Chapter 10
The Leaving Feast
Author's Note: This story surpassed 800 reviews, on FFN, in 9 chapters. I thank each and every one of you who have left reviews and comments to my story. It means a great deal to me.
Warning: Severe Character Bashing - Dumbledore, and Ron and Ginny Weasley
Possible Trigger Warning: There is a short discussion of the events of September 11th, 2001 when Harry and Hermione have a discussion of the future.
Saturday, June 26th, 1995 – Ministry of Magic - Late Afternoon
Amelia Bones slumped down in her comfortable chair in her office in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. She was exhausted. It had been a long afternoon, and it wasn't over yet. There would be a scheduled press conference in the Ministry's Atrium with the media in about an hour or so. That was when Rufus Scrimgeour, and his contingency of Senior Aurors, were expected to return from escorting Dolores Umbridge and Peter Pettigrew to Azkaban Prison. The main topic would, of course, be regarding the three trials of that day. Amelia knew Sirius Black's trial, and his return to true freedom after more than thirteen years, would be one of the bigger topics the media would focus on.
Which was why the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, had asked Sirius to stay at the Ministry until after the press conference, so he could take part in it. Sirius had accepted the Minister's request, but Amelia had saved Sirius from having to hang out with the Minister for an hour before the press conference, and had invited him to go with her, with the excuse that he needed to retrieve his wand and the personal belongings that had been on his person the night of his arrest - all of which were currently in Amelia''s possession.
Sirius Black was now sitting in a chair on the other side of Amelia's desk. He was looking at her with a concerned expression.
"Are your days always this busy, Amy?" Sirius asked. "You look exhausted right now."
"This wasn't an ordinary day," Amelia said, shaking her head. "I'm not always involved in court cases, only when it comes to some of the higher-tiered cases. It just so happened that there were three high-tier cases today. It has been a few months since a day like this has happened. Though I have had it worse, to be honest. The Riots at the Quidditch World Cup were pretty bad when it came to the workload for the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and Auror Headquarters."
Amelia smirked and laughed. "I actually had to put the hunt for you on a back burner when the Riots happened. So I am sure you can imagine how bad it had to be for me to do that."
Sirius laughed along. "I don't know whether I should take offense to that or not!"
Amelia sobered and sighed. "I really wish you would have tried to get in contact with me over the past couple of years, Sirius. If you had written me a letter, telling me the story about your innocence and that Pettigrew was alive, I would have taken it seriously. I promise you that. I would have looked into it, and probably found a great deal regarding everything that happened back in '81."
Sirius sighed and shrugged his shoulders. "Believe me, I considered contacting you several times. It was just that the little voice in the back of my mind, that voice that was mostly borne from the Dementor Exposure, left me with doubts about what would happen if I did write to you. I was paranoid half the time. The other half, I had a one-track mind for revenge, going after Pettigrew, while also trying to keep an eye on Harry, and Hogwarts and what was going on. When Harry was placed in the Tournament, my focus was mostly on him and Hogwarts after that. I was actually out of the country last summer, and came back when I heard Harry was in the tournament. So I am sure you can see what I mean by how seriously I had been taking that entire thing. I'm sorry to say that I hadn't given any more thoughts about contacting you once I heard my godson was in trouble."
"I understand," Amelia said, with a nod. "I probably would have had a one-track mind myself if Susan was put in that sort of danger."
She sighed, then reached down and pulled open one of the drawers in her desk. She took out a brown paper sack, and a long, narrow box. She set them in front of Sirius.
"Your wand," Amelia said, motioning to the box, then to the sack, "And the personal belongings you had on you on the evening of your arrest."
"I thought my wand would have been snapped, and my personal belongings 'lost' or something," Sirius muttered. "Then again, that might have been the paranoid, spiteful side of my thoughts that Azkaban, and being unjustly put in Azkaban without a trial, created."
Amelia watched as Sirius picked up the box and opened it. "Crouch - Senior, that is - wanted to snap your wand. Somebody – not me – talked him out of it. Scrimgeour, maybe."
Sirius snorted. "Old bastard is lucky he's dead. I would have given him a piece of my mind. Maybe more than one piece."
"It was Crouch who forbade me from having anything to do with your case and arrest back when I was an apprentice-slash-Auror," Amelia said, sighing and rubbing her eyes. "I should have realized he was hiding something."
Several DMLE apprentices during war-time, back in the late seventies and eighties, also worked in the Auror Department. Amelia was one of those who worked in both Departments.
"I don't blame you, Amelia," Sirius said. "I blame a few people, and you, Amelia, are not one of them."
Amelia allowed a weak smile to form on her face, as she watched Sirius take his wand in his hand. Sirius stared at his wand, and the expression on his face almost made Amelia jealous, because she remembered when he would look at her in the same loving way.
"I haven't felt this complete in thirteen years," Sirius whispered, "Even reuniting with my godson didn't make me feel so complete. But now… I'm a free man, I have my wand… and I have reunited with the only woman I have and will ever love."
"Oh, Sirius," Amelia said, smiling.
Sirius picked up the brown paper sack, and looked inside it. Amelia noted a look of shocked relief appear across Sirius' face, and she wondered what he was looking at inside the bag. Amelia didn't know what any of the contents were inside the bag, only that the items belonged to Sirius. Sirius took out an item from the bag, and held it in his closed fist, so that it was hidden from Amelia's view.
"Amelia, I have a confession to make," Sirius said. "That Halloween night, in 1981, before the Alarm Rune went off in my flat, I was planning on inviting you over to spend the night with me. I had planned to cook you dinner. I had the whole thing planned out. Candlelight dinner, a romantic evening, the whole lot. I had a reason for wanting to do such a thing…"
Amelia watched breathlessly, as Sirius set the object on the desk. It was a small maroon-colored velvet ring box. She had not seen the box since James and Lily's wedding in '79, when Sirius had originally asked her to marry him. She had told him 'no', not because she didn't want to marry him, but because she didn't want to be like her friends - like Lily, Alice and Pandora - and marry their love during the middle of a war. She didn't want to be one of those brides who married just because she was afraid she might not live very long, and wanted to make the most out of her life.
"I was planning on asking you to marry me that night, Amelia," Sirius said. "I know we had discussed not getting married until after the war, but… to be honest, I was getting desperate by that night. I hadn't seen much of James, Lily and Harry over the past weeks and months at that point. Remus was always doing things for the Order of the Phoenix and Pettigrew… well, who knows what that bastard was doing. Obviously he was being all buddy-buddy with Voldemort and his minions. You, Amelia, were my only constant source of light back then. I had decided I wanted you with me every day, instead of a couple times a week for romantic dates, or to spend the night or something. I had this box in my pocket that night. I had left my flat in a hurry once the Alarm Charm went off, I hadn't bothered to put the ring box away. I didn't think I'd ever see this again.
"I just… I just wanted to say that. I don't know what your intentions are when it comes to… well… us. But you have always been one of my constant sources of light. Especially in Azkaban. Thinking about you and Harry helped me remain sane and coherent much of the time."
"Sirius, shut up," Amelia said. "Unless the next words out of your lips are a proposal."
Sirius gaped. "Amelia. I… I thought… well, I thought if you had accepted getting back together with me, that we might…"
"Might what?" Amelia asked. "Have a few romantic dates. Get to know each other again?"
"Well, yeah," Sirius said. "And then… well, there's your niece and your friends. I thought you might want to talk it over with them. And I thought you'd want to give it some thought."
"Just ask me, Sirius," Amelia said. "I don't need to think about it. Look what happened following the last time…"
She had always wondered what would have happened that Halloween night had she and Sirius been married then. Now that she knew the truth of what had happened that night, she wondered if Sirius would have come back to her instead of going after Pettigrew. If getting married to Sirius kept him out of trouble this time, and kept him in her life, then she would marry him that night if that is what it would take.
Sirius cleared his throat, grabbed the box and stood up. He rounded the desk and got down on one knee next to Amelia's chair.
