Chapter 12 Aftermath

Vesper took a moment to study her surroundings, hoping that the chess pieces wouldn't begin another game. A full minute passed with none of the pieces moving, so she assumed it was safe. She knelt down beside Ron, sweeping broken pieces of stone out of her way. Reaching a hand out, she tried to shake him awake; Vesper couldn't move Ron if he was just dead weight.

"Come on, Ron," she whispered, gently shaking his shoulder. "Please wake up."

Noticing the growing patch of blood in Ron's hair, Vesper ripped a strip of her shirt off to use as a bandage. She pressed it to his head, trying to stop the blood.

Ron moaned as she pressed the cloth to the wound. "Sorry," said Vesper. Then an idea came to her. "Sorry," she repeated, pressing harder on his wound.

"Ow," Ron croaked out weakly. His eyes fluttered open, his gaze wandering unfocusedly. "Vesper?" Ron said, his eyes landing on her face. "Wha – why do I feel like I jus' got murdered? You didn' try ta kill me, did ya?" he asked, a goofy grin on his face.

Vesper rolled her eyes at the poor joke, but she ignored it; Ron probably didn't even realize what he had said. "No, you did that yourself," she answered dryly. "Can you stand?"

Ron just groaned, closing his eyes. "No way."

"Oh come on," said Vesper. "You just faced down a giant stone lady with a sword but you're too scared to try standing up?"

" 'm not scared. Jus' don' wanna."

Ron was slurring his words. Vesper was pretty sure that was a bad sign; she had to get him to Madam Pomfrey. But what would motivate Ron enough to get him moving? Food? Sweet?

Oh, thought Vesper. I've got it.

"If you don't get up right now, I'll tell Fred and George that you were a complete baby down here."

"You woul'n'," said Ron, cracking his eyes open again.

"Oh, but I would," said Vesper. "Didn't you hear? We had to save your sorry arse at every turn, and I could've sworn I heard you crying for your mummy. They'll never let you live it down."

"...fine. I'll ge' up."

Vesper smiled to herself. She shifted, popping herself up on the balls of her feet, and helped Ron into a sitting position. She had to wait a moment while Ron's face turned back to its normal color from a pale green. Grabbing both of his hands, Vesper said, "Alright, on three. One, two, three."

Heaving, Ron slowly got to his feet. He wavered for a moment, but managed to stay on his feet.

"Come on," said Vesper, wrapping a steadying arm around Ron's waist. "We have to get you and Harry help quickly. Somewhat quickly," she amended when Ron let out a groan. "And I will murder you if you vomit on me."

Their progress was slow and halting, much to Vesper's growing distress. What if Harry and Hermione had been hurt? What if You-Know-Who had them? What if he –

The door behind them slammed open, and Vesper nearly dropped Ron in her fright.

But it was just Hermione. Her hurried footsteps echoed loudly off the stone walls. Spotting Vesper and Ron, her pace increased.

"Vesper, Ron!" she called out. "We have to hurry; Harry's gone after Professor Snape by himself. We need to alert the other professors."

Vesper thought her heart was going to beat out of her chest. "Okay," she said, trying to think of a plan and keep her head. "Right, okay," she repeated. "Hermione, help me with Ron." When the other girl took Ron's other side Vesper continued. "Presumably, using the broom in the other room is the only way to get out of this place. I can fly up with you first so that you can start putting Fluffy to sleep, and then I'll go back and get Ron."

"Shouldn't you just fly the broom straight to Professor McGonagall's rooms?" asked Hermione.

"There is no way I am leaving you two down here with a psycho professor and potentially a dark wizard come back to life," Vesper growled. "We're all leaving together, yeah?"

Hermione bit her lip, but nodded. "Alright, but we need to hurry. Who knows what Professor Snape plans to do with Harry."

Their pace was quicker now that Hermione was also helping to support Ron, but each second still felt like an eternity. Eventually, they reached the doorway to the room filled with keys. The keys were back to calmly flying about as they had been when they entered the chamber the first time. Vesper also noticed that the broom had returned itself to its former position in the middle of the room. Apart from the dents in the door, it was like they had never stepped foot in the room before.

"Come on," said Vesper. "Let's put him down. He's heavier than he looks."

Ron moaned as Hermione and Vesper lowered him to the ground gently as they could. He laid down, eyes closed, and murmured, "My head…tired."

"I know Ron," said Hermione, "but you need to stay awake. We'll be out of here soon. Right, Vesper?"

"Hmm?" Vesper startled at the sound of her name. "Right. Right," she whispered to herself, and then louder, "Right – so, like I said before. I'll take Hermione up first and then I'll come back and get you, Ron."

"Vesper," said Hermione, taking Vesper's arm and leading her away from Ron. "He's in no condition to fly. You can't steer and keep Ron from falling."

