Double Double Trouble (A Fred and George Weasley Story)

Chapter 13~Stone, Slytherin, and Saying Goodbye*

Chapter 13~ Stone, Slytherin, and Saying Goodbye

"I can't believe we got beat by Hufflepuff!"  George sighed, clearly upset about the final rankings for the House Cup.  We were sitting in the Great Hall, waiting for the end of term feast to start.  Normally, the Great Hall would display all four House colors and their mascots.  But tonight, the entire hall was decked out in green and sliver, the banners showing Slytherin had won the House Cup.

I saw Harry enter the Great Hall and I nudged Anna in her side. "Look, Harry's alright."  He had been in the Hospital Wing for the past few days after his run in with Quirrell and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named when he saved the Sorcerer's Stone.  The only sign of physical damage on Harry was a small cut on his face that would heal up soon.  He walked to the Gryffindor table and sat in-between Ron and Hermione.  People started standing to try to get a better look at him.

"That just makes me sick, it's not like they haven't seen him every day this year."  Anna whispered in my ear.

Fortunately, Dumbledore arrived moments later.  The babble died away.

"Another year gone!"  Dumbledore said cheerfully.  "And I must trouble you with an old, man’s wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast.  What a year it has been.  Hopefully your heads are all a little  fuller than they were... you have the whole Summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts...

"Now as I understand it, the House Cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus: In fourth place Gryffindor, with three hundred and twelve points; in third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two, Ravenclaw has four hundred and twenty-six and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two."

A storm of cheering and stamping broke out form the Slytherin table.  I looked over at the table to see Amelia cheering looking to me like a gorilla.  But then again, that's just my opinion.

"Ahem," said Dumbledore.  "I have a few last-minute points to dish out.  Let me see, yes...

"First - to Mr. Ronald Weasley..."

Ron's face went purple; he looked like a radish with a bad sun burn.

"... For the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."

Our cheers could have lifted the ceiling.  The enchanted stars seemed to quiver.  I could hear Percy telling the other prefects, "My brother, you know!  My youngest brother!  Got past McGonagall's giant chess set!"

At last there was silence again.

"Second to - Miss Hermione Granger... For the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."

Hermione buried her face in her arms.  I patted her on her back with a large smile on my face.  Us Gryffindors were beside ourselves we were hundred points up and we were now a head of Hufflepuff and few points away from passing Ravenclaw.

"Third - to Mr. Harry Potter..."  Said Dumbledore.  The Great Hall went deadly quite.  "... For pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house sixty points."

The noise was deafening.  We were tied for first place with Slytherin!  It seemed to me that the entire Gryffindor house was screaming ourselves hoarse.

Dumbledore once again raised his hand.  The room gradually fell silent.

"There are all kinds of courage."  Said Dumbledore smiling.  "It takes a great deal of bravery to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.  I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom."