Harry Potter and the Blessing of Merlin

by plasterwork

Harry's 6th year of Hogwarts He learns more about his parents, his friends, and he copes with losses. Sequel to OotP. Chapter 12 up since 6122005

10. The Sorting Hat\'s Curse

Disclaimer: I'm still just a visitor in the magical world of Harry Potter, borrowing the inspirations of JK Rowling!

Chapter 10

The Sorting Hat's Curse

Harry and the others were among the last to arrive in the Great Hall. They made their way over to the Gryffindor table, and sat down next to Nearly-Headless Nick.

'Hiya Nick!' Harry said.

'Harry Potter, good to have you back again this year. I see your spirits are higher than when you left us last term,' Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington added in an undertone.

'I am, thanks.' Harry was slightly embarrassed. Last term he had tried to force Nick to bring back Sirius. When he saw Ginny looking curiously at him, he started inspecting his fingernails.

The noise in the Great Hall was bigger than usual. Undoubtedly, there was still much talk of the attack. Harry wondered whose parents had been injured, and if the respective students has already been informed. He got his answer almost immediately, as he watched a group of 11 very subdued students coming out of the room to the side of the Hall. It was the same room Harry had been required to enter when his name had been drawn from the Goblet of Fire two years ago. Most of the students he didn't know by name, they mostly belonged to other Houses. However, among the group were also Hannah Abbott, a Hufflepuff girl who had been part of the DA last year, and Dean Thomas.

Then, Hagrid sat down at the teacher's table, and it was obvious the Sorting was about to commence. Professor McGonagall entered the Hall, carrying a stool on which was perched an ancient looking wizard's hat. The first years followed her in single file. McGonagall stopped in her tracks, however, when Dumbledore rose from his seat at the table. Several of the first years bumped into each other at the unexpected halt.

'Dear students,' spoke Dumbledore, 'although it is not our custom, I would like to delay the Sorting for a short announcement. As you are undoubtedly aware of, the train on which you traveled was attacked this morning. In the process, twelve parents of students were injured. I am glad to report all will make a full recovery.'

The Hall erupted in cheers, which were briefly broken by the entrance of 3 Slytherins: Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle. They all glared at Harry, but quietly made their way to their House table.

'However,' Dumbledore continued, 'not all those present at the station were so lucky. Three innocent Muggles were killed in the attack. I would like to ask for a minute of silence to remember them.

The Hall became eerily quiet as most students bowed their heads. Then, Harry heard stifled giggles. He turned around at the Slytherin table, to see several students there, including the three newest entrants, trying hard not to expose their obvious glee. Anger flared up inside him, and he felt Ron and Ginny stiffen to his sides.

Hermione whispered 'Don't mind them. No doubt Dumbledore will deal with them later.'

'Thank you,' Dumbledore continued, 'I will come back to this matter later on, but let's start the Sorting now.'

McGonagall resumed her walk through the Hall, and the first years followed. She placed the stool with the Hat in front of the teacher's table, and watched as the brim of the hat opened like a mouth.

For centuries it's been my part

To sort you and divide

That this weighs heavy on my heart

I've explained with all my might

For only twelve months passed

Since my last warning, my last song

Darkness approaches oh so fast

And I see it all go wrong

Hogwart's would be strongest

If the houses would unite

But my purpose is to sort you-

Though I pleaded for respite

But Gryffindor's great deeds

And Slytherin's great cunning

The values of Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw

Combined would prove so winning

If all you special, magic kids

Would get past what you were taught

By friends and parents, Muggle, wizard or witch

Then to me occurred a thought

I'm not without powers of my own

Though some might not believe it

Tonight, animosity will be overthrown

In this hall, where you all sit

The time has come to join the ranks

And fight a common foe

And those who don't comply

Shall befall pain and woe

I truly do apologise

As it will not feel great

But I am old, and I am wise

And I have seen an evil fate

For now there is no wonder-babe

To save us from the dark

To gather and combine your strengths

before he brands his mark

I go to unsurpassed lengths

From now on you're all cursed

Students, teachers, ghosts alike

Evil thoughts – fit to burst

't will be a terrible strike

to the hearts of darkness that reside

so coolly still among us here

No more time now left to bide

But there is no great cause for fear

Change your thoughts and lo! Behold!

