"You're strong, Harry. Remember that." Tilly said.
"I'm not really," Harry said. Trying to hide his embarrassment.
"But you are. The way you've been able to push through all this. It's amazing."
"I never would have gotten anywhere without you and Diana."
"Harry, you and Diana saved my life. I just hope… Oh, please just come back safe." Tilly said, as suddenly threw her arms around her friend.
"I will. I promise."
"I can't believe it was Quirrell," Diana said as she plopped down on Harry's cot. "We spent half the year coddling the man who was out to get you."
Harry let out a snort.
"Well, I was just more concerned about how Voldemort was growing out of the back of his head."
Tilly cringed when Harry mentioned it again. Harry had just finished explaining what had happened after he and Tilly got separated. The truth about Quirrell and Voldemort. How Snape was actually trying to help Harry throughout the year. If it wasn't Harry telling the story, Tilly wouldn't have thought it was all a bunch of craziness.
"Well, you know what people say; it's always the thing you least expect."
"So the Stone's gone then?" Diana asked.
"That's what Dumbledore told me. He said something like 'to a well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure'."
"Jeez." Diana deadpanned.
"So what happened to you two?" Harry said.
"Neville helped me back to the hospital wing, and Madam Pomfrey had my arm fixed in no time. I told her I tripped and fell on the stairs. Neville also swore that he'd never let us drag him into any shenanigans again." Diana said.
Despite being healed Madam Pomfrey still insisted that Diana need to wear a sling just in case something had gone wrong. Diana wasn't a big fan of it.
"Well, when I got back to find help Dumbledore was at the entrance hall. He seemed to already know what was going on and headed off the third floor." Tilly replied.
"Do you think he wanted you to go, Harry?" Diana asked. "Considering he sent you dad's cloak and everything."
Tilly felt her blood boil at the thought of that.
"Well, if he did, that was a terrible idea. Send a kid after a crazy man like that."
"Aww, thanks, Tilly." Harry joked.
"You know what I mean. You could have gotten killed!"
"I still don't understand," Harry said. "Dumbledore is keeping things from me, and I just don't get why."
"Maybe he just doesn't trust you?" Diana questioned.
"He said I'd understand in time, but you know I'd prefer to know now if it's gonna keep me from getting killed."
The three stayed quiet for a moment. Thinking of what Dumbledore had done over the school year. Maybe it really was some kind of test, or maybe Dumbledore was a crazy old man with crazy ideas.
"Do you wanna hear something slightly less depressing," Diana asked.
"Sure," Harry said.
"You missed the last Quidditch match, Gryffindor was steamrolled by Ravenclaw without you," she said bluntly.
Harry let out a groan and fell back onto the pillows.
"But at least the End of Year Feast is soon. Means we'll be going home." Tilly said. Trying to remain positive.
"Are you two looking forward to seeing your families?" Harry asked.
"Well yeah, but I'm not looking forward to explaining the letter about a broken arm that probably got sent to my Dad," Diana said.
"I actually think I'm gonna get grounded for the whole summer. Given all my sneaking around." Tilly smiled. "But if I don't, I'd love to visit the two of you at some point."
"I'd rather visit you guys!" Harry replied immediately. "I mean… I've barely ever stepped foot outside Surrey. Visiting Glasgow sounds much for fun.
"We'll have to see then," Diana said.
Right as Diana said that, Madam Pomfrey came rushing over.
"You've had nearly fifteen minutes, now OUT," she said firmly.
Tilly and Diana whined as they were pushed out of the room. Diana rushed back for a second to grab one of the boxes of sugar quills from the bedside table. They shouted goodbyes to Harry as he waved at them.
That night, for the first time in ages, Harry had a good night's sleep.
"I want to go to the feast," he told Madam Pomfrey the next morning. "I can, can't I?"
"Professor Dumbledore says you are to be allowed to go," she said. As if the very Idea was ghastly to her. "And you have another visitor."
"Who is it?"
Hagrid walked into the room. The moment he saw Harry, he burst into tears.
"It's all my ruddy fault!" he sobbed. I told the evil git how ter get past Fluffy! I told him! It was the only thing he didn't know, an' I told him! Yeh could've died! All fer a dragon egg! I'll never drink again! I should be chucked out an' made ter live as a Muggle!"
"Don't say that, Hagrid!" Harry said.
"Yeh could've died!" Hagrid sobbed.
"He'd have found out somehow, this is Voldemort we're talking about, he'd have found out even if you hadn't told him."
"Don' say the name!"
"VOLDEMORT!" Harry yelled.
Hagrid stopped crying to stare at Harry in total shock.
"I've met him, and I'm calling him by his name. Please cheer up, Hagrid, we saved the Stone, it's gone, he can't use it. Have a Chocolate Frog, I've got tons..."
Hagrid sniffed and wiped his nose on the back of his hand and
"That reminds me. I've got yeh a present."
