7th June 1992

"HARRY!" Alexandra shrieked, "MADAM POMFREY WOULDN'T LET ME IN, SHE SAID I WAS TOO LOUD AND DISRUPTIVE! IN FACT SHE BANNED ME!" she said as she flung her arms around him.

"You did try and bring firecrackers Alex." said Hermione, waiting for her turn to talk to Harry.

"He wasn't waking up! What was I supposed to do?" Alex pouted.

"Where'd you get the firecrackers from?" asked Harry curiously.

"Zonko's, it's a shop in Hogsmeade. The wizarding village? Only third years and above can visit, but noone ever did say anything about owling." the 11-year-old smiled devilishly.

"Remind me to never get on your bad side," laughed Harry as Ron joined them, excited Harry was out of the hospital wing.

Harry had just gotten out of the Hogwarts wing, in time for the end of year feast. He looked better than previously, though perhaps that was due to exams being cancelled along with lessons due to the excitement at the end of the year.

"Do you think the food'll be any different from the other feasts?" wondered Ron, "I'm hungry."

"Do you ever think of anything other than your stomach?" Alexandra mocked. Although, truth be told, she was quite hungry too.

However, the real question that played on every child's mind was:

'Who in merlin's knickers won the house cup'?

Nervous, yet excited, a shiver ran through Alexandra's body as Professor Dumbledore tapped his fork on his goblet, grabbing everyone's attention.

"Another year gone!" Dumbledore 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 all a little fuller than they were... you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts..."

He stopped, for dramatic effect. Was it a requirement for every member of Hogwarts to be so theatrical?

"Now, as I understand it the House Cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus: In fourth place, Gryffindor, with 312; in third, Hufflepuff, with 352; Ravenclaw has 426 and Slytherin, 472."

A loud shout erupted from the Gryffindor table, drowning out the cheers of the Slytherins.

"Yes, yes, well done, Slytherin. However, recent events must be taken into account."

To which Alexandra perked up.

"Ahem. I have a few last-minute points to dish out. Let me see. Yes... First - to Mr Ronald Weasley for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years. I award Gryffindor House 50 points."

Fred and George clapped him on the back and even Alexandra shouted a 'good job Ron!'

"Second - to Miss Hermione Granger...for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor House 50 points."

'50 more!' thought Alex, 'Merlin, good job Hermione!'

"Third - to Mr. Harry Potter...for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor House 40 points."

Stopping before revealing a shocking contender.

"There are all kinds of courage. It takes a great deal to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. "I therefore award 20 points to Mr. Neville Longbottom."

Alexandra waited with baited breath, what was their new total now? Weren't they equal with the Slytherins? If they lost by one point...

"Last but not least, I award Alexandra Potter 40 points for demonstrating the ability of compassion, and for performing spells most wizards will never be able to...Which means we need a little change of decoration."

The banners changed from Slytherin emerald to a bright Gryffindor maroon.

The cheers were deafening.

Though, 'It was rather cruel to get Slytherin's hopes up like that,' thought Alex. But that didn't stop her from cheering along.

Even the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws clapped politely.

And behind the teacher's desks, Pomona Sprout handed Minerva McGonagall, who had won their bet on which twin would win the house cup, 10 galleons.

Minerva would have to buy Albus some new socks, in gratitude for ordering his speech the way she had 'suggested'.