Hey guys,
Sorry for the really long wait, but here's an extra long chapter for you. Big thanks to my sister for being my thesaurus, go look at her stories. She is Kelly-Ann Little.
I'm running out of twists, so could you suggest some? Thanx!
Enjoy!
Harry's POV
We slept in, the morning after. I didn't know about the others, but I was beat. We managed to get up in time for lunch, when McGonagall approached us.
"Good morning, or rather, good afternoon. The Daily Prophet hasn't printed the story yet, mainly because we went to the editor and asked him to hold it for one more day. They were getting the facts together anyway, they weren't ready." McGonagall paused. "I plan to tell the entire school what happened tomorrow morning, excluding some details, of course."
"Why?" asked Ron.
"They deserve to know that their fear is of no use anymore. They have nothing to worry about but their next homework assignment and I think they should know." McGonagall eyed us over her glasses, reminding me very suddenly of a recently deceased wizard.
She had green eyes, rather than icy blue, but she had achieved the same piercing stare that Dumbledore had nearly always used. A faint wave of nostalgia hit me. The good old days, when I worried about trivial things, like quidditch matches, and how many points Snape would take from me that day.
"Won't people be a bit suspicious?" Hermione pointed out. "It's not exactly everyday news."
"Ah," McGonagall smiled. "After I finish telling them what occurred yesterday, I will open the shutters for the morning post. The newspapers will arrive and the students will have to believe."
I nodded.
"But why do you want to announce it?" Draco inquired.
"That," McGonagall replied. "Is for me to know and you to find out."
I shrugged and went back to the cold sausages on my plate, not looking up when the Headmistress left. I stabbed one and bit into it, not really tasting it.
"So what are we gonna do today?" I mumbled round a mouthful of meat.
Hermione wrinkled her nose. "Harry, you really ought not to do that."
I swallowed. "Sorry 'Moine."
"Hermione and I were going to spent the day together, seeing as we're going to have to pretend to hate each other again" said Draco, looking unhappy.
He and Hermione had been smiling non-stop throughout the holidays. I had accepted the fact that they loved each other and moved on. Ron, however, still got pink ears every time he sees them make some sort of affectionate move. I had to admit, it was not very dignifying, but then, Draco had always targeted his family.
"'Kay." Ron said. "I've got some leftover Herbology to do anyway."
"Yeah, me too." I tactfully added. "I need to do my DADA essay."
Hermione huffed.
"You really should have done them ages ago." She scolded, crossing her arms.
Ron held up his hands in surrender.
"Alright! We'll get it done today!" he moaned. "Honestly, Hermione. We just helped bring down about two hundred Death Eaters. I think we deserve a slow day."
Her hair began to crackle, like it always did when she got angry.
"'Mione, relax. I'll make sure they're finished. If it makes you feel better, you can check them over this evening." I reassured her.
Draco stroked her fizzling hair and put his arm round her shoulders.
"Come on, then. Let's go." he suggested.
I threw him a grateful look.
I glanced back at Ron as my plate cleared of my unfinished breakfast.
"Come on, then. We don't want Hermione at our throats this evening. We can wander round later." I said, standing up.
Ron shook his head at me.
"She's rubbing off on you, mate."
I snorted and shoved him in the shoulder. He then tackled me to the ground and we had a mini wrestling competition right there in the Great Hall.
(Next morning, when all the students are back. Still Harry's POV)
"Welcome back, students" Called Professor McGonagall over the chatter, which died down almost immediately. "You are obviously wondering what has changed over the Easter Holidays. I am grateful that you were so cooperative in my request that you all go home, and wish to thank you by telling you just what has happened." She surveyed the school population. "You all know of a dangerous community known as the Death Eaters."
Whisper of surprise traveled round the house tables.
"During the holidays, aurors have been working with the staff of Hogwarts to bring this organisation to its knees. I am delighted to announce that as of yesterday, every single Death Eater has been captured and is being put on trial at the ministry." McGonagall finished, with an air of extreme pride that reminded me suddenly of a certain Weasley.
A babble of talking broke out.
"You can't be serious!" Someone yelled over the noise.
"Deadly serious, Mister Finnigan, would you kindly sit down?" McGonagall said sternly. "If you so not believe me, then the owls should be arriving just about now. Most of you recieve the Daily Prophet, No?"
The Headmistress waved her wand and about one hundred owls swooped in, landing beside their owners, or just dropping their packages and leaving. Hermione caught a rolled up newspaper from a tawny owl and opened it as quickly as possible. The article was, of course, front page.
Death Eaters Done For
Cheers and whoops could be heard around the hall.
Early yesterday morning, fifty Aurors entered the Ministry of Magic, escorting two hundred and seventeen Death Eaters. According to a spokes person, an informant told the Ministry that all followers of You-Know-Who would attack Hogwarts through an artifact called a Vanishing Cabinet (see page 7). Ministry authorities say they have no idea who the informant is, but will do their best to discover their identity.
