Kapitel 24: Train Rides are Fun
Harry was thoroughly confused when he woke up. When Dumbledore spoke to the boy he explained what was to happen to Quirrell, said some words of praise and left Harry to himself.
Leaving aside the fact that the sorcerer's stone is now missing, Harry's stuck deep in thought on who the people that helped him were, why they destroyed the mirror of erised, how timely their presence was, and how many of them were there at the time to be able to hold on by themselves.
• • •
Once discharged by Madam Pomfrey, Harry goes to the dining hall to meet up with Hermoine and Ron for the end of the year feast.
In the dining hall, all the students are busy chatting up a storm. Some unashamedly discussing about Harry Potter and his little adventure while others are bitter that Slytherin had won the house cup for the seventh year in a row.
Louis, Annie, and Richard have no care for such things - though they did congratulate Draco on his house's win before they entered the great hall - busy with their own things.
Louis busy with Bandit, Annie secretly sharpening the sword she'd manage to fit into her robe, and Richard distracted with reading his newest book for potions that he'd gotten from the old librarian whom seems oddly fond of him.
All chatter dies down when Dumbledore stands up to announce the house cup winners after Harry takes his seats at the Gryffindor table.
" Congratulations to Slytherin for winning the house cup, " He pauses to let the house celebrate their victory with laughter full of happiness.
" But, It has been an eventful year which has gone by just like that. And due to some last minute events happening. " At this point, everyone was nervous and slightly lost, the Slytherins were the most nervous.
" Some points are to be given out. " Everyone breaks out into chatter, the sudden announcement too contain their emotions.
Some Slytherins looking as if they are on the verge of throwing their benches at Dumbledore out of anger while others are extremely tempted to flip the table too vent out their frustrations.
" Well he's playing favourites, " Richard states grumpily as he looks for Draco at the Slytherin table, the boy has a very weird expression on his face.
" No duh, " Annie shoots back as she sharpens her sword harder, shooting a murderous glare right at the teachers table - or to be more specific; Dumbledore.
When the noise finally dies down, Dumbledore resumes talking once more, " First, Miss Hermoine Granger, who used her intellect while others were in grave danger, Fifty points. " Gryffindor cheered. Louis looks to Draco, the boy looking as lost as he's no doubt feeling.
" Second to Mr. Ronald Weasley, for the best played game of chess that Hogwarts has ever seen this many years, fifty points. " More cheering comes from the Gryffindor students, a shocked but happy look on Harry's face for his best friend.
Bandit moves from his place next to Louis, heading to Draco.
" And third, to Mr. Harry Potter, for pure love and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house sixty points. " The cheering reaches an all time high from the students of Gryffindor now.
" And finally, it takes a great deal of bravery, to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends. I award ten points to Neville Longbottom. "
Now (despite the feelings he's having) the announcement is a shock in and of itself for Richard who's known Neville since the start of the year.
He shoots his friend a smile full of pride, proud of his friend for his accomplishments. His feelings for the whole situation can be put on hold for after. (Though the incessant cheering from the rest of the Gryffindor students are really getting on his nerves.)
Tallying up the points in their heads, the Slytherins realize that they have lost the house cup due to those last minute additional points from Dumbledore to Gryffindor.
They are all crestfallen, especially the seventh year students for it's their last year in Hogwarts. " Now this whole things is just plain ridiculous, " Louis grumbled lowly to which Annie and Richard agree with.
At the Slytherin table, Draco can practically his best friend's annoyance coming off him in waves from where he's seated. Richard and Annie's anger aren't a laughing matter either, there's a canyon between them and the other Gryffindor students.
And while he's playing tug of war with Bandit over his spoon, he's glad to have made friends with the three Princeton's who always manage to brighten up his days without trying.
After the cheering had stops Dumbledore continues to speak, " And with that, I believe this requires some redecorating. "
And just like that, the colours of the Slytherin house change to that of the Gryffindor house. And so begins the end of year feast.
Once the feast is over and done with, all the students head back to their dorms for the night to pack up their trunks for the next day. Their break is coming and everyone is excited for it, Louis especially so.
• • •
When morning comes and everyone's had their last breakfast in Hogwarts' great hall until the next year comes, Louis and the gang are one of the first few to board the train before anyone else.
" So how are you guys going to spend your break? " Draco asks the three, curious on what they have planned.
Richard's first to speak, " Besides going to the ball your family is hosting on the first week? Not much other than staying home for a bit before going with Louie and his family overseas again. "
Annie tells of her own plans, " Sword fighting and training. I'm getting rusty in my skills so I need to brush up on them, but I am going overseas with these two as well. " When she starts swinging her sword too close to Draco's face for comfort, the blond subtly shuffles away.
