The three friends had never been so glad to see the back of anyone as they
were the minute Draco Malfoy turned on his heel and left Hogwarts, never to
return.
They had all stood on the first landing of the main staircase to watch Malfoy leave. Hermione had only been out of the hospital wing for a couple of days and in spite of Ron's numerous pleadings for her to stay in bed she stood with her head held high, her back straight and her face dignified as Malfoy walked out the door, even if she was leaning rather heavily on Ron's arm.
"I wonder what Crabbe and Goyle are gonna do now?" Ron whispered to Harry.
"Probably just wander around aimlessly. They'll hardly find someone else as evil and scheming as Malfoy to act as henchmen for."
The two friends sniggered while Hermione smiled widely. It really was a rather comical sight. Crabbe and Goyle were at the door waving to Malfoy with dazed and confused expressions on their faces. They were obviously still figuring out the finer details of their friend's expulsion. Pansy Parkinson was also present, fluttering a pink handkerchief madly and quite literally bawling at the top of her lungs. Moaning Myrtle would have been proud.
Hermione turned to Ron. "Ron, I think we should go. I'm beginning to get a little tired and I don't think I'm quite up to facing thise three when they come back in."
Ron looked at Harry, who nodded his agreement. And with that they started back up the stairs.
"What's he going to do now though? Where is he going to go to school? There isn't another wizarding school in all of Britain."
Harry and Ron looked at each other, grinning. Even now Hermione's thoughts were on school.
"He was going on about how his father had gotten him a place in Durmstrang in Potions yesterday."
"Oh, I see." Hermione fell silent.
"You okay 'Mione?" Ron asked.
"What? Oh, yes, yes I'm fine. I just didn't remember there being so many stairs to the common room."
Ron looked at her again. She didn't seem in any way sad. After a few moments of slight worry, he concluded that it was probably just a shock at hearing things associated with Krum after so long.
Ron didn't know it, but his understanding of Hermione's mind and nature was growing more accurate by the day.
------------------------------------
As Harry sat at the Gryfindor table that evening, he felt strange somehow. He was feeling an emotion that he had forgotten existed. He was not miserable or weighted down with worry. But neither was he content. He was morethan content. He was actually (as scared as he was to admit it to himself) happy. Hermione was okay, Ron's face no longer resembled a thunderous sky, ginny's face was clear and smiling and her hands were warm under the table within his own.
For the first time in months Harry Potter was happy.
-------------------------------------
As soon as everyone in the hall had finished eating and the last plates had cleared, Professor Dumbledore sttod up. A hush fell within the hall.
"Students, teacher, ghosts, ghouls and Peeves." The poltergeist made a highly exaggerated bow at the mention of his name.
"So far this year, there has been a rather melancholy atmosphere that seems to have penetrated every single person residing in this school. Even now, coming up to the season of love and goodwill ('He means Christmas' said George Weasely, rather loudly) the entire school seems completely devoid of any life or spirit that is every year present. So in order to remedy this, I feel the very pressing need to reintroduce a concept that seemed to bring much joy to the student body last year."
Many people at the different tables looked at each other trying to puzzle out what the headmaster was talking about, what was this mystery event that he was hinting at. Harry couldn't help but notice that Lavender and Parvati both had their eyes squeezed shut and their fingers crossed.
"So," Dumbledore continued, "During the Christmas holiday's this year, Hogwarts will be holding a second Yule Ball."
An excited babble broke out among the tables. Lavender and Parvati squealed and began hugging each other.
"Angelina, you free over the holidays?" Fred shouted across the table. "Yeah, why not make it two in a row." Angelina replied smiling.
They had all stood on the first landing of the main staircase to watch Malfoy leave. Hermione had only been out of the hospital wing for a couple of days and in spite of Ron's numerous pleadings for her to stay in bed she stood with her head held high, her back straight and her face dignified as Malfoy walked out the door, even if she was leaning rather heavily on Ron's arm.
"I wonder what Crabbe and Goyle are gonna do now?" Ron whispered to Harry.
"Probably just wander around aimlessly. They'll hardly find someone else as evil and scheming as Malfoy to act as henchmen for."
The two friends sniggered while Hermione smiled widely. It really was a rather comical sight. Crabbe and Goyle were at the door waving to Malfoy with dazed and confused expressions on their faces. They were obviously still figuring out the finer details of their friend's expulsion. Pansy Parkinson was also present, fluttering a pink handkerchief madly and quite literally bawling at the top of her lungs. Moaning Myrtle would have been proud.
Hermione turned to Ron. "Ron, I think we should go. I'm beginning to get a little tired and I don't think I'm quite up to facing thise three when they come back in."
Ron looked at Harry, who nodded his agreement. And with that they started back up the stairs.
"What's he going to do now though? Where is he going to go to school? There isn't another wizarding school in all of Britain."
Harry and Ron looked at each other, grinning. Even now Hermione's thoughts were on school.
"He was going on about how his father had gotten him a place in Durmstrang in Potions yesterday."
"Oh, I see." Hermione fell silent.
"You okay 'Mione?" Ron asked.
"What? Oh, yes, yes I'm fine. I just didn't remember there being so many stairs to the common room."
Ron looked at her again. She didn't seem in any way sad. After a few moments of slight worry, he concluded that it was probably just a shock at hearing things associated with Krum after so long.
Ron didn't know it, but his understanding of Hermione's mind and nature was growing more accurate by the day.
------------------------------------
As Harry sat at the Gryfindor table that evening, he felt strange somehow. He was feeling an emotion that he had forgotten existed. He was not miserable or weighted down with worry. But neither was he content. He was morethan content. He was actually (as scared as he was to admit it to himself) happy. Hermione was okay, Ron's face no longer resembled a thunderous sky, ginny's face was clear and smiling and her hands were warm under the table within his own.
For the first time in months Harry Potter was happy.
-------------------------------------
As soon as everyone in the hall had finished eating and the last plates had cleared, Professor Dumbledore sttod up. A hush fell within the hall.
"Students, teacher, ghosts, ghouls and Peeves." The poltergeist made a highly exaggerated bow at the mention of his name.
"So far this year, there has been a rather melancholy atmosphere that seems to have penetrated every single person residing in this school. Even now, coming up to the season of love and goodwill ('He means Christmas' said George Weasely, rather loudly) the entire school seems completely devoid of any life or spirit that is every year present. So in order to remedy this, I feel the very pressing need to reintroduce a concept that seemed to bring much joy to the student body last year."
Many people at the different tables looked at each other trying to puzzle out what the headmaster was talking about, what was this mystery event that he was hinting at. Harry couldn't help but notice that Lavender and Parvati both had their eyes squeezed shut and their fingers crossed.
"So," Dumbledore continued, "During the Christmas holiday's this year, Hogwarts will be holding a second Yule Ball."
An excited babble broke out among the tables. Lavender and Parvati squealed and began hugging each other.
"Angelina, you free over the holidays?" Fred shouted across the table. "Yeah, why not make it two in a row." Angelina replied smiling.