Twin Potter And The Boy Who Lived

Going Home

There's a very deep and long silence as the five of them stand there. She can only imagine what they all look like covered in muck, slime, and blood.

Then the silence is drowned out by someone screaming for Ginny. Vanessa recognizes her as the woman who had helped them their first year, Mrs. Weasley. Beside her is a man Vanessa does not recognize but based on the way they both fling themselves on Ginny, it's safe to assume that it's Mr. Weasley.

Seeing the two of them clutching onto their daughter, tears streaming down their faces, not caring that she's covered in who knows what, makes a lump form in Vanessa's throat. She wishes she had a parent who was so concerned, so worried, about her well-being. Her envy only grows when Mrs. Weasley turns to wrap her arms around the two boys thanking them for saving her.

Once the blubbering is over, Harry takes the time to recount everything that happened. They're all offered seats as he explains everything. It takes everything in Vanessa not to sleep and even so she finds her eyes drooping on and off.

He's back. Voldemort.

Vanessa's eyes snap open and she jumps up from her seat. Harry's voice still rings loudly in her ears. It had been only a whisper, but like a whisper screamed into her ear. She looks around the room wildly. The Weasley girl and her parents are no longer here, and Professor McGonagall is nearly to the door. All of them are staring at her as if she were the one disrupting the conversation, not Harry. Vanessa truly looks at her brother, and he looks calm outside of the confusion he shows.

"Sorry, I must have dozed off..." She sinks back into the chair, her cheeks as red as her own hair. She must be far too tired.

"Right, well, I'll leave you to deal with the Potters and Weasley." Professor McGonagall nods and leaves. Vanessa, flushed with embarrassment, feels as wide awake as ever. She's never even so much as gotten points taken from Slytherin. She can't imagine what's in store for her now. What if this ruins her chances to live with the Malfoys, what if she has destroyed any hope she had at a happy home?

"Miss Potter, I'm quite surprised to see you here." Professor Dumbledore looks at her. "Professor Snape always says you are such a well-behaved student. And you." He turns to the boys. "I seem to remember telling you both that I would expel you if you broke anymore school rules."

Her heart is in her throat. She nearly feels like weeping.

"Which goes to show that the best of us must sometimes eat our words." He smiles at them. Now she feels confused. "You all will receive Special Rewards for Services to the school. Oh also, two hundred points apiece for your houses." Vanessa is flooded with relief and pride.

"One of us seems to be keeping mightily quiet about his part in this dangerous adventure." Dumbledore finally seems to turn his attention to fifth figure in the room. Lockhart stands in a corner with a dopey smile. "Why so modest, Gilderoy?"

Weasley explains to the headmaster what occurred down in the pipes. And Dumbledore shakes his head.

"Would you mind taking Professor Lockhart up to the infirmary too?" He looks to Weasley and Vanessa. She stands and nods, though she has no intentions escorting him all the way there.

She and Weasley step out, although not before she gives one last look towards Harry. He gives her a smile as she goes, making her feel a bit better.

Her and Weasley walk with Lockhart trailing behind them. It's silent except for comments of awe from their teacher.

"Oh, here. Found this in the rubble." Weasley reaches into his pocket and pulls out her wand.

"My wand!" She takes it happily, a hum in her fingers when she makes contact with the wood again. She had felt so lost without it. "Thank you, I don't know what I would have done without it." She brings it closer to herself.