Chapter Eight

And So It Ends

After the weirdest Quidditch game played that day, Gryffindor had to train harder and longer. The end of the year exams were over and done with and they were quickly approaching the end of the year. Things were being packed away and teachers were beginning to talley up points of their houses for the house cup. Days were becoming longer and nights were hotter. Everyone was in giggles because they were going to soon go back home. Seventh years were trying to make the best of their last year and everyone was signing yearbooks. Yearbooks contained moving pictures of events, faculty and students. Many pictures moved and switched squares to get away from who they were moved next to. Most pictures argued with each other or others admired one another.

Professors weren't doing much in their classes with the exception of Severus who didn't care if it was nearly 90 degrees in their classroom. " If I can bare this heat in nothing but black robes then you all should be very capable of handling it. "(Ok I know you're probably thinking, dungeons, wouldn't it be cool? But the potions room does have windows. So silence yourself!) He always said when someone complained about brewing. McGonagall transfigured small fountains into birds that when they flew about, a mist of water came from their wings, cooling off the students. Flitwick taught his students how to make the tip of their wands turn into small fans. And Professor Quirrell's classroom utterly reeked of garlic.

Holly and Jeremy anticipated the end of the school year. But there was the unfortunate thought of them not seeing each other for two months. Holly shrieked, not wanting to be seperated from her dunpeal but he reassured her that they'll soon be meeting again at King's Cross. Holly forever bothered her father for how many points Slytherin gained but he kept telling her no and threatened to lower the score.Of course Holly knew he wouldn't. Why would he abuse his own house when he absolutely adores his serpent students?

Gryffindor had their game and lost against Hufflepuff. Harry had tried the Plumpton Pass but it wasn't something he could really do.Cedric had caught it in his sleeve on purpose, claiming it was an accident like before, and won the game with 170 points to 30. Draco Malfoy's cold shouldering on his cousin didn't last very long. He kept nagging her on and on. " If you would of just kicked away that stupid Diggory-dofus we would of won and beaten lazy Gryffindor. You're a miserable seeker Holly. " Remarks like that or maybe even stupider Holly ignored with a Severus fashion.

Harry, Ron and Hermione had become even more suspicious than ever. During conversations, they would often squeeze in together and whisper. If Filch made his way by the table, they would hush up. Actually, if anyone really passed by their table. The Gryffindor Three never really sat by their usual group of friends to not have them but into their conversation. Months back they acted giddy and nervous about this...Sorcerer's Stone. It was strange to those who noticed or even paid attention.

A few nights before the last day, Holly climbed out of her four-poster, slipped her cloak on and pulled her hair up. She carefully exited the girls' dorm and went downstairs into the common room. All was dark and quiet. She carefully opened the painting and shut it. " Where do you think you're going? " Salazar spoke as the snakes hissed at her. She ignored him and walked through the dark and empty halls of the school. There was a different feeling she began to maintain as she walked down the changing staircases. The silence of a thousand students...well..nine hundred ninety- nine of them, brought her at total peace.

She hopped off a staircase and slammed into something hard, falling back onto the floor. She looked up and saw nothing, then back down and saw three pairs of feet. Disembodied? She thought, then reached forward and grabbed onto what seemed like nothing, pulling it hard, revealing Harry, Ron and Hermione. Holly gasped at first but then grinned.

" Crap..We're done for! She's going to tell Snape and we're all going to be expelled!! " Ron panicked and clung to himself.

Holly stood up and laughed. " An invisibility cloak. How clever. "

Harry stared at her briefly, then took it back. Hermione spoke. " What are you doing out of your common room? "

" Going for a walk, what about you three? Sneaking around? Trying to steal something? " She smirked.

" Preventing something from being stolen before it's too late actually. " Ron spoke but was rammed in the rib by Hermione.

Holly laughed again. " Despite the fact my Slytherin side tells me to rat you out, I won't. " All three of them breathed a sigh of relief." Think I'm stupid like my cousin to get myself in trouble too? Ha. " Holly walked on her way as the others drew the cloak back over each other and headed back upstairs.

She slipped through the main entrance and walked on in the dark night. Her biggest problem was Hagrid, but luckily he was in the Dark Forest doing some ..work. It was a long walk she made but she made it to her destination. The Quidditch field. She sat down in the center of it, then laid back. I'm acting as if this were my last year at Hogwarts. She thought to herself. Those yellow snake eyes of hers closed slowly. She began imagining the games that were played for her first time. ....Holly you're losing it.

Jeremy walked up behind Holly and lightly tapped her head with the toe of his boot. He smiled down at her as she opened her eyes. Jeremy sat down at her head, she moved herself into his lap and he lightly stroked her hair.She giggled. He smiled and looked up at the sky. " Tomorrow is our last night...before we seperate for three months at Platform Nine and Three Quarters."

She nodded softly and sighed. " Jeremy..We make it seem like it's like we will never return here..."

