Chapter Sixteen
The hospital room the next morning was a buzz of activity, and even Madam Promfrey didn't protest. Everyone was celebrating the fall of Voldemort outside the castle, and the mood inside was only slightly less enthusiastic. After a few hours rest Harry, tired but unhurt, had woken to cheers from students and faculty.
No one seemed to know what to do with Genevieve. It didn't seem right to put her injured body in a cupboard and hope she healed herself, but little was known about boggart physiology and most potions were ineffective. Her body was placed in a darkened room next to Madam Pomfrey's office. The nurse frequently checked on her unusual patient, but only allowed visitors into the room after the cuts on her back had begun to heal later that afternoon.
Sirius was torn between celebrating with Harry and staying by Genevieve's bedside, but Rebecca pointed out that the latter would cause more harm than good, so he chose Harry. It seemed everyone in the world wanted to know how it was done. Before granting any interviews, Harry spoke with Dumbledore.
"Might I suggest Harry, that we keep the more covert intricacies of the plan out of the press. Revealing Severus for what he did would only serve to endanger his life. Also, that particular luring tactic with the map may come in useful sometime in the future, and it would not do to advertise it."
"But Voldemort is dead and can never come back, why would we have need for it?"
"Voldemort is dead, that is true, but darkness still exists. Grindlewald was before Voldemort, and surely others will come after."
"So, it didn't make a difference."
"Dear boy, it most certainly made a difference. While the forces of darkness still exist, the forces for good are also there to fight it. That is how it has always been, and will continue until the end of the world. Our work only requires we do our best to the end of our lives. Don't be discouraged, our battle is won." Dumbledore's twinkling eyes offered reassurance which Harry gladly accepted.
"After you have celebrated, I believe your quidditch team reserved the field for practice this evening. The match against Slytherin next week should prove exciting." Harry favored his headmaster with a smile and a quizzical look. "Never forget life goes on, Harry. No matter what happens life goes on."
Harry envied Genevieve for a moment. At least in her dark room she wouldn't have to face the press in the Great Hall. He wasn't sure which walk had made him more nervous, the one to the North Tower the day before or this one to the Great Hall. It was easier with Sirius by his side, and since an official report had been released shortly after the incident Harry was spared the chore of telling the story from the beginning. The second he stepped into the room questions bombarded him from every side.
Some people wanted verification that it was the same boggart creature that had cleared Sirius the year before who had battled Voldemort. Others wanted to know what type of spell was used, how he had learned it, if it was Dark Magic, what he had felt when it happened. Other questions were fired at him but the words were jumbled in the conflict of sounds vying for his attention.
A distinctive witch he knew too well stepped forward from the throng, bejeweled glasses swung from a chain around her neck. Her voice was slick with a smarmy quality not to be ignored.
"I apologize for my profession, Harry. This is turning into a mob." She motioned back to the other reporters. "Why don't we let the capable Mr. Black handle them while you and I have a little chat." She put a hand on his shoulder, meant to lead him out the door, but he brushed her off.
"To do what, give you and exclusive interview. After all you wrote to make me look like I was crazy, and how you mis-quoted my friends and I to wreak havoc in our lives, you're lucky I don't have you thrown out of here." Harry felt warmly satisfied when she turned around abruptly. She went to find a dark corner where she could write her story her way, but Harry didn't care. The reporters and the fame and recognition didn't matter. He answered a few more questions before excusing himself under the guise of exhaustion.
What he really wanted to do was talk to his friends. Ron and Hermione were in the common room slightly apart from the impromptu party going on near the fire. Seamus handed him a butter bear the instant the portrait hole was open and pats on the back from everyone there followed.
Ron and Hermione waited patiently while Harry struggled through the crowd, inching his way ever closer to them. Their pictures would also be in the papers, as they were part of the white warrior team and had already faced the press.
Hermione held the handle of a brush up to her mouth as a microphone to imitate a reporter once Harry sat down.
"Harry Potter, you have just saved the world from the darkest wizard of our time. What are you going to do now?" She handed over the brush with a smile.
"I'm going to Disneyworld." He yelled into the handle before the two peeled into laughter.
"What, I don't get it." Ron was baffled.
"It's a muggle thing." Hermione answered, still giggling.
"So Ron, are you still up for Quidditch practice?" asked Harry.
"Of course, are you?"
"Sure."
Ron stood on the table and yelled to get everyone's attention. "Pardon the interruption everyone, but the Quidditch team is scheduled to practice in about five minutes.if it's alright with you Angelina." She nodded vigorously. "I for one am not about to let Slytherin get the upper hand." Everyone in the common room cheered as the team left through the portrait hole for practice. A majority of the others followed to watch as well.
The week passed by in such a blur that Harry couldn't remember much of what happened between that practice and the actual game. The Slytherins, sullen and dejected since the death of Voldemort, rallied with renewed fervor around the match. Seamus announced the players as they took to the sky.
"Harry Potter, riding a hand crafted heirloom broom is in top form today. Ron Weasley, on Harry's firebolt just two days since it's been back from repairs is amazing. Wow, he managed to out strip a bludger from across the filed and take out a Slytherin Beater. Go Ron!" Professor McGonagall didn't even try to reign in the obviously biased comments. She was having too much fun cheering. In fact, the restraint and poise the adults usually reserved had been left in the castle so it was impossible to distinguish them from the students by behavior.
"Ouch, the Slytherin's get their revenge, taking out a Gryffindor chaser. No, it looks like she is still flying, and with the Quaffle. Fantastic. She just scored from behind the hoops, assisted by Angelina. Amazing play, great teamwork." Harry was high above the game, with Malfoy tailing his every move.
"Do you think that announcer could be anymore prejudiced?" Harry heard Malfoy yell to no one in particular. Harry flew around to face Draco, really looking at him for the first time in weeks. He noticed a bit more color in Draco's usually pale cheeks, and his hair had been parted on the side instead of slicked straight back, a look that suited him well.
"Seamus can be opinionated, and a bit of a loud mouth." Harry told his rival. "But who can blame him since he is a Gryffindor."
Draco snickered. "Yes, I think you lot stick together closer than most families do." Harry flew closer.
"No snide remark, no 'Stupid Gryffindor' comments, not even a 'That's what we get for not having real families'? Maybe you're not as nasty as I thought you were." The boys were staring at each other, the game below continuing oblivious to the conversation above.
"Don't read anything into it Potter. You aren't the only one to learn from." he paused and looked over Harry's shoulder, "Genevieve?"
Harry turned to see what had caught Draco's attention. There on the roof of the castle were two lawn chairs under an enormous multicolored umbrella. The game forgotten Draco flew off the pitch to investigate, Harry close at his heels.
"Hello boys, how have you been?" Rebecca asked when they landed on the roof. They were staring at the other lawn chair.
"Professor Carrington, you're all right and awake!" said Draco, relief evident in his voice.
"What are you doing up here?" asked Harry.
"I'm feeling much better now thank you." She directed the comment toward Draco before turning to Harry. "How could I let a beautiful day like this go by without catching some sun, breathing the fresh air and watching the two best seekers at Hogwarts compete for the snitch," she pulled down her sunglasses and stared toward the pitch, "which I believe is hovering at the foot of the Gryffindor goal post, just waiting for one of you to go pick it up."
Genevieve pushed her glasses back up with a smile at each of the boys. They looked at each other and then at the field. Mounting their brooms quickly they raced toward the Gryffindor hoops in a dead heat. The dive could not have been more synchronized had they planned it, each moment bringing them closer to their glittering prize and the hard ground. Cheers from everyone in the stadium accompanied their pursuit, though the wind whistling in their ears drowned out the sound. Harry pulled inches ahead of Draco mere seconds before encountering the snitch's hiding place. His fingers grazed the golden surface before Draco's shoulder rammed him off course. The two tumbled off their brooms and skid ten feet through the wet grass before running out of momentum.
