Transition

The guests had all returned home and things inside the castle were calm once again. The students still had a bit of time to themselves, and Harry, like most of his friends, decided to go back to the dormitory and check that all his belongings were packed. He was slightly nervous as he walked down the corridors of Gryffindor Tower. He was glowing, and he hoped that Hermione would not suspect anything out of the ordinary. The young wizard shook his head momentarily and cursed when he felt his cheeks flush.

Fortunately, when he got into the dormitory that he shared with Ron, Neville, Dean and Seamus, his friends were simply too busy packing their trunks to give him more than a passing glance. Harry’s focus on fitting his belongings into his trunk was almost absolute, and an hour passed without his notice. He was looking around for anything he might have missed when he felt a tentative brush on his hair.

It was his owl, and when Harry gazed at her she hooted deeply, as if reproaching him for neglecting her. She glided gracefully above his head before making a turn to land effortlessly on her favorite perching place.

“Sorry, Hedwig. I’ve got a lot of things on my mind,” he murmured apologetically as he stroked her chin. She crooned, closing her eyes in sheer bliss.

“Harry,” Neville called, and he turned his head in response. “It’s nearly time for the feast. Let’s go down.”

“Let’s go to the Hall, lovely one.” Hedwig carefully placed her sharp talons over his fingers and began climbing up to his shoulder slowly. I’m starting to sound like Elaviel.

“Which house do you think is going to win the House Cup?” Dean asked hopefully.

“Gryffindor?” Seamus suggested intelligently. “We did win the Quidditch Cup after all.”

Harry stopped in his tracks. “We did?”

Dean looked back at him, his earnest eyes quizzical. “Didn’t any of you bother to tell him?” he demanded of the other Gryffindors.

“I forgot,” Neville said sheepishly.

Dean muttered a string of expletives before taking a deep breath. He stared intently at Harry. “Right after Hagrid set you on the hospital bed, Madam Pomfrey instructed you to be stripped of your ‘dirty, muddy, gritty Quidditch robes’. Then the Snitch fell out of your pocket. Dumbledore was there and he witnessed it.”

The group was silent as they crossed the Entrance Hall.

“And we didn’t even celebrate,” Seamus muttered gloomily.

“It would have been rude, though,” Neville commented.

“I guess you’re right,” Dean conceded regretfully.

When they entered the Great Hall they saw that their fellow students sat on the benches restlessly, and Harry noticed that no banners had appeared. He let his eyes roam about the Hall and unexpectedly met Draco’s silver-blue ones. It was futile trying to fight it; he blushed furiously. Malfoy smirked smugly at him. Harry tore his eyes away and focused instead on another crowd near the hourglasses. Hedwig chose that moment to launch herself from Harry’s shoulder, flapped her wings laboriously to gain height, and perched on a high beam far away from the tables.

Harry’s malachite-green eyes watched the peculiar group curiously, and he chose to sit in front of Hermione. He would rather not face his mischievous boyfriend during dinner, afraid that his blushes would betray him.

“What’s going on?” he asked Lavender seated beside him.

“You’re not going to believe this, Harry. They’re all haggling,” she replied.

“Haggling?” Harry’s eyebrow went up.

“Something like that.”

Harry looked at his Transfiguration professor with mild interest. Remus was there, along with Professor Sprout, Snape and Flitwick. They were all consulting parchments of several inches long, and they frequently glanced back at the hourglasses that were filling bit by bit. The Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, watched his employees calmly but his lips were twitching rather violently.

“Twenty-five points to Malfoy. For doing his duties well as a prefect and a tutor,” Harry heard the harsh voice of the Potions Master.

“Right,” McGonagall agreed. “Twenty points to Malfoy for helping Potter achieve a remarkable grade. Another ten points to Gryffindor for their help in straightening the hospital wing after the chaotic event this spring.”

“Has the award for Gryffindor winning the House Cup been added?” Professor Lupin asked his colleagues. When they shook their heads, he beamed.

“One hundred and seventy-eight points to Gryffindor then,” Madam Hooch spoke loudly from her seat.

At that point, Dumbledore stood up and cleared his throat to gain the teachers’ attention. “Well, professors?”

“We’re done, Headmaster,” Remus told him after further discussion with his colleagues.

“Ah. Good, good. Now, I would like to award Slytherin another ten points. For being very well behaved this year. In addition, I would like to grant another fifteen points to each House for participating in the masquerade quite willingly, thus making it a success. I believed that you all enjoyed yourselves,” the old wizard noted cheerfully. Then his expression turned serious. “I believe this is final. So … tally up the marks.”

Professor Sprout turned back to the hourglasses and contemplated each of them. Then she exclaimed. “It’s a tie between Gryffindor and Slytherin!”

“What?” Professor Snape, as well as half of the school, shouted in disbelief.

“Indeed,” the Headmaster said, his voice and face expressionless. “Please, professors. Take your seats.”

Snape opened his mouth as if to argue, but Dumbledore’s cool gaze convinced him to remain silent. The Potions Master stalked to his seat unhappily and Remus followed, frowning slightly.

“What is Dumbledore up to?” Dean whispered. The Gryffindors who heard him shrugged uneasily. Their attention returned to the old wizard, who still stood behind the table, studying the faces of all the students.

“I know that this has not occurred in Hogwarts ever, but there is always a first time for everything. I am sure that your teachers can’t think of anything else to reward.” The ancient sorcerer clapped his hands twice. Immediately, the Hall that seemed to be filled with sunlight took on a more ethereal appearance. The candles that floated above their heads disappeared, and the false night sky changed instead to an expanse of dark emerald.

The younger students gazed at it in appreciation, and there were several pleased exclamations when soft, silvery mist appeared, swirling in an almost hypnotic motion. Then golden light appeared around the edges of the ceiling, its rays spreading outward in a peculiar star-like fashion. Faint red sparkles started to appear randomly in the Great Hall.

A smile touched on Harry’s lips as one of the tiny, magical lights materialized before his eyes. He followed it as it twirled about frantically, before joining its kind on the ceiling. Dumbledore clapped again and the banners of Slytherin and Gryffindor appeared, intertwined loosely so that all were able to see the hissing snake and the rearing griffon.

“Slytherin and Gryffindor will share the House Cup this year,” the Headmaster spoke into the awed silence. He took a deep breath. “I have not mentioned this, but I am glad that all of you had cooperated with each other to defeat the Dark Lord and his people. It was not I, however, who saw the dangers that would arise if Hogwarts had not acted as one body.”

Dumbledore turned his head slightly to consider the grumpy-looking Potions Master. “Professor Snape has accurately seen that Gryffindor will not survive if its animosity with Slytherin is not broken. Slytherin will fall, if it does not join forces with Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff to support Gryffindor. In fact, if all of you had continued to pay attention to age-old prejudices, this castle would be in ruins, and I don’t believe that you would be alive to see it.”

His expression softened and his azure eyes seemed to pick out each of the seventh-year students. “To those who will be leaving Hogwarts and stepping out into the world from tomorrow onwards: I have been honored to have you as students, and I’m pleased that your hard work and effort have been fruitful. Repeating what I have said to you this afternoon, good luck. Shall we begin the feast now?” Dumbledore asked them and was replied with a cheerful ‘yes’.

Harry’s stomach was in a knot, and he was a little surprised that he was saddened by the reality that he would no longer be studying in Hogwarts. He knew he ought to feel happy that he was graduating, but somehow, it felt like there was still something in the castle that wanted him to stay. He deliberately pushed the feeling away and concentrated on his dinner. He was finishing his steak when Hermione suddenly choked. Ron immediately patted her back, but she waved him off. The witch had not choked on her food, but was merely choking with laughter. Her eyes hinted that whatever that was amusing her was coming from the teachers’ table, so he turned.

At first, Harry could not find anything out of the ordinary. Dumbledore’s expression was serene and so was McGonagall’s. Then a movement caught his eye, and he saw Professor Sinistra turning away, concealing her smile with her hand. Emerald eyes brightened and he focused on Professor Lupin and Professor Snape. The two wizards were eating their food quietly but they appeared somewhat mechanical to Harry.

Odd. The young wizard frowned, but he wasn’t able to identify what the problem really was. Then it struck him. He studied the two teachers once more and snickered loudly. “They’re not looking at each other,” he said to no one in particular.

“Who?” Ron asked absently.

“Remus and Snape. That greasy git isn’t even glowering!”

“You can’t be serious!” Parvati responded in a strained voice.

However, Harry’s observation was accurate. Snape and Remus were not looking nor talking to each other, but Snape, who was almost certain to scowl disapprovingly and give scornful remarks to the wizard sitting beside him, wore an almost baffled expression. Although Remus Lupin’s face was gentle and seemingly unperturbed, his eyes betrayed his emotions. There seemed to be uneasiness and uncertainty in them, and occasionally, his golden eyes flicked over to watch Dumbledore.

After ten minutes of absently drinking his pumpkin juice, Harry saw Snape’s black eyes move. The Potions Master was giving Remus an oddly shy look. The Defense professor, who felt the gaze, turned his head quickly and unconsciously stared back.

“Bloody hell….” Harry snorted with laughter. He buried his face in his hands and continued to laugh, his shoulders shaking violently. A moment later, Hermione broke into a fresh fit of giggles. He gathered that her mirth was infectious because other students joined in. Then he heard a strange sound – a small hiccup – and he saw McGonagall quickly placing her goblet down and fanning her face. She had that strained expression which told everyone that she was holding back her laughter.

“Well, well, well,” Dumbledore murmured, looking pointedly at the Head of Slytherin House and the Defense professor. When Snape’s face started to turn crimson, the Slytherins roared with laughter, and the professor finally put on his well-known expression. The laughter grew louder instead and looking defeated, Snape covered his face with one hand while the other picked disconsolately at his food.

“Remus wants that git?” Ron’s voice was plaintive. “What is the world coming to?”

Next morning was filled with bright sunshine, and the scent of pine trees filled the air as well as the clean aroma of the Black Lake. The Gryffindor Tower was filled with cheerful voices as the Gryffindors made their way down, dragging their trunks along with them. Harry and several of the older students looked at their tiny housemates struggling with their belongings with pity.

Finally, Harry couldn’t stand it any longer. He caught up with a very small girl and told her to set her trunk down. He placed his own trunk with Hedwig’s unoccupied cage secured to it to one side. He fished for his wand, its holly wood gleaming because of Harry’s effort at polishing it the night before, and concentrated on the objects. “Locomotor trunks.”

“Stay behind me. If my control on the spell gets shaky, I don’t want you to get knocked down by them,” Harry told the young witch. Mutely, she nodded and diffidently stepped out of sight. Holding his wand in front of him, he herded the trunks carefully down the staircase. He was coming across an intersection when there was an urgent shout.

“LOOK OUT!”

Harry and the Gryffindors behind him froze. The ones in front of him quickly moved and the raven-haired wizard saw three bewitched trunks, bulging with so many clothes that their lids were not properly closed, speeding towards the group of students making their descent.

His eyes widened and he immediately raised his free hand, palm facing outward. “Impedimenta!”

The three trunks slowed but it was not enough to stop them completely.

“Move! Move!” Harry heard Hermione’s frantic yell. The witch pushed her way down, her wand ready. “Finite Incantatem!” The flying trunks immediately dropped to the floor with a loud crash. “Now who’s the idiot who placed a Speeding Charm on them?” she demanded, her eyes flashing dangerously.

A group of fourth-year Ravenclaw boys hesitantly appeared round the corner, looking slightly ashamed. Hermione, who had spent three years being a prefect, immediately delivered a lecture with surprising smoothness. Harry watched his beautiful friend in astonishment and gulped when she whirled around to face him. He smiled and made jabbing movements with his wand, and the trunks that he was in charge of moved slowly downward.

Breakfast was a rushed affair, with every student impatient to get back to his or her families. Harry, Hermione and Ron waited until the Hall was emptied of the younger students before making their move. They were the last few students to step out of the castle and were surprised to see their teachers flanking the pathway to the gates. They passed the half-giant Hagrid and he motioned them to get on their way. “I’ll see ye all later,” he said gruffly, his big eyes brimming with tears.

Headmaster and Headmistress stood by the gates, watching Harry and his friends gravely as they approached. Fawkes was perching on Dumbledore’s right shoulder. The phoenix’s dark crimson eyes appeared sad when they rested upon Harry’s face.

Harry’s company took turns to shake hands with the old sorcerer, but Harry got a surprise when McGonagall suddenly embraced him. Tears fell from her eyes, but she looked at him unashamed.

“Stay out of trouble now, Mister Potter. I’m getting too old to run around coming to your rescue,” the witch said seriously before striding off in the direction of the castle.

“Goodbye, Harry,” Dumbledore said, his eyes staring deeply into Harry’s own.

“Goodbye, Professor.”

Then the group moved away to board the stagecoaches waiting for them.

“Anything off the trolley, dears?” the old witch with the cart of sweets asked Harry politely.

“Sure.” He looked at Ron. “You want anything?”

“No,” the red-haired wizard answered in an unfriendly voice, even going so far as refusing to look at Harry.

“I’d like some chocolate, please, Harry,” Ginny said quickly, glaring at her brother.

Harry took a handful of Chocolate Frogs, several packets of licorice wands, and other sweetmeats. He generously divided the goodies with his friends and ignored the fact that Ron hadn’t moved to receive his share.

“Where are you going? I mean where do Starkmind and Bluestone live?” Ginny asked around a mouthful of chocolate.

“Somewhere in Inverness as I understand it,” Harry replied with a small smile. “I think it may be in the same neighborhood where the orphan school is situated.”

“Don’t forget to write to us, okay?” Hermione pestered.

“I know, Hermione,” he replied in a plaintive voice.

The compartment fell silent and Harry took it as an excuse to look out the window. It was uncomfortable being in the same room with Ron, who was not talking to him. The vividness of the blue sky managed to make him forget the uneasy situation between him and his best friend. When the train passed a mass of clouds, he snickered uncontrollably.

“What are you laughing at?” Ginny asked immediately. He couldn’t answer. Still cackling uncontrollably, he pointed at the fluffy white clouds. The witch stared at him for a moment before craning her neck to look out of the window. Then she let out a sharp squeal and looked at Hermione with her face flaming. “Just look outside!” she told her brother’s girlfriend. Ginny turned back to Harry, who was still snickering. “Did I see it the way you saw it?”

“Probably,” he gasped, trying to get himself under control.

“I don’t see why it is so amusing. All I see are two clouds that look like bunnies mating,” Hermione said seriously.

Harry and Ginny stared at each other, and both burst into giggles.

“Wow. Congratulations, Ronniekins. You’ve got a girl who is so practical,” Ginny smirked.

“It’s not those set of clouds I was laughing about, Hermione,” Harry inserted and pointed at the sky. “Look at those carefully.”

Hermione frowned and gazed fiercely at the group of clouds. She gasped and looked at Ron with wide eyes. “Ronald – look!” she said excitedly.

Her boyfriend did as she instructed and he let out a startled oath. “Bill?” He looked at Ginny in disbelief.

“He finally proposed!” his sister said happily.

“I was hoping for a quiet summer,” Ron sighed. “A lot of visitors, don’t you think?”

“Obviously.”

“Fleur will accept his marriage proposal, won’t she?” Harry asked with a dreamy smile, still looking out at the message in the sky.

“She’s mad if she doesn’t,” Ginny replied. She laughed happily. “Something just struck me as funny. I’d never thought our eldest brother would be so romantic. Cheeky yes, but making a proposal like that…”

“Well, hopefully Fleur would be moved by it. Her kind is not totally reliable, but maybe the proposition is extraordinary enough,” Hermione observed.

“She is a half-Veela, isn’t she?” Harry interrupted. “I think Bill has nothing to worry about.”

“Oh?”

“A Veela mates for life. That’s what Starkmind told me.”

“I wish we could be like that too.” Hermione sighed wistfully, then cast a slightly guilty look at the wizard sitting beside her.

It was quite late in the afternoon when they reached King’s Cross. They were not surprised to find Fleur Delacour and her sister in the company of the Weasleys. Bill looked slightly embarrassed when confronted by four smirking teenagers.

“Good luck, Bill,” Harry said, a mischievous smile hovering on his lips. Fleur, who stood close by, did her best to look demure. The oldest of the Weasley siblings squirmed uncomfortably when he caught his fiancée exchanging a sly wink with the roguishly handsome Potter.

“Are you keeping something from me?” Bill accused.

“What makes you think that I am?” Harry responded, blinking his eyes innocently. The young wizard did not linger too long in the company of the Weasleys, and he kept his farewells to Molly Weasley at a minimum.

“Keep in touch!” Hermione and Ginny yelled at the same time, both girls giving him the same tearful look. It wrenched Harry’s heart just watching the two of them, and he quickly turned his back to look for Draco and Starkmind.