The Slytherin Mudblood: Book 2

Chapter 23

A STANDING OVATION FOR THE GAMEKEEPER/OFFER FROM MRS. MALFOY

It was finally the last week of school at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the second year. Everyone who was petrified by the basilisk returned to their normal moving state, thanks for a healing mandrake draught. Everyone was in the great hall, awaiting a glorious feast in front of them. 

As everyone was there, word quickly got out about Harry and my defeat of the basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets. Daphne and Draco had so many questions.  "How did you find it?" 

"What does the basilisk look like? Is it really as big as it's portrayed in Fantastic Beasts?" 

"Did you really get a Special Award from Dumbledore?" 

"Did Ginny die?"

It was fun to answer all of them, but I never revealed any information about the Polyjuice Potion or Harry and Ron sneaking into the Slytherin Common Room. I only told them the important stuff, like killing the basilisk and helping Ginny. Daphne was certainly surprised I made it out of the Chamber alive. Draco was impressed by the "battle scars" I'd have.

People in the great hall welcomed every unpetrified person with open arms. They congratulated Nearly Headless Nick as he floated through the Gryffindor tables. He welcomed Hermione as she stepped through the large Great Hall doors. She greeted him welcomingly. I watched as she ran towards Harry and Ron, she hugged Harry and shook Ron's hand. She shot me a smile which I returned happily.

Professor McGonagall, who sat at the head table next to Dumbledore, tapped her glass, "Could I have your attention, please?"

The Great Hall hushed and paid attention closely as Dumbledore stood up, "Before we begin the feast; let us have a round of applause for Professor Sprout and Madame Pomphrey, whose mandrake juice has been so successfully administered to all who have been petrified!"

The Great Hall broke into a round of applause, congratulating them. Some people even cheered loudly by whistling and hollering. Dumbledore continued, "Also, in the light of recent events, as a school treat, all exams have been canceled!" The Great Hall roared in celebration, everyone clapped and cheered. Crabbe and Goyle shook each other in excitement. Daphne and I hugged one another, dragging Draco into it as well. 

Then, as we paused into silence, the doors of the Great Hall opened wide. Behind them, Hagrid strolled in. The owl had been received and Hogwarts' gamekeeper had been released from Azkaban! He stomped in saying, "S'rry, I'm late. The owl that delivered my release papers got all lost and confused. S'me ruddy bird called, Errol."

I could see Ron across the tables looking at Dumbledore with an embarrassed look on his face. Hagrid stopped in front of the Gryffindor trio and thanked them for proving he was innocent. Harry stood up saying "It's not Hogwarts without you Hagrid," and gave him a giant hug.

Professor Dumbledore rose from his seat and started clapping for Hagrid. Professor McGonagall joined, Harry joined, Ron joined, and eventually the whole school joined. I stood up and joined, Draco held my arm to pull me back down. "You really should join us, don't wanna look like a fool in front of the school," I told Draco. He rolled his eyes and reluctantly stood up, clapping his hands dramatically slow. I grinned at Daphne and we clapped even louder.

~~~~~Skip to the Train Ride Home~~~~~

I sat on the train ride home next to Draco, with Daphne and Pansy across from me. I stared out the window and daydreamed about next year. New classes, third-year students, maybe new quests with Harry, and more time with friends. 

I also reflected on the events of this school year. I killed Tom Riddle and the basilisk, I got more connected with the Gryffindor Trio, I almost beat the Gryffindors at quidditch, and I got a new pet! Just think, Harry can talk to Valentino now that he knows he can speak Parseltongue! I almost died getting out of the chamber and I, now, have a plaque with my name on it in the trophy case at Hogwarts for Special Services to the School!

I stared into the beyond of the landscape. We traveled through the forest, the grasslands, across lakes, for a long while. Mountains and villages were in the distance. I was practically oblivious to my surroundings, not paying attention to my friends and what they were doing.

That wasn't until I snapped out of my daydreaming when I felt cold skin brush past my hand. I looked at my hand to see Draco's hand directly next to it, a fraction of a millimeter away from touching mine. I looked at him to see him staring at me. He quickly drew his eyes away from mine with his pale cheeks flushing, retracting his hand away from mine and putting it onto his thigh, hoping I didn't notice it that much.

Instead of returning to the scene of the landscape,  I reached over to grab his hand, intertwining our fingers tightly. He looked back at me and we both smiled. Realizing what I just did, I looked at Pansy, who was known for her notorious crush on Draco. She was totally baffled by my actions. 

I looked at Daphne and she was smiling at me. I winked at her and she knew, because at the start of term she knew I had a crush on Draco. She bunched up her hands and pressed them to her cheeks in awe. Now she knows it's true, she will definitely boast about it.

I looked back at Draco. He was blushing so hard, trying to hide it. So he wouldn't feel as embarrassed, I looked back out the window. I stayed this way for the rest of the train ride, looking out the window and holding his hand. We shared sweets from the trolley and told stories to get to know each other even better. It really was a great end to another year.

The train stopped at King's Cross Station. We departed and greeted a smug-faced Lucius. There was a woman next to him, she was pale just like him and Draco. Her hair was long and black with strands of white and she had complex features. I guessed it was Draco's mother. As we walked over to them, she greeted me welcomingly. Lucius was flabbergasted, surprised, disgusted, and almost everything in between at the sight of our hands.

I shook hands with the woman, "Hello, I'm Victoria, Victoria Haynes."

"Nice to meet you, Victoria." She grinned, "I'm Narcissa, Draco's mother. Your family must be praised if you made in into Slytherin house with our dear Draco."

I nodded. I also joked, "I can definitely see where Draco gets his good looks."

She lightly laughed, delighted by my presence. She spoke again, "Well, you seem like a wonder. Perhaps you'd like come by our manor over the summer holiday? I would love to meet your family!"

I smiled but it slowly faded, "Please, forgive me. My parents are no longer in the picture. They left me when I was young. I'm a pureblood, so it was hard for them to end the long line of wizards," I lied. Draco's family absolutely couldn't know about my family being muggles!

I looked to Draco to see his reaction, but he nodded, understanding that I lied for our friendship's sake. She apologized discreetly for assuming and I assured her everything was fine. I promised her to stop by sometime this summer, much to Lucius' dismay and profuse nagging to his wife to not allow me over.

I bid my farewells to them and leaned towards Draco. I whispered, "Promise me, they'll never know." Draco smiled and nodded. I gave him one last squeeze of his hand and left. Narcissa and Draco bid me a farewell and great summer holiday. 

I grabbed my trolley of belongings and hailed a taxi back to the Leaky Cauldron, waving good-bye to the Malfoys. When I reached the pub, I greeted Tom the Bartender and Owner, got another room for the summer holiday and settled down into the lounge chair, staring out the murky window and petting Valentino on my lap. 

Next year, I'll be a third-year student. For now, I have until summer ends to prepare for everything and spend time with Draco and Daphne. So let the summer... begin!

THE END.

BE SURE TO RETURN FOR BOOK THREE!

THANK YOU FOR READING! HOPE YOU ENJOYED! MISCHIEF MANAGED!