Disclaimer: Don't Own

Possibly AU (Probably, but only slightly)

In Harry's year, there were forty students. Ten to each house. Many of them are known, because those seven (six) years they went to Hogwarts were memorable, and they were a part of it. Their stories are told throughout the years, replacing Beedle the Bard as the stories children heard at bedtime.

Everyone knows the story of Vincent Crabbe. It's told as a warning to not overestimate yourself and your magic. He cast fiendfire and destroyed the room that Dumbledore's Army used. He was an idiot, and didn't realize that just being able to cast a spell meant you could control it. So his story was a story of warning, of watch-yourself. Do not reach beyond your ability or you will be like Vincent Crabbe.

Draco Malfoy is controversial. He was a Death Eater, but he didn't want to, but he wasn't good. His is a story told of mistakes. Do not be a Malfoy children, do not join a side because it is how you've been raised. Do not just listen to the stories of triumphs. There is always a dark side, and are you willing to go there? To kill on someone's orders? To forfeit your free will? Draco Malfoy found out the hard way.

Other stories of Malfoy have him more redeeming. Realizing that he joined the wrong side, recognizing that his beliefs were not what he thought. No matter how the story is told, with Malfoy as a mistaken person, or a coward, the warning is the same. Don't do something you will regret: you will carry the mark forever.

Pansy Parkinson was a bully. She never did get better, but she also was never really involved in the war. The story of Pansy is told to remind children that children do not think. She spoke out and said "Give him Harry Potter" in a room of people she had tormented, bullied, lorded her status over. She thought herself above the rest, not realizing that she was a child who had ruined her own life in her arrogance. The story is of no arrogance, that those you tease today may be responsible for your future tomorrow. And children hold a grudge. Children are very good at holding a grudge.

Beware of Blaise Zabini's mom. Everyone knew that, and when his own wives began to disappear, the warning passed to his family. To marry a Zabini was almost certain death. And that became a truth in the Wizarding World, a threat. "Do what I say child, or I'll arrange your marriage to a Zabini."

The other Slytherins were known by name, if not by story. Millicent Bulstrode as Pansy's body guard, Gregory Goyle as Malfoy's. Theodore Nott kept his nose down, and made it out relatively unscathed. Daphne Greengrass existed, but that's all anyone could say of her. But these Slytherins, they did nothing to control their classmates. The lesson taught was 'do not ignore what you see'. If you do, you are just like them.

Ravenclaw had a few students. Lisa Turpin, Su Li, Padma Patil, Michael Corner, Anthony Goldstein, Terry Boot.

On a whole, none stood out. They learned as Ravenclaws aught. They did what they could, as well as they could. They loved information, and shared what they could. It cost them some blood, and probably tears, but they knew where they stood. They tried the best and strove to help. Their lesson is really just about doing what you can, because that is all that anyone can ask of you. Oh, and don't go with a red head as a last minute date. It tends to end badly.

Hufflepuff had Susan Bones, and Hannah Abbott and Justin Finch-Fletchly and Ernie Macmillon and Zacharias Smith.

Zacharias Smith was a Hufflepuff, but not the kind expected. He was snobbish, self-righteous, and had a huge ego. He was proud of where he came from, and not afraid to show it. His story, told in hushed whispers and quiet tones, is of a wolf in sheep's clothing. A house does not make a person, any more than a person makes a house. Smith's legacy is that all children knew that your house did not define you. After all, Zacharias Smith was not loyal (he ran, children, instead of fighting) nor was he hard working (except when his life was on the line). No young ones, the house you are put in does not define you, but your choices.

Ernie Macmillan was a better Hufflepuff. He may have been occasionally wrong, and accused those who shouldn't, but no one could say he wasn't loyal to his friends. He had the right intentions, just not often the right approach. So children heard the tales of the boy who called the wrong boy 'Slytherin's heir'. They learned to not to accuse people without all the evidence, but that protecting your friends is still noble. He may not have been the best or the brightest Hufflepuff, the stories go, but he was a Hufflepuff who loved his friends. His mark on history is that noble goals are not necessarily accomplished by noble deeds, and that loyalty towards friends is true loyalty indeed.

Hannah Abbott is the classic character who is tethered to the world. She is not the girl who believes in Nargles, but she did think an escapee could become a flower bush. She could be persuaded to believe in poorly thought out ideas. She had her problems, she made mistakes. "Flamingos from a ferret, now you don't want to do that." Hannah let the stress get to her, but never when it counted. She would fight and protect those she could, fiercely and without fail. That character, young children, is someone you want to know. Her wisdom lies in strength when needed, not always strong but dependable.

Susan Bones was strong, you know. Her family suffered under the Dark Lord, as he tried to kill them all. And even though it scared her, and even though it seemed tough, she decided to fight against him just as her family had. Her story, boys and girls, is that it's okay to be afraid. She did not come to the fight the night of Dumbledore's Death, but she returned and helped in the Year of the Carrows. She was afraid, but still tried to be true to herself. She helped those around her, and left her mark. Be helpful, boys and girls alike, to those you can. It is okay to be afraid, just don't let it control you.

