We're almost at the end of the story now – I seriously can't believe I've almost finished it! This is not the last chapter though – there are still a few loose ends that need to be tied up after this one. I hope you like it

Chapter 29: Return

I couldn't tell how long we'd been walking for – it could have been five minutes or it could have been twenty – but after a relatively short period of time, we arrived at a significantly large gap in the trees that lead onto the grounds of the temporary school prefab that Matthew and the other student's of Melbott's Academy had been studying in since their departure from Hogwarts.

Matthew still carried me as we made our way over to what was, I presumed, the entrance to the building.

From what I could see, the 'school' was exactly how Matthew had described it in one of his letters; it was shabby, run-down looking and probably structurally unstable. It wasn't particularly large, only two stories tall, and reminded me somewhat of an unused warehouse. It had several broken windows and the attempt at shrubbery around the entrance was very overgrown and unwelcoming.

Perhaps the only visibly good thing about the place was that there were indeed no Death Eaters to be seen anywhere. I let out a massive sigh of relief.

Ms. Beveldown led the way up several broken steps to a large, wooden door that creaked ominously as she opened it with a rusted key, produced from the depths of her cloak pockets.

The inside wasn't much better than the outside. The entrance hall was bleak and dark but had several old, dusty pictures hung on the tarnished walls that made the place seem marginally more homely. A discoloured, wooden staircase stretched upwards next to a cluster of dilapidated armchairs to the right, and as I craned my neck to see over Matthew's protective arms, I spotted an arrangement of mismatched chairs and tables down a corridor to the left.

Despite its obvious flaws, I could smell a fire burning in a nearby grate, which provided me with a strange sort of comfort; it reminded me of the Gryffindor common room back at Hogwarts.

"You never told me it was this bad," I whispered to Matthew. "It's barely habitable!"

"It's not too bad, really," Matthew insisted. "You know we didn't have a choice in the matter, so I guess it was this or nothing."

I was too tired to argue. I wanted to close my eyes and pretend that this was all a dream.

"Please, everyone, do sit down and relax," Ms. Beveldown said as she ushered us over to the inhospitable chairs beside the stairway. "I'll contact Dumbledore and try and get us out of here as soon as possible."

Matthew sat me down onto the comfiest looking chair gently as Ms. Beveldown hurried away from us.

My nausea had thankfully subsided for the time being, not that a pool of vomit would damage the appeal of this place or anything.

"Where are all of the students?" I wondered as Matthew, Harry and Ron made themselves as comfortable as possible.

"They're upstairs, in the dorms," Matthew replied. "They weren't allowed to leave them when the Death Eaters were controlling the place. I daresay some are still too shaken and scared to come down at the moment."

He pulled his chair closer to mine so that he could hold my hand.

"I can't believe we got through this," Harry said, his eyes on the verge of closing.

"It's a pity some of us did," Matthew muttered. "If Draco Malfoy doesn't break his neck or die in the next few days, I'll be brushing up on my tracking skills and personally disposing of that piece of filthy vermin."

"Couldn't agree with you more, mate," Ron murmured, slinging his feet over the side of the armchair and quickly drifting into a light sleep.

The silence and relaxation didn't last long, as two surprisingly familiar figures came bounding down the stairs, rushing over to our sides.

"Renesmee! Alexa!" I exclaimed, suddenly remembering that this is where they too attended school.

"Thank Merlin you're all okay!" Renesmee beamed as she embraced each one of us individually. "We've heard so many rumours – we didn't know who'd survive or if you were all dead! It was torture not knowing – total agony."

"She's right," Alexa agreed, kissing my forehead. "We wanted to be out there fighting alongside you, but the Death Eaters refused to let us go any where unless we joined them and worked for Voldemort! It was ridiculous! I've never witnessed anything like it!"

Alexa hesitated slightly as she and Ron locked eyes for the first time since their break-up. I prayed that Ron could keep a civil tongue in his head. It would be terrible if the day were ruined because of some stupid, unnecessary comment that he, most likely, would make.

"Hey, Ron," Alexa said shyly. "I really am glad that you're okay, you know…"

"Yeah," Ron nodded, averting his eyes from hers. "It's nice to see you."

They embraced each other cautiously and Alexa sat down on the floor on the opposite side of the group to where Ron was sitting.

"Alexa!" I gasped. "You just hugged everybody – how did you keep yourself under control? You could barely even stand beside us not too long ago!"

Alexa stared blankly for a moment, lips parted in confusion before slowly forming a pleased smile. "I did, didn't I? I mean, I... didn't even notice the smell. I just wasn't thinking about blood – I guess the happiness of seeing you guys in one piece just took over. Hugging you was my natural instinct. I'm getting much better at controlling myself."

Her eyes flickered from me to Ron and I understood. She was still hoping that they could get back together.

"That's brilliant." I smiled. "I'm so happy for you."

"So what happened to Voldemort?" Renesmee asked. "Did you kick his ass?"

"He got away," Harry admitted, sighing deeply.

I knew this was the first of many times that we'd have to recall what had happened in the forest, and that each time would be just as depressing as the last.

"But at least everyone we care about is okay," Matthew added, kissing my cheek.

Ms. Beveldown arrived at our sides, carrying a clipboard and a pen.

"You'll be pleased to hear that all of the students and staff here are fine, and I have contacted Dumbledore, who has informed the Ministry of the situation," she filled us in, smiling. "We will all use Floo powder to get back to Hogwarts. We're just waiting for the Ministry's full approval and then we will be leaving the forest promptly."

