This (very short) chapter is dedicated to Pottermore. Pottermore although you didn't let me enter for the first two days which made me want to throw something at my computer today you let me become magical and actually emailed me my verification. Thank you for a stressful yet fun 3 days.
Chapter Fourteen – Goodbye
"You've had nearly fifteen minutes, now OUT," Madam Pomfrey said sternly to Ron and Hermione.
They both sighed and got up to leave.
"See you soon Harry," Said Hermione, raising her hand.
"Yeah, see you mate," Ron said.
Harry said goodbye and Ron and Hermione left. Once out they headed back to the Gryffindor common room.
"Can you believe what Harry did?" Hermione asked Ron quietly.
Ron shook his head. "No, he actually saw You-Know-Who, and stood up to him! He saved the stone!"
Hermione nodded and they both lapsed into silence, lost in thought. When they reached the common room, Neville approached them.
"How is he?" he asked eagerly.
"Fine, he looks tired but well," Hermione answered.
Neville nodded and hurried off to relay the news back to Dean and Seamus. Hermione felt a little lost, she had spent the last few weeks solidly worrying about exams, the Stone and then Harry. Now there was nothing left to worry about, she was free.
"Game of chess?" Ron asked, smiling slightly.
Hermione laughed. "Thought you'd never want to play again!"
"Nah, just an incentive to play more, getting knocked out by a live chess piece,"
OOO
A sudden hush fell over the green and silver decked hall, then there was an explosion of chatter. Hermione looked around to see Harry walking into the Great Hall, looking nervous but well. Ron and Hermione both moved over slightly so Harry could slip in between them. He looked sheepish as people stared at him but fortunately Dumbledore arrived and the whole hall fell silent.
"Another year gone!" He said, beaming at them all. "And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were … you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts …
Now as I understand it, the House Cup here need awarding and the points stand thus: in fourth place, Gryffindor, with three hundred and twelve points; in third place, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two; Ravenclaw have four hundred and twenty-six and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two."
A loud chorus of cheering exploded from the Slytherin table.
"Yes, yes, well done, Slytherin," Continued Dumbledore. "However recent events must be taken into account,"
Hermione narrowed her eyes, she couldn't let herself get her hopes up. The room had gone very quiet.
"Ahem, I have a few last-minute points to dish out. Let me see. Yes…..First – to Mr Ronald Weasley….."
Hermione watched as Ron bypassed red and hit purple.
"…..for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has ever seen in many years, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."
Gryffindor cheered loudly enough to make the hats on their heads wobble. The twins, Fred and George sat with open mouths, clapping dumble and looking at Ron in astonishment whilst Percy could be hear yelling 'My brother you know! My youngest brother! Got past McGonagall's giant chess set!'
The room slowly silenced again.
"Second – to Miss Hermione Granger….."
Hermione heart literally stopped beating and her mouth opened in shock. The headmaster was awarding her individual house points in front of the whole school!
"….for cool use of logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."
Hermione's heart slammed into the front of her chest and, without warning tears spilt over her eyes. She buried her face in her arms and let out a half-laugh half-sob in happiness. All the Gryffindors had begun to cheer loudly again, for her. Hermione couldn't quite get her head around it. A whole table of people were cheering in thanks.
"Third – to Mr Harry Potter …. For pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house sixty points."
Hermione raised her head, mouth open in shock. They were tied with Slytherin! She hurriedly wiped any remaining tears away and patted Harry on the back, cheering with the rest. The noise was tremendous and in the end Dumbledore raised his hand for silence.
"There are all kinds of courage," Dumbledore said, a small smile on his face. "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr Neville Longbottom."
Hermione had never heard noise like it. Hermione jumped up in her seat with Harry and Ron as the Gryffindor table erupted with noise. Neville had disappeared under a large pile of people pulling him in for a hug. Hermione smiled broadly, Neville had never won a house point in his life and now he had won Gryffindor the house cup. Hermione had know idea how Dumbledore knew about what happened to Neville and she didn't care. They had won, the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs were cheering the downfall of Slytherin as well and Hermione laughed as the noise seemed to reverberate around her head.
"Which means we need a little change in decoration." Said Dumbledore, smiling.
He clapped his hands and the green and silver hangings were replaced with the red and gold of Gryffindor. Snape was shaking Professor McGonagall's hand with a forced smile and the other teachers were clapping and cheering along with the rest. It was a beautiful night that Hermione didn't think she would ever forget.
OOO
Hermione snatched the envelope from Professor McGonagall's hands and immediately slit in open. She pulled out the piece of parchment within and a smile spread across her face. She had done well in everything, there wasn't a single poor mark in sight and in a lot of tests she had received full marks. She swapped with Harry and Ron quickly who rolled their eyes when they saw her paper. Harry and Ron had both passed with good marks and they were obviously both very pleased. When Professor McGonagall had given out all the envelopes she came back to Hermione.
"I thought I would let you know," She said crisply. "That overall you received the highest marks in the year, well done," She gave Hermione a swift smile and walked away.
Hermione's smile widened and she actually let out a small squeal. The end of the year could get no better.
But then it was over. Trunks were packed, pets were found, notes saying not to use magic over the summer were handed out to every student under seventeen and they were all watching the countryside fly past the window as the Hogwarts express whisked them home. All too soon the train had arrived and in twos and threes they were allowed through the ticket barrier.
