Kitty: Last chapter. I can't believe it.
Yugi: (speechless)
Lina: R&R!
Chapter Twenty:
Never the End
"Diana. Diana."
Diana opened her eyes. She was in the Hospital Wing, and after blinking a few times, she recognized Albus Dumbledore sitting next to her bed.
"Good afternoon," Dumbledore greeted, "And welcome to the world of the living."
Diana blinked, before remembering what had happened.
"Professor, it was Quirrel! Quirrel tried to steal the Sorcerer's Stone, we can't let him get away-"
"Calm down, Diana," Dumbledore said calmly, "It seems you are a little behind the times."
"Huh?" Diana said, "W-what happened?"
Her eyes widened. "Are my friends-?"
"Your friends are fine," Dumbledore assured her, "Mr. Bakura's Yami was most worried about you…he barely left your side."
"Bakura's alright?" Diana said, "What about Yugi? And Harry? And Ron?"
"Misters Weasley and Mutou are up and walking, and Mr. Potter is resting," Dumbledore replied.
Diana looked around the Hospital Wing to see Harry two beds away, and sighed in relief.
"Thank Merlin…"
She then looked at Dumbledore and asked, "But what happened to the Stone? Harry had it last time I checked-"
"I see you aren't wasting any time," Dumbledore smiled, "I arrived just after you and Harry fainted, and Misters Kaiba and Bakura helped me get you two and Mr. Mutou up here. I had feared I was too late…"
"You nearly were!" Diana said, "Voldemort would've gotten the Stone, he-"
"The Stone was not my main concern," Dumbledore told her, "I was more worried about you and Harry. Both of you were greatly weakened, trying to defend each other and the Stone from Voldemort. I am glad you defended it, but for your and everyone else's safety, the Stone has been destroyed."
"Destroyed?" Diana repeated, "B-but your partner…Nicholas Flamel…"
"My, you focused on this a lot, didn't you?" Dumbledore said, "Nicholas and I have had a little chat, and we decided it was best all around."
"But doesn't that mean…that he and his wife will die?" Diana asked.
"They have enough Elixir to set their affairs in order…and then yes, they will die."
Diana stared in amazement at Dumbledore, and he smiled.
"To one as young as you, I'm sure it seems incredible, but to Nicholas and Perenelle, it is like going to bed after a long, long day. To the well-organized mind, death is but the next greatest adventure. Some may fear death, and yet, death has no cause for fear at all."
"Voldemort's afraid of death," Diana whispered, almost to herself, "Why else would he go after unicorns in the Forbidden Forest?"
Dumbledore nodded. "But evil wizards are not the only ones to fear death. Why else would your Egyptian friends be reincarnated? They didn't want to die and leave the world they had known for so long, whether for loyalty and bravery or for sin and vice."
Diana pondered this for a minute.
It was true.
Bakura's deepest desire in the Mirror of Erised had been to go back to Egypt…to his family and friends… Seth likely went to be with Atem… And Atem had wanted to be there to save the world again…
"Sir?" Diana said after a minute, "Even…even if the Stone's gone now, Voldemort's still around, isn't he?"
"Yes, he is. He is still out there somewhere, perhaps looking for a new host…not being truly alive, Voldemort can't really die, even though he left Quirrel to die after he had been so loyal to him. Voldemort treats his supporters with no more mercy than he does his enemies. But remember, Diana, delaying something does not stop it from happening. But who knows? Maybe a second delay will."
Diana shot a quick look toward Harry's bed.
"I sure hope so…"
She sat up a little more, and continued, "Professor…there are some things I've been wondering about…things I'd like to know the truth about…"
"The truth," Dumbledore sighed, "Such a beautiful, yet terrible thing that it must be treated with extreme caution. But you may ask some questions of me, as long as you respect the fact that some of your questions I may not be able to answer. But I will not lie."
