The Potter Timeline
Chapter 45 - The End of an Incredible Year
When the second-years resumed classes the following day, it was a bit strange for Harry, as though he had been on a grand adventure in a far flung corner of the world, facing dangers left and right, then suddenly found himself back to ordinary wizarding life. Despite this, he welcomed "normal" again and sincerely hoped his ordeal in the Chamber of Secrets was his last adventure of second year.
After Dumbledore's revelations, nearly every student at Hogwarts treated the Boy Who Lived differently. Overnight, his status changed from someone to be afraid of to someone to be admired. If he wasn't already famous for defeating Voldemort as a child, becoming the youngest Seeker in a century, and demonstrating bravery both on and off the Quidditch pitch, now he was highly respected for having saved the school from imminent danger by confronting the Heir of Slytherin and defeating his monster. And although he and Hermione both continued to receive smiles, nods, and occasional handshakes from their fellow pupils, Harry received the lion's share of them...especially from girls.
For the first several days, almost everywhere the two went, groups of girls would ogle Harry, whispering to one another and giggling. Ginny Weasley and several of her fellow first-year girls could be found staring dreamily at the twelve-year-old. Harry wasn't sure whether Hermione was amused by all this female attention to him...or annoyed by it - though he suspected the latter. But as it was a bit embarrassing, he hoped the extra attention would pass quickly.
Draco Malfoy was now very mum since his father had been arrested. The Slytherin spent a lot more time by himself the remainder of term, sulking and looking rather embarrassed. And everyone was curious how Lucius Malfoy's trial would turn out and many hoped, though didn't entirely expect, real justice would be served, and the wizard wouldn't get off simply because he was rich and influential.
The Ministry Aurors officially departed Hogwarts, although Auror Jones remained in the hospital wing at the school as Professor Sprout hoped to produce the serum to restore him and Mrs. Norris within the next few weeks. Harry and Hermione only got to see Tonks briefly before she and James were recalled to their regular duties. But the Auror-in-training, whose hair was now bright red, gave them both a cheery farewell, promising to see them again soon. And to everyone's surprise, it wouldn't be long at all.
On a Thursday morning, early in March, Professor Snape had his second-year class write an essay on The Dangers of Mixing Potions in Your Cauldron after Ronald Weasley, joking around with his pal Sean, poured a batch of Faunteroy's Fusing Powder into his cauldron before completely cleaning it of the Ink Dissolving Draught they worked on beforehand.
When the smoke cleared from the mini explosion, not only did the room smell foul, but Ron's face was completely blackened and part of his red hair was now yellow. Snape, back in form, furiously ordered the entire class to write this three-parchment-minimum essay and deducted 20 points from Hufflepuff to boot. But Ron's woes didn't stop there. During lunch, he received a Howler from Mrs. Weasley scolding him severely for being careless and endangering himself and others, embarrassing the boy before everyone inside the Great Hall.
That afternoon, Harry and Hermione were in the library. Harry was sitting alone at their favorite table in the back, deep in thought, polishing up his essay, while Hermione, who had already finished hers, had gone off with Mandy Brocklehurst to look up some books for their research on Lockhart.
As the twelve-year-old went back over what he had written, he was amazed at how much better he comprehended the class material, and how much easier it seemed to find the right words for the assignment. This was but one of several instances of sharpness of mind he noticed during those first few days back in class. Apparently, the removal of the accidental Horcrux, as Dumbledore referred to it, meant more than just a quieter mind, it meant more efficiency in his thoughts, suggesting the soul shard had been an interference this entire time. This clarity of thought wasn't earth-shattering, and he knew he wasn't going to suddenly eclipse Hermione in their academic work. But Harry felt this could be a boost to his schooling.
But just as Harry nearly finished reviewing the essay, his thoughts were interrupted.
BLAM!
He jumped back in fright as a large, open book landed on the table in front of him. Surprised, he looked up to find Hermione and Mandy standing before the table, both their arms crossed while looking at him with perturbed expressions.
"Hermione!" he complained at the girl.
But she simply stepped forward and pointed at something in the book.
"Look!" she uttered.
Harry frowned at her and then gazed at a paragraph she pointed to on one page, which he then read out loud.
"...when the train entered the first tunnel and the compartment went dark, I heard the fumbling of footsteps inside, certain it was the pale passenger in that old brown suit sitting across from me. Sure enough, I felt a strong grip on my shoulders and knew that if I didn't act fast, sharp teeth would soon be digging into my neck. I shifted my body sideways while at the same time kicking my attacker away and pulling my wand from my coat pocket. With a quick utterance of Stupefy, I heard the man collapse onto the compartment floor. Using the light spell now, as the train had not yet exited the tunnel, I pointed it down at the stiff body. The stranger's face, contorted in surprise, revealed those two, sharp pointed teeth he was going to use to extract his meal...and secure my doom. My first encounter with a vampire on the train had ended in triumph..."
Harry looked up at the girls and shrugged.
"So?" he asked in puzzlement.
"Now, look at this," Mandy said while laying another book next to the first one. It was Lockhart's Voyages with Vampires. Harry read the paragraph the Ravenclaw pointed at.
"...when the train entered the first tunnel and the compartment went dark, I heard the fumbling of footsteps inside, certain it was the...pale passenger in that old brown suit sitting across from me. Sure enough, I felt a strong grip on my shoulders and knew that if I didn't act fast..."
Harry stopped and his face scrunched up.
"Wait a minute. It's the same paragraph," he stated, looking at the second-years.
"Yes! Exactly, the same!" Hermione uttered angrily as she and Mandy both resumed crossing their arms and staring at Harry.
