The Story of Jessica Black
Chapter Seventeen: A Most Interesting Year
Harry woke up later in the hospital wing. Exactly how much later he didn't know He looked over and saw Jessica lying, sleeping, in the bed beside him. Hermione was on the other side. Ron was no where to be found.
Just then, the door to the hospital wing opened, and Harry saw a mass of orange walking toward him. He reached over and put on his glasses. Ron smiled when he saw his friend was awake.
"All right there, Harry?" he asked, sitting down on the bed.
"All right. What about you?"
"I'm all right. Can't believe I went down like that. Just stunned. It's disgraceful!"
Harry laughed. His left arm felt a lot better, and he could move it again. He supposed that Madam Pomfrey had mended it already. He glanced over to Jessica and Hermione's beds again.
"They're all right. Woke up about an hour ago, the both of them. First thing they both said was 'It was Professor Hardwell.' But Dumbledore just smiled and told them to go back to sleep. Harry, who was it?" Ron gave him a look so earnest that Harry couldn't lie to him.
"It was Voldemort," Harry said. Ron shuddered. "Voldemort's been here all year. He's been impersonating different people." He ended it quietly. Ron didn't ask him any more questions. Luckily, however, Dumbledore came into the room at that moment. He smiled at Ron, then stepped to the other side of Harry's bed.
"I believe you have had a proper night's sleep," he said. Harry nodded. His head was still aching, like it had been bruised. Well, it had, as his head had hit the wall several times during his fight with Voldemort. His scar still burned slightly.
"Professor," Harry said, as Ron left, "How did you know that someone had gotten into the school without knowing who they were?"
Dumbledore smiled gravely. "I admit that I should have been more honest with you from the beginning. But then I doubt you would have handled this any differently. I knew it was Voldemort from the beginning. Or at least, I had my strong suspicions. Why I never told you, I do not know. Please don't ask me to fathom the workings of an old mind." His eyes twinkled. "When the attacks started happening, it was my worst fear realized again. Someone was out to kill Gryffindors, and they were doing it to get at you. There is a reason, Harry Potter, that you have come up against Lord Voldemort so many times and survived. It is the answer to yet another question that you will find out in time. Now, however, I believe you know everything you need to know." He stood and fished out a Chocolate Frog from his pocket. "Eat this, and feel better. I think your friends will be waking up soon." With that he left.
Harry unwrapped his chocolate and ate it slowly, thinking. Just then, someone stirred to his right, and Jessica woke up. She sat up in bed, then looked over and saw Harry.
"Oh, Harry," she said, "I wanted to tell you, but she got me first. It was Professor Hardwell, Harry!" Harry quieted her.
"No, Jessica, it wasn't really Professor Hardwell. It was Voldemort."
Jessica was speechless, and Harry didn't say anything more on the subject.
They left the hospital wing that night, after being held up by Madam Pomfrey's last checkup. They went back to their common room to questions but mostly subdued silence. The idea that they were no longer safe from Voldemort in their own school was flabbergasting. But they still had to worry about their exams, and Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Jessica went back to studying for their O.W.L.s.
O.W.L.s came and went, and finally term was nearly over. Harry, Jessica, Ron, and Hermione spent most of their final days of term lazing about near the lake. Harry and Jessica spent more time on their broomsticks, and Ron and Hermione kept disappearing, and no one knew where they were or what they were doing. Harry and Jessica dismissed it as the other two wanting to get away from them.
After a lazy two weeks, their results for O.W.L.s came in the form of letters by owl. The four friends sat in the common room, all holding identical silver envelopes, not opening them.
"All right," said Harry, "We'll do it together. Ready? 1 . . . 2 . . . 3!" They all ripped open their envelopes and pulled out their results.
"I got full marks!" exclaimed Hermione, "Nobody ever gets full marks!"
"Eight out of ten, Harry!" said Jessica, leaning over and looking at his parchment, "That's great!"
"Not as good as you," said Harry, looking at Jessica's. She had nine out of ten.
"I had a good tutor," she said, smiling at Hermione.
Ron was the last to look at his. He sat staring at it, mouth open, speechless. Hermione took the parchment from his hands.
"Nine and a half," she said, disbelieving, "Nine and a half! Ron, I can't believe it, nine and a half!" She threw her arms around his neck, then stood. "I have to go find Neville and see how he did."
With the weight of their O.W.L. results off their shoulders, the four friends enjoyed the last day of term, packing their bags and spending their last day in the common room, playing games and generally having a good time. It was with a heavy heart that they went to the Leaving Feast.
To nearly everyone's surprise, as the point race was so close, the hall was decked out in Slytherin's green and silver. Gryffindor had lost the Quidditch Cup, being flattened by Slytherin in the finals.
"If only we hadn't lost those points!" said Ron angrily as he sat down with his friends.
Harry just smiled. He had a feeling that things were going to look a little different here in a moment.
He was right. When Dumbledore stood to deliver his speech, the hall fell silent. Was he going to quash the rumors that had been circulating? Or was the truth more shocking than the fiction?
"Another year," he said, "My, how they go by so fast. Watching young ones find their place, and older ones move on to greater things. I am immensely proud of each and every one of you. But, I must say, that there are some things that deserve a few last-minute points." The Gryffindor table held its breath, and the Slytherin one groaned. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "First, to our new fifth year Gryffindor, Miss Jessica Black. For use of deductive logic in times of crisis, I award Gryffindor House twenty points." Gryffindor table cheered. They were twenty points up! That moved them into second place. "Next, to another fifth year Gryffindor, Miss Hermione Granger. For a perfect score on her O.W.L.s, I award another twenty points." The entire hall erupted. She was the only one that year who had received full marks on her O.W.L.s. Forty points up. They were inching toward first. Only fifty points to go. "Next, to Mr. Ronald Weasley. For nerve and daring in helping a friend. Fifteen points." Gryffindor couldn't suppress its joy. They were nearly there. "And to Mr. Harry Potter. For showing pure nerve, pure daring, pure courage, and pure loyalty to his friends for the fourth time, I award Gryffindor House," the entire Hall waited with bated breath, "Fifty points." There was an explosion. Gryffindor table erupted in noise and cheers. They had won the House Cup five years in a row now! Harry watched as the hangings changed colors, just as they had their first year. He smiled as Jessica threw her arms around his neck as she jumped up and down.
"Harry, we did it!" she shrieked, "We've won! We've won!" She stopped jumping and she and Harry looked at each other. "I always loved you," she said.
"I know," he said, and they hugged deeply. Suddenly, Seamus yelled above the noise. "Oh my gosh! Ron and Hermione!" Harry and Jessica looked across the table.
Ron and Hermione were in an embrace, engaged in a kiss. Jessica and Harry laughed, surprised.
"I never would have guessed," said Harry.
"Oh, I would have," said Jessica, smiling. She and Harry joined in the rest of their Gryffindor friends in jumping and screaming. It was a perfect moment on a perfect day. It was the most wonderful moment of Jessica's entire life.
The next morning the excitement from the feast had subsided a little with the disappointment and yet anticipation of going home. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Jessica found an empty compartment all to themselves. Jessica found this journey back to Platform 9 ¾ very different than the journey from it. They played Exploding Snap, and tried to make clear the events of that year. Sirius sat at Jessica's side, in his dog form.
When they disembarked at the platform, Ron said good-bye to everyone and went with his family, but not before kissing Hermione again.
"Don't those two ever stop?" asked Jessica, half laughing.
"I doubt it."
Hermione, Harry, and Jessica passed through the gateway into the Muggle world together. Hermione hugged them both as she found her parents and left. Jessica and Harry stood waiting, as neither of them could find their relations.
"This was a most interesting year," said Jessica.
"If you think this is interesting, just wait until next year," said Harry, "Something extremely odd is guaranteed to happen next year. It always does."
"That's life at Hogwarts, I guess," said Jessica.
"Yeah." Just then, Jessica heard a voice from within the crowd.
"Jessica!" it called. Jessica and Harry saw Emory Black coming through the crowd.
"Dad!" she exclaimed, running up to him and hugging him.
"I missed you," he said, hugging her back.
"I missed you, too, Dad. The weirdest things happened to me this year. But before we go, there's someone I want you to meet." She took her father's hand and led him over to Harry, who was having an argument with what she could only assume were his relatives.
"Dad," she said, "This is Harry Potter. Harry, this is my father, Emory."
They shook hands. Jessica smiled at Harry. He gently brushed her cheek and said, "I'll maybe see you at Ron's this summer," he said, "I'd invite you to stay with me, but . . ." He jerked his head toward his aunt, uncle, and cousin, who were looking appalled at Emory, Jessica, and Harry. Jessica smiled. "I understand completely." She kissed him on the cheek.
"Have a good summer, Harry," she called as she walked away.
Harry smiled and waved, then disappeared in the crowd.
Emory turned to his daughter, who was now walking with a shaggy black dog beside her. He looked confused, then asked, "So, Jessi, tell me about this Harry Potter. And tell me about the dog."
Jessica smiled. "Well, Dad," she said, "It's a very long story . . ."
That's the end of Part One of the Story of Jessica Black. It may be a while, but I'm coming back with a second installment whether anyone likes it or not! Bwahahaha! Love to all my reviewers! Dedicated to HYPERHobbit, my most faithful reviewer!