"So what, you want to leave him here?" Vesper asked, shocked that Hermione would consider such a thing.

"Not him," Hermione corrected. "Us. We're safe here, but Harry needs help now."

"But –"

"You need to go, now!" said Hermione, pushing Vesper towards the broom. "Go!"

Vesper opened her mouth, words of Be careful, and I'll be back soon on the tip of her tongue…

But she never got the chance.

A loud roar stopped her before she could say anything. Vesper turned to Hermione. "Was that – ?"

BANG!

The doors behind them burst open with such strength, that Vesper was sure the stone walls were cracked with the force of it.

Vesper could have sobbed with relief. In strode Professor Dumbledore, a ferocious expression on his normally grandfatherly face. The change was so stark that Vesper nearly forgot just why Dumbledore looked so thunderous. But she quickly came back to herself and chocked out, "Professor Dumbledore, it's Harry he's in the last chamber with Professor Sn–"

Vesper stiffened. Snape had come into the chamber behind Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout. Snape was here. Snape was here, and not with Harry, and who the hell was Harry with?

Dumbledore didn't spare a glance their way. "Pomona."

"Of course, Albus. Not to worry."

But he was already gone, along with Snape and McGonagall. Professor Sprout gave the three of them a kind but stern look. "Come along dears, it's the hospital wing for you. It's alright," she continued when Vesper and Hermione hesitated. "Professor Dumbledore is here and he won't let any harm come to Mr. Potter."

She held her arms out towards them, and Vesper felt vaguely felt like a stray chick being herded by its mother hen. Suddenly, the weight of their activities that evening hit her like a hippogriff; she could feel each cut and scrape pulsing in time to each heartbeat, and Vesper was sure she would have more spots on her than a jobberknoll in the next day or two. She couldn't find it in her to be bothered that Professor Sprout was treating them like chicks or ducklings or whatever other small, helpless creature she was too tired to properly think of. All Vesper wanted to do was sleep for a thousand years.

"We've already cleared the path ahead, so don't you worry," said Professor Sprout. "Although..." She cast a glance at Vesper, Ron, and Hermione in turn. "If a few first years can make it past trials that many grown wizards would fail, perhaps we do have reason to worry."

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The next morning Vesper and Hermione went down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Their wounds had been superficial, and after a good sleep in the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey had cleared them to leave. Ron had protested loudly that he was fine and wished to leave as well, but Madam Pomfrey wanted to observe him for a little while longer and threatened to strap him down to the bed if he didn't get back into it. Vesper felt a bit bad for him, but he would be getting out later in the afternoon.

Ron was also in the prime spot to keep an eye on Harry for a little while longer. Vesper had nearly been sick from fear when Dumbledore flew into the hospital wing, a limp and pale Harry in his arms. Just the thought of Harry's unconscious body in Dumbledore's arms was almost enough for Vesper to not want breakfast any more. Madam Pomfrey had taken Harry to a bed at the back of the wing, pulled a curtain shut, and hadn't let anyone besides Dumbledore and McGonagall see him. All she, Ron, and Hermione knew was that Harry was alive, but still unconscious.

The two friends walked in comfortable silence until they reached the Entrance Hall. "I don't suppose there's any way for us to win the House Cup this year, is there?" Hermione asked, sighing.

"I don't think we did ourselves any favors last night. Is it possible to have negative house points?" Vesper said with a grimace. The Gryffindor hourglass looked downright pitiful compared to the others. It was no use; even if Gryffindor managed to beat Ravenclaw in the last Quidditch match, they still wouldn't have enough points to surpass Hufflepuff, and with Harry still hurt the Gryffindor team would have to forfeit the match.

"I don't remember off the top of my head," said Hermione. "I'll check Hogwarts, A History after breakfast."

Vesper laughed as they entered the Great Hall. "You're losing your touch, Hermione."

They started towards the Gryffindor table, but they were swarmed by their fellow Gryffindors before they could take seats.

"Is it true?"

"Have you really been expelled?"

"Don't be stupid! They're still here, aren't they?"

"Longbottom said –"

"Vesper!"

Vesper jumped at the hand on her shoulder, but relaxed once she saw that the hand belonged to Fred Weasley, and that he and George (who popped up next to his twin) were both wearing their signature mischievous smiles.

"Longbottom let slip earlier that you two," he pointed and her and Hermione, "and Potter and Ron snuck off to the forbidden corridor last night."

Vesper glanced over to Hermione, before looking back at the twins. She vaguely noted that the other students had quieted down around them. "Well, yes, but –"

"What happened?" interrupted a fourth-year girl that Vesper didn't know the name of. "What was in there?"

"I don't think –" Hermione started.