Your pains will soon subside

To warmth you're led, from cold

Finally now my last refrain

Enjoy your feast, tuck in!

Remember thoughts will kill the pain

Let the Sorting now begin!

The Hall had never been this quiet after a Song. Then, a murmur started to fill the Hall, quickly turning into heated conversations.

Even the teachers seemed stunned at what they had just heard. Harry looked at Hermione, who usually understood thing, even when he didn't. But Hermione looked just as baffled as all other students at the table.

McGonagall tried to regain a semblance of composure as she called forwards the first years one by one. 'Students, when I call your name, please sit down on the stool and place the Hat firmly on your head.'

Appleby, Marian, looked absolutely terrified as she was the first to put on the Hat. The brim opened again, and shouted 'Hufflepuff'. The Hufflepuffs cheered, though with much less gusto than usual. Harry tuned out the Sorting, musing what the contents of the Song. It seemed that the Hat had placed some sort of curse on all present. But was it even able to do that? And what did it mean?

They were to change their thoughts. But to what? And how would the curse cause this change of thought? It was all terribly confusing.

He looked up with interest when Crabbe, Divina, was called to the stool. The Sorting Hat seemed to be taking its time with her before finally shouting 'Gryffindor'.

There was a polite applause from some Gryffindors, as Divina turned a bright red and quickly shuffled towards an empty seat. Harry, Ron and Ginny quickly turned towards her big brother, who seemed to be even more confused than usual. His mouth was moving, but no sound came out, and he looked very much like a fish on dry land. Hermione, meanwhile was trying to strike up a conversation with the girl. Divina seemed to be more occupied with shooting fearful glances at her brother, however.

They turned to the Sorting once again as Jordan, Jocasta, took place on the stool. She was soon sorted into Gryffindor. Running fast, she made her way over to the table and wedged herself in between Ginny and Harry. Hermione seemes extremely pleased with something.

'What's up?' Harry whispered.

'Looks like my parents weren't the only ones pre-occupied with Greek mythology when they picked a name for their daughter. Suddenly Hermione doesn't sound that bad anymore.'

Harry looked very nonplussed.

'Jocasta, or Epicaste, slept with her own son, Oedipus!' Hermione whispered. 'Poor girl!'.

Suddenly, Harry felt very content with his 13-in-a-dozen, regular name.

Finally, Versal, Timothy was sorted into Slytherin, and the Sorting had come to an end. Dumbledore rose from his seat once again.

'Dear students, undoubtedly there are many questions about the Song you all just heard. But there is a time for answers and there is a time for eating. So tuck in!'

One the table appeared the customary bowls of all kinds of food, and Ron was among the first to attack them. Harry was about to join him when he felt a pinch in his side. He looked for the source of the pinch, and found Jocasta beaming up at him.

'Harry,' she said breathlessly. 'You chased those scary men away on the train, didn't you, Harry? Divina told me when we were going across the lake in the boats. You really are a hero, aren't you, Harry?' She smiled a smile of devotion, while Ginny snorted in her goblet of pumpkin juice. Harry just turned a bright red, and glared at Ginny.

She decided to help him out. 'Yes, Jocasta, Harry is a hero. But he doesn't really mean to. It just comes naturally to him. A few years ago, he saved me from a bad man, and I also thought he was the bravest person alive. And he is very brave, otherwise he wouldn't be in Gryffindor, would he?'

Jocasta nodded.

'But he doesn't really like to be called a hero. It's like… oh, how should I explain this. Do you know how you feel when your brother teases you?'

Jocasta nodded again. 'Yes, I don't like it. He always teases me with my nose. He says it's too pointy.'

'Well, Harry's being brave is like your pointy nose,' Ginny continued. 'It's part of him.'

'But I'm not teasing him about it, am I?' Jocasta said fearfully.

'No, of course you're not love,' Ginny smiled. 'But when anyone calls him a hero he feels the same way as you do when Lee teases you with your nose.'

Jocasta seemed quite nonplussed at the explanation. But she appeared to have made the decision that the older girl probably knew more about this than she did. 'Okay then' said Jocasta. 'Can I still call him The-Boy-Who-Lived, though?'