Diana nodded. "Well…everyone's told me that my mother was killed by Voldemort only a little while after I was born…but if that's true, why wasn't I killed too?"
"That, I'm afraid, I cannot tell you," Dumbledore said quietly, "Not today…not now. You will know, one day, but for right now, put it out of your mind."
Diana frowned, knowing any argument would be pointless. "Alright…next question. Why couldn't Quirrel touch Harry?"
"It was because of his mother, Lily," Dumbledore said, "If there is one thing Voldemort will never understand, it is love. He didn't realize that love as powerful as Lily's for her son leaves its own mark…not a visible sign, but a mark of eternal protection. Quirrel, so filled with hatred, ambition, and greed, could not touch Harry for that reason, because it was agony to touch a person marked by something so good."
Diana looked at Harry again and smiled. She was quiet for a moment, and then found her voice and said, "There's something else I've been curious about…why does Snape…I mean, Professor Snape…hate Harry and me so much?"
"Your mother had been very good friends with both of Harry's parents when they were at school," Dumbledore replied, "Both Carly and James were on the Gryffindor Quidditch team and two of the main ring-leaders in their little circle of friends, and yet, they greatly detested Severus, very much like Harry's and your dislike of Mr. Malfoy."
"They were enemies?" Diana said in surprise, "Then why did Professor Snape save Harry all this year?"
"Well, Harry's father, James Potter," Dumbledore replied, "Once did something to Severus at school that he could never, ever forgive."
"What was that?"
"He saved his life."
"What?"
"Yes indeed," Dumbledore said dreamily, "Severus couldn't bear to be in James's dept, so even if James is dead now, Severus thought he could make it up to himself by helping Harry and go back to hating his father's memory in peace."
Diana tried to make sense out of this, but it made her feel dizzy, so she shrugged.
"Alright, last question: how did I get the Sorcerer's Stone out of the Mirror of Erised?"
"Diana, I'm glad you mentioned that," Dumbledore said with a smile, "You see…only a person who wanted to find the Stone, but not use it, would be able to get it… I really do surprise myself with the things I am able to come up with, but even I have to admit that is one of my more brilliant ideas."
Diana smiled too, before a voice came ringing near the door of the Hospital Wing.
"Now really, this is your fifth visit today!" Madame Pomfrey snapped, "Stop missing classes and disturbing my patients!"
"C'mon, lady," a voice came from the doorway, "I just want to visit her one more time…then, I swear, I'll quit for today."
"Bakura?" Diana said, "Bakura, is that you?"
"Dare-kun?" Bakura pushed past Madame Pomfrey and over to Diana's bed. He hugged her tight.
"Thank Ra you're alright," he whispered in her ear, "Thank Ra…"
"You're acting like I was dying," Diana joked.
Bakura laughed a little as he shoved a small trace of a tear from his eye. "Well, you had us all worried…and at least Harry-kun moved in his sleep and woke up after a while, you just sat there, barely breathing or nothing!"
"I sleep hard as a rock," Diana smirked, "And as still as one, too. Makes me look like I'm dead, I know."
Bakura hugged her again. "I'm just glad you're okay."
"Mr. Bakura!" Madame Pomfrey sounded annoyed, "You can't just-"
"Now, now, Poppy," Dumbledore said calmly, "Let the Tomb Robber see her…he's been worried sick."
Madame Pomfrey sniffed indignantly, but went into her office and shut the door.
"Thanks, Dumbledore-san," Bakura said with an appreciative smile.
"Nonsense," Dumbledore replied lightly, "Why deny someone the right to see a friend when their other option is sneaking into the Hospital Wing in the dark of night?"
Bakura sweatdropped. "Heh, won't even go there…"
And with that, Dumbledore swept out of the room.
Bakura just held Diana silently for a few minutes, and the two only pulled out of the hug at the sound of the opening door.
"Dare-kun!" three voices shouted together.
"You're okay!" two more exclaimed.
Yugi, Seto, Marik, Hermione and Ron came running into the Hospital Wing and sat around Diana's bed.
She smiled at them. "Hey, guys."
"We've been so worried about you!" Hermione said, "I mean, Harry woke up a day ago, but you looked like you were… like you were…"
"Dead?" Diana laughed, "That's what I told Bakura. I always end up looking like that when I sleep, you never noticed?"
Hermione blushed. "No…"
There was an slightly amused silence, and Diana then changed the subject.
"Who's in the lead for the House Cup?"
"Slytherin, of course," Marik muttered, crossing his arms, "Not like I'm happy about it…"
"We were trampled in the Gryffindor-Slytherin Quidditch match without Harry," Ron sighed, "Gryffindor's probably in last place…but at least the food will be good."
Madame Pomfrey didn't want Harry and Diana to go down to the end-of-the-year feast, but Dumbledore had insisted they'd go, so she reluctantly let them.
The two of them headed over to the Great Hall (which was decorated in green and silver Slytherin banners), and when they entered, there was a sudden hush. A second later, everyone started talking again, but Diana and Harry didn't feel any less awkward as they sat down and the students began standing up and craning their necks to look at them.
Fortunately, Dumbledore waved for silence a few moments later, and the talking died away.
"Another year, gone!" Dumbledore said cheerfully, "And what a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are a little fuller than when you arrived…but you have the whole summer to get them nice and empty before next year begins…
"Now, as I understand it, the House Cup needs awarding, and the points stand thus: Gryffindor, with 312 points; Hufflepuff with 402 points; Ravenclaw with 466 points; and Slytherin with 502 points."
Cheering and stamping broke out at the Slytherin table. Draco Malfoy banged his goblet on the table, and Diana felt like she was going to be sick. Marik looked like he felt the same way.
"Yes, yes, well done, Slytherin," Dumbledore said through the cheering, "However, recent events must be taken into account…and I have some last minute points to award."
The Slytherins' smiles faded a little. Diana's eyes widened.
"First…to Mr. Ronald Weasley…"
Ron went as red as a radish, and mouthed at Diana, "Me?"
"You!" Diana mouthed back in excitement.
"…for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen these many years, I award Gryffindor house 50 points."
The Gryffindors began clapping, and Diana could hear Percy close by telling the prefects, "That's my brother! My youngest brother beat McGonagall's chess set!"
Diana took out a piece of parchment and began writing down the House Points for each house and adding Ron's addition:
Gryffindor: 362
Hufflepuff: 402
Ravenclaw: 466
Slytherin: 502
At last, there was silence again, and Dumbledore continued.
"Second…to Miss Hermione Granger…for using her knowledge of the environment when in a sticky situation…50 points to Gryffindor."
Hermione buried her face in her hands; Diana suspected she had burst into tears. All the Gryffindors were cheering now, even if they were only in third place.
Gryffindor: 402
Hufflepuff: 402
Ravenclaw: 466
Slytherin: 502
"Third…to Mr. Ryou Bakura…for putting two-and-two together to save a life from death, and for tremendous loyalty to a friend in need…I award Hufflepuff house 50 points."
The Hufflepuff table cheered. Some of them were hugging Ryou, who looked like he was going to faint.
Gryffindor: 402
Hufflepuff: 452
Ravenclaw: 466
Slytherin: 502
"Fourth…to Mr. Seto Kaiba…for cleverness with oneself, as well as with words…50 points to Ravenclaw."
The Ravenclaws had their own excitement fest, and Seto had his own turn of hugging. They were in first place!
Gryffindor: 402
Hufflepuff: 452
Ravenclaw: 516
Slytherin: 502
"Fifth…to Mr. Yugi Mutou…for the display of courageous values and the willingness to try something over again…I award Gryffindor 50 points."
The Gryffindors were all hugging Yugi or ruffling his pointy hair, and Yugi grinned widely. He had barely ever won points for Gryffindor before.
