Harry Potter and the Orb of Slytherin

Chapter 12: The Mighty House of Slytherin

December 25^th

Christmas dawned bright and clear and for the first time in a long time, Black Manor was filled with laughter and cheer. In light of Harry's return, a celebration was immediately called and the remaining members of the Order of the Phoenix who were not present when Harry returned were alerted. Among those who came early Christmas morning to be with the Order was Minerva McGonagall. She was tender towards Harry and allowed her stern look to disappear as he greeted her warmly.

"Albus would have been very proud of you Harry."

"And what about you Headmistress?" he asked her, adding emphasis to his last word and smiling mischievously.

"Harry, you can call me Minerva now."

"Piffle. I am still a student and Head Boy at Hogwarts. Pressing matters have taken me away, but until I graduate, you are still my professor. I follow you as I did Dumbledore."

"Well, I thank you for that Harry. Times are rough at the school. Scrimgeour, it would seem, doesn't have the same attitude towards my leadership as he did Dumbledore's."

"Scrimgeour was afraid of Dumbledore and I know he is afraid of you."

"Afraid of me?" McGonagall laughed. "He's been riding me to no end since term began, leaving me no rest."

"I know the man," Harry said bemused. "He would have taken complete command of the school had you not been Dumbledore's most trusted second. He leaves Hogwarts in your care because he knows you are perfect for the job; but because Dumbledore happened to know this before him, he would never admit it. I wouldn't worry too much."

"You think so?" McGonagall blinked a few times as if she had just had a revelation. Then her usual fiery temperament came into her eyes once more. "Well, well, well... he and I are going to butt heads I think."

"I hope to be there when that happens. Let's just hope he doesn't have the sense to talk to Umbridge about it first. After hearing of her run-ins with you, he might just change his mind."

Harry was enjoying every second of the Christmas holiday. The morning started with warm greetings, hot chocolate and sausages and eggs, made special by Mrs. Weasley. After everyone had gathered warm and toasty by the fire, carols were sung and presents were opened.

Ron had gotten Harry a brand new picture book. (Harry had nearly filled his first one.) It had a fine leather cover and fine-pressed pages with slots for many pictures.

"Sorry I couldn't get you anything better mate. Hopefully you won't get another one and have to choose."

"It's perfect Ron. Perhaps we could find a camera and start it tonight." Ron was instantly delighted it had turned out to be a good gift.

Hermione had gotten Harry a pair of exceptional dragon-hide boots and a full-length biography on the four founders of Hogwarts. From Hagrid, Harry had gotten a leather attachment to his traveling bag for holding his staff. Once Hagrid had seen Harry's stave, he went and made it out of spare leather and buttons he rummaged from his coat. It was strong and easy to attach - it would stick to the strap around Harry's torso so he could carry it on his back. Harry put his bag around his shoulders and then placed the staff in its sheath. Walking around, he found it to be perfect. He didn't bump his head on it when he threw his head back, but it was secure and didn't move around so much. Hermione then came up with the idea to place a spell on the staff to let it respond to one's call, much like a broom. In an hour or so, Harry was able to summon his staff to his hand from behind him with the utterance of a word.

Harry was not one to disappoint either. He had gotten gifts for everyone, pulling package after package out of his bag. "Bugger Harry, what kind of bag is that?" Ron asked, bewildered as he looked into it.

"It's just a simple duffle. Don't you remember? Hermione enchanted it last year to carry a lot of things? And it weighs light as a feather - much better than the chest I lugged around."

Harry started doling out his presents. He had gotten Ron a wand holster for his arm (Harry had been taken with them ever since he saw Ramses') and a quaffle signed by every member of the Chudley Cannons.

"Blimey Harry! How did you get this?" Ron asked, enthralled, as everyone stopped tearing packing to shreds to admire it.

"That's a story for another time," Harry laughed.

After producing everyone else's gifts, Harry saved Hermione's for last and he was excited about it. As everyone continued to open presents, Harry caught her eye and was able to motion her off to the side. They went to an empty hall nearby that was lined with windows streaming in morning light.