Harry was amazed at the ability of the girls to talk about him like he wasn't even there. He decided to step in, as Ginny seemed to be unable to answer the question.

'Jocasta, look. For years I have been called The-Boy-Who-Lived. I don't really like the title, as to me it sounds like The-Boy-Who-Lived-Even-Though-His-Parents-Godfather-And-Hundreds-Of-Others-Didn't. I only lived because my mum died to rescue me. Do you understand why I don't like to be reminded of that?'

Jocasta nodded, with tears filling her eyes. 'Your mum did that?'

Even though she should have heard the story before, it was like the impact of it just hit her this moment. 'I'm sorry, Harry'.

She flung her arms around Harry's neck. 'You can share my mum with me if you want'.

Jocasta seemed to be just as outgoing as her big brother, with the added benefit of having a girl's temper and a child's sweetness.

'I'll just call you Harry then, alright?'

'Thank you, Jocasta. That's nice of you. Now, if you don't mind, I'd really like to eat something.'

Jocasta sat down in her own seat again, blushing violently.

During this conversation, Hermione had been trying to convince Divina that it really wasn't that odd that she was in a different house than her brother. Divina seemed to have calmed down slightly, but was still just picking at her food.

Ginny whispered something in Jocasta's ear, who immediately stood up, picked up her plate and cutlery, and made her way around the table. She wedged herself in between Divina and Hermione, and started talking to Divina in hushed tones.

Hermione, meanwhile, looked up at the others. 'So what do you think about the Sorting Hat's Song then? I think the Hat has done something to try and make the houses unite.'

'Fo fooks bike but' Ron managed to blurt out, his mouth filled with a variety of food. Ginny and Hermione looked disgusted, Harry was more amused.

"I think what Ron is trying to say is that it sure looks like it,' said Harry. 'I guess Dumbledore will explain it after dinner.'

'And how about the new DADA teacher,' Hermione said while looking at the teacher's table.

Harry hadn't really given the issue a lot of thought, but when he looked at the table he did see an empty seat.

'Dunno,' he said. 'I didn't hear anything about it when we were at Grimmauld Place either.'

They spent the rest of the meal trying to figure out who the new teacher could be, but kept coming up blank.

Finally, the plates cleared from the table, and Dumbledore stood up for the third time.

'Students, I will have to keep you from your beds for a little while longer. I realise this has been a tiring day, but some things need to be said. First, the Song that was sung by the Sorting Hat this evening. As the older students have undoubtedly realised, it is quite different from its usual rhymes. I'm afraid the Sorting Hat has placed us all under a curse. The extent of it will probably become clear in the next few days. However, what is clear is that the Hat is tired of the extent of the House rivalry that has been part of this school for such a long time. Rivalry among houses is quite common, even in Muggle boarding schools. But over the last few decades, this rivalry has developed into animosity and utter dislike; in some cases even blantant hate. I would like to advise you all to try and control your thoughts of rivalry. I will come back to this subject at a later date.

Secondly, the attack on the Express, which took place this morning. It was a vicious and brutal attack, aimed at the death and injury of students. Because we had foreseen this threat, we were able to get most of you on the train early, so that it could depart before the designated time. Undoubtedly this saved many lives. In the aftermath, 13 of Voldemort's followers were placed under arrest.'

Dumbledore ignored the collective gasps and shrieks that were a reaction to the name he had spoken.

'Your safety is of the utmost importance to everyone who runs this school, and we will try our very best to keep all of you safe during the course of this year, and the years to come. In my opinion, this school is the safest place for you to be. As an added security measure, Hogsmeade weekends will be announced on the morning the visits are allowed. I would also like to remind you that the Forbidden Forest is still just that. Please stay away from it.'

'Then, the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes. The format of the course has been changed for the year. You will have one regular teacher, who I will hopefully be able to introduce to you at breakfast tomorrow. Added to regular classes you will also be attending guest lectures. People who have extensive experience in fighting dark wizards and creatures will give these lectures.'

'Now, if the prefects will please approach their Heads of House to learn the new passwords, you can all go up to your dorms.'

Harry and the others got up, but he was the only one making his way to the exit. With Ron, Ginny and Hermione all being prefects, they had some other business to attend before they could leave. He was almost outside the Hall when he saw McGonagall approaching him. She looked at Harry sternly and told him the Headmaster would like to meet with him in his office. The password was 'Canary Creams'.

