Chapter Thirteen
Sara sat down on the edge of my bed, wiping a sweaty brow.
"Well?" I asked, impatiently. Mell opened her mouth, but didn't say anything. Dumbledore spoke first.
"I had them on an extra adventure for me." I raised my eyebrows in disbelief. A twinge of jealousy started in my chest. Sara started.
"It started when we got back up the trapdoor and past Fluffy. We ran out of the third floor corridor and bumped into Dumbledore. He told us to wait for him while he took Hermione and Ron to the hospital wing."
"And then," Mell cut in, "We were sent back down on our brooms with Dumbledore through the chambers. When we got to the Weezer chamber, Dumbledore did this weird thing and the door flew open and we were all allowed in. By the time we got there, Harry was on the floor with Quirrel over him, crushing his face."
"And his face was all blistered and red," Sara added, "it was really gross. So then we ran towards them. Mell pushed Quirrel off Harry and Dumbledore took him away. While Dumbledore was doing that, Quirrel's whole body simply diminished and crumbled away from Harry's touch. It was scary. Then this phantom that was undoubtedly Voldemort, rose from the clump that was Quirrel and swiveled around us, knocking Harry over and hitting his head. Then it disappeared through the door of the chamber. Afterwards, we had to carry a passed out Harry to here and go to Dumbledore's office."
"And when we got there," Mell continued, "he was talking to a really, really old guy in the fireplace. His head was just sitting there in the flames. It was freaky." Sara nodded in agreement.
"It was obviously Nicholas Flamel. They both decided in a half-hour's time, that the Stone was going to be destroyed. That's where our part came in. Dumbledore sent us hurriedly down to through the trapdoor for the fourth time to the chamber where Quirrel had been. The room when we got there was so creepy and dark. In the middle of the room was a huge cauldron with some type of liquid in it all bubbly and thick. Dumbledore came with us and said some spells and told us to drop the Stone in."
"Oo, let me tell this part!" Sara said, "So Mell dropped it in and the whole thing exploded. Well, not really, the cauldron was still in tact, but the potion inside burst out and created a strange light that illuminated the entire chamber. There was a huge crash that made the room shake. This is why we're covered in dust and stuff. We also got hit by pieces of wood from the ceiling. When the explosion was over, Mell and I peered into the cauldron and it was completely empty! The potion and the Stone were gone! So that's when we limped back up here for the last time and shut the trapdoor. And.here we are!"
I leaned back on my pillows. This was very confusing still. Dumbledore stood behind my friends smiling. I stared back at him.
"Oh, yeah and we found you two down there by the Devil's Snare," Mell said, "You must have rolled off the plant because you would have dead if you hit the plant and it consumed you or if you hit the solid cement floor. So, Dumbledore made these magical stretchers and floated you up to the trapdoor. It was the coolest thing!"
"I think it's time that my patients got a little rest now, Professor." Madame Pomfrey came back putting screens around Mike so he could change into his regular clothes.
"All right, but first I must talk to Harry." Sara and Mell walked over to empty beds, collapsing on them with fatigue.
"Now it is your turn to fully understand this predicament." Dumbledore turned his blue eyes on Harry.
"Can I ask a question?" I interrupted.
"You just did. But you may ask another, if you like."
"Well, when I hit my head from falling from the trapdoor, why didn't I, um," I glanced at Harry who was starting to wake up, "Why didn't I go back to Fairfield?"
"Oh that was me." Dumbledore said, "I kept you here for just a little while longer because you couldn't just end your adventure like that could you? And plus I wasn't finished with you and your friends yet."
"What do you mean, like, you brought me here in the first place?"
"Well, yes, in your fantasy of course, but yes I did send for you."
"Then who brought me to Avonlea?"
"Some books are better left on the shelf."
This really got my curiosity level up. Harry blinked and opened his eyes next to me.
"W-where am I?" he asked, looking around, squinting.
"You are in the hospital wing. And it is ten o'clock on the morning of June 14th, in case you wanted to know." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.
"But the Stone, the Stone!" he cried.
"Yes, Harry, the Stone has been destroyed. No need to worry."
"But, then-Nicholas Flamel, h-he'll-
"Yes, Harry, he will die."
Harry slumped back in his pillows. And then went the whole speech on how love was the thing that saved Harry from Quirrel's evilness and how his mother died to save him. And by the end, I had to admit, I was crying. The look on Harry's face when Dumbledore told him of his mother's love for him was so innocent and small that I just poured.