"There were a bunch of obstacles put in by the teachers to protect the – ouch! The, uh..." Vesper shifted her weight off her now throbbing toes. "The, uh...well, we don't know what they were protecting."

"You don't?" someone asked incredulously.

"We got separated," Vesper explained. "Harry went on ahead. He might know something..."

"Speaking of," said George, "where is he? And Ron for that matter?"

"They're both up in the hospital wing," said Vesper. "Ron should be let out this afternoon, but Harry...he's really hurt. He was unconscious when Dumbledore brought him in, and he wasn't awake when we left."

The crowd around her and Hermione started to back off and drift back to their seats after that, sensing that Vesper was done talking. Vesper heard a few people whispering about Harry's condition and making plans to send him get well soon presents. She hoped that Harry wouldn't mind; he probably wouldn't like the extra attention, but, well, the school was going to find out eventually.

Right?

She sighed, and started to fill her plate despite her lack of appetite.

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"Black."

Vesper jumped at the sound of her name. After a barely touched breakfast, a trip to visit Ron in the hospital wing (Fred and George had come in not long after she and Hermione arrived and had taken over), and a failed attempt to see Harry, Vesper and Hermione had retreated back to the Gryffindor common room. In an attempt to distract herself from worrying about Harry, Vesper had picked up one of the dusty volumes from the common room's bookshelf. Ordinarily, The Best Way to Utilize Transfigurations might have been a pleasant read, but Vesper found her mind wandering and caught herself rereading the same page nearly a dozen times. At some point though she must have let herself relax and absorbed in the text to be startled so.

Broken out of her reverie, Vesper glanced up at the person in front of her. "Wood? What do you want?" While Vesper knew who Oliver Wood was (everyone in Gryffindor knew who he was), what she didn't know was why the Quidditch captain wanted to speak with her. Actually, she corrected herself, she did know what Wood wanted; he probably wanted to ask about Harry and if he would be able to play in Saturday's match.

"McGonagall wants to see you in her office," said Wood. "Now."

Was this about this morning at breakfast? Perhaps the teachers were angry that she said something about what happened on the third floor. "Okay." Heartrate increasing, Vesper set the book down. Wood nodded towards the portrait hole entrance, and Vesper followed him out.

The walk down to McGonagall's office was cordial, if not a little awkward. Wood asked about her exams, how she was liking Hogwarts, and her flying lessons, while Vesper inquired about his OWL exams, and his favorite Quidditch team. They arrived at their destination sooner than she would have liked, but her growing anxiety turned into confusion when Wood followed her in, and then curiosity as she saw Madam Hooch standing behind Professor McGonagall.

"Black, Wood, take a seat."

Vesper took the seat offered, and glanced between the two teachers. Was this not about her telling half the Gryffindors what lay in the forbidden third floor corridor?

"Miss Black," said Professor McGonagall, directing Vesper attention back to her head of house. "Madam Hooch has told me that you have excellent scores in your flying exams."

"Very fine control and good maneuverability," Madam Hooch confirmed. "One of the best in her year."

"We find ourselves in an unfavorable situation, Miss Black," continued Professor McGonagall. "Potter is currently...indisposed, and will remain so for the foreseeable future –"

"Does that mean he's going to be okay?"

"Mr. Potter should make a full recovery, despite his best efforts to the contrary. However, in the meantime, we find our Quidditch team one Seeker short for this Saturday's match."

Things started to click in Vesper's mind. "You want me to take his place as Seeker?"

"Just for this match," said Wood. "There isn't time for formal tryouts, and I doubt anyone has improved much since the ones held at the beginning of term. We just need someone to make a full team so that we don't have to forfeit. If it's someone who can fly well, then all the better for us."

"Madam Hooch has already approved you as Potter's alternate should you accept," said Professor McGonagall. "We might not win the Cup this year, but we can at least try to not come in dead last.

"So," she said, leveling Vesper with a look. "What is your answer?"

A thousand thoughts raced through Vesper's head, but she managed to choke out, "Yeah, sure. When's practice?"

Wood clapped his hand on her shoulder, a grin growing on his face, and Vesper finally understood what Harry meant when he would talk about Wood being like a man possessed.

"Right now."

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In the end, Gryffindor lost the match, though Wood was quick to remind Vesper that even though she didn't catch the Snitch, she at least gave them the chance to win. Logically, Vesper knew that he was right, knew that she had had only a day and a half to practice before the match, and knew that very few people could match Harry's talent as a Seeker. The entire team had thanked her for trying, and complimented her skill on a broomstick. Alicia Spinnet, one of the Chasers, had even pulled Vesper aside after the match to tell her that she was leaving the team, and that Vesper should try out next year.

But even so, the loss stung and a small part of her couldn't help but feel like it was her fault.