Justin was a nice young man, who made such loyal friends. He tried his best. He was prudent when it counted. He stayed away from the supposed Heir, as a muggle-born he was at risk. He also left when seventh year came round, for he knew what he should do. He tried his best, but when he couldn't, he would do what was most prudent. To protect himself, he left his friends, his home, and possibly his country. For at seventeen he was too young to die in such a horrible way. And children take note, that although they should try, there are times they must admit defeat. That there are times when you have to retreat, and lick your wounds and wait.

Gryffindor had Harry, Ron, Hermione. Neville. Dean and Seamus, Lavender and Parvati. Does anyone not know their stories?

Harry Potter, boy-who-lived, the Chosen One, the Man-Who-Won. He saved the school so many times, and also the world. Parents tell those stories to their children as bedtime stories, instead of the fiction his classmates grew up on. 'Harry Potter defeated a Basilisk, scared off five thousand dementors, beat three of-age wizards in a tournament all before he was fifteen.' The legends were spoken with awe, although the moral was slightly different. Harry Potter was a Hero, and rules that applied to normal humans did not seem to apply to him. Therefore, be amazed at what Harry Potter did, but do not be Harry Potter. His life is a lonely one, with so few people who do not worship the man who defied the odds. Harry Potter is special, and while you should be grateful he is, don't try and be him.

Ron Weasley grew up, so the stories go. Apparently he used to be a very jealous person, believing the world out to get him. Apparently he hated his best friend Harry Potter at one point, and rumor had it that he abandoned him at another point. Parents talk of Ron Weasley, because to talk of Harry without talk of Ron would leave the stories empty. But what children learn from their parents talk of Ron Weasley is that you shouldn't want what others have. Be grateful for what you have. He was jealous over Harry's money, and did not realize until almost too late that he had the family Harry always wanted.

Hermione Granger is a cautionary tale. Oh yes, she was the brains of the trio. She was responsible for their many plans and without her everyone agrees that Harry would have failed. But she thought herself too smart. She brewed a polyjuice potion in her second year, before learning all that could go wrong. Luckily she made it right, and her only punishment was that she used the hair of a cat, not a human. And again, she thought she had to know all and used a time-turner her third year. Time turners, parents warned, are very dangerous. Hermione spent all her time studying and drove herself down the beginning path of insanity. Oh, everyone was able to mostly ignore the signs, but she had changed after that year, and when she broke down after sending her youngest off to school, well, she tried to learn too much. 'There is a limit, children, to what you can learn.' Parents solemnly told their children when asked about the last member of the trio.

Neville Longbottom is a hero. Not a hero like Harry, because Harry was chosen by Magic and Fate and Voldemort, but because he chose to be. He did what he knew was right, no matter if it made him unpopular. He was brave and did what needed to be done. He fought beside Harry and killed the snake. He lead Dumbledore's Army in the Year of the Carrows. Yes Neville is the hero here, and everyone agrees. Heroics is doing what is right, no matter what others say. And just because you don't shine now, doesn't mean you won't shine later. Neville grew into himself and became the man everyone wishes they could be. So Neville is who you should aspire too, parents tell their young children. Do what's right, stand and fight, and chose to be like Neville.

Seamus Finnigan was Irish and proud, and everyone knew it. He may not have been good at getting alcohol, but was good at pyrotechnics. He loved his mother to a fault, and valued his best friend. His story is told, from fifth year on. Boys are sometimes hot tempered folk, who insult each other easy. He accidentally insulted Harry, who accidentally insulted his mother. Now, Seamus loved his mother dear, and defended her to all. So he kept alive a minor breach in Gryffindor that year. But in the end, he was able to stand and admit that he was wrong. Not wrong to love his mother so much, but to believe the lies being spread. So children, remember that fights should end, with no hard feelings on either side. Seamus stayed until the end, right behind the others. He fought for what he believed was right, and also to protect his mother. Seamus was able to let bygones be gone. So hear his story, of bravery still for protecting his mother and younger students and being able to accept that he could be wrong.

Dean Thomas was born a muggle lad, who never knew his father. Despite this fact, he did not wallow. He tried his best and had good friends and was able to balance a fight. He could tread the line between feuding friends, and not upset either. He did what he could as long as he could, and wasn't afraid of a fight. He struggled on, despite the fact that some would see him dead. Dean went on the run his seventh year, to not leave his family in danger. He left his good friend, despite Seamus' plans, to protect him as well. His story is told that one can be bold, and be able to protect family and friends. After all, the hardest thing, is leaving them all without a trace and just the assurance that you'll see them again. Bravery, young friends, that's bravery there. To give up all you know to protect all you care.

Parvati was a girl, a little wiser than her friend. She was the reasonable one of the two, her and Lavender. She aimed to be a Seer, and looked up to those who Saw. She distinguished herself from her twin, and stood on her own two legs. She fought the fights she believed were right, and would not hear a word against those she liked. But her tale has sorrow, for as many know, her best friend was slaughtered. Parents teach of Parvati, the girl who supported her friend despite differences. They teach of a girl who knows what she wants, and isn't afraid to step up.

Lavender Brown is a sorry story. The only one to not survive. She was a girl, and did not mix with Hermione and her studious ways. She adored Divination, and believed in it all. She went after what she wanted and fought very hard. Her time as the girlfriend of Ron shows, she loved with her heart and all that she owns. The story gets sad as it comes to its end, for she died protecting all of her friends. Her moral is live, with all that you can, for you never know when life's going to end.