One month, twenty chapters, and thirty pages later...
Wow! This story has come pretty far! Thankyou to those who viewed, reviewed, favorited, and followed!
I say that a lot, but I can't thank you all enough!
This chapter wasn't too long, but I think the content is more of a deep reflection kind of thing.
In fact, that's almost exactly what it is. I was just really getting into the vibe, when writing Nellie's feelings.
Hope you enjoy!
I do not own Harry Potter. That honor goes to JKR!
Nellie sat down, checking her trunk to see if she had everything packed to return to Hogwarts. Her heart was at ease; Hermione and the others had escaped from Malfoy Manor.
Trunk in hand, fully packed, Nellie walked down the stairs to the main hall of the manor. Reaching the door, she caught Draco and his father apparating off.
"Ready, Nellie?" Narcissa asked her. Nellie was finally old enough to apparate, but she hadn't passed the course yet, like Draco. She nodded, taking Narcissa's arm, and apparating to Kings Cross.
The train back to Hogwarts was long and quiet. Nellie took the opportunity to contemplate what had been going on.
What was the trio doing, not being in school? Why had Bellatrix become furious at seeing that sword? How was Hermione doing, and how did she escape? Nellie had been confined to her room, courtesy of Draco.
Something big would unfold soon, Nellie could tell. Since the previous year, there wasn't tranquility anywhere. Right and left innocent muggles and wizards were being killed at Voldemort's hands. Families were being torn apart, houses demolished. Everyone around Nellie had a story of their own to tell, a saddening one at the least.
Voldemort was reaching his peak of power, and unless someone actually stopped him, both worlds, muggle and wizard alike, would collapse under his demonic rule. Peace was running out.
Nellie felt her heart pang at the thoughts engulfing her mind. Thinking over the past years, Nellie tried to find happiness. While much of her life had been a bust, she was alive. She didn't have many friends, but she did have a couple she could love and trust. She'd been victim to Voldemort's acts, but she was allowed to live more freely than many around her. She wasn't on the death list of anyone, unlike her brother. At least her guardian had been kind to her. She had things to be upset about, but she had things to be grateful for. Things to keep her going.
Arriving at Hogwarts, Nellie picked up her trunk and walked off the Hogwarts express, watching the train take it's leave once everyone had gotten off. Heading for the school itself, Nellie smiled as she felt her surroundings instantly warm up from the snowy cold outside.
Classes resumed, same as they had been. Professor Carrow still punished students who refused to do as he ordered, painfully, but he still refrained from asking Nellie to volunteer for anything. Most other classes had little interest to them, and Nellie waited for Apparation test to begin for the year.
As time passed, Nellie and the others of her age received a letter from Wilkie Twycross, the apparations instructor, with the subject causing them dismay.
Dear Miss Nellie Snape, The letter had read,
Times are hard. Especially for the ministry. So I give my full apologies on having to announce my inability to visit Hogwarts and allow you and the other "coming of age" students from being able to take your apparation tests. You are free to register to take your test during the summer, however.
Sincerely,
Wilkie Twycross,
Apparations Instructor,
Ministry of Magic employee
Nellie sighed, tossing the letter. It didn't seem like much had been going in her favor since returning for the semester.
The morning after receiving the letter, Nellie sat in the Great Hall, looking over at a group of students who had gathered around a newly arrived Daily Prophet paper.
Nellie closed in to hear what the students were saying.
"Someone broke into Gringotts? And then lots the goblins working there just died?" A student said, surprised. The others continued to quabble over the matter, leaving the paper behind as they went off for their classes.
Walking over, Nellie picked up the paper, and looked at the picture on the front cover.
Three young adults were flying on a dragon, she made out. But the faces were hard to identify.
Squinting over the paper, Nellie found the man in the center adjusting his glasses and putting his hand to his head.
Harry, it had to be Harry.
The trio was safe, Nellie presumed.
Nellie hoped.
Well, for those of you not noticing, this story is getting near to an end. Like 5-6 chapters, maybe less are left.
So, since this is written for the reader to enjoy, I want to ask you all for ideas.
I'm thinking we should do a special chapter to conclude the series. I had some ideas, which I'll list, and you can add your own if you'd like.
1) I could write a short aftermath, like the 19 years later thing in the Deathly Hallows.
2) I could do a question and answer session. I have made a lot of things unclear, and I feel I can't casually drop an explanation in the story.
3) I can list other Harry Potter fanfics I have read and would recommend from this site.
My mind is blank, it's pretty early in the morning for me right now...
But again, if you all have ideas, or like any of those I've listed, please let me know! Feedback is important when writing a story!
Myraah out.