Dark and Light

The Slytherins were gone. It had been all over The Daily Prophet. MASS DISAPPEARANCE the headline had read; no one had realised it was only Slytherins until a few weeks later when the Malfoys didn't turn up at the Ministry for their hearing. This had, of course, caused major panic in the magical community as the all the Slytherins were either on parole or in Azkaban and most were former Death Eaters. Naturally people had thought they were trying to resurrect the Dark Lord again.

As a result all Aurors were called off their cases, not that there had been many without the Slytherins, and were assigned to looking for the missing convicts.

However, as time went on and nothing happened, the public began to question why they were even looking for them because, as far as they were concerned, the world was better off without Slytherins anyway. The Aurors agreed and tried convincing Minster Shacklebolt to call off the search; although he only did so after a petition was sent round and signed by every witch and wizard in London.

It wasn't until Hogwarts reopened, three years later, that people really thought to question their actions.

This is one Auror's account of the 23rd of November in the year 2001- the year of the Snake…

A dark haired young man was sitting in an office, the Head Aurors office to be precise, when he got an owl. It flew in and crash-landed on his desk, knocking over an ink bottle, effectively ruining the report for the Minister that he'd been working on. As it righted itself he untied the envelope from its leg, recognising the handwriting as Minerva McGonagall's, now Headmistress of Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry.

The owl flew off as he was opening the letter, which read:

Dear Mr Potter,

It is with utmost regret that I inform you that your services are required at Hogwarts.

Do come quickly,

Headmistress McGonagall.

Services? That must mean there's trouble.

Not wasting any time Harry floo-ed straight into the Heads office at Hogwarts.

Upon arrival he didn't notice anything out of the ordinary so he relaxed at little from his tense state.

''Good afternoon Mr Potter''

Harry jumped and twisted round to face McGonagall, who was sitting in the throne-like chair behind the ancient, oak desk.

''Good afternoon Professor. What's the problem?'' he asked, wondering again why he'd been summoned.

''Take a seat Mr Potter.'' said McGonagall leaning back in her chair as if preparing for a long conversation.

''What's wrong?'' he tried hoping for an answer.

However when McGonagall didn't answer he took a seat and waited for her to begin.

They sat in silence for several minutes until Harry became uncomfortable but just as he was about to speak McGonagall began.

''I suppose you're wondering why I've asked you here?'' She sighed, then began again, not waiting for an answer. ''I assume you're aware of the situation with the Slytherins?''

Harry nodded. ''Yes Professor, they all went missing four years ago.''

''Correct, but, as you may not be aware, there have been no Slytherins in the school since then. In fact the Sorting Hat has failed to mention them even once in four years.''

Harry sat in shock for a few moments, processing the information and making a mental note to tell Hermione later.

Then, when he had collected himself, he asked ''But Professor are you sure? I mean the Sorting Hat knows there are four houses, it wouldn't just ignore one.''

''Well perhaps, but we're not here to discuss the Sorting Hat. I brought you here today to inform you that since the Slytherins left the….'' She trailed off for a moment, searching for the right words. ''Balance has been upset between the three Houses.''

''What do you mean?'' Harry asked, confused. ''The Houses were friends, well except the Slytherins. What balance was there to upset?''

McGonagall sighed again. ''You may not have noticed Mr Potter but there was a very fine balance between the four Houses: two of them were always feuding, and the other two were keeping peace, one of them was always good, one of them was always bad and the other two usually sided with the good if it came to war. Now, however, without Slytherins there is no 'bad' House therefore the balance has been upset. And, although you may disagree, there needs to be a 'bad' House in order to keep the balance.''

Harry thought about that for quite a while before asking: ''So which House is the bad House now Professor?'' In truth he was dreading the answer, mainly because he just couldn't imagine any of the other Houses being evil.

McGonagall closed her eyes as if wishing she weren't having to answer before choking out on word: ''Gryffindor.''