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Part 22
Erin sat down next to Harry in the Great Hall for the feast that Dumbledore had put together. Everyone was there and everyone was happy Dumbledore was back and that the people were unpetrified. "Harry!" Neville exclaimed. "It's Hermione!"
The three of them looked up suddenly and their smiled said it all. All three of them stood up. Hermione ran to them from the doors and threw her arms around Erin. "You did it! I knew you would! You followed the clues!"
"Yes, I was just a little slower on the uptake…"
"From what Donovan told me I'm not surprised." She laughed and then hugged Harry. She let go and reached for Ron, but both of them just suddenly looked at each other.
"Uh…uh…uh…" Ron seemed to have lost the ability to speak. "Well, welcome back, Hermione." Ron said shaking her hand.
Harry and Erin looked at each other smiling. They both knew what was going on. "It's good to be back." Hermione said.
Dumbledore stood and the four of them sat back down. "Welcome back to all of those who have been successfully administered the Mandrake Draught thanks to Professor Sprout and Madam Pomfrey." There was clapping and yelling. "And as a school treat all exams have been cancelled." Only Hermione seemed dismayed at this announcement. "And now—"
The doors to the Great Hall opened and the four of them were smiling again. "Sorry, I'm late." Hagrid said striding down the aisle between the tables. "The owl with my release papers got all lost and confused. Some ruddy bird called Errol." Harry, Hermione and Erin looked at Ron who went pink. Hagrid stopped in front of the four of them. "I just want to thank you, Harry and Ron and Hermione, of course. If it weren't for you I would still be you know where, so I just want to say thanks." He turned to Erin who was looking a little hurt. "And I especially wanted to thank you." He said tears forming in his eyes. "You never once believed I was capable of any of it and you knew me so well that you knew I could never let a child be hurt. Thank you." Erin stood up and threw her arms around him. And then Harry, Ron and Hermione also did the same thing.
"There's no Hogwarts without you, Hagrid." Harry said.
"Welcome home." Erin said.