"Thank Merlin," Ron breathed, visibly relieved. "I was afraid that we were gonna have to sleep here or something."

"Not afraid, are you?" Harry laughed.

"No, no," Ron said quickly. "Just… hungry. And I doubt that there's anything around here that caters for my needs."

"I can assure you, Ron, that you will be back at Hogwarts within the hour. Also," Ms. Beveldown said, looking at Matthew, Alexa and Renesmee. "All of your belongings have been magically packed and are to be transported alongside you, so please don't forget anything."

"Are we going back to Hogwarts too?" Renesmee gasped, her fingers notably crossed.

"By Heavens, where on earth did you think you were going? There's simply no other option but for us to stay at Hogwarts for the time being."

"How long?" Matthew wondered, looking at me hopefully.

"That still has to be decided," Ms. Beveldown admitted. "But when there are any developments, I'll let you know. I must continue informing the other students of the current plan, so I will speak to you all later."

She smiled as she walked away from us, continually scribbling things on her clipboard.

"Oh yeah," Matthew said to Alexa and Renesmee. "If you see Draco Malfoy around, let me know."

"Why?" Alexa asked.

I laughed at her perplexed expression. "That's a whole other story, trust me."

* * * * *

I lay in the familiar surroundings of Hogwarts' hospital wing as Madam Pomfrey examined the mark on my wrist where Draco had bitten me. Only one hour ago were we halfway across the world, fighting for our lives in a far away forest.

Thankfully, the Floo powder plan worked extremely well and as soon as my feet touched the floor of the huge, elaborate fireplace in Dumbledore's office, I'd been rushed here to await further treatment and a routine check up.

"It's incredible, really," Madam Pomfrey commented, as she ran her fingers across the crescent shaped bite mark. "In all my time as a nurse, I've never seen anyone who'd survived a vampire attack, and with a mark like this to prove it. You were very lucky."

"I know," I replied, as I smiled across the room to Harry, Ron and Matthew, who were also lying in beds, awaiting Madam Pomfrey.

"I'm going to apply some cooling gel to the wound," she said, taking the cap off a tube that was on a nearby shelf. "Apart from that, you're in good health, Miss Granger. I would suggest, however, that you have a very long rest… undisturbed," she added, looking at Matthew pointedly.

"I think Dumbledore wants to speak to us, actually," Harry said, as Madam Pomfrey made her way over to him with her medical trolley. "Before I came down here, I bumped into him and he said he'd be down here to see us shortly."

"Dumbledore can wait," Madam Pomfrey insisted. "Now, Potter, shirt off -"

"Unfortunately, I cannot wait." Dumbledore smiled as he made his way into the hospital wing, carrying several boxes of Chewy Caramel Chunks. "I've been asked to deliver these delicious treats to each of the invalids, even though a mere box of Caramel sweets is far less than they deserve – they were ever so brave."

"Yes." Madam Pomfrey blushed. "Indeed."

"And I feel a few words from myself would also be appropriate, before their heads hit their pillows," he continued.

"Of course," Madam Pomfrey said wearily. "I'll continue their treatments later then."

She hurried off quickly, leaving Dumbledore and us alone in the long ward.

"Once again," Dumbledore sighed, sitting on the edge of my bed. "You three and Matthew found yourselves in a situation of exceptional danger and somehow managed to escape relatively unscathed. I daresay it was a miracle, what happened in the Black Forest. Things could have turned out far, far worse."

I touched my wrist instinctively and Dumbledore smiled understandingly.

"I trust you all need your rest, so I will make my visit quick," he continued. "There is not a lot that I have to say, other than to congratulate you all on being alive. I am aware that you were unable to cause any harm to Lord Voldemort himself and I trust that should you ever run into him again, you won't be so foolish as to attempt to fight him. You shouldn't have even tried – it was far too dangerous.

"Voldemort aside, I feel that it is necessary for me to inform you that I have been in contact with Draco Malfoy's parents and have received word of his whereabouts."

"Where is he?" Matthew said, jumping up. "He deserves to be dead – did you hear what he almost did to Hermione?"

"I am well-informed of all the events that occurred in the Black Forest, thank you, Master Cullen," Dumbledore replied, beckoning Matthew to sit back down. "I have contacted Lucius Malfoy and he claims that he is fully aware of his son's whereabouts and his actions, and he proceeded to tell me that Draco will not be returning to Hogwarts to pursue his education. He is quite occupied, apparently."

"So you don't know where he is?" Matthew raged. "And you're letting him get away with what he did?"

"I didn't feel that it was necessary to pry, seeing as Draco Malfoy is no longer a student at Hogwarts and therefore I have no reason to ask personal questions such as that. All I can do is trust the parent of the student and hope that they keep their son or daughter safe and in good health."

"But, Dumbledore," Ron piped up. "Draco is working for Voldemort – surely that's cause enough for concern -"

"Indeed it is," Dumbledore admitted. "But I also know that this is Draco's own personal choice in life and, although I would strongly advise him against it, I no longer have the power to stop him. Draco may someday realise that everything he has done under to command of Voldemort has been wrong, but until then we must let him make his own mistakes. From now on, this is a closed subject and I don't want it spoken about again."

Matthew opened his mouth to argue but snapped it shut again at Dumbledore's warning expression.

"I bid you all a relaxing night's sleep." Dumbledore smiled as he turned to exit the hospital wing. "Sweet dreams, I hope."

He left the hospital wing promptly, his long, purple cloak trailing along the ground behind him.