It's All Just Temporary with a Bit of Necromancy

Chapter 31: Again, Potter

Scowling, Harry crossed his arms tighter across his chest. He didn't want the children to wait that long. He wanted them to get help and be saved now, not in four or five years when he was of a better age to start a bloody trend. He'd need to talk to Marvolo about this, maybe together they could find some way for people to adopt the neglected children without waiting until Harry came to an appropriate age.

"Come now, let's move past this. It is not something that will change or affect the start-up of the school," Sylvia said with her kind smile. "Let us focus on the school."

Not at all happy, but knowing she was right, Harry sighed and nodded. "Alright, what else do we need to discuss for the legislation? Can any of you think of any other argument that could be put against it? Anything that might make people vote against it?"

"Yes, funding," Nott said. "I know we've discussed the ways of starting up the initial cost. But the continuation cost is something we need to discuss."

"Will this be a publicly funded school, meaning there will be an additional tax, or will it be funded privately solely through means of donations and charities which could make the running subject to wealthier individuals," Avery explained.

Harry frowned. He didn't like the idea of the wealthy taking over his school but he also knew suggesting an additional tax would not go over well. "Well, how is Hogwarts run?"

"Privately run but its charter prevents outside influences," Augusta answered. "The Governors Board is the only accepted outside factor allowed any influence and even that is limited. But financially, Hogwarts relies mainly on donations and tuition."

"I'm not charging tuition for a primary school," Harry discounted immediately. He wanted this school accessible to all. "I also don't think the tax will go over well. So I guess it will need to be privately funded. But I'd like a charter to prevent material influences."

"This can be arranged," Amelia agreed. "Tell me, Harry, do you see yourself as this school's Headmaster equivalent, or merely the founder with no further control?"

Harry tried picturing relinquishing control of this project and immediately dismissed that idea. No, he couldn't just start up the project and leave it for others. He was too passionate, too invested, to not see it through in every aspect. But could he be a Headmaster?

"I think I'm a bit too young to be a Headmaster," Harry replied slowly.

Tiberius laughed. "Add that to the list of things you're too young for but are anyway. You've hardly let age stop you before, why now?"

Harry smirked. "Then I guess I'll add it to the list."

"As you are giving the location of the school as well as the vast majority of starting costs, this would make the most sense," Sylvia agreed.

Despite the growing eagerness at the thought of working so intimately with the school, Harry felt another weight rest on his chest. If he failed, then the school would fail. If the school failed, countless children would be displaced, history would repeat itself, society would never properly progress the way he knew it could. Harry swallowed against the weight he'd just shouldered. But it was for the best. This needed to succeed and he would make sure it would.

"Aside from finances, there is nothing else," Augusta said. "Let us finalize the draft and then prepare our presentation for the next Wizengamot meeting."

"I think it best for Lord Potter to do the presenting, but one of each faction should stand behind him," Avery said, his fingers tapping his chin. "I'd suggest Lady Abbott, Tiberius, and Julien as the best representatives."

Nott nodded his head in agreement with the suggestion of him standing behind Harry, as did Tiberius and Sylvia. Harry smiled, he was beyond thrilled that these people were agreeing to stand behind him and help him. Though he knew at the start Avery and Nott had only agreed on the command of Marvolo, he liked to think that by now they actually supported Harry himself. At least he hoped so.