Unity & Perseverance

Hogwarts High Inquisitor

The next few days passed quite quickly. The past few weeks had been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for Amelia, with the high points being the DA and Quidditch practise, with low points being that everyone from fifth to seventh years were swamped with homework, which took up most of their weekend time.

She had noticed that her twin brother was almost like a different person - he was making friends with DA members left right and centre, mainly Blaise Zabini and Theo Nott after their incident, who subsequently became acquainted with her, Ron, Dorea and Hermione as well. In terms of herself, Amelia had definitely found a friend in Daphne Greengrass. The girl was so nice in terms of personality, and she even sat with them in Ancient Runes with Tracey, Daphne's fellow Slytherin and best friend. She was a bit shy, but Amelia discovered they shared a love for the Quidditch team, Wigtown Wanderers, which sparked their friendship too. Dorea was the same, in that she'd also bonded with Daphne and Tracey. Hannah Abbott, Susan Bones and Megan Jones were also fast becoming friends with them.

It went a bit skewiff on Wednesday. Amelia, Dorea and Harry sat at Hufflepuff table for breakfast, as Ernie, Hannah and Justin had invited them to. They had a good conversation about future jobs and careers, and even the fourth years all got talking as well. All was well until they went silent and heard a " hem-hem,".

The three of them shared a look of dread. "Have you forgotten what we talked about a few weeks ago, Mr Potter?" Their Defence teacher asked.

"No, Professor." Harry answered.

"Then I think you'll know it is against the rules to sit at another house's table. You three will be joining me in detention tonight, tomorrow and Friday." Umbridge declared, smiling gleefully.

The Hufflepuff's stood up for them. "Professor, they're sitting here at our request." Justin Finch-Fletchley said.

"Yeah, they're our friends." Susan added.

"Hush, my dears, this doesn't involve you." Umbridge talked to them like they were children. "Mr Potter and Miss Black in particular were reminded that the next time they did this would result in a detention, but they elected to disregard the rule anyway."

Amelia huffed, and if looks could kill the woman would be dead.

"Sorry guys," Ernie apologised, "we had no clue she was serious about that."

"'S fine," Harry said, "we should have kept an eye out for her."

"How is there even a rule in place where you can't sit at another house's table? That seems to actively discourage making friends and inter-house relationships." Amelia voiced.

"I read somewhere that unity between Hogwarts houses has been a problem since Godric and Salazaar," Hannah said as they stood up, "something to do with their rivalry becoming infamous, and therefore resulting in Gryffindor and Slytherin students not liking each other. As a result, house rivalries started, like an every-man-for-himself situation."

They said farewell to their Hufflepuff friends and sat down at Gryffindor table, where Ron and Hermione were. "We just got detention for sitting with our Hufflepuff friends," Amelia said in slight rage.

"By Umbridge?" Ron asked

"Who else?" Dorea replied, in a distasteful tone.

It was silent for a few minutes as they ate. Ron was glancing over at Hufflepuff table. "You guys looked quite friendly with them." He said.

"They're great, they stuck up for us." Harry replied happily.

"I wanted to go over, but I just don't know..." Ron mumbled.