Gryffindor: 452
Hufflepuff: 452
Ravenclaw: 516
Slytherin: 502
"Sixth…to Mr. Harry Potter…for pure nerve and for rushing to his friends' aid when in peril…50 points to Gryffindor."
The Gryffindors were beside themselves with excitement. Gryffindor was tied with Slytherin for second place!
Gryffindor: 502
Hufflepuff: 452
Ravenclaw: 516
Slytherin: 502
"Next…to Mr. Marik Ishtar…"
Everyone froze. Marik almost felt his heart stop.
"…for musical know-how and helping other destinies go on their way…I award Slytherin house 50 points."
The Slytherins were cheering like a large group of kids would for a circus. Some of the Slytherins were actually shaking Marik's hand, much to his displeasure.
Gryffindor: 502
Hufflepuff: 452
Ravenclaw: 516
Slytherin: 552
"Onward…to Miss Diana Randall…for quick thinking and first-class loyalty to her family and friends…50 points to Gryffindor."
The Gryffindor table began jumping up and down, yelling and cheering. Slytherin and Gryffindor were tied for first place!
Gryffindor: 552
Hufflepuff: 452
Ravenclaw: 516
Slytherin: 552
Dumbledore raised his hand, and everyone was quiet. If he had any more points to award, it might decide the House Cup.
"Finally…there are all kinds of courage. It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies…but a great deal more to stand up to your friends. I therefore award 10 points to Neville Longbottom of Gryffindor House."
Gryffindor: 562
Hufflepuff: 452
Ravenclaw: 516
Slytherin: 552
The Gryffindor table exploded. Neville, white with shock, disappeared under a pile of people hugging him. Diana actually glomped Harry, and their cheers and shouts mingled together with similar ones from Hermione, Ron and the Japanese boys.
"Which means," Dumbledore called over the cheers, "A change of decoration is in order."
Dumbledore clapped his hands, and the green hangings became red, the silver became gold and the large Slytherin serpent was replaced by a towering Gryffindor lion.
Snape was shaking McGonagall's hand with a forced smile on his face, but when Diana caught his eye, she knew at once that his feelings toward her and Harry hadn't changed a bit, and frankly, she didn't blame him.
This evening was one of the best Diana had ever known or would know, and she never, ever forgot it.
Exams came back, and almost everyone passed. Even Goyle passed, much to everyone's surprise and displeasure.
The students boarded the Hogwarts Express with everything they had ever owned; the Japanese boys and the British kids shared a compartment with slight difficulty, but they had fun all the way up to the moment they arrived at King's Cross Station.
The students went out in groups as not to disturb the Muggles, and on the other side of the platform, Yugi spoke.
"You guys have to visit us this summer. We're gonna get lonely without all that magic stuff…"
Ron laughed. "Sure. Or maybe you guys can come and visit us."
"Ron, c'mon!" Fred called.
"Coming!" he said, running over to his brothers and yelling behind him to his friends, "See you this summer, guys!"
"Sayonara, Ron-kun!" Marik yelled after him.
"We better get going too," Seto said, checking his watch, "Our plane leaves in a couple of minutes."
Hermione and Diana gave the Japanese boys each a hug goodbye, before the Japanese exchanges started off.
"Hey, Bakura!" Diana yelled after him, "We've got to plan some pranks on Malfoy this summer!"
"You bet!" the Tomb Robber yelled back.
"Count me in too!" added Marik.
"Do you really think a broken jaw would be enough punishment?" Yugi smirked, "No way in hell is Malfoy safe from our wrath!"
Diana watched her friends leave the station until they finally dropped out of sight. That wasn't the only thing that made her look away, though…
"Diana!"
Diana turned to see her aunt running toward her.
Gwen gave her niece a hug and asked, "So? How was school?"