Chapter Seventeen: A Most Interesting Year
Harry woke up later in the hospital wing. Exactly how much later he didn't know He looked over and saw Jessica lying, sleeping, in the bed beside him. Hermione was on the other side. Ron was no where to be found.
Just then, the door to the hospital wing opened, and Harry saw a mass of orange walking toward him. He reached over and put on his glasses. Ron smiled when he saw his friend was awake.
"All right there, Harry?" he asked, sitting down on the bed.
"All right. What about you?"
"I'm all right. Can't believe I went down like that. Just stunned. It's disgraceful!"
Harry laughed. His left arm felt a lot better, and he could move it again. He supposed that Madam Pomfrey had mended it already. He glanced over to Jessica and Hermione's beds again.
"They're all right. Woke up about an hour ago, the both of them. First thing they both said was 'It was Professor Hardwell.' But Dumbledore just smiled and told them to go back to sleep. Harry, who was it?" Ron gave him a look so earnest that Harry couldn't lie to him.
"It was Voldemort," Harry said. Ron shuddered. "Voldemort's been here all year. He's been impersonating different people." He ended it quietly. Ron didn't ask him any more questions. Luckily, however, Dumbledore came into the room at that moment. He smiled at Ron, then stepped to the other side of Harry's bed.
"I believe you have had a proper night's sleep," he said. Harry nodded. His head was still aching, like it had been bruised. Well, it had, as his head had hit the wall several times during his fight with Voldemort. His scar still burned slightly.
"Professor," Harry said, as Ron left, "How did you know that someone had gotten into the school without knowing who they were?"
Dumbledore smiled gravely. "I admit that I should have been more honest with you from the beginning. But then I doubt you would have handled this any differently. I knew it was Voldemort from the beginning. Or at least, I had my strong suspicions. Why I never told you, I do not know. Please don't ask me to fathom the workings of an old mind." His eyes twinkled. "When the attacks started happening, it was my worst fear realized again. Someone was out to kill Gryffindors, and they were doing it to get at you. There is a reason, Harry Potter, that you have come up against Lord Voldemort so many times and survived. It is the answer to yet another question that you will find out in time. Now, however, I believe you know everything you need to know." He stood and fished out a Chocolate Frog from his pocket. "Eat this, and feel better. I think your friends will be waking up soon." With that he left.
Harry unwrapped his chocolate and ate it slowly, thinking. Just then, someone stirred to his right, and Jessica woke up. She sat up in bed, then looked over and saw Harry.
"Oh, Harry," she said, "I wanted to tell you, but she got me first. It was Professor Hardwell, Harry!" Harry quieted her.
"No, Jessica, it wasn't really Professor Hardwell. It was Voldemort."
Jessica was speechless, and Harry didn't say anything more on the subject.
They left the hospital wing that night, after being held up by Madam Pomfrey's last checkup. They went back to their common room to questions but mostly subdued silence. The idea that they were no longer safe from Voldemort in their own school was flabbergasting. But they still had to worry about their exams, and Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Jessica went back to studying for their O.W.L.s.
O.W.L.s came and went, and finally term was nearly over. Harry, Jessica, Ron, and Hermione spent most of their final days of term lazing about near the lake. Harry and Jessica spent more time on their broomsticks, and Ron and Hermione kept disappearing, and no one knew where they were or what they were doing. Harry and Jessica dismissed it as the other two wanting to get away from them.
After a lazy two weeks, their results for O.W.L.s came in the form of letters by owl. The four friends sat in the common room, all holding identical silver envelopes, not opening them.
"All right," said Harry, "We'll do it together. Ready? 1 . . . 2 . . . 3!" They all ripped open their envelopes and pulled out their results.
"I got full marks!" exclaimed Hermione, "Nobody ever gets full marks!"
"Eight out of ten, Harry!" said Jessica, leaning over and looking at his parchment, "That's great!"
"Not as good as you," said Harry, looking at Jessica's. She had nine out of ten.
"I had a good tutor," she said, smiling at Hermione.
Ron was the last to look at his. He sat staring at it, mouth open, speechless. Hermione took the parchment from his hands.
"Nine and a half," she said, disbelieving, "Nine and a half! Ron, I can't believe it, nine and a half!" She threw her arms around his neck, then stood. "I have to go find Neville and see how he did."
With the weight of their O.W.L. results off their shoulders, the four friends enjoyed the last day of term, packing their bags and spending their last day in the common room, playing games and generally having a good time. It was with a heavy heart that they went to the Leaving Feast.
To nearly everyone's surprise, as the point race was so close, the hall was decked out in Slytherin's green and silver. Gryffindor had lost the Quidditch Cup, being flattened by Slytherin in the finals.
