Author's note. This should be the final part for this particular story arc, I welcome suggestions about what the other chapter stories could be about.

Heh, hoping you all know what Celtic style means, for those who don't, it's the people, not the football team, lol.

Enjoy and please review.

Harry rushed back into the Hospital Wing, his face lit up by a huge grin. The adults all turned as he rushed in, his single bare foot slapping against the tiled floor. He couldn't quite believe what he'd just done but Mister Malfoy certainly deserved it. Because apart from anything else Ethelinda could have easily attacked a Slytherin even Mister Malfoy's own son.

"Well, did you apologise to Lucius?" Fudge asked, still very much frazzled by all that had happened.

"Yes sir," Harry said cheerfully before adding. "I also wished him luck for his duel."

"Oh, he'll need it," Mrs Weasley practically growled as Fudge said.

"Oh, that was very good of you Harry."

"Did anything else happen?" Snape asked shrewdly, knowing there had to be a reason behind the young Gryffindor's grin.

"Not much," Harry said, still cheerful. "Except Mister Malfoy decided to free Dobby."

"Dobby?" Fudge repeated as Snape's eyebrow's rose, the Weasleys looked ecstatic and Scrimgour thoughtful.

"He freed the family House Elf."

"Yep," Harry replied as Ron and Hermione silently cheered. "It was a very sudden thing, sir."

Fudge just goggled at him, he simply couldn't understand why a Pureblood would give up a House Elf like that. Once you lost one, you couldn't get them back and it could easily reflect very badly on you. Especially if the Elf hadn't done anything, it was just a very odd thing.

"I'm sure it was," Snape now said sardonically as the Minister puzzled over Mister Malfoy's sudden action.

"Come along Harry, back into bed," Mrs Weasley now called, gesturing over to Harry who obediently came over and climbed into bed.

She lovingly tucked him in, stroking his forehead with a smile.

"You're a good boy, Harry dear," she whispered before straightening to listen to what the other adults were talking about.

"What are we going to do about that snake, it can't go wondering about the place," Fudge was now exclaiming with several exaggerated gestures.

"She won't be, Cornelius," Dumbledore replied soothingly. "Hogwarts is made up of many levels and secret passageways, we shall convert an area that isn't being used for Ethlinda's use, somewhere warm and dry. And we shall place heavy protections to ensure no students stumbles across her accidently."

"You could use the third floor?" Ron couldn't help but suggest, earning a smile from Dumbledore.

"Indeed Mister Weasley that will be a good option as a site."

Ron blushed under the praise even as his father gave his shoulder a squeeze.

"Just keep this snake out of sight until all the students are gone," Scrimgour said, his voice a carrying a growl, but Harry guessed his voice always sounded like that. "As long as everything is set up by the time they all get back, I don't see a problem. I'll send you Auror Moody to help out with security."

"Mad Eye Moody, he's a famous Auror," Ron whispered to his friends. "One of the best they say."

As Harry looked a little curious, Hermione said.

"An Auror's like a Muggle Detective."

Now Harry smiled, he understood.

"I hope we'll still be able to talk with her," Hermione now said anxiously. "I mean, she was a bit intimidating but I did enjoy seeing her."

"We will, we're the only ones who can talk to her," Ron said knowingly. "They'll need us in case she wants anything."

Both Hermione and Harry nodded before focusing again on the adults. Fudge was speaking again.

"Very well, very well, I'll leave it in your hands Dumbledore, you're in charge of the creature. I'll expect regular reports of course."

"Of course," Dumbledore said with a serene smile.

Fudge nodded, he appeared to be completely overwhelmed by what had happened. Scrimgour meanwhile didn't seem bothered at all and simply said.

"We'd better get back to the Ministry and leave things in your hands, Albus."

"Thank you Rufus, I will send you an Owl once we're ready to begin sorting out Ethlinda's keep," Dumbledore said warmly as he escorted the two men out.

Just as they'd gone, Professor McGonagall appeared. She strode over briskly and said.

"I see Cornelius has been to bluster about our resident Basilisk."

"He certainly did," Snape said with a smirk. "But Dumbledore managed to convince him to leave it in our hands."

This made her smile in satisfaction before turning to Dumbledore and saying.

"Everything is ready for the Feast tonight, and an owl has been sent requesting that Hagrid be released from Azkaban."

She looked both energised and exhausted as she said this, the day's events were a lot to take in. She now shot a smile at the three children, saying gently.