"Hermione, I got you something special, but I didn't want to embarrass you, so I thought maybe you should open it in private."

"Embarrass me? Harry you could never embarrass me..."

Harry's eyebrow raised in mock sarcasm as every stupid thing he had ever done came rushing into Hermione's suddenly short memory. "Oh... yes maybe it would be best if I opened it here."

Harry produced the large white package he had been holding behind his back and handed it to her. She opened the box and carefully unfolded the layers of paper to reveal a beautiful white dress with blue trim that looked like a gown. It was smooth and soft, short-sleeved, dropping to knee-length. Underneath the dress were two sturdy but spectacular elbow-length cuffs, bedecked with two shimmering blue jewels. They were matched by a pair of very elegant boots and the ensemble was finished with a thin, wide cloak that could be attached to the back of the dress as a kind of cape if desired. The dress was odd to Hermione, but at the same time stunningly beautiful. The pure white with sky blue highlights glimmered in the sunlight coming from a nearby window and Hermione gazed on it completely enamored.

"Harry, this is beautiful! I've never seen anything like it!" She put the dress up to her chest and went to a mirror that was close by in the hallway. "Oh and it's the perfect size!"

"It's a ceremonial witch's dress," Harry said from behind her as she gleefully doled over it in the mirror. "They were usually only worn by queens or leaders of war. They were practical for duels, but elegant as well. The two jewels on the tops of the armbands signified royalty."

He then took the alluring cloak out of the box and handed it carefully to her. "The caputium is the real prize though - in ancient times, these capes were lined with colors to signify rank or standing. Blue was the most honored and desired. This dress was given me by a woman in the Edifice who I had met while studying there. She had been saving it for her daughter, but had never been able to give it to her."

"Why not?" Hermione asked sadly.

"Her daughter was killed by Voldemort." Hermione's enthusiasm in her present began to die, but Harry took her by the arms and smiled reassuringly. "I trusted her and as I confided in her about my travels and my experiences, she took compassion on me and asked that I take this dress - it was all she had and she didn't want it to go to waste in a drawer somewhere. At first, I protested, seeing its splendor and knowing its value, but I knew you would look beautiful in it. I couldn't help remembering how amazing you looked in your blue Yule Ball gown, so I accepted her gift. It was then that I decided I would make plans to come back. I missed you too much - that woman's pain in her daughter's death made me realize what little time we all might have."

"Harry, thank you... so much. It's almost too graceful to wear. I will have to choose a special time to summon the courage to even wear it."

"I'm glad you like it," Harry said, beginning to walk back to where everyone else was still opening presents.

"Harry?"

"Yes?" he replied, turning quickly and coming back up to her.

"Can I ask you something?" she said, hesitant.

"You can ask me anything you like." Harry's heart was beginning to beat rather rapidly but he had no idea why.

"Well... do you think I could drink from Helga Hufflepuff's cup next?"

Harry exhaled and laughed at the same time. For reasons he didn't understand at that point, he did not expect her to ask that at all.

"Of course, but why? It's not a tremendous magic or anything."

"It is to me. I don't want to have any magical barriers hindering my potential. I want to be fully ready for our destiny as you are."

"Hermione, I don't think you have any hindrances. You do everything well."

"Even so..." Hermione said smiling, taking his arm and leading him back to the main room.

* * *

December 27th

Sitting around a circular table, the Order of the Phoenix had finally come together to discuss their next move. With Harry present, everyone seemed to have an aura of confidence about them and they were not hesitant to show it. It was never voiced and Harry never brought it up, but he was the new leader in Dumbledore's stead. While he was trepid, Harry was determined to do his best. In any case he knew he would always have Mad-Eye or Lupin or Mr. Weasley to help him.

Everyone in the Order was present except Kingsley Shacklebolt, who was working at the Ministry at the moment. Worthwhile was wrapped up Harry's arm and resting on his shoulders.

