Rick was forced to duck to avoid being hit with a fanged frisbee as he made his way over to the refugee operations tent. Well, the structure looked like a tent. Once you entered, you found yourself not so much in a tent as in a dated, 1950's era three-story office building. The things he was learning magic could do were truly extraordinary. He made his way up to the send floor where Carol's office was located and knocked on the door.
"Come in Rick," Carol's voice called.
Rick entered the office and found that she wasn't alone. She was joined by Daryl and Professor Snape. "Maggie said you needed for something. What's up?"
"Hagrid and I found a whole town of survivors in Virginia," Daryl shared. It's a place called Alexandria. They've managed to wall the town off, have solar power, and a water filtration system. The place was originally built as a self-sustaining community for richie-rich snobs should the worst happen but when it did most of them didn't make it there. No one inside's gotten their hands dirty since this whole mess started. They're led by some congresswoman."
"Sounds to me like they don't need any rescuing," Rick put his hands on his hips and shook his head. "I don't see the problem."
"There ain't no problem...yet," Daryl stressed.
"Both Daryl and Hagrid believe that Alexandria's walls will not hold up if put to the test by a hoard," Carol explained. "When they offered to help reinforce them, they were politely brushed off by the congresswoman."
"This simple-minded congresswoman did, however, say that she was interested in discussing trade between Alexandria and Vita-Nova," Professor Snape finally spoke up.
Vita-Nova Village was the name chosen for the now permanent muggle settlement that occupied a good portion of the Hogwarts grounds. Vita-Nova currently had 217 people living in 10 extra-large tents (small apartment buildings) that sat about half a mile away from the castle on the edge of the Black Lake. Plans were in the works to build stone cottages but those plans were on hold until the school's students went on summer break in June. Professor McGonagall had also granted them the fifty-five acres of land that sat behind the tents. Hagrid, when he wasn't teaching or out scouting, was teaching the residents how to farm it and in return, they were going to supply some of the school's produce.
Rick shook his head. "Right now Vita-Nova only has potatoes, cabbage, and carrots growin'. That harvest is already spoken for. Half goes to the school and the rest is divided up amongst the residents."
"What do you suggest we do?" Carol looked as tired as Rick felt. While they were beyond grateful to finally have both safety and a home to call their own, there was still a lot of work that needed to be done on a daily basis.
Rick had to think about it for a moment before he was able to offer an answer. "Have Glenn take Maggie, Sirius, and Remus back to Alexandria. Maggie's real good with people. She might be able to talk some sense into this congresswoman. If she can't, have Sirius and Remus use whatever magic they can to protect the town's walls and we walk away. We can't save everyone."
***
It was almost three in the afternoon by the time Rick arrived at Hermione's classroom. The witch taught muggle literature in the afternoons and Carl was in her class. He opened the classroom door just as the bell sounded.
"Alright," Hermione stood from her desk and pointed at the blackboard. "Tonight's homework –" The entire class of twenty-three muggle children aged 10 to 13 groaned as one. "Oh, do be quiet, it's not that bad. Tonight I want you to read chapters five and six in 'The Time Machine' and write four paragraphs about what you read. Those of you who have algebra with Professor Malfoy next, you are dismissed. Everyone else, please, sit and read quietly until your guardian comes to retrieve you."
All of the students cleared out save for Carl, Emily, and Micah, who were too young to take algebra. Hermione smiled warmly when she saw him. "You're on pick-up duty, I see." She waved her wand and the blackboard erased itself. Another wave of her wand and a piece of chalk started writing out Transfiguration homework instructions.
"Yeah, Carol's swamped so I volunteered to grab Em and Micah." Carol had pretty much adopted both of the orphaned sisters.
"I know how Carol feels," Hermione chuckled. "So far today I've taught geography and literature and I still have two Transfiguration classes to go. Summer can not come fast enough."
"Hermione, you wanna go and grab drinks in the village with me later?" Rick blurted out. He would have been lying if he said the invitation wasn't a long time coming.
Hermione lightly blushed before nodding and smiling. "You know what, Rick? I think I'd really enjoy that."
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