"I also announced the end of year exams have been cancelled in celebration."

As the boys whooped in delight, Hermioner groaned loudly, she'd been looking forward to them. Professor McGonagall came over to her and said gently.

"Don't worry Miss Granger, your school work over the past year will be used to give you an overall grade, but I don't think you have much to worry about."

This made Hermione smile, she really did care about her grades and was pleased they wouldn't be dismissed. Ron now asked eagerly.

"Can we go to the feast tonight, Professor?"

"If you're parents have no objections, then you certainly may," She replied with a smile as Ron turned to his parents with puppy dog eyes.

"Of course you can go Ronnie," Mrs Weasley said fondly as Mr Weasley added.

"You're brothers are very anxious to see you, they've been very worried."

Ron grinned at this, it was nice to know his brothers had been worried about them, he sometimes felt they forgot about him. It would be nice to have their sole attention for once as he told them how he and his friends save Ginny.

Dumbledore beamed at how well things were going before asking softly.

"If it's not too much trouble, I was wondering if I could meet Ethelinda? So I could ascertain just what she needs for a new home inside Hogwarts."

"Sure," Harry asked brightly as Hermione and Ron nodded.

"Minerva, Severus, will you come too?" Dumbledore asked his staff and they nodded.

"I'll stay with Ginny, Albus," Mrs Weasley said softly, she just couldn't bear to let her youngest out of her sight.

"And I'll go talk with the boys," Mr Weasley said before adding. "And I need to arrange this Wizard's duel too."

"You're welcome to have it here," Dumbledore said with a smile. "We can ensure Lucius doesn't try to bring any nasty surprises with him or try o set up any traps."

The Weasley patriarch nodded grimly.

"Thank you," he said, placing a hand on his wife's shoulder, clearly he was going to have a moment with her before leaving.

"Shall we?" Dumbledore said, the kids had pulled on some clean robes and shoes.

It didn't matter they were more hospital gown type robes, most of the students would likely come down to the Great Hall in their pyjamas as it'd be quite late by the time the Feast was organised. Even House Elves couldn't instantly produce food out of nowhere, they'd need a couple of hours.

"I want you all straight back here once you're done," Madam Pomfrey called as she waved her wand over Ginny, checking her status.

"Yes Madam Pomfrey," the kids chorused as their Professors led them away.

"How big is she?" Professor McGonagall couldn't help but ask as they walked.

"Huge," Ron answered. "She could easily swallow a cow in one bite."

As the elderly witch looked a little faint, Hermione quickly said.

"She really is nice Professor, once you've gotten over her size, its fine. She's a delight to talk to, really."

"I'll take your word for it," the Gryffindor Head said with a small smile.

"Perhaps when we are talking with her, it would be best if one of you translated what she is saying while another translated for us," Snape now suggested.

"An excellent idea Severus," Dumbledore said with a beam. "Perhaps young Harry can translate Ethelinda and..."

"Hermione better do that sir," Ron said quickly. "She talks better than me."

"You talk fine Ron," Hermione assured him. "You said some very intelligent things to Ethelinda."

Ron blushed at the praise and mumbled.

"I still think you should do it, you're really good at that sort of thing."

She gave him a warm smile, causing the teachers to glance knowingly at each other. Soon, these children would be teenagers and learning all about matters of the heart. At least they were off to a good start, some kids had no idea how to interact with the opposite sex.

Eventually, they arrived at the Myrtle's bathroom which for once the ghost didn't seem to be occupying. Harry had never seen her in another part of the castle but he supposed that didn't mean she didn't go to other parts, she probably just liked to keep out of sight. Well, he had seen her at the Deathday Party but that had been a special event.

Harry cleared his throat, concentrating as he spoke the words to open the Chamber. As soon as he'd done this, the teachers watched in awe as the circular sink separated and rose up, revealing a massive hole. Harry stepped a little closer and called down as loudly as he could.

"Ethelinda, are you there? The headmaster would like to talk with you if that's okay."

There was a pause and then Harry could hear something moving, the sound echoed by the tunnel's walls until he made out it was slithering. The great snake had heard him and was now coming out, her purpose at long last not a deadly one.

"She's coming," Harry said, backing away so that the Basilisk would have enough room to manoeuvre.

