The Raven's Call

The Whole School Knows

I enter the next room. It's extremely hot. There's a ring of fire surrounding a knocked out Harry, a large mirror and a dust pile, with a turban laying beside it. "It was Quirrell.." I say softly, as the fire ring dies down enough for me to cross it. I step over to assess my surroundings, before catching a glimpse into the mirror. I see myself, with a smile on my face, my real mother and father standing either side of me. I look like my mum, I have her hair and skin colour.. and even her freckles. Though I have my dad's curls... And his eyes. I sniffle before turning my attention back to Harry, who showed no signs of waking up any time soon. I muster up whatever strength I have to carry Harry, though he is rather light. I scoop him up in my arms and take him back to the chess room. "Guys..?" I grunt, hauling him up the stairs. "A little help?" 

***

Saturday, June 6th 1992
Alex's Birthday.

I. Am. Exhausted. 

brain hurty

too much thinky

I save day 

I deserve sleep in

but birthday

Alex friend.

I get out of bed and throw on my nicest clothes. I strap a tiny party hat to Bandit's little head and place him on my shoulder before heading out of my common room, a wrapped gift in my hands. I then make my way up to the 7th floor, to the portrait of the Fat Lady. "Password?" The lady asks, looking down at me. "Uh.." I mumble, looking around me. "Caput Draconian." A voice speaks from behind me. It's Hermione, all bandaged up, returning from her night in the Hospital Wing. The portrait opens up and Hermione leads me inside, a large smile on her face. I spot Neville running out of the dorms, towards us. "Neville? Why are you still in your pyjamas?" I ask with a grin. Neville looked down at his outfit before a slight blush spreads across his face. He turns heel and runs back up to his dorm room. Hermione and I giggle as we watch. A moment later, the birthday boy walks into the common room, Hermione and I greet him with warm smiles. "Who let a Ravenclaw in the Gryffindor common room?" He cackles. I grin back at him, holding out the present I had wrapped. "Happy Birthday, Alex." I watch as he tears into the wrapping paper, pulling out his present. A framed photo of Asteria, Alex and me. I can see his eyes tearing up as he grew a large grin. "I love it, thank you!" He exclaims. Hermione then hands him a gift as well after giving him a big hug. "Happy birthday, Alexander. And thank you for coming to help us." She spoke, giving him a soft peck on the cheek, I could see his face turn lobster red immediately. "It.. uh.. I.. uh.. It was nothing, really. You would've done the same thing for me." He stammers as he opens Hermione's gift. "Your Aunt helped me pick it out."  She spoke with a smile. I watch as he opened up a box, inside was a silver ring, with the McGonagall family crest etched onto it. A few tears roll down his cheeks before Bandit leaps off of my shoulder and onto his face, giving Alex the biggest little ferret hug. Alex then pulls myself and Hermione into the hug as his cat, Sora, smooched up between our legs. I feel a thud as another joins in on the hug; a now clothed Neville.

We meet up with Asteria in the Great Hall, and she hands Alex her gift, which seemed to be a denim jacket, with a bunch of hand-drawn Alex related patches. "Thank you so much, Asteria." Alex beams. After breakfast, I see Draco walk up behind Alex and place his hand on his shoulder. "Happy Birthday, McGonagall. You got me a present, so I figured I would at least return the courtesy." he says, trying not to show signs of any emotion as he hands over a gift wrapped in Slytherin colours and walks away before Alex can even open it."Thanks, Draco!" Alex shouts after him as he waved, not turning around. I watch him open it up; it was a black leather-bound journal. Perfect for note-taking in classes next year. There was a small note on the inside cover that I read over his shoulder. "This one doesn't buzz." I let out a chortle as Draco looks around, still trying to figure out who the apple was sent by. I smirk to myself.

***

Friday, June 12th 1992
The final Hogwarts Feast

The Great Hall is full of students eating and talking with each other. There are green and silver banners with the Slytherin symbol above our heads, already indicating the house with the most points. Sadly. McGonagall clinks her spoon to her glass, to ask attention from the students. The crowd falls silent. Dumbledore stands up and speaks with his magically magnified voice. "Another year, gone! And now, as I understand it, the house cup needs awarded and the points stand thus. In fourth place: Gryffindor, with 312 points! In third place: Hufflepuff, with 352 points! Second: Ravenclaw, with 426 points!" I applaud loud along with my fellow Ravenclaws. "And in first place, with 472 points: Slytherin house!" A loud roar rises from the Slytherin table, as students stand up and clap for themselves. "Yes, well done Slytherin, well done Slytherin. However, recent events must be taken into account and I have a few last minute points to award." There's a confused chatter among the students. "To Miss Hermione Granger, for the cool use of intellect while others were in grave peril: fifty points!" I smile, applauding Hermione from my table. "Second, to Mr. Ronald Weasley, for the best played game of chess that Hogwarts has seen these many years: fifty points! And third, to Mr. Harry Potter, for pure love and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house: sixty points!" The Gryffindors cheer, doing the math, I can see they're tied now with Slytherin. "And finally: it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends. I award ten points to Neville Longbottom! Assuming that my calculations are correct, I believe that a change of decoration is in order! He claps and motions his hands towards the Slytherin banners, where they flap heavily, until the banners have changed completely to red and gold with the Gryffindor symbol. "Gryffindor wins the House Cup!" The Great Hall explodes with applause, not only from the Gryffindors, but also from the Ravenclaws and the Hufflepuffs, because we are glad that, for the first time in seven years, someone other than Slytherin has won the House Cup. All students except the Slytherins throw our silly hats in the air in celebration.