Hogwarts was like a balloon that had popped. The energy that usually filled the halls was gone. Even the talk and laughter of students seemed subdued and sometimes forced. The usual end-of-exams pranks the Weasley twins were famous for were less boisterous than usual.
The Daily Prophet had released an article the day after the Third Task, detailing the Task without the usual sensation as Rita Skeeter had not had the byline. At first, Aria had been surprised that the paper had reported Cedric's panicked words when he and Harry had returned, she had thought Minister Fudge would have tried to censor the newspaper. Therefore, it was unsurprising when, a day later, the newspaper printed a retraction, stating clearly that Minister Fudge was certain that whatever had happened at the Third Task, it had not been "as bad" as Mr. Diggory and Mr. Potter made it out to be and that Minister Fudge would not tolerate anyone attempting to cause panic in the British populous.
The European papers had no such pressure and over the remaining few weeks of school after the tournament, continued to print articles detailing the history of the rise and fall of the "British Dark Lord Voldemort". Of course, Cedric was quite adamant that if any journalist wanted the full story, they could just come and ask him, but the British press refused to interview him, and Minister Fudge even went so far as to ban the foreign press from Britain.
Which just caused even more problems with the International Confederation of Wizards.
On the last day of term, Aria gathered with Harry and her friends for a school assembly where the ending ceremony of the Triwizard Tournament was being combined with the traditional Leaving Ceremony for the seventh years. As always, Hogwarts had opened its gates for families of seventh years, all the families walking up from Hogsmeade. The addition of families eased some of the tension, allowing some excitement and mirth to return to Hogwarts as seventh years celebrated the end of their Hogwarts journey.
The 4th years made a buffer around Harry. Aria, Hermione, and Ron acting as his closest bodyguards while the Slytherins then the Gryffindors made the next line of defense, followed by a few Ravenclaws like Padma and Lisa; and Hufflepuffs like Susan, Hannah, Justin, and Ernie. The sixth years acted the same way with Cedric. Cho sat beside her boyfriend, the sixth year Hufflepuffs after her, followed by the Weasley twins and several other sixth years like Lee Jordan, Angelina Johnson, and Alicia Spinnett. Cedric led them all to sit close to Harry. Fleur and Viktor ensured their schools sat by the Hogwarts Champions too.
The European students were not as subdued as the Hogwarts students, even though the possibility if a Dark Lord rising again was worrisome, even for those on the continent. Voldemort, according to the European papers, had begun spreading onto the continent when Harry had defeated him as a baby, thereby sparing the wider European community from getting involved in what was basically a civil war within the British Isles. If the Dark Lord had somehow come back from the dead, the newspaper hypothesized, would he turn his sights to Europe once again? At least one Spanish paper had interviewed wixen from their Departamento de Magia Oscura who discussed the various ways Voldemort could have returned to life, each way darker and more horrid and illegal than the last.
A German paper had also lambasted Minister Fudge and his administration for barring the foreign press from Britain, raising questions about the freedom of the press within Britain and whether or not Fudge was trying to hide something.
It was all a mess.
The dais at the front of the Great Hall had had its table pushed back to make room for chairs for the professors, the headmasters and headmistresses (Durmstrang's acting headmaster was one of the professors that had come, a halfblood from Montenegro named Dijana Milić who taught Astrology), and the ministry officials who were there to represent their countries. It was unclear where Karkaroff had run off to. Aria noted Percy and Bagman were there, though Bagman looked tired and had bags under his eyes while Percy's face was unusually serious, even for him, and he held his shoulders stiffly. The French and Bulgarian Ministers of Magic were present and looked just as serious as Percy. Minister Fudge had, unsurprisingly at this point, refused to come.
"Welcome one and all to the end of another magical year at Hogwarts," Dumbledore greeted everyone. "I am so glad to see so many familiar faces returning to these hallowed halls." He bowed a little to the seventh-year families, many parents grinning in remembrance of their own school days.
For a wild moment, the realization came over Aria that, in the future, her own kids would go to Hogwarts! She was the start of a new set of legacy students! What House would they be in? What professors would still be alive and teaching? How long did wixen live anyway? How old was Dumbledore?
"First, I would like to thank Beauxbatons and Durmstrang for being such exemplary guests and partners with Hogwarts during the Triwizard Tournament," Dumbledore continued.
Exemplary? Aria and Harry shared a look while Nikola muttered something under his breath, earning a sharp elbow in the side from Viktor.
"As always, Hogwarts seeks to cultivate the next generation. I am certain that through this year, the next generation of European wizards and witches will be better bound by bond of friendship than ever before."
Harry slipped his hand into Aria's and she squeezed it, glad that he was reaching out. She knew the whispers were growing on him, and that he too just wanted to go home to Sirius. His godfather had written and, now that Sirius was only going to Switzerland once every few months for health check-ups, Harry and Remus were going to move in with him. And since Kenneth and Remus were still in a relationship (Aria was certain there was something between the lines and Sirius might also be in the relationship), Kenneth and Aria would be moving in with them too! They would split their summer between Spinner's End and Sirius' place in London. Exploring London sounded like a lot of fun and Aria already had several ideas of things to do to get their minds off recent events.
The seventh-year awards and speeches past. Aria had not known many people in this year's graduating class. There was Phineas Leach whose mother was on the Board of Governors, and she was acquainted with Elora Dunn. She had gotten to know Beatrice Haywood and Terry Strickland a bit, especially at the beginning of the year. Beatrice got a recognition award for her Defense and Potions grades.
Once the seventh-year awards and speeches were done, Bagman and Percy stepped forward and the Four Champions were called forward. Each stood with their Head of School while Bagman made a flowery speech about good sportsmanship, competitive spirit, and some other rot that had most of the students twitching. Even Percy was looking less than enthused with Bagman, but Aria was pretty certain that was a permanent opinion of Percy's towards Ludo Bagman.
To Aria's surprise, Fleur and Viktor got some kind of prize even though they had not won. Fleur, who had finished last, received 100 Galleons while Viktor received 200 Galleons. The most shocking thing was that Harry and Cedric thought, as co-winners, they would split the 1,000 Galleon prize, but Bagman announced that each of them would receive 1,000 Galleons. The shock was written over both their faces as Percy deposited a money bag into their hands.
"What I wouldn't give for 1,000 Galleons," Ron murmured, a bit wistfully, but at least not jealously.
The Triwizard Champions hurried back to their seats and Dumbledore, once again, took center stage.
"Hogwarts is proud to have delivered such fine young champions," he said with a grim smile. "I know there has been much talk surrounding the Third Task and the events that led to Mr. Diggory and Mr. Potter returning in such states of injury. As I am a man who believes that the truth is always preferable to lies, I think you all deserve to know the truth."
Aria stared at Dumbledore. Harry stiffened by her side.
"Lord Voldemort has returned."
Panicked whispers and mutterings filled the Great Hall, rippling through the three schools and the parents who had come. The ministry officials, from all three countries represented, looked at each other with faces Aria could not read.
"As you may have seen from the papers," Dumbledore went on, "the Ministry of Magic does not want me to tell you this. It is even possible that some of your parents, waiting for you at home, will be horrified that I have chosen to do so. Many may be outraged, either because they do not believe Lord Voldemort has returned, and others because they think you are too young to be told. Yet, the truth cannot remain hidden. Fear can only grow if truth is left unspoken."
Almost every face was staring at Dumbledore now, with mixtures of fear or shock. Several students refused to look at him at all, preferring to look at their laps as if looking at Dumbledore would mean everything, he said was true.
"Harry Potter and Cedric Diggory managed to do, what many people failed to do," the headmaster said. "They survived an encounter with Lord Voldemort. Not by sheer strength, but by bravery, showing the kind of courage few wizards have ever shown in facing Lord Voldemort. For that, I honor the both of them." He bowed his head towards Harry and Cedric. Harry's face had gone pink and Cedric was clutching Cho's hand so hard, Aria could see Cho's skin under his fingers turning white.
"The Triwizard's aim," Dumbledore continued, "was meant to foster and promote friendship and understanding. The ties that you have all created over the course of this year, in light of Lord Voldemort's return, are now more important than ever. Every guest here will always find a home here at Hogwarts. We are only as strong as we are united. Division will only weaken us, and the greatest weapon Lord Voldemort wielded, was division and discord. I believe—and I hope that I am wrong—that dark times are approaching and that the needs of friendship and trust will only grow as the days wear on. Some of you have already suffered greatly from the vile acts of Lord Voldemort. Families were torn asunder."
Aria thought of Lily and James Potter. Of Susan Bones' parents and brothers who had died. Of the people she knew Remus had lost. Of Barty Crouch Jr. and the Longbottoms and the vicious torture they suffered under Death Eaters.
"If the time should come," Dumbledore finished, "when you have to make a choice between what is right and what is easy, remember the courage of those whom we have lost. Remember the bravery and fortitude showed by your fellow students, Cedric Diggory and Harry Potter."
The students of the three largest European schools of magic congregated out in front of Hogwarts to say their final good-byes to friends. Most people were saying good-bye to Beauxbatons students. With a large chunk of Durmstrang students already gone, what was left was pitiful in number. On top of that, outside of Nikola and Viktor, most Durmstrang students had not strayed far from each other, only befriending students they knew to be purebloods.
Viktor was taking the time to steal some last-minute alone time with Hermione. The two of them were really cute together, and Aria wondered if the infatuation would last the distance or if it would fade to long-distance friendship. Viktor had his career in Quidditch which he would be taking on full-time now that he was graduating and would be interviewing with several professional teams. He still played for the national team, but like Oliver Wood, wanted to also play on a professional club team. Aria thought it would be fun to take Wood up on his offer for tickets if Puddlemere ever played against Krum's team.
Nikola had one year left of Durmstrang, having only just turned seventeen a few weeks ago. Aria had commissioned potions gloves made from basilisk skin for him and he had just about died at the breakfast table when he had unwrapped the gift.
"You should come to Bulgaria," Nikola told her as they pretended to ignore their friends' staring lovingly into each other's eyes. "For a visit, of course, but also . . . if things go wrong here."
"You think I'll be safer in Bulgaria?" she asked.
"You vould be as queen," Nikola stated. Aria's eyes widened and she was not sure what kind of look came over her face, but it had Nikola hurrying to say,
"Only if you vanted, of course. And I know your heart is set on the Malfoy boy, but if that does not work out, you have options!" He trailed off with an awkward laugh.
"I would make a terrible queen."
"Ah, you think that because you are young. In a few years every magical monarchy vill vant you as their queen!"
How many magical monarchies were there?
"Or . . ." Nikola continued with a sly smile, "you could be my Court Sorcerer!"
Aria frowned.
"Aren't . . . isn't everyone in the Bulgarian court a sorcerer?" she asked.
"In Bulgaria, the Court Sorcerer is the First Advisor to the reigning monarch," Nikola told her. "Viktor's grandfather was my grandfather's Court Sorcerer."
"I didn't realize Viktor was nobility. I thought you two had just met at school."
"No, our families go far back. Mr. Krum, however, was the fourth son so inherited no title."
Aria watched Viktor hand Hermione a slip of paper. Hermione's face turned a light pink. She had to admit, Court Sorcerer had a nice ring to it.
"Your Highness," the acting headmistress said. "It is time to board."
"Very well," Nikola replied. "Viktor! It's time to leave!" He turned back to Aria. "Vill I see you at the YEP Symposium this summer?"
"Absolutely!" Aria cried. "Professor Snape and I've already got a few lectures lined up."
Nikola hesitated a moment before he quickly leaned down and pressed a kiss to Aria's cheek. She laughed, giving Nikola a playful swat to the shoulder before he and Viktor followed their headmistress down to the Durmstrang ship.
As the foreign students had arrived, so they left. Aria lifted her face to the skies as the Beauxbatons carriage flew overhead, heading south towards France. The Durmstrang ship lifted anchor and sailed to the center of the Black Lake before sinking beneath the waves to head home.
"Viktor invited me to write to him!" Hermione squealed as she bounced over Aria's side. "And to possibly visit. Oh, I've never been to Eastern Europe before!"
Ron and Harry sidled up to them as they began to walk back to the castle. Professor Snape stood on the steps as if waiting for everyone to make mischief. Draco was by his side, looking just a bit put out.
"I saw you having a moment with Prince Nikola," Snape said to Aria.
"It was nothing," Aria said with a dramatic sigh. "He simply proposed marriage and I turned him down."
"He did what?" Draco cried. Snape sent him a sharp look. Several students gave them looks as they passed by into the castle. Draco scowled at the Black Lake as if he could somehow hex Nikola with mere thoughts.
"As you are still underage, Prince Nikola would have to discuss any terms of matrimony with me and Mr. Lupin," Professor Snape said.
"I didn't say yes!" Aria cried. "Merlin's sake!"
"I could buy you a crown," Draco muttered.
"He also suggested I could be Court Sorcerer," Aria commented, sticking her nose in the air.
"They've still got Court Sorcerers?" Draco cried.
"Just the one. Why, did Britain have one?"
"At one time, yes. There could be several depending on the king. Merlin was Court Sorcerer to King Arthur, so was Morgana le Fay."
"Interesting." Aria blew Draco a kiss before she and her friends disappeared into the castle. They had packing to do!