Chapter Twelve: Change of Plans

About three days later, on the last day of school, Ron, Hermione, Riley, and Tony, who were back in their school robes, waited on top of the staircase leading to the Great Hall for Harry to show up. The hero of the school was scheduled for discharge from the hospital that evening, and they decided to go to the End-Of-Year feast together.

"Too bad Slytherin's won the House Cup." groaned Ron. "No offense, Tony." he added, quickly, looking at the Slytherin standing beside him.

"None taken." Tony responded, casually, with a shrug. "It would feel like a victory, if Malfoy wasn't on my team."

"On the bright side, at least he didn't call us by that name for the past few days." Riley reminded him, in an attempt to ease his pain.

He was met with a pair of glares from both of the other two boys, and simply smiled apologetically back at them.

"So, uh, how do you think our parents are going to take to what we did?" Hermione asked, in an effort to change the subject. "There's no doubt our Heads of Houses have told them already."

"That depends on their mood." admitted Riley.

"Yeah." Ron agreed, grimacing.

"I'll tell you what I'm gonna do," declared Tony. "Change my name and move to Australia."

The three Gryffindors around him slowly turned to stare at him, mystified.

"My best friend, everyone." announced Riley.

Tony was about to respond, then his gaze fell forward, a grin slowly forming on his face.

"Speaking of 'friends',..." he said, nodding at the ground floor.

Ron, Hermione, and Riley turned to follow his gaze, and saw Harry walking towards the side of the staircase. His cuts had not healed yet, and his right hand was bandaged up, other than that, he was appeared to be alright.

"Alright there, Ron?" he called up to the red head of the group.

"Alright." answered Ron. "You?"

"Alright. Hermione?"

"Never better." replied Hermione.

"Riley? Tony?"

"Can Superman run faster than a speeding bullet?" asked Riley.

Tony opened his mouth to retort, then waved it off.

"Oy." he groaned.

Harry walked up the steps to join his friends, and they headed off to the Great Hall.

"So, what did I miss?" he asked.

"Slytherin won the House Cup, Malfoy's giving all of us a headache, and almost everybody in the school's been anxiously waiting for you to wake up." Hermione listed, casually. "Everybody knows about what happened in the dungeon."

"Prof. Dumbledore mentioned that. He also said that the Stone has been destroyed."

Instantly, the other four halted in their tracks, stunned.

"It's what?!" they asked.

"Why?!" asked Ron.

"We went through Hell protecting that thing!" added Tony.

"Prof. Dumbledore said that Nicholas Flamel decided that it was best that it be destroyed." answered Harry. "Now there's no chance of Voldemort coming back."

"Please stop saying that name." Ron pleaded, as the group continued to walk down the hallway.

"Voldemort." Tony muttered, smirking.

"Tony, don't you start now."

"Voldemort." Riley piped in, cracking a grin.

"Hermione, I swear, if you go next,-"

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it." Hermione reassured him.

"Thank you."

"Voldemort."

"AAH!"


The Great Hall was filled with the noise of chattering students, and silverware clattering against the dishes. Slytherin House seemed to be the most noisiest, because of their victory for the eighth year in the row. Green and silver banners with the Slytherin snake hung from the enchanted ceiling, and soon, it would be time for Prof. Dumbledore to announce the winner. Prof. McGonagall rapped her silverware against the glass goblet a few times, signaling for the students to quiet down. Prof. Dumbledore rose to his feet, and looked at the students seated at their House tables, ready to give his last speech for the year.

"Another year gone, and now as I understand it, the House Cup needs awarding," he announced. "And the points stand thus: In fourth place, Gryffindor with 312 points."

He paused to let the students clap for the Gryffindor House, while the Gryffindor students appeared defeated and depressed with their loss. Then the Headmaster of Hogwarts continued.

"In third place, Hufflepuff with 352 points." he spoke, looking at the Hufflepuff table.

The Gryffindors joined in with the Ravenclaw and Slytherin students to applaud for the Hufflepuff House, albeit half-heartedly.

"Second place, Ravenclaw with 426 points." Prof. Dumbledore went on.

All but the Ravenclaw students started to clap now, and then it finally came.

"And in first place, with 472 points, Slytherin House." finished Prof. Dumbledore.

The Slytherin students cheered for their victory, while Tony's applause seemed half-hearted. He hadn't had it in him to cheer, since he was sharing the victory with a House almost full of people who gave people like him a hard time. He dared to glance at Draco Malfoy, who smirked in victory at the Gryffindor table, at the spot where Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Riley were seated. What the students didn't know was that Prof. Dumbledore had not finished yet.

