AHHHH! I hate computers, but ALAS! I got the dang thing to work. So, sorry it's been so long since I've posted. I just moved and stuff and life's been hectic with the holdiays and all... The good news is that I'm getting back into my grove, so there should be at least a chapter or two a week. (Hopefully way more) These next two chapters I uploaded together becuase I find this one to be too short... together they're about the length of one of my other chapters. So anyways, enough ramblin' out of me. Aside from: The HP stuff isn't mine. Andraste and the plot are. Hope you enjoy. Please review.

Chapter 41

"I'm trusting you, Draco," Andraste said as they left the Headmaster's office the next morning. She had laid out the plans for him the night before and then given him what he considered not near enough time to sleep on it and come to grips with his new role at Hogwarts; with all that was expected of him and the amount of faith that Professor Andraste was putting in him. He didn't have any more time to ponder it however, in less than five minutes Andraste was going to be sorted for all to see, and then she was going to make the announcements that would solidify a new part of his life and force him to find a new part of himself.

"May I have everyone's attention?" Albus said, rising from his seat to speak to the students. Rumors had, as usual, managed to circulate amazingly quickly; and much of the student body was awake and anxiously waiting news of what was to come. "I am happy so many of you have decided to join us this morning. The first matter at hand is to give Professor Andraste the same opportunity that you all received on your first day at Hogwarts. The Sorting Hat, as usual," he said, gesturing lightly to the hat that was set on the table before him, "will speak, hopefully briefly, on the job it has today; and then after being sorted Andraste will make a few announcements." The entire room quieted, struggling to hear as the Sorting Hat began.

"Yet again I come to you

You all well know the story

Of how my presence came to be

In all it's aging glory

And while it's been done before

Part way through the year

Never can I recall

A professor standing here

And yet I have a job to do

The one for which I'm known

So place me on the proper head

I'll find the proper home"

Albus did as the hat requested and gently picked it up and placed it on Andraste's head. It sat there in silence as minutes passed while Andraste smiled confidently and nodded her head occasionally. It was obvious to all that watched closely that she was having a conversation with the hat, just as many of the first years had done.

"I would like to speak," the hat said eventually, leaving the students to speculate in shock as Dumbledore gently removed it from Andraste's head and set it back on the table before them. They needed only to wait a moment before the hat began again.

"Slytherin was pureblood cunning

Gryffindor was always brave

Hufflepuff was true and loyal

And Ravenclaw had brains

The four of them together

Were always quite a team

They built this school for all of us

And then they left you me

But year after year I sort you

Into the house that you belong

And all the time I've wondered

If what I'm made to do is wrong

And here I face my quandary

You see my purpose is dividing

The very one before me

Whose purpose is uniting

You placed me on this woman's head

And again told me to choose

Yet for once I'll do what I know is right

And therefore I refuse."

Shock spread through the crowd as students and teachers alike sat in stunned silence. Never before had the hat refused to sort someone; and it seemed that Albus and Andraste were the only ones unsurprised. The Headmaster stood from the table, his smile cheerful and the twinkle in his eye even brighter than usual as he raised his hand to silence the whispers that had risen up across the room. "As you all know, this is completely unprecedented. However, as we always have before, we must trust the judgment of the Sorting Hat. We live in uncertain times, and I can say that I agree with the Hat in the belief that while Hogwart's will always be home to Professor Andraste, she believes too deeply in helping us to unite to have that undermined by saying that she belongs to one particular house. That being said, she has something wonderful in store for you all; something that should deepen our understanding of each other and hopefully begin to mend the deep tears of ignorance that has been perpetuated at Hogwart's and in the wizarding community for much too long. It is with a very hopeful heart that you will all learn to put the foolish bickering of our ancestors behind you, that I hand the floor over to Professor Andraste."

