Chapter 22
Completed Puzzle
No sooner did James and Lily left, Professor McGonagall, Sirius, and Professor Lupin came rushing into the cave. "Wha-what.happened"! Professor McGonagall wheezed, as she looked around horrified. "Harry"! Professor Lupin and Sirius both said at the same time. "It's alright, we're fine", Harry reassured them. "Ah, I never have been in this room before"! Harry looked behind the pack of adults that just came in, startled, finding Professor Dumbledore standing behind them smiling. "Professor Dumbledore! We.", Hermione started. "It's okay Ms. Granger, you're not in trouble, but I would like to know what happened". "I think we all do", Professor McGonagall said, apparently still in shock. Harry, Ron, and Hermione smiled at each other, and started explaining. Harry told them every single detail from the dream he had back at Private Drive, and to where they found this cave and fought Voldemort, and Wormtail. Hermione explained how they found out about the Crystal, and how they found the locket containing the key inside; Harry didn't really want to tell anyone how he actually found the locket, so he left that part of the detail out too. Hermione also explained how Ron almost died, but Harry saved him with the Crystal. "Then after I saved Ron and made my wish, the crystal moved to a spot in the cave. The Crystal shook, and there was a lot of light, then the whole thing exploded into fairy dust"! Hermione explained. "Then Harry's parents appeared, we-". "You mean Lily and James"? Sirius asked excitedly. The three nodded, and Harry continued to explain the conversation he had with his parents. Out of all the things that have happened so far in his life, this was the one where he'll treasure and remember forever. "But-but how? How did Lily and James-", Sirius said looking puzzled as everyone else, except for Professor Dumbledore, who was still smiling. Harry explained to Sirius what his mom and dad told him, about having a strong bond of friendship with Ron, and how the Crystal was made out of love and friendship. "That explains everything", Professor Dumbledore told him. "Not really. Professor Dumbledore, I have a question", Harry said. "Ask away". "You know the short conversation we had, right after Hermione, Ron, and I were caught out of school grounds? Well, I asked you if you knew anything about the Crystal Ball of Fire, and you said I already knew. Then I asked you if you knew anything else, and you told me that you didn't and said that I'll have to find out myself. Did you actually want me to find the Crystal myself, even though you said it was dangerous"? Harry asked. "Ohh, I remember that short conversation we had. All I have to say to that is, yes and no. I know for a fact that since everybody knows where the Crystal is, I bet Voldemort (everybody winced when Professor Dumbledore said his name except Harry), knew too; so that's what makes it dangerous. Even though you've succeeded in defeating Voldemort several times, who knows whether his powers are growing stronger or not. But, I knew you would succeed in finding it, and I knew you would use it to see your parents, and you already knew a lot about the Crystal. So I bet you had no trouble finding where it was", Professor Dumbledore explained. "But Ron almost died"! Hermione exclaimed shocked. "Ah, but you see. I knew if anything happened to Ron, Harry would do the right thing and help him. I also knew the Crystal will help those with good hearts. So that's why", Professor Dumbledore continued. "But when I asked you if you knew anything about the Crystal, you told me to tell me to find out myself"! Harry pointed out. "I wanted you to find out on your own, instead of me telling you". "But what about Mr. Becker? Well.Wormtail"? Hermione asked nervously while glancing at a still stunned Wormtail. "Did you know he was actually Wormtail"? "No, even though it may seem like I know everything, I don't. I had no clue what so ever", Professor Dumbledore said. Harry bit his bottom lip, thinking hard on what else he should ask Professor Dumbledore, to make all the pieces to this puzzle fit perfectly together. "Professor Dumbledore, I told you guys about the dream I had right? Where I was in the white room"? Harry asked. Professor Dumbledore nodded. "Well.how come in the dream, I was in a place completely white? And usually the dreams I have usually meant something, so