" I've got some things I need to take care of back at the forest once I'm home. Apparently, some hunters decided to return the moment they noticed I was gone. But we're going somewhere for the holidays. "
Draco curiously asks where they'll be going.
" Where? I don't know. Mom and Dad thought it'd be best if I didn't know till the last minute, " Louis says as he watches Bandit explore the cabin with some fascination.
" Huh. Maybe I could follow you guys this time. Father and Mother have become nicer since we last talked so I'm sure they'd let me go! " Draco happily says when he thinks about it.
" Word of advice. You might want to bring extra cash when you go with us, " Richard advices Draco.
" Why? "
" Don't question it, just trust me on this, " Richard answers. Draco decides to drop it.
" Right, I forgot to ask but what did you do to the sorcerer's stone? " Draco asks the two boys who were the last to see it.
" Sent it back to Nicholas Flamel by owl since Volderwart will now start thinking it's got destroyed by some miracle, " Louis casually says as he tosses a piece of cookie to Bandit.
....Draco doesn't even want to ask.
The Train takes off once everyone's boarded and settled comfortably. It isn't even ten minutes in when the door to their cabin opens abruptly.
Lo and behold, Harry, Ron, and Hermoine are the ones to greet them. " Excuse us but- "
Hermoine cuts herself off when she sees Draco in the cabin accompanied by three other kids whom have already changed out of their robes and into their own clothes. Strange, she can't seem to remember who they are.
Harry and Ron who are behind her, have their line of sight blocked so aren't able to see the young Malfoy seated inside.
Wondering why she stopped talking so abruptly, they look over her shoulders and walk up to get a better look at who's in the cabin.
Ron immediately has a sour face when he catches sight of Draco, Harry has a mix of sour and defensive attitude towards the Malfoy heir.
" Malfoy?! " Ron cries out almost hysterically. " What are you doing here?! " Harry follows suit. " Taking the train to Narnia. " Draco answers sarcastically, arms crossed over his chest with a huff.
" Who are you three? I can't help but get the feeling I've seen you before, but I can't remember where, " Hermoine asks the Princeton's, unsure of herself.
" We're Flying unicorns whose mission are to invade the muggle world and spread rainbows and kittens in it. What do you think? " Louis follow Draco's sarcasm in tow.
" Stop it you two, " Annie scolds the two boys, whacking them over the head lightly before turning to look back at the three.
" Sorry about them, but would you mind leaving? We were discussing something important when you interrupted. Thanks! " Annie closes the door on them before they even have a chance to respond.
" That was a little rude, don't you think? " Richard asks with his eyebrows raised at the three. " I apologised to them in my heart, they just couldn't hear it, " The three respond simultaneously, almost as if they planned it.
" What just happened? " Harry asks dazed as he stares at the door of the cabin that had been shut on them not too long ago.
" I have no idea, " Ron answers back. Hermoine shakes herself out of her daze and readies herself to knock on the door like a civilised person this time.
Waiting for a reply after knocking three times, the door slides open slowly with a curios head sticking itself out. " Yes? What do you want? " Louis asks childishly. The only thing visible from his position are caramel eyes and purple-blue hair.
" We were wondering if we could seat with you guys, since the other cabins are all full. If you don't mind, that is, " Hermoine adds quickly when she sees the door close slightly.
" ...Wait one moment. " Louis says and goes back in, shutting the door closed once more.
The three don't have to wait long before the door opens once more. Richard let's the three in. " Come on in, " Richard greets as he closes the door after they enter.
The whole ride is absolutely awkward for Draco and the golden trio, the Princeton's just ignore them as they do their own things. They're completely forgotten by Harry, Ron, and Hermoine by some miracle.
Ron, Harry, and Draco are in a stare-off With each other while Hermoine attempts to sink in on herself due to second hand embarrassment from her two friends.
When the Hogwarts express finally nears Kingscross, the four breathe a sigh of relief. Unable to wait any longer in the suffocating cabin, the trio jump up in fright when the door opens out of nowhere, making them direct their attention to it.
The Princeton's having stepped out of the cabin and leaving area like a typhoon the moment they set their eyes on Kingscross.
" How in the bloody hell did we forget they were in the same cabin the whole ride? " Ron asks slightly horrified.
" I do not want to know, " Hermoine states as she gets up and slides open the cabin door. " Are you boys coming or not? " She asks with her eyebrow raised.
Thinking that Draco is still in the cabin with them, they turn back to where he's seated but were thoroughly confused when he's not where he sat - or anywhere in the cabin at all.
" Where'd Draco go? " Harry asks incredulous. " Wasn't he just here? " Ron follows up.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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