Everything Changes
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or the characters, they belong to their respected owners. Any resemblince to existing stories is untended.
Chapter 2: The Return of Lord Voldemort.
Malfoy had gotten an extra six months of detention (helping Filch scrub the bathrooms & the halls) & one hundred & fifty more points were deducted from Slytherin for his actions at the quiddich match the previous Friday. On the other hand, Harry had earned one hundred points for his brave motives & quick thinking. Harry couldn't go anywhere without hearing "Way to go Potter!" or "Atta Boy Harry!" Even Professor McGonagall was being nicer to him in class & Dumbledore had offered him a spot at the high table for a day. "Wow I can't believe you get to sit up there with the teachers!" Hermione exclaimed enviously, Harry turned a little red. "Well I wasn't expecting a reward, I bet you would've done the same thing if you were in my place." He said. "Oh don't be modest Harry, you were the only one that saw what was happening, anyone else wouldn't have even noticed or if they would've & it would have been to late. Harry, Madam Scuie owes you her life & you know what happens when a wizard saves another of his kind." She said. "Potter!" Harry turned to see Professor McGonagall striding their way. "There's been a change of plans, you will be sitting between Madam Scuie & our other honored guest tonight." Harry looked puzzled. "I thought that didn't start until tomorrow?" He said, Professor McGonagall shot him one of her rare smiles. "Well your presence was requested by more than a few people, including me." She said. "You mean. you requested me, personally?!" Harry cried. "Yes Potter, along with others. Now remember to come in your dress robes." And with that she was gone.
Come dinner time Harry became very nervous, what would he say? How should he act? "Just be yourself." Hermione said to him as they entered the great hall. "You look really nice." She whispered in his ear as he made his way to the high table. Dumbledore gave him a warm smile as he approached. "There's your seat." He pointed to a ivroy chair with a goblet, plates & silverware to match. He went over & sat down, the seats on either side of him were empty. Not for long though, within the next five minutes teachers started filing in through the side doors. Professor Flitwick squeaked excitedly as he passed behind Harry, Madam Scuie & to his suprise Madam Hooch both gave him a pat on the back as they took their seats on either side of him, Harry noticed that Madam Hooch had the same chair & dinnerware he had, Harry assumed it was reserved for guests. Oh, what a feeling! Sitting there looking out at the rest of the Great Hall, Harry found they had an excellent view of everything from here. Harry was jerked out of his thoughts as the hall quieted, Dumbledore stood up. "I have a couple of announcements before the feast begins. First I would like you to welcome our honored guests, Madam Hooch." There was a thunder of applauds & hollers as she stood up. "It's great to be here, I miss teaching but there was some unfinished business I had to attend to." She said before sitting down. "And second, our own Mr. Harry Potter." Dumbledore stopped to allow the cheers from everyone but the Slytherin table. Harry nervously stood up. "T-thank you all, I really didn't mean to be up here, but Madam Scuie needed my help." He said, everyone (exept the Slytherins') cheered again. "That's our boy!" Jennifer, Katrine & Shawna screamed as they stood up & clapped. "Alright Harry!" Ron yelled, pounding his goblet on the table. Dumbledore raised his hand & the hall gradually quieted. "Mr. Potter is joining us up here tonight & all of the day to follow because he showed us outstanding courage by saving a life at the great risk of his own. I believe that if it weren't for Mr. Potter's bravery, someone very special to us wouldn't be here." Everyone cheered, the teachers clapped heartily. Suddenly Madam Scuie stood up. "May I say something, Headmaster?" Dumbledore nodded. "I' am forever in debt to Mr. Potter for saving my life, & I would love it if he'd be present at all my quiddich matches, in case something like this ever happens again." There was a pause, the Dumbledore smiled. "I think we can work something out."
"Wow Harry that is soo cool! Not only to you get to play quiddich you get to be kind of a assistant ref!" Ron cried as they made their way down to breakfast the next day "Technically I'm just a body guard." Harry said. "There is a down side, these dress robes are most uncomfortable." Hermione & Ron both laughed. Harry got the same reaction from the teachers as the previous night but he still couldn't get used to the fact that, to almost everyone he was a hero twice over. This time the spot to Harry's right was vacant, Madam Hooch must not be joining them. After Harry had his fill he asked Dumbledore for primisson to leave (which was granted), all of the teachers were sad to see him go. "By Harry, see you at lunch." Madam Scuie said as he stood up. "What a great pleasure it's been having you join us Harry." Came Professor Flitwick's high pitched voice. "See you in class Harry." Professor McGonagall said as he passed behind her seat. "Enjoying yourself, Harry?" Dumbledore asked as he walked by his large golden chair. "Yes sir." Harry answered, his voice higher than he would've liked. He didn't want Dumbledore & the other teachers to think he didn't appreciate what they did for him, he just couldn't get used to sitting at the high table. "Anything wrong Harry? You seem a bit off-key this morning." Came the question Harry was fearing the most. "I-I just can't seem to get used to it up here." Harry said quickly, the truth tumbling out of his mouth before he could stop it.. "It's not that I don't like it cause I do, it just takes some getting used to when you're used to sitting down there." Dumbledore nodded. "You needn't be ahamed of that, it took years for me to get used to sitting up here same with the other teachers so don't be worried that you'll upset us, we've all been there." Harry smiled, feeling loads better.
"Can you believe it Malfoy hasn't said two words to you ever sense that day." Hermione said as they walked to Divination. "Ah Mr. Potter! So nice to see you." Professor Trelawney said in her misty voice as they entered the stifling tower classroom. "I see good fortune in your future." She said with a smile, Harry, not being able to help it rolled his eyes Professor Trelawney was too busy staring into someone's tea to notice. "Ah Miss Patil I'm afraid that you will have some grief in times to come, someone (or something) really close to you will die a sudden unexpected death!" Parvati gasped with her hands over her mouth.
Parvati walked into transfiguration sobbing, Lavender Brown had her arm around her. Professor McGonagall looked utterly shocked. "Why Miss Patil what ever is the matter!" She cried, hurring around her desk. "P-Professor Trelawney p-p-predicted t-that someone close to me was going to die! M-my grandpa i-is." She didn't finish her sentence before bursting into tears again, Professor McGonagall became very angry. "Oh she did, did she?! Well I think its time I have a little chat with Miss all-knowing!" she yelled, half walking & half running out of the room before anyone could say anything. Harry had a feeling this would be more than a 'little chat' he caught Ron's eye & they dashed out of the classroom unable to risk missing this. They reached Professor Trelawney's trapdoor & found no one there. "Lets check the lounge." Ron said, sure enough they heard a sharp voice undoubtedly belonging Professor McGonagall, they reached the edge of the door & managed to slip into the teachers closet without either of them noticing. ".I can't believe you Sybill! You don't just go around saying to people that a close family member of theirs is going to kick it!" Professor McGonagall shrieked, Harry looked through a small knot hole in the door & could see that her eyes were flashing & her nostrils were flaring he involuntarily shivered, he'd been in the receiving end of Professor McGonagall's wrath & never would forget the look she gave him & Ron when they'd flew Mr. Weasley's bewitched car to school at the beginning of their second year. There was a brief silence before Professor Trelawney shouted her own insults. "Oh so YOU think you're all powerful just because you can change yourself into a ruddy cat Minerva? There are more important forms of magic than just becoming a bird-catching flea bag!!" she squawked. Harry & Ron couldn't believe their ears, Professor Trelawney had actually lost her temper. "Here let me have a look." Ron whispered, Harry leaned back quietly so Ron could peek through the tiny hole. The two witches were now in each other's faces, yelling at each other. "WELL I don't see any point in staring into a blank orb & fooling students into thinking you actually see something in it!!!" Professor McGonagall shrieked back. Harry gawked at Ron & mouthed 'wow' Ron nodded. "I know have you ever seen eith." Suddenly a loud popping noise was heard. "What in blazes was that!" Harry whispered, it took a few seconds for Ron to realize what he actually witnessed, he wordlessly leaned back. Harry reluctantly looked through the hole. Professor McGonagall was holding her hand to her right cheek, underneath her hand Harry could see a blotchy red spot forming, hot angry tears were welling up in her eyes. Harry switched to his left eye & shifted his head to the left, just to see for sure if what he saw was true. Professor Trelawney was standing there, her left hand extended out to the side of her thin body. She had slapped her. Harry & Ron sat there not knowing what to think when Professor McGonagall spoke, her voice quivering in anger. "You'll pay for that!" she said menacingly "McGonagall just pulled out her wand!" Harry whispered to Ron, his eyes widdened. "Now its going to get intresting." He said, Harry nodded. "You'll regret the day you crossed Minerva McGonagall." She said quietly. "What are you going to do, turn me into a cat too?" Professor Trelawney screamed, as if daring Professor McGonagall to go through with it. "No I'm going to turn you into the insect you are!" She pointed her wand right at Professor Trelawney said a few well chosen words. There was a popping sound & a puff of purple smoke & a green dragonfly hovered where Professor Trelawney once stood, Profesor McGonagall was ready with a jar. "What in Bloody hell is going on in here!!!" Filch rushed into the room. "P-Professor McGonagall y-you." he stuttered, Professor McGonagall must have realized the seriousness what she had done but before she could speak, Filch spoke first. "YOU wait here while I fetch Dumbledore, one of his own teachers!" He they heard him mutter as he hurried down the corridor. Professor McGonagall hid her face in her hands, realizing what she had done. Filch reappeared Dumbledore at his side. He wordlessly took the jar from Professor McGonagall's trembling hands, took the dragonfly out, pointed his wand at it & Professor Trelawney was back. She blinked then pointed her finger at Professor McGonagall. "She transfigured me into.into a bug! I didn't agree with the magic she teaches I didn't do anything to her!" She sobbed, Professor McGonagall's temper suddenly rose again. "That's not the truth & you know it!" she screamed, Dumbledore turned to Filch. "What did you see?" he asked. "Well, I was coming around the corner to mop the teachers' lounge when there was a puff of smoke & Professor McGonagall turned Professor Trelawney into a bug!" he cried, his eyes bludging. Dumbledore took a couple of steps forward, fixing Professor McGonagall with his searching stare. "Minerva, Is this true?" he asked softly, his eyes were duller then Harry had ever seen them. Professor McGonagall looked at her emerald shoes & said nothing. "Than, I have no choice but to reileve you of your teaching duties." Dumbledore said heavily, in the closet Harry looked at Ron. "I can't just sit idly by & watch McGonagall be kicked out for this, she's in trouble I have to help her, she's come to the rescue when I've been in a jam & its time that I do the same I owe her that much. He said. "Harry no." Ron moaned but Harry opened the closet's doors & stepped out. "Harry. What are you doing here! Your supposed to be in class!" Professor McGonagall cried, looking shocked. Dumbledore looked at Harry with an unusual expression, was it relief? "It wasn't Professor McGonagall's fault, Professor Trelawney slapped her first." He said quietly. "You're probably just lying save her skin!" Filch said. "I saw it too." Came Ron's voice as he stepped out of the closet & stood beside Harry. "Me & Harry saw the whole thing through this little hole." He said, sticking his pinky finger through it. "Professor Trelawney was the agressor in the first place, Professor McGonagall was just defending herself." Dumbledore smiled. "Well that changes the prospective entirely! Now I don't have to say good-bye to one of my favorite teachers after all." he said, the twinkle in his eyes seemed to reignite. "Minerva you may leave, Harry & Ron you rejoin her in class, Sybill you come with me." They both nodded & followed her out the door on either side of her. "Thank you both for clearing my name, I shouldn't have used transfiguration though." She said. "Professor, she slapped you! I would've done more than just turn her into a dragonfly." Ron said, she shot him a sharp look. "I don't want you to to go trying to follow my example if you do you will surely be punished." "Okay, okay Professor we get it!" They said as they entered the classroom