"What did you do that for?" yelled Harry. Draco summoned his broom and shrugged.
"Old habits die hard." He jumped on his broom and whizzed away.
"Pendragon." The old broom answered the call and Harry flew off in the opposite direction.
The game grew brutal. Only six players were still conscious enough to keep playing, One chaser, one beater and the seeker for each team. Two Slytherin chasers had tried to push Ron into the goal post; he swerved up and through the hoop as they entangled themselves around the cold metal, knocking themselves out.
Ron had adapted his technique to cover both the beater and keeper responsibilities ever since Gretchen had her leg broken by a bludger. But that meant the remaining Slytherin beater controlled the bludgers most of the time and with little defense two Gryffindor chasers joined the other players in the infirmary. The score was 350-320 favoring the Slytherin's and despite each side missing over half their team it was a jumble of action. Suspense hung thick in the air as the physically tired but mentally alert players carried on.
Harry spotted the snitch twice, but each time it was close to Malfoy so he raced in the opposite direction to mislead his opponent. Ron seing the elusive glitter next four feet in front of his face, grazing lazily between himself and Harry, pointed to it. However, from above Draco also saw the motion and rocketed toward Ron, as did Harry. An alarm went off in Ron's head seeing two determined seekers, who earlier crashed into the ground under similar circumstances, coming straight for him. He fought his impulse to fly away when he had an idea. He too approached the snitch and smacked it with his club toward Harry's out stretched hand moments before the collision. Draco's broom handle imbedded itself in the ground and the hem of Ron's cloak, pinning him. Harry tried to swerve at the last moment but broad sided Draco and Ron tearing off Ron's outer cloak and tumbling over the Slytherin. Exhausted, the three athletes lay on their backs in a heap of body parts and feathers while the audience collectively held their breaths, only to erupt into cheers when Harry raised his bruised hand still clutching the golden snitch.
The walls could not hold back the enthusiasm or the spectators and the field was instantly over run with both. Harry and Ron were triumphantly carried off the field by a collection of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students, and were only allowed to walk when they came upon Sirius and Harry insisted he be put down.
"Amazing game, Harry. Just one question" Harry looked up at him expectantly, "what on earth were you and Malfoy doing on the roof?" Harry smiled broadly and handed his broomstick to Sirius.
"Go look for yourself."
Sirius looked from the broomstick back to Harry who was being dragged back to the castle for a full day of parties before straddling the broom and taking to the sky.
******************** ******************** Harry Potter, You and a guest are invited to a private formal dinner party Saturday evening at 6:30 in the Astronomy Tower.
Harry looked down at the mysterious invitation again while straightening his dress robes and attempting to flatten his hair. A lost cause even with the potion he had borrowed from Hermione. Ron laughed at his attempts from his four poster bed.
"I don't see why you didn't invite me to go? It sounds so cool." Harry shifted nervously.
"You know how it is. It said 'a' guest and I couldn't invite you and not Hermione."
"So you opt for neither and ask out Morgain because you like her better." Harry knew his friend was teasing and just wanting him to admit he liked the girl, but was being stubborn.
"I never said I liked her." Harry added too much potion to his hair reversing its effect making it stand straight up. He ran his brush through it grunting with pain until it looked exactly like it did every day, wild and uncontrollable, and he gave up.
"Yeah, my mistake, don't like her at all." Ron snickered. "Which is why you just spent an hour in front of the mirror admiring yourself. By the way, you're late picking her up."
Harry glanced at the clock before running down the stairs to the Gryffindor common room. In the center of a large group of ogling boys Morgain demurely waited for him. He stood awkwardly in front of her before offering his arm and escorting her out of the common room.
"You look very beautiful." Harry finally stammered out.
"Thank you. For a defender of the world, you don't look half bad yourself." She smiled reassuringly and changed the subject to the OWLS Harry had just completed.
"I don't know how I ended up with ten, although I have a sneaky suspicion the teachers were being generous with my grade. The transfiguration written exam was the hardest."
"Really, what made it so difficult?"
