"I'm Zacharias Smith, I like the idea of good grades and all, but who do you think you are to decide what we do here?" He glared at Harry.
Harry didn't get mad at the challenge . "Zacharias brings up a good point. My answer is today I planned the agenda because this was my idea, developed with help from a few friends. However just because I planned today doesn't mean that other people couldn't do it. I was going to cover this later but we can do it now. When my friends and I came up we this we wanted an all inclusive group that was designed to help everyone learn magic and make friends. I was going to suggest that we have a steering committee, two members from each house and one elected person from the over all membership to act as a tie breaker. The committee would need to meet together for twenty minutes or so outside the weekend study session to decide an agenda. I thought that next week people who want to be on the committee could step forward and then the week after that we could hold elections. The committee would get suggestions / questions from the membership as to topics students need help with and they could also help students with specific concerns that aren't addressed in the group by helping them find someone to tutor them. The overall elected person would also have the responsibility to act as secretary keeping track of past agendas, the agendas voted on by the committee and these sheets. Does that meet with everyone's approval?"
Harry picked up a set of parchments, he had imagined and the room provided on the fly, that asked questions about academic strengths and weaknesses . He was more grateful for the nature of the room than ever. Harry got the impression that Zacharias Smith was one of those people that like to showboat, and put others down but were darn near useless themselves. Another such person,Timothy Anderson Howell came to mind.
Minerva smiled. She was pleased when almost all the students nodded their heads in approval of Harry's ideas. That agreed upon the students resumed introductions. After that the students got their chance to interact and fill in the questions on the chalkboards and complete the sheets and the icebreaker game while they snacked on the goodies provided by the house elves.
Harry was talking with Ravenclaw Su Li, when Dean came over with Justin, Kevin and Hermione Granger. She was the first to speak "Dean Thomas says you have a phone that works off magic. But we were told there was no such thing."
"Well, it just goes to show change is a constant in the universe. I take it you all would like to borrow it for a while?
Justin got such an earnest look on his face Harry almost wanted to laugh. "My mum was worried when she was told there were no phones here. I know she'd feel loads better if I gave her a ring."
"Here just be sure I get it back before you leave." Harry handed them the cell phone and then continued to circulate.
When he got near Minerva she called him over. "This is interesting. Two thirds of your year from all the houses and everyone seems to be getting along. I don't see Ron Weasley, but I see every other Gryffindor boy."
"Yes, well Ron read the part about checking a prejudiced attitude at the door an decided to stay away because there would be Slytherins here."
Suddenly across the room, the words "What's it to you, you stupid mudblood." were heard.
Minerva and Harry both immediately moved to the area where Theodore Nott had just finished insulting Sally Anne Perks.
Harry stepped forward . "It appears Mr. Nott that the first skill you need to work on is reading comprehension. Because the invite clearly stated that those unable to check prejudiced attitudes at the door would be asked to leave. Consider your self invited to depart."
"Stupid Potter, think the fact you're famous would allow you to lord over us-" Theodore Nott was surprised when Potter reached out grabbed his arm twisted it behind him and using it and his collar steered him out the door.
"When I and my friends said bigots not invited we meant it. In a month's time if you can leave the attitude outside you can return, but for the next month you, Theodore Nott, are not welcome here."
Harry turned and returned to the room. Going to Sally-Anne first, he asked her, "Are you okay?"
"Yes I think so, but why was he so mean and what did he mean by calling me mudblood."
Harry looked at Susan, "Susan would you care to…"
Susan gave a summary of blood prejudice. Draco followed her speech with Harry's summary of how the slur had probably evolved and explained how many purebloods were raised in houses where such prejudice was common. Then between the three of them they gave what was basically a current events lesson with Harry ending it by explaining the current structure of the ministry and the proposed changes because he knew them best.
As they finished Minerva spoke, "Well done children, I think five points for Slytherin and ten for Gryffindor for such well done explanations. I would like to add: if any of you muggleborn ever get called that name while here, let one of us heads of House know. Such things are not tolerated. The person who does it gets detention and loses twenty-five points. I would appreciate those of you in Slytherin letting Mr. Nott know he will have detention. I will waive the point loss this once because he didn't know, but if it happens again…"
Harry looked at the clock and realized that his agenda would have to be tossed, as written because of the impromptu lesson. "Well shoot. So much for that plan. How many of you need help understanding potions?"
Most the hands in the room went up. Harry noticed that hands other than his own that didn't go up were Draco, Lisa Turpin, Hermione Granger, and Megan Jones. "I suggest that next week we cover potion questions a bit more thoroughly but for this week those of you in Slytherin contact Draco Malfoy, Ravenclaw Lisa Turpin, Hufflepuff Megan Jones, and Gryffindor either myself or Hermione Granger for help. I would recommend pre-reading the chapters before class that way anything unclear can be asked about. If you understand, fewer mistakes get made this goes for all your classes not just potions. Well it's gone half five so thanks for coming it's been great and I look forward to seeing you all next week." Harry moved to the door and made a point to bid each person goodbye by name. Susan, Draco, Neville, and Hannah stayed and helped Harry tidy the room.
"I think it went well." Hannah said.
"Overall I agree." Susan concurred.
"McGonagall certainly seemed pleased." Draco said. Mentally he was rejoicing that he'd kept a civil tongue the whole time even when he'd been talking to the muggleborns who were pretty clueless about life in the magical world. "Harry, some of the muggleborn commented they were surprised by such a modern room in Hogwarts. "
Harry grinned. "This room is a magic room. It can change, the limits exist here." He tapped his temple." Come on, I want to explore it a bit." A short time later the five friends were playing like otters in the swimming pool they found off the gymnasium in swimsuits provided by the room. They still had damp hair when they joined the rest of the students at dinner, much to the puzzlement of the castle's other occupants.