Everyone was still shocked at the sudden firing of Professor Trelawney. Dumbledore had anounced at dinner that he wasn't going to get anyone to replace her at the moment. "Alright! No more classes in that hot tower!" Ron cried as they made their way to potions. "Now." Ron trailed off & stopped abruptly at the door, Harry bumped into him. "Ron what did you stop." Lupin was sitting at the desk dressed in brand new maroon robes. "Professor Lupin! Its good to see you again!" Harry cried as he rushed to sit down. "Where's Snape I thought he he ws coming back?" Lupin smiled. "I'm afraid that our dear Professor Snape had some business to attend to, it will be gone for the rest of the year." Everyone (minus the Slytherins) cheered. "My problem has been taken care of, I'm no longer a werewolf. A team of wizard doctors in America came up with a kind of countercurse to benquish the evil that had been coursing through my veins for so long, I'm now healthy & ready to reasume the defense against the dark arts job." He said with a smile. "I have also brushed up on my potions & I do believe I'm a bit better then I was. Now lets start with learning about polyjuice potions." Ron, Hermione & Harry grinned at each other, remembering when they had experienced the art of polyjuice potions first hand.
"How cool is that! Lupin's back!" Ron exclaimed, but Harry who was deep in thought wasn't listening. "Harry are you alright?" Hermione asked, waving a hand in front of his face. "Huh? Oh. yeah I'm fine I was just thinking." he motioned them closer. "Why Vol- I mean You-Know-Who hasn't shown himself yet, I mean he has his powers back in all remember? But he hasn't been in the Prophet lately its like he's dissapeared." Harry said darkly. I'll bet you he's out there plotting how to somehow get in here past Dumbledore & kill you." Ron suggested. "But he wouldn't dare! Not with Dumbledore there!" Hermione squealed, Harry rubbed his chin. "Well, wormtail did take some blood out of my arm that night when Voldemort (Ron flinched) Sorry, You-Know-Who returned so who knows he might have the power to take on Dumbledore now. Plus Dumbledore's getting on age wise, & he hasn't deuled in a long time so You-know-Who has the advandage over him." Ron & Hermione looked worried. "We'd better be careful, You-Know-Who might be lurking around here somewhere." Hermione said, nervously looking around as they walked into the Three Broomsticks. "Hermione common I know all sorts come here but a lot of Ministry of Magic wizards stop in here also, he wouldn't dare try it." Ron said. "Plus do you think he'd kill me in a room full of people? No, he'd do it where there'd be no witnesses." Harry added "Hi there Harry, Ron & Hermione how are you all this fine day?" Madam Rosmerta said brightly from behind the bar. "Fine!" Harry & Ron said in unison. "What'll it be?" She said, rounding the bar & walking up to their table. "Three butterbeers." Hermione said, rolling her eyes at Ron & Harry, who were too busy staring at her to pay attention. "I'll have them right up." With a few clicks of her glittering high heels she was back behind the bar. "You could've stopped goggling at her long enough to order!" She scolded them, they just shrugged & grinned at each other. "Well fancy seeing you here!" they looked up to see Madam Scuie walking up, her long yellow hair tied half way down with a pink piece of yarn. "May I join you?" she asked, Harry smiled. "Sure." He said, scooting his chair toward the wall to make room. She smiled, pulled up a chair from an empty table & heaved herself into it. "Whew! Been quite a day, teaching those first years how to land without hurting themselves was very trying, in the end I had to escort practically the whole class to the hospitial wing. Madam Pomfrey probably thinks I'm an incompetent teacher or something." She said, running her hand down her face. Harry chuckled. "Oh!" she cried, waving her hand sarcastically. "That's not all. While I was absent, what was left of my class got the witty idea to try & take a spin around the quiddich field. Well. two boys were racing across & werent paying eny attention to where they were going, they flew headlong into the stands." She said, Ron grimaced. "Then the three girls that were left started playing catch with an apple, all went fine until one missed it, she went into a dive after it, but there was only one problem with that. She didn't know how to pull up." Harry rubbed his upper arm uncomfortably. "she hit the ground at thirty miles per hour. Her friends, who werent watching what they were doing either, both smashed into the goalposts." Madam Scuie finished, running both of her hands down her face this time. Harry chuckled. "I dont remember Madam Hooch having that much trouble with her students." Harry said. "Oh she did alright, you just didn't know it. didn't you ever wander how she got her gray hair so quickly?" she said, smiling. "Professor McGonagall told me what you & Ron did for her." She said. "Well I just couldn't sit there & watch her get sacked for something that wasn't her fault." Harry said, Ron nodded. "Yeah, as strict as she is she's pulled us out of a jam more then once." He added. Harry suddenly leaned forward. "Er. Madam Scuie, I have to ask you something it may be just my imagination but Dumbledore seemed like he really didn't want to fire Professor McGonagall, he seemed sad." Ron thought for a moment. "Yeah he did seem to be acting strange but he didn't seem to have any trouble when it came to firing Professor Trelawney." He added as Madam Rosmerta came with their drinks. "Three butterbeers, Rophilla you'll be the one with Emerald Isle light rum I suppose?" She said, with a smile. "Yes, & thank you Rosmerta its been quite a day." Madam Scuie said as she left, she took a sip of her butterbeer & thought a minute before answering. "They were very close when when I was at Hogwarts & that was well over ten years ago." Harry's mouth hung open a little, Madam Scuie clearly wasn't as young as she seemed. "Do you think. well that their. how should I put this, going out?" Hermione said delicately, Madam Scuie shrugged. "My guess is yes, but there's no way in telling. But they are definitely very taken with each other." Just then doors opened. ".I can't believe you bought those, I can't even believe I went in there! Some of my students saw me, I can hear the rumors now." Professor McGonagall was saying as they walked through the door brushing large fluffy snow flakes off her coats, Dumbledore was shaking them out of his beard. "My dear Professor, I have always loved Zonko's, I remember when I was in my 3rd year I tricked this Slytherin into a game of exploding snap. so he thought. I had put a couple of dungbombs in, when I knew that it was going to blow I ran for it. needless to say, it took the caretaker months to get the smell out of the Great Hall. Sometimes when I walk in their when it's empty sware I can still faintly smell it." Dumbledore said, chuckling as he stroked his beard in thought. Harry & Ron sniggered, Professor McGonagall shook her head reprovingly. "Honestly Albus, one would think you would've grown out of that sort of thing." She said sharply. Harry caught a glimpse of the look on her face & he grinned himself, knowing that she found it amusing even if she wouldn't admit it. "Minerva my dear, we never stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing." He said as Madam Rosmerta arrived with their drinks. "Why Headmaster I must say what a pleasure it is to serve you here!" she said as they shook hands. "Can me & Dumbledore change places?" Ron asked looking over, Harry chuckled. It was well known to them that Ron was very fond of Madam Rosmerta. "Whoa look at McGonagall's face!" Harry said, sure enough, Professor McGonagall was giving Madam Rosmerta a look that wasn't anger, it was something else. "What'd you think that means?" Ron asked. "It means that she's right." Harry said, turning to Madam Scuie with a smile. "That they are fond of each other, or at the very least McGonagall's fond of Dumbledore. "Wonder if he knows?" Ron said, Harry forrowed his brow. "I think he knows, he's got a knack for seeing right through people." He said. "Well I must be going, have to get back to Hogwarts & see how my poor students are doing." Madam Scuie Said, looking at her watch. "It was nice seeing you all & thank you for the wonderful lunch." She said, leaving a tip on the table before getting up. As she walked out she stopped at their table. "Well, Headmaster! How nice it is to see you here." she said in passing. "I'd love to talk but I have to get back to the castle, see you at dinner." She said pleasently, while twisting her hair into a sprial. She pulled the hood of her robes up over it, twisted her scarf around her neck & walked out the door. "Well I reckon we'd better get going of we want to visit Zonko's, honeydukes & the other shops." Ron said as they tossed some money on the table. "Buy Madam Rosmerta!" They all chorused as they made their way to the door. "Bye! See you soon!" she called from behind the bar, as they turned to go they passed by Dumbledore & Professor McGonagall's table, Professor McGonagall was in the middle of telling a story & didn't notice them walk up, Dumbledore however greeted them with a smile. "Well Ron & Harry! So nice to see you!" he said in a loud friendly voice, jerking Professor McGonagall out of talking mode. "Oh. Potter, Weasley how are you?" She said, a bit embarrassed. "Ah Miss Granger nice to see you also, where are you all headed?" She asked. "Zonko's joke shop, my suppily of screaming yo-yo's, dungbombs & cockroach clusters is depleating. "Ah Zonko's what fine memories I have of there, did I tell you the time I slipped a hiccup sweet in one of the teachers' desks. We all had a good laugh that day, & the other time I." "Albus, don't go giving them ideas!" Professor McGonagall Intrupted shrilly. "Minerva, Harry & Ron wouldn't go doing any of that would you?" He said with a wink. "We wouldn't dream of it!" They both said in unison, Professor McGonagall's thinned further, seeing this Hermione stepped in. "Well Professor, we'd better be going, lots to do before we have to go back." She said ushering Harry & Ron toward the door & grabbing their clokes. "Bye!" They waved to them as they were swept out of the pub. "See you back at the castle!" Dumbledore called to them over the rush of wind that came in when the door was opened, Professor McGonagall shivered & pulled her emerald robes tighter around her. "Lovely arent they?" Dumbledore said pleasently as he waved a last goodbye to them before they disappeared. "Just darling." Professor McGonagall said darkly. "Why the somber attitude Minerva? They'd never play one of those tricks on you, remember they risked expulsion to save you position here." He reminded her. "I know that!" Professor McGonagall Snapped, then she smiled. "If Harry only knew how much like his father he really is." She said, Dumbledore nodded. "Harry, Ron & Hermione have a lot in common with another certain group of friends we once had here." He said, stroking his beard. "Exept that Hermione is the voice of reason in their group, James & Sirus had no one like that." Professor McGonagall said. "Yes, but Ron & Harry are definitely the leaders of their group. Professor Snape called them the dream team in sarcasm, but I do think there is some truth to it." Dumbledore finished, Professor McGonagall nodded.