"I had this whole big speech back on that Halloween night," Sirius said. "I had practiced it for hours. But I've forgotten most of it by now. Don't know if that is because of Azkaban, or just the curse of time gone by. I'm going to try for a new speech here. Amelia Susan Bones, I love you, and always have. You were, and are, one of my most constant sources of light in my life. Being here with you has healed a hole in my heart that Azkaban and the Dementors created. But I'm still not whole and I need you to help me heal. Will you marry me, Amelia?"
Sirius opened the box, revealing the diamond ring inside.
"Yes, Sirius," Amelia said, "I'll marry you. I would have said yes, if you asked me after I kissed you in the Courtroom, you know."
"I didn't have this ring," Sirius said, as he slipped the ring onto Amelia's finger of her wand hand. "I thought I had lost it forever."
Amelia held her hand in front of her face and stared at the ring. It was the very same ring Sirius had offered her back during the reception of James and Lily's wedding. She had forgotten how beautiful it was. Amelia glanced from the ring, to Sirius, who was looking at her with a huge, goofy smile. Amelia chuckled and pulled Sirius into her chair with her, and kissed him. The newly engaged couple were breathless by the time they parted.
"Were you planning on going back to Hogwarts this evening?" Amelia asked, breathlessly, as Sirius rounded the desk again, and sat back down in his chair.
Sirius shook his head. "I thought about it, but I decided not to. Dumbledore told me he'll announce the results of my trial at Hogwarts tonight at dinner, so Harry will know about it. I'll write a letter to Harry, so he can hear about me being a free man in my own words tomorrow morning, before he leaves to get on the Hogwarts Express. Remus was offering me to stay in his flat while I worked on getting my parents' home on Grimmauld Place in working order. But I'm up for other offers."
"Come home with me tonight," Amelia offered. "We can celebrate our engagement. I'll cook you dinner - or rather my elves will - and we can spend a romantic night together."
"I thought you'd never ask," Sirius said, grinning. "I'll take you up on that offer. I was planning on going to Diagon Alley and Gringotts after the press conference. But I can meet back up with you afterward."
"Be at the front gate of Bones Manor at half-past-six," Amelia said. "I'll meet you there and let you through the wards."
"Sounds like a plan," Sirius said, with a nod. "I'll either write to Remus, or contact him some other way, and let him know I'm staying with you for the night."
For the next several minutes, the newly engaged couple passed the time with small talk and simply spending time together, until it was time to make their way to the press conference.
Saturday, June 26th, 1995 – Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry - Early Evening
As they had been doing for most of the afternoon, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger were sitting together in their private spot on the Grounds of Hogwarts. Early in the afternoon, Harry had given Hermione a detailed plan of what his intentions were for the next few weeks, and Hermione had helped him adjust his plans to include her in them.
"If my parents are planning on going on a holiday this summer," Hermione had said, during this conversation about summer plans, "I'm sure I could convince them to let me invite you along. Would you like that?"
"I suppose it depends on when the holiday would happen," Harry said, smiling, "And whether or not I can adjust my plans around it. If I do go with you, I'll pay for my own part of it. No arguments, Hermione. I am sure whatever plans your parents have only includes themselves and you."
"I'll leave that to a discussion between you and my parents if it comes to that," Hermione said.
"Alright," Harry agreed. "I promise I will do my best to spend much of the summer with you."
"Good," Hermione said, "Because I want to spend much of the summer with you too. Especially if we'll begin the Bonding stage of our relationship starting on your birthday, and working on it through the latter half of the summer."
"That is entirely up to you, Hermione," Harry said. "I'm fine with however fast or slow you want to take our relationship, especially when it comes to Bonding. I'll be just fine with it, if it means I'm with you."
Hermione hadn't replied to that with a verbal response. She simply kissed Harry until they were breathless.
After their discussion about summer plans were over, Hermione was curious about the future. Not just what had happened to Harry and her, but with the world in general. When Harry decided to mention - amongst other things - the events of September 11th, 2001 that took place in the United States, Hermione looked shocked and emotional.
Hermione had stared deeply into Harry's eyes. "Do you think - is there a possible chance -?"
