"Its just Harry please and there are two good reasons why no magical items are sold here. The point of the non-magical annex is to try and prepare the children for encounters in the non-magical world therefore it would be wrong to sell products not found there. The second reason is we do not want to take customers away from the local shops in Hogsmead, as part of wizarding studies or first and second year pupils will have organised outings to the village where they will have the opportunity to see wizarding shops and cafes. This will not affect the normal Hogsmead weekend visits for the older students, it just means students no longer have to wait until third year to see the village."
Everyone seemed satisfied with the answer and watched as Hermione, Emma and Amanda helped serve the excited first years. It was when Hermione was putting a young witch's purchase into a carrier bag that Mr Finch-Fletchely almost had an aneurysm, he couldn't take his eyes of the Stag logo. "Is that Stag Industries?" he whispered.
Harry's nod set the stockbroker off, "the whole city is buzzing with news that this could be the next big thing, we're all trying to get in on the ground floor so we can make a killing."
Harry just laughed and translated for the rest of the guests, "he is hoping to make an investment in Stag Industries while the company is still growing with the hope of making lots of gold, and unfortunately he's going to be disappointed. Stag is a family run company and will not be looking for outside help."
Finch-Fletchley's' s expression could be compared to a fruit machine, the tumblers were spinning and stopping, one by one, on the jackpot. "You own Stag Industries?" he asked, earning another nod from Harry, "then it's not just rumours, the products actually work?" Another nod from Harry and he found his hand engulfed in both of the smiling mans. "I've never been so proud of my Justin for choosing Hogwarts over Eton, what you are doing is wonderful and will make a massive difference in our world to peoples lives and even the economy."
Harry again had to explain, "Stag Industries are registered as a non-magical company and selling cures in potions form to the general public. They are marketed as healthy options that will help with specific problems, what they are in fact are potions that the wizarding world has known about for many, many years. This provides employment for people who were on the edge of our society and boost's our economy in the process. To me, a sick child is a sick child regardless of race, creed, colour or magical ability and deserves the best care and attention possible. There is also the case that should our world ever be discovered we could point to the work we have been doing behind the scenes to aid their problems."
"How does this effect the statute of secrecy?" asked Mr Higgs.
"It doesn't" was Harry's curt answer, "The Minister and Chief Witch will be here later today and are going to attend one of the lessons in non-magical studies with Professor Tonks, we have nothing to hide here and our doors are open to the ministry, Wizengamot and, more importantly, the parents of our students. We have a guided tour for your first day but tomorrow you are welcome to see whatever you want. We know that there will be mistakes made but when we find them they will be fixed and apologised for, not swept under the carpet or ignored. Our aim is simply to prepare the students for life in our rapidly changing world."
Andromeda took over, "may I suggest we follow this class down to our new sports and leisure complex where we will meet the other Professor Tonks and see the first students to use this facility."
The parents watched from the spectator area as the first students dived in the pool, later they entered the café and spent about twenty minutes just chatting about what they'd expected against what they now saw in front of them. Visits to Transfiguration and Defence were followed by a sixth year Wizarding studies class where the students were given news that they had to organize a formal wizarding ball, for them and the seventh years in Hogwarts, to be held after their exams. They would have to research wizarding customs and work out guest lists and the many other requirements, the success of this venture would go a long way to determining their final mark.
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