CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: The end of the year.

"Thank you for coming up to see me children, I am sure you'd rather be outside celebrating- or commiserating in some cases- the end of your exams but after the episode with Merlin I had to speak to you." The headmistress said.

We were seated on chairs in her office which was actually in one of the towers and could only be entered through a magical entrance. It hadn't been long since the confrontation with Merlin. We'd decided not to go telling everybody, but after we'd each told a couple of people soon the entire Gryffindoors knew, and then the whole school.

"Professor McGongall how come nobody knew how evil Merlin really was?" Jenny burst out.

The headmistress frowned slightly. "Well it appears that after Voldemort went back in time to get Merlin to do this for him Merlin decided that he would have to be very careful about his experiences over in America, which is why he let everyone believe the story that he'd had a run in with a bunch of Dark wizards who were also vampires, and he acted as though this had scared him completely. He continued his work mind you, although it was generally on safe subjects- like charms, and never ever had his name on it. It seems he has been waiting for this year, and for Sam to arrive here to kill him for a long time." She explained.

"How come the ghost's council knew he was coming? Were they involved too?" Martin asked, and I waited for the headmistress's answer eagerly. The question had not occurred to me, but now that Martin had voiced it I thought it was a good one.

"No they weren't involved." The headmistress replied. "Ghosts are unable to just enter places without the correct authority. It seems that Merlin needed the permission of the ghost's council to arrive here. He put it to them that he wanted to make a study on the history of Hogwarts ghosts, and indeed flattered them into thinking that this would be a wonderful thing for them. I have spoken to them and they begged me to assure you all that they had no idea Merlin was evil- they'd heard rumors about him being involved in dark arts, but rumors like this have been circulating for years about many people, and many ghosts so they didn't really put much stock in them. They wish for me to tell you three that they are very sorry for what you've been through. "



"That's alright headmistress." I said. "It wasn't their fault. There's just one more thing I want to know- can Merlin return? Can Voldemort return?"

The headmistress looked troubled. "We all thought Voldemort was gone for good when your father defeated him Sam. We had no idea he'd been back in time to get Merlin to kill you! I guess that means we will never know whether or not he will return, or when.." She sighed. "As for Merlin he won't return. The curse young Jenny performed on him is strong enough to even kill a ghost. As for that curse Miss Weasley, where did you learn it?"

"I picked it up from something I was reading for holiday reading." Jenny replied.

"I don't know whether or not to remind you that you shouldn't be up to that kind of thing in your studies.." The headmistress mused. "But for the moment we'll leave it be, and perhaps we have a silent understanding?"

"Yes Mam!" Jenny agreed, relieved she had gotten off.

"Now perhaps you might want to return to your friends. As you know tonight is the awarding of the house cup." The headmistress said. "And so far the points appear to be very tight. It could be interesting- especially with Ravenclaw winning the Quidditch cup!"

As we were leaving the headmistress called "Oh and Miss Weasley, you'll be interested to know that Professor Horring will not be with us next year. Letting someone take the blame for your own mistakes is not acceptable in any circumstances!"

*****

That night was the feast and as I walked in with the rest of the Gryffindoor house we all discussed who was going to win.

"As long as it isn't Slytherin it's alright." Greg told me. "I couldn't stand it if it were them!"

"Everyone take a seat quickly please. I'm sure you're all dying to know who won and get the feast started!" The headmistress called. Soon we were all sitting down and waiting expectantly.

"Currently the points stand thus: Hufflepuff have three hundred and seventy nine. Ravenclaw have three hundred and eighty five. Gryffindoor have four hundred and five. And Slytherin have four hundred and twenty nine." The headmistress said, and there were roars of excitement from the Slytherin table, and groans from the rest of the school. I snuck a look at Alforth who was sitting looking smug. Since he'd helped Merlin try to kill us we'd completely ignored him. We all agreed that more than likely he thought it was just a trick and hadn't known Merlin had wanted to kill us, but even so we didn't want to speak to him. And now seeing him looking so smug I felt sick.

"SILENCE!" Called the headmistress. "Let me finish. There was something not taken into account. I therefore have decided to take twenty-five points from Slytherin for someone playing a stupid and immature trick, which could have resulted in the deaths of three of our students. And as such Slytherin finish on four hundred and four points, and Gryffindoor on four hundred and five points are the winners of the house cup this year!"

She clapped her hands and scarlet and gold hangings covered the hall. On the wall behind the high table a huge banner showing the Gryffindoor lion hung. And while the Slytherin students sat in shock the rest of the school erupted in cheers.

"Look at Alforth's face!" Martin whispered to me. "Doesn't it make this victory even sweeter?"

Alforth looked furious, and by the glares the rest of the Slytherin tables were giving him they knew as well that he had been the one to cost them the house cup.

"Doubly sweet!" I agreed as the feast began.

*****

The next day the results were released and it was no surprise to see that Jenny was head of the year. But both Martin and I were surprised to see that we'd both received fairly good marks. Even Greg had passed well enough, and as we all boarded the Hogwarts express for the train ride home the mood was very jolly. But in the back of my mind I was also thinking about the comment the headmistress had made about it being possible for Voldemort to return again somehow.

"Why the long face?" Francine asked me. "You've passed the first year, you've defeated a dark wizard and thwarted another of Voldemort's plans to hurt your father!"

I forced a smile. "Sorry, I was just thinking. I am happy." I said. I wasn't entirely unhappy mind you, just concerned.

"Listen Sam," Francine said. "You can't spend your life worrying about something. The chances are Voldemort will never return and if you waste your time worrying about him you're going to forget to enjoy life!"

I grinned at that. "I guess you're right." I admitted, and then I spotted Greg. He had snuck up behind Snape who had been chosen to make sure we got to the train all right and had pinned a sign to the back of his robes proclaiming him to be an "Ugly, grumpy, annoying git." I started to laugh and so did Francine.

We got on the train and as it pulled out of the train station even though I was glad it was holidays I couldn't wait until the next year began. I was sure things would never be dull at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.