"Yes, yes, well done, Slytherin. Well done, Slytherin. However, recent events must be taken into account." the Headmaster declared, smiling. "And I have a few last minute points to award. To Mr. Anthony Gabriel,..."

Tony tensed up at the mention of his name, and felt everyone's gazes fall on him.

"...despite being in different Houses, he stayed true to himself, he remained loyal to his friends, and came to their aid when the situation called for it, as well as to the aid of others." Prof. Dumbledore continued, smiling at the boy. "I award Slytherin House fifty points."

Tony was suddenly met with applause from his Housemates, aside from Draco and his two friends, but what surprised him most was that the teachers and students from the other Houses. Harry, Ron, Hermione, Riley, and several students from the Gryffindor House were clapping for him harder than almost anyone else. Tony looked towards the teacher's tables, and saw Prof. Snape smiling in pride.

"Second, to Miss Hermione Granger,..." Prof. Dumbledore continued, looking at Hermione.

Harry, Ron, and Riley quickly looked at the bushy-haired girl sitting beside Harry, and saw that her face turned a little pink in surprise.

"...for the cool use of intellect when others were in grave peril." the Headmaster continued, smiling. "Fifty points."

The Gryffindor House's applause seemed to be the loudest of all, as Hermione smiled in embarrassment. However, that would not be the end yet.

"Third, to Mr. Ronald Weasley," the Headmaster announced, looking at Ron. "For the best-played game of chess that Hogwarts has seen these many years. Fifty points."

The students broke out into applause again, and Ron's face turned red in embarrassment as his brothers and friends congratulated him.

"Fourth, to Mr. Riley Cross," Prof. Dumbledore went on, looking at Riley now. "For his gentle disposition towards animals in the face of danger, and his kindness and compassion towards others. Fifty points."

Riley grinned sheepishly as he felt Ron clap him on the back, while the rest of the students clapped and cheered for him. He looked back at the Slytherin table and saw Tony clapping hard for him, also grinning.

"Yeah, Superboy!" the Slytherin student cheered, proudly. "That's my best bud over there!"

The cheers died down once again, as the Headmaster glanced down at Harry.

"Fifth, to Mr. Harry Potter," he spoke. "For pure nerve, and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor House sixty points."

The cheers of the other students escalated, and Harry felt his face heat up in embarrassment. He cast a casual glance to the side and saw Prof. McGonagall smiling proudly at him. Then his attention was shifted to Hermione, who nudged him urgently.

"We're tied with Slytherin!" she whispered, excitedly.

Sure enough, Gryffindor and Slytherin both had five hundred and twenty two points. Prof. Dumbledore seemed to be aware of that, because he started to speak again.

"And finally, it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends." he declared to the students. "I award ten points to Neville Longbottom."

The Gryffindor table burst into cheers again, while Neville remained in his seat, completely caught off guard. A pat on the back brought him back to the real world, as he looked at his classmates. The cheers died down again, awaiting for what was to come next.

"Assuming that my calculations are correct, I believe that a change of decoration is in order." Prof. Dumbledore said, looking at each of his students.

He clapped his hands once, then raised them into the air. The green and silver Slytherin banners flew up a little, then became replaced with scarlet red and gold Gryffindor banners.

"Gryffindor wins the House Cup." the Headmaster announced at last.

The Gryffindor House, the Ravenclaw House, and the Hufflepuff House completely burst into louder cheers than before, and Tony himself dared to clap for Gryffindor's victory. Hagrid's brief cheer was heard among the applause, before he reverted back to the non-biased clapping. The three Houses threw their caps into the air in celebration for Slytherin's defeat, some laying on the floor, momentarily forgotten. Tony glanced beside him and saw Draco looking very displeased about the whole thing, and chuckled. While their House had lost, he felt a little more better about Gryffindor winning.


The following morning, the students departed to the Hogwarts Express to head for home, and some of the students were saying their last goodbyes. While Harry was finishing having his things put into the train, Tony was looking for an empty compartment for his friends to sit in, Hermione and Ron were waiting for Harry and Riley, and Riley himself was discussing something with Hagrid.

"Don't you forget now, Riley," Hagrid was saying. "You promised."

"I know, believe me, I'm happy to do it." Riley assured him. "Ron and Hermione'll have a heart attack though. I did tell them though."

He hugged the larger half-giant goodbye, then headed back towards his friends, just as Harry was starting to climb on board. Harry paused to see Hagrid waving at him, and turned towards him.