Sighing, Harry made his way up to the Headmaster's office. No doubt he would be scolded for his interference with the attack earlier that day.

The gargoyles that guarded the office sprang to life on hearing the password, and Harry made his way up the revolving staircase. He entered the office to find the Headmaster already seated behind his desk. He wondered at the way Dumbledore had gotten there so soon. When he had left the Hall, he had still been sitting at the teachers table.

Dumbledore looked gravely at Harry and told him to sit down. Harry spoke immediately.

'I know we were supposed to sit in the train like good little kids, but we just couldn't. I mean, they shot a Killing Curse at one of the students! It was just-'

'I know, Harry,' Dumbledore interrupted. 'You never promised to stay out of dangerous business, not even when you joined the Order. I never really expected you, or Mr Weasley and the Misses Weasley and Granger to sit back. I think I know you a bit by now.'

Harry was quite surprised. He had expected the Headmaster to be very angry.

'However, you were also joined by some other students. Their exposure could have led to them being injured. You should have been more careful in that respect.'

'I'm sorry, sir, but that really wasn't an option. They are all members of the DA, and they noticed something was wrong. I tried to keep them out of it, but they decided to stick around. I couldn't very well have hexed them, could I?'

'No, I don't suppose you could,' Dumbledore replied thoughtfully. 'But speaking of the DA, what are your plans with that?'

Harry had expected that question. He had talked it over with the others during the summer.

'Well, sir, we will continue meeting, if that's alright. I've learned so much from Remus and Tonks over the summer, and I really would like to share that knowledge with the others. I will have to make the members aware of the dangers of associating with me, however. They should know what they are getting themselves into.'

'So you want to tell them the prophecy?' Dumbledore looked very apprehensive.

'No sir. I think that would be too dangerous.' Harry saw that Dumbledore let out a small sigh of relief. 'But I am a target, and anyone near me could be caught in the crossfire. I wouldn't blame anyone for being afraid of Voldemort and his followers. They will be given the choice to stay, learn more and deal with potential dangers, or leave, no hard feelings. Except for Dean Thomas, of course.'

During the course of the last weeks, Harry had grown progressively more angry at Dean' ill-treatment of Ginny. He didn't really know why he had gotten so angry, he just knew that he was. Seeing Dean among the group of students whose parents had been injured had only relieved that anger for a short time.'

'Ah, yes, Mr Thomas,' said Dumbledore. 'It is obvious he made some mistakes, but I would not give up on him just yet.'

Harry was startled at knowledge Dumbledore seemed to possess even on this personal matter.

'Do you plan to take on any new members?' Dumbledore continued.

'Not really. We discussed it, but thought it would be smart to stick with this group. I know I can trust them. Besides, I don't really think I would be able to handle any more people.'

'No. I don't suppose you could. There was one last matter I wanted to discuss with you, before I send you off to your bed.' Dumbledore looked slightly apprehensive.

Harry was tired, and wanted to get things over with. 'What is it, sir,' he sighed.

'You are aware of all the improvements in Grimmauld Place, as well as that it is still our Headquarters, even after Sirius… demise.' Dumbledore looked even more apprehensive now.

I always hurt when anyone mentioned Sirius. I felt like someone tore at Harry's heart. He didn't understand why Dumbledore had felt the need to bring the matter up again. Didn't he understand that it hurt?

Harry felt his temper rising again, but it seemed like Dumbledore had foreseen that this time.

'Harry, I do not bring the matter up to hurt you any more than you are already hurting. But-' he pulled out an official looking document 'arrangements need to be made.'

Harry didn't understand what was going on.

'Sirius put you in his testament as his legal heir, which means you get his full inheritance. Obviously there is still the matter of his being a convicted criminal. The Ministry has no official knowledge of his death. They still think he is a refugee. Arthur has taken the number of Aurors looking for Sirius down from 20 to 3. He can't stop the search completely, because then too many questions will arise among the public. We will not be able to publicly clear Sirius from all charges until we capture Peter Pettigrew, which means you can't touch your inheritance for now. The Ministry has frozen Sirius's assets, and they will remain that way until his name has been cleared. However, the have no knowledge of the existence of Grimmauld Place. This will be made legally yours by signing this document. He held the piece of parchment out to Harry.

