A/N: Thank you for all your lovely reviews. I'm glad somebody out there is reading. I know you've been waiting, so here it is, the final chapter of GOOD NEWS AT HOGWARTS. I will be starting a new story very soon, so keep a look out.
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The End and A New Beginning
The Great Hall was lavishly decorated for the dance that night. All the tables had been removed to make room for the dance floor. The chairs were placed against the wall while the head table was transformed into a rather long buffet table. Ribbons and balloons were seen from every corner of the room. No doubt, the theme was red and gold tonight, a proper show of Gryffindor victory. Students from all the houses (even the Slytherins), were enjoying themselves immensely, eating, dancing and socializing the night away.
As Harry entered the Great Hall, donned in a sharp dark green formal, a group of chattering girls swarm around him with congratulatory praise. He politely thanked them before slipping away to look for a certain brown-haired librarian.
Meanwhile, Dean was also being swarmed by a group of girls. Enjoying his fifteen minutes of fame, he enthusiastically recalled the highlights of today's match.
"So, after just narrowing escaping that bludger aimed directly at my head, I turned around just in time to see Flint glaring—"
"HEY! HEY!" Ginny yelled at the girls as she made her way through them, "I got squatter's rights!"
"All right, break it up, girls." Dean grinned at her, "Come here woman," he commanded with a playful tone, "and kiss me."
Ginny threw her arms around him and leaned in. He snaked his hands around her waist and the two shared a passionate kiss. Dean looked up confidently, "Where's Ron?" he asked, still grinning, "I'm going to show him I'm not afraid of him." He called out, "Hey Ron! Are you looking!"
Ron however, was too busy to look. He was on the dance floor, lip locking with our favorite dark-haired vixen.
"Wow," he said, looking deep into Cho's eyes. I used to think I have a mother fixation," Ron confessed, "You're not a bit like her," he beamed, "I like you better."
"Oh Ron," Cho smiled back as they swayed along the dance floor, "You're so sweet."
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"Do you think he's here?" Hermione asked as she and Professor Vector entered the castle. She was wearing the same breathtaking periwinkle dress that never made it to the last dance.
"Of course he is," Professor Vector replied.
"I can't understand why he didn't at least send me an owl," said Hermione remorsefully.
"Don't forget, he's still under the impression that you don't like him," Vector reminded her, "But after you are in there for five minutes, you'll be in each other's arms."
A smile formed across Hermione's face, "Do you really think so?"
Vector nodded with assurance. As they reached the doors that led into the Great Hall, the Professor stopped suddenly.
"Oh, Malfoy!" she called to the blonde figure who was also making a late appearance to the dance.
Malfoy, dressed with the best money can buy, tracked over to them.
"Would you mind taking Ms. Granger into the dance?" she asked nonchalantly, "I'll be right back. I have to get something from my room."
"I'd be delighted," Malfoy replied, offering his arm to Hermione.
"Thank you, Draco," said Vector.
The two students entered the Great Hall and onto the dance floor. Hermione, feeling slightly awkward in Malfoy's arms, scanned around the room looking for a certain raven-haired Gryffindor.
"You just look adorable tonight," Draco told her as they danced.
Hermione chuckled awkwardly, "Why Draco," she said, her eyes still roaming about the room.
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Harry was sulking in one of the chairs against the wall when he suddenly spotted Hermione on the dance floor.
"Malfoy!" he scowled.
Seated beside him was Seamus. "Who'd you expect her to come with," he said, slightly amused, "Dumbledore?"
"Oh, I don't know what to expect," Harry muttered dejectedly as he rose from his chair, "I'm going home."
Out on the dance floor, Hermione finally noticed Harry. Her heart leaped as she saw him walk across the Great Hall. She was about to let go of Draco until she realized that he was not heading towards them. She frowned as her eyes watched him leave the room.
Harry marched angrily out of the castle. But before he could take another step, Professor Vector appeared out of nowhere.
"Potter," she said, blocking his path. She looked as though she had been expecting him.
"Yes, Professor."
"Where are you rushing off to?" Vector asked casually.
"I'm going home," he answered, his face devoid of emotion.
"Isn't it a bit early?"
"Yes, Professor," Harry responded.
"Well, I don't think you should leave so soon," she told him, "I think there's someone inside looking for you."
He glanced over at the door, "Who?"
"Hermione Granger to be exact," she replied.
"I think you might be mistaken Professor," Harry forced out a weak chuckle, "She can't stand the sight of me." He tried stepping around her, but the teacher moved too, prohibiting him to pass.
"So you're going home?" Vector repeated, "You're just leaving?" She shook her head disappointedly, "Sinking away like Napoleon from Waterloo."
Harry lowered his head, avoiding eye contact.
"Did you speak to her?" she asked. Harry remained quiet. "You didn't even speak to her?" she asked again, her tone slightly higher. "For Merlin's sake Potter, what's the matter with you? You don't do this in Quidditch. When you think it's a losing battle, you try harder!" Vector reprimanded, "You don't give up. How do you know she doesn't love you?" she added, "You've got to…you've got to...what is it your coach always say?" she snapped her fingers, "You've got to…?"