A few wild speculators believe that it was Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius Malfoy, who was among the party of attackers. The ministry has made a formal announcement that young Master Malfoy was not the informant. Whoever the informant is, they have done the country a huge service. The Ministry wishes to bestow an award upon this unknown Samaritan and asks for him to come forward.
Some folk think that the turning in of these criminals was a bid for power. They say You-Know-Who is nothing without his followers and could be overtaken by another, more powerful Dark Wizard. Yet, there is no sign yet of anyone who has any inclination to attack the Dark Lord.
Maybe this is a grace period before the next onslaught of black magic, or maybe this is a possible ending to the reign of fear. Let's not take this reprieve for granted and put our wands in the air for this mystery rescuer.
"Typical newspaper mush," Hermione huffed, throwing the newspaper down. "Not really worth reading."
Ron laughed and went back to his bacon and eggs. I shrugged and turned back to my own breakfast. I heard a clinking and looked up with a gob full of baked beans. McGonagall had stood once again.
"Now you all know the truth, I have some awards of my own to give." McGonagall located us three in the crowd. "To Mr. Harry Potter, Mr. Ronald Weasley and to Miss Hermione Granger, for outstanding courage in helping overcome the Death Eaters this Easter."
My mouth fell open in shock. I swiveled my head round to gawk at my two best friends, to find their expressions mirroring mine.
"Come to the front please, you three" added McGonagall, crisply.
I shut my mouth and stood. The last time I was unexpectedly called in front of the entire school, I had to fight a dragon, swim to the bottom of the Black Lake and run through a maze full of nasty things, including Blast-Ended Skrewts. We filed up to the teachers table and were handed a silver shield each. Inscribed on the front was:
Mr. Harry Potter, for extraordinary contributions to the country.
I ran my hand over it and the surface shifted. The inscription was replaced by the messages that were outside my parent's house. It was the best gift I'd ever received. We shuffled back to our seats, clutching our awards. I went back to my food, but McGonagall wasn't done.
"It is an incredibly hard thing to betray your friend, but to turn on your family is the last thing you will ever want do. Mr. Draco Malfoy also assisted in capturing the Death Eaters, including his own father. For this, I also give him an award. step up here please."
I peered over at Draco just in time to see Blaise Zabini shove him to his feet. He tramped up to McGonagall and collected his own silver shield. He ran his hand over the surface, just like I did, and his eyes widened. He looked at McGonagall and she nodded, gently pushing him in the direction of his seat. I grinned and started to clap, nudging Ron and Hermione to do the same. The people around us followed our lead and began to applaud and soon, the entire hall was clapping for Draco Malfoy.
Draco slumped back to his seat, but on the way, a small Hufflepuff jumped up and hugged him round the middle. I peered closer and realized it was Lia. I beamed. He patted Lia on the head and made continued to make his way back to his seat.
Blaise gave him a look and he stopped, turned and strode up to us.
"What's he doing?" asked Ron.
"I know what he's doing." I laughed.
I stood up to meet him and held out my hand. Without hesitation, he took it.
"Welcome to the cool side of life" I muttered.
"Thanks, I intend to make an entrance" Draco replied.
"Be my guest" I smirked and stepped aside to let him get to Hermione.
He pulled her to her feet and kissed her in front of everyone. A girl screamed, I think it was Pansy, and I could just see a blonde streak dash from the room.
"Guys, I know you love each other and all," I yelled. "But we did say you have to get a room."
"Yeah, stop eating each other" called Ron.
They broke apart, Hermione blushing profusely.
"Sorry."
Everyone else was flabbergasted.
"You knew?" cried Parvati.
"The biggest slice of gossip this school has ever seen and you didn't tell? How!?" wailed Lavender.
Ron grinned. "We have many secrets."
Lavander turned pink and giggled. I clutched at Ron and pretended to be sick. Draco and Hermione sat down and the rest of the school went back to chatting, more animatedly now they had two huge topics to talk about.
Dean was the first to talk to the happy couple.
"So how long exactly has this been going on?"
Hermione buried her face in Draco's shoulder.
"A year and bit" answered Draco.
"And we only found out at Christmas!" complained Ron.
The light conversation went on and Draco relaxed. Luna skipped over int eh dreamy fashion that only she can pull of.
"Hey, Luna" I greeted her.
"Hello Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco" she sighed. "I just wanted to say that I think that a year-long relationship is very good for you two. You both needed a break."
Draco was shocked. "You knew?"
"Yes," the Ravenclaw smiled vaguely. "Since just after the Christmas last year, you both were more content. I noticed you were both going to the Room of Requirement. Hermione was going more often than the DA meetings were, so it was only logical explanation that you were together."
She waved and flounced off. I chuckled at the astounded expression on Draco's face.
"You'll get used to it." I assured him. "Just like everyone else will get used to you."
He nodded.
"I hope so" he pondered. "Because it might cause some nasty trouble."
privately agreed with him and resolved to use the Marauders Map to help.