"Well, it was all about the theories behind it and I just wanted to answer every question 'Focus the magic within and let it happen' but knew McGonagall wouldn't go for that. I'm just glad we only had a practical test in HOME class."
"Well, if there had been a written exam Genevieve would have accepted that answer and given you extra points for repeating it." They laughed as they climbed the last few stairs to the astronomy tower.
It was a beautiful room in its own right, with polished brass fixtures and an expansive skyward view to rival any man made ornamentation. Tonight a round table set for eight with Hogwarts finest golden dishes and goblets sat in the middle of the room. Serving carts laden in food under metal domes were hidden in the corner. Gentle music drifted through from an undisclosed location while Rebecca and Remus discussed the advantages of having a mixed muggle/wizard wedding in America with Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall.
"Ah, Harry and Morgain how nice of you to join us. We are only waiting for the guest of honor and then we'll begin." Remus welcomed them. Neither Harry nor Morgain knew what this was about, but fell into a casual conversation with the other guests.
The door opened behind Harry and he turned around surprised by what he saw. Sirius Black was wearing a muggle tuxedo under an open robe. Clinging to his arm Genevieve was laughing and blindfolded with a long piece of purple silk, then ends ran the length of her hair which ended by her hips. Her dress robes shimmered in the starlight making it difficult to tell whether they were black or green. Dumbledore motioned for the guests to huddle together quietly and watch.
"Where are we Sirius?" Genevieve asked groping with her free hand to find a familiar land mark.
"A place full of good fortune and good friends." He pulled off the blindfold so she could see everyone. Genevieve clapped with surprise and joy before turning to Sirius.
"You sly dog."
"Guilty as charged. Shall we eat?" Genevieve nodded and allowed herself to be seated at the head of the table with only a few protests.
Laughter in large portions accompanied the salad course to such a degree that when the empty plates were replaced with large covered bowls they didn't notice the exchange. Conversation drifted into a comfortable lull and Genevieve was the first to lift the lid on her mysterious entrée. She smiled and squealed happily.
"Rebecca, you did this didn't you?" Rebecca shook her head. Harry curiously lifted the lid on his bowl. A fairly normal looking teriyaki chicken bowl rested beneath, the significance of which he did not understand until Genevieve continued.
"You must try this sauce Sirius. Honestly, we've been trying to get the recipe for years. How did you finally manage it Rebecca?"
"I didn't. The culprit of this whole evening is sitting beside you." Rebecca snickered.
Genevieve looked deeply into Sirius' eyes and mouthed the words 'thank you' with more sincerity that if she had said them aloud.
"She's right. This sauce is amazing!" Morgain said to Harry. Everyone at the table savored the dish and the friendly conversation. When the last bowl was cleared away fortune cookies were left in their place. Still talking with Sirius and Remus, Genevieve absently removed the cookie from its wrapper and broke it in half. But, it didn't seem to break right, drawing her attention to the crumbled slivers. Out of the cookie she pulled a diamond ring attached to a fortune. Reading aloud she whispered. "Genevieve, will you marry me?"
She wiped a tear from her eye and for a moment Sirius wondered if his approach was inappropriate until he found arms wrapped around him.
"Yes, I will marry you Sirius Black." Genevieve said in his ear. The couple left their food at the table and drifted away, waltzing slowly to the ambient music. Dumbledore waved his wand making the table disappear, creating room for him and Minerva to take a turn on the floor. Remus and Rebecca danced off as well. Harry pushed back his chair from the non- existent table, offering a hand to Morgain who took it graciously. Soon all four couples were dancing comfortably in the moon light, enjoying how wonderfully 'life goes on'.
Authors Note: Well, there you have it. Most of the loose ends have been tied up. Those left open, well, chalk them up to imperfect writing and possible (although unlikely) sequels. Let me know what you think, especially mistakes you may have found, most touching, worst, best, unbelievable, contrived moments. Whatever strikes your fancy. Thank you to all those who have reviewed. You may be a small group, but more than make up for that by being quality human being and for some loyal friends. Thank you.
