A Snake's Crutch Book 1

Part 28: Epilogue

At breakfast the next morning, y/n and Draco filled their friends in on everything. When they were done, Pansy told them that she overheard the teachers talking about it that morning and that the stone was going to be destroyed. Quirrell didn't get it. 

Harry Potter was in the Hospital Wing for the next three days. Poppy had asked y/n to come help with other patients in that time, and every time she went in, the pile of gifts at Potter's bedside grew while he slept. He was no longer an outcast, and for that, y/n was happy. 

On the fourth night, Potter was well enough to go to the End of Year Banquet. When he arrived, he clearly tried to ignore it, but people all over the great hall were standing in their seats to get a good look at him.

The Great Hall was decorated all in Slytherin decorations, as they had the most points and would be awarded the house cup. Only the Slytherins seemed to be happy about it. 

"Another year gone!" Dumbledore said in his always cheerful tone. "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 a little fuller than they were...you have the whole summer 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, Gryffindor, with three hundred and twelve points; in third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two; Ravenclaw has four hundred and twenty-six; and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two."

A thunderous cheer erupted from the Slytherin table. The boys all banged their goblets on the wood, while the girls all hugged each other happily.

"Yes, yes, well done, Slytherin! However, recent events must be taken into account."

The thunder died and y/n and her friends exchanged glances. This couldn't be good.

"Ahem," Dumbledore said, quieting the whispers crossing the hall. "I have a few last-minute points to dish out. Let me see. Yes...First - to Mr Ronald Weasley...for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor House fifty points."

The Gryffindors nearly collapsed the castle with their cheers, but the whole of the Slytherin table was groaning and putting their heads in their hands. When the boisterous shouts were quiet again, Dumbledore continued. 

"Second - to Miss Hermione Granger..for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor House fifty points."

Across the hall, y/n could see Hermione put her head in her arms, probably because she was crying. Y/N smiled a bit, happy Hermione was getting some appreciation for her genius. But the competitive side of her reared up again and y/n's smile faded, turning to a disappointed frown.

Professor Dumbledore interrupted the booming hoots and hollers from Gryffindor this time. "Third - to Mr Harry Potter..." The room went dead silent, "For pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor House sixty points."

The noise was so loud, y/n's world suddenly went quiet as it did when one stood next to a lit firecracker. Gryffindor and Slytherin were tied. Was that possible? Could two houses win? Y/N had a feeling Slytherin wouldn't allow that, and neither would Gryffindor. She also didn't think Dumbledore was going to allow that with all this fraudulent awarding of house points. 

Raising his hand, Dumbledore gradually silenced the room yet again. "There is all kinds of courage," Dumbledore said a terrible twinkle in his eye. 

"Maybe he'll give you a point for facing You-Know-Who first?" Pansy said, trying to find hope where there was none.

"It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Neville Longbottom."

The noise in the hall was so loud, y/n's parents could probably hear it in London. Not only were the Gryffindors celebrating their victory, but Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw were joining the din, happy at the downfall of Slytherin's winning streak. Looking around the Slytherin table, one might've thought they had all just watched someone die. To them, they had, and that someone's name was victory. 

"Which means," Dumbledore somehow managed to call over the noise, "we need a little change of decoration."

With one clap of his hands, Dumbledore hammered one last, excruciating nail into Slytherin's coffin. All the decorations turned from green and silver to red and gold and the giant serpent behind the staff table turned into a massive lion. Even Professor Snape at the front of the room looked vexed as he shook McGonagall's hand with a very forced smile. Y/N had never heard of such a humiliating failure for the Slytherins since she found out about magic. The whole of her House had a brooding storm cloud above them and y/n didn't think it would go away for a while.

In the heat of their failure, y/n and her friends had forgotten about their exam results. Moods seemed to finally lift for the Slytherins after that. Y/N got Exceeds Expectations from all her Professors, second in the class, right behind Hermione. All of her teachers were pleased with her results as well and congratulated her. Professor Snape gave her a full smile when he'd heard her other scores, and Poppy was thrilled!

"Oh, keep it up, my dear! At this rate you'll be just as good as me by fourth year, if not better! I was speaking to Albus, and he has allowed me to add your Hospital Wing visits to your schedule. Next year, you will have a class to come here and learn the trade of a matron! Oh...I'm going to miss you, y/n," Poppy said, pulling out her handkerchief to dab at her tearful eyes. 

"I'll miss you too, Poppy!" Y/N gave her a hug around the waist and Poppy couldn't contain the tears any longer. 

"Have a wonderful--sniff--summer holiday!"

"You too Madame Pomfrey."

"I will my dear, I will."

Y/N had thought that saying goodbye to her professors was hard, but, after her dorm was empty, everyone's trunks were packed, and the first years were waiting outside the Entrance Hall to cross the lake back to the train, y/n realized how hard it was going to be to leave her friends for three months. It seemed to hit everyone at the same time, and throughout all the first years, friends were hugging each other, crying, and demanding they write to each other over the summer. Y/N's friends were no different. Most of the girls were in tears, including y/n and they each took turns hugging each other while the boys stood and watched, not wanting to hug each other. Even though they still had the entire ride back to King's Cross, it felt like they didn't have enough time to say goodbye. 

Getting back in the little boats was surreal. Almost like y/n was taking it all back. Like she was rewinding the best year of her life to return to a world without magic and, though she was going back to her parents, it felt like she was leaving her new Hogwarts family forever rather than just three months. Some part of y/n dreaded getting off that train and waking up from the best dream she had ever had. She desperately hoped that Hogwarts would wait for her to return next summer. 

The train ride was a blur of tears, hugs, laughter, and candy. When they arrived at King's Cross, it took a good long while for everyone to get off the platform, as a guard was directing traffic by the ticket barrier, only allowing two or three people through the barrier at a time. They didn't want to scare the muggles with hundreds of people walking through a solid brick wall all at once. 

In the time y/n and her friends took waiting, everyone said their goodbyes, Draco and y/n being the last ones to leave and find their parents. 

"You will write to me this summer, won't you?" Y/N couldn't stand the thought of not talking to Draco for three months after almost a full year of talking to him every night. 

"Probably not," Draco said with a sad smile. Y/N didn't think he much liked the idea of a three month silence either. 

"Draco Malfoy, I swear, if you don't write to me every week this summer, I will go to the Manor and make you tell me all about your holiday in person." Y/N gave him a look, feigning seriousness before she hugged him. "I'll miss you, Draco."

"I'll miss you too, y/n. And I will write to you every week only if you do the same. Maybe you can even come to the Manor other than to punish me." Y/N giggled, making Draco smile before he noticed his parents in the thinning crowd. The two hugged one last time and waved each other off, ending the happiest year of y/n's life.