Everyone took a few steps back, even though they didn't have to worry about being petrified, it was still a good idea to give the giant snake some space. But even for those who had already seen her, it was hard not to gasp out in awe as the great head of the snake emerged from the hole, followed swiftly by the rest of her lithe body.

She raised herself as high as she could go, allowing her body to curl around the open space before settling back down on top of her coils. Her yellow eyes were glazed with the protective film but even then, they still seem luminescent. Her long tongue flicked in and out, tasting the air as she regarded them.

"How have you, young onessss?" she hissed in question and Harry quickly said.

"We're great, did you enjoy your meal?" he asked politely, smiling up at her.

"Mmm, it was the bessst I have had in a long time," she said softly before looking at the teachers.

"Who have we here?" she asked and Hermione quickly translated.

Dumbledore offered her a very sweeping bow.

"My dear lady, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts."

Harry quickly told Ethelinda this and she dipped her head in greeting.

"I am Minerva McGonagall, Head of Gryffindor House," Professor McGongall now said.

"Gryffindor hmm," Ethelinda said in a teasing tone. "You have worthy, if rather bold students."

"I know," Professor McGonagall said with smile, those children were certainly something.

"I hope you don't mind us calling you up like this," Dumbledore said pleasantly. "But now we know of your existence, we hope we can get to know you better."

"Professor Dumbledore's wondering if you want to live somewhere else," Harry asked after translating.

"Maybe someplace nice and warm, where you'd have more place and be able to leave more easily."

"That does sound appealing, would there be easy access to food?" she asked as she considered this.

"Oh yeah," Harry said earnestly. "We've got a gamekeeper called Hagrid, he really loves magical creatures, well any creature. During the holidays and stuff, he'd make sure you'd have everything you need."

Harry was sure his big friend would get over the fact Ethelinda had unintentionally caused his expulsion, he really did love dangerous creatures that much. Harry knew he would probably never quite understand this, not after Aragog but still knew Hagrid meant no harm. And, well, somebody needed to stick up for these creatures.

"I would enjoy leaving this place and roaming free," she admitted softly and Harry quickly said.

"You'd be able to do that when the students are gone, there's barely anyone here during the summer."

"Ah, to enjoy the ssssun again," she said dreamily and Harry knew she was hooked on the idea.

"Very well, what would the conditions be?" she now asked and after getting the translation. Dumbledore outlined his plan.

It was a good one, she would have her own large are for her use, including a pool of water for her to drink from and meals delivered whenever she wanted them. During the summer, she'd be able to go outside, though she'd keep far away from Hagrid's roosters.

They'd introduce her to the gamekeeper so he could attend to her needs and there would be a warm spot where she could sleep during the winter. There would be a warded door that would prevent students accidently stumbling across her but would also allow the trio to visit.

Harry grinned broadly as they talked, he really didn't regret his special ability any more.

The next day

The next morning started very sleepily for most of the castle inhabitants, after that late night feast, they'd all needed a lie in. But for, today was a very important day and they weren't going to waste it lying around in bed. Harry had gotten up near lunchtime and had decided to wander down to the Hospital Wing, to make sure everything was okay with Ginny.

Although she'd managed to attend the feast for a little while, she'd left it early so she could get a good night's sleep. She'd mostly be allowed to go as a way to help boost her spirits and therefore her recovery. Harry did hope she got better, he couldn't imagine what he'd do if Voldemort ever managed to control him like that.

But despite the fact it would take her a long time to recover, at least she had her parents and brothers to support her. Fred and George had spent the night telling her jokes, showing her they still loved her and didn't blame her. Even Percy in his rather formal way expressed how devastated he'd have been if she'd been taken away and how thankful he was she hadn't been.

Ron received a lot of praise from his parents, which Harry was sure had done his friend a lot of good. His best friend sometimes felt a bit worthless, having to compete with his brothers and having both famous and very smart friends. But he had surely proved himself the day before, and to his credit, gave credit to his friends, not just himself.

Hermione's face had been scarlet when Dumbledore explained how she'd solved the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets, it had earned her many looks of awe. The students didn't know everything that had happened, all they knew was a person named Riddle had been behind the attacks and had tried to kidnap Ginny Weasley. Dumbledore only said that she'd stumbled across his plot by accident, which was true enough and that Riddle had tried to silence her thus.

But the trio had managed to save her and discover the Chamber's entrance, although Dumbledore would not reveal it, not wanting people to try and break into it. He did reveal that it had been a Basilisk who'd been Slytherin's monster but the students weren't to worry about it, the matter had been taken care of.

Harry and his friends had been pestered for details but thanks to the other Weasley's presence, had been saved from giving anything but a watered down version. Harry knew this wouldn't stop rumours and speculation but as it was only a few days until the end of term, wasn't too bothered.

With no exams to worry about, he could just relax with his friends and enjoy the end of his Second year without worrying about anything. He hoped he could visit Hagrid at some point, his friend had arrived late to the feast but in very good spirits. Harry and co had assured Hagrid his hint had been useful but that they didn't think they should bother Aragog and his family again.

None of them had had the heart to tell Hagrid what had almost happened, although Harry suspected Snape probably would at some point. He felt that his relationship with his Potions Professor was much better than it had been before. The man was still snarky and likely to hand out severe punishment but Harry thought he understood him a bit better now.

And it was nice to know Snape wasn't after his blood like he'd thought last year.

"Harry dear, you're up early."

Harry smiled as he entered the Hospital Wing, Mrs Weasley didn't miss a trick. She was wearing unusual robes today, they only went to her knees and were tightly bound around her waist. Actually, what she wore looked more like a tunic with very loose trousers underneath which were bound above her ankles. She was wearing very sturdy looking brown boots which were tightly knotted.

The colour was Gryffindor red and gold with a strange crest over her left breast pocket. As he came closer, he saw that her slightly busy red hair had been bound up also, frankly, she looked ready for some sort of fight. As he approached, she smiled and asked.

"How do you like my duelling robes, Harry?"

"They're really good," Harry said honestly and they were. It was interesting to know Wizards had just as many different kinds of clothes as Muggles did, even if they had a very Medieval feel to them.

"This is the Weasley family crest," Mrs Weasley now said proudly, pointing to said crest which now Harry was closer, could see it was a red weasel holding a spear. It was very cool looking, the weasel's form almost snaked around the spear in Celtic style.

"I wonder Harry dear, could you help me with the finishing touches?" she now asked, holding up some red ribbon.

"Sure," Harry said and she smiled.

"Good boy, I just need you to bind up my wrists, flapping sleeves aren't good for duels."

As he did as he asked, he said.

"So, you're ready to duel Mr Malfoy?"

"I certainly am," she said with almost a growl in her voice. "That man needs a good lesson, one I shall be able to teach."

Harry grinned, Mr Malfoy did need a lesson although there was something bothering him. As he finished with Mrs Weasleys wrists, he asked softly.

"Mrs Weasley, if this is a proper Wizard's duel, are you going to...kill him?"

She sighed heavily at this but said.

"Despite the fact he wouldn't deserve anything less, we are not like him Harry. I would only kill if there was no other choice but that's not today. Besides," she added grimly.

"If he lives, I can really make him pay for what he did."

Harry mentally promised never to get on her bad side.

"Molly?" came a voice and Harry turned to see Mr Weasley emerging from a door that contained the Hospital Wing's bathroom.

He too was wearing duelling robes and even with his glasses, managed to look very impressive. He had a determined glint in his eyes, the same one his wife had and Harry was sure Mr Malfoy was in for one touch duel.

And he wasn't wrong.

Later that day

"I can't believe this is really happening," Ron whispered to his friends as they sat watching the duellist get ready.

The duel was taking place above the Quiddith pitch, on two enchanted platforms that where hovering so that they were level with the stands. Those stands were packed with students, just about all of them had never seen a proper duel before and were eager to see it. All they knew was that Lucius Malfoy had insulted the Weasleys in such a fashion, that a Wziard duel was necessary to restore honour.

Dumbledore was doing his part to keep Ginny's involvement in the Chamber of Secrets as quiet as possible and so far, was doing a pretty good job. She was surrounded by her brothers, as family of one of the duellists, they were sitting in the teacher's box, which had the best view. Since Harry and Hermione were as good as family, they'd also been allowed to join them.

Draco Malfoy was also there and he was looking sour. The trio weren't sure just how much he'd known about the Chamber but something told them he'd known nothing about Ginny. Otherwise, he'd have been sure to make some snide comment but all he did was shoot them a rather hateful look from Snape's side.

He didn't know how his family ended up in a duel with the Weasleys but he was sure the Golden trio was behind it somehow. Sadly, his father was unlikely to tell him especially if he lost although that naturally wasn't very likely to happen. His father was a respected Pureblood with a proper sense of pride, how could poor Bloodtraitors beat him?