what did that mean? I mean, well, we're in a cave right now; and in the room I was in, Voldemort was there", Harry said. "Well, I too don't know why, but I guess it was just a warning", Professor Dumbledore said. "And there was a unicorn! And did you know Professor Delacour was a animagus"? Hermione asked. "Yes, only I knew. No one else knew", Professor Dumbledore explained. "And how did Fleur find us"? Hermione asked. "Profezzor Dumbledorr told me where you guys were, so 'e told me to make sure zat you guys are alright, while 'e owled Sirius and Remus", Professor Delacour spoke up. "So did you know too about the Crystal, but didn't tell us"? Ron finally said. He hasn't said anything for a while. "Well.Profezzor Dumbledorr told me not to tell you guys. But yes, I did know zum stuff about ze Crystal". "Any more questions"? Professor Dumbledore asked kindly. "Because if there's no more, I'm going to ask Professor McGonagall to take you to the Hospital Wing". "What about Wormtail"? Hermione asked, glancing nervously at Wormtail again, who stirred a little. "Well what else would we do with him? We're going to hand him to the Ministry of Magic of course"! Professor McGonagall said. "And You-Know-Who"? Ron gulped. "Well.there's nothing we can do about him now", Remus said. "But I'm sure as soon as we turned Wormtail in, the Ministry of Magic will asked tonnes of questions, and they should be able to catch Voldemort". "And.umm.", Harry started, looking nervously at Hermione who smiled at him. "Professor Dumbledore knew I was psychic. I told him in my first year", Hermione smiled. "Your first year? And you never told us? And we thought you didn't want to be psychic"! Ron exclaimed. "I didn't want you guys to know that I already knew that I was psychic, because I was scared you guys would act as if I was a freak or something when you guys are around me. But I guess I was wrong. But yeah, I did know. So that's why you're always finding me reading and studying, I want to learn something, without knowing the answer already. Every time I take a test, I always knew the answer straight away. I didn't want to find out answers for the rest of my life, by being psychic", Hermione explained. "I STILL can't believe you didn't tell us, and we're your best friends", Ron exclaimed frowning. Harry swore he saw Hermione give Ron a small wink while everybody continued talking. "Oh! Professor Dumbledore! You knew about the Crup right"? Hermione said all of a sudden. "Yes". "Is he still there"? Hermione asked. "I'm afraid not, Hagrid handed him in to the department of Lost Magical Creatures a week ago", Professor Dumbledore said. "Well, I believe that's all. You three better get up to the hospital wing, I bet Madam Pomfrey would want you three to get some rest. Leave this all here, and we'll take care of it. Professor McGonagall, take Harry, Ron, and Hermione up to the Hospital Wing please, and tell Madam Pomfrey to give them some of that sleepless potion, the new batch that Severus made this morning". Professor McGonagall nodded. Seeing her neck being pretty stiff, Harry had no idea how she could nod or even move her head. "Potter, Granger, Weasley, follow me", Professor McGonagall instructed. They left the cave, and started walking up the tunnel. It took them a while, but soon they stood outside the cave, and watched the wall replace it. "Professor McGonagall, I have a question", Hermione broke the silence. "Yes Ms. Granger"? "What will you do with this hole"? "Professor Dumbledore will probably seal it, so that no one else can get in. And of course, we'll remove the button that opens the wall revealing the cave". They continued to walk. The whole school seemed to have woken up and heard what happened, for every single student was in the halls in their pyjamas, pointing and whispering as Harry, Hermione and Ron walked passed them. It seemed like forever for them to get to the Hospital Wing, for Professor McGonagall had to shoo a lot of students away, and yelled at everyone to go to bed. Harry checked his watch, and saw his watch blink "12:59". Time went by quickly, and Harry was again relieved that he escaped Voldemort. He was just as happy as Hermione and Ron. He glanced behind his shoulder, and found Hermione and Ron holding hands, whispering to each other and grinning from ear to ear. Harry smiled to himself and pretended he didn't see what he saw. Maybe