Harry Ron & Hermione returned to Hogwarts with bags so loaded with goodies they could hardly carry them. "Ah been to Hogsmade I see." Professor Lupin said from behind them. "Yep, got as much as we could carry." Ron said. "Yeah we went everywhere, The Three Broomsticks, Zonko's, the sweetshops." Lupin chuckled. "Don't make yourselves sick before my class." He said, they nodded & ran off to the common room.
It was the day of the last & most important quiddich match of the season (for the house cup) was about to take place (Gryffindor VS Slytherin) Harry had given his team a pep talk & they were now heading down onto the field where Madam Scuie waited, the box that housed the quiddich balls on the ground to her right, viborating from the bludgers fighting to get lose. Malfoy was forbidden to be anywhere near the quiddich field for the rest of the year for his actions the last time they played each other. "Mount your brooms on my whistle!" she said, straddling her cannon ball. The game was a no brainer, within 5 minutes he had caught the snitch Gryffindor had won the cup for the 4th time in a row. The Gryffindor fans came spilling out on to the field. They all started jumping up & down together screaming "WE WON THE CUP!!!" until they were all hoarse, after about an hour only Harry Ron & Hermione were left. Harry, who was still in his quiddich robes shouldered his firebolt & stood there in silence staring up at the goal posts. They had won the cup three years in a row. Suddenly they heard, "Harry, Harry!" they turned to see Professor Lupin jogging toward them. "Well done Harry, why don't we go down to my classroom & have some butterbeer?" he asked, Harry didn't feel right, the scar on his forehead was burning slightly & over the years he'd learned to listen to it. "No thanks I think I'll join my friends in the common room. "Oh common Harry it'll just take a minute I just want to congratulate you." He went to put an arm around Harry but he ducked away. "I'm sorry Professor but I have to get back to the common room!" He said, his scar getting more painful. "Than I have no choice but to kill you right here!" Said a high pitched voice, Harry whirled around to face Lupin but it wasn't Lupin that stood there. it was none other than Lord Voldemort. Hermione screamed, Voldemort turned to her. "I'll kill you first, you filthy mudblood!" he shrieked, pulling his wand, Harry stepped bravely in front of her. "You'll have to kill me first." he said. "If that's the way you want it!" Voldemort said, raising his wand to the scar on Harry's forehead. "CRUCIO!" Voldemort shouted, Harry cried out & sunk to his knees, the terrible white hot pain he'd felt before flooded his body. "Do you give up? Say you'll join me & I'll release the curse!" he said. "N- nev-ver!" Harry choked as he sunk on all fours, almost overcome by the white hot pain searing his body. Ron advanced but Harry shook his head, unable to speak the pain was so terrible. Voldemort threw back his head & laughed. "Now, you'll die, Harry Potter." Harry's picture of Voldemort flickered in & out of focus as he raised his wand. Suddenly, he heard seemly distant voices shouted "Stupefy!". Voldemort managed to keep ahold of his wand as he flew five feet backward onto his back. Harry struggled to stand but his legs gave out. "Harry!" Hermione kneeled beside him as he slumped to the ground, she looked up to see Professor Dumbledore & Professor McGonagall running toward them with their wands out. "Voldemort." Dumbledore said quietly as he ran up beside Ron, Professor McGonagall kneeled down to Harry's left, Hermione was at his right. "How dare you set foot on the grounds of this castle." He said in quiet anger, his blue eyes were blazing & his face was contorted with cold fury. "Ready to die, old man?" Voldemort said as he pointed his wand at Dumbledore, who stepped forward, drawing his also. They all watched in horror as Voldemort shouted a spell, Dumbledore was sent backward onto his side hard, they heard a nasty crack. "Whats the matter getting to old to duel? Or are you just losing your touch?" Voldemort taunted. Dumbledore got shakily to his feet, he had injured his right arm & was clutching it against his body, still managing to hold on to his wand. "I think it is you who is losing their touch Voldemort, that spell should've knocked me clean out." Professor McGonagall gasped, Harry stirred & looked up, struggling to focus his vision. Both wizards flew backward this time, but Voldemort went further, Dumbledore was displaying for all of them first hand why he was hailed as the greatest wizard of all times. Both were now hurt & bleeding, Dumbledore was still managing to opperate his wand despite his badly injured arm. On the other hand, Voldemort's confidence seemed to be shaken. Harry realized that Voldemort must've thought that Dumbledore would be too old & frail to last in a deul, & was now realizing he'd made a terrible mistake. "Yes I think its YOU who is losing their touch." Shouted Dumbledore as he got to his feet, favering his left leg. Inraged, Voldemort raised his wand again then turned to Harry. "Ready to witness how your parents died?" he said evily. "Albus!" Professor McGonagall cried, her hand covering her mouth. "AVADA KEDARVRA!" Dumbledore & Voldemort shouted at the same time, the two flashes of green light met in mid-air, Dumbledore faltered almost immediately, his injures were draining him of energy. Voldemort's spell surged toward him, Hermione & Ron stumbled forward, both pulling out their wands. "AVADA KEDARVRA!" they screamed, their spells met just as in time. Harry struggled get up, fumbling for his wand. "No, Harry this kind of curse takes great strength. It might kill you if you try to use it." Professor McGonagall said, tightening her grip on his shoulders. Harry looked at her. "I have to do this, they can't do it on their own." He was right, Ron & Hermione were struggling to remain standing, Dumbledore was not fairing much better, he was growing weaker & didn't have much time. Professor McGonagall knew there was no stopping Harry, so she let him go. Harry stumbled up along side Hermione & pointed his wand toward Dumbledore's curse, he needed help the most. "AVADA KEDARVRA!!!" He bellowed, a strong green streak shot out of his wand & formed with the others, making it so bright that Professor McGonagall had to cover her eyes. Almost immediately, Harry started to feel weak but he focused all his energy on his spell. His legs finally gave out & he fell to his knees, but he concentrated on keeping his wand pointed. When their spell from their combined wands surged toward Voldemort he all of the sudden plunged his left hand toward them, causing their curse to explode. The shock waves sent them all flying high into the air, Hermione landed hard in front of Ron, Harry & Dumbledore landed hard on the ground side by side on their backs with a loud thump. "Are you alright?" she said, starting toward them but Voldemort pointed his wand at her. "I don't think so, Professor!" she stopped dead & faced him. "You were one of the teachers that defended the Sorcerer's stone, werent you? If it weren't for you I wouldn't have had to face Potter, thus I would've returned to power long before this." Harry sat up cluching his chest & felt a searing pain in his left leg. Ignoring it, he reached for his wand, which landed about a foot from him. "Touch it & she dies!" Voldemort sheieked, Harry raised his hands in front of him & made no further moves. Dumbledore slowly pushed himself up on his good arm. "Leave it to me, Harry." He gasped, also feeling the effects of their rude meeting with the ground, he turned his wand on himself & with a faint 'poof', he'd made himself invisable. "Now listen all of you." Said Dumbledore's voice. "Professor McGonagall's life hangs in the balance, if we mess up." He trailed off. "What do you want us to do." Ron hissed out the corner of his mouth. "I'm going to sneak up to him, when I make my wand visable we'll all use the stunning spell together." He said, sliding Harry his wand, they all nodded. Hermione finally got her bearings & quietly pulled out her wand. "Now all we have to to is wait until Dumbledore gives us the sign." Ron hissed. It was hard to sit on their hands while Voldemort taunted Professor McGonagall. "How about we duel? Although you wouldn't stand a chance but it would be fun for me." He laughed harshly, walking around her, like a snake circling its prey. Professor McGonagall looked him in the face, though her chin trembling her jaw was clenched, she was trying not to show fear. Suddenly they saw Dumbledore's wand appear & they all jumped to their feet. "What are you do." he didn't get to finish his sentence. "STUPEFY!!!" they roared, this time Voldemort's wand came flying out of his hand as he flew like a bullet backward. Ignoring his pain ridden body, Harry jumped & caught it in mid air, he limped over to where Voldemort had landed, gripping both identical wands. "You killed my parents, you deserve to die." He said quietly, coming to stand over him. Dumbledore reapeared, Professor McGonagall threw her arms around him. "Albus thank goodness I thought we were all done for!" she cried, tears making their way down her cheeks. Dumbledore pulled her into a one-armed hug his other held his wand, still pointed at Voldemort. "Well arent you going to it Harry? Go ahead kill me!" Harry raised the wands. "Its tempting but. I'll do this instead, Petrificus Totalus!" Voldemort's arms clamped to his sides, his thin legs clapped together underneath his robes & his jaw clinched shut. "Minerva you stay with him, I'll go inform the Ministry that we finally have him." He said as he put his wand away & limped badly off to his office. Hermione put another body bind on Voldemort