"Come on, Harry." called Hermione.

She stood back by the door, looking at him.

"One minute." Harry told her.

He walked past her over to Hagrid, while Riley climbed on board the train. He and Hermione looked over at Harry and Hagrid, and smiled.

"You know, I don't see why Hagrid doesn't adopt Harry." said Riley. "They act like father and son."

"You're right." Hermione agreed, as she watched Harry hug Hagrid. "It's sweet."

"What is?" asked Ron.

He and Tony walked over to them, looking curious.

"Nothing." responded Riley.

Harry walked back over to his friends after one last talk with Hagrid, and went to board the train as Hermione spoke up.

"Feels strange to be going home, doesn't it?" she asked.

"I'm not going home." Harry told her. "Not really."

The five friends headed onboard to find a compartment, the once inside, Harry stuck his head out of the window to wave farewell to his friend, as the train pulled away. The five of them sat down, and enjoyed the ride back home.

"Hey, Riley, what were you and Hagrid talking about anyway?" asked Ron.

"Oh, right, I never told you guys." Riley said, snapping his fingers. "Prof. Dumbledore and Hagrid were impressed that Fluffy took so well to me, that they asked if I could come by and feed him and play with him sometimes when the school year starts again."

His friends stared at him, stunned, while the comic book-loving boy simply stared back at them, and smiled, like it was no big dea.

"You mean you're friends with the school guard dog?" asked Harry.

"Think we could feed him Malfoy?" asked Ron.

"Ron!" Hermione scolded him.

The other boys cracked up laughing in response. Then Ron looked at each of his friends.

"What are you all doing this summer?" he asked.

"Checking out the neighboring cities, getting used to living in this country." answered Tony. "And I've gotta get me a broomstick so I can start training. I promise you, next year, I'm gonna be on the Slytherin team. Riley'll be training with me, too."

"Why me?!" Riley demanded, his face going pale.

"'Cause it'll be fun."

Riley and Tony started to argue about whether or not the former would be training with the latter, while their friends laughed at them.

"What about you, Harry? Hermione?" Ron asked, looking at his other two friends.

"It all depends on my parents." replied Hermione.

"Same with my aunt and uncle and cousin." agreed Harry. "It's my first summer back from Hogwarts, and they weren't too thrilled about me attending."

"Maybe you guys can come over this summer, all four of you." offered Ron. "Mum wouldn't mind."

"I am interested in hearing more about your brother's occupation in the dragon business." Tony mused, interested.

"Naturally." muttered Riley.

Hours later, the train pulled into the station at Platform Nine and Three Quarters, where several of the students' parents, aunts, uncles, and guardians were waiting. The students clambered off, and went to get their belongings. As Harry was getting his trunk off of the train onto a trolley, two hands appeared from beside him and helped set the trunk down onto the cart.

"There you go, son." an elderly voice spoke, politely.

Harry looked up to see Neil standing beside him, smiling brightly.

"Thank you." he said.

"Grandpa!" called Riley.

Neil turned to see his grandson rushing towards him and hugging him around the middle.

"There you are, squirt!" he exclaimed, happily.

"I see you've met my friend, Harry Potter." Riley observed, looking at Harry. "Harry, this is my grandpa, Neil."

"You're 'Grandpa Neil'?" asked Harry.

"Yes, I'm the very same grandpa who got Riley his comic books." answered Neil. "Hermione reacted the same way over Christmas. It's very nice to finally meet another of Riley and Tony's friends, I've heard much about you, and Ron."

"Y-You have?"

"Oh, yes. I guess if the boys are going to get themselves into mischief, they might as well do so looking out for their friends. And that's the only time I'm allowing it."

Riley and Tony, who had now joined them, smiled at each other, then looked back at Harry.

"Hopefully we meet up sometime." said Tony.

"I'm sure your aunt and uncle wouldn't mind you being out of their hair every once in a while," agreed Riley. "'specially when you tell them we're Muggles."

"I'll have to ask. I'll write to you guys." Harry promised them.

"Likewise."


The story has come to an end at last, but the adventure is not over yet. Stay tuned for the sequel, I'll get started as soon as I can, but first, I must update some of my other fanfics.

Disclaimer: I own the Cross family, and the Gabriels. I don't own the Harry Potter series (books, movies, you get it), or any of the DC comics, books, the Walkman player, any artists or songs that appear in this story. If I did, I'd be richer than Lex Luthor, Bruce Wayne, the Malfoys,...okay, you guys get the picture.