Chapter 11 – Back to normal

The last two weeks of school went by rather quickly for everyone. Students were in high spirits about the upcoming ball and Harry had never smiled so much. He was still worried about Voldemort but a little relieved that he had lost his most important servant.

Hermione was happy again and found it hard to believe that she had been so depressed only a few weeks ago. Malfoy wasn't very happy though for a while. It took him a while to get over Hermione and to leave her alone. After about a week and a half, he was already going out with Pansy again.

On Friday evening at dinner in the Great Hall, everyone was excited about the holiday's which would start the next day. It was also Christmas Eve so everyone was looking forward to Christmas. Nearly all of the students who were 3rd years and over stayed for Christmas because of the ball and Harry, Ron, Hermione and Ginny were among them. 

Even though Harry was very happy now, he still had nightmares about Voldemort coming back for him, servant or not, Voldemort was still powerful. Harry remembered the last time he had seen him; he had all his powers back. Earlier that day, Harry suddenly felt much stronger and he felt a twinge in his scar, he considered asking Dumbledore what it meant but his question was answered at dinner.

"Quiet please everyone! I have very urgent news for everyone" Dumbledore said. "As many of you know, Peter Pettigrew has been captured, well, last night, he tried to escape from Azkaban in his rat form" Dumbledore said to everyone. There were nervous whispers from many students but Harry sat there, not wanting to hear anymore.

For once in his whole life, everything seemed to be going right and now this happened. But everyone stopped whispered and was surprised to see Dumbledore smiling. "However, he did not succeed. Because he was not aware of the Auror's which now guard Azkaban. Peter Pettigrew was warned of the death penalty if he tried to escape. Well, Peter Pettigrew is dead".

Everyone gasped in surprise but Dumbledore didn't look like he was finished. "Not many of you know that Peter's hand had been cut off to bring Voldemort back to full power. Well, you also did not know that if anyone died who was used in the ritual, then the spell would be broken" Dumbledore said.

Harry looked up at Dumbledore. He had been used in the ritual, did that mean that they could have killed him and everything would have been ok? Dumbledore looked at Harry briefly and continued. "Not only did Voldemort loose his power but as a result of the spell malfunctioning, Voldemort is dead".

Harry felt as though a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Everyone in the Great Hall started to cheer. Harry grinned at Ron, Hermione and Ginny who grinned back. Even Snape joined in cheering, relieved that his life wasn't in danger anymore.

The celebrations went on for a while but then Dumbledore sent everyone to bed; he asked Harry to talk to him first though as everyone was leaving. "You must be so relieved Harry, I know that I am" Dumbledore said. "I am. I think I felt something today as well. I suddenly felt strong and had a twinge in my scar" Harry said. "Well you would because when Voldemort took your blood, he took some of your strength. Now that he is dead, your strength has been returned to you. I am glad you are Happy Harry, goodnight" Dumbledore said. He smiled once more at Harry and left.

Harry rushed back to the common room and joined in with the celebrations. Everyone cheered when midnight struck because it was now Christmas day. At one in the morning, everyone finally went to bed. Harry had never slept so well in his whole life.

When he woke the next morning, he saw Ron, Hermione and Ginny sitting on the end of his bed holding their own presents. Harry got many presents including a new jumper with the Hogwarts crest on it and some brownies from Mrs Weasley, a book on Quidditch from Hermione, a giant Chudley Cannon's poster from Ron, rock cakes from Hagrid, a heart shaped picture frame with a picture of him and Ginny in it from Ginny and lastly, a new leather photo album from Sirius. Inside on the first page was a picture of a house. Underneath the picture it said: Sirius and Harry's house. Harry was speechless.

After everyone had opened their presents, they made their way to breakfast in the Great Hall. Dumbledore was there in robes of red and white and he smiled and greeted everyone. "I like your necklace Virginia" Dumbledore said when he saw Ginny's heart shaped necklace. "Thank you, Harry got it for me" Ginny replied smiling.

"Hey, should we go and visit Hagrid after breakfast?" Hermione asked. "Sure, I need to apologise to him for the fight with Malfoy. Your not angry about that are you Mione?" Ron asked. "Of course not. You were sticking up for me, how could I be mad" Hermione answered and she kissed Ron on the cheek.

Hagrid was glad to see them and wasn't angry at Ron for the fight with Malfoy because Ron explained why it happened. "Well, when yer put it like that you were only sticking up fer yer girlfriend" Hagrid said. They talked together for a while until the four of them decided it was time to leave.

They said their goodbyes and left Hagrid's hut. Over by a tree they saw two people kissing. When they moved closer they realised it was Malfoy with Pansy. Hermione smiled; Malfoy would leave her alone now. The four of them left and enjoyed the rest of their day.

When Malfoy stopped kissing Pansy and she left, he thought to himself. 'I suppose Pansy is ok. I'll always regret losing Hermione but everything is back to normal now. I really did like her though; I could have even loved her'. Malfoy thought his last thought while he watched Hermione walk back to the castle holding hands with Ron. 'It's better to have loved and lost then never to have loved at all'.

TBC…