Harry Potter and the Final Chapter

By

Lewis M. Brooks, III

Chapter 35 – Sorting Things Out

It was December twenty sixth, and after having breakfast, Colleen walked down the hallway toward the entrance to the Headmistresses Office. Hugo walked beside her, his arm around her. His arms around her were the only things that really made her feel like everything would be all right.

Colleen wanted desperately to be his girlfriend, but she was afraid to ask him. She didn't want to mess up what they had. He kissed her so often though, it certainly seemed like she already was his girlfriend. Hugo was a great kisser, and it was the only happiness she really had in her life anymore. She couldn't afford to mess that up by looking for something more.

"Are you all right?" asked Hugo as they approached the gargoyle that marked the entrance to the Headmistress's Office.

"Yes," said Colleen with a sigh. "As all right as I can be I guess." She smiled. "I want you to know, I could only sleep last night while I was holding your picture."

Hugo smiled. "I'm glad I could help," said Hugo. "If you ever really need to talk to me in the middle of the night, if the picture isn't enough, come get me. Anytime, I'm a light sleeper."

Colleen stopped and turned to him. She stood on her tiptoes and took his face in her hands. Colleen pulled him down toward her and kissed him.

"Hugo, I don't know what I would do without you," said Colleen. She looked into his eyes when she broke the kiss.

Hugo looked into her beautiful hazel eyes. He had told himself, he couldn't think of himself, but she was so wonderful, he couldn't resist. "We should go out sometime…on a date," said Hugo. Hugo took a breath. "Then everyone will know you're my girlfriend."

For just an instant, Hugo wondered if he had made a mistake, if he should have waited, or if he should have said it differently or if he had presumed too much. Hugo knew he hadn't as she leapt up and threw her arms around his neck and hugged him.

"There's nothing I wanted more," Colleen whispered.

It took them a few minutes before they could tear themselves away from each other. They reached the top of the steps to the Headmistress's Office, and Hugo pushed the door open. Colleen was shocked at what she saw. She never expected this.

Colleen had expected that Lily and Tommy would be there, as well as Hugo and Lily's parents and her aunt. She didn't expect to find James, Lucy, Albus, Carly, Rose, Danny, and Sirius there as well. She was nearly overcome as Hugo led her towards where the group was gathered around a stool. Hermione and Ginny stood on either side of the stool.

Hermione smiled. "Now that everyone is here, we can proceed with the Special Sorting Ceremony," said Hermione. "Colleen, would you please have a seat."

Luna gave Colleen a hug. Colleen was nervous, but she also felt warmth she never thought she would ever feel again. She felt loved. She was touched by the realization that they had all come here for her, that Hugo was right she wasn't alone and she never would be.

Colleen went to sit on the stool. She saw them all there, smiling at her. Ginny went over to the shelf where the Sorting Hat sat.

"A Special Sorting Ceremony," said the Sorting Hat questioningly as Ginny picked it up. "Well, I guess I can do that."

Ginny carried the Sorting Hat back to the stool where Colleen sat. Before she could place it on her head, all the current members of Gryffindor House in the room, began to chant, "Gryffindor! Gryffindor! Gryffindor!"

Colleen wanted to cry. She had never had friends like this. Quietly, under her breath, she began to join them. "Gryffindor. Gryffindor. Gryffindor."

Ginny placed the hat on Colleen's head, as they continued to chant.

"Seems like the fix is in as the Muggles say," said the Sorting Hat with a laugh. "Who am I to argue? Gryffindor!"

They all applauded, and Colleen looked to Hugo who was cheering the loudest.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," said Hermione, and she gave Colleen a hug, as did Ginny. They all congratulated her, and she tearfully thanked all of them. Everyone started to leave, until only Hermione, Ginny, Harry, Ron, Luna, Colleen, and Hugo remained.

"Colleen, I hate to do this, but can we talk a little about what happened yesterday?" asked Harry. "It is very important."

Colleen knew she was going to have to talk about it. It was the last thing she wanted to do. She nodded. She had her arm around Hugo's back, and held him tighter.

"Hugo can stay," said Harry, in complete understanding. "Your Aunt is going to stay too. We'll try to make this quick."

"We'll leave you alone to talk," said Hermione.

Hermione and Ginny headed towards the door.

"You know that wasn't completely by the book," said Ginny to Hermione, quietly, so no one else could hear them as they walked toward the door.

"I know," said Hermione with a nod. "But I thought it was best for her, she needs people she knows around her and that will be easier if she is in Gryffindor House. Besides, I only offered the Sorting Hat a trip to the tailor to get some of his stitching replaced if he made the 'right' decision. I didn't tell him what that decision was."