The hospital room the next morning was a buzz of activity, and even Madam Promfrey didn't protest. Everyone was celebrating the fall of Voldemort outside the castle, and the mood inside was only slightly less enthusiastic. After a few hours rest Harry, tired but unhurt, had woken to cheers from students and faculty.
No one seemed to know what to do with Genevieve. It didn't seem right to put her injured body in a cupboard and hope she healed herself, but little was known about boggart physiology and most potions were ineffective. Her body was placed in a darkened room next to Madam Pomfrey's office. The nurse frequently checked on her unusual patient, but only allowed visitors into the room after the cuts on her back had begun to heal later that afternoon.
Sirius was torn between celebrating with Harry and staying by Genevieve's bedside, but Rebecca pointed out that the latter would cause more harm than good, so he chose Harry. It seemed everyone in the world wanted to know how it was done. Before granting any interviews, Harry spoke with Dumbledore.
"Might I suggest Harry, that we keep the more covert intricacies of the plan out of the press. Revealing Severus for what he did would only serve to endanger his life. Also, that particular luring tactic with the map may come in useful sometime in the future, and it would not do to advertise it."
"But Voldemort is dead and can never come back, why would we have need for it?"
"Voldemort is dead, that is true, but darkness still exists. Grindlewald was before Voldemort, and surely others will come after."
"So, it didn't make a difference."
"Dear boy, it most certainly made a difference. While the forces of darkness still exist, the forces for good are also there to fight it. That is how it has always been, and will continue until the end of the world. Our work only requires we do our best to the end of our lives. Don't be discouraged, our battle is won." Dumbledore's twinkling eyes offered reassurance which Harry gladly accepted.
"After you have celebrated, I believe your quidditch team reserved the field for practice this evening. The match against Slytherin next week should prove exciting." Harry favored his headmaster with a smile and a quizzical look. "Never forget life goes on, Harry. No matter what happens life goes on."
Harry envied Genevieve for a moment. At least in her dark room she wouldn't have to face the press in the Great Hall. He wasn't sure which walk had made him more nervous, the one to the North Tower the day before or this one to the Great Hall. It was easier with Sirius by his side, and since an official report had been released shortly after the incident Harry was spared the chore of telling the story from the beginning. The second he stepped into the room questions bombarded him from every side.
Some people wanted verification that it was the same boggart creature that had cleared Sirius the year before who had battled Voldemort. Others wanted to know what type of spell was used, how he had learned it, if it was Dark Magic, what he had felt when it happened. Other questions were fired at him but the words were jumbled in the conflict of sounds vying for his attention.
A distinctive witch he knew too well stepped forward from the throng, bejeweled glasses swung from a chain around her neck. Her voice was slick with a smarmy quality not to be ignored.
"I apologize for my profession, Harry. This is turning into a mob." She motioned back to the other reporters. "Why don't we let the capable Mr. Black handle them while you and I have a little chat." She put a hand on his shoulder, meant to lead him out the door, but he brushed her off.
"To do what, give you and exclusive interview. After all you wrote to make me look like I was crazy, and how you mis-quoted my friends and I to wreak havoc in our lives, you're lucky I don't have you thrown out of here." Harry felt warmly satisfied when she turned around abruptly. She went to find a dark corner where she could write her story her way, but Harry didn't care. The reporters and the fame and recognition didn't matter. He answered a few more questions before excusing himself under the guise of exhaustion.
What he really wanted to do was talk to his friends. Ron and Hermione were in the common room slightly apart from the impromptu party going on near the fire. Seamus handed him a butter bear the instant the portrait hole was open and pats on the back from everyone there followed.
Ron and Hermione waited patiently while Harry struggled through the crowd, inching his way ever closer to them. Their pictures would also be in the papers, as they were part of the white warrior team and had already faced the press.
Hermione held the handle of a brush up to her mouth as a microphone to imitate a reporter once Harry sat down.
"Harry Potter, you have just saved the world from the darkest wizard of our time. What are you going to do now?" She handed over the brush with a smile.
