Chapter 12 - Tranquility
Dumbledore apparated down from the tower from which he had been observing the battle. He had promised himself after the first defeat of the Dark Lord and the demise of the Potters that he would not interfere in the final downfall of Voldemort. This did not mean he couldn't guide Harry in the right direction over the years. He arrived back on the field and allowed his Order and Army to celebrate and scream until they were near passing out from all the excitement. After a good half hour of screaming, jumping, and laughing, everyone lounged about on the grass, gazing up at the tranquil image of the stars and reveling in the newfound state of calm that enveloped the wizarding world. Dumbledore approached.
"Everyone comfortable?"
Grunts and sighs of approval sounded around the pitch.
"I believe the rest of the school is cowering in the Great Hall and waiting for word on the outcome."
More grunts of agreement came from the lounging masses.
"Does anyone care to join me in going back up?"
A few grunts of disapproval.
Muttering a few choice swear words, Professor Snape propped himself up on his elbows, and began the arduous process of disentangling himself from the euphoric but exhausted mass of people who were sprawled out on the lawn.
"Alright, you lot. Get off. Enough of this nonsense."
He prodded Hermione in the ribs to get her head off his chest where it had been nestled, pushed Harry's feet off his legs, dragged his own feet out of Tonks' lap, and tickled the bottom of Ginny's feet, which had been sprawled out near his head. Ginny giggled, which started Harry laughing, making Ginny laugh even louder because Harry's stomach was fluttering under her head. Snape pushed himself off the ground, brushed the grass off his Death Eater's robes, and hoped his dignity was still somewhere near in tact. Now that Voldemort was gone, he figured it wouldn't kill him to let his guard down just a bit. Okay, a lot. Euphoria was a powerful drug to which he was not accustomed. Not that he objected.
"I have an announcement to make!"
Ron tilted his head up from its comfortable pillow of Hermione's thigh. Everyone else just perked their ears up.
"Dumbledore's Army and the Order are cordially invited to Snape Estates for a party in my nephew's honor. Were it not for him, I would still be serving that lumpy git up there," he pointed to Riddle's body on the goal post. "So, at eight o'clock tonight, I will open the doors to my home in Godric's Hollow. Dress robes please, as I believe we have a momentous occasion to celebrate!"
Jaws across the pitch dropped in surprise, and Dumbledore's eyes twinkled like they had never twinkled before. He knew his Potions Master would come around, and he had Harry Potter to thank for it. Though it did take nearly twenty years to accomplish.
"Well, I believe I have a party to get ready for." Hermione stood and stretched, then extended a hand down to Ginny, who she pulled up from the ground. "I need you to help me pick out an outfit," she added, glancing at Severus, who was giving directions to his house to a few members of the Army. The two of them made their way back to the school, leaving Harry, Ron, and the twins looking on and smirking.
"Apparate from Hogsmeade to Godric's Hollow. Never mind that, I'll set out some portkeys in the Great Hall. From the apparating point, you'll see the post office on your left. Make a left on Gryffindor Road, go another 200 yards, you'll come across a dirt road called Snape Estates Lane. Simply follow that up the hill. The password at the gate is 'Possunt quia posse videntur.' Ring the bell at the front door, and a house elf will be along to let you in."
"Thank you professor!"
"You're very welcome, Mr. Creevy, Miss Abbott." Colin and Hannah trudged back out of the stadium and up the hill back to school, followed by Dennis and a few of the other Hufflepuffs.
Eventually, the last of the revelers were making their way back up the path to the school, leaving the stadium in a silent shambles. Dumbledore turned around and looked down on the destruction. He sighed and thought about all the jovial quidditch games he had watched there over the years. He would erect a new quidditch stadium nearer to Hogsmeade over the summer and invite the villagers to come watch games from then on. He'd clean this one up and leave it as a memorial to all those who had fallen under the wrath of Voldemort. The Potters, The Longbottoms, Sirius Black, Ian Quirrel, Bertha Jorkins, Marlene McKinnon, Benjy Fenwick, Edgar and Amy Bones, Caradoc Dearborn, Gideon and Fabian Prewett, Dorcas Meadowes, now Charlie Weasley, and his former student Draco Malfoy. Turning back to follow the crowd, he cast a final glance over his shoulder, then turned his thoughts to which set of dress robes he'd wear tonight.
----
He arrived in the Great Hall to find the rest of the school huddled in corners, some crying, others looking beyond worried, and still a few more playing half-assed games of gobstones and exploding snap. A cluster of Slytherins sat in a corner laughing and talking excitedly.
"May I have everyone's attention?" The students and staff looked up at him, eagerly awaiting news from the stadium.
"The battle against the Death Eaters was a success." A great cheer went up around the hall, but Dumbledore silenced them with a raise of his hands.
"Voldemort made an appearance at the end, and Harry Potter valiantly defeated him! The wizarding world is free of his wrath at last!" The cheer that went up this time was far louder than the first, and students began bouncing off the walls in excitement. He somehow managed to silence them again.
"Classes are cancelled next week, and there will be a feast here this evening at eight o'clock! The Hogwarts Express leaves for London at noon tomorrow, and will leave London next Sunday at eleven in the morning as usual." The cheer this time around was so loud that magic alone was holding the windows of the Great Hall in place.
