𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐥𝐞 | h. granger

xxxv | unpetrified

The Great Hall

── •✧• ──

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐄𝐑 as the students indulged in the celebratory feast that was thrown in honour of the Chamber of Secrets being closed. Harry, Ron, and Aliyah had each been awarded house points for their service to the school, putting them well ahead for the house cup, Gryffindor in the lead.

"Harry!" Neville suddenly exclaimed, grabbing his attention. "It's Dakota and Hermione!"

Harry and Ron both looked at the entrance of the Great Hall. Sure enough, the two girls were back and unpetrified. They both smiled widely before running to hug their friends. Dakota threw her arms around Harry whilst Hermione hugged Ron. Aliyah jumped up from her spot at the Ravenclaw table and rushed to greet them. The three girls shared a tight embrace before Dakota turned to Ron. They both grimaced at each other before the boy held out his hand for her to shake.

"Welcome back, Dakota," he said.

"It's good to be back," Dakota replied, exchanging a smile with Hermione.

"Congratulations," Hermione said to Harry, Ron, and Aliyah. "I can't believe you solved it."

"Well, we had loads of help from you two," Harry admitted. "We couldn't have done it without you both."

"Thanks," Hermione and Dakota responded in unison.

Professor McGonagall clinked her fork against her glass to get everyone's attention. Dakota waved goodbye to her friends and went to take her seat at the Slytherin table. Tracey welcomed her with a hug, informing her that she had taken great care of Bongo while she was gone.

Dumbledore stood up to make a speech. "Before we begin the feast, let us have a round of applause for Professor Sprout and Madam Pomfrey, whose mandrake juice has been so successfully administered to all who had been petrified."

There were applause from the students in the Great Hall. Lyra shrank down in her seat when glares were sent in her direction. She had begged Narcissa to take her home knowing that no one wanted her here at Hogwarts, but her sister told her that she needed to stay until the end of the term, which would end in a few days, anyway.

"Also, in light of recent events, as a school treat, all exams have been canceled."

There were more cheers. Hermione and Aliyah were the only ones to be upset by this news. They had both spent so much time preparing.

The large doors to the hall opened, and everyone turned to see Hagrid come in. "Sorry I'm late," he said. Aliyah glanced over at the Gryffindor table, exchanging grins with Ron and Harry. "The owl that delivered my release papers got all lost and confused. Some ruddy bird called Errol."

Ron's cheeks tinted red. Hagrid approached the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables. Aliyah went over to the boys so that he wouldn't have to look between them.

"I'd just like to say that, uh. . .if it hadn't been for you, Harry, Ron, and Aliyah. . .and Hermione and Dakota of course. . ." Hagrid sent them a smile as Dakota approached the table, "I would, uh. . .I'd still be you-know-where, so I-I'd just like to say thanks."

"There's no Hogwarts without you, Hagrid," Harry stated as he hugged him. Dumbledore stood up and clapped, the rest of the hall doing the same. Students came up to shake hands with Hagrid, welcoming him back with open arms.

── •✧• ──

Lyra sat alone in a carriage, staring out at the passing country lanes with her chin in the palm of her hand. She hoped that when she returned to Hogwarts for her 3rd year that the looks would have died down. She didn't know how she was supposed to handle an entire year of glares, dirty looks, and whispers when she couldn't even take it for a few days.

The compartment door slid open. She turned her head, expecting to see someone who wanted to tell her off. Instead, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Aliyah, Dakota, Neville, and Ophelia came in.

"We thought you might want some company," Aliyah said as she sat down beside her, offering the blonde a soft smile.

"Don't you hate me too?" Lyra asked quietly.

"No." Aliyah shook her head. "Harry told us what happened. About the book. It wasn't your fault. You were a victim, not a villain."

"Real friends are able to tell the difference," Ophelia added, winking at the girl. The tiniest trace of a smile twitched on Lyra's lips. The 4th year took a wizard's chess board out of her bag and set it down between them, a challenging smirk on her face. "What do you say, Lye? Don't think I'll go easy on you."

"You're on." Lyra grinned.

The train ride passed in the blink of an eye. When they reached the station, Lyra's friends hugged her goodbye. She met up with Draco and walked through the crowded platform in search of Narcissa. They found her with Bellatrix and Lucius, who had a black eye.

"What happened to Father?" Draco asked, frowning.

"Bellatrix punched him," Narcissa replied casually. Lyra stifled a laugh at the look of horror that fell across Draco's face.

"Auntie Bella, why would you punch my father?!"

"I'm the only one allowed to try and murder my baby sister," Bellatrix stated. Lyra looked up at her for a moment before hugging her. The woman tensed and shoved her away. "Get off of me, vermin."

Dakota said her goodbyes to Ron, Aliyah, and Hermione, holding on a moment longer to the brunette as they shared a tight embrace. "Write to me every day, okay?"

"You better reply this time." Hermione chuckled, playfully punching her shoulder.

Dakota laughed and gave her one final hug before walking through the barrier back to the Muggle world with Harry. She waved her wand teasingly at Dudley, who whimpered and hid behind Petunia. Vernon scowled at her before turning and leading them to the car.

"What an odd year, right?" she asked Harry. "What do you suppose next year will bring? Vampires, werewolves, circus clowns?"

"As long as we don't almost die again, I'd say we're prepared to face another crazy year at Hogwarts." Harry glanced over his shoulder at the entrance to platform nine and three-quarters, already beginning the countdown to their 3rd year.