Andi stood and surveyed the room of young faces around her, quietly asking God to guide her in the upcoming days. Changing someone's behavior could be easily accomplished with threats of detention, but changing the notions of distaste and distrust a person was raised with could easily prove to be the impossible. "There was a man in muggle America just 50 years ago that lived, and eventually died, for his beliefs that we were all created equal. Just as everyone in the English wizarding world is raised knowing the name of Merlin, Voldemort," she paused for a moment; giving the students a look that quickly hushed the gasps caused by hearing the dark lord's name; "and Harry Potter. Just as you know these names, everyone in America, wizard and muggle alike, knows the name of this great man. Martin Luther King Jr. believed that we are all the same. We all have the same feelings, experience similar traumas, hope for better times, and pray to whichever god we believe in. What few know, however, is that he was a wizard, the grandson of one of the most powerful witches in American history. But the hatred he saw around him – people being judged on their ancestry, skin color, religion – anything and everything; it moved him to put aside his wand and fight with the most powerful magic, the most powerful weapon anyone in this world could hope to possess, words and love. While he often focused on bridging the gap between ethnicities, the message was the same for all. It doesn't matter where you were born, or who you were born to... In that same way, as I stand here, it makes no difference if you love to study, if you're the most cunning person in the world, if you're one whose loyalty can be trusted above all others, or if you possess the natural bravery to charge into any situation. It takes it all to succeed. The greatest of plans would never be great without cunning. Bravery would be nothing more than suicide without research and careful planning, and if you don't know the one beside you to be trustworthy and loyal, all is lost before it is even begun. Every one of these traits aren't just helpful, they're vital to success. And none of them," she said, pausing to look at he quiet faces around her. "None of them are anything without integrity and kindness. It is with that in mind that we are adding a fifth house to this great school, one that Draegon Ferremor and I will head together." Andraste raised her hand to silence the whispers of the students that had quickly grown into a low roar as a fifth table appeared, stretched out on the opposite side of the Great Hall, facing the Head table with the other four tables between. Floating above the table was a large banner with a Golden Eagle in the background, and smaller representations of the other house animals in each corner.

"It is my understanding," Andraste continued, "that you were all instructed to choose three students from each year. I would appreciate it if those that have volunteered, or have been volunteered," she added with a small smile, "would take their seats at the new table." The professors watched as students began to stand in small groups and walk hesitantly towards their new house table. Ron, Hermione, and Harry; Andraste noted without surprise, were leading the Gryffindor pack. Once everyone had settled, Andi headed towards the new table as well. She stood behind it, facing the school, and continued. "Welcome to Unity House," she said, addressing those before her. "Look around, for the next two weeks those that sit with you are your housemates. You are not Slytherins, Gryffindors, Hufflepuffs, or Ravenclaws; you are members of the Unity House. Just as with any of the others, you will eat, sleep, and study with your housemates." Andraste looked up, again focusing on the entire student body. "Each and every one of you will spend no less than a two week period in Unity House, longer if I or Draegon feel that need be. When every student in the school has spent two weeks there, we will start rotations again. Any points you win or lose during this time will be given or taken from your Unity House team, the first rotation of students being team one. The team with the most points at the end of the year," Andraste took a deep breath to steady herself for the commitment she was about to make, "I will take flying. And yes," she added in response to the gasps and murmurs around her, "I mean flying the way I fly. Without brooms." Applause erupted through the Great Hall that Andraste silenced with a dark look. "I'm not done. Since we are obviously not going to change your course schedule mid-term, while in the Unity House you will spend Thursday nights in a new class with your housemates, studying – quite frankly – whatever I feel like teaching that night. When your two weeks is over, you will be required to spend no less than one full day and two evenings a month with your Unity House team; although I would be very pleased if you voluntarily spend more than that. To be assured that everyone is behaving appropriately in Unity House, Draegon will be residing there with you. While he is not technically a professor, he does have the authority of any other member of the staff and very sharp teeth to back it up with, so I would suggest you behave. And yes," Andraste said, letting out a low whistle that brought a large Golden Eagle to her side. "I have one final introduction to make. This is Talon. He will also be a permanent resident of Unity House, as he will be acting as my eyes and ears when I am elsewhere. Those of you that have had previous experience with a Golden Eagle know that they encompass all of the traits I have spoken of. He is cunning, intelligent, brave, and loyal – but above all he has integrity and kindness." Andraste walked back towards the head table as Talon flew back to the high rafter he had been perched on. "Please gather your belongings and meet Draegon and myself in the Entrance Hall by 10:30, as of that time you will not be able to regain entrance to your normal houses, with or without the password." Andraste retook her seat with Severus and Draegon and began to eat, doing her best to keep an eye on the hesitant introductions going on at her new house's table.

"Have I mentioned that you never cease to amaze me, wife?" Severus whispered softly into her mind, offering his support in an effort to calm the nerves only he could see she was feeling.

"Do you think it's going to help anything?" she asked him, partially hoping that he would say yes even if that wasn't what he truly thought.

"Only time will tell, Andi; but look at all you've done for me."

"I didn't do that, Severus. You had it in you, you just needed to let it out."

"Maybe they do too, beautiful," he responded before turning back to his own breakfast.