"Oh, it's really a happy thing, Ann," Dumbledore smiled at me, "But go ahead."
I sniffed, laughing, thinking how stupid I must look.
We got many cards from friends. Harry and the three of us girls got cards from Wood, which were illustrated with moving Quidditch players on the front. They all said, "Get well soon! Your friend, Oliver Wood." Corny, but hey, who cared? I'm sure they both slept with theirs under their pillow. I know I did.
We left the infirmary the following day. Everyone kept looking at us like we were going to pass out at any given moment. Wood told us that they lost horribly to Hufflepuff with no chasers and no seeker. Why did they even play? It would've spared them the humiliation of losing or Wood's humiliation anyway.
We entered the Great Hall as a huge group at the Closing Feast. When we all came through the doors, there was a sudden hush about the room and then slowly people starting talking again, but they kept standing up to look at us. There were Slytherin colored flags and a huge banner of a snake over the teacher's table. Dumbledore stood up and held out his hand for silence.
"Friends, another year is over. And well done to Slytherin for their achieving of the House Cup."
There was cheering from the Slytherin table, Malfoy in particular.
"Yes, yes well done." Dumbledore continued, "But there are some last minute points to dish out."
Everyone got silent, I noticed Malfoy looking confused.
"First to Ann and Mike for their outstanding courage. I award Gryffindor house 30 points." The Gryffindor table cheered jovially.
"Next to Sara and Mell for their help in achieving the impossible. Thirty points."
Sara and Mell high-fived then breathed on their hands and rubbed it on their shirts laughing.
"To Ronald Weasley for playing the best played wizard's chess game this school has seen for quite some time. Thirty points."
Ron turned red and disappeared under the table, Fred and George slapping him on the back.
"To Miss Hermione Granger for the cool use of intellect when others were in danger. Thirty points."
Hermione blushed, biting her lip, grinning.
"To Harry Potter for his incredible courage and bravery. Forty points."
Again the Gryffindor house exploded.
"We're tied with Slytherin!" Hermione hissed. The Gryffindors waited with bated breath.
"And, finally, it takes much courage to stand up to your enemies, but even more to stand up to your friends," Dumbledore continued, "Therefore, I award Neville Longbottom ten points."
The Gryffindor table this time did explode. Everyone climbed over and made a pile on Neville, hugging him.
"Which means, I think we need a little change of decoration."
The green and silver banners of Slytherin changed into gold and scarlet for Gryffindor and a giant lion was hung over the teacher's table. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students were cheering too because Slytherin finally lost.
And even thought I knew this was all going to happen, it still felt really good.
"Come on, the train's gonna leave soon!" Neville yelled at us. I was standing with Harry, Ron and Hermione and Sara and Mell.
"Maybe you guys can come over one of our houses this summer," Ron suggested. I smiled.
"I would love that, you've no idea, but I'm not sure if that is possible."
"Why?"
"Because, well, you know, we live in the states and it's very different from here. I live as a muggle."
"Oh." They seemed a little disappointed.
"Well, you'd better get on the train," I said, handing Hermione her bag.
"Aren't you coming on too?"
"No, Dumbledore wanted to see us. So I guess, um, bye."
Sara, Mell and I gave Hermione a hug and went to shake the boys' hands, but they pulled all three of us into a many-armed hug. I turned red, but I said goodbye and they got onto the train.
"Hey, you three quidditch players wouldn't actually leave without saying goodbye, would you?"
I grinned at Sara and Mell and turned around. Oliver Wood was standing in front of us with his arms lifted. I raised my eyebrows a couple times at my friends and we all tried to get there first, knocking him over. We sprawled over the pavement, laughing.
"That was some hug." He said, laughing. I turned even redder, holding in another burst of giggles. We stood up quickly, took one last look at each other and my friends and I walked towards the school, singing "Runnin' On Ice."
Mike was waiting by the gate. We looked at each other and grabbed broomsticks.
"Come on, this is our last time on broomsticks for a while, so grab one, I'm NOT carrying you up to Dumbledore's window!"
We took off, doing loopty-loops over the lake. Mike tried to steady himself, never having flown before by himself. Dumbledore opened his window and let us fly in single file into his room.
"Now, you all know what you are here for, correct?"
We nodded, glumly, remembering.
"Now don't look so glum about it. I have to send you back, you can't stay here forever. But maybe, someday, you may return."
