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Epilog
Going home?
Draco was going to enjoy the end of year feast, especially since the Great Hall was bedecked in Slytherin silver and green. From across the room, he could see his friends Harry, Ron and Hermione at the Gryffindor table, looking sullen and gloomy. Draco knew the reasons, not only were they worried about Faykan, who still hadn't been released from the Hospital Wing, but they knew they were the ones responsible for Slytherin's victory of the house cup.
When a sudden hush fell over the entire school, Draco and many other people's heads turned to the door to the entrance hall. Faykan had appeared, looking very tired and most of his body was still wrapped in bandages and salves for his injuries. Apparently Dumbledore had pulled some strings with the hospital matron to let him attend the feast. Harry Ron and Hermione looked like they were about to rush Faykan and tackle him in their joy at seeing him awake, but at that moment Dumbledore stood and started his end of year speech, which allowed Faykan to slip silently into a seat between Harry and Ron.
"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..."
"Now, as I understand it, the house cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus: In fourth place, Gryffindor, with three hundred and twelve points; in third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty two points; second, Ravenclaw with four hundred and twenty six points; and in first place, Slytherin, with four hundred and seventy two points."
Draco cheered with the rest of Slytherin house. Down the table from him, Nott was banging his goblet on the table, sneering toward Harry, Faykan and the other Gryffindors. Even Draco felt a little sick watching him.
"Yes, Yes, well done, Slytherin," said Dumbledore. "However, recent events must be taken into account."
The room went very still. Some of the Slytherins' smiles faded a little. Draco was watching the Headmaster whose eyes were twinkling.
"Ahem," said Dumbledore. "I have a few last minute points to dish out. Let me see. Yes... "First to Misters Ronald Weasley, and Draco Malfoy..."
Draco went pale; he looked over at Ron, who looked like he was turning into a radish.
"...for the best played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award
Gryffindor and Slytherin house fifty points each."
The cheers from the student nearly raised the bewitched ceiling; the stars overhead seemed to quiver. Percy could be heard telling the other prefects, "My brother, you know! My youngest brother! He got past McGonagall's giant chess set!" Fred and George could be seen forcing the golden crown Faykan had transfigured back onto Ron's head.
At last there was silence again.
"Second to Miss Hermione Granger... for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."
Hermione buried her face in her arms; Draco strongly suspected she had burst into tears. Gryffindors up and down the table were beside themselves, they were a fifty points up.
"Third to Mr. Faykan Undol…" Dumbledore continued. "For the will to be a beacon of strength when others were in grave peril, I award Gryffindor House fifty points."
Faykan just smiled up at Dumbledore, before some foolish Gryffindor slapped him on the back and he almost fell off his chair, apparently the burns were still rather raw. The Gryffindors were going mad with their cheers; they were now one hundred points up.
"Fourth… to Mr. Harry Potter..." said Dumbledore. The room went deadly quiet, "for pure nerve and outstanding courage; I award Gryffindor house sixty points."
The din was deafening. Those who could add up while yelling themselves hoarse knew that Gryffindor now had five hundred and twenty two points, exactly the same as Slytherin. They had tied for the house cup… if only Dumbledore had given Harry just one more point.
Dumbledore raised his hand. The room gradually fell silent.
"There are all kinds of courage," said Dumbledore, smiling. "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom."
The Hall exploded, Draco and the Slytherins didn't clap, but internally he was very happy for his friends. Nott looked like Christmas had been cancelled, the look of horror on his face almost made Draco laugh out loud. The cup didn't matter to him anymore. The cheers from Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw tables were dwarfed by the roars of delight coming from the Gryffindor table. Neville had disappeared under a pile of people congratulating him with slaps to the back, hugs from girls, and handshakes.
"Which means," Dumbledore called over the storm of applause, which died down as the Headmaster spoke. "Assuming my calculations are correct, a change of decorations is in order."
He clapped his hands. In an instant, the green hangings became scarlet and the silver became gold; the huge Slytherin serpent vanished and a towering Gryffindor lion took its place. Draco looked at Harry; his friend looked like he was having the time of his life. And for him, Draco was very glad.
~~Sina tea kirma : This is a line break~~
The last few days of the school year were the best Harry could have hoped for. He completely forgot about the exam results until they were handed out by Professor McGonagall. Harry and Ron both had passed with good marks, Draco had done better, and Hermione had the best grades of the first years, but only barley beating Faykan, whose bad History of Magic essay was the only reason he wasn't first in the class "But Binns' nonsense is all inaccurate!" he complained loudly, but his heart was clearly not into his argument, as he finally just let it go.
Before Harry realized it, they were speeding back to muggle London on the Hogwarts Express, the teachers had passed them all notes to inform them that magic was not to be used outside of school (Faykan had ignored his, and Harry had a suspicion that he might get into major trouble over the summer) As they all changed back into the muggle clothes, Draco almost had almost choked on his Every Flavored Beans when he saw the tattoos Faykan sported on his back, which made them all laugh loudly.
Finally it was time, as Harry, Ron, Hermione and Faykan exited the barrier back to the muggle world, Harry could see Ron's family waiting for them.
"There he is, Mum, there he is, look!"
It was Ginny Weasley, Ron's younger sister, but she wasn't pointing at Ron.
"Harry Potter!" she squealed. "Look, Mum! I can see…"
"Be quiet, Ginny, and it's rude to point."
Mrs. Weasley smiled down at them.
"Busy year?" she said.
"Very," said Harry. "Thanks for the fudge and the sweater, Mrs. Weasley."
Faykan merely smiled as Mrs. Weasley looked between them all.
"Oh, it was nothing, dear."
Ron finally turned to Harry, Faykan and Hermione, before his family left, "You must come and stay this summer," said Ron, "all three of you… I'll send you each an owl." He called as he rushed to catch up with his family.
The Dursleys hadn't come to collect Harry, but Hermione's parents graciously offered to drop Harry and Faykan at Privet drive, which they accepted. As Harry and Faykan walked up to the door, they turned back to wave as the Grangers drove off, and Faykan finally told Harry "Oh by the way, let me handle the Dursleys, there are going to be some pretty big changes this summer." Harry only grinned as they reached the door and rang the doorbell…
So comes the end of A New Player: Year One… Stay tuned for Year Two: Secrets and Speakers, which will be posted as a seprate story.