just to make sure he wasn't going anywhere. "Are you three alright?" She asked, Harry smiled weakly. "I'm fine now that Voldemort is going to Askaban." "I hope they suck his soul right out of him!" Ron spat. "Oh Dumbledore will make sure of that." Professor McGonagall Said, watching him return, walking a lot slower & limping a lot worse than when he left. "Albus you must go to the hospital wing, you are in a horrible state!" She said sharply, crossing her arms. Harry could see that she was right, Dumbledore had a deep gash in his left cheek, his left leg was clearly giving him a lot of pain, as his other foot was bearing all his weight, & he was cluching his right arm close to his body, supporting it with his left hand. It looked like it was broken in at least a couple of places, Harry still didn't know how is could've opperated his wand. "Minerva, I'm going to stay until Fudge arrives, can't leave them alone with him." he said looking at Voldemort. Suddenly his knees gave out, Harry & Ron rushed forward & caught him under the arms, being injured themselves it was hard to hold him up. Professor McGonagall hurried forward. "Here I'll take him, you two look like you're about collapse." She said, putting her arm around his waist & his around her shoulders. Just then Madam Scuie ran out, followed by Hagrid. "Headmaster! A Mr. Cornelius Fudge is here." "What in bloody blazes!" Hagrid finished for her. "Okay then, is he bringing the dementors?" Dumbledore said shakily. "Yes." Madam Scuie said frowning, she liked the dementors about as much as Dumbledore. "What happened?!" Hagrid cried. "Voldemort showed up here in the disguise of Professor Lupin. Harry, Ron, Hermione & I deuled him, he put up quite a fight but in the end we won." Madam Scuie suddenly smiled. "And what are you doing now?" She asked coyly, looking at Professor McGonagall & Professor Dumbledore with a raised eyebrow. "Well I was suggesting to Minerva that we go back to my office for a drink &. umph!" Professor McGonagall was digging her elbow into Dumbledore's ribs to get him to quiet him. "We WERE heading to the hospital wing!" She screamed, going slightly red. Hagrid grinned under his forest of hair & beard. "Go ahead Professor McGonagall, call it what ever yeh want." He looked to Dumbledore. "I can stop off at Diagon Alley & pick up some of that fancy wine." He offered, his grin broadening. "Hagrid that sounds lovely!" said Dumbledore with a wink. "Hagrid I'M WARNING YOU!" Professor McGonagall shrieked now red in the face both from embarrassment & anger. "Okay okay, just kiddin!" he chuckled. "Touchy, touchy!" Madam Scuie said, Professor McGonagall gave them a sharp look & opened her mouth, but Just then Mr. Fudge arrived, the laughing died down. "Is this him?" He asked, his face serious. "Yes." Said Harry. "Very well then, I'll go & get the dementors but before we administer the kiss I'll need to question him." Dumbledore nodded. "Very well then, I'll go.." Professor McGonagall shook her head at him. "Albus you're in no shape to go anywhere." Hermione pipped up. "Professor, I'll go I know what it looks like." She said, Professor McGonagall nodded then turned to Harry & Ron "I'm going to take him the hospital wing, will you three be okay?" she asked, they nodded. "Very well then." She said as she hobbled off with Dumbledore. Fudge returned two dementors at his side, Harry immediately felt the old coldness & heard his parents' voices again but he willed them away. Hermione returned with the truth potion & at this point the body bind spells wore off. "No you can't do this to me! No no NOO!" They poured a vile down his throat, Fudge was ready with a quil & parchment. After they got the information they needed, he summoned the dementors & before they knew it it was done, Voldemort's soul was gone forever. "Now get those wretched things out of here." Madam Scuie ordered, giving the dementors a hateful look, the dementors just stood up & cocked their hooded heads at her. They slugged Voldemort's empty shell of a body over their shoulders & drifted away with Fudge. She turned to Harry, Ron & Hermione. "You three look like you could use a little treatment also." She said, looking at Harry's cut face, hands, & injured leg. Ron's shiner & the bloodstain on Hermione's shoulder under a rip in her robes. Harry took one final look at the place where it had happened & limped after her. They met up with Hagrid half way, to their surprise he was laughing. "Come with me, there's somethin' yeh need ter see for yer self." He said, chuckling. They made their way to the Hospital wing & stopped at the end of the hallway. "What are we stopping here for?" Ron asked loudly, his voice echoing down the hall. "Shh! We'll be heard, now be quiet!" Hagrid muttered. They nodded they slinked up to one of the doors that lined the clean, & quiet hallway. Hagrid seized Harry by the shoulders & lifted him up a little so he could get a clear veiw of the room. What he saw made him let out a loud laugh, Hagrid had to clap a huge hand over his mouth, which covered his entire face. Ron looked in next, then Hermione & last Madam Scuie soon they were all doubled up in silent laughter. "I don't believe it." Ron whispered. Suddenly they heard a voice. "Whats going on here?" Madam Pomfrey came striding down the hall, her heels clicking rhythmically against the stone floor. She was answered by five loud "Shhh's!" Hagrid Beckoned her to come look in the window. "Honestly I don't see what's so. oh my!" she finished with superise look they all had gotten. "I can't believe it! Professor Dumbledore & Professor McGonagall are." "Kissing!" Hermione finished. "In a big way." Ron sniggered. "Well should we go in?" Harry asked. "No, Follow me." Said Madam Pomfrey. They made their way around to another room. "What are you thinking?" Dumbledore asked Professor McGonagall, who was sitting on the edge of the bed leaning over him. She looked out the window for a few seconds, than looked at him over her spectacles. "I was just thinking, how close I came to losing you." She said, tears welled up in her eyes. Dumbledore smiled & stroked her cheek. "Well, Minerva you didn't lose me, Voldemort is gone & his followers will go to Askban. Thanks to the actions of three brave students, I owe them my life." Professor McGonagall took off her spectacles & rubbed her face. "It's all just so frightning, when I ran up there I thought Harry was." tears started making their way down her cheeks, Dumbledore sat up & pulled her into a hug. "It's okay, Harry is safe now Voldemort is no more." He said, patting her back through her velvety emerald robes."Professor McGonagall was about to speak again when she heard a noise, she looked up & to her horror found Madam Scuie, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Hagrid (who was wiping tears away) & Madam Pomfrey who was wearing a broad smile. "Wha- h-how." she trailed off, turning very red. "Dumbledore on the other hand was delighted to see them. "How are you doing? Did they." "Yes." Said Harry, Dumbledore nodded soberly. "Good. I gather you've come for treatment?" He asked they all nodded still trying not to laugh. Suddenly Professor McGonagall stood up & made her way over to them. "If you tell ANYONE about what you've seen here I- I- just don't go spreading it around!" She barked, brandishing her finger at all of them, still red faced. The laughter they had been holding back came spilling out at last, Harry was hanging on to Hermione's shoulder for support, Ron was on all fours slapping the stone floor with his hand, Madam Pomfrey had her hand over her mouth, both Hagrid & Madam Scuie were laughing so hard that they were spilling tears out onto the floor. After about a few minutes the laughing died down to hiccups & sniffs. "Are you all done?!" Professor McGonagall said & they all nodded, still unable to speak. Finally Madam Scuie found her voice. "Oh common Professor we all knew this was going to happen sooner or later." She said, wiping her face on the sleeve of her robes. Professor McGonagall gave her a sharp look as well. "How'd you find out?" Madam Scuie smiled broader. "I've known for a while, ever sense I was at Hogwarts, I saw the way you looked at each other, you went everywhere together things like that, & plus. I'm a seer." She finished. "You're JOKING!" Harry cried, Madam Scuie shook her head. "No, I'm not joking. That's how I knew what curse Malfoy was going to use on you." Everyone gawked, then Hermione smiled "Well I'm no seer, but that look you gave Madam Rosmerta at The Three Broomsticks sealed it for me." She said. "Plus during the Yule Ball when the triwizard tournament came to Hogwarts you didn't seem to like it much when Dumbledore danced with Madam Maxime or Professor Sprout." Harry said, rubbing his chin sarcasticly. "Okay, okay! you've known for a while just don't go spreading it all over the school!" She warned them. "Professor you don't have to worry about that everyone else'll find out eventually." Ron said, grinning. "Well, I'd rather have you three find out then someone like Malfoy or Snape." "I think its beautiful!" Hagrid said, more tears leaking out of his eyes. "So, were you two together before this?" Harry asked. "No, why?" Professor McGonagall said. "Aw damn!" Ron cried. "What's this all about?" she asked. "Well, Ron & I had a little bet going, if he won I'd give him my firebolt for a week, if I won he'd have to survice it for a week." Everyone laughed, Professor McGonagall just shook her head.
The end (of chapter 2 that is) Just because it 's the end of ole' Voldie doesn't mean it's the end of my story. ^_^
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or the characters, they belong to their respected owners. Any resemblince to existing stories is untended.
