Because Of Ron Keeperoliver Chapter Twenty
Dudley's one year of Hogwarts was so amazing he never wanted it to end, however, that was what it was about to do. Not because he was doing so well, which he wasn't. Not because he loved magic so much, which he did. But because of the stories he was told of Harry, the Twins, Hermione, Neville and some of the Professors. They were so fantastic, they sounded like fairy tales, but after seeing the snake in the Chamber, he knew everything said was the truth.
He looked back at what was the best year he ever lived and went over the events of the year. It was a Saturday and it was raining so he stayed in bed. He remembered his first day and his wordless magic. His first time with Lavender while at school. The room they did it in, the Room of Requirement. Hermione's birthday and the beast in the chamber.
He thought of his first Hogsmead visit. He was the only first year able to go because of his age, He took orders for the other first years and him and Lavender were loaded down with them, between Honeydukes and the WWW. Then he thought of the Hols. It started out with his second train ride and if that was the only thing interesting to happen during them, it would have been enough, as he listened to all the places people would be going. The things they wished to receive for Christmas. The exchange of gifts, and even some singing of Christmas Carols.
However, it was just the start of the Festivities. Two days after they were home, Sirius and Luna were married and they spent their Christmas in the Bahamas. They returned just in time for Luna to board the train and return to school. She asked if she could take her N.E.W.T.s early because of her giving berth in February. Albus gave her one month to catch up on the last year material she would need to take it. She said she didn't need it, and so she tested and received nine N.E.W.T.s in six subjects with all O's. She was allowed to stay in school until she went into labor, to be around Poppy. She was the first person to ever take her NEWTs one year early and pass with that many O's.
On February 28th Luna gave birth to a little girl. Her and Sirius named her Selena Harriet, after her two favorite people, her mum and Harry. Remus and Tonks were the godparents.
Two weeks after Luna gave birth, it was Lily's turn and she had a girl also. She was named Daisy Lynn. Harry was released from school to attend the birth. When he returned, he had about a hundred pictures to share with everyone. Dudley was a little upset he wasn't allowed to go, but he was as proud as Harry was when he showed the pictures Harry gave him. She was born on April 14th.
His last big memory was the dance before Easter break and his asking Lavender if she would marry him and her acceptance. It was as if he floated on air for the dance and he danced with Lavender for most of the dances, but he did share some with Ginny, Hermione, Daphne and Luna, who had to be there for the event.
Now, he was sitting in his bed, ready to get up and dressed when his curtain opened and he was drowned in water from Harry and his aguamenti spell. He chased Harry out of his dorm, but was never able to catch him. He laughed at this, as he could never ever remember catching Harry if he didn't wish to be caught.
He dressed and saw Harry sitting with Ginny waiting for him and they went to breakfast together. As they walked, Dudley looked around, knowing he wouldn't be seeing the school again in just a couple of days. He did OK with his finals, getting mostly average with one acceptible in History of Magic.
School was over for him and it was bringing to an end a most fantastic year. He wished he could preserve his memory of everyday he was here to show his mum. "Harry, is there any way to save my memories of my time here?"
"Yes, but I don't think it will do you any good, Dudley, as you would need a Pensieve to view it."
"Do you know where I could get one?"
"Dudley, you just don't go out and buy a Pensieve. They are very rare and quite expensive if you found one for sale. Maybe you should ask dad about it?"
Dudley did just that and for an answer, he about died laughing when his Uncle James sent him a joke from his store called, 'Memories in a Can' and it was for people who can't remember shite. He showed it to Harry and he thought why not give it a try and he used his wand to draw the memory of the Basilisk from Dudley's mind. When he put it in the can, the side of the can lit up and Dudley's memory showed up on the side like a telly. He wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. What happened to Dudley wanted to make him laugh, but the look on Ginny's face wanted to make him cry. He was glad that she got over it faster than she did back in second year.