"Remember to write to me first because I don't have an owl," Hermione said smiling.
The boys grinned and nodded. "You must come and stay this summer," Said Ron. "Both of you – I'll send you an owl."
"Thanks," Harry said. "I'll need something to look forward to."
As they moved closer to the barrier people called out to Harry.
"Bye, Harry!"
"See you, Potter!"
"Still famous," Ron said, smiling.
"Not where I'm going, I promise you," Harry said.
Together the three of them stepped through the barrier. A squeal met their ears.
"There he is, Mum, there he is, look!"
A small ginger haired girl stood with red haired woman who could only be Ron's mother. The girl wasn't pointing at Ron though, she was pointing at Harry.
"Harry Potter! Look, Mum I can see…."
"Be quiet Ginny, and it's rude to point."
Mrs Weasley turned to the three of them but her words were drowned out by a someone speaking from directly behind her.
"Good to see you, Shakes,"
Hermione turned.
"Dad!" She yelled, running the few paces in between them and throwing her arms around his neck, "Mum!"
Mrs Granger had been standing just behind Hermione's father.
"Oh finish off with your friends dear, is it Harry, he looks like he's about to leave."
Hermione turned back around to see that an extremely large man with a purple face and thick moustache and a bony woman with a slightly horse shaped face were standing near to the Weasley's and Harry. Hermione walked back over.
"…..Hurry up boy we haven't got all day." Said the man, walking away.
Hermione's mouth opened slightly and she watched the man who must be Harry's uncle Vernon. Harry was watching her and Ron.
"Hope you have – er – a good holiday," Said Hermione faintly, she couldn't believe how rude Harry's uncle had just been.
"Oh, I will," Hermione was shocked to see Harry was grinning. "They don't know we're not allowed to use magic at home. I'm going to have a lot of fun with Dudley this summer…." Harry gave them one last grin and turned to go.
"Bye mate," Ron called.
Harry raised a hand and waved at them before hurrying up to his aunt and uncle.
"Well I…how rude!" It was Mrs Weasley, her eyes narrowed as she watched Harry's family disappear around the corner. "He'll have to come over this summer…..Oh and you must be Hermione dear," She said, turning to Hermione and smiling.
"Yes, it's nice to meet you Mrs Weasley,"
"And you dear and you, and these must be your parents,"
Hermione turned around to see her parents had wandered over. They both extended their hands to Mrs Weasley.
"And you must be Ron," Said Hermione's father, turning to face Ron who still stood beside Hermione. Ron visible gulped but shook her fathers hand.
"Good to meet you Sir," He said quietly. Hermione almost laughed at his nervousness.
"I've heard you can play a good game of chess," Her father said, his voice deep.
Ron glanced at Hermione looking lost. Hermione rolled her eyes at him.
"Yes Sir," He said.
"Dad plays chess to Ron, that's why he's interested." Hermione said, deciding to help Ron out. Ron nodded.
"Ah here they are, where have you been. Boys this is Mr and Mrs Granger," Said Mrs Weasley, pulling Fred, George and Percy simultaneously out the crowds. Hermione wasn't quite sure how she'd done it.
Fred and George nodded their heads and smiled but Percy held out his hand forcefully.
"Good to meet you, Hermione's done very well this year at school. Earned Gryffindor a lot of points. I'm a prefect you see."
"Oh are you Perce?" Said George, raising his eyebrows.
"You've kept that quiet for a whole year, why didn't you tell someone," Fred mocked.
"Oh for goodness sake boys, your making the same jokes you were when I said goodbye to you in September, I would have thought you had grown up a bit," Mrs Weasley said sternly.
Ron laughed and even Hermione couldn't suppress a giggle. Mr and Mrs Granger looked a little baffled.
"Well it was lovely meeting you all," Said her mother smiling. Her father nodded in agreement.
"And you, I hope to see more of you," Mrs Weasley said.
Hermione realised she had to say goodbye.
"Well I'll see you soon," She said turning to Ron.
Ron nodded, "Yeah I'll send you an owl,"
Hermione smiled and looked down at Ginny who had been looking at her curiously for a while. When Hermione caught her eye she gave quick smile and raised her eyebrows ever so slightly. Hermione smiled back before turning back to Ron.
"Goodbye then," She said.
"Bye Hermione,"
Hermione waved one last time at the Weasleys before walking out of the station with her parents.
Oh woe, it's the end. no it's not don't worry, we have second year now (yay). No can i ask you all a favour, this is mostly to people who's story alerts or favourites that i'm on who haven't given me a review. Can i ask you pretty please to give me one now as all of your ideas, criticisms and general thoughts will shape the future chapters. Seriously if you have any ideas i may like or just something you want to see improve please leave a review or PM me so that the next section can be even better. I would also appreciate my regular reviewers to give me a bit more advice because you're all fabulous and have brilliant tips and ideas.
Now, no one worry but i'm going on holiday for two weeks. Which means because i eschew all technology when i go on holiday there will be no updates for two and a half weeks. But there is a bright side. I will still be writing on holiday, just with good old fashioned pen and paper, so this means that when i return there will be one mega update! Woo. it will be of both Hermione's Story and other one-shots i'm writing so watch this space.
I love you all and please review
Hannah
p.s pottermore name swaps? i'm SeerEcho85, please to meet you x