He leaned over and saw the title of the much older, larger book.
Travels on the Trans-Siberian Express
By Silas Bloodwort
Harry looked back at the girls.
"Maybe this...Silas Bloodwort copied Lockhart's book?" he stated as a half-guess.
Hermione's eyes narrowed at him.
"That would be a neat trick, considering Bloodwort wrote his memoirs in the 1920s...decades before Lockhart was even born!" she spat out.
"And we found six other incidents where Lockhart copied verbatim from other wizard's and witch's experiences," Mandy stated.
"And mysteriously," Hermione threw in, "all of those wizards and witches, including Bloodwort, lost their memory or went mad. All of them!"
Harry looked at the books once more.
"So...you're saying Lockhart stole everything he's written?" he asked.
"Yes. He's a complete fraud," Mandy stated.
"And, he apparently obliviated the people he stole from to cover it up! That's a criminal act!" Hermione added.
Harry nodded. He had simply thought Lockhart made everything up and was exaggerating his abilities...like that two-bit magician at the Fun Fair. But this was heavy stuff.
"So...what are you going to do now?" he asked.
The girls looked at each other before gazing back at him.
"We're writing a paper, exposing the man, and will hand it out to anyone who wants to read it," Mandy said.
"And perhaps even send a copy to the papers," Hermione added, "let's see how quickly Witch Weekly annuls Lockhart's Most Charming Smile Award after they read it."
Harry chuckled at the girls' enthusiasm. They grabbed the books from the table and headed off, discussing how to get their paper out. Harry resumed his essay.
The following Monday morning, Hermione left Harry a note on the common room table stating she would meet him in the Great Hall for breakfast as she and Mandy were going to execute their "plan". Harry, Seamus, Neville, and Dean all went down together, curious what they would find. When they arrived at the Hall, the girls were standing at the entrance, Mandy on one side, Hermione on the other. They were holding a stack of parchments in their arms, handing one out to each student who entered. Harry smiled at his friend, who grinned back.
"Good morning," he said, "what are you two doing?"
"Handing out our paper," she replied while giving one to him. But her face soured as she looked at Mandy.
"Though...we'll have to do some tidying up in the Spellroom before we can use it again."
"Why?"
"When we used the Doubling Charm to copy our original, it produced a thousand more copies before we could cancel it."
The twelve-year-old chuckled then gazed down at the title on the parchment. Dean, Seamus, and Neville all looked at it with him.
Fraud, Deceit, and Plagiarism:
Evidence of the Lies and Spurious Acts of Gilderoy Lockhart
By Mandy Brocklehurst and Hermione Granger
"Whoa!" Seamus uttered wide-eyed, while looking at his friends.
"Yeah, this sounds interesting...and heavy!" Dean added with a smirk.
"Way to go, Hermione, Mandy!" Seamus finished with a grin.
"And we owled a copy off to The Daily Prophet yesterday," Mandy said with a smirk.
The second-year boys chuckled as they left the girls and headed in for breakfast.
That afternoon, every student at Hogwarts had either read or heard about the paper Hermione and Mandy produced and whispers about Lockhart's misdeeds were the talk of the school, though hardly any seemed surprised by now. Those heading for Lockhart's class were particularly eager to see what was going to happen once the professor got wind of it.
As the second-years approached the door to the DADA classroom, they let Mandy and Hermione lead the way, both of them looking determined as Hermione held a copy of their parchment in her free hand, ready to hand it to Lockhart. Mandy opened the door and the rest entered, each taking their seats.
But immediately, they noticed something different in the room: none of Lockhart's moving portraits were there to greet them. As the students silently waited for the wizard to appear from out of his study, Harry saw a purple light coming from under the study door. But it lasted only a moment before disappearing and being replaced by dim sunlight. The students then heard movement inside the study and the sound of something falling over. Everyone stared at each other with puzzled looks. Harry was just about to head to the study when the classroom door opened behind them.
In walked Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall, along with...James and Tonks! The students were astonished. Harry and Hermione beamed at the young Auror who smiled back at them.
"Good afternoon, class," the headmaster spoke.
"Good afternoon, sir," nearly all responded.
"Has Professor Lockhart made an appearance yet?" the wizard asked.
"No, sir, not yet," Mandy Brocklehurst said.
Dumbledore nodded. He and the others proceeded to the front of the classroom. The students whispered to one another, wondering what was going on. Tonks approached Harry and Hermione.
"Hello, you two. When I said we'd see each other again soon, I didn't think it would be this soon," she told them with a smirk.
"What are you and James doing here? What's happening?" Harry asked quietly.
James stepped toward them.
"Apparently, a couple of smart second-year girls sent a paper to The Daily Prophet concerning a certain...professor here, accusing him of some pretty stiff crimes," he told them, "we were sent by the Ministry to take him in for questioning."
Every pupil in earshot of this went wide-eyed. Professor Dumbledore moved to the study door and knocked on it.
"Professor Lockhart?" he uttered.
The sound of someone fumbling around inside was then followed by footsteps approaching the door. The door opened and Lockhart, dressed in his gaudy, lilac outfit, stood and stared out with a goofy smile on his face.
"Oh! Hello there! And...who might you be?" he asked very sincerely while gazing at Dumbledore and McGonagall. The professors glanced at one another with furrowed brows, then back at the wizard. The headmaster continued.
"Professor, we have some visitors here from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement whom you should remember and who would like to ask you some questions. Would you mind stepping outside the classroom, please?"
Gilderoy's face scrunched up as he looked behind him and then back again.