Dudley was tickled at this silly can and had Harry place the memory back in his mind. The can he wanted to put in his trunk, but too many people wished to use it for different memories. He had to keep track of everyone who used it so he knew where it was at all times. He finally was able to get his hands back on it and this time he put it up and no one else got to use.
Dudley asked Colin if he would take picture of him with all his friends and the Professors. Colin did it for him and when he gave him the pictures and the negatives, Dudley gave him a hundred galleons he borrowed from Harry.
Dudley asked Lavender to take a final walk around the school and the grounds with him and that was what they did for the last full day of his Hogwarts schooling. They even stopped and had tea with Hagrid, and Dudley even tried to eat one of his rock cakes. Lavender knew better, but had to watch as he tried to eat it. After trying, Dudley finally gave up and shoved it in his pocket.
They finally made it back to the castle, in time for supper and Dudley realized that this was the last evening meal he would have here, and then breakfast would be the last meal period. He was going to miss everything about this fabulous place that was filled with magic, wonderful people and marvelous food. He was going to miss hearing about Harry's, Hermione's and Ron's adventures through out their years. He was going to miss the Quidditch matches and the flying in general. Every time he turned around, he found something else he was going to miss. The Fat Lady who had him laughing about what she saw some of the students doing. Her favorite stories were of the Marauders. Especially Sirius.
Dudley wished he had shared in Harry's adventures and he kept hitting himself for the way he treated Harry in his first four years of school. Well, actually it was for the whole time he was with his family, but more so for what he went through here at school.
He missed a lot of sleep his last night here, going over everything he witnessed while he was here. The friends he made. The stories they shared. The amazing lady he was now promised to. All this and so much more. He wondered what it would have been like if he went to school with Harry and the rest from their first year. What a journey that would have been.
The following morning was a mad rush for all those who didn't pack the previous night, with some missing breakfast. Not Ron, though he didn't pack the night before. Once he was done with breakfast, he rushed up to his dorm and used magic to fill his trunk with all his stuff. It was a mess and it was hard to close, but he finally did it with a look of triumph on his face. It would change when his mum saw the mess he left in it.
Everyone had their trunks down in the hall and left them to go say their goodbyes to the Professors. Dudley and Lavender joined Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Luna for their walk. Luna and Ginny were supposed to be back next year, but Luna wouldn't make it. Taking her NEWTS at the end of this year earned her right to be through with school early and to be able to take care of Selena.
Ginny saw where she would be the lone person returning for school and it made her feel miserable. If she were a bit smarter, she would have tried to take her NEWTS as well, but she knew she would have failed. She also needed to go her last year as she wished to try out for the Harpies and needed to finish school in order to try out.
Harry and Hermione knew this was going to happen and talked with Professor Dumbledore about a special provision in the school rules that permitted students who missed a year due to unnatural circumstances and Harry used his fourth year as his basis. Since he was in the Tournament, he didn't have to attend classes for that year. He asked to redo his fourth year, or take another year to complete the requirement of seven years schooling. Hermione asked to attend because of her third year in which she used the time turner and missed too much due to her extended schedule.
Albus saw what they were trying to do, and instead he asked for Ginny to come see him. When she got there, she was surprised to see Harry and Hermione there as well. "Hello Miss Weasley, please come in and sit down."
Ginny sat next to Harry and looked at the Professor. She thought she was in trouble for something, but she didn't do anything.
"Miss Weasley, Harry and Hermione have asked to come back to school for one more year, and though their excuses were reasonable, I can't permit it because they completed them successfully. However, I can give you a chance to take your NEWTS when the new school year begins. You have until your birthday to let me know if you wish to do this or attend your final year. Is that alright with you?"
She looked to Harry and Hermione and they nodded their heads, so she answered, "I would like to try that sir. With Hermione and Harry's help I should be able to accomplish passing grades in my core subjects and two selectives. That would be a total of six NEWTS I believe."
"No, that would be a total of ten NEWTS, depending on your selectives. You get a NEWT for the written and practical portion of each Core subject That would be eight. Your selectives would be one each and a total of ten."
