"Alright, I know that this is only your second week back from break, but I need you all to pay attention closely.  The potion that we are brewing today is called Blutalysis," Professor Slughorn explained.  After the war, he had decided to come back to teach potions, as he enjoyed it greatly.  Harry, Ron and Hermione sat in their seats, listening intently.  Well, at least, Hermione was.  The boys were stabbing each other with quills under the desk.

"Does anybody know what this potion is?"  Slughorn asked.

Surprisingly enough, Ron raised his hand.  "It is a potion that tests blood for diseases and tells if it would mix safely, kinda like in Muggle medical practices."

Everyone was surprised, Slughorn so much so that he rewarded 15 points to Gryffindor.

"Now, what is the etymology of the potion?"  Slughorn inquired.

Hermione's hand shot up, and she answered, "Blut comes from the German word for blood, and alysis means that it is being analyzed, or studied.  Like analysis." 

"Very good!  We will be brewing this potion today in partners, and if it is brewed correctly you may test it with your own blood!  Turn to page 414, and you may begin."

Hermione and Harry wanted to be partners, so that Ron and Malfoy could be.  Recently, Malfoy and the Trio had come to a sort of understanding that they would be friendly with each other, trying to support the house unity being enforced by the staff this year.  The trio believed that Malfoy had really changed, even if he wasn't quite showing it.

The potion was brewed perfectly by Harry and Hermione, and so Professor Slughorn let them try it out with their blood.

"Now students, if the potion turns green, it means that your blood/DNA is completely incompatible and unrelated.  Blue means that your blood could be compatible, and it would work for Muggle transfusions and such.  Purple means that your blood has similar properties, and finally, red means that it is a match: at least half of your chromosomes are identical and you are related."  Slughorn prepared the vial in which Hermione and Harry would drip their blood, but everyone had lost track of time and class ended before they had the chance to test the potion.

"Well, since we already know what the outcome of the potion would be, we don't have to test it.  Class dismissed, everyone come prepared for the next class with a knowledge of Polyjuice Potion!"  Slughorn announced.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

"That would have been interesting, however, to see if our DNA was compatible, like in Muggle Medicine.  We should test it sometime, all three of us," Harry said to Hermione and Ron that night at dinner.  

As they ate, they noticed some strange activity at the staff table.  Headmistress McGonagall was whispering frantically to Professor Flitwick, and Proffesor Sprout was anxiously glancing around, as if she was looking for someone.  Suddenly, McGonagall got out of her seat and made an announcement.

"Good Evening, students.  The Ministry of Magic had requested that we test a new regulation here at Hogwarts before decreeing it to the public.  We have recently recovered from the War, and there were many casualties.  This has brought to the attention of the Ministry that some people may want to know their heritage and parents, as many children were orphaned by the death of their parents or guardians.  So, here at Hogwarts, we will be starting a 4 week program called Heritage Studies where students may study DNA and how magic appears in a bloodline, and who your past family is.  Even if you were not orphaned, you may not know who some of your predecessors are, and it has been made apparent to me," McGonagall said with a pointed glance at Flitwick, "that they should have the option of learning about their family history.  

Many groans were heard throughout the Great Hall at the thought of more studying and work, but McGonagall ignored them.

"Heritage Studies will not be a class, rather a required activity after classes.  You will be assigned two days per week that you will have this activity, and it will be taught by a rather experienced Ministry worker, Mary Cattermole.  Thank you, you may continue your meal."

"Hold on," Hermione said.  "Isn't that the wife of the man Ron impersonated when we broke into MoM to get the locket from Umbridge?  Last year?"

"Yeah, I think it is.  I remember her quite well," Ron said with a shudder.

Harry laughed.  "That's probably because of all the time she spent snogging you, thinking that you were her husband."

"Don't remind me.  I can still taste her lipstick!" Ron glared when he saw Hermione and Harry laughing.  "Hey, we all went to desperate measures for the war, all right!"  Harry and Hermione laughed even harder when they saw his haunted and grossed out expression.

"Anyway," Hermione began, when she finally stopped giggling, "I bet she took advantage of the MoM after the War when they were desperate for new employees.  We'll just have to hope she doesn't recognize us."

"I'm actually quite excited for this activity.  It will be interesting to learn, and interesting to see how she reacts to seeing Ron again," Harry teased, bursting into laughter with Ron's face turning beet red.  Hermione tried to scold Harry, but they could tell she was hiding a smile.

By the time they got back to the Gryffindor Common room, they were all laughing so hard it hurt.  Little did they know, there was a threat lurking just around the corner.