"So, Harry..." Mr. Weasley had been updating Harry on the Order's actions since he had left. "That is the state of things. We haven't made much progress on discovering Voldemort's true plans, but we have kept close watch on the Ministry, as well as anything suspicious that might have come up. However, no clues have turned up concerning Lucius Malfoy's escape. He was just... gone!"

"Malfoy escaped?" Ron said, shocked

"Yes, he broke out of Azkaban a while back," Harry said. "The Malfoys are clever and deceptive. We cannot underestimate them, especially now that they have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I'm not so convinced that Draco is pure evil like his father, however. Perhaps, he can be turned."

"You-Know-Who will see that he becomes pure evil if he isn't by now," Bill quipped, his now-timid wife Fleur beside him, holding onto his arm.

"Voldemort is very careful - he knows we have knowledge of the Horcruxes, which is why I think he will abandon his plan to hunt down Slughorn," Harry continued calmly but with command. "He had been on a mission to kill all those who knew anything of them, but that would be a pointless task at this point. Why he has desisted from wrecking havoc on the wizarding community of late is disturbing, however. It may be true that two of his most loyal servants have been killed and many others have been captured, but it still isn't in him to cower and with Lucius now back at his side, he has new help. He's looking for something. He may still be looking for the orb, but I have a feeling he knows he will never find it if, that is, he doesn't know I have it already."

"What could he be looking for if not the orb?" Tonks asked perplexed.

"He's probably looking to find a way to discover this place!" Mad-Eyes growled, sounding assured. "Voldemort knows better than to look to Snape - Dumbledore's magic protects us even from traitors, but being able to find this house would be exactly what he could ever hope for."

"There isn't any way he could really do that is there?" Ron asked.

"I doubt it," Lupin conjectured, looking thoughtful, "but Voldemort is a twisted snake. I would think Alastor is right. The Order is his main concern."

"I resent that," Worthwhile scoffed.

"No, self-preservation is his main concern right now," Harry contradicted. "He only has three Horcruxes left and I guarantee you, if they aren't with him, they are now very well guarded. We may need more help and that can only really come from one place: the Ministry."

"Yur as likely ter get help from them as you would from a Dementor, Harry," Hagrid scoffed.

"Perhaps, but we must try. Ron, Hermione, and I will be making a visit to Minister Scrimgeour. It's time to have a little chat."

"Why do you need Ron and Hermione?" Mrs. Weasley asked nervously. "Wouldn't you rather have someone like Arthur with you?"

"I'm sorry, but no. No offense to anyone, but Ron, Hermione, and I are a team. Together, our power increases tenfold. They need to be with me. Besides, I don't want Mr. Weasley to do anything to place him out of favor with the Ministry. As representatives of not only the Order, but of Hogwarts as Head Students, we will go and speak with him."

"Don't worry mum. This is nothing new to us," Ron said reassuringly to his mother.

"In any case," Hermione said, "Harry needs to finally make his return public. It will be a crucial blow to Voldemort if Harry's victories are made known and all the rumors of his fighting the Death Eaters are found to be true. The public will gain enormous confidence in Harry as a champion and Scrimgeour will have to listen to him."

"I concur," Lupin said. "The people need to know Voldemort is vulnerable and Harry has proved that over and over again. However, at the same time, I do not think Voldemort fears Harry. He is searching for something. I traveled to Alexandria for some news about that little incident, but they aren't talking."

"Alexandria?" Ron said, blinking. "What's in Alexandria?"

"I'm sorry Ron," Lupin replied. "We hadn't told you or Harry or Hermione about that yet. A few months ago, there was a theft at the Royal Library of Alexandria."

"Cor, that's big!" Ron sat back stunned. "Do you remember when we visited Egypt, Harry? We visited the Royal Library there and it was guarded better than Hogwarts could ever dream of being guarded. Muggles think the Library was destroyed a long time ago, but ancient wizards just hid it because of all the secrets it has locked up."

"Yes..." Harry nodded, "I know. Worthwhile and I traveled to Alexandria to find out what happened."

"Why am I not surprised?" Ron huffed mock-angrily.

