Felicia was mildly stunned. It was a very sensible solution. Harry, even as young as he was, was a powerful wizard, but it definitely made sense. By not studying the spells directly he could find out about them with no one claiming he was dark or had dark intentions. That was not to say Albus Dumbledore wouldn't do his best to try to block Harry, because he would. One thing Felicia had observed as a muggleborn who was originally meant for Slytherin, Albus Dumbledore liked control and he liked to be the person others came to for answers. In this instance she was sure of what he would do, stall for as long as he could. "That's very sound planning on yours and Harry's part. I'll let Steven know to prep paperwork to get court permission for you."
"Start by asking for Harry to have access to all of it, then allow them to talk you down to complete access for me, specific access for Harry on just the spell that gave him the Slytherin family magics and on the family magics themselves until he gets his OWLs. "
"That should seem reasonable enough. Now I need to discuss something else with you."
"Alright."
"What is your opinion of Petunia Dursley and what kind of parent she has been to Harry?"
Cassandra almost froze. This she knew was a very sensitive topic to Harry. Harry had confided in her during one of his weaker moments over the summer. She knew from that conversation exactly what kind of relationship existed between Harry and his aunt. She also knew that Harry, unhappy and hurt by his aunt's indifference though he was, wouldn't tolerate interference in that relationship. "It doesn't matter what their relationship is Felicia, he will not look kindly on any interference."
"Then you feel there is something not right about it?"
"I don't like… Harry knows it for what it is and accepts its limitations. He will not accept outside efforts to change it, he would react poorly to any such efforts. As for Petunia she prefers to pretend the magical world doesn't exist and gets very unhappy when reminded that it does. I think that forcing her to acknowledge it makes things worse. It is one of the reasons that Harry hired me, to make it easier for Petunia to have her pretend. Let me be explicitly clear. I know you are concerned about Harry. I am too, but it is Harry's business and Harry's alone. Interference, even if it is only his trustees with the best of intentions, will only make him angry. He is already an isolated person. He trusts only a few. To interfere on this topic would be a breech of his trust and once trust is lost Harry is not the sort to offer it again. Do you understand?"
Felicia swallowed to try and dispel the lump that had formed in her throat and blinked back the prickle of tears. "I understand. Is there… I want for Harry to know I care about him as more than a source of money and prestige. You seem to know him well, what do you think would send that message to him?"
"Treat him with respect, treat him like a person with thought and feelings. Last summer you trustees put him into a heavy study schedule without consulting either him or Petunia. He was fine with that since he needed the information eventually, but would you have done that to your own son? Harry handled it, but the lack of respect that it implied wasn't a good thing. Harry, for all he's only thirteen, thinks more like an adult than a child. Treat him like one.
"For another thing did any of you trustees acknowledge his birthday last summer? Do any of you know his hobbies? Do you even know his favorite color or what electives he's taking at Hogwarts?"
Felicia felt like she had just received a scolding from her mother. Here she was being critical of Petunia Dursley but she wasn't much better where Harry was concerned. "Do you know what his plans for the holidays are?"
"Well obviously not many invitations are out yet, but Harry has left instructions that if the Longbottoms or any of you trustees were to extend an invitation I was to accept. I've also been instructed to engage a private room at the Leaky Cauldron the day after the Express returns for a meeting between Harry and his godfather."
"Cassandra, I… thank you. You were right to rebuke me and the other trustees. Petunia may not be the best guardian, but we've made mistakes too. Harry did a very wise thing when he hired you."
"Thank you, Mrs. Corner. I like being Harry's assistant. It's easy for me to look out for his interests because he's become like a little brother to me. Actually, he's closer than my brothers. Harry looks at me and sees someone capable with thoughts and feelings who is more than an almost squib. My own brothers were always too ashamed of me for me to feel close to them. Harry sees what I can do not what I can't."
"Do you know what electives he's taking, Cassandra?"
"Yes, Ma'am. Harry's taking Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, and Care of Magical Creatures."