When Hermione and Ginny had gone, Harry motioned Hugo, Colleen, and Luna to a small table. Colleen and Hugo sat close together, and he put one arm around her, and held her hand in his other hand. Luna sat beside them. Ron and Harry sat on the other side of the table.

Harry and Ron couldn't help but notice how good Hugo and Colleen looked together. It was like they were made for each other. Ron was extremely proud of the way Hugo was standing by her through all of this.

"All right," said Harry. "Colleen, I want you to take your time. I know this is painful, and I am truly sorry we can't just forget about it."

"If you need to take a break, or would like something to drink or anything, just let us know," said Ron reassuringly.

"Thank you," said Colleen. "I'm fine, I would like to get this over with."

Harry nodded and looked to Luna to make sure she was all right with it, as she was Colleen's legal guardian. Luna nodded her approval.

"What do you remember before Hugo arrived at the Durmstrang Common Room yesterday?" asked Harry. "We know you and Professor Potter were going to talk to Headmaster Krum about your moving into Gryffindor Tower. Professor Potter does not remember what happened when you got there though."

"Yes," said Colleen. "When we got to the Durmstrang Common Room, the door was not locked. We went in and found a chair and table overturned, and Headmaster Krum unconscious. Professor Potter went to see if he was all right." Colleen paused and took a breath.

Harry had not noticed until he returned to the Durmstrang Common Room later, that there had clearly been a struggle. Viktor had told him later that Bogdan had come to see him several times on Ministry business, none of which seemed of the slightest importance.

Harry assumed Bogdan must have been looking for a chance to get Colleen alone. When Harry and Ron searched Bogdan's room, they found a number of empty containers that had once contained Polyjuice. Goyle must have been running out, and had no choice but to incapacitate Viktor and wait for Colleen.

"Suddenly the man…was just there," said Colleen. "I think he was hiding in one of the dorm rooms. He hit Professor Potter from behind. I think I screamed, but I'm not sure, it all happened so fast. He turned to me and told me he wanted my necklace."

"Were you wearing it?" asked Ron.

"No," said Colleen. "I had been so excited about not spending Christmas alone, and about maybe moving into Gryffindor Tower that I forgot it on the nightstand in Lily's dorm room."

Harry knew they had not found the necklace, but thought it best to come back to that later. "All right, what did you do when he demanded the necklace?" asked Harry.

"I knew it was in Lily's dorm," said Colleen. "I was afraid that he would go there and hurt someone. I couldn't let him do that. I told him I didn't have a necklace." A tear rolled down Colleen's cheek as she remembered what came next.

Hugo pulled her closer, placing her head against his chest. Hugo stroked her cheek soothingly. He wanted so badly to tell a joke and make her laugh, but he knew he had to just be there for her. It just didn't seem like enough.

Luna could not help but be proud of her niece. She had thought to save others before she thought of herself. She never knew she had such a brave niece.

"Do you want to take a break, Colleen?" asked Ron. "It's all right if you do." The look on her face was heartbreaking.

"No," said Colleen. "I'm all right. Let's keep going."

Ron nodded. "What did he do when you said you didn't have a necklace?" asked Ron.

"He took out his wand and used the Cruciatus Curse to torture me," said Colleen, a tear escaping each eye.

Hugo looked up and closed his eyes. She hadn't told him that. He couldn't imagine how horrible that was.

Ron looked at Harry, who was staring at Colleen. Ron knew Harry knew first hand of the horror of being tortured with the Cruciatus Curse.

Harry leaned across the table, and took one of Colleen's hands in his. "I'm sorry," said Harry. "I know how terrible that is. Try not to think about it, all right."

Colleen nodded and Harry let go of her hand and sat back in his chair.

"I don't know how long he tortured me," said Colleen. "I just screamed and screamed. He didn't even ask me again, he just listened to me scream." Colleen paused for a moment. "Finally he stopped. He told me he had killed my father and mother looking for the necklace, and he would kill me too if I didn't give it to him. I told him to go to hell."

"Good girl," said Hugo softly, and he kissed her on the top of the head.

Colleen smiled slightly at this, but her expression soon became blank again. "Then, he grabbed me by the throat and lifted me in the air," said Colleen, her voice trembling slightly. "I know he started shaking me. I think he was still demanding the necklace, but I couldn't even talk he was holding my throat so tight. I felt like I was about to black out, and I was sure I was about to die. The next thing I remember, I was in Hugo's arms and he was putting me on my bed." She paused. "I would be dead if it wasn't for him."

Hugo held Colleen a little bit tighter.

"All right," said Harry. "What you did was very brave. If he had gone to Gryffindor Tower, who knows how many people he might have hurt or killed. You displayed the courage of a true Gryffindor. We're all very proud of you."

