Chapter 32 - Improving Hogwarts

After breakfast, I was escorted by McGonagall to the gargoyle entrance of Dumbledore's office.

"The Headmaster is expecting you." She informed, and turned to the gargoyle. "Sherbet Lemon" McGonagall said, and the gargoyle started to spin and rise, as stairs started to appear. I hopped onto the top step and rode it like an elevator.

"Hello, Headmaster." I said as I entered Dumbledore's office.

"Mr. Potter, I see that you're following in your father's footsteps." Dumbledore said, with a small smile on his face.

"Well, the marauders have to live on somehow, and what better way to start than on a Malfoy." I said.

"Yes, I will just pretend not to know what happened, as long as you don't take it too far." He said, with a stern look.

"Yeah, don't worry I won't do anything that will harm any students or the school itself. Now, how has your little game of hide the stone been going." I asked, and his eyes go wide.

"Did you have visions about the stone?" He asked.

"Yeah, and I also have a very good relationship with the goblins." I said.

"When will Tom come for the stone?" Dumbles asked.

"I'm not sure yet. I've seen some things, but all I know at the moment is it will happen after the new year." I said.

"That is a more specific time frame than I had before, so how have your first few days at Hogwarts been?" He asked.

"For the most part?" Dumbles asked.

"Don't play ignorant. We both know that this school has some classes that have somehow slipped through the cracks." I said.

"*sigh* Yes, I know what you mean, but there are circ.u.mstances that needed to be accounted for." Dumbles said.

"Well, Snape is an arse, but I understand why you hired him. Trelawney I guess I could understand, but one prophecy doesn't make a skilled teacher. DADA is cursed by Tom, and the one I don't understand the most is Binns. Why haven't you replaced him with a competent teacher?" I asked.

"You really see through everything don't you?" He asked, looking gobsmacked.

"It comes with being a seer after all, so why does Binns still teach here?" I said.

"Hogwarts school budget isn't what it used to be, and that's due to a couple of factors. The school board for one doesn't see History of Magic as a class worth putting money into, and they set the budget for Hogwarts. To them, a ghost teacher is perfect because we don't have to pay Professor Binns for his work. I would agree with them if Binns was a better teacher, but you've sat through his class, so you understand that he is not."

"The other half of the problem is the amount of tuition Hogwarts receives has dropped. This is due to two factors, the two dark lords that have popped up in the same century, and the Ministry of Magic. Because of the wars caused by Grindelwald and Voldemort, our population fell and with it the number of children. Have you noticed how huge Hogwarts is, and yet the number of students we receive can't even occupy a quarter of the school grounds."

"The Ministry of Magic on the other hand used to pay the tuition for all children that can't afford it, but that is no longer the case. We are a boarding school after all, and most people can't afford to send their children to a muggle boarding school, let alone one of a magical nature. Since they no longer cover that expense, it now falls to the school to accept them without pay. The board didn't like this, but the majority understand that we can't just turn down children, especially when our school is so empty already." Dumbledore explained.

"About two hundred thousand galleons would be enough to get the school back on track. That also includes the need for new supplies and upgrades in equipment. A normal year without the need for upgraded equipment would be about half of that depending on the number of students." He said.

"If I were to donate to the school would that money be allocated where it's needed, or would the board get involved?" I asked.

"Since you would be donating the money, you could say where you want the money used, and the board wouldn't be able to touch a cent of it." Albus said.

"Alright, I'll owl my account manager and get the money for you as soon as possible." I said.

"Are you sure? I know the Black and Potter family's are wealthy, but that is a lot of money, and you shouldn't waste your inheritance." He said.

"You keep forgetting that I'm a seer, Headmaster." I said.

"What does being a seer have to do with your money?" He asked.

"Let's just say that I've made some healthy investments." I said, and a look of realization appears on his face.

"Ahh, I understand now. If that's the case the school would gladly accept your assistance." Dumbles said, with a smile on his face.

"Yes, but none of the ghosts in the school have the qualifications." He said.

"Yet, none of them have the qualifications yet. Your thinking too small, Professor. These ghosts have all the time in the world, and yet you're wasting that opportunity. Find a ghost that you think would be a good teacher, and get a study schedule made. All they have to do is learn history enough to teach, and you have a professor you never have to pay, that never takes sick days or needs vacations."

"Hell, you wouldn't even need to feed them, and do ghosts need to sleep? If they don't then that doubles the amount of study time, and cuts down the time until they can teach. Of course, you still need to find a replacement for Binns in the meantime, but they can be notified that they are only a temporary replacement." I said.

"Why didn't I think of that?" Dumbledore said.

"Who knows, but if you don't need me anymore I'm going to go and nap in Binns class." I said.

"Yes, here's a note, so you you don't get into trouble for being late." He said, handing me a piece of paper.

"Alright, I'll let you know when the money is prepared." I said, leaving the office.

(Thanks for reading!)