----
"Right, the green one, or the blue one?" Hermione asked Ginny, holding up the two dresses on their hangers in turn.
"The blue one's got a great cut, but the green really brings out your eyes."
"Well I can't ruddy well just mush them into one dress, now can I?"
"No, but you can transfigure them."
"This is true." She grinned at Ginny, tossed the dresses on the bed, then waved her wand over them, muttering some latin. The blue chiffon dress faded to a rich shimmering shade of olive green.
"Brilliant. Now turn around."
"Oh come on. You've got nothing I haven't seen before."
"Yeah, but I'm going to wear my lucky bra and knickers, and I don't want you to know which pair they are in case you try to steal them."
"Really now, Mi, I don't think that'll be a problem. If I want to get lucky, I just have to say 'Oi, Harry, I'm all hot and bothered. Fancy a go?'"
Hermione laughed, pulled off her robes, and went to her bedside table. She pulled out a lacey nude-colored bra and equally frilly boyshorts-cut knickers and pulled them on.
Ginny was completely caught off guard and stared at Hermione in her lingerie.
"So, who's the lucky guy whose eyes'll bug out at the end of the night?"
Hermione laughed and pushed Ginny, then shoved the green dress into her arms.
"Help me get this ruddy thing over my head, will you?"
Ginny held up the ample chiffon skirts and Hermione shuffled herself inside. Ginny pulled the zipper up the back and gazed in awe at her friend in the mirror. Hermione gazed too, but looked rather disappointed.
"I look like a sack of barley."
"Oh no you don't, Mi. You look incredible. Really. I've got the perfect sandals and necklace for it. Don't move."
Hermione obediently complied, and looked at her reflection again. The tight sleeveless bodice of bunched chiffon clung to her chest, emphasizing her ample bosom. Layers and waves of the satiny chiffon fabric hung from her waist, ending just below her well-defined calves. Turning to the side a bit, she saw a large chiffon bow perched atop her bum, the ends cascading down the back of the dress.
Ginny came scampering back into the room clutching a strappy pair of sandals and a green beaded necklace with an elaborate chevron of beads hanging from the center.
"I figure you can probably transfigure the color to match your dress. I wore these to the Yule Ball last year, but they're all still in perfect condition. Fred and George got them for me."
"They're perfect. Thank you so much Ginny."
"Right, I'll just go get dressed now. Mind if I borrow your other dress? The one that's blue now..."
"Yeah, sure. No problem. I'll be over to look in on you in a bit."
----
Dumbledore apparated down from the tower from which he had been observing the battle. He had promised himself after the first defeat of the Dark Lord and the demise of the Potters that he would not interfere in the final downfall of Voldemort. This did not mean he couldn't guide Harry in the right direction over the years. He arrived back on the field and allowed his Order and Army to celebrate and scream until they were near passing out from all the excitement. After a good half hour of screaming, jumping, and laughing, everyone lounged about on the grass, gazing up at the tranquil image of the stars and reveling in the newfound state of calm that enveloped the wizarding world. Dumbledore approached.
"Everyone comfortable?"
Grunts and sighs of approval sounded around the pitch.
"I believe the rest of the school is cowering in the Great Hall and waiting for word on the outcome."
More grunts of agreement came from the lounging masses.
"Does anyone care to join me in going back up?"
A few grunts of disapproval.
Muttering a few choice swear words, Professor Snape propped himself up on his elbows, and began the arduous process of disentangling himself from the euphoric but exhausted mass of people who were sprawled out on the lawn.
"Alright, you lot. Get off. Enough of this nonsense."
He prodded Hermione in the ribs to get her head off his chest where it had been nestled, pushed Harry's feet off his legs, dragged his own feet out of Tonks' lap, and tickled the bottom of Ginny's feet, which had been sprawled out near his head. Ginny giggled, which started Harry laughing, making Ginny laugh even louder because Harry's stomach was fluttering under her head. Snape pushed himself off the ground, brushed the grass off his Death Eater's robes, and hoped his dignity was still somewhere near in tact. Now that Voldemort was gone, he figured it wouldn't kill him to let his guard down just a bit. Okay, a lot. Euphoria was a powerful drug to which he was not accustomed. Not that he objected.
"I have an announcement to make!"
Ron tilted his head up from its comfortable pillow of Hermione's thigh. Everyone else just perked their ears up.
"Dumbledore's Army and the Order are cordially invited to Snape Estates for a party in my nephew's honor. Were it not for him, I would still be serving that lumpy git up there," he pointed to Riddle's body on the goal post. "So, at eight o'clock tonight, I will open the doors to my home in Godric's Hollow. Dress robes please, as I believe we have a momentous occasion to celebrate!"
Jaws across the pitch dropped in surprise, and Dumbledore's eyes twinkled like they had never twinkled before. He knew his Potions Master would come around, and he had Harry Potter to thank for it. Though it did take nearly twenty years to accomplish.