Colleen smiled, but was unable to speak at that moment. She was too overcome by everything. She just wanted this to be over.

"Colleen, we searched the dorm thoroughly, and didn't find the necklace," said Ron. "Do you know where it is?"

"I'm wearing it," said Colleen.

Harry and Ron had not seen her wearing a necklace. Before they could ask, she pulled herself away from Hugo, and drew her wand. She pointed it at her neck and said a spell. A necklace appeared around her neck.

"My Dad told me it was half of the symbol of the Deathly Hallows, Grindelwald's symbol," said Colleen as she took the necklace off and handed it to Harry. "My father said I had to keep it invisible so it wouldn't offend anyone."

"Where did you get it?" asked Ron curiously.

"I got it from an old woman who lived next door to us when we first moved to Germany," said Colleen. "I used to play chess with her after school. One day she gave me that necklace. She passed away that night."

"What was her name?" asked Harry. He was sure what it would be, but he had to ask.

"I don't remember her last name, it was six years ago, I was only nine," said Colleen. "Her first name was Anna."

That was all Harry needed to hear. "Thank you Colleen," said Harry. "I know how hard this was. I'm going to need to keep the necklace. I think it will help stop the people responsible for your parents' deaths. I will try and give it back to you, but I can't promise that. I will try though."

"I understand," said Colleen. She didn't want to lose the necklace, but in the end, it wasn't as important as stopping the people who killed her parents. "Why did they want the necklace? Why would they kill my parents for it?"

"It may by the key to something Voldemort wants," said Harry.

Colleen nodded, and she, Hugo, and Luna got up and left the office.

"What do you think?" asked Ron. "Other than that you should have let Goyle splat. Using the Cruciatus Curse on a fifteen-year-old girl, just despicable."

Harry looked at the necklace. It was as described by the jeweler who claimed to have made it, but half of it was missing. "I think it's possible this necklace is the key to getting inside Castle Grindelwald and getting the Sword of Souls," said Harry. "Half the key anyway."

"So, do we go to Germany?" asked Ron.

"Not yet," said Harry. "I want to take this to Dr. Braun so he can look at it. It looks like half of it is missing, so I don't know that it will do us any good like this. I'm going to let Ginny know I'm going and head out to see him."

"Not without me you're not," said Ron emphatically. "Do you know how badly Voldemort wants that necklace?"

Harry couldn't argue with that. "I suppose you're right, Ron," said Harry nodding. "Let's go let everyone know we're going."

Harry sat a minute. He was sure this necklace was the key, or at least half of it. He didn't want to go all the way to Germany until he had at least some proof. Harry also knew Ron was right. He shouldn't go alone, not while carrying the necklace.

Harry was very much bothered by the fact that the half the charm was missing. If there was another part out there, Voldemort would be looking for it, and someone else might be in grave danger.

"Are you all right, Harry?" asked Ron concernedly

Harry realized he had been staring at the table. "Yeah, I'm sorry," said Harry. "I'm fine, I'm just really tired."

"Are you sure, Harry?" asked Ron. "Maybe you should get some sleep first? We could go see him tomorrow."

"No, let's go," said Harry shaking his head. "We can't put it off."

--

Albus walked toward the entrance to Gryffindor Tower. He had just finished having lunch. Carly said she wasn't hungry and had gone up to their room. He was on his way to check on her.

He knew something was bothering Carly. She had seemed distracted since she took her nap yesterday. Albus knew she had been upset when she heard about Colleen's mother, but Albus thought there was something more. He had asked her what was wrong, she had said it was nothing, but Albus didn't believe her.

Albus crawled through the portrait hole. He found Colleen and Hugo sitting by the fire. He was holding her. She was sniffling softly, and had obviously been crying. Albus decided not to disturb them, even to say hello.

Albus walked up to his dorm and opened the door. Carly was lying in bed facing away from the door. Albus wasn't sure if she was asleep, but she didn't react as if she had heard him come in. Albus quietly closed the door, and tiptoed to the bed. He lay down next to her, propped up on one elbow, and whispered in her ear. "Are you asleep, love?" asked Albus.

She rolled towards him onto her back. Her eyes were red from crying.

"What's wrong, Carly?" asked Albus with concern in his voice as he tenderly brushed the tears from her cheeks.

"We need to talk," said Carly.

The tone of her voice worried him. Albus knew something was wrong "Of course, tell me what's wrong," said Albus softly.

Twice she opened her mouth to speak, but she had no idea where to begin and she looked away. Albus gently turned her head back towards him, and leaned down and kissed her deeply.

When they broke apart, she looked up at him and smiled. "How is it, you always know when the one thing I need to make me feel better is for you to kiss me?" asked Carly with a smile.

