Lullaby

Chapter Nine

Hermione didn't want to cause me any stress that would trigger my illness and went with Harry and Ron when they found out how to calm Fluffy, a three headed dog.

That night I studied for the end exams instead. Helana and Melanie, my other two roommates, were also planning on studying so we decided to study together.

We huddled in the middle of the room with books, quills, and parchment within hand reach.

"Where can you find wolfsbane?" Helana asks Melanie as she looks from her textbook.

Mel bites her lip and taps her chin with her quill, racking her brain. "Wolfsbane are commonly found somewhere high and lots of sun..?"

"Correct," I nod. "You'll just need to re-phrase it so it sounds more scientific or something like that."

Mel groans and falls onto her back, dirty-blonde hair spraying all around her head. "I'm going to fail Snape's class."

"You just need to memorize it. That's what I do," Helana shrugs.

"Snape isn't that bad. I find Potions enjoyable," I shrug.

"You sure you aren't supposed to be in Ravenclaw?" Mel uses her elbows to support herself and looks up at me. "You are seriously brilliant."

"Thanks," I give her a small smile. "But I'm not."

"You're so modest," Helana shakes her head at me.

I shrug again in response before turning back to Mel. "What do you get when you mix munkswood with wormwood?"

Mel releases a shrill squeal and hugs her pillow tightly while kicking her legs about like she was having a sugar high.

"I'm betting she doesn't know," Helana says as we both glance at her.

"Agreed."

~*~

It was finally the last day of school. I passed my exams easily since I studied so much while Mel at least got passing grades.

She was pretty happy she didn't fail any classes, and that was enough to raise her spirits for awhile, if not the whole summer coming up.

I sat next to Harry, Hermione, Ron, Mel, and Helana for the end of the year feast in the Great Hall. It was so weird to think a year ago I was stepping into this school for the first time.

And Harry Potter's world...

The hall was lit brightly with all the torches, Slytherin banners hung on the ceiling since they had won the House Cup.

I chatted happily with Hermione and Mel while Helana was too busy stuffing her face with chicken and butter beer. I also had butter beer with some noodles and chocolate cake.

After a little bit, Professor Dumbledore taps his glass cup with a spoon, silencing everyone in the hall before standing up.

"To make it official, it should be fitting that I announce the House Points," he says and calls out all the points each house has, Gryffindor in 4th place.

"But, I would like to add a few last minute points," Dumbledore looks at Harry, Ron, and Hermione. "50 points to Gryffindor for Hermione Granger's cool use of intellect when her friends needed it most."

Everyone claps and I smile at Hermione's shocked face. "You really didn't think it would go unnoticed, did you?"

"Another 50 points to Gryffindor from Ronald Weasley, the best Wizard's Chess player Hogwarts has seen for a long while."

Ron almost drops his spoon onto the ground as the kids pat his back when his name is announced. "Me?"

"And for Harry Potter being brave and having courage in the time of need, 60 points to Gryffindor."

I clap for Harry as everyone else was. He was a bit shocked but it quickly turned into a smile.

"We're tied with Slytherin!" Hermione giggles.

"Really?!" Helana asks through a mouth full of food.

Hermione closes her eyes and turns her head away from her. "Please don't do that again."

"Standing up to your enemy is never easy, but standing up to your friends is even harder," Dumbledore continues. "I give 10 points to Mr. Neville Longbottom for his act of courage."

Neville looks around with an awed face while everyone cheers.

"Gryffindor wins the House Cup!" Dumbledore proclaims. "I believe a change in decoration is in order."

He claps his hands, the Slytherin banners on the ceiling turning into rich, gold Gryffindor banners.

The kids at our table throw our gnome-like hats and cheer loudly. I just laugh since I never was that outgoing enough. I glance past the cheering people to see Draco and his cronies looking so down.

I give him a small smile, not that he would see it anyways. But I just wanted to. I mean, I also wouldn't see him for a couple months until my 2nd year.