Chapter 2: The Return of Lord Voldemort.
Malfoy had gotten an extra six months of detention (helping Filch scrub the bathrooms & the halls) & one hundred & fifty more points were deducted from Slytherin for his actions at the quiddich match the previous Friday. On the other hand, Harry had earned one hundred points for his brave motives & quick thinking. Harry couldn't go anywhere without hearing "Way to go Potter!" or "Atta Boy Harry!" Even Professor McGonagall was being nicer to him in class & Dumbledore had offered him a spot at the high table for a day. "Wow I can't believe you get to sit up there with the teachers!" Hermione exclaimed enviously, Harry turned a little red. "Well I wasn't expecting a reward, I bet you would've done the same thing if you were in my place." He said. "Oh don't be modest Harry, you were the only one that saw what was happening, anyone else wouldn't have even noticed or if they would've & it would have been to late. Harry, Madam Scuie owes you her life & you know what happens when a wizard saves another of his kind." She said. "Potter!" Harry turned to see Professor McGonagall striding their way. "There's been a change of plans, you will be sitting between Madam Scuie & our other honored guest tonight." Harry looked puzzled. "I thought that didn't start until tomorrow?" He said, Professor McGonagall shot him one of her rare smiles. "Well your presence was requested by more than a few people, including me." She said. "You mean. you requested me, personally?!" Harry cried. "Yes Potter, along with others. Now remember to come in your dress robes." And with that she was gone.
Come dinner time Harry became very nervous, what would he say? How should he act? "Just be yourself." Hermione said to him as they entered the great hall. "You look really nice." She whispered in his ear as he made his way to the high table. Dumbledore gave him a warm smile as he approached. "There's your seat." He pointed to a ivroy chair with a goblet, plates & silverware to match. He went over & sat down, the seats on either side of him were empty. Not for long though, within the next five minutes teachers started filing in through the side doors. Professor Flitwick squeaked excitedly as he passed behind Harry, Madam Scuie & to his suprise Madam Hooch both gave him a pat on the back as they took their seats on either side of him, Harry noticed that Madam Hooch had the same chair & dinnerware he had, Harry assumed it was reserved for guests. Oh, what a feeling! Sitting there looking out at the rest of the Great Hall, Harry found they had an excellent view of everything from here. Harry was jerked out of his thoughts as the hall quieted, Dumbledore stood up. "I have a couple of announcements before the feast begins. First I would like you to welcome our honored guests, Madam Hooch." There was a thunder of applauds & hollers as she stood up. "It's great to be here, I miss teaching but there was some unfinished business I had to attend to." She said before sitting down. "And second, our own Mr. Harry Potter." Dumbledore stopped to allow the cheers from everyone but the Slytherin table. Harry nervously stood up. "T-thank you all, I really didn't mean to be up here, but Madam Scuie needed my help." He said, everyone (exept the Slytherins') cheered again. "That's our boy!" Jennifer, Katrine & Shawna screamed as they stood up & clapped. "Alright Harry!" Ron yelled, pounding his goblet on the table. Dumbledore raised his hand & the hall gradually quieted. "Mr. Potter is joining us up here tonight & all of the day to follow because he showed us outstanding courage by saving a life at the great risk of his own. I believe that if it weren't for Mr. Potter's bravery, someone very special to us wouldn't be here." Everyone cheered, the teachers clapped heartily. Suddenly Madam Scuie stood up. "May I say something, Headmaster?" Dumbledore nodded. "I' am forever in debt to Mr. Potter for saving my life, & I would love it if he'd be present at all my quiddich matches, in case something like this ever happens again." There was a pause, the Dumbledore smiled. "I think we can work something out."
"Wow Harry that is soo cool! Not only to you get to play quiddich you get to be kind of a assistant ref!" Ron cried as they made their way down to breakfast the next day "Technically I'm just a body guard." Harry said. "There is a down side, these dress robes are most uncomfortable." Hermione & Ron both laughed. Harry got the same reaction from the teachers as the previous night but he still couldn't get used to the fact that, to almost everyone he was a hero twice over. This time the spot to Harry's right was vacant, Madam Hooch must not be joining them. After Harry had his fill he asked Dumbledore for primisson to leave (which was granted), all of the teachers were sad to see him go. "By Harry, see you at lunch." Madam Scuie said as he stood up. "What a great pleasure it's been having you join us Harry." Came Professor Flitwick's high pitched voice. "See you in class Harry." Professor McGonagall said as he passed behind her seat. "Enjoying yourself, Harry?" Dumbledore asked as he walked by his large golden chair. "Yes sir." Harry answered, his voice higher than he would've liked. He didn't want Dumbledore & the other teachers to think he didn't appreciate what they did for him, he just couldn't get used to sitting at the high table. "Anything wrong Harry? You seem a bit off-key this morning." Came the question Harry was fearing the most. "I-I just can't seem to get used to it up here." Harry said quickly, the truth tumbling out of his mouth before he could stop it.. "It's not that I don't like it cause I do, it just takes some getting used to when you're used to sitting down there." Dumbledore nodded. "You needn't be ahamed of that, it took years for me to get used to sitting up here same with the other teachers so don't be worried that you'll upset us, we've all been there." Harry smiled, feeling loads better.
"Can you believe it Malfoy hasn't said two words to you ever sense that day." Hermione said as they walked to Divination. "Ah Mr. Potter! So nice to see you." Professor Trelawney said in her misty voice as they entered the stifling tower classroom. "I see good fortune in your future." She said with a smile, Harry, not being able to help it rolled his eyes Professor Trelawney was too busy staring into someone's tea to notice. "Ah Miss Patil I'm afraid that you will have some grief in times to come, someone (or something) really close to you will die a sudden unexpected death!" Parvati gasped with her hands over her mouth.
Parvati walked into transfiguration sobbing, Lavender Brown had her arm around her. Professor McGonagall looked utterly shocked. "Why Miss Patil what ever is the matter!" She cried, hurring around her desk. "P-Professor Trelawney p-p-predicted t-that someone close to me was going to die! M-my grandpa i-is." She didn't finish her sentence before bursting into tears again, Professor McGonagall became very angry. "Oh she did, did she?! Well I think its time I have a little chat with Miss all-knowing!" she yelled, half walking & half running out of the room before anyone could say anything. Harry had a feeling this would be more than a 'little chat' he caught Ron's eye & they dashed out of the classroom unable to risk missing this. They reached Professor Trelawney's trapdoor & found no one there. "Lets check the lounge." Ron said, sure enough they heard a sharp voice undoubtedly belonging Professor McGonagall, they reached the edge of the door & managed to slip into the teachers closet without either of them noticing. ".I can't believe you Sybill! You don't just go around saying to people that a close family member of theirs is going to kick it!" Professor McGonagall shrieked, Harry looked through a small knot hole in the door & could see that her eyes were flashing & her nostrils were flaring he involuntarily shivered, he'd been in the receiving end of Professor McGonagall's wrath & never would forget the look she gave him & Ron when they'd flew Mr. Weasley's bewitched car to school at the beginning of their second year. There was a brief silence before Professor Trelawney shouted her own insults. "Oh so YOU think you're all powerful just because you can change yourself into a ruddy cat Minerva? There are more important forms of magic than just becoming a bird-catching flea bag!!" she squawked. Harry & Ron couldn't believe their ears, Professor Trelawney had actually lost her temper. "Here let me have a look." Ron whispered, Harry leaned back quietly so Ron could peek through the tiny hole. The two witches were now in each other's faces, yelling at each other. "WELL I don't see any point in staring into a blank orb & fooling students into thinking you actually see something in it!!!" Professor McGonagall shrieked back. Harry gawked at Ron & mouthed 'wow' Ron nodded. "I know have you ever seen eith." Suddenly a loud popping noise was heard. "What in blazes was that!" Harry whispered, it took a few seconds for Ron to realize what he actually witnessed, he wordlessly leaned back. Harry reluctantly looked through the hole. Professor McGonagall was holding her hand to her right cheek, underneath her hand Harry could see a blotchy red spot forming, hot angry tears were welling up in her eyes. Harry switched to his left eye & shifted his head to the left, just to see for sure if what he saw was true. Professor Trelawney was standing there, her left hand extended out to the side of her thin body. She had slapped her. Harry & Ron sat there not knowing what to think when Professor McGonagall spoke, her voice quivering in anger. "You'll pay for that!" she said menacingly "McGonagall just pulled out her wand!" Harry whispered to Ron, his eyes widdened. "Now its going to get intresting." He said, Harry nodded. "You'll regret the day you crossed Minerva McGonagall." She said quietly. "What are you going to do, turn me into a cat too?" Professor Trelawney screamed, as if daring Professor McGonagall to go through with it. "No I'm going to turn you into the insect you are!" She pointed her wand right at Professor Trelawney said a few well chosen words. There was a popping sound & a puff of purple smoke & a green dragonfly hovered where Professor Trelawney once stood, Profesor McGonagall was ready with a jar. "What in Bloody hell is going on in here!!!" Filch rushed into the room. "P-Professor McGonagall y-you." he stuttered, Professor McGonagall must have realized the seriousness what she had done but before she could speak, Filch spoke first. "YOU wait here while I fetch Dumbledore, one of his own teachers!" He they heard him mutter as he hurried down the corridor. Professor McGonagall hid her face in her hands, realizing what she had done. Filch reappeared Dumbledore at his side. He wordlessly took the jar from Professor McGonagall's trembling hands, took the dragonfly out, pointed his wand at it & Professor Trelawney was back. She blinked then pointed her finger at Professor McGonagall. "She transfigured me into.into a bug! I didn't agree with the magic she teaches I didn't do anything to her!" She sobbed, Professor McGonagall's temper suddenly rose again. "That's not the truth & you know it!" she screamed, Dumbledore turned to Filch. "What did you see?" he asked. "Well, I was coming around the corner to mop the teachers' lounge when there was a puff of smoke & Professor McGonagall turned Professor Trelawney into a bug!" he cried, his eyes bludging. Dumbledore took a couple of steps forward, fixing Professor McGonagall with his searching stare. "Minerva, Is this true?" he asked softly, his eyes were duller then Harry had ever seen them. Professor McGonagall looked at her emerald shoes & said nothing. "Than, I have no choice but to reileve you of your teaching duties." Dumbledore said heavily, in the closet Harry looked at Ron. "I can't just sit idly by & watch McGonagall be kicked out for this, she's in trouble I have to help her, she's come to the rescue when I've been in a jam & its time that I do the same I owe her that much. He said. "Harry no." Ron moaned but Harry opened the closet's doors & stepped out. "Harry. What are you doing here! Your supposed to be in class!" Professor McGonagall cried, looking shocked. Dumbledore looked at Harry with an unusual expression, was it relief? "It wasn't Professor McGonagall's fault, Professor Trelawney slapped her first." He said quietly. "You're probably just lying save her skin!" Filch said. "I saw it too." Came Ron's voice as he stepped out of the closet & stood beside Harry. "Me & Harry saw the whole thing through this little hole." He said, sticking his pinky finger through it. "Professor Trelawney was the agressor in the first place, Professor McGonagall was just defending herself." Dumbledore smiled. "Well that changes the prospective entirely! Now I don't have to say good-bye to one of my favorite teachers after all." he said, the twinkle in his eyes seemed to reignite. "Minerva you may leave, Harry & Ron you rejoin her in class, Sybill you come with me." They both nodded & followed her out the door on either side of her. "Thank you both for clearing my name, I shouldn't have used transfiguration though." She said. "Professor, she slapped you! I would've done more than just turn her into a dragonfly." Ron said, she shot him a sharp look. "I don't want you to to go trying to follow my example if you do you will surely be punished." "Okay, okay Professor we get it!" They said as they entered the classroom