I smiled slightly at this.
"Before you leave though, I have something to give you all." He reached inside his desk and pulled out a handful of something, handing a piece to everyone. It was another charm. I gasped, looking at it. It was a gold charm shaped like the Sorting Hat.
"Wow," I breathed. I felt around my neck and took out my moon charm from Anne. I slipped out of the chain and added the Sorting Hat charm. It looked like the start of something.
"All right now, are you ready?"
"Yes," I whispered with the others.
"We don't have to, like, click our heels or anything, do we?" Mell asked suddenly.
Dumbledore laughed, "No, just stand still." He took out his wand and started circling it, forming a bowl of light on top of us. The light became so bright that I seemed blinded and I squeezed my eyes shut. I felt for Sara's hand, who stood next to me, but I couldn't find it. I seemed to spin very fast and land on my back softly. The air was filled with the sound of talking.
"Ann? Ann? Are you okay?"
I opened my eyes slowly and Sara was kneeling over me. A golden charm hung from her chain shaped like the Sorting Hat. I gasped and stood up. A number of people were looking at us. I was standing by the line of buses at Fairfield High School at the curb.
"Sara, do you remember this time?" She didn't seem to hear me as she pulled me gently towards the school.
"Sara, do you remember?"
She faced me, giving a small smile. I almost screamed with excitement, but clamped my hand over my mouth.
"Are you alright?" she asked me, looking me over brushing off the dirt on my shirt.
"Yeah, I'm fine. So, you remember all of Hogwarts?"
She held up her charm.
"Would I have this if I didn't?"
"YES!" I cried. "What about Avonlea?"
"Well, no not really, but I think I believe you now."
"It did happen."
"I know. Now we are definitely going to Baker Street, whether you like it or not, uptown girl. You've had your choice for two times, I think it's time to pass the turn around to everyone else."
"Ok, ok." I said.
"You agree with me?" she said in disbelief.
"Yeah."
"But you're not supposed to."
"Yes I am."
"No you're not."
"Yes I am."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"I'm going to my bus now."
"No, you aren't."
"YES!"
"NO!"
"Bye!"
"Namaarie!"
"Uh, you too!"
THE END (and off to Baker Street.)
Sara sat down on the edge of my bed, wiping a sweaty brow.
"Well?" I asked, impatiently. Mell opened her mouth, but didn't say anything. Dumbledore spoke first.
"I had them on an extra adventure for me." I raised my eyebrows in disbelief. A twinge of jealousy started in my chest. Sara started.
"It started when we got back up the trapdoor and past Fluffy. We ran out of the third floor corridor and bumped into Dumbledore. He told us to wait for him while he took Hermione and Ron to the hospital wing."
"And then," Mell cut in, "We were sent back down on our brooms with Dumbledore through the chambers. When we got to the Weezer chamber, Dumbledore did this weird thing and the door flew open and we were all allowed in. By the time we got there, Harry was on the floor with Quirrel over him, crushing his face."
"And his face was all blistered and red," Sara added, "it was really gross. So then we ran towards them. Mell pushed Quirrel off Harry and Dumbledore took him away. While Dumbledore was doing that, Quirrel's whole body simply diminished and crumbled away from Harry's touch. It was scary. Then this phantom that was undoubtedly Voldemort, rose from the clump that was Quirrel and swiveled around us, knocking Harry over and hitting his head. Then it disappeared through the door of the chamber. Afterwards, we had to carry a passed out Harry to here and go to Dumbledore's office."
"And when we got there," Mell continued, "he was talking to a really, really old guy in the fireplace. His head was just sitting there in the flames. It was freaky." Sara nodded in agreement.
"It was obviously Nicholas Flamel. They both decided in a half-hour's time, that the Stone was going to be destroyed. That's where our part came in. Dumbledore sent us hurriedly down to through the trapdoor for the fourth time to the chamber where Quirrel had been. The room when we got there was so creepy and dark. In the middle of the room was a huge cauldron with some type of liquid in it all bubbly and thick. Dumbledore came with us and said some spells and told us to drop the Stone in."
"Oo, let me tell this part!" Sara said, "So Mell dropped it in and the whole thing exploded. Well, not really, the cauldron was still in tact, but the potion inside burst out and created a strange light that illuminated the entire chamber. There was a huge crash that made the room shake. This is why we're covered in dust and stuff. We also got hit by pieces of wood from the ceiling. When the explosion was over, Mell and I peered into the cauldron and it was completely empty! The potion and the Stone were gone! So that's when we limped back up here for the last time and shut the trapdoor. And.here we are!"