"I'm going to Disneyworld." He yelled into the handle before the two peeled into laughter.
"What, I don't get it." Ron was baffled.
"It's a muggle thing." Hermione answered, still giggling.
"So Ron, are you still up for Quidditch practice?" asked Harry.
"Of course, are you?"
"Sure."
Ron stood on the table and yelled to get everyone's attention. "Pardon the interruption everyone, but the Quidditch team is scheduled to practice in about five minutes.if it's alright with you Angelina." She nodded vigorously. "I for one am not about to let Slytherin get the upper hand." Everyone in the common room cheered as the team left through the portrait hole for practice. A majority of the others followed to watch as well.
The week passed by in such a blur that Harry couldn't remember much of what happened between that practice and the actual game. The Slytherins, sullen and dejected since the death of Voldemort, rallied with renewed fervor around the match. Seamus announced the players as they took to the sky.
"Harry Potter, riding a hand crafted heirloom broom is in top form today. Ron Weasley, on Harry's firebolt just two days since it's been back from repairs is amazing. Wow, he managed to out strip a bludger from across the filed and take out a Slytherin Beater. Go Ron!" Professor McGonagall didn't even try to reign in the obviously biased comments. She was having too much fun cheering. In fact, the restraint and poise the adults usually reserved had been left in the castle so it was impossible to distinguish them from the students by behavior.
"Ouch, the Slytherin's get their revenge, taking out a Gryffindor chaser. No, it looks like she is still flying, and with the Quaffle. Fantastic. She just scored from behind the hoops, assisted by Angelina. Amazing play, great teamwork." Harry was high above the game, with Malfoy tailing his every move.
"Do you think that announcer could be anymore prejudiced?" Harry heard Malfoy yell to no one in particular. Harry flew around to face Draco, really looking at him for the first time in weeks. He noticed a bit more color in Draco's usually pale cheeks, and his hair had been parted on the side instead of slicked straight back, a look that suited him well.
"Seamus can be opinionated, and a bit of a loud mouth." Harry told his rival. "But who can blame him since he is a Gryffindor."
Draco snickered. "Yes, I think you lot stick together closer than most families do." Harry flew closer.
"No snide remark, no 'Stupid Gryffindor' comments, not even a 'That's what we get for not having real families'? Maybe you're not as nasty as I thought you were." The boys were staring at each other, the game below continuing oblivious to the conversation above.
"Don't read anything into it Potter. You aren't the only one to learn from." he paused and looked over Harry's shoulder, "Genevieve?"
Harry turned to see what had caught Draco's attention. There on the roof of the castle were two lawn chairs under an enormous multicolored umbrella. The game forgotten Draco flew off the pitch to investigate, Harry close at his heels.
"Hello boys, how have you been?" Rebecca asked when they landed on the roof. They were staring at the other lawn chair.
"Professor Carrington, you're all right and awake!" said Draco, relief evident in his voice.
"What are you doing up here?" asked Harry.
"I'm feeling much better now thank you." She directed the comment toward Draco before turning to Harry. "How could I let a beautiful day like this go by without catching some sun, breathing the fresh air and watching the two best seekers at Hogwarts compete for the snitch," she pulled down her sunglasses and stared toward the pitch, "which I believe is hovering at the foot of the Gryffindor goal post, just waiting for one of you to go pick it up."
Genevieve pushed her glasses back up with a smile at each of the boys. They looked at each other and then at the field. Mounting their brooms quickly they raced toward the Gryffindor hoops in a dead heat. The dive could not have been more synchronized had they planned it, each moment bringing them closer to their glittering prize and the hard ground. Cheers from everyone in the stadium accompanied their pursuit, though the wind whistling in their ears drowned out the sound. Harry pulled inches ahead of Draco mere seconds before encountering the snitch's hiding place. His fingers grazed the golden surface before Draco's shoulder rammed him off course. The two tumbled off their brooms and skid ten feet through the wet grass before running out of momentum.
