Chapter 21 – End Of Year

It was the end of the school year and the test results were due. Draco had invited Lydia to his office for one of their regular chats.

"Lydia, please don't be upset by this," Draco began. "We're going to drop your test marks a little. Because you're a Ravenclaw they are still going to be very good overall, but not as exceptional as your actual results. In fact, only one student has beaten your scores and, then, only by a point here and there. You are, as he is, one of the best students we have ever had. In reality you are amazing, more so when I remember that, in your practical work, you are actually holding back. And it is exactly what I hoped from you. Well done! We… can't let people know. We can't show you being exceptional. I hope you understand."

Lydia smiled. "It's all right, Draco. It's just… who was the other student?"

Draco chuckled. "Do you really need to ask?"

"Oddy?"

Draco nodded. "Got it in one. I mean, he's so bookish you would expect his written tests to be brilliant. But his wandwork has come on amazingly well over this term. He seems to have gained calm and confidence."

Lydia pondered for a few moments. "He's been spending a lot of time with Xander, my cat. I think that has calmed him down a bit."

"Ah," Draco nodded. "That would explain a lot."

"And the rest of us really like him," Lydia continued. "Dean's really good mates with him and we all like him. We still think he's odd, but he's our odd friend."

Draco smiled. "Well, you are all Ravenclaws. I think he's with his own kind of people. And, from what I've heard, you celebrate his successes. All of this will give him confidence, I think."

Lydia nodded, smiling.

Draco looked down and ran his fingers through his hair. "There is one other thing I wanted to ask you about: magic practice. I wondered if you would be willing to visit me at Malfoy Manor during the summer holidays to practise. I'm aware that you're spending some time with the Fortescues in Surrey, but you're welcome to bring Freddie with you, if you want."

"Er, would I be staying with you?" she asked.

"You certainly can if you want to," Draco told her. "What we'd planned, however, is that Harry would provide you with portkeys to my place and back. Because Harry can authorise the ones he creates it means you can travel with no records being kept. The Floo Network would not allow that."

"You don't have to justify portkeys, Professor," she grinned. "They're my favourite. Well, equal favourite with flying."

Draco held up a finger. "Now, that's something you could practise. And I do mean without a broom."

"Ooh, yes please," Lydia enthused.

"Also," Draco ventured. "Ambrose and I have uncovered a few pieces about the early wizards which suggest things that they were able to do. Perhaps you could try a few of those? The simpler ones to begin with."

Lydia nodded again. "Yeah, I'd like that. There's stuff that I've wanted to do but really had to try not to."

"I can imagine," Draco nodded. "Well, that's great. I'll keep in touch with Ambrose using our replicating scrolls and he can call you on your mobile telephone when we have times and dates."

"Draco, how does my phone still work at home? I thought tech stuff didn't work around magic. I remember you telling me about the poor bloke who tried to set up a magic-proof computer network at Hogwarts."

The professor thought for a moment. "Yes, not a great idea, as it worked out. But that's here at Hogwarts. Nothing technological works here because the place is drenched in magic. Some families have a lot of problems, others don't. But an individual is usually all right on their own. And, of course, your magic is different. We're not sure how you affect technology, if at all. Be glad your telephone works and be prepared for it not to, under certain circumstances."

"I understand. And it's 'phone', by the way. Nobody says 'telephone', except Uncle Ambrose."

"Good gracious," Draco quipped. "I should be utterly distraught to discover myself taking on the grand old gentleman's ludicrous mannerisms and idiosyncrasies!"

They both laughed.

"Are you all packed for tomorrow?" Draco asked.

"The Travelighter is so great, I never really unpack," Lydia said and blinked a few times.

"Are you OK about going on the train?" Draco inquired.

Lydia gave a few slow nods. "I think so. I've caught myself doing something, in the past couple of weeks, where I can influence people to keep them away. I don't push them or anything I just, sort of, make them feel like they're not interested in me. I think it would help me, us, keep out of trouble – if you're OK with me using that on the train."

Draco sat back in his chair and looked down for a moment, his lips pursed. He looked at her again. "Nobody's noticed anything, so far?"

Lydia shook her head.

"In that case, it would be a worthwhile experiment, I think," Draco said, standing up. "If there's nothing else, I suggest you get back to your friends. And I hope to see you at my home fairly soon."

Lydia got up and gave him a hug. "See you soon."

Freddie and Sophie were waiting for her in the Joint Common Room. Shona, Oddy and Dean were with them. Shona had stuck by Lydia through everything that had been happening. They were so at ease with each other now that Shona no longer needed to impress. They were able to enjoy each other's company in easy silence. She was not the closest of friends but she was a good one and she was loyal. Oddy, too, was often close by. Perhaps that was as much to do with his friendship with Xander. The cat had a good effect on Oddy, putting him at ease. Lydia never wanted to deny him that. And, of course, if you had Oddy, you would always have Dean nearby. This mismatched group of friends made Lydia's life at school enjoyable, whatever others were doing.

There were other friends who would join in at times – Maisie, Tina and others. They were more likely to fade away at any sign of trouble. Jimmy was hanging with the other boys more often than with Lydia and company. At the feast that night McGonagall would be handing out the school prizes. There would be the Quidditch Cup for Ravenclaw and the House Cup for, barring a disaster in the next hour or so, Hufflepuff. There would also be honorary mentions for some exceptional students, though never for Lydia, as Draco had made clear. Lydia wished she could announce some awards of her own. There would be one for Freddie for being the happiest, most forgiving person she knew. Another would go to Xander for always being there when he was needed and always going away at the right time. Possibly one for Draco being like a non-annoying uncle, if there was such a thing. And definitely one for Teddy Lupin for the weakest, most back-stabbing weasel…

Lydia sighed and mentally shook herself out of the bad mood which was gathering around her. Xander had walked across several laps to end up in hers. He looked up at her.

"You're right, Xander," she whispered. "Just let it go."

Xander lay down and purred. Lydia felt her spirits rise.

The current subject of conversation was the plans for each person's summer holiday. Lydia had talked to Freddie about the idea of inviting Sophie to join the two of them at Freddie's house. As Sophie was not aware of Lydia's background, they had decided against it, in case they let anything slip. Then they had both felt terrible about excluding her. They had spent the whole term together as much as possible. Sophie had been loyal and much happier than before. But Lydia had asked Draco about letting her in on the secret. He advised that it was too early. They had been friends with Teddy Lupin for a time and look how that had turned out. It was better to be cautious, for now.

The common room started to clear as students realised it was time for the feast. The six of them followed suit and joined the crowds moving down the marble stairs towards the Great Hall. The group split to go to their house tables. Freddie was fine with most of his classmates in Hufflepuff, apart from Teddy being standoffish. Sophie was still barely tolerated by the Gryffindors, it seemed. Lydia felt terrible that Sophie could not stay with the Ravenclaw group.

The Quidditch Cup was awarded to Ravenclaw, of course. The House Cup went to Hufflepuff by five points over Ravenclaw, with Slytherin third and Gryffindor last. It had been a close-run contest and McGonagall praised everyone for their contributions. She then proceeded to give a few honourable mentions. Aidan Kavanagh, the Gryffindor goalie and Quidditch captain, received praise. During the first game of the season, he had left his position to catch a Slytherin chaser who had been unseated by a bludger. The top students in each of the lower four years were then announced. The later years were subject to exam (and mock exam) results which had yet to be announced. The top students were Susie McLaggen, fourth-year Slytherin; Gina Brocklehurst, third-year Ravenclaw; Dev Parekh, second-year Gryffindor; and the first-year Ravenclaw Odysseus Anderson. Lydia had cheered her friend Dev's award but she and her friends whooped and danced when Oddy's name was announced. Dean was all for trying to lift Oddy onto his shoulders but McGonagall advised against it. The student's choice award for best professor had seemed certain to go to Stephano Verdi but was actually won by Filius Flitwick. It was a popular decision with the staff. Verdi jokingly made to lift Flitwick on his shoulders, much to the amusement of all but Professor Flitwick.

With the feast and awards over, the students rose and filed out of the Great Hall. Tomorrow they would all be heading home, most by means of the Hogwarts Express.

Lydia, Freddie and Sophie met up in the Entrance Hall to make sure they shared a carriage to Hogsmeade Station. Shona and Tina managed to join them as the carriages arrived. Xander had found a cosy corner in Lydia's Travelighter trunk and, at Lydia's suggestion, would stay there until they were aboard the Express. Lydia baffled several onlookers by patting and talking to the thestrals before the carriages set off. Freddie accused her of showing off, but she insisted that she simply liked animals.

The train journey was quite uneventful. Apart from the lady with the food trolley their only visitor was Tessa Gudgeon, who came to say goodbye to Lydia and to apologise yet again. Lydia hugged her and told her she was forgiven. Tessa cried briefly and swore never to be taken in by bad boys again. Lydia was convinced by her contrition but not by her oath.

At King's Cross, Freddie and Lydia were met by Freddie's mother, Penny. Sophie had a connection to make from the Underground station to her home so they hugged and she left. Penny Fortescue had arranged for a cab to take them to The Leaky Cauldron. There they were to meet Freddie's father, Ferdi, and take the Floo Network to their home in rural Surrey.

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