Harry didn't know what to do or feel. 'But… But… I don't want his inheritance. I just want Sirius,' said Harry in a small voice.

'I know, Harry,' Dumbledore sounded very sad. 'However, the protections and Secret Keeper spell on the house will only last for a few more weeks, now that Sirius is gone. The rituals and spells have to be gone through again with the new owner, or the house will be fully exposed. I understand if you don't want to do this tonight, but we should really get on with this soon.'

'I understand, sir,' Harry conceded. He understood the importance of a safe haven for Order members. He also knew that although he would be always welcome at the Burrow, he needed a home. Now that the most of the darkness had been driven from the house, it wasn't as bad. He knew Sirius had never liked being there, but the house contained many memories of Sirius, happy and sad. He didn't want to lose those.

'Good. Then we will take care of the rituals during our Occlumency meeting on Wednesday, alright?' said Dumbledore.

'Sure. Whatever suits you best, sir.' Harry was tired, but he did have one last question to ask. It had been on his mind for months now, but he had never found the right time to ask it. In his meetings with the Headmaster, they had mostly steered clear of the subject of Sirius' death. Now seemed to be a good time, however.

'Sir?' said Harry tentatively. 'What is behind the veil? Where did Sirius go? Why couldn't we bury him?'

'I was wondering when you would ask me this question, Harry. Unfortunately, I am not able to tell you any more than what you already know, that death is what lingers beyond the veil. However, I have talked the subject over with Arthur. If you so desire, he is willing to send an Unspeakable here to explain the matter more in-depth to you. Understandably, anything that you would learn about the veil would have to be kept secret. You would not even be able to tell me about it.'

Harry considered the possibility. It would be very difficult to be forbidden to talk to anyone about it. However, he needed to know where Sirius had gone. 'I would like to meet with an Unspeakable, sir.'

Dumbledore nodded. 'I expected as much. I will let Arthur know, and we will set a time and place for the meeting. Now, it is time for you to go up to your dorm.'

Harry took his leave, and made his way to the Gryffindor common room. Upon finding the room empty he thanked his lucky stars for remembering to ask the Headmaster what the password was. When he was about to enter his dorm he hear loud voices inside. Poking his head around the corner, he saw an odd scene. Neville was sitting on top of Ron, apparently trying to wrestle him for his wand, while Seamus was trying to control Dean. Dean and Ron were both cursing.

'Hey! What in the world is going on here?' Harry shouted over the curses and sounds of struggle.

All four boys whipped their heads towards Harry, and started explaining in loud voices. He couldn't make out anything of what they were saying. Taking out his wand, Harry silenced Ron, Dean and Seamus with Silencing Charms. Their mouths were still moving, but no sound was coming out. As soon as they realised this, they all looked extremely put out, especially Ron.

'Neville, could YOU please explain what's the matter?' asked Harry.

Nevile remained sitting on top of Ron and drew a deep breath. 'Well, first Ron started to have a go at Dean for cheating on Ginny with Maisy. Then Dean said that he never cheated, because he broke up with Ginny before he was with Maisy. Ron got angry, because that was a lie. He said Ginny didn't receive the break-up note until after she saw Maisy snogging Dean. Then Ron said Dean deserved it that his mum got injured, because of how he treated Ginny, and how he had treated you early last year. They started duelling, and Seamus and I tried to stop them. And that's sort of when you came in.'

'Right.' Harry reckoned he should have expected something like this, but he really never expected Ron to display such viciousness. He wasn't too happy with Dean's behaviour towards Ginny himself, but no one should say that his mum deserved to get hurt.

'I'm sorry about your mum, Dean. She'll be fine though, right?' said Harry.

Dean tried to answer, but no sound came out.

'Oh, sorry. Finite Incantatem,' said Harry.

'Yeah, she will be, but it was close for a while. Dumbledore said she was buried under the rubble when the barrier collapsed. And I DID break up with Ginny before I went out with Maisy!'

'No, you didn't,' said Harry hotly. 'Owl post always arrives on the same day as it is sent, in Britain at least. Even Pig can deliver his messages in a day! Don't lie to me, Dean, I really am not in the mood tonight! Don't forget who you're talking to!'