Ginny wanted to crawl out of the room as she knew that. She was so embarrassed she hid her face in her hands. She felt both Harry and Hermione put their arms around her and try to help her through it.
"Well Miss Weasley, we will see you in September for what ever you chose to do. Now you all better run off and get to the main hall as they should be leaving for the train right about now. You all have a good summer and Harry, Hermione and Ginny, thank you for what you did for me and Remus. We owe you our lives."
Harry waved him off as if trying to tell him it was nothing. Hermione and Ginny just nodded their heads in ran down the stairs and out the entry and into the hall to see everyone leaving for the carts to take them to Hogsmeade and the station. They made it to the last carriage and sat back for the ride. It would be the last for Harry and Hermione. Ginny hoped she only had one more.
They got on the train and went to their usual cabin, but it was locked and nothing would get it open. They went to the other cabins and found them all empty and locked as well. They made their way to the rear od the train and found two cars that had no rooms and tables for everyone to sit at. Both of these cars were full of people. The first car was for fourth years and below, so they made their way through the car and found their friends waiting for them.
"What's all this about, Draco?" Harry asked.
"You weren't there when Professor McGonagall told us of the special cars for a continuation of our celebration. We are going to be served a meal and have music if we wished to dance. We have to be seated when the whistle blows as that means we are coming to a turn. Other than that, we are free to do as we please. So, how did it go with the Professor?"
"He wouldn't let us go back. He said that we passed those years and he couldn't allow us to do them over. He did say that he could allow Ginny to take her NEWTS at the beginning of next year in order to skip attending and still get credit for her final year, like Luna did."
"How is she going to get the training she will need?" Daphne asked.
"Hermione and I will tutor her. Why, do you wish to help out with her training?"
"If she wants me to I will. I think there are more here that will help as well. I bet you could find someone to help so that she will be learning one subject from a different person all summer. I could help with Charms or Transfiguration. Draco could help with Potions. Neville could help with Herbology. Luna could help with Care and Understanding of Magical Creatures. Harry with DADA. Hermione with History of Magic."
"Oh no you don't. There is no way I will bore her to death with that one. Besides she doesn't need it. I can help her with Ancient Runes or Arithmancy."
Ginny had to tell her, "I didn't take Ancient Runes at school, but I did take Arithmancy."
"There you go Hermione."
"That still leaves either Transfiguration or Charms as there is no way you will teach her both of them. You can't teach both of them while the rest only teach one."
"Why not? It gives me a start for when I return to Hogwarts to teach next year?"
"You're what?" came from everyone in listening distance.
"It's true. Professor Binns has to move on and I asked for the positio and Draco backs me on it. Professor Dumbledore gave me the job, but asked me to wait until we left before I told anyone. He didn't want a mad rush of students seeking a job."
Hermione had to know, "How did you find out about Professor Binns?"
"The Bloody Baron told me as he heard Professor Dumbledore give him notice. He gave me the job since no on else knew about the opening and my incentive to ask for the post before it became known. It wasn't totally legal, but it wasn't fully illegal either since it wasn't posted. I got it because I met the qualifications. I had more than enough NEWTS. I passed History with an O in my NEWTs. And I was with the seven in the end of Voldemort. Thanks Harry." she smiled to him. She thought there would be trouble from Hermione,especially after Daphne talk about going for a position and Her getting it over Hermione because of blood status. Hermione just congratulated her and wished her all the best. Besides, she just told everyone what she thought about the subject.
Dudley and Draco would have a surprise for them when they got home as they would both be asked to join them in the Hogsmeade branch of the WWW. They also wanted a young lady to work the register and they decided on asking Tracy Davies if she wanted it. They figured with her knowing quite a few students still in school and Daphne told them of her sharp wit, why not. The worse she could do is say no.
The train arrived to the station and Harry still had the look of wonder in his eyes as he saw his parents standing there waiting for his arrival. He also thought it would be the last time for this greeting so he savored it for as long as they allowed it. His father was quicker to release his son than his mother and Harry didn't mind at all. He just wallowed in the affection she spread through out his body, like a soothing warm bath, only this was much better.