Diana grinned. "Oh…nothing out of the ordinary…"
Kitty: I'm…done… (faints)
Yugi: Congrats, Kitty. Now…if you all will excuse me, I must set up our Bash-Malfoy party in here. (picks up the decorating supplies and starts setting up the snack table with Atem)
Kitty: (wakes up and types on her computer) Yay, eight reviews! And the first is from trivial queen. (smiles) True enough. And voila! I have finished!
Lina: To Engie. (grins) Always nice to know you're reading, girl.
Kitty: (glomps her friend) I can't wait 'til we can spend more time together in California! (gives a 'peace' sign)
Diana: Next is lilyqueen777.
Kitty: (smiles) Thanks for understanding. And yeah, this one is a keeper. I don't think I could bear deleting this idea again (I had once posted it without the YGO chars: DISASTER).
Kara: Next…SGCred!
Kitty: Hey Claire! (eyes turn to flames) I HATE those bitches. (grabs Yugi while he's putting up streamers) STAY AWAY FROM MY BOYFRIEND!
Yugi: Kitty, I need to put up the streamers.
Kitty: (glares) Promise me you'll be faithful first!
Yugi: I will never lay a single fond finger on either Rebecca nor Tea, as I find them both unbearable little bitches like you do.
Kitty: (nods and lets go) Anyway…I read the chapters, and I love them both! (gives Claire a hug)
Lina: And now…Meanae the Thorn. (nods grimly) Quirrel deserves to get burned.
Kitty: Hello, Trigun. (glomps the flamethrower) Wanna play with me and Quirrel?
Quirrel: EEP! (jumps under Kitty's bed)
Kitty: (pouts) Bring Trigun when you come to the Bash-a-thon, will ya? (evil grin) Then we can burn Malfoy together!
Malfoy: EEP! (jumps under Kitty's bed too)
Lina: (grabs Malfoy by his robes and swings him up into the air until he gets caught on Kitty's chandelier)
Malfoy: (struggles to get down) LET ME GO, FILTHY MUDBLOODS!
Yugi: (eyes turn to flames) WHAT DID YOU CALL KITTY???
Malfoy: (scared) EEP! Uh…nothing! Nothing!
Lina: (sweatdrop) Next review.
Kitty: Rainbow Guardian Angel. (grins) Yeah, Harry did a good job with Quirrel, didn't ya, Harry?
Harry: (smiles sheepishly)
Diana: Heh, I barely did anything but piss old Voldie off.
Yugi: (blushes) Hey, I had to say something to that good-for-nothing son of a bitch. He killed Harry's parents and Dare's mom, for crying out loud!
Kara: And next… dragon shadows.
Kitty: I know. I was just experimenting with more Egyptian-like materials, that's all. But thanks for the praise. (smiles)
Diana: Last but not least is Rainbow Guardian Angel's second review!
Kitty: (crying next to the computer)
Yugi: Neko-chan…?
Kitty: WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!
Yugi: Oh, no. She mentioned my "disappearance."
Kitty: (continues crying) YUUUUGGGGIIII! NOOOOOOO!
Yugi: (puts his arms around her) It's okay, darling, it's okay.
Kitty: (sniff) Don't leave me…don't leave me…
Yugi: Shh… (kisses her cheek) Calm down, Kitty, I'm here.
Kitty: (wipes her tears away) Thanks, Yugi, I needed that.
Lina: I'm going to kill Raphael for tricking Atem into playing the Seal of Orikalkos! And Dartz for his stupid plot! And Rex and Weevil because they're way too annoying FOR WORDS! (growls)
Marik: They are rather pathetic.
Kitty: (clears her throat) Anyway… (smiles) Thanks for the support, you two. Hope you enjoy the Bash-a-thon!
Atem: (examines the room) Everything's set up. All we need now is the lovely bash-Malfoy reviews! (grins at Malfoy on the chandelier)
Kitty: In your review, tell us what you would like to do to Malfoy, and you will be invited to participate in the annual Malfoy Bash-a-thon!