"You two boys have been to the greatest library ever assembled by wizard-kind and I haven't?" Hermione miffed with a sour face. "How is that even remotely fair?"

"One day I'll take you Hermione," Harry winked. "However, right now there is nothing to see. The library is completely shut off. Something very dangerous was stolen. I have a feeling Remus is right - Voldemort was hunting for someth--"

Harry was interrupted by the door opening suddenly and Shacklebolt bursting in. "They're awake! Merlin's beard, Frank and Alice have come out of their coma... and they are perfectly normal again!"

Everyone in the room was instantly out of their seats and asking questions of Kingsley. He calmed them down and he told of what he knew. "They were just sitting up in their beds this morning! They were a bit fuzzy about everything, but they were both of sound mind! The Ministry is going crazy - the Longbottoms are getting their rest right now and Neville and his grandmother have been informed, but everyone is buzzing over the news."

Hermione leaned over to Harry. "You don't know yet, but a while back, Neville's parents had slipped into a coma and no one knew why. Neville was absolutely devastated. The Healers didn't know what it was, but they knew they were still alive."

"It happened right when you were in St. Mungo's, right?" Harry said with a warm and contented feeling on his face. "Yes, I know about Neville's parents."

"You knew about their coma?" Ron asked, shocked. He had been listening to Hermione and his question caught everyone's attention. Harry looked at all the faces hanging once again on his reply.

"Yes," Harry said quietly, but firmly, "I knew what happened to the Longbottoms, because I had placed them in that coma."

* * *

November 30^th

Harry had been keeping watch over the door that led to where Hermione was being treated. He had Apparated back to the destroyed hideout to retrieve his staff, bag, and Worthwhile, who was waiting for him nearby. He had managed to find Hermione's shattered mirror and fix it and, after rummaging through the rubble for anything else that could be spared, he returned as quickly as possible to the door barring him from his injured friend. Healer Smethwyck came to him after about three hours to let him know she would, indeed, recover, but that she would need time.

"In the meantime, you should get some rest. You don't look well at all, Mr. Potter. I could provide you a room for the night or anything else you need that we might be able to provide you."

"No, thank you. I will not be able to rest until she is well once more. I do need to request a favor of you, however."

"Anything at all."

"My whereabouts must remain unknown. If the wizarding public received word that I was back in England, it would not bode well for me."

"Mr. Potter, I am at your service. I respected Albus Dumbledore greatly - we grew up together. He spoke of you with great admiration and now I am able to see what he saw in you. Your secret is safe with me and St. Mungo's is by your side as well. Seek refuge here anytime you might need help."

"Thank you. In time, I will return, but the war against Voldemort must be waged in secret for now. The world is not ready to face him yet."

"In any case, Mr. Potter I would still suggest you get some sleep. I will alert you when Hermione is well enough to receive guests." Smethwyck walked down the corridor and out of sight.

Harry was numb with exhaustion and needed to walk around. He set off down the corridor to the stairway and began to climb. The candle-filled bubbles provided little light into Harry's broken will. He was tired, but couldn't possibly sleep. He was walking, hoping to find somewhere to rest his shattered heart and mind.

His feet made their way to the fourth floor and Harry stopped in front of the door that led to the long-term resident ward of the Spell Damage section of St. Mungo's. Being there once before, Harry had a fear of the place. It was a painful fear that ate away at him. How many more would find themselves forever restricted to that solitude?

He walked through unlocked doors to come to the dark room that housed the sleeping patients. He walked silently past Lockhart and the bed where Broderick Bode used to lay before he was murdered. So much misery. So much hurt and pain. After a few more beds, he stopped in front of Alice and Frank Longbottom's beds. They were silently sleeping, but both of them had gloomy, disheartening expressions on their faces. They were hurting inside, but their minds couldn't express their hearts anymore. There would never be peace for them.

"Of course..." Harry said with a slight gasp. "The peace of mind transcends the magical forces. That just might be it!"

Harry approached Alice Longbottom and carefully placed his orb near her temple.