Dudley got the same reception from his mum and Lily and a hand shake from James. His mum started with the questions as soon as Lily released him and they didn't stop all the way home and continued once in the home.
Ginny was to come over every week day to study a different subject twice a day. All her core subjects would be twice a week. Her schedule looked like this: Monday would be Potions with Lily in the morning and Draco in the afternoon. Tuesday would be Charms with James in the morning and Daphne in the afternoon. Wednesday would be Transfiguration with Remus in the morning and Daphne in the afternoon. Thursday was DADA with Harry both sessions. Friday was Arithmancy in the morning with Hermione and Astrology in the evening with Luna because of the stars coming out so late.
Dudley asked if he could sit in on some of her sessions and Ginny agreed to his request. However, the subject matter was too deep for him to comprehend and he soon left them alone.
She had three days off during the summer, for Neville's, Harry's and her birthday. Because of her training, there was not much done for fun except on weekends and they were jammed with things to do.
On her birthday, Harry took her shopping so she could use the money she kept out of the reward money and she bought herself a new wardrobe, A new Firebolt II with gear and a polishing kit for her tryouts for the Harpies, should she get one. When they returned home, she had a letter waiting for her delivered by Hedwig from the ownership of the Harpies. She was given a tryout because of her being a part of the seven who vanquished the Dark Lord and because she was doing her NEWTs early, studying all summer to take the test upon returning to Hogwarts. This showed dedication to the owners, which was a crowning point for her. The tryout would be one week after she received her scores should she get above average or above in all her test scores. Now Ginny pressed her training even harder, not wanting to blow this chance for her tryout.
One week before returning to school, she was given a test NEWT for each subject. She had one a day for each core subject and both of her extra subjects on Friday. Unlike the school, her grades were available to her at the end of the day. She received 5 Outstandings or O's and 5 Exceptionals or E's. Now if only she got those type scores in her real tests.
On the first of September, Ginny, Harry, Luna, Hermione, Daphne and Lavender boarded the train for the trip. The others were given permission to join her for the trip for wasn't able to make the trip because him and Draco were already in Hogsmeade working in the WWW. Tracie didn't take the counter position, so Petunia asked if she could do it, and now she was working there as well. Dudley saw a twinkle in his mother's eyes he never saw before. She loved meeting all the new people and was told it would be even more thrilling once school started back up. She was looking forward to it.
Ginny and the rest were visited by a few of Ginny's classmates during the ride, each of them wishing her luck with the tests. Colin even gave her a kiss on the cheek and a tight hug. He looked to Harry like he was afraid of his response and he sighed when Harry nodded his head. He left after the hug was finished and the group were bothered one more time by the food cart and Ginny bought for everyone. She still had six of her ten thousand Galleons in the bank and it was the first time she was able to treat everyone to a snack from the cart and she liked the feeling.
When the meal was finished, Ginny left for the dorm while the rest went to the RoR and set up a hotel type atmosphere for privacy. They had all agree that the past was just that and there was to be no repeat of what happened back then.
The next morning they all made it down to the Great Hall to meet Ginny and have breakfast. Ginny joined them ten minutes after they arrived to try and eat something. She said the butterflies in her stomach turned into Flamingo's and took up all the space.
Once the testing started, they went by quickly and before she knew it, she finished her Astrology test and could relax as it was her last test. Now she had to wait for a week for the results. Or so she thought as that was how long it took for Luna's scores to get back to her. However when she took her tests, she gave no warning to the Ministry. They had plenty of warning for Ginny, and each test was scoredwhen they received it so that when the last test was taken, the next day she would get all the results back.
They were seated for breakfast when an owl landed in front of Ginny and she fed the owl and took the letter from the Ministry. She was shaking as she held it, araid to open it. "How did it get here so fast? I thought it would be another five or six days, like it did for Luna?"
"Well open it to see how you did Ginny." Daphne called out.
She started to, then handed it to Hermione, "You do it, Hermione. I can't keep from shaking."
