Chapter 45: End of the term
When Neal was returning with Ginny, he met Prof. Flitwick, Prof. McGonagall, and Harry in the dark tunnel. Upon seeing him, Prof. Flitwick asked, "what happened, Neal? We saw Prof. Dumbledore is being carried unconscious by his Phoenix on our way".
Neal looked at Harry who is only staring at the floating Ginny in a worry. He replied, "let's leave, for now, Professor. It's better if Prof. Dumbledore will explain to you about it after he wakes up". Prof. McGonagall frowned hearing it but still nodded as she thought Dumbledore probably instructed him to do so.
After coming of out the pipe with levitation spell on themselves, Neal handed Ginny to Harry and went with Prof. McGonagall to the headmaster's office while Prof. Flitwick went to the Ravenclaw tower.
As they entered his office, they saw Prof. Snape standing before Dumbledore who was sitting on his bed in a weak state. Prof. McGonagall and Neal walked upstairs while ignoring the previous Headmasters' ramblings to talk to him.
Upon seeing Neal, Dumbledore asked, "what about Tom?". Neal replied, "dead by now". When Prof. McGonagall demanded an explanation, Dumbledore explained, "well, Tom Riddle came back to life. It's thanks to the young Neal that he was dead again. No need to worry about me. I'm alright now, thanks to Prof. Snape".
Neal was surprised at first that he wasn't asked for any explanation about his act, but then seeing Prof. Snape, Neal thought, "well, Prof. Dumbledore must have already known about the venom from Prof. Snape. Since they aren't speaking about it, I guess they want to keep it as a secret from Prof. McGonagall. Well, that works for me, even better".
Then, he asked, "Professor, I'm curious about one thing. During the battle, you said he's just a Horcrux, a fragment of the real Voldemort. What do you mean by that?". Hearing that name made McGonagall shiver a bit before calming herself down. She looked at him sternly, "don't speak out his name".
Dumbledore replied, "why not, Minerva? He has a name and it's Lord Voldemort. If it's too much, you can also call him Tom Riddle. There's no need to spread the fear of him, even to the future generations".
Seeing that he wouldn't be getting an answer, Neal decided to wait as Dumbledore kept Isle's secret. After all, basing on Isle's venom deadly effects, if it gets out, she will be treated as XXXXX magic creature, the ones which Ministry of Magic consider as extremely dangerous and won't allow living in human settlements.
Later, the news of Neal rescuing Ginny from a dangerous cursed item that possessed her and dragged her into the chamber of secrets was being passed all over the school covering the fact that it was Voldemort. While Ginny was admitted into the hospital wing, the Weasleys thanked Neal for saving her. Even Ron put aside his grudge on him for a second and thanked him.
Ron still ended up in a verbal fight with Malfoy when he brought up her name before him though. On the other hand, without feeling an ounce of pity, Snape took off 100 points from Gryffindor stating that Ginny still broke the rules by entering Slytherin's dormitory in a disguise and stealing the diary from Neal's room.
Quickly, Hogwarts Annual Festival once again started 10 weeks before the final exams. Neal participated in only Mini Quidditch and dueling this time. He single-handedly won the Mini Quidditch as everyone expected.
As for the dueling, it was a total mess that attracted all the upper-class students and even including the Professors like Prof. McGonagall and Prof. Flitwick.
After Draco, Daphne and Tracey's chances are over, Neal immediately challenged the third year who just won against Tracey and broke her 5 winning streaks. From then, he refused to budge even after defeating 40 students consecutively breaking down everyone's courage.
Only after Prof. McGonagall came to the hall and created a rule that one will have to step down from the platform when he reaches 50 winning streak mark.
Then, a few weeks later, Quidditch finals became a tie between Slytherin and Gryffindor with 200-200. They both shared the cup and House points with it. As the final examinations are over, everyone is having their last breakfast in the term.
Dumbledore rose from his seat and spoke, "another wonderful year has been passed. Of course, before you go, you have to see the results of the House Championship". Then, he gave personal points to Neal three times along with a few people from the seventh and sixth years.
One for saving Ginny, he awarded him 60 points, the second one is for breaking Tom Riddle's academic records again, he awarded him 80 points and the last one is for becoming one of the best chasers in the History of Hogwarts and creating a new record of 118 goals in a year, he awarded Neal, 150 points. Then Dumbledore announced Slytherin has won the house cup for the eighth time in a row making the students of the other three houses sigh.