"It's not a rock cake, is it?" Harry joked. "I think I have enough sweets to last me a while."
Hagrid gave a weak chuckle.
"Nah. Dumbledore gave me the day off yesterday ter fix it. 'Course, he shoulda sacked me instead, anyway, got yeh this..."
Hagrid pulled something square out of his pocket and handed it to Harry. It was a nice looking, dark brown leather-covered book. Harry opened it to find that it was filled with wizard photographs. All smiling and waving at him.
"Sent owls off ter your parents' old school friends, asking fer photos... knew yeh didn't any... some o' 'em are pictures yeh mum took… d'yeh like it?"
Not knowing what to say Harry jumped up to try and wrap his arms around Hagrid in gratitude.
Tilly and Diana waited for Harry to walk with him to the Great Hall.
Diana couldn't help but feel bitter. While she was known for staying that the House Cup not meaning anything, it was still a massive pain to deal with when Slytherin won. Something about how the more obnoxious Slytherins managed to make everyone feel like garbage made Diana never want them to win anything.
She knew it was petty, but she didn't care. If you asked her if they were allowed to be the most annoying sore winners, and she could be a petty sore loser for a little bit.
The Hall was covered in the green and silver colours. To show that Slytherin had won the house cup for the seventh year in a row. A massive banner showing the Slytherin serpent covered the wall behind the table where the teachers usually sat.
When they walked into the Hall, the sounds of hushed voices turned to loud talking. Diana gave Harry a pat on the shoulder, and Tilly gave him a reassuring smile. They each headed to their repetitive house tables.
Moments later, Dumbledore arrived, causing the talking to quiet down.
"Another year gone!" Dumbledore said with a smile on his face. "And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully, your heads are all a little fuller than they were... you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts..."
Dumbledore continued on, and Diana's attention slipped away for a little while until it was brought back by the sound of clapping.
"In fourth place, Gryffindor, with three hundred and sixty-seven points; in third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and seventy-three; Ravenclaw has four hundred and five and Slytherin, four hundred and seven."
A storm of cheering and stamping broke out from the Slytherin table, and Diana rolled her eyes. She looked to see Malfoy banging his goblet on the table next to Tilly, who was rubbing her face. Probably hoping for the noise to stop soon.
"Yes, Yes, well done, Slytherin," Dumbledore said. "However, recent events must be taken into account."
Everyone went quiet. With everyone looking at each other with confused looks on their faces.
"Ahem," said Dumbledore. "I have a few last-minute points to dish out. Let me see. Yes...
"First, to Miss Diana Beatrix.."
Diana's eyes went wide, and her head snapped towards the front of the room.
"For exceptional work in potions throughout the year, and thinking of her loved one's needs before her own, I award Ravenclaw house fifty points."
Excited cheers surrounded Diana with several others congratulating her and patting her on the back. There was even loud clapping and shouting from the Gryffindor. Most promanite from Fred, George and Harry.
The happy cries continued until Dumbledore spoke up again.
"Second, to Miss Matilda Blake. For her kind actions towards students and teachers alike. Along with proving to be one of the promising students in Slytherin house, I award fifty points."
Tilly tried to cover her face with her hands. Embarrassed about being called on in front of the whole school. The room went quiet. Everyone wondered what the point of giving out points was when Ravenclaw and Slytherin just ended up in the same place.
"Third, to Mr Harry Potter..." said Dumbledore. "For pushing forward when everyone around him doubted him. I award Gryffindor house fifty points."
Everyone continued whispering to each other as they added up the amounts in their heads. Diana did the same, realizing that Gryffindor had now jumped up to second place with four hundred and seventeen points.
Thinking there were no more points to give, Slytherin burst out cheering again. But once again, Dumbledore raised his hand to silence everyone.
"There are all kinds of courage," said Dumbledore, smiling. "It is one thing to stand up to our enemies, but it is a whole different kind of bravery to stand up to our friends. I, therefore, award fifty points to Mr Neville Longbottom."
Diana's face broke out into a huge smile as the Hall exploded with noise. Three of the tables had begun cheering as Slytherin made sounds of protest. Diana stood up on the bench to see Neville surrounded by his fellow housemates.
She started clapping and shouting. It was the most she had ever done so for any school event.
Tilly and a few others were clapping along as well. With Malfoy giving them all dirty looks.
"Which means, we need a little change of decoration."
With a clap of the old wizard hands, the green and silver tapestries became a deep red and gold—the image of a lion replacing the giant snake.
Snape was shaking Professor McGonagall's hand, with gritted teeth. He clearly liked this turn of events as much as the other angry Slytherins.
That evening was one of the best Diana ever had at Hogwarts. Everyone was celebrating and congratulating each other. These feelings made all the food taste all the better. It actually made Diana forget all about the exam results.