"I do hope they'll be okay," Hermione said anxiously. "Malfoy's Second doesn't look very nice."

"Yeah, he looks part Troll, that's probably why he was picked," Ron said darkly in agreement as they looked at the silent, brutish looking man who was meant to be Mr Malfoy's Second.

"I think he might be Crabbe's father," Harry whispered.

"Figures," Ron muttered, remembering the duel they'd set up in First year, when Draco had chosen Crabbe for his Second. The irony wasn't lost on any of them.

"So, what happens when one of them wins?" Hermione now asked softly, the duellists weren't quite ready yet.

"If they don't kill the other, they demand a form of payment," Ron answered quietly. "It's normally money of some sort but if there's a lot of bad blood, then it'll be something else."

They were silent now, each wondering what the payment would end up being. Because of course, there was no way the Weasleys could lose, they just couldn't. Mr Malfoy couldn't be allowed to get away with what he did, so many students could have been horribly killed.

"Their starting," Hermione whispered now as an official duellist referee from the Minster, mounted on a broom hovered between Mr Weasley and Mr Malfoy who were ready for action. Behind both the main duellists, their Second waited, wands not drawn as of yet.

The referee raised a red flag, even as his broom rose up, making him higher than the platforms. There was a series of protective spells around the platforms so that neither the crowd nor the referee would be injured by stray spells.

And now the referee called for them to bow to each other, still holding the flag high. They did so very stiffly, both keeping their faces upturned to she could glare at the other. Mutual hate blazed in both eyes, this wasn't going to be a very clean duel.

And then the referee had dropped the flag.

"Bombardo!" yelled Mr Weasley as Mr Malfoy shouted.

"Diffindo!"

The duel was on and it was a brutal one. The two men run all over the place, shooting vicious sounding spells at each other, most Harry had never even heard of. There were explosions and brightly coloured flashes of light, it was like nothing Harry had ever seen before.

Hermone was desperately clutching both her friends, terrified for Mr Weasleys. Ron grimly held her back, his face white even as he screamed encouragement along with his family for his father. All the students and teachers were making some sort of noise, cheering on the men who were fighting each other.

As Mr Weasley dived to avoid a jet of bright purple, Harry glanced at Mrs Weasley and saw her wand arm twitching, she was clearly itching to join the fight. But she couldn't until either Mr Weasley was incapacitated or he called for her to take over. The only thing was, if Mr Weasley asked for her to take over, which would mean she'd have to take on both Mr Malfoy and his Second Crabbe.

Those were the rules.

"Get him dad!" Ron now roared as his father rolled on the ground and sent a leg locker jinx at Mr Malfoy, which caused the man's legs to snap together.

The blond man wobbled but he didn't quite fall and was able to a jet of fire at Mr Weasley, who dodged but still got a searing burn on his arm. Mr Weasley yelped slightly in pain but he wasn't down yet, he was pushing himself to his knees and waving his wand in a twirling gesture.

The next moment, Mr Malfoy's sleek blond hair had turned bright red with gold streaks. Mr Weasley smirked as the Gryffindors roared their approval while Slytherin's howled in mostly mock outrage. But Mr Malfoy's face had gone white with pure rage, and with a bang, the leg locker jink was taken off him and he was aiming a jet of black at Mr Weasley.

Both Hermione and Ginny shrieked, Ginny had wanted to see the man who'd hurt her pay. Mr Weasley's hastily thrown up shield was blasted apart and he was thrown backwards, twitching on the ground as tendrils of black oozed all over him. Harry had no idea what that was but was sure it was Dark Magic of some sort.

But just as Mr Malfoy looked ready to move in for the kill, hopefully not literally, Mr Weasley gasped out.

"Molly, you're on."

Molly Weasley surged forward, the air around her crackling with energy, making the strands of her tied up hair stand up. Mr Malfoy looked briefly worried but then he smirked and gestured for Crabbe to come forward and join the fight. But as the heavy man surged forward, she slashed her wand through the air and he was sent soaring backwards, landing heavily.

And before he could get up, she'd sent a full Body Bind at him, meaning it was just her and Mr Malfoy. He rolled to one side, the movement allowing him to get into a defensive crouch and start firing spell, after spell at her, no doubt hoping to overwhelm her. But none of them worked, she either dodge or deflected them, coming closer and closer to the edge of her platform.

