Dark AIAOY 5

Chapter 20

"Don't be absurd!"  Rebecca wrote quickly, her quill scratching on her letter beside the announcement Sirius and Remus had sent alongside their apology for only sending one for both she and Harry.  On it was a date for their 'celebration,' as both men were calling it, where their loved ones could celebrate there marriage with them since they had opted for a private ceremony.

"Harry will never even know as I'll let him keep this under the condition that I get a photo of you two.  I can't not have one any longer!  Harry and I send our congratulations, our thanks, and our love."

Rebecca gave Hedwig her letter and brushed her feathers before the owl flew out of the common room window.  Remus and Sirius had sent both Harry and Rebecca new quidditch gloves when they had heard of their co-captaincy for the next year.  Angelina had decided that, with Katie in so many N.E.W.T. classes, Harry and Rebecca taking over as dual captains would lessen Katie's stress and raise the chances of a third year in Gryffindor's streak.

Rebecca's head was pushed to the side as Ginny sat on the arm of her chair.  "C'mon!"  She gave her a cheeky smile.  "You know how Ron feels about the end of term feast!"

Rebecca laughed and followed her across the common room.  "Yes, yes I do."

Hermione linked her arm with Rebecca's as Ginny took off for the front of their group, beginning to talk about the summer's plans and how nervous she was for their O.W.L. results.  Hermione, as with everyone else with them, went silent at the sight of the Great Hall.  In as much splendour as any other end of year, the hall had banners of all four houses hanging.

Dinner started without Dumbledore's annual welcome, but the headmaster gathered their attention from his podium before dessert was conjured.  "This year..."  He looked over the body of students slowly.  "This year has proven most irregular.  For this, I must apologise."

Rebecca saw farther up on the table, closer to the teachers, how Seamus put his hand over Dean's; how Colin put his arm around Dennis.  Loved ones, family members, friends, everyone seemed to draw closer to one another.

"This castle is your place of learning, the place in which you grow into the witches and wizards your professors and I know you to be.  And that reputation was tarnished this year.  That is why, in efforts of replicating a modicum of fairness, the house cup will not be awarded this year."  Dumbledore ended the growing conversation with a raise of his hand.  "Instead, I want us to celebrate our wisdom and our loyalty and our ambition and our bravery.  That is all."  He raised his hand once more as the conversation built up again.

"That was a joke."  His eyes crinkled as a few students humoured him with laughter.  "While we will not be recognising a single house tonight, there are a few mentions that must be made.  First, for remaining strong in your beliefs, Louis Yorksmith."  The Hufflepuff table stood and shouted, the ones nearest to Louis slapping his back as the boy's cheeks burnt a scarlet Gryffindor's ties envied.

"For coordination and planning expertise, Nigel Wolpert!"

The Gryffindors took over the cheering now.  Nigel stood and gave a little bow, his eyes flitting towards the Hufflepuff table where Louis sat before he took his seat once more.

"For keeping one's cool in the face of tensions, Yara Bellington!"  

Yara was pulled to her feet by the proud Ravenclaws on either side of her.

Dumbledore applauded with the students a moment.  "There were too many instances and students that deserve recognition.  If I had not been convinced otherwise, I would make you sit while I called each and every one of you."  Ron's eyes widened at the prospect of the last bits of dinner and then dessert being so far.  "But, I shan't!  Bon appetit!"