"- that I can prevent those events?" Harry asked, "That requires a complex answer, and a few questions of my own. Would I be able to prevent it from happening? I don't know. I am just one person - I am the only person with knowledge from the future. I don't know much about what went on behind the scenes that day - what the terrorists were doing at every second. I don't know if I'd be able to prevent them myself, and I don't think anyone would really believe me if I did try to warn the Yanks about it. They'd probably lock me up - or worse - if I did try. First, for sounding so crazy, and second - once the actual event takes place, I might be accused of being a co-conspirator."
"That is a very good point, Harry," Hermione said, nodding. "I hadn't considered it that way. God, that must be horrible. To know something so tragic is going to happen, and that you know it might be impossible to prevent it from taking place."
"And then there is another question," Harry said. "Do I want to prevent it from happening? Because that single event changed the world in good ways and bad. Security, domestic and foreign both became much more serious after that day. It was a tragic event, but it was an event the world might have needed. So yeah… like I said. Can I prevent those events? Do I want to? A very complex question that is, Hermione. Something I don't know if I want to even think about right now."
Hermione had nodded in understanding, and the conversation moved on to other topics when it came to future knowledge. After that discussion, Harry and Hermione moved on to other topics… like the types of magic Harry knew, and what they'd be learning over the next three years at Hogwarts. Hermione had given Harry their longest kiss yet when Harry promised her he'd try his best to make a notebook of notes about all the magical knowledge he knew - at least when it came to spells and such -during the summer.
"Maybe that can be your birthday present next September," Harry said, with a grin.
Hermione's only response had been to kiss her wonderful boyfriend. The suggestion of the gift was only part of the reason for that kiss. The other reason was that Harry had basically just done his best to promise that he'd still be there on the day of her sixteenth birthday. To Hermione, that was the best promise Harry could give her, especially because of how dangerous Harry's plans were for the summer - when it came to Voldemort, his Horcruxes, the Death Eaters, Dumbledore and the Weasleys.
For Harry and Hermione, their current circumstances felt like Deja-Vu. They were witnessing roughly the same scene they had seen nearly twenty-four hours ago. They were still sitting in their private spot on the Grounds of Hogwarts, and watching the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang contingency make their way toward the castle.
"I suppose we should get going then," Hermione commented.
Harry agreed and got to his feet. He helped Hermione get to hers, and the couple held hands as they made their way toward the castle. Harry noted, as he saw the Beauxbatons camp seemed to have been packed up over the past few hours. Only the large carriage the Beauxbatons contingency had arrived to the castle in could be seen. The large horses that pulled the carriage weren't yet hooked up to said carriage, but Harry suspected they would be by the time the Leaving Feast was over.
When the new couple entered the Entrance Hall, Professor McGonagall - who was standing near the large doors, greeting the foreign guests - saw the two Gryffindor Fourth Years, and motioned them over to her. Harry and Hermione made their way over to their Transfiguration Professor.
"Good evening, Mr. Potter, Miss Granger," McGonagall said, and Harry and Hermione greeted her in the same, "Mr. Potter, the Headmaster will be making a similar announcement during the Feast, but I thought you might like to hear it beforehand, as I believe it has a more personal meaning to you. Sirius Black was found innocent and cleared of all charges during his trial today. He is now a free man. Peter Pettigrew was sentenced to life in prison for his part in the tragic events in 1981 that took your parents from you, as well as for his more recent crimes toward you."
Hermione had gasped and smiled, when she heard about Sirius' freedom, and squeezed Harry's hand as she looked at him. After McGonagall finished her statement, Harry smiled and nodded, as he looked from the Professor to Hermione, then back to McGonagall.
"Thank you for telling me this, Professor," Harry said, "That is very good news. What happened to Barty Crouch, Junior, may I ask?"
"Frankly the trial he was put on was just procedure," McGonagall said. "He was sentenced to Azkaban years ago, already guilty of terrible and horrific things. Everything he's done over the past year just added to his crimes. The thought that he was around so many students like yourselves, for several months! It just almost makes me ill to think about! He wouldn't be going back to Azkaban, that was for sure. If he was left alive, and sent back to Azkaban, the British witches and wizards would complain about it. So it was likely an easy decision what his fate would be. He was sentenced to death and was executed early this afternoon."
