19th June 1992
The Great Hall
The End-of-the-Year feast was just as lavish as the one at the beginning of the term. The Great Hall was decked out in Gryffindor colours of scarlet and gold. A huge banner showing the Gryffindor lion covered the wall behind the High Table.
Since in this tiline, Gryffindor didn't lose 150 points because of the Dragon dilemma, and won the final match because Harry wasn't lying comatose in the infirmary, the lions were in the lead for the House Cup for the first ti in six years.
I had asked Dumbledore not to award us any last minute points for the whole debacle with Quirrel. Even though it was supposed to be a secret, sohow the entire school knew so version of what had happened.
My money was on the ghosts blabbing. Even death cannot cure so people from the affliction of gossip. Getting publically rewarded for breaking rules would set a bad precedent and encourage further reckless behaviour.
Soon Dumbledore arrived and all the chatter died down.
"Another year gone!" The headmaster said 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! Hopefully, your heads are all a little fuller than they were...you have the entire sumr ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts..."
"Now, as I understand it, the House Cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus—In fourth place, Hufflepuff with 382 points; In third, Ravenclaw with 475 points; Slytherin has 481 and with 486 points, Gryffindor wins the House Cup!"
Yeah, Hermione and I earned a lot of points for Ravenclaw this year, not that I cared. Professor Snape looked like he was in physical pain as he shook McGonagall's hand to congratulate her. The noise in the Great Hall was deafening as not just Gryffindor, but even Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff celebrated the downfall of the Slytherins.
I don't really hate Snape for favouring the Slytherins over the rest of the students. From my point of view, the man's just defending his flock. There was always a stigma against Slytherin because of Salazar leaving the castle. But, due to the actions of the previous generation of Slytherins, the recent atmosphere of the school is very hostile to everyone in the House.
And that's not fair, because these children have done nothing wrong. Many of these 11 year olds must have co with hopes of making friends and having fun. Only for those dreams to be crushed when kids of the other houses gave them the cold shoulder because Slytherins are evil.
Worse, even the teachers subconsciously label them as the problem students because of their own losses in the war at the hands of Death Eaters, who were mostly Slytherins.
11 year old kids aren't evil, but they are impressionable. Faced with derision from classmates, bullying from seniors (who like to prank firsties) and indifference from teachers, it's no wonder that most of them develop a similar antagonistic attitude towards the other three houses. Thus furthering the great divide in school and society. Hopefully in the coming years, I will be able to do sothing about it.
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20th June 1992
Hogwarts Express
Soon, it was ti to say goodbye to the castle for the sumr holidays. Our packed trunks were left for the house-elves to put in the train, while we went down to the fleet of boats to return to Hogsade—thus completing the symbolic journey of our first year.
Just like months before, Harry, Hermione, Neville and I shared a compartnt. The only difference was instead of being strangers, we were now friends.
"I can't believe our first year is over just like that," said Hermione, looking out the window at the fields passing by.
"You know what they say—ti flies when you're having fun, or solving puzzles to fight evil Dark Lords," I replied, looking up from Dragon Breeding for Pleasure and Profit by Herbert McDuff. It was quite an interesting read—might co in handy if I acquire a dragon soday.
"Speaking of evil Dark Lords," started Harry, "Are you sure Voldemort will be really taken care of? He's not coming back, is he?"
"Well, nothing's ever truly certain, is it? However, if there are no unexpected developnts, then yes, within a year Voldemort will be well and truly gone," I assured him.
"That's good," he said, going back to playing Exploding Snap with Neville.
"By the way, I couldn't find any books on Occluncy in the library, so I asked Professor Flitwick. He gave a brief summary. Does it really take months of practice to achieve the first step on your own? asked Hermione.
"Without any proper books or guidance, yes," I answered. "The first step is to clear your mind before going to sleep every night. It takes ti and practice. No other way around it."
"Is that what you did?" she asked, curiously.
"No, I didn't want to waste so much ti and effort. So I made these." I pointed to my glasses. "They are enchanted with farsight, magnification, night vision and Magesight. Also, they have this nifty little effect of scrambling any legilincy probes directed towards my eyes, thus protecting my mind."
"Bliy, that's amazing!" exclaid Neville. "What's Magesight, though?"
"A spell that allows you to see the flow of different magical particles everywhere and their interactions." I answered.
"Wait a minute!" said Hermione after a while with a thoughtful expression. "Is that how you have been doing so well in potions? Because you could see how the ingredients reacted to one another and made adjustnts accordingly?" she asked, instantly connecting the dots.
"Got it in one, Hermione," I said, with a little smirk. It was fun watching her go spare in potions, trying to figure out how I always knew what to do.
"How could you?!" she started fake-hitting on the shoulder. "That's it! You're making one of these before school starts," she said, crossing her arms with a determined expression. "And that's non-negotiable!"
"Fine, fine," I said, raising my hands in mock surrender. "I'll have them ready by the ti we et again. Happy?"
"I'm not unhappy," she said, imperiously.
"Well maybe this will make you happy," I said, getting up and taking out four small diaries from my trunk. I handed one to each of them.
"Er....thanks, I guess? What is it?" asked Harry, opening the diary and finding it empty. Neville and Hermione were similarly confused.
"Let show you!" I said, opening my own and writing To All above the margin, followed by Hello There! in the line below. I then tapped the Date portion on the upper corner of the page and watched with satisfaction as my greeting disappeared. Their gasps told that they had received my ssage.
"Introducing ssenger Diaries—the answer to letter delays," I said, theatrically holding up the diary. "These diaries are linked with Spatial Magic. To send a ssage, write the na of the person on top, or To all if it's a general ssage, write your ssage in the lines below, and then tap the Date on the upper corner of the page. Your ssage will be sent instantly. Go on, try it."
They looked disbelievingly at for a while, before they started writing ssages to one another.
"Ben, this is brilliant," praised Hermione. "Now I don't have to worry about not being able to contact any of you because I don't have an owl."
"This is amazing," Neville comnted. "Now I can talk to you guys anyti I want, and not just send a letter and wait for days."
"Thank you. And don't ntion it, I'm actually thinking of sothing even better. It'll just take a little more ti. In the anwhile, these will do," I said.
We replaced our school uniforms with jackets and coats and soon the train arrived at platform 9 3/4. Even through the chaos that was a couple of hundred students disembarking from the train, we managed to stick together. Once our trunks were loaded into a trolley each, we set off to the apparation point on the station.
"Hello, Neville." Madam Augusta Longbottom greeted her grandson.
"Hi, Gran!" Neville bead.
"Mr Carter, Mr Potter, Ms Granger," Madam Longbottom inclined her head. "I trust your year went well."
"Yes, thank you," replied Hermione.
"Indeed," answered Harry.
"It's nice to et you, madam," I said.
"Well, have a great holiday, guys. I'll send you a ssage in a couple of days," said Neville.
"You too, Neville," said Harry.
Hermione and I both wished him well and soon it was just the three of us.
Together, we went through the barrier that separated the magical world from the muggle side of King's Cross station.
"Look, Mum, there he is, there he is! Harry Potter!" a squeal spun us around.
It was Ginny Weasley, standing there with the rest of her family. Curiously, my parents were with them, and Rachel was standing beside Ginny.
"Be quiet, Ginny, and it's rude to point," gently rebuked Mrs Weasley.
We made our way to them as Rachel rushed forward and hugged . I gave out a short laugh as I returned my sister's enthusiastic greeting.
"Hey there, buttercup," I said to the little rascal, breaking the hug and greeting mum, while Harry shook hands with dad.
"And you must be Hermione," said mum, shaking her hand. "Ben's told us so much about you. I am sorry we never got the chance to talk the other night. It's a pleasure to finally et you, dear."
"It's nice to et you too, ma'am," smiled Hermione.
"Hello, Mrs Weasley," I greeted her. "Thanks for the fudge and the sweater. That was really nice of you."
"Oh, it was nothing, dear," she replied with a kind smile.
"Ready, are you?"
I spun around to see Vernon Dursley, standing there looking furious for so reason. He must've spotted Harry and ca forward to make his presence known. Behind him were Petunia and Dudley Dursley, who were looking terrified at the large number of witches and wizards.
I turned to Harry, who looked resigned to his fate. Well, ti for him to receive his reward for being a hero.
"Actually no, he's not," I said to Vernon. "He's not going back with you today. In fact, he's never going back to your place." I inford the shocked Dursleys.
"Ben?" sounded a very surprised Harry.
"I talked to Dumbledore," I said, turning to him. "We both agreed—now that Tom isn't a problem anymore, there is no reason for you to stay in Privet Drive," I explained.
Harry looked too shocked for words.
I continued. "But you did need a place to stay for the holidays. So with my parents' permission—I offered mine. What do you say?" I asked with a smile.
For a mont, he just looked at with wide eyes, before he rushed forward and captured in a bone-crushing hug.
Oh my, did I just get the first hug Harry ever gave out on his own. Imagine that!
"Thank you, thank you..." He kept saying.
I patted him on the back and we separated. He turned to my parents to thank them, but mum just hugged him next. Hermione and the Weasleys were looking on with happy smiles. Finally, we turned to the Dursleys.
Vernon had been struck speechless by the news, as had Petunia and Dudley. Slowly, the gears in his brain started working again.
"Well...this is goodbye then, boy," he said, swinging his right arm upward to shake Harry's hand. Harry gave it a brief shake, and then without another word, the Dursleys made their way to their car.
Everyone stood flummoxed at this unusual farewell. Finally, the Weasley twins broke the spell.
"Well, have a great sumr, you all," said Fred (or George).
"Make sure you get into lots of trouble," continued George.
A whack on the back of his head from his mother saw him change his tune. "I an, make sure that you don't do anything we wouldn't do."
A second whack changed his advice once more. "Be good, you all."
We laughed at their antics, before saying goodbye to the Weasleys.
Hermione then made a beeline for a slim woman who looked like an older version of her daughter, and a tall man with thinning hair. After greeting them, she introduced us to her parents.
Soon, we exited the station and made our way to the car. Harry was surprised by the spacious interior, but I explained it had the sa expansion charms as our trunks.
An hour later, we were standing in front of Carter residence. Mum and Rachel went inside first, while dad began levitating our trunks. The car was automatically entering the garage when Teddy ca bounding outside and give a sloppy welco. I greeted my old friend, and looked at Harry, who was staring at the house with a disbelieving expression. I rose up from the ground and patted Harry on the shoulder as he looked at .
"Welco ho, Harry."
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[END OF VOLU ONE]
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