He then quickly walked into his house. Priority now was to help Harry to calm down and come to terms with what just happened. Remus was angry that this incident destroyed part of Harry's innocence, despite him knowing it would have happened sooner or later. Leave it to Petunia's fat son to do the deed. He had a feeling it would become a recurring thing from now on.
"This certainly is very nice architecture," Dumbledore marveled at the ornamental brick architecture while approaching the main building of Ipswich School to meet with its headmaster.
No one would have ever even suspect he was a wizard, as he had taken to heart that he needed to blend in, and managed to keep his eccentric side at bay. To the observer he simply was an older gentleman wearing a black suit and a bowler hat. He had as well shortened his hair and beard to a normal length, knowing he could easily grow it back to normal with his magic.
His statement that he wanted to devote more time for Hogwarts was pretty much an understatement. He had devoted much time to look at how Hogwarts was operating and found it to be quite inefficient or even lacking. Honestly, while traditions themselves were nothing bad, clinging to them could only hinder growth. Hogwarts was in need of reforms, if it truly wanted to continue to play in the same league as other big magical schools, his visits to these schools in question had shown him that clearly.
Honestly, especially his visit to Beauxbatons had been humbling. He could still remember Headmistress Maxime showing off how progressive her school was. The huge woman had done little to hide that she didn't think of Hogwarts as such.
He already had set many cogs into motion, but that would take time - time, which he now wanted to use to get an even better perspective. An outside perspective, that is.
Not only did I get too comfortable in my ways, the whole school did, he thought.
He had always been uncomfortable with how the Ministry felt it did not need to keep the proper procedures when interacting with the non-magical world. That condescending attitude certainly had not helped relations with those officials that were in the know about magic. So he had went the long way. While the Minister for Magic would have simply entered the Downing Street without any warning, he had used the name Hogwarts used in the official documentation, Highland College, and managed to get an appointment with the Prime Minister through the correct channels the Minister for Magic was supposed to use.
The Prime Minister herself had not only been surprised at him keeping proper procedure and him using the correct attire, but also that he apologized taking some of her time, since sadly the only contact with the government was the very top. Honestly, official documentation and letters of recommendation to several boarding schools so that he could visit them to get a better idea of how Hogwarts was lacking, normally shouldn't take up a Prime Minister's time.
He still remembered her astonishment when she had asked why he was going the long way, since he could have easily forged the papers with magic. She clearly hadn't expected his reply that this would have been dishonest and not to speak illegal.
"Ah, Mr. Dumbledore, welcome to Ipswich School," John Blatchly, the Headmaster of Ipswich School, greeted his guest at the doors of the currently empty school.
"Thank you very much. I already enjoyed merely looking at the marvelous buildings of your school," Dumbledore said, while both men shook hands.
"Oh, even though it is impressive, it's only the latest incarnation of this centuries-old institution," Blatchly explained while they walked through the silent corridors, all students currently being on summer vacation. "I've heard that Highland College more takes after medieval architecture?"
"Indeed. It more resembles a medieval castle," Dumbledore said with slight amusement, knowing very well it was a medieval castle.
Finally entering the headmaster's office, Blatchly directed his guest towards the comfortable-looking armchairs. "I honestly was quite surprised when receiving the letter of recommendation from the Ministry of Education and Science. Your school is more a myth than anything else, due to how exclusive it is. Invitation only, after all."
Dumbledore knew this statement was quite true. "Yes, we are perhaps the most exclusive school in the whole United Kingdom. However, I feel we can certainly improve ourselves. This is, why I am visiting other boarding schools. I can't thank you enough for taking time for me, I know normally the teaching staff uses this time of the year to relax after the school year is over."
"Believe me, it's no problem at all. Even if it weren't for the reputation your school holds in our circles, I can hardly refuse a fellow headmaster who wants to improve his own school," Blatchly explained.
The door then opened and a woman in her fifties entered with a tablet laden with tea and biscuits.
"Ah, Miss Partridge, right on time, as always. Sometimes it's like you can see the future," Blatchly commented with amusement.
"Oh no, it's all just experience, Headmaster," Miss Partridge said while setting up everything and pouring tea into the cups. "I am in the anteroom. Sadly, even over the summer, work never stops."
Watching her leave, Dumbledore heard the chuckles of his colleague. "My secretary of almost twelve years now. Oh, I would probably drown in the work, if not for her." He took the tea cup. "That, and she knows exactly how I like my tea."
"I certainly know how bad the paperwork can get. I always felt I can manage it myself, but recently I am starting to think more professional structures are required," Dumbledore mused.
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