Sirius Black daughter - Athena Black (Book 2)

Twenty Six

Athena had been to several Hogwarts feasts, but never one quite like this. Everybody was in their pajamas, and the celebration lasted all night. A lot happened during the feast, Hermione ran toward him, screaming "You solved it! You solved it!". 

Hagrid turned up at half past three, cuffing Athena, Harry and Ron so hard on the shoulders that they were knocked into their plates of trifle. Her, Harry's and Ron's four hundred points for Gryffindor securing the House Cup for the second year running. Professor McGonagall stood up to tell them all that the exams had been canceled as a school treat, which was the best bit to Athena.

"Oh, no!" said Hermione. 

Dumbledore announced that, unfortunately, Professor Lockhart would be unable to return next year, owing to the fact that he needed to go away and get his memory back. 

"Thats quiet fortunate ya' know?" Athena grinned. 

Quite a few of the teachers joined in the cheering that greeted this news. 

"Shame," said Ron, helping himself to a jam doughnut. "He was starting to grow on me." 

The rest of the final term passed in a haze of blazing sunshine. Hogwarts was back to normal with only a few, small differences. Defense Against the Dark Arts classes were canceled and Lucius Malfoy had been sacked as a school governor. Draco was no longer strutting around the school as though he owned the place. On the contrary, he looked resentful and sulky, which was a little disturbing sight for Athena as she always saw him full of pride and happy looking. On the other hand, Ginny Weasley was perfectly happy again. 

Too soon, it was time for the journey home on the Hogwarts Express. Athena, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, and Ginny got a compartment to themselves. They made the most of the last few hours in which they were allowed to do magic before the holidays. They played Exploding Snap, set off the very last of Fred and George's Filibuster fireworks, and practiced Disarming each other by magic. They were almost at King's Cross when Harry remembered something. 

"Ginny — what did you see Percy doing, that he didn't want you to tell anyone?" 

"Oh, that," said Ginny, giggling. "Well — Percy's got a girlfriend." 

Fred dropped a stack of books on George's head, Athena stumbled backwards falling into George's arms. 

"What?" 

"No way!" Athena gasped, wide mouthed.

"It's that Ravenclaw prefect, Penelope Clearwater," said Ginny. "That's who he was writing to all last summer. He's been meeting her all over the school in secret. I walked in on them kissing in an empty classroom one day. He was so upset when she was — you know — attacked. You won't tease him, will you?" she added anxiously. 

"Wouldn't dream of it," said Fred, who was looking like his birthday had come early. 

"Definitely not," said George, sniggering. Athena chuckled agreeing sarcastcily.

The Hogwarts Express slowed and finally stopped. Harry pulled out his quill and a bit of parchment and turned to Athena, Ron and Hermione. 

"This is called a telephone number," he told Ron, scribbling it thrice, tearing the parchment in two, and handing it to them. "I told your dad how to use a telephone last summer — he'll know. Call me at the Dursleys', okay? I can't stand another two months with only Dudley to talk to. . . ." 

"Your aunt and uncle will be proud, though, won't they?" said Hermione as they got off the train and joined the crowd thronging toward the enchanted barrier. "When they hear what you did this year?" 

"Proud?" said Harry. "Are you crazy? All those times I could've died, and I didn't manage it? They'll be furious. . . ."

"Oi dear!" Athena, turned around and saw a similar redhead with blue eyes, near the nine and three quaters pillar. She bid goodbyes to her friends and ran to Anna.

"Mama!" She grinned.

"Sev told me waht happened. . . I'm proud of you and your friends honey," Anna smiled, "But. . . Why do you keep going into small spaces?"

Sev? Ohhh! Is that Professor Snape's nickname! Just can't wait to annoy him next year!

Athena looked sheepish, at Anna's slight glare. "Well. . ."

"Don't. Ever. Do. that again."

"But the Chamber was a big space!"

Anna burst out laughing, "Lets go home, sweetie."