" I guess it's because we actually like it. ...But it is weird. I would expect the seventh years to be doing this. " He then combed her hair with his fingers. Her head nuzzling into his stomach, giving a happy sigh.

Footsteps. A small purr. A screeching metalic sound. It could only mean one thing. Filch.

They both looked at each other, jumped up and ran down the field, planning to escape through the locker rooms. After making it back in the school, they looked at each other and laughed, then headed back to their towers after a small kiss.

It was the next evening. The Great Hall decorated in silver and green with the banners for Slytherin hanging from the ceiling. Professor Snape watching over his table, not smiling but having a glint in his eye, showing those who noticed that they did it again. Gryffindors glaring and sighing at their loss. Harry slightly wounded, with scratches along his hands and face, but no one(except for Ron,Hermione, and Dumbledore) knew why. Professor Quirrell wasn't at the faculty table next to Snape which caught the attention of most. Fred and George began whispering about how Snape killed Quirrell to get the Defence position next year. Dumbledore lifted up his golden fork and lightly tapped it against his glass, sending a ring through the hall, bringing everyone's attention up on him. He finished after the crowd was silent and stood.

" And so it ends. A year that was certainly eventful for new comers and a full seven years that was extraordinary for you graduates. I know that there are questions you want answers to as to why one of our faculty members is not here. But I'm afraid that answer is something you won't need to concern yourself with. Now then. There is a house cup that needs to be awarded as I understand. So without any more time spent talking on, I will announce your calculated points. In last place. Gryffindor, three hundred and twelve points. Hufflepuff, three hundred and fifty-two. Ravenclaw with four hundred and twenty-six points. And Slytherin with four hundred and seventy-two. "

Holly slapped hands with her teammates, her cousin and a few other serpents. She turned to the Gryffindor table with her arms outstretched, bobbing her head like a bird listening to rock music saying. " What now Lions? What now! Slytherin forever!!! Whoo!! " She turned back, laughing with her friends.

" Yes Slytherin well done, well done. But, there are some last minute points I need to award. No need to worry, I'm sure Slytherin will still be this years winners. " He turned to the Gryffindor table. The points were given to Ronald Weasely, Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, and Neville Longbottom. And that did it. There was a loud, long roar that these Lions made, winning the house cup. Holly and Draco's mouths dropped as well as some others I'm sure.

Jeremy couldn't believe it. Holly couldn't believe it." He gets 50 points for playing a stupid game of chess? CHESS?!! This is absolutely unbelievable!! " She stood up on the bench and screamed at Dumbledore. " I DEMAND A RECOUNT!!!!!"

Dumbledore smiled from underneathe his silvery beard and clapped his hands, the Slytherin banners and decorations were soon changed to gold and red with the Gryffindor banners. Snape didn't show it but he was flabbergasted. A last minute awarding of points had never been done. It was all Potter's fault.

That very next day, students on the Hogwarts Express were being taken home to their families for summer break. Holly was hoping to tell her friends even more. Espically how Gryffindor won house cup. During the ride back, Jeremy held his Slytherin in his arms tight, glad they didn't have to share a room with anyone else. The train stopped at King's Cross. They got off and ran through the wall, ending up in the muggle version of the train station, between platforms nine and ten. Jeremy and Holly looked around. A man with long gorgeous black hair stood with Severus. He was pale and tall with blue eyes. He was talking to Snape and standing with a woman who wasn't so pale but had short brown hair, fluffed at the ends. She was leaning with the tall man and talking as well with Snape.

Holly and Jeremy walked over. The woman smiled and looked at Jeremy. " Hello Jeremy. Have fun? "

He smiled and nodded. " Hi mom..yes I did. "

" Oooh your parents? I see where you get your looks Jeremy. " She giggled as she started looking at his father.

" And this is your son's little girlfriend, my daughter Holly. " Snape grabbed Holly's shoulder, shoving her forward infront of Jeremy's father. She smiled up at him and giggled even more. He smiled back at her, showing off his fangs. She gave a small squeel. " Well Keal..Nice meeting you..and you as well Risza..but I just have a small question. It's broad daylight out....how are you lasting in the light? "

Suddenly Keal burst into flames, Risza pulled her wand from her pants pocket and put it out. They both stared at Severus, Holly couldn't stifle her laughter and fell over holding her gut. Keal responded, slightly chared. "....It was....mind..over matter.." Snape stared..

" Oh...Sorry then..I guess. Holly let's go. " He took her things walking away, not wanting to say anything more. Holly stood and hugged Jeremy tightly.

" Jeremy..don't forget about me.." She nuzzled him as his parents took his things and walked off in the opposite direction.

He rubbed her back. " I won't forget about you...how can I? " He pulled away from the hug and then kissed her softly, rubbing her cheek as he did so. She returned the kiss and giggled. He smiled at her. " I'll see you soon Holly. Very soon. " She nodded and they kissed again, grabbing each others hands and slowly pulling away from each other to follow their parents. Before they're grasp was broken they both said good-bye and took off.