The Cupboard Series 5: United We Stand ...

Chapter 9

"Thank you all for coming," Minerva began as she strode into the room.

The great dining hall of Diricawl Academy wasn't filled by any stretch of the imagination. But with the current fourteen students, their families and most of their staff in attendance, it was nowhere near empty.

"Firstly, I'd like to thank those of you who came to Diagon Alley with me yesterday and also to those in the small group that went to Hogsmeade," the Headmistress continued. "While we did not achieve total success, I believe that there are now enough posters and booklets throughout various shops and in shop windows to serve as a starting point in attracting new students."

A small round of applause echoed throughout the room and Minerva allowed it to peter out naturally before continuing.

"Today, our task is to determine exactly who we should send personal letters of invitation to in order to invite them to join us here at Diricawl as students."

A small murmur swept through the room as all – and particularly the students – whispered comments to each other.

"Each person we invite will receive a letter and one of our prospectuses," she explained. "Hopefully between that and the open day that we will have here ten days from now, it will be enough to help both the students and their parents make an informed decision about whether it is in the student's best interest to come here or to stay at their current educational institution."

"That's easy! Come here," a voice called out, eliciting laughter all around.

"Regardless of our feelings, Mister Pemberton, we must allow everyone to make their own choice," Minerva smiled.

"Now, before we get to specific names, the staff know this, but it needs to be stated anyway," Remus continued, stepping up beside the Headmistress. "Diricawl is set up to handle, at most, one hundred and thirty-two students. That means only nineteen for six of the year levels and only eighteen in the other one."

"Is it any particular year level that has the one less student?" Hermione asked.

"No, it can be any, as long as there is at least one that does," Remus replied. "Following on from that, it needs to be kept in mind that we already have nine of you going into fifth year; three of you going into fourth year; two of you into second year; and, with Harry's cousin, Mark, one already enrolled into first year."

"We actually have two for first year," Minerva corrected. "I met a muggleborn family in Diagon Alley yesterday that I spent most of the afternoon with and they have enrolled their son, Euan, to come here. I'll show you the paperwork later."

Remus nodded to her before turning to face the larger group.

"That gives us sixteen confirmed enrolments out of the one hundred and thirty-two potential slots that we have. It is not essential that we fill all of those beds, in fact I'd be astonished if we did."

"I have also retained a list of every person who sent me a letter last year requesting that they be allowed to join Diricawl," Minerva stated. "But seeing as most of you know these students personally, we felt that you would have a better idea of who would fit into the Diricawl mindset the best."

"Fred and George Weasley," Harry immediately called out.

Minerva nodded and noted that Emma, who was taking notes on the meeting, was jotting the names down.

"Yes, I spoke to the two of them last year and have promised them spaces at the school," she said, "along with Katie Bell, Angelina Johnson, Alicia Spinnet and Lee Jordan. Assuming, of course that they all still wish to attend. It will be nice to have my old quidditch team back together, I must say. That group will make five seventh years and a sixth year. The question then becomes: Fred and George are not the only school-aged Weasleys. Does anyone see any problem with extending that invitation to Ronald and Ginevra?"