'Who am I talking to then, Harry?' Dean answered even more hotly. 'Just because you have that scar doesn't mean I have to answer to you!'

'This has nothing to do with my scar, and you know it, Dean!' Harry shouted. 'Lord! I thought you'd gotten past this nonsense! I care a great deal about Ginny, and I'll be damned if I stand by and let someone I considered a friend hurt her!'

Harry quickly shut his mouth in shock over what he had just said. His anger at Dean was pushed aside by the things he just said about Ginny. Sure, he cared about her. But it was like he was defending her honour or something. Maybe Ginny was right about their brother/sister relationship. Brothers defend their sister's honour after all, Ron was living proof of that. But how come he didn't feel brotherly feelings? Or thought he didn't feel them. If some of these feelings were brotherly, brothers and sisters have very odd relationships indeed…

Harry was snapped out of his musings by the sound of Ron kicking his feet against the bedpost.

'Oh, sorry Ron, you want to have your say too?'

Ron nodded ferociously.

'Finite Incantatem,' Harry muttered, pointing his wand at Ron.

'You tell him, Harry! That bastard is lying right at our faces! I want him out of this room!'

As Ron and Dean started arguing again, Harry silenced them once more.

'Will you please cut that out!' he said exasperatedly. 'Dean, you were wrong in lying. Try that again and I swear I will not be able to control myself!'

Dean looked somewhat abashed, and Ron looked extremely smug. Harry turned his attention to Ron.

'Ron, you were very wrong about Dean's mum deserving to get hurt, and you know it. You're not naturally mean/ Too many things have been said in anger tonight. If you both could please apologise to each other, we can all go to bed. It's already past midnight. I'm sure we can work out the rest tomorrow.' Harry relieved Dean and Ron from the Silencing Charms again, glaring at both of them.

Dean was the first to speak. 'I'm sorry about how I treated Ginny, and I'm sorry I lied.'

Ron glared at him for a minute before saying 'I'm sorry I said your mum had it coming. No one deserves to be hurt by those bastards'.

'Well, that's settled then. Let's go to bed now.' Harry jumped on his bed and shut the drapes around them. They were soon opened again, and Harry saw Seamus looking intently at him.

'What is it now, Seamus,' he sighed. Seamus opened his mouth, but no sound came out. 'Oh, I'm sorry!' Harry gasped. 'Finite Incantatem,' he said, pointing his wand at Seamus.

'Thanks a lot, Harry!' Seamus scowled. 'I didn't even do anything, you know!' He closed the drapes violently, causing one of them to drop to the ground.

As Harry moved to hang the drapes up again, Neville came over. 'Harry,' he whispered. 'Did you ask Dumbledore about… well… you know.'

Harry smacked his forehead with his hand. 'Oh, Neville, I'm so sorry! I completely forgot! I'm meeting with him again on Wednesday, I really will ask him then.'

Neville also scowled, and stalked over to his own bed.

Harry sighed, and laid back on his bed, staring at the darkness. Great way to start the year, for sure! He was in fighting with most of his friends, and he had the meeting with the Unspeakable and Sirius' inheritance to think about. The thing that bothered him most was his outburst about Ginny, though. He'd said he cared about her. And he did. But it was different than anything else he had felt for a girl before. It wasn't like anything he had felt for Cho. He had been able to distance himself enough from that feeling to examine it. He had liked her shiny hair, and she did have nice legs. He had admired her for her Seeker skills as well. But his annoyance at her constant blubbering, and her pushiness, had soon negated everything he liked about her. When he had kissed her it has also felt odd. Like it was the wrong person he was kissing.

The feelings he had for Ginny were also different than the ones he had for Hermione. Hermione was very close to him, she was a good friend, a mate, and he also felt an urge to protect her. Ginny was a mate, but then again, she wasn't. Harry couldn't understand why these feeling all had to be so complicated. Musing a bit more, he soon fell asleep.

The next morning, Harry made his way down to the common room with Ron. Ron was still upset with Dean, but they at least managed to act civilised around each other. However, it also seemed that he was upset with Harry. But Harry knew that he'd been right to call Ron on his behaviour, and was sure that his friend would get over it.