Hermione opened it and began to read. The expression on her face never changed. Ginny was ready to cry when Hermione began to read the results. "To Ginevra Molly Weasley: We have received your NEWT testing and have graded them according to our set standards. We have found your scores to be the following: O's = Outstanding E's = Exceptional A's = Above Average Av = Average B = Below Average P = Pass F = Fail T = Troll
Arithmancy: O
Astrology: O
DADA Written: O
DADA Practical: E
Tranfiguration Written: E
Transfiguratio Practical: E
Charms Written: O
Charms Practical: O
Potions Written: E
Potions Practical: O
Congratulations Miss Weasley, you passed with Six O's and Four E's. With these scores you are eligible for any job opening in the wizarding world. Please take the time to appreciate what you accomplished and notify all who should know how well you did.
Esmerelda Whitcomb
Department of Education
Ministry of Magic
Secretary of Education
Hermione folded the letter back up to hand it to Ginny but saw she collapsed into Harry arms. The excitement got the better of her.
After Ginny was conscious again, the went to Professor Dumbledore's office to use the floo. The most fretful week Ginny ever spent finally came to an end. Now she could relax for a day then start all over again with her try outs for the Harpies.
Because Of Ron-}
Ginny made the starting line up for the Harpies and played for them for five years. In those five years they one the World Cup twice, in each of her final two years. Her and Harry married before the start of her fifth year with the team knowing her next would be her last. She had done what she started out to do and that was to play and win for the team she loved since childhood.
Her and Harry were the last to marry because of her playing, but Harry wasn't sorry or mad. He loved that she made something of herself and could be proud of what she accomplished. However, he leaving the Harpies did not mean she was through work as the Quibbler asked her to start something they never had before and that was a sport section for the paper. With her connections, she made Quibbler Sports the most read sports page in the wizarding world. It tripled the distrubution of the Quibbler from the start and got more as time went on.
Harry didn't want the headache of working in the Ministry so he joined up with Florean Fortescue and added a meal area when he bought the vacant building next to it and joined them together. It didn't have a large menu, just what Harry liked to call Finger Food,but he made everything fresh and soon it challenged The Leaky Cauldron for the most visited diner.
Since the Quibbler was now in Diagon Alley, Ginny ate lunch there every afternoon and between her and Harry, it drew large crowds
They never lost touch with the seven they shared the last adventure with and when they were all together for a lunch, they had to add street tables for the crowd that gathered just to be there with the heroes of the wizarding world. Lily, James, Remus, Tonks, Sirius, Luna, Severus, Narcissa, Dudley, Lavender, Draco and Daphe joined them once a week, while Bill, Fleur, Fred, Hermione, George and Verity ate there every day. Verity and George married soon after they made her a partner with the Diagon branch. James, Sirius, Petunia, Dudley and Draco shared ownership with the Hogsmeade branch. Harry gave up his part in the business, much to the consternation of the twins. He had been a partner since it opened.
With everything settled down and life became easier for every citizen of the wizarding world, Harry and his family took life much easier and settled down and started their families. Soon, Hogwarts would once again have Potters, Blacks, Weasleys, Longbottoms Snapes and Malfoys attending school.
Perhaps the Marauders would have their dream come true and they would reform with this new group of children growing up. If that should happen then Remus, Severus, Filius and Daphne looked forward to having their hands full of mischief.
Because Of Ron-}
A/N: Well, that was the best I could come up with for the ending. I know it is very weak, but I ran out of idea for the story long ago as you could tell by the last few chapters.
I'm sorry it was slow coming out, but like I said my mind went blank on me. I wish it could have been better because of the time it took, but it didn't and now I can think about my next story. This may take some time to put up as I haven't started it yet and the idea is just taking shape in my mind. Probably why I couldn't think about this story. I know, it's an excuse, but at my age, I start to look for them.
"I haven't got a title of my next story and it may take a week or so to start, but I need a break from writing for a bit. As always, Ollie the Keeper.