"You solved it! You solved it!"

Arabella turned just in time for Hermione to come crashing into her, flinging her arms around her friend and squeezing her tight.

"Of course we did," said Ron smugly. "You sound like you were doubting us…"

"Of course, I wasn't," said Hermione, a blush crossing her cheeks. "I only meant–"

"Look!" shouted Seamus.

Hagrid's large form shuffled into the hall, and he beamed when he caught sight of Arabella, cuffing her and Ron so hard on the shoulders that they were knocked into their plates of trifle. She was especially pleased to hear that Gryffindor had won this year's House Cup for the second year running, with Slytherin once more in second place. They couldn't believe their ears when McGonagall announced that all the exams had been canceled as a school treat.

"Oh, no!" cried Hermione, clutching at her chest. "This is just horrible!"

Dumbledore too, had a few announcements to share, the first being that unfortunately, Professor Lockhart would be unable to return next year, owing to the fact that he needed to go away and regain his memory. Quite a few of the teachers joined in the cheering that greeted this news.

"It's a real shame," sighed Ron, helping himself to a jam doughnut. "He was just starting to grow on me too."

The rest of the term passed in a haze of blazing sunshine. Hogwarts was back to normal with only a few, small differences— Defense Against the Dark Arts classes were all canceled, along with both Aldrich Parkinson and Lucius Malfoy being sacked as school governors. Draco didn't appear to take the loss personally, but Pansy was no longer strutting around the school as though she owned the place. On the contrary, she looked resentful and sulky. On the other hand, Arabella, nor anyone else it seemed, really cared.

It was good to see Ginny and Astoria running about the castle once more, beaming ear to ear and always laughing. They appeared to be perfectly happy once more.

Sooner than Arabella would have liked, it was time for the journey home on the Hogwarts Express. She, Lyla, their group of friends, and the Weasley (minus Percy) all gathered into a single compartment, which resulted in a rather snug fit. They made the most of the last few hours in which they were allowed to do magic before the holidays. They played Exploding Snap, set off the very last of Fred and George's Filibuster fireworks, and practiced disarming each other by magic. It seemed Arabella was getting very good at it.

"Hey, Ginny?" asked Ron suddenly, " what did you see Percy doing, that he didn't want you to tell anyone?"

"Oh, that," snorted Astoria.

"Well—," started Ginny between bouts of giggles "—Percy's got a girlfriend."

George dropped a stack of books on Fred's head. Daphne momentarily stopped her thumb wrestling with Draco and Blaise, while Theo and Ron gawked at the new information, mystified.

"Excuse me?" asked Fred, rubbing his head gingerly.

"Repeat that again?" choked out George incredulously.

"It's that Ravenclaw prefect, Penelope Clearwater," said Astoria with a grin, sharing a very amused glance with Ginny.

"How on earth could Percy–" began Theo with raised brows.

"Get a girl to fall for him?! He's a nightmare!" finished Ron.

"That's who he was writing to all last summer," confirmed Ginny confidently, "He's been meeting her all over the school in secret."

"Just proves even the hopeless aren't so hopeless," mused Draco with a chuckle.

"Gin and I accidentally walked in on them snogging in an empty classroom one day," giggled Astoria behind her hands.

"That's why he was so upset when she— you know— was attacked," said Ginny with a nod, "you won't tease him, will you?" she added, eyeing Fred and George suspiciously.

"Wouldn't dream of it," said Fred, who was looking like his birthday had come early.

"How could we?" asked George, sniggering.

The Hogwarts Express slowed and finally stopped.

Arabella huffed and tugged out her quill and a bit of parchment loose. She folded it into smaller sections and quickly wrote the Dursleys telephone number down. After ripping each square somewhat easily, she passed the pieces around.

"This is called a telephone number," she told them eagerly, "it's what Muggles use when there are issues with the post— I've already sent letters to all your parents explaining how to work a telephone. I can't stand the idea of a repeat of last summer."

"Your parents will be proud, though, won't they?" asked Hermione as they got off the train and joined the crowd thronging toward the enchanted barrier. "When they hear what you two did this year? I'd be proud"

"Thanks, Hermione, but proud isn't the word I'd use," laughed Lyla uneasily.

"We're just going to— to not give them too many details," said Arabella with a tight smile. "It's best if they just know the bare minimum. Mum would go ballistic if she knew the truth…"

And together they walked back through the gateway back into the Muggle world.

And just like that, another year has come to a close...

Apologies to a lack of updates towards the end, but yikes have I been feeling bad burnout, school just really does a number on me lol. I would once more like to express my love and thankfulness to all those who have kept up and really appreciate those who favorited/followed this adventure so far :)

I am working on the next installment, but can't promise it'll be up anytime soon- I'm going to estimate I'll have free time to start editing and revisions around early May, since that when I get out for summer vacation! Until then my lovelies!

-M