Ana's eyes fluttered open for the first time in many hours. To her astonishment, she found herself in a plain white hospital gown in a strange bed in an even stranger room. However, she was not alone…
"Oh, bless it, child," cooed Professor Frye as she wrapped the groggy girl in a tender hug. "You're awake!"
Ana put a hand against her face, rubbing at her temple. "Awake, yes… alert, is a whole other question." She grinned at her house head. "How long was I out?"
Frye looked at her enchanted wristwatch. "It's nearly four o'clock, so in the neighborhood of ten hours." She then wagged a finger at Ana to reprimand her. "You had me worried sick, Anastasia. When Miss Slater showed me the letter you left her this morning, I feared the worst…" Her expression then softened, and she embraced the tired girl again. "I'm so glad to see you're all right. You're a true heroine, of the very highest caliber. Our storied institution owes you a debt of gratitude we can never truly repay."
"I can't take all the credit, Professor," Ana murmured. "Harry and Othniel are every bit the heroes I am. As is Professor Lupin. They're… all right, I hope?"
Frye smiled at Ana. "You can see for yourself soon enough. As it turns out, you've got quite a few visitors and well-wishers." She summarily opened the door, and a sizable crowd of friends, classmates, and other guests poured into the hospital room, several of whom bore gifts such as flowers, chocolates, and get-well cards.
The first to greet Ana were her roommates, Sabrina and Jillian, who each embraced her like they haven't seen her all term.
"The whole Horned Serpent common room's been abuzz all day," Sabrina said. "They were talking about your rescue mission…"
"We even felt some tremors before breakfast this morning," Jillian admitted. "Not that we were scared or anything… oof!" Sabrina gave Jillian an elbow in the ribcage. "Okay, maybe we were a little scared."
"If you think that was scary, you really don't want to know what happened underneath the castle," Ana replied with a shudder. "Merlin, I never want to go back down there again."
Her roommates dropped off a peace lily and placed it on the nightstand next to Ana's bed, and they quietly waved goodbye and promised they'd see her again soon.
Next came the entire Horned Serpent Quiz Bowl team, with Missy front-and-center. She gave Ana a warm hug. "The whole school's heard about your brave deeds this morning," she said softly. "What you, Harry and Othniel did was… reckless, to say the least, but you were aware of a danger that nobody else in this castle could have detected. We're safe now thanks to you." Ryan Dalrymple placed a box of chocolates on the nightstand, and winked at Ana. "Well done, half-pint," he said with a smirk.
The next group to see Ana were her friends from Hogwarts. Daphne practically sprinted toward Ana; tears were streaming down her cheeks. "Oh Ana," she sobbed as she wrapped her arms around her friend, "I heard you were in trouble earlier… I was so scared for you… I was afraid I'd never get to see you again."
Ana smiled. "Apparently, it takes more than a power-hungry former Gryffindor to defeat Harry Potter and his friends."
"Peter Pettigrew was a horrid man," Daphne admitted. "The treacherous git got exactly what he deserved." She tilted her head. "I can't believe he'd use an Unforgivable on a child – arguably the worst one there is, at that!"
"He also tried using the Killing Curse on Harry," Ana explained. "He might have succeeded if that typhon didn't intervene…"
"Typhon?" Daphne asked, confused.
"It's a kind of a snake, sort of like a basilisk, but smaller," Ana clarified. "Instead of petrifying or killing with its stare, its bite can nullify one's magic."
Daphne winced. "That sounds… awful! That said, you look like you're mending well, all things considered." She then smiled at her good friend and placed a bag of treats on her nightstand.. "In the meantime, here's some Bertie Botts' Every Flavour Beans. Bit of a Hogwarts tradition." She stepped aside to give her housemates some room. Hermione, Parvati and Lavender then gave Ana tender hugs; finally Professor McGonagall presented Ana a bouquet of purple and white tulips.
"You truly have the heart of a lion, my dear," McGonagall trilled. "Miss Greengrass is right, Peter Pettigrew was a despicable excuse for a wizard and I'm ashamed to admit that I was once his house head." She smiled at Ana. "What you and your friends did was nothing short of miraculous… Mister Pettigrew was a very dangerous person and was capable of killing fully-trained wizards. He very well could have Magical Britain on its knees if he succeeded in returning with that infernal Orb…"
"We'll be leaving for Hogwarts first thing in the morning," Hermione chimed in. "I'm so sorry we had to see you in the infirmary… but if it means anything, we all had a wonderful time during our week at Ilvermorny. I know we'll be seeing you next year at the Quiz Bowl for sure."
Once her Hogwarts friends exited the room, Ana's face brightened to an even higher degree. Nova, Tallulah, Harry, Othniel, and Professor Lupin all came by to wish her well. Othniel's right arm was in a sling, but he still looked upbeat.
"Hey Ana," Nova said with a giggle. "I heard you opened up a can of whoop-arse earlier today." She hugged the younger girl. "You're the most amazing witch I know," she murmured.
Tallulah went next, and gave Ana a look of guilt as the two girls embraced each other. "I'm so sorry about what happened," she said, as tears threatened to spill down her cheeks. "I mean, I'm glad you're all right… but part of me feels that I should have been down there with y'all."
Ana smiled and shook her head. "You were precisely where you needed to be, 'Lu. I wouldn't want to senselessly endanger my friends."
Then Othniel approached her bed, and he couldn't help but beam the whole time. "You were awesome Ana. We're all really proud of you – we wouldn't have succeeded without your help."
"And I feel the same about you," Ana replied with a bright smile of her own. "You and Harry encouraged me even when I didn't think I could go on… it truly was a team effort today." She cocked her head. "How's the shoulder?"
"It feels a bit better, since Professor Lupin used the bandaging charm, and Madam Romero gave me some potions. It won't heal overnight, but I should be back to normal before too long. It'll suck not being able to do calisthenics for the next couple of weeks as I can only move my right arm so much…"
Othniel moved over to give Harry some room. Harry hugged Ana the longest of all – he truly didn't want to let go of her. "Thank you so much," he whispered in her ear. "Thank you for everything… from the bottom of my heart. There might not be an Ilvermorny right now if it weren't for you… you're the best friend I could ever ask for, Anastasia Kay Harrison."
Ana didn't want to let go of Harry anytime soon either. "And you're the best friend I could ever ask for, Harry James Potter," she whispered back. "We wouldn't be back up here if it weren't for you, either. You kept a cool head even in mortal danger… you're a true leader."
Harry then stepped aside for Professor Lupin, who presented Ana with a card signed by many friends and classmates. "You helped save my life, Anastasia," he said. "I'm not sure what prompted you and the boys to look for me under the bowels of the castle… words cannot express how grateful I am for you three. Thank you."
Knock! Knock! Knock!
The door opened, and to the surprise of Ana and everyone else inside it, the visitor was none other than the headmaster, Professor Fontaine! "I hope I'm not interrupting anything," he chuckled. He nodded toward Lupin. "Could you excuse us for just a minute or so please, Remus?"
"Certainly, Professor," Lupin replied, as he quietly left the hospital room.
Once the room clicked shut, Fontaine turned to address the children. His poker face gave the children no indication whatsoever as to what he was going to tell them. Harry and Othniel looked at each other and winced – they got the feeling that the headmaster was about to read them the riot act.
"I have it on good authority," he began in a low creak, "that the three of you have broken multiple school rules… oh, where should I begin… out of bed after hours, even after the more-than-generous one-time curfew extension… removing the Horned Serpent tower's guarding charm, barging into the Wand Selection Chamber even though it's clearly marked as being off-limits to unescorted students – and that's just to name a few! With all these infractions tallied up, that's more than enough evidence to warrant expulsion."
Harry, Ana and Othniel hung their heads – they knew what the Headmaster said was true, and deserved their fate.
Fontaine's impassive expression then brightened into a broad smile. "And because of you three, Professor Lupin is safe, and a rogue wizard's plot has been thwarted. As a result of your heroism, I shall personally see to it that all three of you receive awards of special services to Ilvermorny, and in addition, one hundred points to the Horned Serpents – apiece."
"Thank you, sir," the three children replied.
"No, it is I that should be thanking you," Fontaine clarified. "Under no circumstances should any student be exposed to such danger as what you three went through, particularly on school grounds. Yet you found ways to overcome your fears and doubts, and rose to the occasion. It encourages me that even the limited amount of training you've received has already paid dividends. Well done, indeed."
He nodded toward the boys. "I think it's time to say goodbye to Miss Harrison for now, and let her get some more well-earned rest. She'll just be here for the night for observation – you'll see her in the mess hall and your common room tomorrow. Now, off you go." He escorted the reluctant boys out of the infirmary and back to their common room.
It was finally May 31st – the last day of the 1991-92 term at Ilvermorny. Harry practically flew to the Horned Serpent table for the End of Term Feast – he was beyond excited to see how the Horned Serpents would end up for the House Cup standings. He was so giddy he could barely stay seated. Tallulah couldn't help but giggle. "Goodness Harry, d'you have ants in your pants or something?"
Harry shrugged. "Sorry… I guess I'm just curious to find out how the Horned Serpents did this term."
Tallulah rolled her eyes. "We racked up gobs of points, thanks in no small part to you, Othniel and Ana… I like our chances."
Several minutes later, Professor Goode rang a goblet with her fork to get the din to quiet down. "Students? Students! Professor Fontaine would like to make an announcement…"
Fontaine stood to his feet and addressed the hushed mess hall. "I've served as headmaster at Ilvermorny for well over a decade, but to me, no term is more memorable than this one. Sadly, we have to say goodbye to eighty five students who have called Ilvermorny home for the past seven years. I've seen how hard they've worked, and I've seen them make fond memories. It was a genuine privilege to oversee their educational careers. Could everyone please join me in congratulating our latest crop of graduates?" A thunderous round of applause rang throughout the mess hall in recognition of the seventh years' accomplishments.
Once the applause died down, he continued. "And now on to the part I'm sure you've all been waiting for – the final standings for the Ilvermorny House Cup! In fourth place – Pukwudgie, with nine hundred seventy three points." He paused for some subdued applause. "In third place – Wampus, with one thousand fifty two points." Again, he paused for applause. "In second place – the Thunderbirds, with one thousand, two hundred eighty points." As the third round of applause rang out, there was a feeling of giddiness at the Horned Serpent table – they knew they had won, but by how much?
"And finally – our 1991-92 Ilvermorny House Cup winners, the Horned Serpents, with a school record one thousand, six hundred forty one points!" The cheers and applause rang so loudly from the Horned Serpent table, several students had to cover their ears.
The next morning, every single student had hauled their belongings to the Mess Hall and waited for their year to be called. Harry, Ana, Othniel, Nova, and Tallulah all dropped off their wands at the faculty table, then waited patiently at the Horned Serpent table. Nova was the first to depart, and had a transatlantic flight to look forward to. Then it was Ana, who was about to take the NAMURS back to Chicago. Finally, the call for first years was made, and Harry, Othniel and Tallulah followed Missy out of the mess hall and into the carriages.
When Harry returned to Surrey two days later, he had so many stories to tell Roger, Rhonda and Sirius. He didn't know how to bring up the Orb or Peter Pettigrew – that would have to wait, he'd figure – but when he told them of his other adventures, they hung on to his every word as if what he was saying was the most important thing in the world.
By the time his twelfth birthday came along on July 31st, Harry had already received his invitation letter to Ilvermorny for his second year, and made plans to return to Nessel Rode with his family the following week to get everything on the supply list. He had already received quite a few cards and gifts from family members, and his friends at Ilvermorny, but he was ill-prepared for the biggest surprise of all.
Just before lunch, there was a knocking on the Woodwards' front door. "Harry, could you answer the door, please?" Rhonda called from upstairs.
"Sure, Aunt Rhonda," he replied as he left the kitchen to the front door. When he opened it, there was a family of four waiting for him. Before he realized whose family this was, a flash of slightly-wavy russet brown hair rushed up to him, nearly tackling to the ground in a wild hug. "Happy birthday, Harry!"
END