"Are you sure about this?" Worthwhile asked worried.

"Yes. For some reason, I think I understand." Worthwhile hissed his approval and Harry breathed deeply and spoke the words with a clear, soothing voice.

"Dormio adfectus."

Nothing seemed to happen, but Harry knew it worked. The hurt look on Neville's mum's face disappeared to show absolutely nothing. She was in a very deep sleep and her mind was barely functioning, but she was alive. He repeated the spell on Mr. Longbottom and then breathed once more, his heart beginning to beat at a regular pace. As he made his way out of the ward, he let a small part of himself begin to think things would be alright. He returned to Hermione's room and Smethwyck allowed him to wait inside with her as she slept.

He stayed watching over her the entire night, not sleeping a bit. Morning dawned and Harry decided it was time to leave. He couldn't keep her from everyone else - he knew the Weasleys were detained to the lobby area for the night. He got up and took hold of Hermione's limp hand.

"Hermione you will see me again soon, I promise." Her hand squeezed Harry's slightly and he smiled, leaning closer to her. "You can hear me. I know you can. Keep hope Hermione. Keep hope."

Healer Smethwyck walked in and nodded to Harry to let him know he was going to allow the Weasleys to see her. Harry nodded back and turned one last time to Hermione as the Healer walked out.

Right then, Hermione opened her eyes ever so slightly and Harry quickly leaned in closer. "Hermione, are you awake?" he asked excitedly.

"More than ever..." she whispered before she closed her eyes and fell into deep slumber once more.

Harry smiled, took his staff in hand, put his hood up and walked out the door. He could hear a pair of footsteps pounding down the hallway and knew, without looking back, that it was Ron. Wait for me Ron. Wait for me Hermione. I will be with you again soon.

* * *

December 27^th

"Are there any more surprises you would like to lay in our lap, Harry?" Fred asked half-joking, half-astonished as Mrs. Weasley had run to Harry and put her arms around his neck, weeping.

"I'm sorry I never brought it up. I had been reading through Slytherin's magic book and the mind was a consistently favorite subject of his. The three Unforgivable Curses attack the mind and the spell I performed on the Longbottoms gave tranquility to theirs. It was only a matter of time... or at least I hoped it was. It was a risk, but one that I thought was worth it."

"That means you could potentially cure everyone who is not of sound mind, like Lockhart and others!" Hermione said excitedly.

"I'm afraid not. The spell, I found out later, only brings peace to those minds that were placed out of balance by magic they did not expect or know. In cases such as Lockhart's, he knew the magic that crushed his mind. With minds that were injured physically, it would not work either. However, it is still a great magic that can be used to counter the evil curses Death Eaters use."

"Neville will forever worship the ground you walk on once you lot and Ginny get back," George said. "You might want to look around hall corners from now on."

Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked at each other with sad looks on their faces.

"You're not going back to Hogwarts are you Harry?" Lupin said with an even face but a sad demeanor.

"No, I'm not," Harry said with deliberation. "I must continue in my own agenda. The difference now is that I am working with the Order now, instead of on my own. No man is an island - I learned that the hard way."

"And we want to go with him," Ron said firmly.

"You are going back to Hogwarts to finish school!" Mrs. Weasley said firmly, putting her foot down. "I will not have more than two delinquents in this family!"

"Hey!" Fred and George protested in unison.

"Mum, he needs me!" Ron shouted.

"I don't care! I will not have You-Know-Who destroying my sons' educations! It's only five more months and I expect you, as Head Boy, to set an example for not only the school but for this family!"

"Your mother is right Ron," Mr. Weasley put in.

"Ron, don't worry," Hermione said, upbeat. "We can schedule our last term classes to be all in just a couple days so we will have the other days to work with Harry."

"Yes," McGonagall spoke up, "It has taken me seven years to realize it, but you three should never be separated, as much as it grieves me to admit it. I can arrange your classes to all be taken in a two-day span each week."

"Six classes in two days?" Ron moaned. Harry chuckled at Ron's newfound misery. "What about Head Boy duties though?"