Neal, Daphne, Tracey, and Malfoy sat in a cabin together and chatting while returning to London. Draco said, "so, after one more year, you'll be getting your freedom, finally huh!". Neal looked at him and asked, "what are you saying?". Draco replied, "since you are under guardian's care all the time, you've been under Dumbledore's watch every day, right?".
Neal replied, "I guess you can say that. But it is still better. After all, who would want to go into a house who disowned and killed your mother". Upon hearing it, Draco realized his words and apologized, "I'm sorry. I forgot about it". Neal waved his hand, "it's ok. It isn't like I'm offended or something. There is one advantage for sure. I get to read and buy some books which I can't do with Edward".
When the train was just a couple hours from the destination, Tracey spoke, "I'm really excited to go see my surprise this time". Neal asked, "surprise?". Daphne replied, "oh, right. I forgot about it. In the previous letter, Ms. Dulcie wrote to her that she's going to give a big surprise for all of us, especially for Tracey and you, Neal".
Neal pointed at himself in a surprise, "me?". He looked at Tracey and asked, "do you have any idea?". Tracey shook her head, "nope. Mom only said all of us will be surprised when we reached KingsCross station this time".
While Neal mumbled, "I wonder what it was?", Tracey began to dream about her favorite things, Draco uttered unconsciously while looking for a vanilla-flavored candy inside the box, "maybe she's getting married to Edward".
All three of them suddenly turned towards him in a shock and screamed, "What?". The box slipped from his hands as he was frightened for a second because of the loud scream. He looked at them, "what are you looking at me for? I'm just saying a possibility". Tracey and Neal shouted at the same time, "No way".
They looked at each other for a second before Neal folded his hands and commented, "Ms. Dulcie is 42 and Edward is just 35. Too much age difference. Not possible. He even said he will marry a young girl". Tracey suddenly looked at him like she's going to battle him at any time, "hey, my mom is still young and beautiful.
Didn't you remember that shopkeeper who sells the lanterns in Diagon Alley asked me whether she's my big sister or little aunt? Do you know how many people who were in their twenties asked her for a date? Why would she go and fall for an old man like Edward? Even if he's in the 30s, he looks like a man in the 40s".
Neal replied, "that's because he doesn't depend on things like artificial beauty enhanced by potions and spells". Tracey said "oh, please. Did you forget that we used the Wit sharpening potion to raise our intelligence temporarily for the exams? And who concocted it for us? Isn't that you? You can use potions for the brain, bones but not for skin? please, don't kid around".
Daphne interrupted them, "stop, right now. You two don't need to overreact for such a simple comment". Then she slapped her shoulder and praised, "you've gotten very brave, Tracey. You can even argue against Neal now". Neal snorted, "Oh, please, she was only behaving like that because Isle isn't here".
Tracey replied, "do you think I will fear your pet? That was in the past year". Neal slyly smiled, "oh, really, then, I guess you will have no problem if Isle comes out of the trunk, right? You can even pet her". He spoke out loud, "Isle, nap time is over. You can..." Tracey interrupted him, "ah, fine. You win. Let it sleep".
As King's Cross station arrived, everyone pulled out their trunks and stepped down on to the platform. They saw Edward, Dulcie, Narcissa, and Alene and Astoria stood together. Daphne then introduced her mother and sister, "Tracey, Neal, this is my mother, Alene Greengrass and this is my little sister, Astoria Greengrass. She's going to join Hogwarts this September".
When Neal introduced himself, "Hello ma'am, I'm Neal Slytherin". And when he turned towards Astoria, she suddenly hid behind her mother and mumbled, "hello". Daphne whispered, "she's a bit shy. Don't mind her".
Then after a while, Tracey asked, "mom, you said there's a surprise waiting for me, here. What is it?". While Neal too turned towards her in anticipation, Edward and Dulcie looked at each other for a second with a smile and raised their hand towards them.
Tracey and Neal looked at each other in a shock
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Snowstar
Snowstar End of the volume.
In this volume, I realized that I didn't show many interactions between Neal and his friends.
I guess I'll work on that from the next volume and will try to include his friends and their families in his story
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