Diana was happy to find that she got the highest marks in potions for her year. Snape clearly didn't share in her feelings. Given that he gave her a very sour look when see her holding her results while passing in the hall. She also got pretty decent marks in her muggle homework, and she had mailed off after rushing to finish it one night.
Tilly wasn't so lucky. Barely passing her potions exams. On the bright side, her top marks in every other subject more than made up for it. Just like the previous year, she was most excited by her transfiguration results. She was jumping with joy when she found out.
To Harry's surprise, he found that he had received an Outstanding in Defence Against the Dark Arts. Much like Tilly, he passed potions by the skin of his teeth. He honestly just seemed to be happy that he didn't get a zero on anything.
Neville scraped through all his tests. Getting good marks in Herbology. He almost cried when seeing it.
Hermione had gotten the best grades of the first years. Which didn't surprise Tilly one bit. That girl was something special.
Ron, much like Harry, passed his potions well enough to be considered a success. Diana suspected that it may have something to do with all the study sessions he was dragged to.
They were all secretly hoping Mafloy and goons had failed their exams, but it seemed their luck had run out when it came to that.
The last thing to deal with before heading home for the summer was Tilly and Diana's elect classes for the next year. They had discussed casually throughout the year and had decided what to go with just before the cut-off.
Diana had chosen Arithmancy and Care of Magical Creature. She felt that Arithmancy would go a long way when it comes to math. Magical Creatures had always been a fascinating subject to her, and there was no way she was wasting her time taking an easy pass class like divination.
Tilly had also chosen Arithmancy, but decided to go with Ancient Runes for her second subject. It made sense. She needed to learn both to become a curse-breaker eventually.
With all their wardrobes empty and their trunks patched, everyone was ready to go home.
Esther had found Neville's toad when the teachers were handing out notes to students. Warning them not to use magic over the holidays.
"I always hope they'll forget to give us these," Fred said sadly.
"Yeah, who doesn't love plausible deniability." Diana joked.
Everyone was chatting and laughing as they were boarding the Hogwarts Express. Counting to do so, as the train moved through the beautiful countryside.
Diana insisted that she could catch every Bettie Bott's Every Flavor Beans the other's thrown at her. She and Harry tied, while Tilly managed to get one. (Which felt much more like victory than when Harry or Diana managed to do it).
It took everyone a while to get off the train, with excited children wanting to see their families as soon as possible. An old wizard guard let them through the barrier one at a time, so they didn't attract any attention.
"You really have to come visit!" Diana said. "Both of you. I'll you an owl."
"Thanks." Harry smiled. "I have something to look forward to."
The three of them stayed together, waiting for the respective families. They gave goodbyes to others as they passed.
"Bye, Harry!"
"See you, Potter!"
"Still famous," said Diana, grinning at him.
"Not where I'm going, I promise you," said Harry.
"TILLY!" A high pitched voice called out. Harry and Diana turned to see a small girl with pigtails waving at them, and an older man standing with her.
"Winnie. Dad!" Tilly said. She rushed towards them and hugged the girl than her father.
Tilly walked them over to Harry and Diana to get her trunk.
"These are my friends. You remember Diana? And this is Harry." Tilly said, pointing out each of them.
"Hello!" Winnie said.
"Good to see you again, Diana. Nice to meet you, Harry."
"Likewise, Mr Blake." Diana said, and Harry nodded.
They talked with Tilly's family for a bit before Mr Blake suddenly remembered that he and girls had to catch another train soon and rushed them off.
Soon after, Diana's father appeared. She hugged him tightly the moment she saw him. Not realizing how much she actually missed him this year.
After introducing Harry, the three walked to the entrance of the train station while chatting.
"Busy year?" he asked, the two kids.
"Very." Harry said. Diana bites her lip to prevent any laughs. Not wanting to reveal too much to her father.
"Ready, are you?" Harry turned to see Uncle Vernon. Same angry look, and bad moustache. His eyes twitched over to the owl cage Harry was carrying for a second. He was clearly still mad about Harry keeping it.
Petunia and Dudley were standing behind them. Looking terrified at the very sight of Harry.
"You must be Harry's family!" Alan smiled with his hands on Diana's shoulders.
"In a manner of speaking," said Uncle Vernon. Diana and Alan both raised an eyebrow at that.
"Hurry up, boy, we haven't got all day." He walked away.
Harry stayed back for a second.
"See you over the summer, then," he asked. Diana wrapped her arms around him.
"Hope you have, er, a good holiday," Diana said.
"Oh, I will," Harry whispered. "They don't know we're not allowed to use magic at home.
I'm going to have a lot of fun with Dudley this summer..."
"I've raised you well, child."
They smiled at each other and went their separate ways.
"Did you have fun this year?" Alan asked during the six-hour car ride home.
"It was a rollercoaster, to say the least," Diana said.