"Well, I believe I have a party to get ready for." Hermione stood and stretched, then extended a hand down to Ginny, who she pulled up from the ground. "I need you to help me pick out an outfit," she added, glancing at Severus, who was giving directions to his house to a few members of the Army. The two of them made their way back to the school, leaving Harry, Ron, and the twins looking on and smirking.
"Apparate from Hogsmeade to Godric's Hollow. Never mind that, I'll set out some portkeys in the Great Hall. From the apparating point, you'll see the post office on your left. Make a left on Gryffindor Road, go another 200 yards, you'll come across a dirt road called Snape Estates Lane. Simply follow that up the hill. The password at the gate is 'Possunt quia posse videntur.' Ring the bell at the front door, and a house elf will be along to let you in."
"Thank you professor!"
"You're very welcome, Mr. Creevy, Miss Abbott." Colin and Hannah trudged back out of the stadium and up the hill back to school, followed by Dennis and a few of the other Hufflepuffs.
Eventually, the last of the revelers were making their way back up the path to the school, leaving the stadium in a silent shambles. Dumbledore turned around and looked down on the destruction. He sighed and thought about all the jovial quidditch games he had watched there over the years. He would erect a new quidditch stadium nearer to Hogsmeade over the summer and invite the villagers to come watch games from then on. He'd clean this one up and leave it as a memorial to all those who had fallen under the wrath of Voldemort. The Potters, The Longbottoms, Sirius Black, Ian Quirrel, Bertha Jorkins, Marlene McKinnon, Benjy Fenwick, Edgar and Amy Bones, Caradoc Dearborn, Gideon and Fabian Prewett, Dorcas Meadowes, now Charlie Weasley, and his former student Draco Malfoy. Turning back to follow the crowd, he cast a final glance over his shoulder, then turned his thoughts to which set of dress robes he'd wear tonight.
----
He arrived in the Great Hall to find the rest of the school huddled in corners, some crying, others looking beyond worried, and still a few more playing half-assed games of gobstones and exploding snap. A cluster of Slytherins sat in a corner laughing and talking excitedly.
"May I have everyone's attention?" The students and staff looked up at him, eagerly awaiting news from the stadium.
"The battle against the Death Eaters was a success." A great cheer went up around the hall, but Dumbledore silenced them with a raise of his hands.
"Voldemort made an appearance at the end, and Harry Potter valiantly defeated him! The wizarding world is free of his wrath at last!" The cheer that went up this time was far louder than the first, and students began bouncing off the walls in excitement. He somehow managed to silence them again.
"Classes are cancelled next week, and there will be a feast here this evening at eight o'clock! The Hogwarts Express leaves for London at noon tomorrow, and will leave London next Sunday at eleven in the morning as usual." The cheer this time around was so loud that magic alone was holding the windows of the Great Hall in place.
----
"Right, the green one, or the blue one?" Hermione asked Ginny, holding up the two dresses on their hangers in turn.
"The blue one's got a great cut, but the green really brings out your eyes."
"Well I can't ruddy well just mush them into one dress, now can I?"
"No, but you can transfigure them."
"This is true." She grinned at Ginny, tossed the dresses on the bed, then waved her wand over them, muttering some latin. The blue chiffon dress faded to a rich shimmering shade of olive green.
"Brilliant. Now turn around."
"Oh come on. You've got nothing I haven't seen before."
"Yeah, but I'm going to wear my lucky bra and knickers, and I don't want you to know which pair they are in case you try to steal them."
"Really now, Mi, I don't think that'll be a problem. If I want to get lucky, I just have to say 'Oi, Harry, I'm all hot and bothered. Fancy a go?'"
Hermione laughed, pulled off her robes, and went to her bedside table. She pulled out a lacey nude-colored bra and equally frilly boyshorts-cut knickers and pulled them on.
Ginny was completely caught off guard and stared at Hermione in her lingerie.
"So, who's the lucky guy whose eyes'll bug out at the end of the night?"
Hermione laughed and pushed Ginny, then shoved the green dress into her arms.
"Help me get this ruddy thing over my head, will you?"
Ginny held up the ample chiffon skirts and Hermione shuffled herself inside. Ginny pulled the zipper up the back and gazed in awe at her friend in the mirror. Hermione gazed too, but looked rather disappointed.
"I look like a sack of barley."
"Oh no you don't, Mi. You look incredible. Really. I've got the perfect sandals and necklace for it. Don't move."
Hermione obediently complied, and looked at her reflection again. The tight sleeveless bodice of bunched chiffon clung to her chest, emphasizing her ample bosom. Layers and waves of the satiny chiffon fabric hung from her waist, ending just below her well-defined calves. Turning to the side a bit, she saw a large chiffon bow perched atop her bum, the ends cascading down the back of the dress.
Ginny came scampering back into the room clutching a strappy pair of sandals and a green beaded necklace with an elaborate chevron of beads hanging from the center.
"I figure you can probably transfigure the color to match your dress. I wore these to the Yule Ball last year, but they're all still in perfect condition. Fred and George got them for me."
"They're perfect. Thank you so much Ginny."
"Right, I'll just go get dressed now. Mind if I borrow your other dress? The one that's blue now..."
"Yeah, sure. No problem. I'll be over to look in on you in a bit."
----