Hermione and Ron will go out one day? Despite the fact that they fight almost every single day, but who knows? They might even be going out now. As they enter the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey came bustling over, grabbing the three friends by their wrists and dragged them over to separate beds. "Professor Dumbledore said to give them the sleepless potion, the ones that Severus made today", Professor McGonagall told Madam Pomfrey, who just nodded and quickly shooed Professor McGonagall out. Madam Pomfrey muttered darkly to herself about students being out of bed late at night, playing games, and not getting enough sleep, as she went over to a small wooden cabinet and got out a green bottle. She got out three spoons and poured some of the liquid that was in the green bottle on the spoons. She gave each spoon to Hermione, Ron, and Harry. "Drink it and go to sleep, you three need your rest", with that, Madam Pomfrey quickly left, closing the door after her. Not wanting to drink the sleepless potion yet, Harry carefully settled the spoon on the small desk beside his bed. Hermione and Ron did the same, and the two of them quickly came over to the bed Harry was sitting in. "Some day we had huh"? Harry said, grinning. "No kidding", Ron and Hermione both said at the same time. The two blushed and smiled shyly at each other. Harry couldn't contain it anymore, but laughed at the sight of his two best friends blush. "It's not THAT funny", Hermione said still blushing. "Besides, I don't even know why you're laughing"! "You two! You don't have to lie; it wouldn't take 10 Hermione's ("Hey"! Hermione exclaimed), to figure out that you both like each other", Harry choked out between his laughs. Hermione and Ron blushed even more, while Madam Pomfrey came into the room, almost breaking the door. "GET INTO YOUR BEDS, NOW"! Madam Pomfrey yelled. "AND FOR GOD'S SAKE, TAKE YOUR POTION AND GET SOME SLEEP"! Hermione, Harry, and Ron both laughed quietly to themselves and went into their own bed. "Night guys"! Harry said. "Night Harry, Night Ron", Hermione said. "Night Hermione, Harry", Ron said. With a quick smile to each other, they both took their potion and soon, they fell asleep.
No sooner did James and Lily left, Professor McGonagall, Sirius, and Professor Lupin came rushing into the cave. "Wha-what.happened"! Professor McGonagall wheezed, as she looked around horrified. "Harry"! Professor Lupin and Sirius both said at the same time. "It's alright, we're fine", Harry reassured them. "Ah, I never have been in this room before"! Harry looked behind the pack of adults that just came in, startled, finding Professor Dumbledore standing behind them smiling. "Professor Dumbledore! We.", Hermione started. "It's okay Ms. Granger, you're not in trouble, but I would like to know what happened". "I think we all do", Professor McGonagall said, apparently still in shock. Harry, Ron, and Hermione smiled at each other, and started explaining. Harry told them every single detail from the dream he had back at Private Drive, and to where they found this cave and fought Voldemort, and Wormtail. Hermione explained how they found out about the Crystal, and how they found the locket containing the key inside; Harry didn't really want to tell anyone how he actually found the locket, so he left that part of the detail out too. Hermione also explained how Ron almost died, but Harry saved him with the Crystal. "Then after I saved Ron and made my wish, the crystal moved to a spot in the cave. The Crystal shook, and there was a lot of light, then the whole thing exploded into fairy dust"! Hermione explained. "Then Harry's parents appeared, we-". "You mean Lily and James"? Sirius asked excitedly. The three nodded, and Harry continued to explain the conversation he had with his parents. Out of all the things that have happened so far in his life, this was the one where he'll treasure and remember forever. "But-but how? How did Lily and James-", Sirius said looking puzzled as everyone else, except for Professor Dumbledore, who was still smiling. Harry explained to Sirius what his mom and dad told him, about having a strong bond of friendship with Ron, and how the Crystal was made out of love and friendship. "That explains everything", Professor Dumbledore told him. "Not really. Professor Dumbledore, I have a question", Harry said. "Ask away". "You know the short