Chapter 5 – Surviving the Tests
"Lucky we didn't panic" Ron said as he stood up.
"Lucky Hope and Hermione pay attention in Herbology" Harry corrected.
"What's that sound" I asked, making everyone go silent.
"Sounds like wings" Harry replied. We walked up to the door and the noise got louder. When the door opened, I gasped. Hundreds of keys with wings were flying through the room.
"I've never seen birds like these" Hermione said, looking around.
"They're not birds, they're keys" I corrected.
"And I'll bet one of them fits that door" Harry added. We looked ahead and saw a broom floating in midair.
"What's this all about" Hermione asked.
"I don't know" Harry replied. Ron walked ahead with his wand out, and Hermione and I followed him.
"Alohamora" Ron tried at the door, with no luck.
"At least you tried" I told Ron. Hermione groaned.
"What are we going to do" she asked.
"There must be a thousand keys up there" I added.
"There, I see it" Harry shouted, pointing at a key with a crumpled wing.
"What" I asked when Harry hesitated to get on the broom.
"It's too simple" he said.
"Oh, go on Harry" Rom encouraged.
We made it quickly through the door after Harry got the key and slammed it shut after he flew in, just in time to heard hundreds of thuds as the keys flew into the closed door. We looked around as we moved into the next room and saw a giant chessboard.
"I don't like this" I said, feeling creeped out by the statues on the board. "It feels like a graveyard."
"It's not a graveyard, it's a chess board" Ron told us. Ron was the best of us at Wizards Chess and it was quickly decided that he would be the one to direct us.
"Wait a minute" Harry said, realising something. I looked between the boys and then Ron spoke.
"You realise Harry, once I make my move – the queen will take me. Then you're free to check the king" Ron told him. My eyes widened as I realised what that meant, Ron had to sacrifice himself for the rest of us to get to the next room.
"No" Harry said. "Ron no" he yelled.
"What is it" Hermione asked.
"He's going to sacrifice himself" I told her softly. She quickly turned to Ron.
"No you can't, there must be another way" she said.
"Do you wanna stop Snape from getting that Stone or not" Ron asked, turning on the knight to face her. "Harry, it's you that has to go on, you know it" Ron told his best friend. "Not me, not Hermione and not Hope, you." Harry finally nodded, and Ron turned back to face the queen.
"Be careful Ron" I told him. He took a deep breath and then directed the knight he was sitting on.
"Knight to H3" he called. The knight moved and we all waited on bated breath for what was about to happen. "Check" Ron said. I could se he was just as scared as the rest of us. The queen moved and took out the knight, knocking Ron to the floor.
"Ron" Harry called out. Hermione motioned to move.
"Hermione, no don't move" I called out, making her stop. "Don't forget, we're still playing" I warned. She moved back and nodded. We watched as Harry moved into position.
"Checkmate" he called. The sword dropped in front of him declaring the game was over and we all ran over to Ron's side.
"I'll take care of Ron, then get a message to Dumbledore. You two go on ahead" I told Harry and Hermione. "You might need her for another test, there's still my father's test; we've passed Professor Sprout's Snare, Professor Flitwick's keys, and Professor McGonagall's chess game. There's still the test my father put in, and you might need Hermione's help to get past it" I explained. Harry and Hermione nodded and then continued on through the next door.
"Wingardium Leviosa" I cast on Ron, making him float. I knew I couldn't carry him back through the keys, past the snare and up the trapdoor; he was too heavy. I made my way out and kept going until I bumped into Nearly-Headless Nick.
"What happened" he asked with concern.
"I need help, Ron's been hurt and Harry and Hermione are in trouble" I told him. "Can you get one of the Professors please" I asked, and he nodded quickly before leaving. He returned just moments later to tell me he woke Professor McGonagall and she was on her way. I carefully lowered Ron to the ground and sat beside him until the Professor arrived, and she wasn't alone. She had Dumbledore and my father with her.
"Hope, what happened" my father asked, kneeling down to check on me.
"Harry, Ron and Hermione thought you were the one trying to steal the Stone. I went down there with them to prove it wasn't you, but Ron got hurt in the chess game. Harry and Hermione are still down there, they might need help" I told him. Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall rushed inside while my father helped me get Ron to the hospital wing.
It was only a week later that we were having our final feast for the year before summer break. I walked into the Great Hall and sat with Susan and Hannah as normal, quickly waving hello to Fred, George and Neville before turning my attention to the food in front of me. There was a small chatter as Harry entered the Hall and soon Dumbledore got everyone's attention.
"Another year has gone, and now as I understand it; the house cup needs awarding, and the points stand thus: in fourth place, Gryffindor with 312 points. Third place, Hufflepuff with 352 points. In second place: Ravenclaw, with 426 points. And in first place, with 472 points, Slytherin house" Dumbledore announced. The Slytherin table roared in excitement whereas the other three houses grumbled in disappointment.
"Awesome" I heard Draco say as he smiled in mine and Harry's direction.
"Yes, yes, well done Slytherin. Well done Slytherin. However, recent events must be taken into account, and I have a few last-minute points to award" Dumbledore told us. "To Miss Hope Murphy, for the loyalty and protection of her friends: 50 points" Dumbledore announced, making the Hufflepuffs cheer, it was less of a loss to Ravenclaw: 24 points below instead of 74.
"I told you that Hufflepuff got a great student" Cedric called over to me, making me smile.
"To Miss Hermione Granger, for the cool use of intellect while others were in grave peril: 50 points" Dumbledore continued. "Second, to Mr. Ronald Weasley, for the best played game of chess that Hogwarts has seen these many years: 50 points. And third, to Mr. Harry Potter, for pure love and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house 60 points" Dumbledore told the room. The Gryffindor table cheered; they were tied with Slytherin.
"They're tied" Hannah smiled.
"Slytherin might have lost their winning streak" Cedric added.
"And finally, it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies but a great deal more to stand up to your friends. I award 10 points to Neville Longbottom" Dumbledore added. Everyone broke out in a cheer except Slytherin, and Neville looked so confused as the Gryffindor students closest to him began to pat him on the back.
"Malfoy looks like he's going to cry" I snickered mainly to myself as I spotted him pouting.
"Assuming my calculations are correct I believe a change of decoration is in order" Dumbledore said and clapped his hands, making the banners change from Slytherin green to Gryffindor red. "Gryffindor wins the house cup" he announced. Everyone but Slytherin cheered, standing up and throwing our hats in the air. I even heard Hagrid cheer form the Professors table. I quickly ran over to Neville and gave him a bone-crushing hug.
"You did it" I told him. He smiled and hugged me back before stepping back.
"You helped" he told me. I quickly kissed his cheek and ran off to find Fred and George in the crowd hugging Ron.
"You won" I cheered, joining the group hug. Fred and George wrapped me in their hug.
"We won" they said together.
"Thanks for getting me out" Ron said, "I didn't get a chance to thank you before because Hermione and I were worried about Harry. But thanks" he said again. I just smiled.
"It's what us loyal 'Puffs do" I shrugged, before looking for Susan and Hannah again.