"So Quirrel was the one hexing Harry," Hermione asked. I nodded, "Snape was
performing the counter curse, trying to help him. But when you set his robes on
fire, I suppose that knocked him back. Voldemort-" (They both shuttered) –"Was
using Quirrel's body. That's what was under his turban." "Wow," Ron breathed,
"that's something, huh?" I was repeating to them everything Lupin told me that
morning. Harry was to be ready tomorrow, just in time for the feast. Ron,
Hermione, and I had went and gone to visit him while he was still dead asleep
and Ron kept eating his chocolate frogs. He also opened his flavored beans and
making me try one that resembled the color of grape. It ended up being a mold
and I spat it back at him. After I was finished being informed of what really
happened, Lupin asked me bluntly if I had decided on Maudie or Leaky Cauldron.
"I don't think I really have a choice do I? I sent Miss Maudie a letter this
morning informing her I would stay there." He was pleased with my answer and I
was glad. After I told Ron and Hermione what was up, we decided to kill it the
rest of the day at Hagrid's where we were stuck in a funny mixture of being
scolded and thanked about not listening to him. I really wasn't that upset
about it, I knew we were all ok and things were better. The stone was
destroyed. What exactly happened in the room, we didn't know but I didn't think
any of us really wanted. We went to bed that night, just grateful we got the
necessities off our chests. The next morning, we went and greeted Harry out of
the Hospital Wing by sitting on the main staircase next to it. He finally got
out at about feast time and I was tempted to give up. When he walked out, we
all stood up and smiled. He smiled back and nodded at Ron, "Alright Ron?" Ron
nodded and then he looked at us, "And the both of you?" I nodded and then
Hermione. "How about you," I asked, "We heard it was rough." He nodded, "Never
better." I smiled bigger and we all ran away. It was strange. Instead of making
us all on edge, we were all happy closer as friends. We all went to the feast
and sat down and waited on the feast to start. Dumbledore stood up and called
us to attention. "Well, I want to congratulate our house Slytherine for winning
the house cup." We all deliberately clapped and then Dumbledore quieted us.
"But I believe there are a few more points to be granted. To a Ms. Hermione
Granger, fifty points. For using logic to get through the toughest trials."
Everyone cheered and then he continued. "To Mr. Ronald Weasley, fifty points
for the finest game of Wizard Chess this school has ever seen." Again, cheers.
"To Miss Kimber Curtis (I gasped) fifty points for her quick wit and cutting
edge skills that were just recent and one of the best in the school." More,
somewhat louder cheers. "To Harry Potter, sixty points, for being brave and
calm, protecting his friends and his school." More cheers and a gasp, We're
tied with Slytherine, from Hermione. "And finally, an extra ten points to
Neville Longbottom. It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your
enemies. But a great deal more…to stand up to your friends." Everyone cheered,
and much, much louder. "I believe there is a change in decoration in order."
Dumbledore clapped and all the silver and green curtains flourished scarlet and
gold. We had won the house cup and I was absolutely proud. I looked up at Lupin
as I clapped and he was beaming at me. The rest of the feast, we were top notch
happy and ate so much, we went to bed almost instantly. "Promise me you won't
do anything stupid," Lupin said to me as I picked up my cage for Lyra. "I
promise. And I'll write if I need anything." "Good." He hesitated but I put my
arms around his waist, knowing what he wanted, "Thanks for being there for me,
Professor. I'm glad I had a mentor like you." He hugged me back lightly and I
picked up my bird when he was done. "Be good to them," he called as I got on
the train. I quickly went with Harry back to our compartment and waved at Lupin
as we pulled away. He waved back and was smiling at me the whole way. The way
back, I couldn't help but feel nearly twenty times better because I had
friends, a new temporary home, and a life back. I was getting education and I
was getting better with people. I could honestly ask for nothing more, and
certainly nothing less.