Disclaimer/Author Note/Rating: Please see Chapter 1 for full disclaimers, legal info, etc.
Go raibh maith agaibh:
Thanks for all of your reviews. Everyone seems to have enjoyed "doctor's orders!" Glad you all got a laugh out of that.
Evenstar Elanor… I can't believe how many chapters you read & reviewed last night! Hope you like the ones you haven't read as much as the previous ones!
Trina/Leonora… More trouble from Malificus? Do you really think a Malfoy could stay out of trouble?
Mercury Gray… A child for Serena in the sequel. The thought had crossed my mind, but you'll have to wait and see…
Wyall Jared… Emotional roller coaster? I hope it has at least been a fun trip. And I think we know what Serena's definition of "reasonable" is.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Chapter 35: A Simple Gesture
Three weeks later saw the end of Harry Potter's fifth year at Hogwart's. The Great Hall was decked with the Gryffindor colors and they celebrated winning the House Cup. Oliver Wood, who had recently returned to classes in time for the last day and his graduation, was in the middle of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, cheering their victory as the Headmaster announced it.
"Now," said Dumbledore, "before we get to our meal, we have a few announcements. First, I would like to announce that Professor Castleton-Black will be returning to her position as our Defense Against Dark Arts teacher next year!"
Most of the students cheered, except for a group at the Slytherin table. Draco Malfoy looked at Serena coldly. It is her fault that Uncle Malificus almost died!
"And now," said Dumbledore, "if you could please give Professor Castleton-Black your attention."
Serena stood up. "I have a special announcement to make, and I appreciate Madame Hooch allowing me to do this." She held up a letter. "It is my distinct pleasure to announce that Puddlemere United has invited our own Oliver Wood to try out for their Quidditch team as Keeper for next season!"
Another deafening cheer shook the room as students congratulated the obviously stunned Oliver Wood. Serena smiled broadly as she watched him. She was glad Oliver had this chance; he was a great Quidditch player. After she sat down, the students applauded for a few moments more and then fell silent as Professor Snape stood up. He cast an appraising eye up and down the hall.
"In light of what happened at the start of May, I feel obligated to single out a few students and award some last minute points." The Slytherin students sat up straighter and a look of fear washed over the Gryffindor table.
"Don't," Snape said, raising his hand, "get overly excited. My announcements won't change the outcome of the House Cup results." He looked up at the Gryffindor banners and his expression clearly said that part of him regretted that the House Cup results wouldn't change.
The Gryffindor students let out a sigh of relief. They all remembered the Headmaster awarding extra points one year, changing the House Cup winner from Slytherin to Gryffindor. That hadn't made the Slytherin students – or Professor Snape – very happy, and each year, the Gryffindor students had wondered if revenge was coming.
"First, twenty points to Miss Hermione Granger," he said. Part of him hated saying it. Hermione went up his spine in all the wrong ways and never failed to get on his nerves. But if it hadn't been for her, Serena may well have died inside the Dominatus Crystal. Hermione, for her part, was staring at Snape, clearly astonished.
"Granger?" said Draco. "He's giving points to that Mudblood? Snape's lost his bloody mind!"
George and Fred looked over their shoulder simultaneously. "Stuff it, Malfoy," they said.
"As I said," Snape continued, "twenty points to Miss Granger for being a know-it-all at the most opportune time."
The room applauded. Snape glanced over at Serena and had to admit that her delighted smile made him feel good. He hadn't told anyone but Dumbledore that he was going to do this. Snape looked back over the students and surveyed them again until his eyes found Neville Longbottom. He stared at the boy for a long time, and despite his efforts, Neville began to chafe under the intense scrutiny.
He's still weak, thought Snape, and I loathe weakness, but he did muster the courage to face me and to dare the Dominatus Crystal. Where he found the fortitude to do that, I shall never know…
"Over the years," said Snape finally, "I must admit I've been very demanding of Mr. Longbottom and not particularly tolerant of his shortcomings. In fact, since his first year, I've deducted approximately 200 points from Gryffindor on his account."
The room was silent.
"However, it was Mr. Longbottom's contribution that saved Professor Castleton-Black. I thought it would be proper to restore all of his previously deducted points."
The room went berserk. Snape rarely awarded points and never in large quantities, especially to students outside of Slytherin. Longbottom was as astonished as Hermione had been, and he realized that through the small gesture of restoring the lost points, Snape was saying 'thank you' in the only way he knew how.
"Way to go, Neville!" shouted someone at the table.
Wood thumped Longbottom on the back. "Longbottom, you're famous! No one in the history of Hogwart's has EVER gotten that many points at the same time. Incredible!"
"Now this is how you end the school year," laughed Harry. "What could top this next year?"
