It was now mid-December, one week before the holiday break started. Jeremiah Roberts sat in Potions, once again working with Sirius. Each time they had partners, they would work on the potion together, because they made a good team.
After the class was over, Jeremiah and Sirius took the completed potion to Professor Slughorn's desk. Slughorn smiled at him.
"You and Mr. Black are fantastic brewers," he praised them.
"Thank you, Professor," Sirius replied. "We do our best."
"Mr. Roberts, a quick word, please," Slughorn requested.
"Of course, Professor," Jeremiah agreed. Sirius left the room. Once all of the students had left the classroom to go to their next class, Jeremiah turned back to Professor Slughorn. "What can I do for you, Professor?" It was very rare for his Head of House to want to talk to him after class.
"Mr. Roberts, Headmaster Black and Professor McGonagall would like to have a word with you after your classes today," Slughorn informed him.
"Do you know what it is about?" Jeremiah asked nervously. He was wondering if he was in trouble, or, perhaps, Sirius had talked to them about their conversation just a few weeks before.
"I am not aware of the reason, but I was told that you are not in trouble," Slughorn reassured him.
"Thank you, sir," Jeremiah said gratefully. He left the classroom wondering what was going to be discussed later that day.
After classes ended, Jeremiah made his way to the headmaster's office. "Fairness is key," he said to the gargoyle. He liked the password. It was much better than the candy-related passwords Dumbledore had picked when he was headmaster.
Jeremiah knocked on the door. "Enter!" the headmaster's voice called out. Jeremiah entered the office to see Headmaster Black and Professor McGonagall sitting patiently.
"Mr. Roberts," the headmaster greeted him. "Thank you for coming to speak with us this afternoon."
"Thank you, Headmaster, Professor," Jeremiah said respectfully, taking a seat across from the headmaster's desk.
"Mr. Roberts, we have received rather interesting news from Mr. Sirius Black," Professor McGonagall began. "He has informed us that you are part of a group of former, current, and future students that have tried to unite the Hogwarts houses. Is this true?"
"Yes, Professor," Jeremiah confirmed. He was relieved. At least he was not in trouble.
"According to what we have been told, this group of students tried hosting events like study sessions and game nights, but they were not successful, then the former headmaster banned these events. Is this correct?" Headmaster Black asked.
"Yes, Headmaster, that is correct," Jeremiah replied.
"I am sorry that those events were banned," the headmaster said with a sigh. "If I had been here at that time, they would have never been banned. In fact, I would like to help your group get these events going once more."
"Wait, what? Really? You would do that?" Jeremiah asked, surprised clearly in his tone.
"Yes, indeed," the headmaster confirmed.
"Mr. Roberts, the headmaster and I believe strongly in house unity, and unity in general, no matter the blood status," Professor McGonagall explained. "We would be more than happy to assist your group in any way possible."
"That would be greatly appreciated," Jeremiah said with relief.
The headmaster nodded. "Then what I would like you to do is, make a list of goals you would like to achieve. You can include any kinds of events you would like to bring back. Once this list is made, please bring it to me. From there, we will see what we can do."
"Yes, Headmaster. Thank you for understanding and for being open to assisting our group," Jeremiah said gratefully. He was usually not the type to accept assistance, but even he knew that their group would need help from the Hogwarts staff.
"You are most welcome," Headmaster Black replied. "Remember, fairness is key. The staff will support your group."
"We would also like for you to make a list of all of the members of your group, so we can meet with all of them, even the ones who have not come here yet or those who have already left," Professor McGonagall stated.
"Of course, Professor," Jeremiah said with a nod. "I will do that." He left the headmaster's office feeling confident for the first time in a long time. Perhaps, there was a chance that the students could be united after all. Only time would tell, but he knew that with the Hogwarts staff and the Marauders assisting in this effort, there was hope. There was hope that students could finally be united, despite their house assigned to them on their first day of Hogwarts.