The next morning, schedules were posted around the school telling students what day and time their Heritage Studies activity would be.  The three friends were assigned Tuesday at 7 pm, after dinner but before curfew.  So that evening, after all their classes, Harry, Ron and Hermione trudged down to the Quidditch field where the class was being held to learn about heritage.

"Good evening, students.  My name is Mary Cattermole, and you will refer to me as Instructor C, or Instructor Cattermole."

Hermione and Harry noticed that she had grown more confident in how she held herself, and that she seemed like the kind of person that you did not want to get on the bad side of; all Ron noticed was the ground as he was avoiding eye contact with Instructor Cattermole.  Yet she was gentle and kind seeming; the perfect person to teach the surprise that the Golden Trio would soon learn.

"This evening I will give you an introduction to this class that will tell you all about what we will be learning, why it's important, and how it will help in your future life.

"As many of you know, blood status is very important to some families, while others do not care whether you are a pure-blood, half-blood, or muggle-born.  Part of the reason I am here is to teach you that those differences should be put behind us, and we should have unity.  Now don't get me wrong, I am not in any way attempting to downgrade one family or another; I'm simply hoping that you will understand that we are all only human.  In the words of a wise man, your late Albus Dumbledore,  'You fail to recognize that it is not what someone is born, but what they grow to be!'  It is very important that we-" she gasped as her eyes landed on Ron's face, clearly remembering their... interaction at the Ministry last year.  However, her expression softened and she continued, "It is important that we remember this and do not dwell on actions taken because of how you are born, but actions taken to do the right thing and stand up for what you believe in."

It seemed that she was directing this last statement at Ron, intending to show him that she didn't judge him for pretending to be her husband as she now knew that he did it to help end the war against Voldemort and his Death Eaters.

Ron weakly smiled back, and it was all Harry and Hermione could do to not roll on the ground with laughter at how Ron had actually snogged this woman that was now acting like a mother to him!

Throughout the rest of the session, they all made jokes to each other and laughed, remembering the experience and earning themselves a few raised eyebrows from their classmates and Instructor Cattermole.

The Trio began paying attention, however, when she mentioned that they had all recently learned how to brew Blutalysis in Potions class, and they were going to be using it the following Tuesday.  They were also particularly intrigued when she said that they were going to be studying Family History to learn if they were related to any of their fellow classmates, however distantly it may be.

"As you may already know, the MoM will be opening a department shortly that will be for the study of family history and how particular relations between people affect them and others.  It may be in some of your futures to work in that Department, or get information form the department just to learn.  If any of you are interested in working in that department, owl me tomorrow as session is over and it's getting quite late.  You all have your syllabi, I expect you to come prepared for your session next Tuesday.  Class dismissed everyone, good night!"

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The students walking back up to the castle were all buzzing with excitement and intrigue at what might come of the next session.  Hermione, however, had other questions and concerns that stemmed from this.

"Doesn't this all seem a little strange to you?" She asked the boys as they walked back up to the castle.

"What do you mean?  I think she's legitimate, and for once the Ministry is doing something smart and logical," responded Harry while Ron nodded along.

"No, I mean how they just pop into Hogwarts and use students as their test subjects.  And who ever heard of wanting to learn more about 'how particular relations between people affect them and others' just for fun?  No, the Ministry is up to something.  And this is just a hunch, but I think it has to do with someone at Hogwarts and a past relative."

"Well, even if you're right Hermione," Ron started, "there's no way we can find out who they're investigating and why so early in the process.  We should let it play out a little, enjoy the change of topic here at school, and see what happens."

Over the summer, Ron had matured a lot, learning things and getting good ideas that actually make sense.  He wasn't an airhead anymore, but Harry and Hermione were still a little surprised every time he said something based on logic and evidence, like that.

"Yeah, 'Mione, Ron's right.  Let's just wait it out and see what happens.  Plus, I'm too tired to do any research or logical thinking tonight," Harry added with a yawn.

"I suppose you're right.  Let's go back to the Gryffindor Tower." Hermione stated.  But she wasn't put off that easily.  Her head was already going through a list of people that the Ministry could be looking into, and one of them was her.