Everyone was still shocked at the sudden firing of Professor Trelawney. Dumbledore had anounced at dinner that he wasn't going to get anyone to replace her at the moment. "Alright! No more classes in that hot tower!" Ron cried as they made their way to potions. "Now." Ron trailed off & stopped abruptly at the door, Harry bumped into him. "Ron what did you stop." Lupin was sitting at the desk dressed in brand new maroon robes. "Professor Lupin! Its good to see you again!" Harry cried as he rushed to sit down. "Where's Snape I thought he he ws coming back?" Lupin smiled. "I'm afraid that our dear Professor Snape had some business to attend to, it will be gone for the rest of the year." Everyone (minus the Slytherins) cheered. "My problem has been taken care of, I'm no longer a werewolf. A team of wizard doctors in America came up with a kind of countercurse to benquish the evil that had been coursing through my veins for so long, I'm now healthy & ready to reasume the defense against the dark arts job." He said with a smile. "I have also brushed up on my potions & I do believe I'm a bit better then I was. Now lets start with learning about polyjuice potions." Ron, Hermione & Harry grinned at each other, remembering when they had experienced the art of polyjuice potions first hand.
"How cool is that! Lupin's back!" Ron exclaimed, but Harry who was deep in thought wasn't listening. "Harry are you alright?" Hermione asked, waving a hand in front of his face. "Huh? Oh. yeah I'm fine I was just thinking." he motioned them closer. "Why Vol- I mean You-Know-Who hasn't shown himself yet, I mean he has his powers back in all remember? But he hasn't been in the Prophet lately its like he's dissapeared." Harry said darkly. I'll bet you he's out there plotting how to somehow get in here past Dumbledore & kill you." Ron suggested. "But he wouldn't dare! Not with Dumbledore there!" Hermione squealed, Harry rubbed his chin. "Well, wormtail did take some blood out of my arm that night when Voldemort (Ron flinched) Sorry, You-Know-Who returned so who knows he might have the power to take on Dumbledore now. Plus Dumbledore's getting on age wise, & he hasn't deuled in a long time so You-know-Who has the advandage over him." Ron & Hermione looked worried. "We'd better be careful, You-Know-Who might be lurking around here somewhere." Hermione said, nervously looking around as they walked into the Three Broomsticks. "Hermione common I know all sorts come here but a lot of Ministry of Magic wizards stop in here also, he wouldn't dare try it." Ron said. "Plus do you think he'd kill me in a room full of people? No, he'd do it where there'd be no witnesses." Harry added "Hi there Harry, Ron & Hermione how are you all this fine day?" Madam Rosmerta said brightly from behind the bar. "Fine!" Harry & Ron said in unison. "What'll it be?" She said, rounding the bar & walking up to their table. "Three butterbeers." Hermione said, rolling her eyes at Ron & Harry, who were too busy staring at her to pay attention. "I'll have them right up." With a few clicks of her glittering high heels she was back behind the bar. "You could've stopped goggling at her long enough to order!" She scolded them, they just shrugged & grinned at each other. "Well fancy seeing you here!" they looked up to see Madam Scuie walking up, her long yellow hair tied half way down with a pink piece of yarn. "May I join you?" she asked, Harry smiled. "Sure." He said, scooting his chair toward the wall to make room. She smiled, pulled up a chair from an empty table & heaved herself into it. "Whew! Been quite a day, teaching those first years how to land without hurting themselves was very trying, in the end I had to escort practically the whole class to the hospitial wing. Madam Pomfrey probably thinks I'm an incompetent teacher or something." She said, running her hand down her face. Harry chuckled. "Oh!" she cried, waving her hand sarcastically. "That's not all. While I was absent, what was left of my class got the witty idea to try & take a spin around the quiddich field. Well. two boys were racing across & werent paying eny attention to where they were going, they flew headlong into the stands." She said, Ron grimaced. "Then the three girls that were left started playing catch with an apple, all went fine until one missed it, she went into a dive after it, but there was only one problem with that. She didn't know how to pull up." Harry rubbed his upper arm uncomfortably. "she hit the ground at thirty miles per hour. Her friends, who werent watching what they were doing either, both smashed into the goalposts." Madam Scuie finished, running both of her hands down her face this time. Harry chuckled. "I dont remember Madam Hooch having that much trouble with her students." Harry said. "Oh she did alright, you just didn't know it. didn't you ever wander how she got her gray hair so quickly?" she said, smiling. "Professor McGonagall told me what you & Ron did for her." She said. "Well I just couldn't sit there & watch her get sacked for something that wasn't her fault." Harry said, Ron nodded. "Yeah, as strict as she is she's pulled us out of a jam more then once." He added. Harry suddenly leaned forward. "Er. Madam Scuie, I have to ask you something it may be just my imagination but Dumbledore seemed like he really didn't want to fire Professor McGonagall, he seemed sad." Ron thought for a moment. "Yeah he did seem to be acting strange but he didn't seem to have any trouble when it came to firing Professor Trelawney." He added as Madam Rosmerta came with their drinks. "Three butterbeers, Rophilla you'll be the one with Emerald Isle light rum I suppose?" She said, with a smile. "Yes, & thank you Rosmerta its been quite a day." Madam Scuie said as she left, she took a sip of her butterbeer & thought a minute before answering. "They were very close when when I was at Hogwarts & that was well over ten years ago." Harry's mouth hung open a little, Madam Scuie clearly wasn't as young as she seemed. "Do you think. well that their. how should I put this, going out?" Hermione said delicately, Madam Scuie shrugged. "My guess is yes, but there's no way in telling. But they are definitely very taken with each other." Just then doors opened. ".I can't believe you bought those, I can't even believe I went in there! Some of my students saw me, I can hear the rumors now." Professor McGonagall was saying as they walked through the door brushing large fluffy snow flakes off her coats, Dumbledore was shaking them out of his beard. "My dear Professor, I have always loved Zonko's, I remember when I was in my 3rd year I tricked this Slytherin into a game of exploding snap. so he thought. I had put a couple of dungbombs in, when I knew that it was going to blow I ran for it. needless to say, it took the caretaker months to get the smell out of the Great Hall. Sometimes when I walk in their when it's empty sware I can still faintly smell it." Dumbledore said, chuckling as he stroked his beard in thought. Harry & Ron sniggered, Professor McGonagall shook her head reprovingly. "Honestly Albus, one would think you would've grown out of that sort of thing." She said sharply. Harry caught a glimpse of the look on her face & he grinned himself, knowing that she found it amusing even if she wouldn't admit it. "Minerva my dear, we never stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing." He said as Madam Rosmerta arrived with their drinks. "Why Headmaster I must say what a pleasure it is to serve you here!" she said as they shook hands. "Can me & Dumbledore change places?" Ron asked looking over, Harry chuckled. It was well known to them that Ron was very fond of Madam Rosmerta. "Whoa look at McGonagall's face!" Harry said, sure enough, Professor McGonagall was giving Madam Rosmerta a look that wasn't anger, it was something else. "What'd you think that means?" Ron asked. "It means that she's right." Harry said, turning to Madam Scuie with a smile. "That they are fond of each other, or at the very least McGonagall's fond of Dumbledore. "Wonder if he knows?" Ron said, Harry forrowed his brow. "I think he knows, he's got a knack for seeing right through people." He said. "Well I must be going, have to get back to Hogwarts & see how my poor students are doing." Madam Scuie Said, looking at her watch. "It was nice seeing you all & thank you for the wonderful lunch." She said, leaving a tip on the table before getting up. As she walked out she stopped at their table. "Well, Headmaster! How nice it is to see you here." she said in passing. "I'd love to talk but I have to get back to the castle, see you at dinner." She said pleasently, while twisting her hair into a sprial. She pulled the hood of her robes up over it, twisted her scarf around her neck & walked out the door. "Well I reckon we'd better get going of we want to visit Zonko's, honeydukes & the other shops." Ron said as they tossed some money on the table. "Buy Madam Rosmerta!" They all chorused as they made their way to the door. "Bye! See you soon!" she called from behind the bar, as they turned to go they passed by Dumbledore & Professor McGonagall's table, Professor McGonagall was in the middle of telling a story & didn't notice them walk up, Dumbledore however greeted them with a smile. "Well Ron & Harry! So nice to see you!" he said in a loud friendly voice, jerking Professor McGonagall out of talking mode. "Oh. Potter, Weasley how are you?" She said, a bit embarrassed. "Ah Miss Granger nice to see you also, where are you all headed?" She asked. "Zonko's joke shop, my suppily of screaming yo-yo's, dungbombs & cockroach clusters is depleating. "Ah Zonko's what fine memories I have of there, did I tell you the time I slipped a hiccup sweet in one of the teachers' desks. We all had a good laugh that day, & the other time I." "Albus, don't go giving them ideas!" Professor McGonagall Intrupted shrilly. "Minerva, Harry & Ron wouldn't go doing any of that would you?" He said with a wink. "We wouldn't dream of it!" They both said in unison, Professor McGonagall's thinned further, seeing this Hermione stepped in. "Well Professor, we'd better be going, lots to do before we have to go back." She said ushering Harry & Ron toward the door & grabbing their clokes. "Bye!" They waved to them as they were swept out of the pub. "See you back at the castle!" Dumbledore called to them over the rush of wind that came in when the door was opened, Professor McGonagall shivered & pulled her emerald robes tighter around her. "Lovely arent they?" Dumbledore said pleasently as he waved a last goodbye to them before they disappeared. "Just darling." Professor McGonagall said darkly. "Why the somber attitude Minerva? They'd never play one of those tricks on you, remember they risked expulsion to save you position here." He reminded her. "I know that!" Professor McGonagall Snapped, then she smiled. "If Harry only knew how much like his father he really is." She said, Dumbledore nodded. "Harry, Ron & Hermione have a lot in common with another certain group of friends we once had here." He said, stroking his beard. "Exept that Hermione is the voice of reason in their group, James & Sirus had no one like that." Professor McGonagall said. "Yes, but Ron & Harry are definitely the leaders of their group. Professor Snape called them the dream team in sarcasm, but I do think there is some truth to it." Dumbledore finished, Professor McGonagall nodded.