Those who were close could see a note of fear in Malfoy's pale eyes but he still continued to try and fight. But nothing seemed to stop her, she was just kept coming at him. So, in an act of desperation, he sent the same jet of black at her that had taken down her husband.

But with a stab of her wand, she conjured a pure white shield right in front of herself, causing the black jet to ricochet in all directions, bouncing off the overhead protective shield. Mr Malfoy stood shocked, sure she wouldn't' be able to stop his curse. But his pause cost him as Molly pushed forward with her shield, sending it as a white ball straight at him.

It hit him straight in the stomach and blasted him backwards, making him slide all the way to the edge of the platform and keep going. He tried to stop himself but the blast had been too powerful, he went tumbling over the edge with a scream of terror.

Only to be caught by the referee's levitation charm so that he only fell about ten feet at most. There was a moment of silence as Molly stood at the edge of her platform, her chest heaving with emotion and exertion. And then a huge roar went up from all around the stadium as students jumped to their feet to cheer the heroine of the hour.

"She did it, she did it," Hermione screamed as she jumped up and down with Harry and Ron who were both shouting praise for Mrs Weasley.

The red haired woman was now bent over Mr Weasley who was weakly smiling up at her even as Madam Pomfrey was flying over to him. Thankfully, she was able to treat him although he'd need some bed rest, Mr Malfoy's curse had been vicious but not unknown.

Harry, Hermione and all the Weasleys were allowed to join the two elder Weasleys on the winner's platform as Mr Malfoy was brought over to them, looking beyond sour. He looked crumpled although Crabbe actually looked a little worse for wear. Mrs Weasley had not wanted him interfering in her revenge against Lucius Malfoy and he'd found that out the hard, painful way.

"As the loser, you will be required to pay compensation for losing this duel," the referee now told him sternly. "And as this duel has proved, you were in the wrong, now Molly and Arthur Weasley shall name your penance."

Malfoy just scowled before glaring at the could who stood firm.

"You tell him Molly dear," Mr Weasley said easily, happy to let her handle things.

"I'm going to give you two choices," she said in a stern tone. "The first one is that you give up your wand for a year..."

"A year?" he burst out in outrage.

"Not only that, but you will work in Muggle aid products for at least five days a week, although you can work more if you wish," Molly said coolly. "Furthermore, you shall set up a sponsorship for disadvantaged Muggleborn students."

Mr Malfoy stared at her for several moments before sneering.

"And the other option?"

"A sound paddling, every day for the next year," Molly said evenly causing all the kids to struggle not to laugh out loud.

Malfoy gaped, he honestly gaped in horror at her. With his mouth open, she added.

"And this won't be a set time, I'll come for you at any time I please, no matter who you're with, or what you're doing."

He closed his mouth, opened it and then shut it again, unable to form any words. She now said in a deadly tone.

"I should kill you for what you did but..."

She glanced over at where Draco was standing, looking angry and scared for his father.

"You have a young son and I won't deprive him of his father, no matter how deprived that father actually is."

"Well Lucius Malfoy?" the referee now asked after a few minutes of silence. "What is your decision?"

"The...the former," Malfoy said quietly, he was utterly defeated.

Molly looked mildly disappointed but still said.

"Arthur will oversee you're...charity work and if he feels you're planning anything...then you will receive a visit from me and my wooden spoon."

"Do something, do something," the twins chanted quietly behind their mother's back.

"I won't," Malfoy bit out, he really looked a bit scared of Molly now.

"Think he will?" Ron asked Harry eagerly.

"Maybe, at first," Harry whispered back. "But I have a feeling one session with your mum will be enough."

"Yeah," Ron said with a shrug before asking slyly.

"Think she'll let us watch?"

"I wouldn't think so," Hermione said with a small smile. "But...we can always hope."

"We sure can," Harry said softly and he wasn't just referring to that.

He hoped that Ginny could recover from all that had happened, he hoped Mr Malfoy could learn some sort of lesson and never try anything like that again. He hoped Ethelinda would be happy in her new home but above all, he hoped he and his friends remained as close as they had been this year for the rest of his life.

Author's note. Hope you all enjoyed this little story arc, I certainly did. Consdiering Molly is the one who brought down Bellitrix LeStrange, I can see her as being a very skilled duellist, especially when a member of her family is threatened. Remember, I welcome suggestions for future stories.