A/N- Yeah, I know this plot was a little convenient Apryl Peterson Normal Apryl Peterson 2 2 2001-11-01T18:36:00Z 2001-11-01T18:36:00Z 1 965 5505 45 12 6458 10.2625 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";}

A/N- Yeah, I know this plot was a little convenient.  Keep in mind, this was the first fic I ever wrote, its just taken me till now to post it.  Anyway, here's the conclusion.  Story kinda sucks I know, you don't need to tell me.  Anyway, review and tell me if you liked it.

"Just out of curiousity, does anyone have any bright ideas for getting out of here?" Remus asked after everyone had calmed down.

"I believe Draco may hold the answer to that." Snape said.  It was the first time he had spoken since Harry woke up. "He was with the Death Eaters when they discussed the ruby, weren't you?"

"Yes, but I don't remember exactly what the spell was.  Something about combining the strengths of many.  I think he was going to use each prisoner's powers, combined, to get out."

"That was most likely how he planned to leave.  Draw out all of ours powers and combine their strengths." Snape added.

"It may work." Dumbledore said.

"Sounds like an Auror trick.  Everyone concentrates on their strengths and aim for the same spot.  We used something like that to break through some of their magic shields." Sirius spoke up.

"It's the only plan we have so far." Remus said.

"Very well, let's try it, shall we?" Dumbledore said.  "Everyone make sure you are touching at least one other, so we combine our powers."

"And concentrate on your strongest ability." Sirius added.

"I don't have one." Neville and Colin said in a single voice.

"You're better than anyone at Herbology Neville." Hermione said.

"And no one even comes close to you at magical photography Colin." Harry added.

"All right, if everyone is concentrating.  On the count of three."  Dumbledore began.  "One...two… three!"

            Everyone concentrated with all their might, wands all aimed at the same exact point.  A brilliant light shone from the spot.  Smoke rose from the spot, and slowly, it looked as though the spot had begun to melt.  The wall began to soften, cracks formed along the wall.  It took every ounce of energy they had to keep concentrating.  Finally, a loud rumble sounded through the air, the cracks grew deeper.  Harry thought he could see Dumbledore's office again.  Something behind them seemed to explode and they fell in a heap on the floor of Dumbledore's office.  The ruby lay innocently on the floor.

"Are we all here?" Remus asked, looking to see if everyone had made it out.

"What about Voldemort?" Draco asked worriedly, helping Hermione stand.

"Trapped?" McGonnagall asked.

"Yes." Dumbledore replied. "Trapped within his own prison."

"He can't escape from there, can he?" Colin asked.

"Not alone." Snape replied.

"We have to make sure no one else can get trapped in there." Harry said.

"Thank you Master of the Obvious." Ron said.  They looked at each other and began laughing.

"I believe this would be safest in Gringotts, don't you think?" Remus asked Dumbledore.

"There was a time I would have told you that it was safest here." Dumbledore began. "But Harry proved me wrong about that in his first year.  Yes, Gringotts would be safest.  I'll see to it, once I've thanked the Aurors for coming all this way to help us."

"Let's take you all to the hospital wing." McGonnagall ordered.  "Especially you Mr. Weasley.  You were trapped the longest, who knows what aftereffects there may be."

"That means you too Harry." Sirius smiled, as everyone began to head for the hospital wing.  Harry followed.

"Sirius." Snape said.  Sirius froze.  Snape had never called him by his first name.  He had doubted Snape even knew what it was.  Sirius looked at him in shock.

"I'd like to ask him something, alone if I may." he said quietly.  Sirius glanced at Harry, then left them alone.

"What did you want to ask?" Harry asked cautiously.

"Why did you jump in front of Voldemort's curse?  Why did you risk your life for mine?"

"I didn't even really think about it, I just did it.  I couldn't let him kill you."

"Even though I know full well you despise me."

"A great wizard once said: hatred can not make me stand by while the innocent die." Harry replied with a half smile.  Unexpectedly, Snape returned his smile.

"Let's get you up to the hospital wing, Mr. Potter."

            Okay, so he still wasn't Snape's favorite student, Harry thought.  But it was a start.  During the remainder of the year, everything gradually return to normal.  Classes resumed, finals came and went,  Hermione went through her studying frenzy, right on schedule.  She dragged not only Harry and Ron into her frenzy (as usual) but Draco as well.  Or maybe it was just an excuse to be around him.  Harry and Ron both knew she was very much in love with him.  Her eyes shone every time she looked at him, in a way they had never seen.  It was almost touching the way they were devoted to each other.

            Snape and Harry, though not exactly friends, were not exactly enemies either.  Snape did not single him out anymore, and Harry found he really respected Snape.  Its hard to hate someone who saved your life, especially if you tried to give your life to save theirs, as Harry had done.  Harry was just as surprised by what he did as Snape had been.  Harry wouldn't have died anyway, but he didn't know that at the time.  At least Potions wasn't a total nightmare anymore.  Some of the Slytherins still tried to torment Harry, Ron, and Hermione, but Draco was on their side.  And so, in a way, was Snape.

            The months flew by, and the day they would have to say good-bye to Hogwarts neared.  The looked forward to it with excitement and regret.  They'd be moving on to bigger and better things, but they would also have to say good-bye to many of those they had spent seven years with.  Who knew when they would see each other again.  Reunions perhaps, but outside of that it was uncertain.  Some already had jobs lined up.  Harry would be joining Sirius as an Auror.  Ron wasn't sure what he wanted to do.  Hermione had too many choices to pick from.  Draco was thinking of studying potions further, under Snape's direction.  Why not, he thought, I'll be living with him a while longer anyway.  But Hermione knew that she and Draco would be together forever, even if Draco didn't know it yet.  Harry knew that he and Ron would be friends until they died.  Ron knew that he would not let Hermione, Harry, and even Draco, disappear from his life without a fight.  They would all stay in constant contact, no matter what.  And Draco knew that for the first time in his life, he was truly happy.