Harry Ron & Hermione returned to Hogwarts with bags so loaded with goodies they could hardly carry them. "Ah been to Hogsmade I see." Professor Lupin said from behind them. "Yep, got as much as we could carry." Ron said. "Yeah we went everywhere, The Three Broomsticks, Zonko's, the sweetshops." Lupin chuckled. "Don't make yourselves sick before my class." He said, they nodded & ran off to the common room.
It was the day of the last & most important quiddich match of the season (for the house cup) was about to take place (Gryffindor VS Slytherin) Harry had given his team a pep talk & they were now heading down onto the field where Madam Scuie waited, the box that housed the quiddich balls on the ground to her right, viborating from the bludgers fighting to get lose. Malfoy was forbidden to be anywhere near the quiddich field for the rest of the year for his actions the last time they played each other. "Mount your brooms on my whistle!" she said, straddling her cannon ball. The game was a no brainer, within 5 minutes he had caught the snitch Gryffindor had won the cup for the 4th time in a row. The Gryffindor fans came spilling out on to the field. They all started jumping up & down together screaming "WE WON THE CUP!!!" until they were all hoarse, after about an hour only Harry Ron & Hermione were left. Harry, who was still in his quiddich robes shouldered his firebolt & stood there in silence staring up at the goal posts. They had won the cup three years in a row. Suddenly they heard, "Harry, Harry!" they turned to see Professor Lupin jogging toward them. "Well done Harry, why don't we go down to my classroom & have some butterbeer?" he asked, Harry didn't feel right, the scar on his forehead was burning slightly & over the years he'd learned to listen to it. "No thanks I think I'll join my friends in the common room. "Oh common Harry it'll just take a minute I just want to congratulate you." He went to put an arm around Harry but he ducked away. "I'm sorry Professor but I have to get back to the common room!" He said, his scar getting more painful. "Than I have no choice but to kill you right here!" Said a high pitched voice, Harry whirled around to face Lupin but it wasn't Lupin that stood there. it was none other than Lord Voldemort. Hermione screamed, Voldemort turned to her. "I'll kill you first, you filthy mudblood!" he shrieked, pulling his wand, Harry stepped bravely in front of her. "You'll have to kill me first." he said. "If that's the way you want it!" Voldemort said, raising his wand to the scar on Harry's forehead. "CRUCIO!" Voldemort shouted, Harry cried out & sunk to his knees, the terrible white hot pain he'd felt before flooded his body. "Do you give up? Say you'll join me & I'll release the curse!" he said. "N- nev-ver!" Harry choked as he sunk on all fours, almost overcome by the white hot pain searing his body. Ron advanced but Harry shook his head, unable to speak the pain was so terrible. Voldemort threw back his head & laughed. "Now, you'll die, Harry Potter." Harry's picture of Voldemort flickered in & out of focus as he raised his wand. Suddenly, he heard seemly distant voices shouted "Stupefy!". Voldemort managed to keep ahold of his wand as he flew five feet backward onto his back. Harry struggled to stand but his legs gave out. "Harry!" Hermione kneeled beside him as he slumped to the ground, she looked up to see Professor Dumbledore & Professor McGonagall running toward them with their wands out. "Voldemort." Dumbledore said quietly as he ran up beside Ron, Professor McGonagall kneeled down to Harry's left, Hermione was at his right. "How dare you set foot on the grounds of this castle." He said in quiet anger, his blue eyes were blazing & his face was contorted with cold fury. "Ready to die, old man?" Voldemort said as he pointed his wand at Dumbledore, who stepped forward, drawing his also. They all watched in horror as Voldemort shouted a spell, Dumbledore was sent backward onto his side hard, they heard a nasty crack. "Whats the matter getting to old to duel? Or are you just losing your touch?" Voldemort taunted. Dumbledore got shakily to his feet, he had injured his right arm & was clutching it against his body, still managing to hold on to his wand. "I think it is you who is losing their touch Voldemort, that spell should've knocked me clean out." Professor McGonagall gasped, Harry stirred & looked up, struggling to focus his vision. Both wizards flew backward this time, but Voldemort went further, Dumbledore was displaying for all of them first hand why he was hailed as the greatest wizard of all times. Both were now hurt & bleeding, Dumbledore was still managing to opperate his wand despite his badly injured arm. On the other hand, Voldemort's confidence seemed to be shaken. Harry realized that Voldemort must've thought that Dumbledore would be too old & frail to last in a deul, & was now realizing he'd made a terrible mistake. "Yes I think its YOU who is losing their touch." Shouted Dumbledore as he got to his feet, favering his left leg. Inraged, Voldemort raised his wand again then turned to Harry. "Ready to witness how your parents died?" he said evily. "Albus!" Professor McGonagall cried, her hand covering her mouth. "AVADA KEDARVRA!" Dumbledore & Voldemort shouted at the same time, the two flashes of green light met in mid-air, Dumbledore faltered almost immediately, his injures were draining him of energy. Voldemort's spell surged toward him, Hermione & Ron stumbled forward, both pulling out their wands. "AVADA KEDARVRA!" they screamed, their spells met just as in time. Harry struggled get up, fumbling for his wand. "No, Harry this kind of curse takes great strength. It might kill you if you try to use it." Professor McGonagall said, tightening her grip on his shoulders. Harry looked at her. "I have to do this, they can't do it on their own." He was right, Ron & Hermione were struggling to remain standing, Dumbledore was not fairing much better, he was growing weaker & didn't have much time. Professor McGonagall knew there was no stopping Harry, so she let him go. Harry stumbled up along side Hermione & pointed his wand toward Dumbledore's curse, he needed help the most. "AVADA KEDARVRA!!!" He bellowed, a strong green streak shot out of his wand & formed with the others, making it so bright that Professor McGonagall had to cover her eyes. Almost immediately, Harry started to feel weak but he focused all his energy on his spell. His legs finally gave out & he fell to his knees, but he concentrated on keeping his wand pointed. When their spell from their combined wands surged toward Voldemort he all of the sudden plunged his left hand toward them, causing their curse to explode. The shock waves sent them all flying high into the air, Hermione landed hard in front of Ron, Harry & Dumbledore landed hard on the ground side by side on their backs with a loud thump. "Are you alright?" she said, starting toward them but Voldemort pointed his wand at her. "I don't think so, Professor!" she stopped dead & faced him. "You were one of the teachers that defended the Sorcerer's stone, werent you? If it weren't for you I wouldn't have had to face Potter, thus I would've returned to power long before this." Harry sat up cluching his chest & felt a searing pain in his left leg. Ignoring it, he reached for his wand, which landed about a foot from him. "Touch it & she dies!" Voldemort sheieked, Harry raised his hands in front of him & made no further moves. Dumbledore slowly pushed himself up on his good arm. "Leave it to me, Harry." He gasped, also feeling the effects of their rude meeting with the ground, he turned his wand on himself & with a faint 'poof', he'd made himself invisable. "Now listen all of you." Said Dumbledore's voice. "Professor McGonagall's life hangs in the balance, if we mess up." He trailed off. "What do you want us to do." Ron hissed out the corner of his mouth. "I'm going to sneak up to him, when I make my wand visable we'll all use the stunning spell together." He said, sliding Harry his wand, they all nodded. Hermione finally got her bearings & quietly pulled out her wand. "Now all we have to to is wait until Dumbledore gives us the sign." Ron hissed. It was hard to sit on their hands while Voldemort taunted Professor McGonagall. "How about we duel? Although you wouldn't stand a chance but it would be fun for me." He laughed harshly, walking around her, like a snake circling its prey. Professor McGonagall looked him in the face, though her chin trembling her jaw was clenched, she was trying not to show fear. Suddenly they saw Dumbledore's wand appear & they all jumped to their feet. "What are you do." he didn't get to finish his sentence. "STUPEFY!!!" they roared, this time Voldemort's wand came flying out of his hand as he flew like a bullet backward. Ignoring his pain ridden body, Harry jumped & caught it in mid air, he limped over to where Voldemort had landed, gripping both identical wands. "You killed my parents, you deserve to die." He said quietly, coming to stand over him. Dumbledore reapeared, Professor McGonagall threw her arms around him. "Albus thank goodness I thought we were all done for!" she cried, tears making their way down her cheeks. Dumbledore pulled her into a one-armed hug his other held his wand, still pointed at Voldemort. "Well arent you going to it Harry? Go ahead kill me!" Harry raised the wands. "Its tempting but. I'll do this instead, Petrificus Totalus!" Voldemort's arms clamped to his sides, his thin legs clapped together underneath his robes & his jaw clinched shut. "Minerva you stay with him, I'll go inform the Ministry that we finally have him." He said as he put his wand