Harry nodded again. While the Deputy Headmistress hadn't mentioned it, Harry was sure Crouch, Junior had been sent through the Veil of Death. Definitely a better fate than being Kissed like he was in Harry's past timeline.
Harry thought about asking McGonagall about Dolores Umbridge's fate, but as far as the Professor knew, Harry had no reason to ask about Umbridge, so he refrained. He knew he'd probably learn about it soon, either from Dumbledore if the man decided to mention it during the Feast, or in the following morning's Daily Prophet.
"Once again, thank you, Professor for giving me this news," Harry said.
"You're most welcome, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said, "Now, in you go, the both of you. Enjoy the feast."
"You as well, Professor," Harry said, and Hermione echoed him.
Harry and Hermione then walked hand-in-hand into the Great Hall. Harry noticed almost immediately that, as per usual, the Beauxbaton contingency were sitting with the Ravenclaw students, and the Durmstrang contingency were sitting with the Slytherins. Viktor Krum and Fleur Delacour were sitting amongst their fellow students. The Triwizard Tournament was officially over, and aside from perhaps a little focus that evening from Dumbledore, none of the Champions would be the focus of the Feast. Tonight was the Leaving Feast, the last feast of the school year. Beauxbatons and Durmstrang as a whole would be part of the focus, as they would be leaving after dinner, but some of the focus would be on the Hogwarts students, though they wouldn't be saying their goodbyes until the following morning, or on the Hogwarts Express.
Harry smiled as he saw Cedric Diggory amongst his friends at the Hufflepuff table. He was alive and well, and enjoying the Leaving Feast like everyone else. He was in his sixth year and would be coming back to Hogwarts in September.
Maybe he'll be the Head Boy next year instead of… whoever it was, I cannot recall right now, Harry mused. He would deserve it. At least if he gets any mentions tonight from the Headmaster, it would be about his triumphs as a Champion of the Triwizard Tournament, and not words of mourning and remembrance.
Harry shook himself of his thoughts and walked toward the Gryffindor Table with Hermione. He nearly sighed in audible relief when he saw that Ron Weasley was not sitting with his fellow fourth years, but was, instead, sitting in between his brothers, Fred and George. It appeared that the Weasley twins were keeping their promise to Harry and Hermione that they'd keep an eye on their brother. Ginny Weasley was sitting with her fellow third years, but was far enough from where Harry and Hermione were sitting that she wouldn't be a bother that evening.
Harry and Hermione sat down in an open space next to Neville Longbottom. Neville smiled when he saw them sit down.
"There you two are!" Neville said, "Haven't seen you all day!"
"Been spending time together as a couple," Harry said, "Having some calm and peaceful moments now that the Tournament is over."
"Hey, I don't blame you for that!" Neville said, smiling, "You deserve it, definitely!"
"Thanks, Neville," Harry said, "So what did Mr. Ollivander say about your wand?"
Neville smiled shyly. "He told me my father's wand didn't work very well for me. He wasn't surprised at all that I have had trouble with it. So, he told me to choose a wand, and after about ten minutes, I found one!"
Neville very proudly showed off his new wand, and Harry smiled when he saw the wand that he had seen Neville use for so long in the other timeline.
"Cherry and Unicorn hair, nine-and-a-half inches," Neville said, with a shine in his eyes, "It works very well for me! I've done a few spells and they all seem easier now!"
"That's great, Neville!" Hermione said, smiling, "I'm very happy for you."
Neville gave a shy smile again. "Yeah, I just hope Gran's not too mad with me. Mr. Ollivander said he'd send her the bill by owl post. I am sure I'll get a tongue lashing when I see her."
"I am sure she'll be happy for you if she sees how well-tuned the wand is with you," Harry said.
"I hope so," Neville said.
Harry smiled, then turned toward the Head Table. He noted almost immediately that the Beauxbatons Headmistress, Madame Olympe Maxime, was sitting next to Hagrid. They seemed to be talking rather jovially with each other.
