Do I really still need to tell you I do not own Harry Potter? Yes? Oh, well, here you go: I do not own Harry Potter.

CHAPTER 12

Charlotte's POV

I got back to school a couple of days before the end of term. My mother's funeral wasn't able to happen for a few days which coincided with the first week of the summer holidays. Because of this, my father thought it would be better if I returned to school for the last for few days, thinking human interaction would be good for me.

So I came back to school, and instead of arriving to a relaxed school still recovering from exams, I came back to a school in an excited and hectic mess. There was a continuous buzz, and gossip was obviously spreading fast. As I walked through the corridors back up to the Gryffindor common room, I heard snatches of conversation, with regular phrases including, "Harry Potter," and "the Philosopher's Stone." Another common one was, "the Third floor corridor."

As I stepped through the portrait hole after a few other Gryffindors, I saw Ron and Hermione huddled together on a sofa by the fire, whispering intently. As the Fat Lady closed behind me, they noticed me, and the worried frowns on their faces became smiles.

I smiled back, and joined them on the sofa. I explained why I was back, as they were obviously surprised, and they then explained what had happened to them in the two days I'd been gone. They're explanation took longer, as an awful lot had happened: namely, they had gone and retrieved the Philosopher's Stone. That also explained Harry's absence.

We spent the rest of the day catching up, despite only having spent a few days apart. When Harry woke up the next day, we visited him for as long as Madame Pomfrey would allow. It also meant I could get the full story of what happened, as Ron and Hermione were lacking on some parts. We continued to visit him every day until the last day of term.

The last day of term was the day of the end of year feast before everyone went home. It was when last school matters were cleared up, and the House Cup was awarded. This year, like the past seven years, Slytherin would be receiving the cup, due to Harry, Hermione and me losing the one hundred and fifty points earlier in the term. It would also mean green and silver banners would line the hall, and that the Slytherin's teasing had gotten that bit worse in their excitement.

Harry joined us for the feast, as he had been deemed well-enough by a reluctant Madame Pomfrey to be released into the wilds of the school corridors again. The food appeared on the table before any announcements were made, and I enjoyed some lovely macaroni cheese: nothing could beat the one the school made. As pudding was revealed (I had some profiteroles - again, nothing could beat them), Dumbledore stood up, causing silence to fill the hall except for the soft chewing sounds of people eating.

"Ahh, another year gone," Dumbledore started his speech. "What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are a little fuller than they were... you have the whole summer to go and empty them again for next year.

"Now, as I understand, the House Cup needs awarding, and the points are as such: in fourth place, Gryffindor, with three hundred and twelve points, in third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two, Ravenclaw have four hundred and twenty-six, and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two."

As expected, a cheering erupted from the Slytherin table, in a way I could only describe as similar to a hurricane.

Dumbledore continued his speech, "However, however, recent events must be taken into account. First, to Mr Ronald Weasley..."

We all looked at Ron, who seemed to have gone purple in the face with shock and embarrassment

"...for the best played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor house fifty points. Second, to Miss Hermione Granger..."

Hermione seemed both embarrassed and pleased with the attention.

"...for the cool use of logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house fifty points. Third, to Mr Harry Potter..."

Harry showed no response, almost as if he had been expecting it, but the rest of the hall went deathly quiet.

"...for pure nerve and cunning, I award Gryffindor house sixty points."

Chattering broke out, and I could just make out Hermione's whispered voice going, "We're tied with Slytherin!"

Dumbledore still had more to say, "There are all kinds of courage, and it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, and a great deal more to stand up our friends. Therefore, to Mr Neville Longbottom, I award ten points."

This time, the cheering was loud enough to cause a tsunami on the great lake, as for the first time in seven years, someone other than Slytherin had won the House Cup. An exceptionally shocked Neville was buried under a mountain of people wanting to congratulate him, and for a minute I thought he might have suffocated or been crushed to death from the amount of people on top of him. Then, he resurfaced, and my worries were put to bed.

With a wave of his hand, Dumbledore turned the banners from green and silver to red and gold, and I too joined in the celebrations.

After the feast, we were sent back to our dormitories to retrieve our now-packed belongings. I also had to take a trip to the Owlery to collect Cliff, and told Harry I'd get Hedwig too as I knew he still had stuff to pack. Then, all too soon, we were being stuffed on the Hogwarts Express and waving goodbye to Hogwarts until September.

"Well, this is it then," I said. "We're going home."

"Not me," Harry responded. "Not really."

So, this is it. The end of year one. Year two is currently still being written, but I will try and keep up the regular updates. I hope you liked this and will continue onto year two next Saturday.