away & limped badly off to his office. Hermione put another body bind on Voldemort just to make sure he wasn't going anywhere. "Are you three alright?" She asked, Harry smiled weakly. "I'm fine now that Voldemort is going to Askaban." "I hope they suck his soul right out of him!" Ron spat. "Oh Dumbledore will make sure of that." Professor McGonagall Said, watching him return, walking a lot slower & limping a lot worse than when he left. "Albus you must go to the hospital wing, you are in a horrible state!" She said sharply, crossing her arms. Harry could see that she was right, Dumbledore had a deep gash in his left cheek, his left leg was clearly giving him a lot of pain, as his other foot was bearing all his weight, & he was cluching his right arm close to his body, supporting it with his left hand. It looked like it was broken in at least a couple of places, Harry still didn't know how is could've opperated his wand. "Minerva, I'm going to stay until Fudge arrives, can't leave them alone with him." he said looking at Voldemort. Suddenly his knees gave out, Harry & Ron rushed forward & caught him under the arms, being injured themselves it was hard to hold him up. Professor McGonagall hurried forward. "Here I'll take him, you two look like you're about collapse." She said, putting her arm around his waist & his around her shoulders. Just then Madam Scuie ran out, followed by Hagrid. "Headmaster! A Mr. Cornelius Fudge is here." "What in bloody blazes!" Hagrid finished for her. "Okay then, is he bringing the dementors?" Dumbledore said shakily. "Yes." Madam Scuie said frowning, she liked the dementors about as much as Dumbledore. "What happened?!" Hagrid cried. "Voldemort showed up here in the disguise of Professor Lupin. Harry, Ron, Hermione & I deuled him, he put up quite a fight but in the end we won." Madam Scuie suddenly smiled. "And what are you doing now?" She asked coyly, looking at Professor McGonagall & Professor Dumbledore with a raised eyebrow. "Well I was suggesting to Minerva that we go back to my office for a drink &. umph!" Professor McGonagall was digging her elbow into Dumbledore's ribs to get him to quiet him. "We WERE heading to the hospital wing!" She screamed, going slightly red. Hagrid grinned under his forest of hair & beard. "Go ahead Professor McGonagall, call it what ever yeh want." He looked to Dumbledore. "I can stop off at Diagon Alley & pick up some of that fancy wine." He offered, his grin broadening. "Hagrid that sounds lovely!" said Dumbledore with a wink. "Hagrid I'M WARNING YOU!" Professor McGonagall shrieked now red in the face both from embarrassment & anger. "Okay okay, just kiddin!" he chuckled. "Touchy, touchy!" Madam Scuie said, Professor McGonagall gave them a sharp look & opened her mouth, but Just then Mr. Fudge arrived, the laughing died down. "Is this him?" He asked, his face serious. "Yes." Said Harry. "Very well then, I'll go & get the dementors but before we administer the kiss I'll need to question him." Dumbledore nodded. "Very well then, I'll go.." Professor McGonagall shook her head at him. "Albus you're in no shape to go anywhere." Hermione pipped up. "Professor, I'll go I know what it looks like." She said, Professor McGonagall nodded then turned to Harry & Ron "I'm going to take him the hospital wing, will you three be okay?" she asked, they nodded. "Very well then." She said as she hobbled off with Dumbledore. Fudge returned two dementors at his side, Harry immediately felt the old coldness & heard his parents' voices again but he willed them away. Hermione returned with the truth potion & at this point the body bind spells wore off. "No you can't do this to me! No no NOO!" They poured a vile down his throat, Fudge was ready with a quil & parchment. After they got the information they needed, he summoned the dementors & before they knew it it was done, Voldemort's soul was gone forever. "Now get those wretched things out of here." Madam Scuie ordered, giving the dementors a hateful look, the dementors just stood up & cocked their hooded heads at her. They slugged Voldemort's empty shell of a body over their shoulders & drifted away with Fudge. She turned to Harry, Ron & Hermione. "You three look like you could use a little treatment also." She said, looking at Harry's cut face, hands, & injured leg. Ron's shiner & the bloodstain on Hermione's shoulder under a rip in her robes. Harry took one final look at the place where it had happened & limped after her. They met up with Hagrid half way, to their surprise he was laughing. "Come with me, there's somethin' yeh need ter see for yer self." He said, chuckling. They made their way to the Hospital wing & stopped at the end of the hallway. "What are we stopping here for?" Ron asked loudly, his voice echoing down the hall. "Shh! We'll be heard, now be quiet!" Hagrid muttered. They nodded they slinked up to one of the doors that lined the clean, & quiet hallway. Hagrid seized Harry by the shoulders & lifted him up a little so he could get a clear veiw of the room. What he saw made him let out a loud laugh, Hagrid had to clap a huge hand over his mouth, which covered his entire face. Ron looked in next, then Hermione & last Madam Scuie soon they were all doubled up in silent laughter. "I don't believe it." Ron whispered. Suddenly they heard a voice. "Whats going on here?" Madam Pomfrey came striding down the hall, her heels clicking rhythmically against the stone floor. She was answered by five loud "Shhh's!" Hagrid Beckoned her to come look in the window. "Honestly I don't see what's so. oh my!" she finished with superise look they all had gotten. "I can't believe it! Professor Dumbledore & Professor McGonagall are." "Kissing!" Hermione finished. "In a big way." Ron sniggered. "Well should we go in?" Harry asked. "No, Follow me." Said Madam Pomfrey. They made their way around to another room. "What are you thinking?" Dumbledore asked Professor McGonagall, who was sitting on the edge of the bed leaning over him. She looked out the window for a few seconds, than looked at him over her spectacles. "I was just thinking, how close I came to losing you." She said, tears welled up in her eyes. Dumbledore smiled & stroked her cheek. "Well, Minerva you didn't lose me, Voldemort is gone & his followers will go to Askban. Thanks to the actions of three brave students, I owe them my life." Professor McGonagall took off her spectacles & rubbed her face. "It's all just so frightning, when I ran up there I thought Harry was." tears started making their way down her cheeks, Dumbledore sat up & pulled her into a hug. "It's okay, Harry is safe now Voldemort is no more." He said, patting her back through her velvety emerald robes."Professor McGonagall was about to speak again when she heard a noise, she looked up & to her horror found Madam Scuie, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Hagrid (who was wiping tears away) & Madam Pomfrey who was wearing a broad smile. "Wha- h-how." she trailed off, turning very red. "Dumbledore on the other hand was delighted to see them. "How are you doing? Did they." "Yes." Said Harry, Dumbledore nodded soberly. "Good. I gather you've come for treatment?" He asked they all nodded still trying not to laugh. Suddenly Professor McGonagall stood up & made her way over to them. "If you tell ANYONE about what you've seen here I- I- just don't go spreading it around!" She barked, brandishing her finger at all of them, still red faced. The laughter they had been holding back came spilling out at last, Harry was hanging on to Hermione's shoulder for support, Ron was on all fours slapping the stone floor with his hand, Madam Pomfrey had her hand over her mouth, both Hagrid & Madam Scuie were laughing so hard that they were spilling tears out onto the floor. After about a few minutes the laughing died down to hiccups & sniffs. "Are you all done?!" Professor McGonagall said & they all nodded, still unable to speak. Finally Madam Scuie found her voice. "Oh common Professor we all knew this was going to happen sooner or later." She said, wiping her face on the sleeve of her robes. Professor McGonagall gave her a sharp look as well. "How'd you find out?" Madam Scuie smiled broader. "I've known for a while, ever sense I was at Hogwarts, I saw the way you looked at each other, you went everywhere together things like that, & plus. I'm a seer." She finished. "You're JOKING!" Harry cried, Madam Scuie shook her head. "No, I'm not joking. That's how I knew what curse Malfoy was going to use on you." Everyone gawked, then Hermione smiled "Well I'm no seer, but that look you gave Madam Rosmerta at The Three Broomsticks sealed it for me." She said. "Plus during the Yule Ball when the triwizard tournament came to Hogwarts you didn't seem to like it much when Dumbledore danced with Madam Maxime or Professor Sprout." Harry said, rubbing his chin sarcasticly. "Okay, okay! you've known for a while just don't go spreading it all over the school!" She warned them. "Professor you don't have to worry about that everyone else'll find out eventually." Ron said, grinning. "Well, I'd rather have you three find out then someone like Malfoy or Snape." "I think its beautiful!" Hagrid said, more tears leaking out of his eyes. "So, were you two together before this?" Harry asked. "No, why?" Professor McGonagall said. "Aw damn!" Ron cried. "What's this all about?" she asked. "Well, Ron & I had a little bet going, if he won I'd give him my firebolt for a week, if I won he'd have to survice it for a week." Everyone laughed, Professor McGonagall just shook her head.
The end (of chapter 2 that is) Just because it 's the end of ole' Voldie doesn't mean it's the end of my story. ^_^