Has Dumbledore still given Hagrid and Madame Maxime the mission to go parley with the giants? Harry wondered. If so, perhaps it will be more successful this time? I hope so. But, either way, I cannot warn Hagrid and Madame Maxime about the possibility of them encountering Death Eaters. They'd give that message to Dumbledore, and he'd wonder how I could possibly know that. I'm sorry, Hagrid. You're a good friend, but I can't risk warning you this time. Hopefully, if you encounter the Death Eaters, it goes the same as it did last time… or better.
Harry turned his focus away from Hagrid and the Beauxbatons Headmistress. Professor McGonagall was now in her chair at the Head Table, as were the rest of the Hogwarts staff. So Headmaster Dumbledore stood up, and pointed his wand in the air. Three fireworks shot from his wand, silencing everyone in the Great Hall. Everyone turned their attention to the Head Table.
"Good evening, students, staff, and of course our honored guests from abroad," Dumbledore said, in his jovial, grandfatherly tone, "Tonight, is our traditional Leaving Feast, but we are saying farewell to more than just our own students - especially our seventh years who will be leaving these hallowed halls for the last time tomorrow morning and starting their new lives. Tonight, we say farewell to our wonderful guests from Beauxbatons Institute and Durmstrang Academy, who will be leaving Hogwarts following the Feast.
"What a year it has been! In addition to the traditions of learning, and filling your heads with important fluff, we watched in awe, wonder and excitement as not three, but four Champions took part in the Triwizard Tournament. To Harry Potter, Cedric Diggory, Viktor Krum and Fleur Delacour, I am sure I speak for all of those present when I say thank you for the bravery, intelligence, willpower and competitiveness you showed this year. Thank you for making this Triwizard Tournament one for the history books!"
Dumbledore clapped his hands, and Harry smiled softly as everyone in the Great Hall applauded and cheered as well. When all was quiet again, the Headmaster continued.
"This has been an unforgettable year," Dumbledore said, "and I am sure each and everyone of you will cherish these last few months and remember them as some of the greatest in your young lives so far.
"To the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students, and of course Beauxbatons' lovely Headmistress, Madame Maxime -"
He bowed his head toward the large Headmistress, who bowed her own and smiled.
"- I thank you all for being our honoured guests," Dumbledore continued, "and we will not forget your time spent here."
There was more applause and Harry, and this time Harry joined in.
"Every guest in this Hall," said Dumbledore, and his eyes lingered upon the Durmstrang students, "will be welcomed back here at any time, should they wish to come. In light of the Dark Times we have faced over the past year, with the return of the Death Eaters at the Quidditch World Cup, and recent activity with Death Eaters as well, I believe - and never have I so hoped that I am mistaken - that we are all facing dark and difficult times. But I also believe I can only say this in response: we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. We can fight the Darkness only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open."
As students, staff and guests murmured and whispered to each other, in response to Dumbledore's words, Harry raised an eyebrow. He recalled Dumbledore giving a similar speech in the previous timeline after Cedric's death. Dumbledore had tried to warn everyone about Voldemort's return during that speech. This time, it seemed he was simply trying to give a fair warning, not only to those in the Great Hall, but anyone who the students and staff might speak to about his speech, that Dark events may soon be taking place. Of course, he didn't want to say that Voldemort had returned - and Harry was thankful for that - but at least the man was trying to do a little good for the magical society of Great Britain. Dumbledore might not be a good man, but Harry had to admit that the man had his moments.
"And now, for a little bit of good news before I let you fill your bellies full of drink and good food," Dumbledore continued, which silenced everyone again, "I am sure each and every one of you recalled certain events that took place here over the past few days. Two Death Eaters, two criminals, were found on these Grounds and arrested. They were given trials today and both were found guilty. One man, Barty Crouch, Junior, was executed, while the other, Peter Pettigrew, was sentenced to life in Azkaban.
