"They should be back by now." Parvati said pacing back and forth.
"We have to go look for them. I can't just sit around any longer." I said standing.
Everyone agreed and we made our way down the corridors to Lockhart's office. When we got there it was half packed and empty. No Lockhart, Harry, or Ron to be found. We all shared a look and Parvati turned and took off down the hall. Everyone else took off after her as quick as we could. When we got there we heard them talking. We ran in and we found the missing people covered in dirt and soot.
"Oh hello, do you live down there?" Lockhart asked us smiling.
"Oliver?" I asked looking at the quidditch player who was also covered in dirt.
"I saw Lockhart leading them and I got nervous so I followed them. We went down this secret chamber and then Ron, Lockhart, and I got caved in on one side and Harry went on without us. He saved Ginny." Oliver explained scratching the back of his neck.
Harry just shook his head and Ron kept trying to hug Ginny but she kept pushing him away. Ginny made eye contact with me and ran over. She hugged me tightly and wouldn't let go. I shushed her and told her that everything would be alright. Then a glorious bird, Fawkes, led us down the corridors. It stopped right outside McGonagall's office.
"Oh my word! Ginny dear!" McGonagall exclaimed when she saw Ginny. "Lockhart did you?"
"Who's Lockhart?" Lockhart asked looking around happily. "What a lovely place you guys have here."
"What's going on here?" McGonagall asked rather confused.
Everyone left Harry, Ron, Ginny, and Lockhart in McGonagall's office. Seamus, Neville, Dean, Parvati, Lavender, and I walked back to the common room. Parvati had a half grin on her face. When she was asked about it just just said she knew about that bathroom from the start. We all smiled our way back to the common room and changed into our pyjamas. We then made our way to the great hall along with all of the other students.
During the feast Ron and Harry joined us and explained everything about Tom Riddle and Voldemort. At about two in the morning the student that were petrified were returned to their original state. They joined us in the great hall. Colin Creevey sheepishly made his way over and we all smiled and took turns giving him hugs.
"How'd you figure it out before anyone was even attacked?" I asked him sitting him down and sitting next to him.
"Ginny told me about the diary," He started. "So I did a little digging. Then Mrs. Norris was attacked and I knew I was right. I tried to get to you and I kept my camera up at all times but it got to me first." He looked down and fiddled with his fingers. "I just wanted to impress Harry Potter." Colin murmured.
"You did." Harry simply said and pulled Colin into a hug.
It really was a glorious night. Talking and eating with friends and one of the best things of the night was when Dumbledore declared that exams would be cancelled this year. That got a great cheer from Seamus. Oliver had waddled over and talked to us for at least an hour before making his way back to his friends and the quidditch team aside from Harry.
At four we went back to our common room and stayed up all night talking in a circle. Harry, Ron, Ginny, Colin, Seamus, Dean, Parvati, Neville, and I all had a great night of laughing and saying goodbye for the summer even thought there was already talk of a party at Ron's. In the morning everyone was exhausted, but happy. I know that's how I felt. I joined everyone for breakfast and smiled sadly when it was time to say goodbye.
"So what are your summer plans?" Lavender asked walking with the whole gang and I to the train.
"Nothing really, the only official plan is going over to Dean's with Neville to help him survive a family party." I laughed at Dean's way of asking me.
"You'll come over to mine right?" Lavender asked hopefully.
"Send me a letter and I'll be there." I smiled back getting onto the train with her and claiming the first empty room.
Half of us took an empty room on one side of the train and half on the other but we left the doors wide open. Lavender, Parvati, Neville, Seamus and I sat in one while Dean, Harry, Ginny, Ron were in the other.
"Maybe next year will be boring." Neville offered with a little shrug.
"We can hope, right?" Parvati replied patting his arm.
We spent the entire train ride laughing and talking. We also periodically switched who we were sitting with so everyone could hang out before we parted for three months.
"Thanks for uh, staying safe this year." Seamus whispered while everyone else was distracted by their own conversations.
"I wasn't even there this year." I whispered back putting my legs under my thighs.
"I know." He smiled with a grin and we began to talk about summer and how nice it was to leave without exams.
We heard some students that passed our carts say that there was only five minutes left and that's when the actual goodbyes began. We all promised to write and hang out all summer. When the train finally came to a halt we all sluggishly got off and found all of our respective guardians. There was lots of waving and sad smiles as we parted for the second time.
I made my way to Gram with Neville and she began to ask if all the rumours were true. I told her everything that had happened and she assured us that the rest of the wizarding world now know how phony Lockhart really is. She asked us various questions about our school year and we answered as best as we could. Gram claimed that there should have been exams, which could have brought Seamus into one heck of an argument, but that she's happy we're okay.
It's impossible for me to be anymore lucky. I have the best friendships of anyone at that school and I wouldn't trade them for anything.
Colin: The wicked smart fan boy.
Ginny: The ever too trusting fan girl.
Oliver: The curious quidditch star.
Neville: The loveable boy with the worst luck.
Parvati: The quick witted investigator.
Dean: The intelligent go getter.
Seamus: The comical worry wart.
Lavender: The nosey tip toer.
Ron: The moaning scaredy cat.
Me: The promising potions amateur.
And Harry: The always thrown into trouble leader.