They met up with Hermione and Ginny in the common room, and together set off for breakfast. Harry noticed that Hermione and Ron were lagging behind a bit, and Ron was whispering something to her. It wasn't long before he heard an exclamation from Hermione.

'RONALD WEASLEY! HOW DARE YOU SAY SUCH A THING TO A FRIEND!'

Ron flushed, but continued to whisper to her. Hermione apparently decided that now was not the time for a public scene, as she answered Ron in whispers.

'Wonder what that's all about,' said Ginny.

'Ron decided that last night was a good moment to defend your honour by telling Dean his mum deserved to be wounded in the attack yesterday,' Harry said in a hushed voice.

'HE DID WHAT? OOOOOH! THAT BOY!' Ginny turned on her heel and undoubtedly would have smacked her brother if Harry hadn't grabbed her arm.

'Don't,' he said. 'I already put him in his place last night, and no doubt he's receiving a new scolding from Hermione right now. He knows he was wrong, he just has to come to terms with it. He didn't like the way Dean treated you, and to be frank, neither did I,' he said firmly.

Harry saw Ginny's eyes light up for a second, but the light was gone as quick as it had appeared.

'So, you didn't… defend my honour… then?' Ginny said while looking away at a painting.

'What? Why? As a matter of fact, I did. I do care about you as well, you know.' Harry was confused. What would it matter if he had defended her? Why did she care?

'Oh, of course you do. You care about me just like Ron does, don't you!' And with that, Ginny ran off.

'But… No… I… Not like Ron does!' he shouted at her retreating back, but it didn't seem like she'd heard it.

He turned around to find Ron looking at him questioningly. Hermione just looked pleased about something again. They continued to the Great Hall, and Harry was glad to find that Ron was acting normal towards him again.

'Thanks,' he whispered to Hermione as they sat down.

'Not a problem,' she whispered back, just as the owls were flying in through the windows. Hermione let out a small sound of delight when she looked at the front page of her Daily Prophet.

'What is it?' Harry and Ron said simultaneously, leaning over to take a look at the paper.

ANTI-WEREWOLF LEGISLATION OVERTURNED

In a shocking decision, interim Minister of Magic Arthur Weasley pushed through some major reforms in legislature last night. During a press conference, held after a meeting of a Wizengamot meeting held at midnight last night, it was announced that werewolves will be joining our workforce once again.

'We should remember that werewolves are as much human as you or I,' said the minister in a surprising statement. 'They just had the misfortune of running into a werewolf during the full moon at a point in their lives. It seems hardly fair that they should be punished for this misfortune.'

The Minister announced that werewolves will get 3 unpaid days of leave each month. These days, 1 the day before the full moon and two days after, will be spent at a secure location under the supervision of the Ministry.

'At night, the people in question will be locked in separate rooms, and during the day they will be able to socialise. These werewolf hospices, where they will be staying, have all the comforts of a regular home. There is a living room, kitchen, library, courtyard and recreational area. The only difference is that the bedrooms will be shut from the outside during the nights.'

The Minister also claims that these measures will lead to a decrease of the werewolf population. 'For the safety of the werewolves, as well as the general public, every British werewolf will have to check into a local hospice before each full moon for the rest of their lives. This should lead to decreased new attacks, eventually leading to the disappearance of werewolves altogether. Any werewolf that fails to check in will placed under arrest.'

Employers are not allowed to decide against hiring a werewolf because of their 'problem'. Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is among the first to (re)hire a werewolf: Remus Lupin. Headmaster Albus Dumbledore commented: 'Professor Lupin is one of the best Defense Against the Dark Arts Teachers the school has seen in a long time. During the times of his absence, the class will be taken over by other qualified wizards.'

It remains to be seen if the results of the students will suffers from these absences.

'Excellent!' Ron exclaimed. They looked around for Remus just as he entered the Great Hall. Applause broke out at several tables. Remus smiled, and walked over towards Harry and the others.

'Sorry I didn't tell you before,' Remus said apologetically. 'We still didn't know if the Wizengamot would agree with the hospice idea.'

'You thought of that?' Hermione said admiringly.