"It's a gift," said Albus with a grin. He moved closer to her, snuggling up against her. "Now tell me what's wrong, and if at all possible, I'll kiss your troubles away."

Carly giggled, but then her somber disposition returned. "I need to tell you something," said Carly.

"All right," said Albus. "Tell me. You know you can tell me anything."

Carly took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Two days before the first task, I had a dream," said Carly. "I've had it a few times since then."

"What kind of dream was it?" asked Albus, unsure of what she could have dreamt that could have her this upset.

"The most awful dream I have ever imagined," said Carly fighting back tears. "I dreamt of putting on my wedding dress."

"Well, that sound nice," said Albus, unsure of why she was so bothered by this.

Carly shook her head. "Mum, Aunt Hermione, Lily, and Rose were helping me get dressed," said Carly. "They were all sad. Al, I think I was getting dressed to go see you…in the graveyard."

"Oh, Carly," said Albus softly. "Why didn't you tell me? That must have been terrible." Albus gently caressed her cheek with his hand comfortingly.

"I tried to push it out of my mind," said Carly. "I thought it was nerves…but then when the dragon escaped and I saw Rose dead, I thought you were next."

"I'm fine, Carly," said Albus softly leaning down and kissing her softly. "You don't need to think about that anymore. I'm right here, and I'm fine."

Carly reached up cupped his cheek in her hand and looked into his eyes. "Don't I?" asked Carly, tears forming in her eyes again. "You still have three tasks to go, and even though they are supposed to be less dangerous, they are still dangerous. Then there is Voldemort."

Albus frowned. He could argue about the Triwizard Tournament with her, but he could not argue Voldemort.

"I made you a promise," said Albus emphatically.

"Yes, you did," said Carly forcing herself to smile. "But you know very well, keeping it may not be within your control. While you were in the hospital, day after day I told myself you couldn't die because you made me a promise. Even though you didn't die, I know very well that you could have."

Albus put his arms around her and hugged her. He knew she was right, he couldn't be sure he could keep his promise. Albus had no idea what to say.

Carly whispered in his ear. "There is more," said Carly softly.

Albus pulled back from her, and stroked her cheek lovingly with his fingers as he looked down at her. "Tell me the rest," said Albus softly.

"In the dream…I was pregnant," said Carly. "Not a little pregnant either, I was as big as a house. I had to be at least seven months pregnant, maybe eight. Since I'm not pregnant now, I couldn't have been more than eight months pregnant."

"It was just a dream," said Albus softly. "You aren't pregnant now, right?"

"No," said Carly shaking her head. "I'm not."

"Carly, I wouldn't worry about a dream," said Albus comfortingly.

"I don't think it was just a dream, Al," said Carly with a sigh. "I don't know why, but I think it was the future. Don't you think its possible to dream about the future? I mean, I know it doesn't happen everyday, but…isn't it possible?"

Albus thought back to his own dream that showed him facing Voldemort. His father had a similar one, and that could not have been a coincidence. Even if he thought it might be just a dream that Carly had, it obviously was more than that to her.

"So, what do you think it means?" asked Albus.

"What if the dream was trying to tell me that I should be pregnant?" asked Carly.

"Are you saying…you want to get pregnant now?" asked Albus. He wasn't shocked, but he was certainly surprised.

Carly paused and took a breath, and then nodded. "Al, I want to stop taking the potion," said Carly. "I want to be a mother. I want to get pregnant now. I feel like I'm supposed to, like it's important that I do."

For a moment Albus said nothing. He wasn't sure what to say. They had planned to have a baby as soon as possible after they got married.

"Have you told this to anyone else?" asked Albus.

"I told Mum," said Carly. "She said if I thought it was the right thing to do I should talk to you about it. Mum said she would deal with Grandma Weasley."

Albus smiled. "I guess that would be the hard part…are you absolutely sure this is what you want?" asked Albus.

"All I want is to be your wife and a mother," said Carly. "I don't care what anyone thinks. We are a part of each other, Al, and a ceremony isn't going to make that any more concrete than it is right now. I think I'm supposed to get pregnant now, not later, and I want to."

Albus had to admit he really wanted to be a father. He and Carly both wanted a big family. Why not start now, thought Albus. He certainly didn't care what anyone else thought.

Another thing occurred to Albus. The memory of the nightmare in which his entire family had been killed by the dragon came to Albus's mind. Carly had killed herself when she lost everyone. Albus couldn't help but think that if anything did happen to him, she could never do something like that if she had a child to care for.

Albus smiled at her. "Then you will," said Albus. "No more potion. When it happens, it happens." He leaned down and kissed her deeply, and then pulled back. "And I will be the happiest man in the world. I love you, Carly."

"I love you too, Al," said Carly, and she pulled him back down for another kiss.