"Get in there— " Harry began to say.
"Yes!" Vector cried, "Get in there and fight!"
He looked at the door again before smiling gratefully at his French teacher.
"Good luck," she said, patting him on the back.
"Thank you Professor," With that, Harry Potter made his way back into the Great Hall. However, this time, he was unable to find Hermione anywhere. Malfoy was still on the dance floor, but this time with another girl in his arms. He grinned as he saw Ginny and Dean, also out on the dance floor with their arms around each other and completely oblivious to anything else.
Harry walked over to them and tapped on Ginny's shoulder. "Hey, Ginny, have you seen Hermione?"
"Hmmmm..?" she replied with her eyes closed.
"Hermione," Harry repeated, "Do you know where she is?"
Ginny finally took notice and snapped out of her trance. "She was here a moment ago," she answered, now looking around the room.
"Maybe she went home," Dean suggested.
"Well, she didn't leave the castle," he said, "I would've seen her. Any idea where she would go?"
"I'm not sure," Ginny tried to think, "I would say the library, but it's closed."
"Thanks anyway," Harry replied, putting on a smirk, "I'll leave the two of you alone."
He dashed out of the Great Hall before the girls tried to encircle him again. "Where could she be?" he muttered to himself as he paced about. His mind drifted to Hermione and the first night at the library. He found these thoughts comforting. It made him calm and happy. Then, suddenly, it hits him, and instantly he knew where she could be.
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From the Astronomy tower, Hermione gazed up towards the stars, preoccupied with only one thing on her mind. The sound of the door creaking interrupted her thoughts. Startled, she turned around and saw him.
"Hermione," Harry managed to say.
"Oh, it's you," Hermione responded in an almost offhand way, "I thought you went home," She turned her gaze back to the sky.
He tilted his head curiously, "How did you know?"
"Somebody told me," she answered simply.
"I almost did," Harry added. He walked over and stood besides her, pretending to observe the sky himself.
"What stopped you?" she inquired.
"Nothing stopped me," Harry crossed his arms, a little put off because she refused to give him any eye contact, "I'm leaving now."
"This was a pretty round about way of getting there," she remarked, "Where are you going now?"
"Where am I going?" He barked in frustration, "I'm going home! Where do people generally go?"
"Home." she sighed.
Harry turned his head, his voice softened, "Are you staying?"
Hermione flashed a smile on her face, "Oh yes. I'm having a lovely time," she told him merrily.
But her cheerfulness only fuelled his aggravation, "So WHY don't you go back to the dance?" He demanded.
"I like it up here. It's utterly delightful up here," she snapped back angrily, "And besides, no one's going to tell me where to go! Why don't YOU go back to the dance?" She glared at him.
"I'm leaving," Harry reminded her, staring back with the same determination, "I don't HAVE to go back!"
"Well then," she shouted right into his face, "WHY DON'T YOU LEAVE?"
"BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!" he yelled back, fixing his eyes on her with great intensity.
Hermione was definitely caught off guard for that one. She hid her reaction well. Her expression was unreadable. Of all the times Harry has disappointed her, she had grown wearily of believing he was sincere. She turned away from him and uttered, "That's a ridiculous thing to say."
"Well, I said it," he mumbled, examining his shoes.
"I'm glad," Hermione said in a soft whisper. Harry couldn't see, but she has a huge grin on her face.
"What?" Harry looked up. He wanted to make sure he heard correctly.
Hermione removed her grin and faced him, "I said I'm glad!"
Now it's Harry's turn to be surprised, "Oh you are?"
She gave him an assuring smile, "Yes."
Harry beamed happily, his manner no longer rough, "Well, in that case, I've got a lot of things to say."
"For instance?" she asked.
"Remember the day in the library when you gave me the French lesson?" Harry asked.
Hermione nodded.
Harry reached for her hands and held them close to him, "Well, there are loads of things you could teach me," Now penetrating deep into her eyes, "And that's the way I want it to be." He took out the enchanted ring from his pocket. "I love you, Hermione," he slipped the ring onto her finger, "I can't imagine living my life without you."
Tears of joy were streaming down Hermione's face, "I love you too Harry," she sniffed, wrapping her arms around him.
Harry held onto her tightly. Tilting her chin up with one hand, he leaned in and gently kissed her. The kiss grew more and more passionate as their tongues danced in their mouths. Finally, they broke off for air.
Hermione snuggled into his chest, enjoying the rhythm of his heartbeat, "By the way, how did you know where I was?"
"It was a hunch," he replied, chuckling, "I recalled first day in the library when we talked about Huck Finn and the canoe, you mentioned how you used to love looking up at the stars and thinking about all the people thinking about them in different languages. So, I thought, what better place at Hogwarts than this?"
She looked up into the eyes of the man she loves, "You remembered that?" she whispered in astonishment.
"Hermione," Harry caressed her cheek, "It's always been you."
The End
A/N: Well, that's it then. I'll leave it to your own imagination of what happens next. I know there isn't development in regards to Ron or Cho, but seriously, who cares? Hope you guys liked the story. Please drop a review. Like I said, I will be starting a new fic shortly.