Here's the final and...very short, concluding chapter to this story. I will have the next installment up as soon as I feel like posting it...oh, and it is my friends, horns-halos4ever birthday, so go wish her happy birthday and whatnot...and tell her it's my fault that her inbox is overflowing with happy birthday messages...MUWAHAHA!
Chapter 14
Fear and suspicion banished, the House tables buzzed with excitement and anticipation... all except the Slytherins, who did not share the general feeling. Seated at the tables were the formerly petrified, revived students. Justin Finch-Fletchley joined his fellow Hufflepuffs as Colin Creevey snapped photos of the proceedings. At the rear of the hall, standing near the entrance, Filch was reunited with Mrs. Norris. Then... Hermione and Amanda entered, searching the room for us. Finally, they saw us and smiled as they ran forward and embraced each and every one of us. "You solved it! You solved it!" smiled Hermione.
"With loads of help from you," replied Harry as Hermione turned to embrace Ron. They paused and an awkward moment erupted between them until they shook hands. "Welcome back, Hermione," said Ron.
McGonagall tapped her goblet as Dumbledore stood up. "Before we begin our feast, let's give a round of applause to Professor Sprout and Madame Pomfrey, whose Mandrake Juice has been successfully administered to all those who had been petrified. Also, in the wake of recent events, as a school treat, all exams have been cancelled."
Everyone cheered, save for Hermione and Amanda. At the rear of the Hall, the great doors opened to reveal Hagrid. He entered and then stopped, looking around the room. The room fell silent as all of the eyes set upon him. He glanced around, nervous and embarrassed. "Sorry I'm late. The owl deliverin' my release papers got all lost 'n confused. Some ruddy bird named Errol."
Ron exchanged a nervous glance with Dumbledore and me as I let out a laugh. Hagrid looked at all of the faces staring at him and then he turned to us. "I jus' want to say... that if it wasn't fer' all of you... Well, I jus' want to say... Thanks."
"There's no Hogwarts without you, Hagrid," I replied as we each gave him a great big hug. Just then... Dumbledore got to his feet and... slowly...brought his hands together. The others joined him. Soon, everyone was on their feet and the Hall roared with applause. As the students surround Hagrid, he blinks, wipes at his eyes. Everything was back to the way it was before.
The End