It was all over the school.
Harry killed Quirrel and once again, thwarted Voldemort.
It was disgusting.
Haylin was miserable all through the next day. She pretended she was happy when Hermione or Ron spoke to her but other than that, she never smiled.
I wonder where he's gone now. Haylin thought to herself. She half hoped he was as far away from her as humanly possible (that was her mother's half) but the other half wanted him back. Wanted to prove that Harry Potter wasn't as great as everybody thought.
"I'm sorry, Haylin," Neville said during Potions. "I tried to stop them. I pretended to be the old me and everything. Going on about how they'd get Gryffindor in trouble and all that but Hermione just put a spell on me, apologised for having to do so and walked off. I'm sorry," he said again before returning to his work.
Snape seemed less afraid of her, knowing that her father wasn't anywhere close by but she didn't care. Because she knew that she still had her father's wand and that at any time, she could scare him like nothing else could.
oOoOoOoOo
The Great Hall was decorated with green and silver, to celebrate that they had won the House Cup. Haylin smiled then. Harry was now miserable and blaming himself for losing. And all around her, her friends were celebrating. She gently touched the locket around her neck and smiled. It felt good having her mother with her at his point.
Then Dumbledore stood up to speak.
"Another year gone!" he said cheerfully. "And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are a little fuller than they were … you have the whole summer ahead to go and get them nice and empty before the next year starts… Now, as I understand it, the house cup here needs awarding and the placing stands thus. In fourth place, Gryffindor; in third place, Hufflepuff; in second place, Ravenclaw. And the winner of the House cup is Slytherin."
Immediately loud cheers erupted from the Slytherin table.
"Yes, yes, well done Slytherin," said Dumbledore. "However, recent events must be taken into account."
Haylin moaned. She stopped listening because she knew that Dumbledore was going to give Gryffindor just enough points to beat Slytherin. Sure enough, just ten minutes later, the Gryffindor table exploded with cheers. Haylin smacked her head on the table several times before Janaya finally stopped her.
"Enjoy the feast everyone, get a goodnights sleep and I shall see you all next year!" Dumbledore said and immediately, the plates filled with delicious food.
Haylin's friends cheered her up enough to get her to eat something, but she didn't stuff herself like usual, although, as she realised later in bed that night, she probably should have considering the food at the orphanage.
oOoOoOoOo
The next day, Haylin got off the train and walked through the barrier to Kings Cross station. She was wearing the dress that Draco had given her for Christmas and the cardigan Mrs. Weasley had given her.
"Hello Haylin!" came a cherry voice beside her. Haylin turned to see, none other than, Mrs. Weasley. "I see you like your cardigan," she said smiling.
Haylin smiled back. "I love it, thank you," Haylin said.
"Haylin!" another voice called. Haylin looked around to see who was calling her and saw Mr. Crouch walking towards her.
"Mr. Crouch!" Mrs Weasley cried. "Is Haylin staying with you?"
Mr. Crouch suddenly looked uncomfortable. "No she's um, going back to the orphanage," he said.
Mrs. Weasley immediately turned red in anger.
"She's what!" she cried.
"Mrs. Weasley she cannot stay at my house! It is not the place for a child. I'm never at home and she cannot be alone," Mr. Crouch replied defensively.
"Then she will stay at the Burrow, with us," Mrs. Weasley said fiercely. Haylin had the greatest urge to put her hand up and say 'Hello, still here' but she held her tongue, feeling that it was not the time to interrupt.
"She…what?" Mr. Crouch said, confused.
"That's right, I am going to take her home for the summer," Mrs Weasley said, now calm.
Haylin brightened up. "Oh could I?"
Mrs Weasley smiled. "Of course, dear," she said, and then looked at Mr. Crouch for confirmation. He nodded meekly.
"Hey, what's going on?" Ron said as he appeared from behind his mother.
"Apparently, I'm staying at your house for the summer," Haylin said. Ron smiled.
"Cool," he said. And helped Haylin take her bags to the blue car that was parked nearby.
Haylin couldn't stop grinning.
I'm a witch, I can talk to animals and I'm not going back to the orphanage for ages! Maybe my life doesn't suck as bad as I thought it did!
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
AN: Yup, that's the end of The Riddle. If you like it, keep your eyes peeled for the sequel!
R&R folks!
