Tea with the board of governors wound up being a non-event from Harry's perspective because the Board of Governors basically asked him and Neville to verify that their accounts of the school year were true and then dismissed them from the room. Leaving Harry in the dark about what would happen, much to his frustration.
The the rest of June and the most of July was odd because Harry got no owls, not even from Gringott's. Thankfully he had an alternate point of contact in Cassansra. Petunia was relieved she no longer had to escort Harry when he went to the magical world, although she made a point of coming with Harry when he met with his trustees. Harry saw Neville at least twice a week. Once when Neville came to karate class, after karate class the two boys usually went to a nearby tea shop for tea, sandwiches,(cucumber for Harry, chicken salad for Neville) and scones and they would talk about what all they were doing on their days apart. The second was when Harry came to the magical world to deal with matters of business and his trustees took turns taking him around, when he usually met Neville in passing at Gringott's.
"Gran has me learning family magics. It's kinda hard, but between the portraits and the family grimoire I am doing decently at it."
"I wonder how I'll learn the Potters' family magics?"
"From the family grimoire."
"Then I wonder why my grandparents died. I found out from Dad's journal he didn't start even trying to learn the family magics until he and Mum went into hiding and Mum was learning them faster than him."
"Well it's only gossip that I heard from Great Aunt Enid and Cousin Callidora during the ball, but what I heard was that Charlus Potter had something wrong with his magic, something wasn't right about it. That's why he married a Black. Dorea Black had actually moved abroad. Rumor had it she hated her family. It wasn't until after he became Lord Potter that he found a bride. Maybe if you talk to your ancestral portraits you could find out more."
"I'll do that. But only a few will actually talk with me."
"What? Why?"
"I got sorted into Slytherin. The first Baron thinks it's fabulous. But most the rest seem to feel I've let down the family honor by not being a Gryffindor. If it weren't for Mum's letter I think I would feel like I committed an unforgivable crime by being who and what I am."
"That sucks. At least they can't stop you from learning the family magics."
"How's your homework coming?"
"Good. I finished the last of it yesterday."
"That's good. Sensei said I did a good job teaching you. He thinks you'll be ready for your first belt test by summer's end."
"Really?"
"That's what he said. I've got mine next week."
"That's cool. I wish Hogwarts offered classes to help people be fit."
"I just wish they had a blooming gym."
"Maybe they do but it's in an unused part of the castle."
"Hmm. I guess we'll have to check those. I mean there's nothing on the map but Dad and his friends were purebloods. Well that can wait till we're back at school, assuming I don't change schools. I gotta go, my class starts in ten. See you next week."
Harry got home and was surprised to see Cassandra and Felicia Corner there talking with his aunt. Vernon and he had arrived at just the same time. Harry helped his uncle with the takeaway bags. Although it made for a crowded table they all sat and shared the Chinese food.
"Okay, Cassandra tell us what you found out about schools." Felicia started.
Cassandra finished chewing and swallowed her mouthful. "Well as pathetic as it is Hogwarts is really the best all-around school in the British and Irish Isles. There are other schools seven of them in fact. They're all day schools and none of them offer as many subjects. One offers just charms and potions, one just transfiguration, the others aren't any better: divination, rituals, and two that teach just charms. Technically to take his seat in the Wizengamot Harry has to have six OWLs, the other schools won't do. Abroad options are somewhat limited. Beauxbatons Harry would have to be extremely fluent in French, to my knowledge he isn't. Also Beauxbatons is fairly restrictive for it's male population, since girls outnumber boys three to one and good share of the girls have a bit of Veela blood."
On seeing looks of blank incomprehension, she quickly continued. "Veela are a magical creature that have extreme sex appeal. They can interbreed with wizards making the children more powerful. Many of the older pureblood families don't mind if their children marry someone with some creature blood it reduces the chances for squibs like me. Needless to say the families tend to be pretty protective of the girls there.
"Elsewhere in Europe is Durmstrang, it is the only school in Europe that teaches not just Defense but also the Dark Arts themselves and again Harry would need to speak a foreign language. There are day schools equivalent to the ones here in the United Kingdom elsewhere. The biggest issues for Harry are the need for multiple OWLs and the language barriers. Further away in the US is Salem which is an all girls school and in Montana the Absaroke School, and the all boys Pendragon school in the Mojave all of which start schooling at eight not eleven. The remaining schools in the US are day schools. Australia is a non-starter because the magical community there is isolationistic and they don't accept students from abroad. Canada like the US begins schooling earlier. Anywhere else language barriers exist."
"This su-eats dirt." Harry said changing what he was about to say mid word he had no desire to incur his aunt's wrath and saying something sucked. Even if it did was a sure-fire way to get his mouth washed out. "So I'm stuck at Hogwarts."
"Fraid so kiddo." Felicia said. "If it's any consolation Lady Longbottom is keeping after the Board of Governors for changes. Dumbledore is going to find himself on a mighty short leash."
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