusiastically by the lot, and Harry smiled.

"So, here's what's going to happen. We're reshaping the classes for all three of your years. The core classes are going to change, and the elective classes are going to change. For the second, and especially third years, some of your classes are going to be a little off. We know that you've already had some study in, say, defense, but you're not at the place we would want you to be after having taken it for two years. That isn't your fault, of course, but just a commentary on the sad state Dumbledore let Hogwarts slip into. Now there are also classes that are becoming core classes, like maths, which you haven't had for the last two years. So we obviously can't just plunk you into third year maths. You're going to get an accelerated version that will hopefully get you caught up by the end of the year. Second years, you'll get a slightly less accelerated version, and firsties will get the regular class. You'll start electives in fourth year now, instead of third. Make sense?"

The group nodded along. "Right, so here are the new schedules." Harry waved his hand, and three stacks of colored paper (All three heirs agreed that biros and paper were much better than parchment and quills) appeared on each table. "Firsties, you've got the light blue ones, Second years are tan, and Third you get the brown."

As the students scrambled to pass out the papers, Harry continued. "Now, the basic schedule is the same for everyone. Breakfast is from half six until ten to eight. At eight, your first period starts. You'll have nine classes and a free study, each meeting for three periods a week. Each class period is fifty minutes long, with a ten minute passing period. After your second period there will be a fifteen minute break for morning snack. Two more periods brings us to lunch, which is a full hour. Then you've got two more periods, afternoon tea, and your classes are done at half three."

"Now, that's not to say that your day is done. From half three until four is a physical education rotation that we'll discuss later, and also a chance for clubs. Clubs and sport will also meet from four to six. Dinner is from six to seven, and then you've got time for homework and such after that. There will be a limit on the amount of homework a teacher is allowed to give. All professors will have open office hours during that evening time, so you can go to them with questions, work in the library or commons, whatever you'd like. At nine will be your lights out curfew, strictly enforced. Your advisors will be doing bed checks. Now before I get to the classes themselves, any questions with the schedule itself?"

There weren't any, so Harry continued. "Now, for your first three years, everyone will take the following classes. Defense, Herbology, Transfiguration, and Charms will generally be the same as they've been. There will be some changes to these classes, but those will be minimal."

"Also similar to old Hogwarts classes will be Creatures, both magical and muggle, Magical literature and History, and Muggle literature and history. Now you will recall I said that Binns will be gone, and that's the truth. Hopefully you'll all find that class far more interesting. Also, in addition to just studying history, you will also be learning about wizarding literature and traditions; things that even purebloods are rarely taught anymore. The Muggle version of that class, replacing the Muggle Studies elective, will be the same, and it will be very interesting to see how those two classes converge."

"For example, did you know that the Muggle world war two and the Wizarding war with Grindelwald were at the same time, and in fact were interconnected? Or did you know that some Muggle literature is based on actual historical Wizarding figures? Or that Muggles can fly faster and farther than a broom and have even gone to the moon?"

The students were spellbound, and a quick glance behind them showed that the parents and teachers were in a similar state. Harry hid a grin.

"Finally, you will have classes in Science and Maths. Science will touch on some basic introduction to potions, and Maths will do the same for Arithmancy. Your final class will be a free period, which you may use to study, do homework, and meet with professors if they also have the period free."

"Now, are you completely overwhelmed, or would you like to know a few more fun plans for the year?" Harry asked mischievously. Most of the students quickly nodded and asked for more.

"For one thing, everyone will be shown how to access the kitchens and introduced to the elves that work in them. The kitchens are open to everyone, and you will be allowed to go in and get a snack from five in the morning until nine at night. However, anyone caught abusing the kitchen elves will find their privileges revoked. Understood"

They nodded, so Harry continued. "All but the Firsties know of Hogsmeade, yeah?" Harry asked, getting nods in return. "Hogsmeade is a little village, where the train station was," he explained. "It is also part of the Hogwarts land. In the past, only third year students and up were allowed to go, and only on certain weekends a few times a year, and then only with permission. Well we're changing all of that!"

"You remember that time in the afternoon, from half three to six, when you can do sport or clubs? Well, during that time, and every single weekend from 8 in the morning to 6 at night are Hogsmeade times. All sixth and seventh years can go to the village during those times, and fourth and fifth years in good academic standing may go. First through third years may go, with parental permission forms. Additionally, your advisory groups, which you'll learn about tomorrow, will also plan regular trips there every week or two. So even if you do not have parental permission to go on your own every day, your advisor will take you there at least twice a month!"

This lead to loud cheers from the younger students, and Harry just hoped that the other two heirs were getting along as well with their groups.