"What did you do that for?" yelled Harry. Draco summoned his broom and shrugged.
"Old habits die hard." He jumped on his broom and whizzed away.
"Pendragon." The old broom answered the call and Harry flew off in the opposite direction.
The game grew brutal. Only six players were still conscious enough to keep playing, One chaser, one beater and the seeker for each team. Two Slytherin chasers had tried to push Ron into the goal post; he swerved up and through the hoop as they entangled themselves around the cold metal, knocking themselves out.
Ron had adapted his technique to cover both the beater and keeper responsibilities ever since Gretchen had her leg broken by a bludger. But that meant the remaining Slytherin beater controlled the bludgers most of the time and with little defense two Gryffindor chasers joined the other players in the infirmary. The score was 350-320 favoring the Slytherin's and despite each side missing over half their team it was a jumble of action. Suspense hung thick in the air as the physically tired but mentally alert players carried on.
Harry spotted the snitch twice, but each time it was close to Malfoy so he raced in the opposite direction to mislead his opponent. Ron seing the elusive glitter next four feet in front of his face, grazing lazily between himself and Harry, pointed to it. However, from above Draco also saw the motion and rocketed toward Ron, as did Harry. An alarm went off in Ron's head seeing two determined seekers, who earlier crashed into the ground under similar circumstances, coming straight for him. He fought his impulse to fly away when he had an idea. He too approached the snitch and smacked it with his club toward Harry's out stretched hand moments before the collision. Draco's broom handle imbedded itself in the ground and the hem of Ron's cloak, pinning him. Harry tried to swerve at the last moment but broad sided Draco and Ron tearing off Ron's outer cloak and tumbling over the Slytherin. Exhausted, the three athletes lay on their backs in a heap of body parts and feathers while the audience collectively held their breaths, only to erupt into cheers when Harry raised his bruised hand still clutching the golden snitch.
The walls could not hold back the enthusiasm or the spectators and the field was instantly over run with both. Harry and Ron were triumphantly carried off the field by a collection of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw students, and were only allowed to walk when they came upon Sirius and Harry insisted he be put down.
"Amazing game, Harry. Just one question" Harry looked up at him expectantly, "what on earth were you and Malfoy doing on the roof?" Harry smiled broadly and handed his broomstick to Sirius.
"Go look for yourself."
Sirius looked from the broomstick back to Harry who was being dragged back to the castle for a full day of parties before straddling the broom and taking to the sky.
******************** ******************** Harry Potter, You and a guest are invited to a private formal dinner party Saturday evening at 6:30 in the Astronomy Tower.
Harry looked down at the mysterious invitation again while straightening his dress robes and attempting to flatten his hair. A lost cause even with the potion he had borrowed from Hermione. Ron laughed at his attempts from his four poster bed.
"I don't see why you didn't invite me to go? It sounds so cool." Harry shifted nervously.
"You know how it is. It said 'a' guest and I couldn't invite you and not Hermione."
"So you opt for neither and ask out Morgain because you like her better." Harry knew his friend was teasing and just wanting him to admit he liked the girl, but was being stubborn.
"I never said I liked her." Harry added too much potion to his hair reversing its effect making it stand straight up. He ran his brush through it grunting with pain until it looked exactly like it did every day, wild and uncontrollable, and he gave up.
"Yeah, my mistake, don't like her at all." Ron snickered. "Which is why you just spent an hour in front of the mirror admiring yourself. By the way, you're late picking her up."
Harry glanced at the clock before running down the stairs to the Gryffindor common room. In the center of a large group of ogling boys Morgain demurely waited for him. He stood awkwardly in front of her before offering his arm and escorting her out of the common room.
"You look very beautiful." Harry finally stammered out.
"Thank you. For a defender of the world, you don't look half bad yourself." She smiled reassuringly and changed the subject to the OWLS Harry had just completed.
"I don't know how I ended up with ten, although I have a sneaky suspicion the teachers were being generous with my grade. The transfiguration written exam was the hardest."
"Really, what made it so difficult?"