"Well, no one really wanders the halls these days," McGonagall said sadly, "except a Slytherin in the middle of mischief every now and then."

"Why not?" Harry asked.

"Depression has taken its toll at Hogwarts, Harry," Hermione said. "Students are beginning to see Voldemort's grasp. They would never have believed Snape was a traitor or that Dumbledore could be killed. You being gone and they knowing Ron and I didn't even know where you were was just the icing on the cake. Even the Slytherins are feeling morose; morale at Hogwarts is very low."

Suddenly Harry came up with a brilliant idea. He rose from his chair and looked out the window, piecing all the possibles together. Suddenly Ron must have gotten the same idea, because he also rose from his chair and looked at Harry.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Ron asked excitedly.

"I think I am. What do you think?"

"Of course!" Hermione squealed, joining the two of them. "That would kill two birds with one stone and really bring everything together for our meeting with Minister Scrimgeour!"

"Uh, will someone please explain what you lot are talking about?" Percy said, looking as confused as everyone else.

"Harry could make his return public by returning to Hogwarts!" Hermione said happily.

"He wouldn't have to come back to school of course, but he could just make an appearance," Ron continued for her. "That would make news across the world and set things up for what we have been talking about at this meeting."

"Yes, I could make a speech in the Great Hall letting them be the first to know that I am back," Harry finished. "In that way, the wizarding world will know of my return and at the same time, Hogwarts' morale would hopefully be restored."

The rest of the members looked around at each other and began to approve of their idea. "You three all thought of that just now at the same time without even talking to each other?" Lupin asked skeptically.

"Blimey," Hagrid said, his eyebrows raised.

"Oh what's the surprise?" McGonagall asked in a disapproving tone. "We all know these three are inseparable - they are essentially one person; why do you think I am not even protesting they be together fighting the Death Eaters, even at such a young age? They are special, much like you, James, and Sirius were, Remus." She turned towards the three. "And I think it's a marvelous idea - it's exactly what the school needs! I will do whatever is needed for you three to make this work."

"Perfect..." Harry said as Ron and Hermione smiled to each other in glee, "and I know just what I am going to talk about..."

* * *

January 9^th

Harry stood in front of the doors to the Great Hall - he was nervous, but also excited. He had always shied away from peoples' recognition of him, but the fact that his return to school would actually give people hope and life in a dark world enthralled him. Perhaps his fame was good for something after all. If he could use it to give people hope, he would use it. He also reminded himself that if he was going to be a symbol of hope to them as Dumbledore was, he would need to stay on course and hone his skills as much as possible.

He stood with his hood to his traveling cloak drawn and Worthwhile entwined around his arm and shoulders. He was wearing his new dragon hide boots and he had his newly-polished staff in hand. He wanted to look like business. Students with no respect for what he had to say could easily ruin his chance.

He could hear McGonagall speaking to the students. She had called them to a special assembly on the first day back from holiday. Ron and Hermione were with her and Hermione agreed to alert his DA coin once it was time. He could hear McGonagall explaining to the students that, while they were down, there was something that needed to be done that would hopefully give lift to their spirits.

Harry smiled and on the cue from Hermione that rumbled in his pocket, he opened the Great Hall doors completely. The noise attracted everyone's attention and they turned to look to see who had entered. Gasps and whispers stirred from every table as the shocked students watched Harry Potter walk down the center of the Hall to the front where Headmistress McGonagall was waiting with a pursed face.

"It's Harry Potter! He's alive!"

"Impossible. That can't be him. He's too old. He looks like a man."

"What has happened to him? He looks dangerous."

Harry wanted to make the greatest impression possible - if it were achievable, he wanted to look scary so as to command respect for what he was about to say. He grimaced and furrowed his eyes, hoping he looked almost Krum-like - he knew having Worthwhile on his shoulders would help. At the same time, Harry had great respect for the stage he was about to take. Dumbledore had stirred the hearts of many from the same place he took up - he wanted to inspire like Dumbledore did: with generosity and happiness - a fondness for life and for Hogwarts.

