The lesson that the two officials were there to see was devastatingly effective. The class contained fourth year lions and snakes and they covered communication and transport. The lesson started with a projector showing last nights news broadcast from the BBC in which the anchor woman spoke live to colleagues in America, Kenya and China while showing video footage from around the world. Professor Tonks then projected an animation while explaining about communications satellites and passed a few mobile phones around so people could talk to each other. He then introduced two Beauxbatons students and the projector switched to their family and friends in France, Dan and Winky had went there with a laptop, mobile phone and web cam so they could all talk live to each other.
For the people present whose contact with the non-magical world was, at best, sparse this was the equivalent to their counterpart's first encounter with magic but when the subject moved on to transport everyone began to get the idea behind the new Hogwarts. When planes, trains and automobiles were compared to apparition, portkey and floo there was no surprise that the wizarding system was superior. The point had been made though, what was required was the best of both worlds and the minister had an announcement to make that would help with that.
Amelia Bones always seemed to be more impressed every time she met the Potters but today's demonstration was a real eye opener, she was glad there was something she could add to the lesson and silently agreed with Harry that this was indeed the best time to announce it, she took out her prepared speech and was mentally making adjustments to factor in what they had seen here today.
"I would first of all like to thank Hogwarts for the invitation here today and to tie in with the lesson we have just witnessed I, on behave of the ministry, would like to announce a major change in the use of portkeys law. The old law would have allowed the two Creevey boys the use of a portkey but not the rest of their family, this is an unjust law so, as of today, portkeys are available for family use within the statute of secrecy. This will mean that the Creevey family could travel to Florida in minutes for a fraction of the cost of non-magical travel. Lord Gryffindor has arranged a demonstration for those unfamiliar with this mode of transport." What she didn't say was that the old law had been written to make it very difficult for anyone but purebloods to use the system.
Harry and Hermione held out two ropes as the students, guests and everyone else who was in the room grabbed hold. The whole strange group appeared in the glass-fronted foyer of the Potter's island home. The sun had just risen and the views of the ocean and beach were nothing short of spectacular.
Professor Tonks found his voice first, "That, ladies and gentlemen, was travelling by portkey. From the position of the sun you can see we have travelled thousands of miles and the fact the sun is shining tells you for definite we're not in Scotland anymore." This generated some laughter though most were just staring at the view, Lavender Brown wasn't so much 'catching flies' she could probably caught a hippogriff had her chin dropped any lower.
When Harry said they could have lunch here or head straight back to Hogwarts the decision was instantaneous and unanimous as everyone headed to the beach. Neville and the Potter crested Slytherins led the way, receiving many envious stares from their classmates at their obvious knowledge of this paradise. Tables, chairs and parasols started appearing on the beach even before the group reached it and lunch was laid out along a massive table where everyone could help himself or herself before sitting under a parasol.
As the group was enjoying lunch the minister asked a question that grabbed the attention of every person there, "Lord Potter, what does one have to do to receive an invitation to this magnificent island?"
It was Hermione who answered, "Amelia, this is our home and there are no titles here. Our home is reserved for friends and family, any official business or entertaining will take place at Potter Manor. As to invitations, as you clearly don't qualify as family we will just have to wait and see if we can become friends." Her message was crystal clear, they didn't care about titles or positions, being a friend meant more to the Potter's than being the minister for magic.
They had to do a head count before returning in case anyone had decided to remain, Harry and Hermione were sorely tempted. Hermione knew she would be approached by her former roommates and wasn't disappointed when they spoke to her as soon as they returned to Hogwarts.
Hermione decided to put them out of their misery, "girls, I have some friends coming over for a few days at Easter, would you like to join us?" Hermione took the squeals and hugs to mean yes.
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