conversation we had, right after Hermione, Ron, and I were caught out of school grounds? Well, I asked you if you knew anything about the Crystal Ball of Fire, and you said I already knew. Then I asked you if you knew anything else, and you told me that you didn't and said that I'll have to find out myself. Did you actually want me to find the Crystal myself, even though you said it was dangerous"? Harry asked. "Ohh, I remember that short conversation we had. All I have to say to that is, yes and no. I know for a fact that since everybody knows where the Crystal is, I bet Voldemort (everybody winced when Professor Dumbledore said his name except Harry), knew too; so that's what makes it dangerous. Even though you've succeeded in defeating Voldemort several times, who knows whether his powers are growing stronger or not. But, I knew you would succeed in finding it, and I knew you would use it to see your parents, and you already knew a lot about the Crystal. So I bet you had no trouble finding where it was", Professor Dumbledore explained. "But Ron almost died"! Hermione exclaimed shocked. "Ah, but you see. I knew if anything happened to Ron, Harry would do the right thing and help him. I also knew the Crystal will help those with good hearts. So that's why", Professor Dumbledore continued. "But when I asked you if you knew anything about the Crystal, you told me to tell me to find out myself"! Harry pointed out. "I wanted you to find out on your own, instead of me telling you". "But what about Mr. Becker? Well.Wormtail"? Hermione asked nervously while glancing at a still stunned Wormtail. "Did you know he was actually Wormtail"? "No, even though it may seem like I know everything, I don't. I had no clue what so ever", Professor Dumbledore said. Harry bit his bottom lip, thinking hard on what else he should ask Professor Dumbledore, to make all the pieces to this puzzle fit perfectly together. "Professor Dumbledore, I told you guys about the dream I had right? Where I was in the white room"? Harry asked. Professor Dumbledore nodded. "Well.how come in the dream, I was in a place completely white? And usually the dreams I have usually meant something, so what did that mean? I mean, well, we're in a cave right now; and in the room I was in, Voldemort was there", Harry said. "Well, I too don't know why, but I guess it was just a warning", Professor Dumbledore said. "And there was a unicorn! And did you know Professor Delacour was a animagus"? Hermione asked. "Yes, only I knew. No one else knew", Professor Dumbledore explained. "And how did Fleur find us"? Hermione asked. "Profezzor Dumbledorr told me where you guys were, so 'e told me to make sure zat you guys are alright, while 'e owled Sirius and Remus", Professor Delacour spoke up. "So did you know too about the Crystal, but didn't tell us"? Ron finally said. He hasn't said anything for a while. "Well.Profezzor Dumbledorr told me not to tell you guys. But yes, I did know zum stuff about ze Crystal". "Any more questions"? Professor Dumbledore asked kindly. "Because if there's no more, I'm going to ask Professor McGonagall to take you to the Hospital Wing". "What about Wormtail"? Hermione asked, glancing nervously at Wormtail again, who stirred a little. "Well what else would we do with him? We're going to hand him to the Ministry of Magic of course"! Professor McGonagall said. "And You-Know-Who"? Ron gulped. "Well.there's nothing we can do about him now", Remus said. "But I'm sure as soon as we turned Wormtail in, the Ministry of Magic will asked tonnes of questions, and they should be able to catch Voldemort". "And.umm.", Harry started, looking nervously at Hermione who smiled at him. "Professor Dumbledore knew I was psychic. I told him in my first year", Hermione smiled. "Your first year? And you never told us? And we thought you didn't want to be psychic"! Ron exclaimed. "I didn't want you guys to know that I already knew that I was psychic, because I was scared you guys would act as if I was a freak or something when you guys are around me. But I guess I was wrong. But yeah, I did know. So that's why you're always finding me reading and studying, I want to learn something, without knowing the answer already. Every time I take a test, I always knew the answer straight away. I didn't want to find out answers for the rest of my life, by being psychic", Hermione explained. "I STILL