The sour feeling of losing the match was compounded by the fact that Gryffindor had also lost the House Cup. The green and sliver banners that hung all around the Great Hall was like salt in the wound. Although, Vesper thought, at least she had good company to wallow in sadness with. She turned in her seat, met Harry's eyes, and gave a small half smile half grimace. He returned her expression, rolled his eyes, and went back to picking at his pudding. Madam Pomfrey had finally allowed Harry out of the hospital wing for the end of term feast after much badgering from Harry. Vesper couldn't blame him; he had been stuck in bed for days under the matron's ever-watchful eyes, and Vesper, Ron, and Hermione had hardly been allowed to see him at all. While it was annoying, Vesper could understand why Madam Pomfrey was so protective of Harry. It was strange to think that only a few days ago Harry had been lying unconscious in the hospital wing, and now the only sign of his fight with Quirrell and You-Know-Who are the bandages on his hands.

Dumbledore chose that moment to stand, and the whole hall fell into silence.

"Another year, gone!" he said cheerfully. "Hopefully, your heads are a little bit fuller than they were at the beginning of the year. Now as I understand it, the House Cup needs awarding, and the points stand thus: In fourth place, Gryffindor, with two hundred and sixty-two points; in third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two; Ravenclaw has four hundred and twenty-six, and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two points."

He paused while there were shouts and cheers from the Slytherin table. Vesper just sighed.

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

Vesper (and the entire hall) went still. Surely Dumbledore wouldn't take points for going out of bounds now of all times? They were already in last so what did it matter?

"Ahem," said Dumbledore. "I have a few last-minute points to dish out. Let me see..."

"No," she said, mouth open in disbelief.

"Yes!" cried Ron.

"First," Dumbledore continued, "to Miss Hermione Granger, for the use of cool intellect when others were in great peril...fifty points."

"Nice one!" Harry shouted over the cheers from the rest of the table. Hermione's cheeks turned pink, and she have a shy smile.

"Second, to Mr. Ronald Weasley, for the best played game of chess that Hogwarts has seen these many years...fifty points."

There was another loud cheer from the Gryffindors, and Vesper could make out Percy Weasley saying, "My brother, you know! My youngest brother! Got past McGonagall's giant chess set!"

Dumbledore again waited for the noise to die down. "Third, to Miss Vesper Black, for demonstrating true leadership, and prioritizing the well-being of others above personal glory...fifty points."

That was...no, Vesper thought; she couldn't have heard that right. "But, that was nothing," she said, hardly aware that she was speaking aloud. "I didn't do anything."

Ron had heard her though over the noise of the crowd. "Well, Dumbledore thinks you did something great. And..." he trailed off, scratching the back of his neck, "so do I. I never did thank you for helping me back there, so...thanks."

Vesper blinked once, twice, and then grinned. "What are friends for?"

"And fourth, to Mr. Harry Potter, for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house sixty points."

The cheers coming from the Gryffindor table were deafening. They were now miraculously tied with Slytherin for the House Cup. If only Dumbledore had awarded them just one more point –

"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 therefore award ten points to Neville Longbottom."

Vesper just smiled as the green and silver banners turned to red and gold. Perhaps they should just break the rules every year, she thought before she burst out laughing.

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"Remus!"

"There's my little witch! How was – ooph!"

Vesper hugged her godfather tight, burying her head into his chest. She thought she could feel his ribs through his clothes; he wasn't eating properly again. They would have to work on that.

Remus let out a chuckle, and patted her head. "Come now, what's all this about? Surely you can't have missed an old man this much?"

Vesper pulled out of the embrace to look at him properly. "You're not old, Remus," she said with a laugh. "You're barely over thirty!"

"Is that all?" he asked quietly. He shook his head, and started to help Vesper load her belongings into the boot of the car. "How were your exams? Pass everything?"

"Should have," she said. Though I wouldn't put it past Snape to fail me on purpose, she thought.

"That's good. I'm very proud of you, Vesper." Remus snapped the boot shut once everything had been fit inside, and they both got into the car. "How are your friends?" Remus continued once they were on the road. "Did you all have a good term?"

"Mmmhmm. They're all great. We won the House Cup, so that was an unexpected surprise. We were all really pleased when it happened last minute. But other than that, it was just a normal school year."

"Really? A normal year? Then what's this I hear about an out of bounds corridor?"

Vesper cringed, and sank into her seat. This was going to be a very, very long drive home.

AN: Look everyone, I finished the thing!

I want to thank everyone who stuck with this story through it's long hiatuses and continued to give this story and me your support. It truly means the world to me.

Next up is Chamber of Secrets. No idea when that will start posting, but I'll being working on it right away. It'll be a surprise for all of us when it goes up. Make sure to add me to your Author Alert so you'll catch it.

Again, thank you everyone. See you in the next one!

Love Lora