"If only we hadn't lost those points!" said Ron angrily as he sat down with his friends.
Harry just smiled. He had a feeling that things were going to look a little different here in a moment.
He was right. When Dumbledore stood to deliver his speech, the hall fell silent. Was he going to quash the rumors that had been circulating? Or was the truth more shocking than the fiction?
"Another year," he said, "My, how they go by so fast. Watching young ones find their place, and older ones move on to greater things. I am immensely proud of each and every one of you. But, I must say, that there are some things that deserve a few last-minute points." The Gryffindor table held its breath, and the Slytherin one groaned. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "First, to our new fifth year Gryffindor, Miss Jessica Black. For use of deductive logic in times of crisis, I award Gryffindor House twenty points." Gryffindor table cheered. They were twenty points up! That moved them into second place. "Next, to another fifth year Gryffindor, Miss Hermione Granger. For a perfect score on her O.W.L.s, I award another twenty points." The entire hall erupted. She was the only one that year who had received full marks on her O.W.L.s. Forty points up. They were inching toward first. Only fifty points to go. "Next, to Mr. Ronald Weasley. For nerve and daring in helping a friend. Fifteen points." Gryffindor couldn't suppress its joy. They were nearly there. "And to Mr. Harry Potter. For showing pure nerve, pure daring, pure courage, and pure loyalty to his friends for the fourth time, I award Gryffindor House," the entire Hall waited with bated breath, "Fifty points." There was an explosion. Gryffindor table erupted in noise and cheers. They had won the House Cup five years in a row now! Harry watched as the hangings changed colors, just as they had their first year. He smiled as Jessica threw her arms around his neck as she jumped up and down.
"Harry, we did it!" she shrieked, "We've won! We've won!" She stopped jumping and she and Harry looked at each other. "I always loved you," she said.
"I know," he said, and they hugged deeply. Suddenly, Seamus yelled above the noise. "Oh my gosh! Ron and Hermione!" Harry and Jessica looked across the table.
Ron and Hermione were in an embrace, engaged in a kiss. Jessica and Harry laughed, surprised.
"I never would have guessed," said Harry.
"Oh, I would have," said Jessica, smiling. She and Harry joined in the rest of their Gryffindor friends in jumping and screaming. It was a perfect moment on a perfect day. It was the most wonderful moment of Jessica's entire life.
The next morning the excitement from the feast had subsided a little with the disappointment and yet anticipation of going home. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Jessica found an empty compartment all to themselves. Jessica found this journey back to Platform 9 ¾ very different than the journey from it. They played Exploding Snap, and tried to make clear the events of that year. Sirius sat at Jessica's side, in his dog form.
When they disembarked at the platform, Ron said good-bye to everyone and went with his family, but not before kissing Hermione again.
"Don't those two ever stop?" asked Jessica, half laughing.
"I doubt it."
Hermione, Harry, and Jessica passed through the gateway into the Muggle world together. Hermione hugged them both as she found her parents and left. Jessica and Harry stood waiting, as neither of them could find their relations.
"This was a most interesting year," said Jessica.
"If you think this is interesting, just wait until next year," said Harry, "Something extremely odd is guaranteed to happen next year. It always does."
"That's life at Hogwarts, I guess," said Jessica.
"Yeah." Just then, Jessica heard a voice from within the crowd.
"Jessica!" it called. Jessica and Harry saw Emory Black coming through the crowd.
"Dad!" she exclaimed, running up to him and hugging him.
"I missed you," he said, hugging her back.
"I missed you, too, Dad. The weirdest things happened to me this year. But before we go, there's someone I want you to meet." She took her father's hand and led him over to Harry, who was having an argument with what she could only assume were his relatives.
"Dad," she said, "This is Harry Potter. Harry, this is my father, Emory."
They shook hands. Jessica smiled at Harry. He gently brushed her cheek and said, "I'll maybe see you at Ron's this summer," he said, "I'd invite you to stay with me, but . . ." He jerked his head toward his aunt, uncle, and cousin, who were looking appalled at Emory, Jessica, and Harry. Jessica smiled. "I understand completely." She kissed him on the cheek.
"Have a good summer, Harry," she called as she walked away.
Harry smiled and waved, then disappeared in the crowd.
Emory turned to his daughter, who was now walking with a shaggy black dog beside her. He looked confused, then asked, "So, Jessi, tell me about this Harry Potter. And tell me about the dog."
Jessica smiled. "Well, Dad," she said, "It's a very long story . . ."
That's the end of Part One of the Story of Jessica Black. It may be a while, but I'm coming back with a second installment whether anyone likes it or not! Bwahahaha! Love to all my reviewers! Dedicated to HYPERHobbit, my most faithful reviewer!
