CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

The free week that the head students had access to both went quickly and slowly, Pansy, Greg and Vin were fast becoming regulars in their common room. Dinner wasn't just the two of them and when Hermione approached the headmistress asking if they could please have a separate dining room where the eighth years could take their meals along with any members of staff, it was agreed. After all her year was the one that really needed help with the unity thing that they were trying to accomplish by the end of the year. Ideas were thrown around about festivals or balls that could be held but one thing was sure, that a fate and memorial service was on for Halloween. The main thing of the war was the ignorance of tradition. So just before everyone broke for the holidays at Christmas there was going to be a solstice ritual done. Along with at the equinox's. When this idea was presented to the board of Governors it was met with a resounding yes. And it became that a house was in charge of each festive event. From the catering and decorations to getting the items needed for each student to participate in the ritual to be performed by the head of house.

It wasn't long that a new routine and common area was established for the eighth years with homework was done in a room next to the library complete with lounges, love seats, arm chairs and desks. There was also two fireplaces placed inside the very large room so that the room was always cosy. The Eighth year common room was made close to their dormitories. It had the usual facilities with a pool table as an addition. It was a place set up for people to unwind. Posters of favourite bands and athletes soon littered the walls making it more age appropriate. No other years were allowed there. The idea was that the common room would be turned over to the seventh years the next year for a place to hang out. The ministry had to have some input as there was suddenly a display that offered information about various jobs it offered. Other companies went with that idea and did the same with information about times and dates and jobs for offer.

The students of the eighth year were becoming more and more aware of life that is going to happen when they graduated at the end of the year. More than half the student body decided to send letters of interest out and were very happy that their chances of future employment didn't just rely on their O.W.L.S and N.E.W.T.S scores, but overall performance of the years. A few of the students already had jobs ready for when they left school. To say that the board of Governors and the staff were exceedingly happy at this was to put things mildly, announcing each students accomplishment when it was made.

That free week was to blame for all the new developments to better the school, Professor Snape allowed the eighth years to set up a disused classroom in the dungeons as another potions lab to allow students to practice and make their own concoctions. The duelling room was also opened up for practice or settling grievances. This room was age restricted as no one wanted to pick a first year off the ceiling. Vin and Greg were regulars there, although they both would be world champions they were very quick to draw and not really have to think of their first couple of spells that they used. They were soon becoming the people to ask for help.

Draco and Hermione were usually accompanied by Harry and Pansy and they were now known as the group to try and break in to. The nights however usually were Hermione and Draco, once a week Severus would come and check on 'his' charges.

Everyday so far had made sure Hermione was never by herself. If it wasn't Draco beside her it was Greg or Vin or Pansy. There have been a few outbursts from the Wesley quarter. Ron never really realised just how out of the game for Hermione's heart he was. He believed still that it was he that she would comeback to. Reality of the situation was more a case of never again. Either sitting at the Slytherin table or the Gryffindors Ron and Ginny were loudly heard either actively disrespecting Hermione or Draco. The rest of the student body were very tired of their antics and the duo had fast become more the social outcasts with it going so far to the parent's as to be shunned when they went shopping.

Kingsley Shacklebolt even went to the Minister so that he could release a statement to appear in the Daily Prophet.

AUROR SPEAKS OUT

Kingsley Shacklebolt released a statement late yesterday about an open case that he is working on with Nymphrdora Tonks partnering him. "In relation to the ongoing investigation between the victim and the Weasleys. It can be said that if this case ever went in front of the wizarding public there would be Virgilanties popping up all over the place, simply because of the injuries done to the victim. This is something that we do not want. It took bravery and strength beyond our comprehension to do what the victim did and allowed us access to the evidence gathered. To name a few pieces of evidence was a uniform that had traces of wizard's DNA that did not belong to the victim. Traces of attempted sexual assault and visible proof of physical assault."

"When the victim was notified and asked if they wanted to add to the statement. They added that violence regardless of the type and kind, is unforgivable and that the war was fought to prevent people with the mentality that bullying their way around to cease. People died for that cause and it is like saying the war never happened if we allow people like them get away with it all."

We encourage any people to come forward should you be suffering an abusive situation, we encourage people not to be afraid. The ministry encourages that we learn from last year and have a higher tolerance to our friends and strangers, helping those who cant protect themselves and performing a citizens arrest if possible when caught red handed. Regardless contact the Aurors first but if it is safe secure the area.

"That's one way to put it." Was all Harry said and threw the paper over his shoulder, this action made half the hall to erupt in laughter. Shrugging he continued with his meal. He still kept a covert eye on Hermione and another on Ron. He really couldn't understand why he was still at school and not facing charges but that is the way things are at the moment.