To coolone007-2 and ReginaLucifer my faithful reviewers: I assure you that in chapter 17, Harry will be hanging out with Ron and Hermione again. Or at least talking to them. Sorry to make it take so long for them to talk.

The-Boy-Who-Lived-Again...

Chapter Sixteen

Harry continued his walk towards the high table. He was only vaguely aware of the applause coming from the various people in the room. He walked slowly up the four stairs that lead to the platform. When Dumbledore extended his hand, Harry shook it.

"I, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, proud Headmaster of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry, present you, Harold Davison with an award for services to the school." Dumbledore handed him a heavy gold trophy. Harry thanked him and stepped over to the Minister. Harry held the trophy under his left arm, so that he could still shake hands.

The Fudge offered his hand and Harry shook it. "Before I present this badge to our young student here, I would like to read a speech that I have prepared."

A groan went off throughout the room. Cornelius pulled a roll of parchment from his pocket and let it unravel towards the floor. It was almost four feet long.

"Today is a great day for Wizardkind. A dark wizard has been taken down by the hands of a mere student." Harry rolled his eyes. "May this be a real testament to the dark lord's power." Harry raised an eyebrow at this.

'What the heck is he talking about.' He thought.

"If all the dark wizard's servants are weaker than seventh year students, then we have a real hope to win this war!" Harry started to glare at Fudge. Fudge didn't notice. Other students in the room were glaring as well.

"We already had a hope!" One Gryffindor Harry had never seen before shouted.

"YEAH!" many students in the hall yelled.

Dumbledore was beaming proudly down at the students.

"FURTHERMORE!" Fudge continued loudly. "Umm..." Fudge looked at his speech but couldn't make out what it said. His sweating hands had smudged the ink.

"Just give him the medal already!" a Slytherin shouted.

"YEAH!" Another shouted

"WE WANNA EAT! WE WANNA EAT! WE WANNA EAT!" people started chanting.

"Yes, right, umm... Here's your Order of Merlin. Second class. Bye. I must go!" Cornelius walked out the back exit of the hall. Or more accurately ran.

Harry looked at the badge. It was blank with the exception of the design around the top and the words Order of Merlin: Second class, presented to: and the rest was blank. Harry realized that his name would go there. (Obviously.)

Harry slipped the badge into his pocket.

"Headmaster? Where can I set this while I eat?" Harry asked, indicating the trophy.

"I know!" Dumbledore replied. "Argus, take Harry's trophy to the trophy room."

Filch came up and took the trophy and went off muttering about death and chaos.

"Now then." Dumbledore said, and the room quieted. "Let's eat."

The food bowls magically filled and everyone started eating. Harry made as if to walk off the platform and go to the Slytherin table. Dumbledore stopped him. "Where are you going?" Dumbledore asked. "You're supposed to eat with us."

"Oh." Harry replied. "I didn't know."

"It's all right." Dumbledore said, patting a seat between him and McGonnagal that hadn't been there moments before. "Come now."

Harry went over and sat.

"Harry." Dumbledore whispered, "The pumpkin juice and the soup in your bowls and cups have concealment charms on them. It's actually blood."

"Thanks." Harry whispered back. "I appreciate it."

Dumbledore winked at him. Harry smiled back and started to eat his "soup."

Once the food was finished, Dumbledore tapped his glass for attention.

"Well, since everyone is all dressed up, why don't we have a dance?" He suggested.

Many people cheered at the suggestion. Others groaned.

"Any who do not wish to participate may go. The rest of you," Dumbledore waved his wand, pushing the tables to the edges of the hall. "Enjoy yourselves."

A/n: That chapter was for you Steve, seeing as you don't like it when I use cliffhangers.