Disclaimer: All that is not JKR's is mine-and that mainly consists in the human character of Nagini and the influence she exerts on the magical world.

Chapter 27: Aftermath

"Nagini, wake up!"

Nagini opened her eyes slowly and stared blearily up. Someone was shaking her. "C'mon, Nagini, wake up."

She blinked her eyes, and the room came into focus. Tracey was standing above her, looking down on her, concerned. Nagini sat up, and Tracey smiled, sighing in relief. "Are you alright, Nagini?" she asked quietly so that the other students in the common room wouldn''t hear. "Why were you sleeping out here, and—were you crying?"

Nagini rubbed her forehead; it no longer hurt, but the memory still pained her. She forced a smile and looked up at Tracey. "I couldn't sleep in the dorms," she told the other girl, "so I came out here. Unfortunately, I still didn't sleep well; I had nightmares, that's why I was crying."

Tracey's eyes widened, and her eyes sparkled. She laughed slightly. "I just never thought that you would ever have nightmares, Nagini," she explained. ""You always seemed above that."

"We all have fears, though, Trace," answered Nagini cryptically.

She nodded. "I know. Do you want to talk about it? I can listen if you want."

Nagini stared at her, not replying, and Tracey spoke up again, "It's okay if you don't want to. Forget I ever suggested it; I was being rude.""

She moved to leave, but Nagini called, "Wait, Tracey, sure, I'll tell you if you want." Tracey stopped and waited, staring curiously at Nagini, wondering what could possibly make Nagini cry.

Nagini took a deep breath. She didn't know why she told Tracey to wait, but now that she had, she might as well tell Tracey what was wrong—or rather, the metaphorical version. "You know I was abandoned in a park and brought to the orphanage when I was one, right?" Tracey nodded, staring wide-eyed at Nagini. "Well, it still haunts me," Nagini said. ""I was dreaming about being abandoned. Because in a way, Pansy was right," Nagini knew she was laying it on a bit thick now, but she was on a roll and couldn't help herself. ""My parents didn't want me. Apparently, I told everyone at the orphanage that my father was coming back for me, but they didn't believe me, and they were right—he never came back." Nagini paused, staring blankly at Tracey. "He never came back," she repeated quietly. What if that was true—he would never come back because he no longer could?

Her eyes began to sting with unshed tears, and Tracey sat down beside her and put an arm around her shoulders. "Oh, Nagini," she said, "I never knew, but I do know one thing—it's the same thing you told me after Christmas. I'll always be there for you, Nagini, no matter what happens. I hope you know that—no matter what happens, I'll be there for you."

Nagini was touched by Tracey's words, and she smiled at the other girl. "Thanks, Trace," she said, leaning into her embrace. ""I can't tell you how much that means to me."

Tracey smiled back at her. "Well, that's what friends are for, right?"

"Right."

The two girls left the common room and headed to the Great Hall for breakfast. There, they were met with the rumors that were already flying across the school.

"Did you hear? Harry Potter went through a trapdoor in third-floor corridor—"

"—had to fight his way past a bunch of enchantments—"

"He went up against You-Know-Who and a dozen Death Eaters—"

"No, really?"

"It's true! They were after something called the Sorcerer's Stone—"

"What's that?"

"It grants you immortality."

"Really? Wow."

"What happened to Quirrell? D'you think he was involved?"

"Had to have been."

"He was! He killed Potter!"

"No, he didn't. Potter's in the Hospital Wing."

The two girls sat down on the end of the Slytherin table. "Do you think any of that is true?" asked Tracey looking around at the gossiping students.

Nagini followed her gaze. Everyone was talking about what had happened last night, or what had supposedly happened. "At the heart of every rumor, there is some sort of truth," began Nagini. "It may not be the truth you expect, but it is the truth. Of course, I'm sure they've blown the story out of proportion and have added their own twists to it as well," she added.

"It's crazy, isn't it?" said Tracey. ""You don't really ever know what to believe and what to not."

"Exactly," agreed Nagini. "And there are always two sides to every story as well,"" she finished meaningfully.

Nagini lay in bed that night staring up at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep. She had spent all day being worried about her father and being irritated by all the outrageous rumors going around about Harry Potter's ''heroism.' Tracey was very thoughtful, though. After hearing about Nagini's supposed 'nightmares,'' she had stuck by her side all day, doing her best to distract Nagini and to make her laugh. Nagini had to give her credit—it worked. The two girls had spent the day outside by the lake, going for walks and wading. Tracey had told her ridiculous stories about Pansy and the chaos that her brother Nick caused at home over the years. Nagini told her about the first time she had performed magic, the tricks she played on the other orphans, and the day McGonagall came for her.

Nagini smiled. Tracey was a good friend, she thought. She was just such a sweet girl. Nagini then sighed in frustration and rolled over, trying to fall asleep. Closing her eyes tightly, she began to breathe deeply and evenly, slowly her heartbeat, which pounded like a drum in her ears. Slowly, she drifted off.

Nagini opened her eyes and, to her relief, found herself lying in the familiar clearing. She jumped to her feet. "Father?" she cried desperately. "Father?"

"Here I am, Nagini," he answered softly. Nagini spun around. He was sitting on the fallen tree, calmly waiting for her. She sighed in relief and ran to him. She sat down beside him and wrapped her arms around him tightly. Surprised, he put his own arm around her and began rubbing her back soothingly as Nagini began to cry softly. "I was starting to wonder if you would ever fall asleep," he said lightly, but Nagini's only response was to cry harder. He sighed impatiently. He never could handle tears. "What is wrong, daughter? Are you not well?"

Nagini looked up at him, her green eyes shining. The tears stopped, and she brushed them away, smiling up at him. "I was so worried," she said. "I was thrown out of your mind, and I blacked out. I didn't know what happened to you—if you had gone or even if you were dead," she admitted softly.

Voldemort looked down at her gently. "As you can see, I didn't die." To her questioning look, he added, ""And unfortunately, due to Quirrell's incompetence, I did not obtain the Stone, either. I will not be coming for you this summer, Nagini."

Nagini's face fell, and she leaned her head against him. He held her close, stroking her dark hair. "I will have to return to the forest to regain my strength. Last night greatly weakened me, and it took all my strength to come here one last time, but I had to see you and explain. I knew you would worry."

Nagini opened her mouth to speak, but he stopped her. "Nagini, I am counting on you. After you've had a bit more schooling, I'll need you to come and find me. I will be waiting in the Black Forest for you. I can't talk much longer, but know that I will contact you as soon as I've regained my strength. Do you understand?"

Nagini pulled away from him, so she could look into his face. "Yes, father, I understand," she said.

"Good," he replied, brushing a strand of hair out of her face. "Remember, I'll be waiting for you."

She nodded and watched as the clearing and her father turned to gray before her eyes then disappeared entirely.

Nagini sat with Theo, Blaise, Tracey and the rest of the Slytherins in the Great Hall for the end-of-term banquet. Above them, banners in green and silver with the Slytherin serpent hung from the ceiling. The entire Slytherin table was talking excitedly to one another. Nagini, however, like the other three houses was more subdued. While she was very excited that her house had won the house cup, she had other things on her mind.

Nagini picked up her fork and played with it idly, waiting for the feast to begin. While she was no longer despairing, she still felt sad at being abandoned for the second time, though she knew perfectly well that her father never intended to abandon her either the first or the second time. Events just didn't work out in their favor, but it still hurt all the same. Nagini sighed, causing Tracey to glance over in concern. Forcing a smile, Nagini glanced over at Tracey then up at the staff table.

Dumbledore had just gotten to his feet. Good, thought Nagini, the feast is about to begin. "Another year gone!" announced Dumbledore cheerfully. "And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been!" He sure had that right, thought Nagini wryly—from learning magic to dealing with bullies to attempting to resurrect her father, it had been quite the year. ""Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were . . . you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts. . . ." Not a chance, thought Nagini, smirking, the rest of the school might, but I'm not going to forget anything.

"Now as I understand it, the house cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus: In fourth place, Gryffindor, with three hundred and twelve points; in third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two; Ravenclaw has four hundred and twenty-six and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two."

Applause broke out from the Slytherin table (Theo was cheering rather exuberantly), and Nagini clapped as well, laughing lightly at the glares they were receiving from the rest of the hall.

"Yes, yes, well done, Slytherin," continued Dumbledore with a slight smile. "However, recent events must be taken into account.""

The Great all was silent, and the Slytherins' smiles faded slightly. Nagini leaned forward and whispered, "Gryffindor is going to win."

Theo looked outraged. "But they're in last place!"

Nagini shrugged. "What do you think 'recent events' means? I bet anything he's referring to whatever Potter was doing with Quirrell through the trapdoor on the third-floor." Raising her eyebrows, she turned away before Theo could ask her any questions.

"Ahem," said Dumbledore, ignoring the consternation he was causing, "I have a few last-minute points to dish out. Let me see. Yes . . . First—to Mr. Ronald Weasley for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."

Nagini turned to Theo and Blaise and mouthed 'I told you so.' Theo just scowled in response. Meanwhile, the Gryffindors had burst into thunderous applause for the youngest Weasley boy.

"Second—" continued Dumbledore when the hall was once again silent, "to Miss Hermione Granger . . . for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house fifty points." Nagini sighed and rested her head on the table. The Gryffindors continued cheering while the Slytherins were shouting their displeasure at the unfairness of it all. But since when is anyone fair? wondered Nagini. Everyone knows Dumbledore favors Gryffindor, and he's just proving that point now.

"Third—to Mr. Harry Potter . . ." said Dumbledore. The hall fell silent. Gryffindor had surpassed Hufflepuff and was gaining on Ravenclaw. "". . . for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house sixty points."

