Chapter 17- Results Day
July 31, 1997. Harry's birthday, again. Harry and Ginny had invited Ron and Hermione over for a party, with plenty of butterbeer, firewhisky, a card game, new presents and a table full of snacks and party food prepared by Kreacher. Harry and Ginny had shown Ron and Hermione the redecorated house to admiring looks, and now they were all chilling drinking and eating in the living room.
"This place is amazing, you guys. I've never seen it so clean".
"I think I have a better understanding of cleaning spells than any of the stuff I taught you guys in the DA, Hermione".
"How'd you two get the portrait of Sirius's Mum down?"
"That was all Harry. He did that before he showed me the place". They all look at Harry.
"I spent two days trying to get it down. I don't wanna talk about it".
They all laugh, and start eating more food. Ginny starts the conversation anew.
"You two are staying the night, right?"
"Of course, sis".
"I feel bad leaving you too to wash all the sheets, though".
"Don't worry about it, Hermione. Kreacher will do that".
"Oh, Ginny. You two aren't working him too hard, are you? You should really set him free".
"Hermione, we pay him, and let him wear what he wants. He's happy working, but we try and make it as fair as we can".
"Oh, I suppose that's ok, Harry".
"Let's talk about something else. We're getting our results tomorrow, right?"
"Mate, you're getting as bad Hermione; talking about exam results on your birthday".
"Just trying not to get into a debate about elf rights. What do you reckon, Hermione?"
"I'm nervous. I still can't shake the feeling that I mixed up some runes and wand movements for spells".
"Honestly, Hermione, you'll have got 100% on every exam. Stop complaining".
"Shush, Ronald".
The four of them eventually get to bed in the early hours of the next morning. Harry is the first to get up, at about midday. He extracted himself from Ginny's arms and headed downstairs to find that Kreacher had cleared away all their mess from last night. Harry walked in the kitchen to find Kreacher stirring a large bowl of onion soup and four letters from Hogwarts sitting on the table.
"Master Harry's results have arrived".
"I know, Kreacher. I'm bricking it. Do you reckon I should wait for the others or not?"
"You will not have to wait long".
At that moment, Ginny entered the room, followed by Hermione and a very hungover Ron.
"I hate hangovers- oh, crap. Not these".
Nervously, Harry opened his letter and went straight for the paper with his results on. He looked down the sheet.
O (Outstanding) P (Poor)
E (Exceeds Expectations) D (Dreadful)
A (Acceptable) T (Troll)
Charms- E
Defence Against the Dark Arts- O
Herbology- E
Potions- E
Transfiguration- E
The four of them traded results and congratulated each other, before sitting down for a bowl of Kreacher's excellent onion soup. Hermione, of course, had got Outstanding in everything, except Defence Against the Darks Arts, which she got an E in, a fact which Harry was secretly pleased about. Ginny had got E's in everything and an O in Charms. Ron had exceeded expectations in all his subjects, except Herbology, which he was only acceptable in.
After their lunch, they went and visited their families, sharing their news with Hermione's parents and the rest of the Weasley family. As the day drew to a close, Harry stood outside in the Burrow's front yard, watching a beautiful sunset. Ron walked up behind him, eating from a massive pack of Chocolate Frogs.
"Alright, mate?"
"Yeah. Just feels weird. We've always had Hogwarts, and exams, to decide what we do each year. Where do we go from here?"
"We do what we want, mate. We become Aurors, or world-class Quidditch players. It's up to us".
"Yeah, you're right. Give us a frog".
That chapter of their lives has ended. They are no longer at Hogwarts; no longer children. And Harry has ended that phase of his life in the exact same way he started it. With Ron. Eating Chocolate Frogs.
Hi Guys,
This is the end of After the Hallows Part 1: Seventh Year. Thank you all for reading, and for all your reviews and comments. Please feel free to check out my Avengers vs Justice League story.
In Progress- Avengers vs Justice League Part 1: Convergence
Coming Soon- After the Hallows Part 2: The Simple Life