I leaned back on my pillows. This was very confusing still. Dumbledore stood behind my friends smiling. I stared back at him.
"Oh, yeah and we found you two down there by the Devil's Snare," Mell said, "You must have rolled off the plant because you would have dead if you hit the plant and it consumed you or if you hit the solid cement floor. So, Dumbledore made these magical stretchers and floated you up to the trapdoor. It was the coolest thing!"
"I think it's time that my patients got a little rest now, Professor." Madame Pomfrey came back putting screens around Mike so he could change into his regular clothes.
"All right, but first I must talk to Harry." Sara and Mell walked over to empty beds, collapsing on them with fatigue.
"Now it is your turn to fully understand this predicament." Dumbledore turned his blue eyes on Harry.
"Can I ask a question?" I interrupted.
"You just did. But you may ask another, if you like."
"Well, when I hit my head from falling from the trapdoor, why didn't I, um," I glanced at Harry who was starting to wake up, "Why didn't I go back to Fairfield?"
"Oh that was me." Dumbledore said, "I kept you here for just a little while longer because you couldn't just end your adventure like that could you? And plus I wasn't finished with you and your friends yet."
"What do you mean, like, you brought me here in the first place?"
"Well, yes, in your fantasy of course, but yes I did send for you."
"Then who brought me to Avonlea?"
"Some books are better left on the shelf."
This really got my curiosity level up. Harry blinked and opened his eyes next to me.
"W-where am I?" he asked, looking around, squinting.
"You are in the hospital wing. And it is ten o'clock on the morning of June 14th, in case you wanted to know." Dumbledore's eyes twinkled.
"But the Stone, the Stone!" he cried.
"Yes, Harry, the Stone has been destroyed. No need to worry."
"But, then-Nicholas Flamel, h-he'll-
"Yes, Harry, he will die."
Harry slumped back in his pillows. And then went the whole speech on how love was the thing that saved Harry from Quirrel's evilness and how his mother died to save him. And by the end, I had to admit, I was crying. The look on Harry's face when Dumbledore told him of his mother's love for him was so innocent and small that I just poured.
"Oh, it's really a happy thing, Ann," Dumbledore smiled at me, "But go ahead."
I sniffed, laughing, thinking how stupid I must look.
We got many cards from friends. Harry and the three of us girls got cards from Wood, which were illustrated with moving Quidditch players on the front. They all said, "Get well soon! Your friend, Oliver Wood." Corny, but hey, who cared? I'm sure they both slept with theirs under their pillow. I know I did.
We left the infirmary the following day. Everyone kept looking at us like we were going to pass out at any given moment. Wood told us that they lost horribly to Hufflepuff with no chasers and no seeker. Why did they even play? It would've spared them the humiliation of losing or Wood's humiliation anyway.
We entered the Great Hall as a huge group at the Closing Feast. When we all came through the doors, there was a sudden hush about the room and then slowly people starting talking again, but they kept standing up to look at us. There were Slytherin colored flags and a huge banner of a snake over the teacher's table. Dumbledore stood up and held out his hand for silence.
"Friends, another year is over. And well done to Slytherin for their achieving of the House Cup."
There was cheering from the Slytherin table, Malfoy in particular.
"Yes, yes well done." Dumbledore continued, "But there are some last minute points to dish out."
Everyone got silent, I noticed Malfoy looking confused.
"First to Ann and Mike for their outstanding courage. I award Gryffindor house 30 points." The Gryffindor table cheered jovially.
"Next to Sara and Mell for their help in achieving the impossible. Thirty points."
Sara and Mell high-fived then breathed on their hands and rubbed it on their shirts laughing.
"To Ronald Weasley for playing the best played wizard's chess game this school has seen for quite some time. Thirty points."
Ron turned red and disappeared under the table, Fred and George slapping him on the back.
"To Miss Hermione Granger for the cool use of intellect when others were in danger. Thirty points."
Hermione blushed, biting her lip, grinning.
"To Harry Potter for his incredible courage and bravery. Forty points."
Again the Gryffindor house exploded.
"We're tied with Slytherin!" Hermione hissed. The Gryffindors waited with bated breath.
"And, finally, it takes much courage to stand up to your enemies, but even more to stand up to your friends," Dumbledore continued, "Therefore, I award Neville Longbottom ten points."