"Well, it was all about the theories behind it and I just wanted to answer every question 'Focus the magic within and let it happen' but knew McGonagall wouldn't go for that. I'm just glad we only had a practical test in HOME class."
"Well, if there had been a written exam Genevieve would have accepted that answer and given you extra points for repeating it." They laughed as they climbed the last few stairs to the astronomy tower.
It was a beautiful room in its own right, with polished brass fixtures and an expansive skyward view to rival any man made ornamentation. Tonight a round table set for eight with Hogwarts finest golden dishes and goblets sat in the middle of the room. Serving carts laden in food under metal domes were hidden in the corner. Gentle music drifted through from an undisclosed location while Rebecca and Remus discussed the advantages of having a mixed muggle/wizard wedding in America with Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall.
"Ah, Harry and Morgain how nice of you to join us. We are only waiting for the guest of honor and then we'll begin." Remus welcomed them. Neither Harry nor Morgain knew what this was about, but fell into a casual conversation with the other guests.
The door opened behind Harry and he turned around surprised by what he saw. Sirius Black was wearing a muggle tuxedo under an open robe. Clinging to his arm Genevieve was laughing and blindfolded with a long piece of purple silk, then ends ran the length of her hair which ended by her hips. Her dress robes shimmered in the starlight making it difficult to tell whether they were black or green. Dumbledore motioned for the guests to huddle together quietly and watch.
"Where are we Sirius?" Genevieve asked groping with her free hand to find a familiar land mark.
"A place full of good fortune and good friends." He pulled off the blindfold so she could see everyone. Genevieve clapped with surprise and joy before turning to Sirius.
"You sly dog."
"Guilty as charged. Shall we eat?" Genevieve nodded and allowed herself to be seated at the head of the table with only a few protests.
Laughter in large portions accompanied the salad course to such a degree that when the empty plates were replaced with large covered bowls they didn't notice the exchange. Conversation drifted into a comfortable lull and Genevieve was the first to lift the lid on her mysterious entrée. She smiled and squealed happily.
"Rebecca, you did this didn't you?" Rebecca shook her head. Harry curiously lifted the lid on his bowl. A fairly normal looking teriyaki chicken bowl rested beneath, the significance of which he did not understand until Genevieve continued.
"You must try this sauce Sirius. Honestly, we've been trying to get the recipe for years. How did you finally manage it Rebecca?"
"I didn't. The culprit of this whole evening is sitting beside you." Rebecca snickered.
Genevieve looked deeply into Sirius' eyes and mouthed the words 'thank you' with more sincerity that if she had said them aloud.
"She's right. This sauce is amazing!" Morgain said to Harry. Everyone at the table savored the dish and the friendly conversation. When the last bowl was cleared away fortune cookies were left in their place. Still talking with Sirius and Remus, Genevieve absently removed the cookie from its wrapper and broke it in half. But, it didn't seem to break right, drawing her attention to the crumbled slivers. Out of the cookie she pulled a diamond ring attached to a fortune. Reading aloud she whispered. "Genevieve, will you marry me?"
She wiped a tear from her eye and for a moment Sirius wondered if his approach was inappropriate until he found arms wrapped around him.
"Yes, I will marry you Sirius Black." Genevieve said in his ear. The couple left their food at the table and drifted away, waltzing slowly to the ambient music. Dumbledore waved his wand making the table disappear, creating room for him and Minerva to take a turn on the floor. Remus and Rebecca danced off as well. Harry pushed back his chair from the non- existent table, offering a hand to Morgain who took it graciously. Soon all four couples were dancing comfortably in the moon light, enjoying how wonderfully 'life goes on'.
Authors Note: Well, there you have it. Most of the loose ends have been tied up. Those left open, well, chalk them up to imperfect writing and possible (although unlikely) sequels. Let me know what you think, especially mistakes you may have found, most touching, worst, best, unbelievable, contrived moments. Whatever strikes your fancy. Thank you to all those who have reviewed. You may be a small group, but more than make up for that by being quality human being and for some loyal friends. Thank you.