"Of course, for those of you who find some familiarity with the name Peter Pettigrew, you will also know of the story of Sirius Black… or a story you thought you knew. I am sure you all recall when I told you that Sirius Black had a rite of Sanctuary here at Hogwarts, until he was given a trial by the Ministry of Magic. He was given a trial this afternoon, and was found to be completely innocent, and cleared of all the charges he was accused of several years ago. Sirius Black is not a Death Eater, or a criminal. He is a free man, and has joined our society once again. He is now one of the Noble Lords of our society. You have nothing to fear when it comes to Sirius Black."
Except, perhaps, if you're a Death Eater, or someone who he has decided to prank! Harry mused as he clapped along with most of the Great Hall at the news.
"And now, for the moment you've obviously been waiting for," Dumbledore continued, once the applause settled, "Let the Leaving Feast begin!"
As per usual, the tables filled with several types of food on plates, platters and bowls. Like the earlier Feasts over the past several months, this too had some delicacies that the students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang enjoyed. Harry filled his plate with food, including a couple of the French delicacies.
To Harry, the feast was enjoyable. Through dinner, there were a few personal congratulations from his fellow Gryffindors for winning the Triwizard Tournament, which he humbly accepted, but most of the time it was just good conversation. The main topic was what everyone would be doing during the summer. Harry, trying to figure out what he could mention without saying too much, decided to say that he had possible plans of going on holiday with Hermione and her family during the summer. Both Lavender and Parvati found this very interesting, and even more interesting when Hermione commented that they'd likely be going to France for holiday.
"Oooh, how romantic!" Lavender said, grinning, "You could spend some time in the City of Love as a couple!"
"It sounds like a good possibility," Hermione commented. "What do you think, Harry?"
"Sounds nice to me," Harry said, smiling.
Harry glanced toward Ron, then to Ginny, to see if either of them had heard what had been said about his and Hermione's plans. Luckily Fred and George were doing well distracting Ron so he wouldn't do anything to bug Harry and Hermione, and Ginny was talking to her own classmates and friends and wasn't looking in his direction. Whether or not she had heard anything he and Hermione had said, Harry didn't know. Still, Harry wasn't stupid, and knew that news of Harry and Hermione's possible holiday plans would likely get to the Weasley's ears before too long.
Doesn't matter, Harry mused, Ron, Ginny and Molly can try to interfere with my summer plans, but they won't succeed. Their plans will backfire if they try anything.
Thankfully, the students around Harry and Hermione seemed satisfied with the answer about their summer plans,and didn't interrogate them any further. Conversation went on, some of which Harry participated in, but most he just listened to as he continued dinner, and moved on to dessert.
After dessert was finished, and the food vanished from the tables, Dumbledore stood up again and alerted everyone's attention to him, with three fireworks from his wand.
"And now it is time to say goodbye to the fine young men and women of Durmstrang Academy and Beauxbatons Institute," Dumbledore said, "They will be leaving within the hour, so for those Hogwarts students who have made friends and personal connections with them, this is your last chance to say your goodbyes. If you wish to watch our guests leave, please be out on the Grounds, just outside the Entrance Hall, within half-an-hour. The rest of you may do what you wish. I am sure many of you - those of you who are not putting it off until tomorrow morning, that is! -still need to pack your belongings. And so, to our foreign guests and friends, I say adieu, hej då, dovizhdane, farewell and goodbye!"
And with that, Dumbledore raised his hands in a signal of goodbye, then sat back down in his chair. That signalled for several students to stand. Harry and Hermione remained sitting and simply watched as students - Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang alike - stood and made their way out of the Hall. When there wasn't a crowd, Harry and Hermione stood, and, hand-in-hand, they headed out toward the Grounds.
Almost immediately as they headed out on the grounds, Harry heard a familiar voice with a French accent call his name.
"'Arry!" Fleur Delacour called.
Harry smiled slightly when he felt Hermione squeeze his hand a little harder - in an obviously possessive maneuver - and he turned and saw Fleur head over to him.
"Fleur," Harry said, "I wondered if you would try to find me before you left."
"Well, I 'ad to say adieu to my fellow champion!" Fleur said, with a beautiful smile. "We will see each uzzer again, I 'ope. I am 'oping to get a job 'ere, to improve my Eenglish."
"It sounds very nice already," