The Headmaster's Only Mistake

All's Well that Ends Well

A/N: HAPPY PRIDE MONTH🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ TO ALL OF THE QUEER AND LGBTQ+ PEOPLE OUT THERE. WHETHER YOU ARE OUT OR STILL CLOSETED, I SUPPORT YOU AND I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. I myself am bi-curious, if anyone wanted to know, and i just want you to know my account is a safe place for anyone who needs it❤️

"Pure evil." he whispered, glaring at Pansy. Pansy gave him an innocent smile as the cards exploded in his hands.

···

When Harry boarded the Hogwarts Express the next morning, he was hit with a strange feeling of nostalgia. After spending so many years thinking of Hogwarts as his home, it was hard for Harry not to wish to stay in the castle.

He could remember the sadness he felt year after year when he boarded the red train and had to bid goodbye to his safe place - his sanctuary, if you will. But now, the castle represented nothing more than a school to him. And no matter how much the memories of his previous life called to him, they were now tainted and no longer brought Harry the feeling of safety and warmth they once had; Dumbledore had made sure of that.

Still, Harry couldn't help but feel an inkling of sadness creep up on him as the red steam engine pulled out of the Hogsmeade station and started it's trek back to London.

Sensing his emotions, Neville draped himself over Harry, giving him a warm hug. Harry smiled and leaned into the other boy. Draco brushed his hand against Harry's before dropping it in the space between them, his fingers touching Harry's knee cap. 

Luna was sitting beside Neville, but she was laying down so her back was on Neville's legs and her head was resting on Harry's lap. He was carefully braiding her hair, trying to remember how Remus usually braided Sirius'.

"What are you lot doing over the summer?" Pansy asked, her head resting on Blaise's shoulder.

"I'll be going to the Americas." Terry told them, "My mum has got family over there in New York."

"I think I'll just be heading back home." Hermione admitted. "My parents are quite busy with their jobs so we don't travel too much."

"Don't worry, 'mione, I'll bring you along whenever we meet up, and you know you're always welcome at the Dursley's, just, you know, make sure I'm there when you come by." Harry assured her. Hermione smiled brightly at him and nodded.

"Haz, Nev, and I will be going to France, Belgium, and Germany for the first three weeks, and I think we might be going to Spain some time later on." Draco told them.

"Oh!" Luna sat up suddenly, "Mum wrote to me this morning. We'll be joining you for France, Belgium, and Germany."

"That's great!" Neville said excitedly, pulling her into a hug. Harry and Draco beamed at her and Luna smiled back.

"I'll be going to Egypt." Mandy said loudly and importantly, clearing her throat slightly.

"Hannah and I are going over to Ireland!" Susan put in excitedly. Harry smiled as his friends eagerly started talking about their vacations. He was happy to stay quiet and let his friends lead the conversation.

As it was his last night at Hogwarts, Harry had been planning on going to sleep early and enjoying the luxury of the Slytherin Dorm beds. 

However, his request had not been granted as he had been visited by Fawkes at three in the morning.

For some reason, no one had decided to give phoenixes an internal clock.

Despite being woken up, Harry had welcomed Fawkes eagerly and they had spent quite a few hours talking before Fawkes had to leave and Harry had grown tired once again. He hoped he would get more sleep during the summer but he knew better that to let his hopes get too high.