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Thirty-five down and one to go. Please read/review and let me know what you think of this chapter…
Go raibh maith agaibh:
Thanks for all of your reviews. Everyone seems to have enjoyed "doctor's orders!" Glad you all got a laugh out of that.
Evenstar Elanor… I can't believe how many chapters you read & reviewed last night! Hope you like the ones you haven't read as much as the previous ones!
Trina/Leonora… More trouble from Malificus? Do you really think a Malfoy could stay out of trouble?
Mercury Gray… A child for Serena in the sequel. The thought had crossed my mind, but you'll have to wait and see…
Wyall Jared… Emotional roller coaster? I hope it has at least been a fun trip. And I think we know what Serena's definition of "reasonable" is.
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Chapter 35: A Simple Gesture
Three weeks later saw the end of Harry Potter's fifth year at Hogwart's. The Great Hall was decked with the Gryffindor colors and they celebrated winning the House Cup. Oliver Wood, who had recently returned to classes in time for the last day and his graduation, was in the middle of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, cheering their victory as the Headmaster announced it.
"Now," said Dumbledore, "before we get to our meal, we have a few announcements. First, I would like to announce that Professor Castleton-Black will be returning to her position as our Defense Against Dark Arts teacher next year!"
Most of the students cheered, except for a group at the Slytherin table. Draco Malfoy looked at Serena coldly. It is her fault that Uncle Malificus almost died!
"And now," said Dumbledore, "if you could please give Professor Castleton-Black your attention."
Serena stood up. "I have a special announcement to make, and I appreciate Madame Hooch allowing me to do this." She held up a letter. "It is my distinct pleasure to announce that Puddlemere United has invited our own Oliver Wood to try out for their Quidditch team as Keeper for next season!"
Another deafening cheer shook the room as students congratulated the obviously stunned Oliver Wood. Serena smiled broadly as she watched him. She was glad Oliver had this chance; he was a great Quidditch player. After she sat down, the students applauded for a few moments more and then fell silent as Professor Snape stood up. He cast an appraising eye up and down the hall.
"In light of what happened at the start of May, I feel obligated to single out a few students and award some last minute points." The Slytherin students sat up straighter and a look of fear washed over the Gryffindor table.
"Don't," Snape said, raising his hand, "get overly excited. My announcements won't change the outcome of the House Cup results." He looked up at the Gryffindor banners and his expression clearly said that part of him regretted that the House Cup results wouldn't change.
The Gryffindor students let out a sigh of relief. They all remembered the Headmaster awarding extra points one year, changing the House Cup winner from Slytherin to Gryffindor. That hadn't made the Slytherin students – or Professor Snape – very happy, and each year, the Gryffindor students had wondered if revenge was coming.
"First, twenty points to Miss Hermione Granger," he said. Part of him hated saying it. Hermione went up his spine in all the wrong ways and never failed to get on his nerves. But if it hadn't been for her, Serena may well have died inside the Dominatus Crystal. Hermione, for her part, was staring at Snape, clearly astonished.
"Granger?" said Draco. "He's giving points to that Mudblood? Snape's lost his bloody mind!"
George and Fred looked over their shoulder simultaneously. "Stuff it, Malfoy," they said.
"As I said," Snape continued, "twenty points to Miss Granger for being a know-it-all at the most opportune time."
The room applauded. Snape glanced over at Serena and had to admit that her delighted smile made him feel good. He hadn't told anyone but Dumbledore that he was going to do this. Snape looked back over the students and surveyed them again until his eyes found Neville Longbottom. He stared at the boy for a long time, and despite his efforts, Neville began to chafe under the intense scrutiny.
He's still weak, thought Snape, and I loathe weakness, but he did muster the courage to face me and to dare the Dominatus Crystal. Where he found the fortitude to do that, I shall never know…
"Over the years," said Snape finally, "I must admit I've been very demanding of Mr. Longbottom and not particularly tolerant of his shortcomings. In fact, since his first year, I've deducted approximately 200 points from Gryffindor on his account."
The room was silent.
"However, it was Mr. Longbottom's contribution that saved Professor Castleton-Black. I thought it would be proper to restore all of his previously deducted points."
The room went berserk. Snape rarely awarded points and never in large quantities, especially to students outside of Slytherin. Longbottom was as astonished as Hermione had been, and he realized that through the small gesture of restoring the lost points, Snape was saying 'thank you' in the only way he knew how.
"Way to go, Neville!" shouted someone at the table.
Wood thumped Longbottom on the back. "Longbottom, you're famous! No one in the history of Hogwart's has EVER gotten that many points at the same time. Incredible!"
"Now this is how you end the school year," laughed Harry. "What could top this next year?"
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Thirty-five down and one to go. Please read/review and let me know what you think of this chapter…