Chapter Forty-Seven - Peace Returned
In the following weeks, much peace was brought back to the Hogwarts halls. The Patill twins had started a petition on the rules in the house common rooms and the separation of houses within Hogwarts. It was signed by hundreds within a day, and within the week all the professors had signed as well. It was whispered that Severus was the first to sign and had awarded the Patill twins 50 points each. Draco and Pansy were still in debate about the latter.
Hardly anyone turned to look anymore for the strange combination of Slytherins and Gryffindors that had emerged as a tight friend group a few weeks ago. The golden trio was not a term spoken around the halls anymore, but a loud group of six had replaced it, spreading rumours themselves.
One day, an extra addition of the Daily Prophet had been released, causing shocked and excited shrieks all over the Great Hall during lunch.
'He Who Must Not Be Named that had never returned was returned, but vanquished now';read further on, p.2
'Albus Dumbledore and adherents distinguish He Who Must Not Be Named';how has this happened? p.3
'Murderer, betrayer and escaped convict Sirius Black found';more on the history of Blacks life, p.8
'Peter Pettigrew found alive by werewolf Remus Lupin';what happened on October 31st 1981, p.6. more on werewolf legislations, p.13
'Followers of He Who Must Not Be Named currently hunted and taken in by auror department';a list of those already taken in, p.5
''Black gets trial, innocent the whole time?';read further on how a trial proceeds, p.15
'Minister apologises for withholding information';Fudge's work at the Ministry, p. 14
'Minister forced to resign';who is candidate for the new post of Ministry of Magic, p. 4
It was quite a day for the Hogwarts students.
Harry didn't bother thinking too much about the Daily Prophet. He had taken an early lunch and was now studying in the library for the mid-term exams that were apparently good practice for the upcoming Newts. He was almost up to date with Hermione's planning, a great pride.
Draco was not amused when he found his planning was not as thorough as Hermione's, making him sit her down for a whole evening scrutinising her about study exercises and schedules. Neville had walked in in their Common Room and had actually commented he had never seen Hermione glow so much. Luna said it was because she might be pregnant. Ron, after recovering himself thoroughly, mentioned something about pregnancy only being the creation of more plannings. Pansy and Blaise couldn't stop laughing after that.
The following morning Draco had given everyone a lecture on how to read and work Hermione's study schedules. Harry discovered they were not that much of a monstrosity as he had always thought. He found studying quite a fun thing to do, now that he had whole nights of sleep, a daily rhythm he weekly reflected on, and an emotional support group of great friends as well as one specific blond that would nag him to "open up" on every tiny detail that was bothering Harry.
All in all, it felt like quite a normal student's life.