My Own Treachery

Chapter 24 | Aren't You Charming?

Walking into the Great Hall. Hearing the whispers as they followed me as I walked to my usual seat, next to Draco and Lilly. The hall was decorated in the green and silver colors of Slytherin.

"It's our seventh year in a row winning it" Draco informed me, once I sat next to him, he then looked at me curious, "Where have you been? You're later. I'm sure owls were going to be sent after you"

I smiled at him, "Nothing, I just overslept" I really didn't want to talk about the Quirrell and Voldemort ordeal. I just wanted to think about it all. I then looking away to the Gryffindor table I saw Hermione, Ron and Harry. They seemed to be getting bombarded with questions more so than I was.

Then in walked in Dumbledore. Making everyone quiet. Once at the front of the room, he began to give a speech, "Another year gone!" He says cheerfully, "And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink out teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully, your heads are a little fuller than they were to start with..." He chuckled as he went on, "Now, you'll have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts..." Crap, I've got to go home. "... Now as I understand it, the house cup here needs awarding, the points stand as thus: In fourth place Gryffindor with three hundred and twelve points; in third, Huffllepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two; Ravenclaw with four hundred and nine; Slytherin with four hundred and twelve."

A loud cheer erupted around me, I couldn't help but chuckle, hearing the table come to life, with everyone chanting, cheering and stomping the ground.

"yes, yes, well done, Slytherin" Dumbledore praises us, the table then went quiet, tough I'm sure everyone of us could feel the pride glowing from the table, "However, recent events must be taken into account"

I felt the tables pride dwindle, as murmurs erupted from all four tables. What events? Is he going to talk about what happened with the stone? Please don't please don't.

"Ahem" Dumbledore said, quieting the hall, "I have a few last-minute points to dish out. Let me see." He paused looking over the Gryffindor table, "Yes, first to Mr. Ronald Weasley, for the best-played game of chess, Hogwarts has seen, I award fifty points" The table became loud with happiness, quieting when he went on, "Hermione Granger, for the use of cool logic in the face of a fire. I award Gryffindor house, fifty points"

I looked over at the table, in time to see Hermione bury her face in her arms. The table was jumping up and down. They now were tied with Slytherins. I could sense the dread around me as the Slytherin table was aware what was going to happen next.

"Third, to Mr.Harry Potter" Said Dumbledore, "For pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house, sixty points" The hall explodes, mostly with Gryffindors screaming and cheering, as they had four hundred and seventy-two points-- more than Slytherin. I felt my heart drop. But I was happy at the same time.

"Fourth -" The cheering stopped cold, as Dumbledore looked in my direction, please don't. "To Miss. Amber Rose Ravenclaw. Being ahead of us all, being cunning, brave and quick witted, for knowing the truth, doing what was right, even on her own. Facing a great enemy, winning and saving a life in the process." I felt embarrassed, as I felt eyes on me, "I award Slytherin house, sixty points." The hall erupts once more, now the two houses were tied, once again.

"Do we both win" Draco questioned, he then looked to me, "What happened?" I shrugged, not really wanting to answer.

Dumbledore held up his hand, as he looked over us all, eyes shining. Once the hall was quiet, he spoke "There are all kinds of courage, it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. " He smiled, looking at the Gryffindor table, I looked over at the table, who is he going to award points to? "I therefore, award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom" My eyes dashed to the chubby cheeked boy, whom was grinning. What? That fool? I laughed softly, to myself, I guess that's alright.

After the feast I had walked slowly towards the commons room. Sitting on a couch, staring into the green flames. Contemplating on going home. I really didn't want to. Eventually, I had gotten up and packed all of my bags. Capone was laying on my stomach, as I laid in bed. I was filled with dread. I couldn't bear looking at my parents faces again. Not seeing the affection they once had for me. Not even being looked at by my mother, and my father whom looked upon me with disgust. I laid in my bed, soon drifting to sleep.

The next morning, in the great hall, we had gotten our marks for our exams. Draco had snatched mine away from me, before I could look through it.

"How the hell did you get trolls on everything?" He questioned, with shock. Causing me to rip the paper from his hand, seeing I had all O's, except the one E that was in astronomy, as expected, since I had to redo the exam, falling asleep during the actual one.

I glared at Draco, playfully, "You don't joke about my grades, how you do anyways?" instead of answering he handed over his grades. He was nearly perfect also, no shocker, he was one of the smartest people I've met. He had only three E's in charms, herbology and history of magic, "Not bad" I stated handing back his grades.

He shrugged, "I'll need to do better next term, my father won't want me to repeat these grades" I felt empathetic for him. I knew exactly what it was like not meeting, or just barely missing the expectations set by parents. I'm sure if they were to ask about them, they'd blow up about the on E, and make me recite the entire lesson all summer.

"I can relate" I mumbled, I got up from my table, patting his shoulder, "I'll be right back I want to see how Ava did" I stated as I walked towards the Ravenclaw table.

Ava looked up at me, smiling, "How'd you do?" She questioned, hiding her grades against her chest.

"I got an E in astronomy, I'm sure if I hadn't fell asleep during the actual exam I would've O'd it" I informed her.

"No way" A familiar voice behind me retorted, I saw the faces of Ava and the two girls she was sitting with seem struck with awe. Turning to face the tall, good looking Hufflepuff, Cedric.

I smiled, "way, I fell asleep, had to beg just to get a second chance." I informed him, "How'd you do anyways?" he was a sensible and sharp student, from what I understood, during the evenings we studied in the library.

"decent, three O's, two E's, one P, and the rest are A's. Thanks for helping me with potions, and charms, got O's because of you" He chuckled, "Next year, we'll have to go over history of magic, if you're alright with that?" He questioned, with an eyebrow raised.

Smiling lightly I nodded, "Sure, I'm always up to educate"

"Sounds like a plan, later Raven" He says, then he walks away I presume to his own table, or housemates.

When I turned back to Ava, she had a strange look, I couldn't quite make it out. A few moments into the staring, I just rolled my eyes and walked away, leaving the great hall, being joined by Draco and his well rounded friends. As we went back to the Slytherin commons to get our bags, and get going to the train. As it would begin loading people up soon.

On the way to the train, it was quite melancholy, kids excited to go home. I just couldn't bring myself to be as happy. I looked over at another boat, where Hermione, Harry and Ron were. Noticing Harry seemed to be as unhappy about going home as well. Loading on to the train, I ended up sitting with Draco and his two minions. They talked about going home, the first things they'd each do once they were home.

I was sure all I'd do was read, avoid family and send letters, to my friends. Both Draco and Hermione would be more often then Harry, Ron and Cedirc. I then went thinking about the diary, I'll probably chat with Tom more often then anyone. I haven't told him what's happened the other day. With Quirrell and Voldemort. Or the reflection. What would Voldemort hold the diary, anyway? What was with the reflection? Could Lord Voldemort and Tom Riddle have known each other? I suppose fifty years ago, Voldemort would've been in school, right? How old was he anyways?