"Professor? What professor? Oh! You're referring to me! I'm a...professor? Hmm. That's a novel idea! A professor of what exactly?"
The man waited for an answer to his question with that same pleasant but goofy look on his face. The professors now stared at the Aurors who stared back, equally puzzled. James stepped forward.
"Professor Lockhart, we need to ask you some questions concerning information which has come forward claiming you both stole from and obliviated numerous wizards and witches over the past decade. Would you come with us, please?"
The wizard's face lit up.
"Lockhart! So, that's my name! Thank you for telling me! I've been at quite a loss trying to remember it," he uttered with a chuckle, "now then, one more thing, if you don't mind..."
Gilderoy leaned in toward them.
"...where am I, exactly?" he asked them with a confused look.
The professors and Aurors again exchanged puzzled looks as did the students. James nodded at Tonks. She stepped up to Lockhart, pulled her wand, and pointed it at his head.
"Hold still there, professor," she said.
Gilderoy gazed wide-eyed at the wand and her without moving his head.
"Revelio Lepore!" she uttered.
A bright glow appeared from the tip of her wand and enveloped Lockhart's head.
"Oh!" he let out in astonishment, "what's that? Some sort of...magic?"
The glow disappeared and Tonks looked at the tip of her wand, which glowed blue-green very briefly before disappearing. The Aurors exchanged knowing glances. James turned to Dumbledore and McGonagall.
"It appears he's been obliviated, professors," the Auror informed them.
Several students gasped
"Obliviated?" McGonagall uttered wide-eyed.
"Obliviated!" Lockhart said with incredulity, "that's a funny sounding word! Did you just make that up?"
The witch frowned at the man and looked back at James.
"How did he end up obliviated?" she asked.
James stepped over to Gilderoy and stared hard at him.
"That's a good question," he responded, "can we examine his study?"
"Of course, James," Dumbledore said.
The headmaster opened the door further and the four stepped inside along with Lockhart who continued holding a goofy grin on his face as though he was discovering all this for the very first time. Harry and Hermione, both terribly curious, hopped up from their seats and moved to the study door, every second-year in the classroom following and standing behind them.
The study was large but filled with many different objects on the floor and walls which made it very cluttered. The professor's desk at the back was covered in a multitude of parchments scattered among ink quills and melted candlesticks. Three of the walls contained strange and spooky-looking portraits of moving figures who belonged more in a muggle horror film than on the wall of a professor's study. Harry assumed these portraits and many of the other macabre items, such as stuffed magical creatures and jars of who-knew-what, belonged to previous DADA teachers who had simply left them here over time.
But the professors and Aurors were drawn to a large table against the right wall, upon which sat several trunks, all of which were open and filled with a messy assortment of clothes, Lockhart books, small wooden chests, and several wrapped parcels.
"It would appear, our esteemed professor was attempting to vacate the premises," Dumbledore said as he lifted a small picture frame from one suitcase, the moving portrait of Lockhart in it backing up along the edges as though Dumbledore was a giant monster about to consume him.
"Well, he apparently found out his ruse was up and wished to escape posthaste," McGonagall uttered with a stern look at Hermione and Mandy standing in the doorway next to Harry. The girls looked back at her with pink cheeks. McGonagall turned to the Head Auror.
"But what happened to him? Could he have obliviated himself?"
"It's possible," James answered as he glanced around while Tonks examined the room for clues, "we've had cases of suspected criminals obliviating themselves before they could be arrested or prosecuted. As you may know, under Wizarding law, if a person loses their memory, they can't be tried before the Wizengamot..."
"Jimmy!" Tonks uttered while kneeling down at the corner of the room. Everyone turned to look at her. She stood back up, holding a wand she had retrieved from the floor.
"That's Gilderoy's wand," the headmaster said, "I would recognize it anywhere as he liked to...twiddle it during our faculty meetings."
The red-haired Auror walked over and handed it to her boss. James looked it over and pulled out his own wand.
"Well, Professor McGonagall, let's find out the answer to your question."
The man pointed the tip of his wand at the tip of Lockhart's.
"Prior Incantato!" he spoke.
An orange glow appeared between the wands and the hazy image of a picture frame, similar to the one Dumbledore pulled from one of the trunks, appeared before dissolving into thin air. James looked at the others.
"The memory charm wasn't the last spell this wand produced," he informed them flatly, "it was a reduction charm, most likely on that frame you just held up, headmaster."
McGonagall and Dumbledore exchanged astonished glances.
"Then that means someone performed the memory charm on him," the headmaster concluded.
"Correct," the head Auror replied.
"But who?" the witch in green uttered wide-eyed, "this door is the only way in or out of the study!"
"And apparition is impossible inside the castle and grounds," Tonks added.
"This school is rather large and it's possible someone physically snuck inside and back out without being noticed," James said.
"Students? Did any of you see anyone enter or exit the classroom, or wandering the halls here on the fourth floor?" Dumbledore asked Harry and the others.
They all shook their heads. Then Harry remembered.
"Professor, before you came into the classroom, there was a purple light coming from under the doorway, here," he said while pointing down, "but then it disappeared."
James and Tonks looked at one another.
"Then that further confirms Lockhart didn't use his own wand to obliviate himself. That particular memory charm doesn't produce a purple light," he said.
Silence came over everyone as they gazed at Lockhart who smiled.
"Wish I had been here to see that! I'm rather fond of purple, you know?" he uttered with that toothy grin of his.
"Well," Dumbledore said with a frown, "it appears we have yet another mystery on our hands. But in the meantime, we need to get the professor to a place where he can be helped - the Janus Thickey Ward, I imagine."
Tonks gently took one of Gilderoy's arms.
"Come on you. Let's go," she said somewhat tongue in cheek while smirking at Harry and Hermione.
"Oh! Where are we going?" Lockhart asked cheerily.
"St. Mungo's," Tonks replied as the students cleared a path for them and the Auror led the wizard out.
"St. Mungo's! He sounds like a nice chap! Is his house grand?"
"Thank you for coming once more, James, you and Tonks," Dumbledore stated, "with everything that's happened this year, you're beginning to feel like family."
James chuckled as they exited the study and the students returned to their desks.
"I'll send in my report, professor, and can request some investigation be started on the circumstances of Lockhart's memory loss, if you wish."
"I don't think that will be necessary. I'll conduct the investigation myself. When I was younger, I used to be enthralled by those muggle mystery thrillers and fancied myself something of a detective. This will give me the opportunity to...play the part, if you will."
The old wizard smiled at Harry who recalled their examination of Hermione's dorm after the fire.
"Very well, until next time, headmaster, professor," he said to Dumbledore and McGonagall.
They returned the same. The Auror then gave Harry and Hermione a grin and nod before departing the classroom.
"Well now, class," Dumbledore spoke while turning to the pupils, "it appears we have the same predicament as last year - our dear Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher abandoning his post before end of term. In which case, I shall once more take his place."
Harry and Hermione beamed at one another, and the entire class seemed thrilled - no more Lockhart books or his shenanigans. The headmaster went on.
"But for today, class is canceled. You may go."
Students now eagerly got up from their desks and began heading out. As they did, McGonagall and Dumbledore lingered, obviously wanting to examine the professor's study further. Harry, Hermione, and Mandy waited until the others had left.
"I never understood your hiring that odious man in the first place, Albus," the transfiguration professor uttered as they moved back to the study door, "what convinced you to do such a thing?"
"He was forced upon me by Fudge, Minerva. After last year's debacle with Quirrell, our Minister felt strongly we needed a 'reputable' wizard for the position who would appease the parents of our dear pupils. So, I humored him. But while we all had our doubts about the man, it was once again a couple of our brightest second-years who rose to the occasion...and saved the day."
The wizard smiled at Hermione and Mandy, who both blushed with enormous grins on their faces. Dumbledore and McGonagall went back into the professor's study while the three students exited the classroom.
"So, apparently, someone snuck into Lockhart's study and...obliviated him? Who would do that, and why?" Mandy wondered.
"I don't know," Hermione said with scrunched up face, "but I highly doubt it was any of the staff."
"Yeah, we know both Snape and Hagrid really disliked the man, but I can't fathom either of them, or any of the professors for that matter, doing something criminal like that," Harry added.
"Maybe it was a student," Mandy said.
"But why would any of the students do it?" Harry asked, "Lockhart was certainly over-the-top and ridiculous, but as far as we know, he didn't offend or hurt anyone at the school."
"It's strange, really. Hopefully Professor Dumbledore can find out doing his detective work," Hermione said, "but one thing about it is ironic."
"What's that?" Mandy asked.
"He obliviated all those wizards and witches, and wound up obliviated himself," Hermione explained, "all that cheating finally came back on his own head...literally."
~HP~
The next morning, Hermione and Harry were eating breakfast at the Gryffindor table when Seamus and Dean arrived.
"You two need to see this!" Dean uttered with a gleam of excitement in his eyes, Seamus' face echoing his friend's.
The lanky boy laid a copy of The Daily Prophet in front of them. Harry and Hermione both exchanged frowns, expecting the worst. But they were surprised at the front-page headline.
HARRY POTTER NOT THE HEIR OF SLYTHERIN AFTER ALL!
THE BOY WHO LIVED DEFIES ALL ODDS AND SAVES HOGWARTS!
Harry and Hermione now beamed at one another and their friends. Hermione then read the first part out loud.
"...From an inside source, who shall remain nameless, this reporter has learned that Headmaster Dumbledore, in an effort to clear his name of...wrongdoing..."
Hermione stopped at this and threw Harry and their friends an angry look. The others grimaced back before she continued.
"...to clear his name of wrongdoing, made an astonishing revelation before not only his students and staff at the venerable school, but also before Ministry Aurors, Hogwarts Governor Lucius Malfoy, and even Minister Fudge himself. According to eyewitnesses, the professor utilized a Pensieve to show an encounter between young Harry Potter and the supposed memory of one Tom Riddle, a former student at Hogwarts. The young, handsome Slytherin confessed to Harry, and thus the entire world, that he was the actual Heir of Slytherin and opened the infamous Chamber of Secrets himself. As well, according to official records obtained from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, brave young Harry Potter, by himself, bested the giant monster purported to exist within the Chamber, thus ending the threat..."
Hermione stopped and gave Harry a partial smile.
"Well, at least Skeeter recognized the truth and cleared you of blame this time," she told him.
But Harry frowned while gazing at the paper then her.
"Yeah, but she didn't get it quite right."
"How so?" Seamus asked.
"I didn't defeat the Basilisk all by myself. I couldn't have. I needed the help of the most powerful wizard in the world, and...someone very close to me."
Harry gazed at the girl with a smile and grateful expression. Hermione threw those pretty doe eyes right back at him.
"But that's not all, you two," Dean interrupted them, "look at the next one."
The pair gazed at the article below this headline.
Lucius Malfoy stands trial before Wizengamot!
The now former governor of Hogwarts found guilty!
The second-years gawked at one another. Harry read it out loud this time.
"...In a most shocking turn of events, Lucius Malfoy, one of our most illustrious and esteemed citizens..."
Now Harry stopped and threw the others an annoyed look before continuing.
"...and esteemed citizens, was found guilty of inciting the terrible events surrounding the opening of the Chamber of Secrets at Hogwarts, the very school over which he held governorship. According to sources inside the court, the wealthy patriarch of the Malfoy dynasty had introduced an artefact into the school which not only led to the terrorizing of its students, but also the death of two people, a Ministry official among them. While Malfoy's defender, Mr. Sylvester Thornby of the highly respected Thornby & Grimm Solicitors, gallantly pleaded the wizard's case and pressed strongly for his innocence, the Interrogators were forced to introduce Veritaserum into the trial when the court found itself in deadlock over the conviction. Due to an antiquated statute from 1606, concerning hung juries, Mr. Malfoy was force-fed the serum as he refused to take it willingly. Heated shouting and near-fights erupted in the trial room between supporters of Malfoy and his detractors. Unfortunately, Chief Warlock Albus Dumbledore, who presided over this questionable trial, and is known to be one of Malfoy's most vicious critics, maintained the statute and resumed the trial. Malfoy revealed his full involvement in what happened at Hogwarts, was found guilty of the crime, and has been sentenced to time in Azkaban. Though for how long it has not yet been determined. Mr. Thornby, meanwhile, has vowed to have the conviction overturned by all means possible..."
Harry sat back with a frown. Hermione noticed this and gave him a worried look.
"Harry, what's wrong? This is good news, isn't it?" she asked.
"Yes," he uttered while looking down at the paper, "but something about it bothers me."
"What?"
"Dobby."
~HP~
When they entered the Spellroom, Harry's eyes went wide. The entire room was covered in Lockhart parchments, some stacks of which reached nearly to the ceiling. Hermione frowned.
"I told you," she said, "our duplicating got a little out of hand."
"A little?" Harry replied incredulous.
"Geminio is a harder spell to master than Mandy and I thought," she answered sour-faced.
Harry smirked and shook his head. He then reached into his robes and pulled out the silver Galleon Dobby had given him. Hermione watched as he flipped it twice. A few moments later there was a POP and the House Elf appeared beside them.
"Harry Potter called Dobby?" he uttered with a partial smile at the boy.
"Hello, Dobby," Harry said with a frown, "how are things at Malfoy Manor?"
Dobby's face turned sour.
"All is chaos! Mistress is crying and angry! Dobby has been beaten!" the creature said while lifting up the pillowcase to reveal bruises on his back.
Harry and Hermione threw sad looks at each other, then stared at the elf.
"We're very sorry to hear that," Harry told him, placing a hand on the poor thing's shoulder, "we know you were trying to help, and you did...sort of. Everything turned out well in the end...thanks in part to your information."
Dobby shuddered, his eyes teary and wide at the twelve-year-old.
"The great Harry Potter...is...thanking Dobby? Dobby has never been thanked before!" he uttered in surprise before leaning over and placing his hands to his face, crying.
Hermione reached up and placed her hand on his other shoulder.
"Dobby?" she asked.
The elf stopped crying and looked up at her.
"Is there some way you can get free of the Malfoys?"
The elf shook his head.
"No. Dobby is sworn to serve the Malfoys forever. He cannot free himself. The only way Dobby can be free is if master presents him with clothes."
"Clothes?" Harry asked with a scrunched-up face.
Dobby nodded.
Harry and Hermione frowned at one another.
"Well, that's not going to happen any time soon, I'm afraid, not with your master in Azkaban," Harry said, "but, Hermione and I want to help. We'll try to find some way to set you free. We promise."
Dobby's face lit up.
"Free? Dobby...set...free? Dobby has known of Harry Potter's greatness! He never knew of his...goodness! And the Grangy girl too!"
The elf's big eyes filled with water. Harry went on.
"In the meantime, hang in there and...keep an eye and ear out for us at the manor, will you? Things might turn ugly with one of...You Know Who's supporters behind bars. We could use any information you can give us."
Dobby smiled and placed his thin fingers on Harry's shoulder now.
"Dobby will help Harry Potter and the Grangy girl. Dobby is their...friend..."
The elf suddenly froze and looked up.
"AH!" he uttered with a look of fright, "mistress is calling! Dobby must go and...must say farewell!"
"Bye, Dobby. See you later," Harry spoke.
"Take care of yourself, Dobby," Hermione said with a sad look.
The House Elf stepped forward with a smile and placed a hand on each of their shoulders. He then stepped back, snapped his fingers, and disappeared.
~HP~
The next month passed by in a blur. As final exams were only five weeks out, Hermione decided they needed to go ahead and prepare. But this time, Harry helped her create the very informative, color-coded parchments which laid out all the course topics they needed to master. From that point on, the two dove into their studies, spending numerous hours going over the academic portions and working on practical skills in the Spellroom.
During that same period, the final Quidditch matches were held at the school. As Slytherin had beaten both Gryffindor and Ravenclaw first term, a win against Hufflepuff would secure the Hogwarts Quidditch Cup for the snakes. Everyone at the school, minus three-quarters of Slytherin House, were rooting for Cedric Diggory and the Badgers to hand them their first defeat. The other quarter of Slytherin House was backing Hufflepuff as well, mostly in protest over Lucius Malfoy's interference and his sacking of Terence Higgs and Rory Reeves, as well as disdain for Draco who was resented for getting on the team not because of skill, but because he had a rich, influential father.
Gryffindor themselves had been defeated twice, the latter against Hufflepuff. Though Oliver Wood wasn't very happy about this, the entire team now understood that Harry had been personally battling against very dark forces in the Chamber of Secrets debacle and the lions' captain used this as an excuse as to why the team hadn't performed as well as usual. But he and every Gryffindor hoped to gain at least one victory this year and everyone on the team worked extra hard for the upcoming match with Ravenclaw.
When he wasn't practicing, Harry found himself enjoying his studies for once, especially with Hermione. The pair were serious about learning, but also laughed, joked, and even teased one another to lighten things up. Without the threat of Tom Riddle or a Basilisk hanging over his head, Harry felt more relaxed than he had in a while, and he deemed those final weeks of second term as some of the best he could remember. But something else occurred during that time which surprised him, and yet wasn't terribly surprising at all.
The first time he realized it, he and Hermione were sitting at the common room table, busy writing answers to sample questions Flitwick had posed to simulate the real questions on their exam. Harry stopped writing and sat back for a moment, thinking about what negative effects the Repello spell might produce on objects near or surrounding the intended target. He glanced up to see Hermione deep in thought while scratching out her own answer vigorously. The girl's hair glowed beautifully around its edges from the fireplace directly behind her. Her mouth was slightly curved as though making sure every jot and tittle she wrote was correct. She then reached up with her free hand and pushed a swath of that slightly fluffy brown hair behind her ear.
She looked...stunningly pretty, and Harry's heart skipped. In that moment, it dawned on him.
He had a crush on his best friend.
The boy swallowed hard as he watched her, this seemingly innocuous thing, Hermione thinking and writing, appearing the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen. This pretty girl, who had been his friend and classmate, who had stood by him, stood up for him, and literally saved his life, was already precious to the twelve-year-old. Now, he found himself...enamored with her...
Hermione stopped writing and glanced up at him with a furrowed brow.
"What?" she asked quietly but sternly, as though Harry had rudely interrupted her writing.
He smiled and shook his head.
"Nothing," he told her while gazing deeply into those pretty brown eyes.
Hermione's own eyes softened, as though she knew what he was thinking. Her cheeks burned momentarily before she quickly looked down and resumed her work.
Harry resumed his...still smiling.
~HP~
Exams finally arrived, and with them, the end of second term. The student population was rather muted for two solid days while undergoing the ordeal. But a collective air of relief overcame the school at exams' end and a cheery spirit with it. Now everyone looked forward to the end-of-term feast and the beginning of summer holidays.
The Great Hall was filled for the occasion. The banners flying along the walls were bronze and blue. And the enormous emblem of Ravenclaw, with its swooping eagle, laid against the far wall behind the High Table. It was clear then, that the House was ahead in points and looked to take the House Cup this year, the first in nearly a decade, according to a more cheerful than usual Professor Binns. And along with the translucent man, the rest of Hogwarts' ghosts in attendance were in top form.
The Bloody Baron scowled at anyone who greeted him; Peeves flitted around the tables tipping over candlesticks and generally causing chaos; the Fat Friar went about joking and laughing with the pupils; Sir Nicholas gave his best impression of Hamlet, from Shakespeare, to whomever would listen; and the newest addition to Hogwarts' ghosts, Mr. Filch, stood off to one side of the High Table, gazing with a frown at all the cheery students, looking as unhappy in death as he did in life. And right by his side stood Mrs. Norris, recently restored from her petrified state.
Harry, Hermione, Dean, and Seamus were late for the banquet as they had been scouring Gryffindor Tower trying to find Neville. They were eager to find their friend as they heard some astonishing news about an incident in the dorm involving the boy.
When the four entered the Hall, they spotted Neville already sitting at the lions' table. And there, next to him, sat Luna with her head leaning on his shoulder. The four looked at one another and chuckled, hurrying over to the table. Harry and Hermione sat across from the pair and Dean and Seamus sat on either side. When his friends arrived, Neville sat up straight and gazed wide-eyed at them while Luna grinned happily.
"Neville! There you are!" Dean uttered.
"What happened in the common room earlier?" Seamus threw in.
"Yeah, we heard you stood up to some third-year boys!" Harry said.
Neville shrugged.
"They were...making fun of Luna! And Gryffindors too!" he told them with an angry look, "they took her shoes, tied the laces together and threw them over the candelabra! Then they called her 'Loony' Lovegood! I told them I'd thrash every last one of them if they did that again, wand or not!"
Longbottom then looked at the girl next to him.
"They don't know how smart she is," he uttered with a frown. Luna threw doe eyes back at him.
"Neville, my brave lion," the girl uttered dreamily.
Neville looked embarrassed and the others chuckled.
"Good for you, Neville!" Hermione said with a grin at the boy, "you really are very brave, you know."
The twelve-year-old grinned back at her before they all heard groans coming from Fred and George nearby. The twins were leaning over the table with their arms crossed on top of it, sour looks on their faces.
"What's wrong with you two?" Dean asked them.
They threw deep frowns back at the second-years.
"With Hagrid as caretaker..." Fred said.
"...And Filch threatening to follow us around the castle, through the walls if necessary..." George added.
"...It's impossible for us to get away with anything now," Fred finished sourly.
At that moment, Filch floated by the Gryffindor table and grinned at the twins.
"Hehe..." he uttered with a squinty look before flying off.
The second-years chuckled and the Weasleys groaned again.
"Perhaps we should think more about that business venture we discussed, brother," George said.
"You mean the joke shop, in Hogsmeade?" Fred asked.
"Yeah," he replied.
Mischievous grins now appeared on both their faces as they nodded at each other.
Just at that moment, the clinging of a glass from the High Table got everyone's attention. Headmaster Dumbledore rose and began.
"Alas, another year of school has come and gone!" he uttered. The Hall exploded with cheers.
"And, it was a rather...eventful one, to say the least," he said with some irony.
The professor then went on to announce the winner of the Hogwarts Quidditch cup: Slytherin House. But only that three-quarters of the House cheered at this news, the rest of the students remained silent. The team, including a rather embarrassed looking Draco Malfoy, went to the front to accept the trophy from Professor Snape who himself seemed embarrassed to give it, considering all the controversy surrounding Lucius Malfoy's interference.
The headmaster then gave the final tally of House points, with Flitwick changing the banner numbers as he went. Hufflepuff was once more dead last with 256 points, Slytherin third with 370 points, Gryffindor came in second again with 395, and Ravenclaw with an astonishing 485 points. But after all the harrowing events of that year, most prominent of which was the Chamber of Secrets debacle, everyone expected some last-minute point awards. They weren't wrong.
"For exceptional insight and using her wits to help her friend and fellow student eliminate the threat over this school, and uncover a fraud in our midst, I hereby award Miss Hermione Granger...fifty-five points."
The lions erupted in applause, most of the other Houses joining them. Hermione's cheeks burned in embarrassment, Harry chuckling while clapping vigorously for the girl. Gryffindor now stood at 450.
"And, for once again demonstrating bravery and selflessness well beyond the call of duty, I hereby award fifty points to Mr. Harry Potter for defeating the monster beneath our beloved castle."
The entire hall blew up with cheers. Hermione gave Harry a huge hug and the boy beamed. Gryffindor was at 500 points. Dumbledore motioned for silence.
"Now, I have further points to award. For also engaging her bright mind to work with Miss Granger in exposing the same criminal fraud, I hereby award twenty points to Miss Mandy Brocklehurst."
Ravenclaw went wild. Mandy looked embarrassed as her fellow House mates congratulated her and shook her hand. Ravenclaw was at an incredible 505 points. It seemed the House would definitively win and everyone sat back down, ready to dig into the feast. But they were surprised - the awarding wasn't finished.
"We have one more set of points to give out before I announce the winner of the 1992-1993 House Cup. Professor McGonagall?"
The witch in emerald-green stood and gazed at the Gryffindor table with that stern look of hers, particularly at Harry.
"For his willingness to place himself in danger, in order to save a friend and fellow classmate from what we all now know was a deceiving apparition in the form of one Tom Riddle, though an innocent student received the consequences, I hereby restore fifteen points to Mr. Harry Potter of Gryffindor."
The lions roared like never before as this put the House at 515. Gryffindor won! The other Houses cheered equally, and Harry noticed Justin Finch-Fletchley clap and nod back at him. Harry returned the same. The banners in the hall changed to scarlet and gold, and the House emblem switched from the eagle to the rampant lion.
After the hall went silent, Dumbledore made a few more end of term announcements concerning the posting of marks in the hall the next morning. He then enjoined everyone to partake cheerily as food appeared and the feast got underway. Second Term of Harry Potter's second year officially came to an end.
~HP~
Every student at Hogwarts stood in the main corridor, staring at the results parchments posted on the wall. The second-year Gryffindors stood before their section, each of them eagerly searching for their "OAFs", though with a bit of nervousness over how they had performed. Harry and Hermione, gazing through the lot, found hers first.
STUDENT: Hermione Jean Granger
HOUSE: Gryffindor
CURRENT LEVEL: Year 2
Transfiguration - Grade 2...(O)
Potions - Grade 2...(O)
Charms - Grade 2...(O)
Herbology - Grade 2...(O)
History of Magic...(O)
Defence Against the Dark Arts...(O)*
Intermediate Astronomy...(O)
RECOMMENDATION: Advance to Third Year
Harry looked at the girl.
"'O's in everything again. Well, that's a shocker!" he teased her.
Hermione lightly slapped him on the shoulder and chuckled. Harry chuckled as well. They then found Harry's report.
STUDENT: Harry James Potter
HOUSE: Gryffindor
CURRENT LEVEL: Year 2
Transfiguration - Grade 2...(O)
Potions - Grade 2...(A)
Charms - Grade 2...(O)
Herbology - Grade 2...(O)
History of Magic...(A)
Defence Against the Dark Arts...(O)*
Intermediate Astronomy...(O)
RECOMMENDATION: Advance to Third Year
Hermione smirked while gazing squinty-eyed at the parchment.
"Only two 'A's this time, the rest 'O's! That's great, Harry!"
"Thanks," he uttered, pleased with his results. The girl continued.
"So, you've finally moved up from 'Troll' level, then," she teased him.
Harry chuckled. The girl laughed. But Harry noticed that asterisk next to their DADA scores like last year.
"Hermione, it looks like we received recognition about our Dark Arts class again," he said while pointing at the handwritten note at the bottom of each of their parchments.
Advanced honors and special commendation for exceptional performance - A. Dumbledore
They grinned at one another before their friends joined them. All the Gryffindor second-years passed and were excited about returning for their third year that fall.
~HP~
After breakfast, the castle was once more a flurry of activity as everyone rushed back to their dorms to retrieve their belongings and head out to their respective modes of transportation back to Hogsmeade: the first-years taking the boats back across the Black Lake with Hagrid, and the rest of the students taking the Thestral-driven carriages.
The Gryffindor common room became noisy and crowded as students headed from their rooms through the Fat Lady's portrait, stopping along the way to say goodbye to friends and fellow House mates. Harry, not having to depart himself, lingered in the common room and talked with several of his fellow Gryffindors from different years, bidding them farewell and looking forward to seeing them again in September.
"Have fun here at the castle, Harry!" Fred told the boy while carrying a duffle bag over his shoulder.
"Yeah, don't do anything too crazy, like we would!" George added, carrying a similar bag over his.
"Right, guys. See you fall term," Harry said with some amusement.
While he was thrilled to not have to return to 4 Privet Drive, he realized how much he would miss his 'family' for the next two months, despite his excitement about staying at Hogwarts.
"Later!" the twins uttered at the same time while waving back at him as they disappeared through the portrait.
Harry turned around to find Dean, Neville, and Seamus arrive in the room from their dorm upstairs. The three boys stopped before him.
"We're really happy for you, Harry, that you get to stay here for the summer," Dean told him, "but...we're going to miss you on the train ride too, you know."
"Yeah, it seems like the five of us always have a blast on the Express," Seamus said with a slight frown, "it won't quite be the same without you."
Harry felt a lump in his throat.
"I know. But it won't be long before we're all back together again," he said with a partial smile.
"I hope you don't mind, Harry, I invited Luna to sit with us on the way back to King's Cross, in your spot," Neville said with an uncertain look at the boy.
"Not at all, Neville! That's great! I'm really glad you two have become friends," Harry told him with a pat on his shoulder.
"Yeah, Luna's beginning to feel like family now, Neville," Seamus uttered slyly and the boys laughed, Neville's face turning beet red.
The three said their goodbyes and left Gryffindor Tower. The number of students leaving had dwindled to just a few. But Harry was waiting for one person in particular. And only moments later, she appeared.
When Hermione came down from the girls' dorms into the room, she looked up at him with a smile, carrying her book satchel in one hand and a small suitcase in the other. She looked very pretty, and Harry's heart skipped at the sight.
She came up to him and set her belongings down, giving him a teary-eyed look with deep emotion. Harry smiled, despite his heart fluttering.
"So, this is it for a month, then," he said.
She nodded.
"Yes. But at least I can come back here early. My parents had the trip to Italy planned out way in advance and were counting on me joining them."
"I understand. And I hope you have a really great time. You'll have to tell me all about it."
"Thanks. I will," she uttered with a soft smile, "and when I come back, we can give you a real birthday celebration for once."
Harry felt a lump in his throat now.
"That would be great, Hermione. I look forward to it," he said.
The pair stared at one another, a certain sadness coming over them both at this farewell. But Hermione lightened it up.
"Well...I hope you have fun hanging out with Hagrid and studying under Dumbledore and McGonagall," she said, "but don't learn too much! I'm supposed to know more than you, remember!"
They both laughed at this.
"Right," Harry said in amusement, "I'll keep that in mind."
But then a pall of sadness came over the girl again.
"I'm going to miss you, Harry," she said softly.
The boy swallowed hard, feeling the sadness too.
"I'm...going to miss you too," he managed to eke out, "but...you'll write to me, won't you?"
"Of course!" she said cheerily, "and...you'll write to me too, right?"
"Yes. And hopefully, Dobby won't intercept our letters this time."
Hermione laughed and Harry followed suit. The girl then stared at him with those doe eyes and leapt forward, enveloping him in a strong hug. He embraced her equally, closing his eyes, taking in the sweet scent of her hair, his heart skipping once more. After a few moments, Hermione let go and reached down to take her things. The girl smiled one last time at him.
"See you later...Harry," she uttered softly.
"Okay," was all he could reply.
The thirteen-year-old turned and headed for the portrait. And at that moment, terrific emotion came over the boy.
"Hermione!" he uttered desperately.
She spun around and looked at him wide-eyed. He stepped over to her and she placed her things on the floor once more. The boy took her hands in his and gazed deeply into those brown eyes. Hermione's face softened.
"Before you go," he started, "there's...something I want to tell you."
Hermione's cheeks turned pink, and her breathing intensified. He went on.
"I've told you many times you're my best friend, and that I wouldn't know what to do without you."
She nodded, grasping his hands a little tighter. He continued, his heart pounding.
"But...I also want you to know...that I...really like you...a lot."
Hermione took a sharp breath.
"I really like you a lot too, Harry," she said softly. He smiled, feeling more confident.
"Well...I never did finish telling you what I was going to say after that astronomy class last year either, that I would be...proud to call you my girlfriend...if you would like, that is."
Hermione beamed as she stared into his eyes.
"Sure," she uttered, gripping his hands affectionately. Harry smiled in relief and joy. And this was the moment.
"Can I...kiss you?" he asked meekly.
Hermione's face softened and she nodded.
Harry leaned down, gently placed his lips on hers, and felt a jolt - they were soft, warm, and sweet.
The kiss only lastly briefly and Harry stepped back, his heart beating out of his chest. They stared at each other, both blushing fiercely. They then laughed, both of them amazed, a little embarrassed as it was their first kiss ever, and yet overcome with emotion too. Hermione then reached up and kissed him in return. She then stepped back but remained close.
Harry was soaring through the clouds.
"Wow," he uttered nearly speechless.
The girl smiled at him, her face glowing with happiness.
"Well," he then said, "I'll walk you to the carriage, then."
"Okay," she uttered with soft eyes at him.
Harry reached down and grabbed her suitcase. Hermione grabbed her satchel. Harry then held out his free hand and Hermione took it with hers, both of them grinning at each other. They then headed out of the common room.
A whole month would seem like an eternity to Harry now. But before he knew it, this girl he cared so much for would return to Hogwarts and they could enjoy an entire month together at the school before first term of their third year started.
Until then, Harry simply couldn't wait.