The Gryffindors were yelling themselves hoarse while the Slytherins sat in stunned silence. Even the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws had joined in the Gryffindors' celebration. Nagini looked at Theo, who was staring back, shocked. "They''re tied with us," he whispered.

Dumbledore raised his hand, and the hall fell silent once more. "There are all kinds of courage," began Dumbledore with a smile. "It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I, therefore, award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom."

The Gryffindor table erupted. Everyone stood up, yelling and cheering and surrounding the four first years who had won them the house cup; even the Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws joined in celebrating the downfall of Slytherin. Nagini glanced around at her house. Half of them hadn't seemed to comprehend what had just happened. The other half was shouting at Dumbledore, screaming that it wasn''t fair, that he wasn't supposed to play favorites.

Dumbledore ignored them, clapping his hands. "It seems a change of decoration is in order," he called over the noise. At the sound, green and silver changed to red and gold, and serpents morphed into lions. The food appeared, and everyone dug in, the Slytherins shooting death glares at Gryffindor and at Dumbledore with every bite.

"Told you so," remarked Nagini quietly looking over at Theo.

"Shut up, Nagini," he responded sourly. She shrugged as she served herself some chicken. It was not her fault that Dumbledore gave Gryffindor a hundred and seventy points. She supposed he was also angry that she wasn't as upset as the rest of them. She didn't really care. After all, in the long run, the house cup really wasn't that important was it? She did, however, agree with all the mutters she heard at the table: it was unfair, and Dumbledore did favor the Gryffindors.

There was nothing neither they nor she could do about it, however, so Nagini focused her attention on more important things—like enjoying the feast. I wonder where he is right now, she wondered. Has he reached the forest yet? He had instructed her not to try to reach him. He said he would come to her when it was time, but when would it be time? When would he ask her to come for him?

The thoughts swirled around Nagini's head throughout dinner and late into the night. Thankfully, no one, not even Tracey, noticed her lack of attention; they were all too focused on how Gryffindor had stolen the cup from right under their noses, as one sixth year put it.

The next day, it was time to leave, and Nagini finished packing with a heavy heart. They ate breakfast for the last time for two months in the Great Hall before leaving to board the Hogwarts Express. The first years once again crossed the lake in the little boats while the rest of the school journeyed to Hogsmeade in the school carriages.

Nagini followed Theo and Blaise onto the train and joined them in finding a compartment. They spent the journey talking and laughing together. Nagini tried to forget that she was returning to the orphanage and that she wouldn't see or hear from the others for months.

About halfway through the journey, they looked up at a gentle knock on the compartment door. Tracey stood behind the glass, glancing behind her as if to make sure no one saw her. Smiling, Nagini got up and opened the door for her. Tracey took a seat beside Nagini. "Hey guys," she said. She turned to Nagini. "I told them I was going to the loo, so I don't have much time. I just wanted to come say goodbye and wish you all a happy summer."

"Well, happy summer to you too, Trace," said Nagini smiling at the other girl.

Tracey continued, "I also wanted to ask if you would write to me."

"Of course, Tracey," said Nagini laughing, "but only if you send an owl for the letters."

Tracey looked at her confused, and Nagini laughed even harder. "I live in an orphanage during the summer, Trace. I don't exactly have an owl, you know."

Tracey colored slightly, and the boys laughed at her discomfort. "Oh, I forgot. Sorry."

"Don't worry about it," Nagini replied.

"Well," said Tracey, standing up, "I need to be going now, before they wonder we I've gone. Bye Nagini, Theo, Blaise."

"Bye, Tracey," said Nagini quietly.

"See you, Trace!" called Theo while Blaise nodded at her. Tracey sent a mock glare at Theo before slipping out the compartment door.

When Tracey had disappeared, Nagini turned to the two boys. "What about you two? Will you write?"

"Sure," said Theo easily. "Just make sure you always send back a reply."

Nagini smiled and turned to Blaise, raising her eyebrows. "Alright," he said. Nagini smiled brightly.

All too soon they had reached Kings' Cross Station. They pulled their trunks off the train and slipped through the barrier when the guard allowed them through. Nagini had said goodbye to everyone on Platform 9 ¾, and now she was pulling her trunk through the Muggle station towards the glass doors that led to London. She reached the doors and sat on her trunk, waiting. A moment later, she saw Mrs. Cox running up the steps. She stopped in front of Nagini, out of breath. "Are you ready to go?" she asked.

Nagini nodded. "Well, come on then."

Mrs. Cox took her trunk, and Nagini followed along behind. As she followed the matron down the steps, she couldn't help turning around for one last look. Two months, she thought. Two months, and I''ll be back.

Well, that's it. Like I said earlier: if you enjoyed this story, then don't despair-Nagini's story will be continued. On the other hand, if you didn't enjoy this story-well just don't read part two of the Emerald Serpent Saga, tentatively titled In the Eye of the Serpent. Again, constructive criticism is appreciated and will be taken under advisement while writing the next chapter of Nagini's story.

~Kasyntra