'I did. For years I longed for a place to be safe during my transformations, as well as for a place where I could meet other werewolves. It's a lonely existence sometimes, but that will all change now. Hopefully, in about 50 years, the werewolf population will have diminished by 50. But tell me, do you know what is happened here?' His eyes roamed around the Hall.

First, Harry didn't know what he was talking about, but he quickly noticed some oddities as well.

Almost three-quarters of the Slyterins were looking very ill. Most of them were holding their heads like they were afraid they would explode. He could even see tears streaming down some faces. He also couldn't see Malfoy and Goyle.

At the other tables, there were a lot less people looking ill. 8 Ravenclaws seemed sick, and 4 Hufflepuffs. None at the Gryffindor table seemed affected by this strange illness though.

'Do you think this has something to do with the Sorting Hat's curse,' Hermione said in a concernec voice.

'What curse?' said Remus.

He sat down as Harry, Ron and Hermione related the events that had taken place the previous night. When they finished Remus stood up and made his way towards the teacher's table. Dumbledore soon stood up and asked for everyone's attention.

'Dear students. It seems like the extent of the Curse we were placed under has been made clear this morning. It appears as though anyone with unfounded feelings of dislike towards the member of any other House will suffer from severe headaches. It also appears that Madam Pomfrey is unable to relieve this pain with her excellent healing skills.'

Madam Pomfrey was sitting at the teacher's table, looking quite put out at her own disability.

'It seems that the only way the pain can be relieved is to change your own thought patterns. All students that suffer from the pain need to review their thoughts of animosity, and their reasons behind those thoughts. I am quite sure that this will take care of the problem.' Harry wasn't sure, but it looked like Dumbledore was smiling slightly.

'Now I have one more announcement. For those of you who haven't noticed yet, and the younger students, it is my great pleasure to welcome Professor Lupin back into our midst.'

There was applause again from most of the students, those that were not suffering from the headaches already that is.

Dumbledore sat down again, and Harry looked at the other teachers. Snape was scowling, but didn't seem to suffer from the headaches. 'Greasy git,' he muttered, 'must have found a way around the - OUCH!' A sharp pain stabbed through his head.

'Looks like the Slytherins aren't the only ones who need to check their thoughts,' Hermione smirked.

'Cut it out, Hermione, my feelings towards Snape aren't unfounded at all – OUCH!' The pain stabbed even sharper.

'Maybe some of them aren't, but whatever it was you were thinking just now was probably unfounded.'

Harry didn't want to prove her true, but she was right. He disliked Snape for his awful Occlumency lessons, and for the way he treated him in class. But he had no right to think that Snape had cheated the Curse, and not let anyone know about it.

'OUCH!' Ron shouted.

'What were you thinking, Ron?' Hermione smiled sweetly.

'Just – OUCH – that that oaf – OUCH – Crabbe doesn't seem to be in any pain- OUCH!'

'That is odd,' Hermione said. 'You'd think that a friend of Malfoy's – OUCH! Mother of all that is holy, that hurts!'

Harry sniggered. 'We know it hurts. Doesn't look so funny when you're on the receiving end, does it?'

Hermione scowled. 'Maybe we've been wrong about Crabbe. Or maybe it's just that our feelings towards him are unfounded. I guess we'll all have to learn to live with this curse…'

Author's Notes:

There it is again, a nice long chapter. I think so anyway. I hope you like my attempt at uniting the Houses.

Can't remember who it was that reminded me of the will. I was supposed to discuss it before I moved the kids to Hogwarts, but I forgot. Silly me. I guess that's what you get when you let a story sit for a year.

Since I started writing again I noticed the use of a Merlin's Blessing in a story called Dumbledore's Army (great story, by the way, I recommend it). When I developed my storyline this story was unwritten (or at least, unread by myself). My Blessing of Merlin has absolutely nothing to do with the other Merlin's Blessing. It is completely different.

Please remember that I developed my story line in March 2004. Any similarities between my storyline and plot, and that of other stories that were published after that date are completely coincidental. I'm fearing the plot of Harry Potter and the Spiritus Crystalus might be moving in the same direction as my own. I've not finished reading it, so of course I could be completely wrong. However, if the plot does prove to be similar (and you won't know, cause I won't tell) it is coincidental, not plagiarism.

Again, reviews are greatly appreciated. The next chapter is 'Plain Death'.