He stood before the tables, his staff in his hand and his eyes on all of the students, young and small, that were watching him intensely. Would they be behind him? Would they understand where he was coming from? He put down his hood and began.

"Hogwarts, you have seen unhappy times." Harry knew that what he had to say would have to begin and end with the war. "You have endured... you have seen things no students should ever have to see. For that, I see you all as the most experienced and most courageous students this school has seen in many years. A villain has entered our world once again and upset the balance that is our magical school - our family. I have been gone for over five months now and I left with the intent to destroy this villain, the one you all know as Voldemort."

The silence that spread through the Hall was like ice. All were still and even the Slytherins couldn't find it within themselves to ignore "the Chosen One" who had been missing for almost half a year.

"I've come back at the beginning of a new year and hopefully at the beginning of a new era - an era our former Headmaster dreamed of. He dreamed of a time when the four houses of Hogwarts would unite as one and oppose that which was truly evil - the enemy of Hogwarts to its very core. For it is not Voldemort that will destroy us, but it is us... we, the members of this family who will destroy ourselves should we continue to despise each other simply because of a weathered hat's decision about housing or a family's blood-line.

"Some here today think that the house of Slytherin is a separate entity... an island unto itself. I am here to tell you this is not true. Let me tell you a story of four friends who were divided by the same issues that divide us today. When Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin built this school, they were great friends. The entire world respected their abilities and they respected each other. However, one drawn by the power of immortality was deceived and his soul was shattered, pitting him against his friends and banishing him from the life and power he was so desperate to achieve - all because of a disdain for those whose heritage is not originally imbued in magic.

"Those of you who think you know the moral to this story are wrong. Salazar Slytherin was not an evil man - he was just blinded by prejudice and then put at a disadvantage by losing his soul, not knowing his sanity was the cost. The members of Slytherin's house in membership this night are different. They have full ability to choose evil or good... right or wrong. They have not yet decided what path to choose; likewise, the house they belong to does not define who they are or what they will become. Our destinies are in our own hands - we make of them as we choose. I have learned this the hard way. My path has always been decided for me, and you resented it... others resented it... I resented it. However, I walk the path I do now because I choose to and I know I am successful in my choices because I am standing here as a student of Hogwarts, strong-willed and determined not to let Voldemort destroy what all of us hold dear! You all can make that same decision, leading this world into the vision of this school's four founding fathers - that all wizard-kind be united in celebration of friendship, bravery, and love.

"Salazar Slytherin was a wizard of great stature who, in the end, regretted what he had done. It cost him his friendships, his stature, and his life. I am asking all of you here tonight to not make the same mistakes. Rather, I have the hope that Hogwarts will once again be a beacon of hope and learning, of love and resilience in the face of evil... and I am asking the house of Slytherin to lead the way.

"Yes, Slytherin," Harry continued amongst low rumblings. "Cunning and learned are they who have always been at a disadvantage because of expectations others place on them - to be cruel or unforgiving - to not give an inch and be perfect in everything. Expectations placed on people only lead them to believe failure is all there is outside of complete success. I know this all too well. The house of Slytherin has the opportunity to break the chains that restrain them and lead this school into the war we now wage against our oppressors. Would it surprise anyone here to know the Sorting Hat almost placed me in Slytherin?"

Gasps went up all around

"I almost was, but I asked it not to, because I was told going there meant I would turn evil and never be worth anything. I know now this is wrong and I would have been proud to be in the mighty house of Slytherin. I am asking everyone here to think the same way: to not think of each other as students of one house, but as students of one school, united in memoriam of Dumbledore's vision that we do just that."

Harry stepped down from the podium and walked back down the length of the Hall as everyone's eyes followed him; all silent in deep crushing thought of Harry's words.

"Four houses..." Harry said, pausing at the doors, "divided amongst themselves will fall." He walked through and out of the Hall and thus Hogwarts entered a new era.