can't believe you didn't tell us, and we're your best friends", Ron exclaimed frowning. Harry swore he saw Hermione give Ron a small wink while everybody continued talking. "Oh! Professor Dumbledore! You knew about the Crup right"? Hermione said all of a sudden. "Yes". "Is he still there"? Hermione asked. "I'm afraid not, Hagrid handed him in to the department of Lost Magical Creatures a week ago", Professor Dumbledore said. "Well, I believe that's all. You three better get up to the hospital wing, I bet Madam Pomfrey would want you three to get some rest. Leave this all here, and we'll take care of it. Professor McGonagall, take Harry, Ron, and Hermione up to the Hospital Wing please, and tell Madam Pomfrey to give them some of that sleepless potion, the new batch that Severus made this morning". Professor McGonagall nodded. Seeing her neck being pretty stiff, Harry had no idea how she could nod or even move her head. "Potter, Granger, Weasley, follow me", Professor McGonagall instructed. They left the cave, and started walking up the tunnel. It took them a while, but soon they stood outside the cave, and watched the wall replace it. "Professor McGonagall, I have a question", Hermione broke the silence. "Yes Ms. Granger"? "What will you do with this hole"? "Professor Dumbledore will probably seal it, so that no one else can get in. And of course, we'll remove the button that opens the wall revealing the cave". They continued to walk. The whole school seemed to have woken up and heard what happened, for every single student was in the halls in their pyjamas, pointing and whispering as Harry, Hermione and Ron walked passed them. It seemed like forever for them to get to the Hospital Wing, for Professor McGonagall had to shoo a lot of students away, and yelled at everyone to go to bed. Harry checked his watch, and saw his watch blink "12:59". Time went by quickly, and Harry was again relieved that he escaped Voldemort. He was just as happy as Hermione and Ron. He glanced behind his shoulder, and found Hermione and Ron holding hands, whispering to each other and grinning from ear to ear. Harry smiled to himself and pretended he didn't see what he saw. Maybe Hermione and Ron will go out one day? Despite the fact that they fight almost every single day, but who knows? They might even be going out now. As they enter the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey came bustling over, grabbing the three friends by their wrists and dragged them over to separate beds. "Professor Dumbledore said to give them the sleepless potion, the ones that Severus made today", Professor McGonagall told Madam Pomfrey, who just nodded and quickly shooed Professor McGonagall out. Madam Pomfrey muttered darkly to herself about students being out of bed late at night, playing games, and not getting enough sleep, as she went over to a small wooden cabinet and got out a green bottle. She got out three spoons and poured some of the liquid that was in the green bottle on the spoons. She gave each spoon to Hermione, Ron, and Harry. "Drink it and go to sleep, you three need your rest", with that, Madam Pomfrey quickly left, closing the door after her. Not wanting to drink the sleepless potion yet, Harry carefully settled the spoon on the small desk beside his bed. Hermione and Ron did the same, and the two of them quickly came over to the bed Harry was sitting in. "Some day we had huh"? Harry said, grinning. "No kidding", Ron and Hermione both said at the same time. The two blushed and smiled shyly at each other. Harry couldn't contain it anymore, but laughed at the sight of his two best friends blush. "It's not THAT funny", Hermione said still blushing. "Besides, I don't even know why you're laughing"! "You two! You don't have to lie; it wouldn't take 10 Hermione's ("Hey"! Hermione exclaimed), to figure out that you both like each other", Harry choked out between his laughs. Hermione and Ron blushed even more, while Madam Pomfrey came into the room, almost breaking the door. "GET INTO YOUR BEDS, NOW"! Madam Pomfrey yelled. "AND FOR GOD'S SAKE, TAKE YOUR POTION AND GET SOME SLEEP"! Hermione, Harry, and Ron both laughed quietly to themselves and went into their own bed. "Night guys"! Harry said. "Night Harry, Night Ron", Hermione said. "Night Hermione, Harry", Ron said. With a quick smile to each other, they both took their potion and soon, they fell asleep.