The Gryffindor table this time did explode. Everyone climbed over and made a pile on Neville, hugging him.
"Which means, I think we need a little change of decoration."
The green and silver banners of Slytherin changed into gold and scarlet for Gryffindor and a giant lion was hung over the teacher's table. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students were cheering too because Slytherin finally lost.
And even thought I knew this was all going to happen, it still felt really good.
"Come on, the train's gonna leave soon!" Neville yelled at us. I was standing with Harry, Ron and Hermione and Sara and Mell.
"Maybe you guys can come over one of our houses this summer," Ron suggested. I smiled.
"I would love that, you've no idea, but I'm not sure if that is possible."
"Why?"
"Because, well, you know, we live in the states and it's very different from here. I live as a muggle."
"Oh." They seemed a little disappointed.
"Well, you'd better get on the train," I said, handing Hermione her bag.
"Aren't you coming on too?"
"No, Dumbledore wanted to see us. So I guess, um, bye."
Sara, Mell and I gave Hermione a hug and went to shake the boys' hands, but they pulled all three of us into a many-armed hug. I turned red, but I said goodbye and they got onto the train.
"Hey, you three quidditch players wouldn't actually leave without saying goodbye, would you?"
I grinned at Sara and Mell and turned around. Oliver Wood was standing in front of us with his arms lifted. I raised my eyebrows a couple times at my friends and we all tried to get there first, knocking him over. We sprawled over the pavement, laughing.
"That was some hug." He said, laughing. I turned even redder, holding in another burst of giggles. We stood up quickly, took one last look at each other and my friends and I walked towards the school, singing "Runnin' On Ice."
Mike was waiting by the gate. We looked at each other and grabbed broomsticks.
"Come on, this is our last time on broomsticks for a while, so grab one, I'm NOT carrying you up to Dumbledore's window!"
We took off, doing loopty-loops over the lake. Mike tried to steady himself, never having flown before by himself. Dumbledore opened his window and let us fly in single file into his room.
"Now, you all know what you are here for, correct?"
We nodded, glumly, remembering.
"Now don't look so glum about it. I have to send you back, you can't stay here forever. But maybe, someday, you may return."
I smiled slightly at this.
"Before you leave though, I have something to give you all." He reached inside his desk and pulled out a handful of something, handing a piece to everyone. It was another charm. I gasped, looking at it. It was a gold charm shaped like the Sorting Hat.
"Wow," I breathed. I felt around my neck and took out my moon charm from Anne. I slipped out of the chain and added the Sorting Hat charm. It looked like the start of something.
"All right now, are you ready?"
"Yes," I whispered with the others.
"We don't have to, like, click our heels or anything, do we?" Mell asked suddenly.
Dumbledore laughed, "No, just stand still." He took out his wand and started circling it, forming a bowl of light on top of us. The light became so bright that I seemed blinded and I squeezed my eyes shut. I felt for Sara's hand, who stood next to me, but I couldn't find it. I seemed to spin very fast and land on my back softly. The air was filled with the sound of talking.
"Ann? Ann? Are you okay?"
I opened my eyes slowly and Sara was kneeling over me. A golden charm hung from her chain shaped like the Sorting Hat. I gasped and stood up. A number of people were looking at us. I was standing by the line of buses at Fairfield High School at the curb.
"Sara, do you remember this time?" She didn't seem to hear me as she pulled me gently towards the school.
"Sara, do you remember?"
She faced me, giving a small smile. I almost screamed with excitement, but clamped my hand over my mouth.
"Are you alright?" she asked me, looking me over brushing off the dirt on my shirt.
"Yeah, I'm fine. So, you remember all of Hogwarts?"
She held up her charm.
"Would I have this if I didn't?"
"YES!" I cried. "What about Avonlea?"
"Well, no not really, but I think I believe you now."
"It did happen."
"I know. Now we are definitely going to Baker Street, whether you like it or not, uptown girl. You've had your choice for two times, I think it's time to pass the turn around to everyone else."
"Ok, ok." I said.
"You agree with me?" she said in disbelief.
"Yeah."
"But you're not supposed to."
"Yes I am."
"No you're not."
"Yes I am."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
"I'm going to my bus now."
"No, you aren't."
"YES!"
"NO!"
"Bye!"
"Namaarie!"
"Uh, you too!"
THE END (and off to Baker Street.)