"Harry you should have seen it!" Hermione said, jumping up and down with her hands on his shoulders. She and Ron had rushed to Grimmauld Place after classes to talk to Harry about what had happened after he left. "The school was in absolute chaos! The professors couldn't keep anyone in line, which was the only bad part about it really."

"Nonsense!" Ron said, his eyes rolling. "Classes were all canceled and that was just fine! We had not just the Daily Prophet reporters, but reporters from around the world camped out in front of Hogwarts trying to get in! McGonagall had to beat them off with a stick!"

"Oh, and Ministry officials and Aurors and even Scrimgeour was there, all of them anxious to know just what had happened! We were allowed to join them in Headmistress McGonagall's office."

"They all asked why we were allowed to join them but McGonagall just ignored them. She told them only what she wanted them to know. It was fantastic!"

"In the end, Scrimgeour demanded that he be told where you are, and she basically kicked them out of her office. The stage is set Harry!"

"It sure is," Harry said, smiling deviously. "I think tomorrow would be a perfect day to go have a little chat with our Minister of Magic. When do you two have your classes?"

"Mondays and Wednesdays," Hermione answered. She grabbed Ron's arm and started pulling him towards the den. "Come on Ron... if we are going to be busy tomorrow, we have to start our homework tonight."

"Oh no!" Ron started complaining as they went. "My life is going to be an absolute nightmare the next five months! McGonagall gave us three rolls of parchment for transfiguration! How does she even manage teaching that class while being Headmistress?"

"Ron!" Harry called with an enormous smile on his face, "I have a good book on transfiguration in my bag. Try that and see if it helps!"

Harry went to his room and wandered to the far end, looking out the nearby window. He was happy, but nervous. In his life, he could only be this happy for so long without something happening to screw it all up. He had a lot on his mind before his confrontation with Scrimgeour - he needed help if he was going to find the last Horcrux that wasn't with Voldemort himself. He had contacts in high and low places now, but it wasn't enough. He had a feeling that Voldemort was keeping his precious soul close to home and that meant Britain.

As he stood, a scream issued from somewhere down the hall near Ron's room and he knew instantly it was Hermione.

That was quick.

He rushed out into the hall and burst into Ron's room, staff up and ready to strike. Hermione stood near the doorway with her wand held up, but she looked scared stiff. He looked where she was looking and was stunned. Near the window, turning in circles and looking like a caged animal was an enormous blue cerebrus. It looked like a two-headed cross between a wolf and a lion. It had a sleek frame but had tufty red-striped manes on both heads. One of them was large like a lion's; the other was smoother with a longer snout. Both heads, however, looked nervous and confused, growling and bearing their teeth. Harry moved carefully in front of Hermione to shield her, his staff still raised. The animal didn't seem to want to attack so Harry just observed the animal's movements.

"Harry, how did a cerebrus get in here?" Hermione asked nervously, holding onto his arm tightly.

"How should I know? Do you think Ron might have been keeping him? It's in his room. Where is Ron?"

"I don't think Ron would do anything so foolish. What should we do? It's getting jumpy." She was right - the animal was clawing and pawing, encircling the area and swaggering its heads as if it were drunk. Harry decided he should knock it out.

"Stupefy!" he shouted. The curse shot at the beast but bounced off harmlessly; the animal's heads roared in anger.

"Harry!" Hermione screamed. Harry was thinking of what to do next when the great animal leaped through the window, shattering the glass. Harry ran to the window and looked out. The cerebrus was still in front of the mansion and didn't seem to want to go anywhere but it continued to look confused.

"Harry, look at this," Hermione said.

Harry turned and saw Hermione looking at a small book she found on the floor. "Hey, that's Ramses' journal! Why is it in Ron's room?" He went over and took it from her hands. "It's opened to his notes on the Trinny charms. See these texts here? You and I can't read them because we're not pure-bloods -" Harry's head shot straight up in realization. He rushed to the window to see Mad-Eye Moody confronting the cerebrus, wand raised. Moody shot his wand and a curse rocketed towards the transformed Ron's body and it fell limp to the ground.

END Chapter 12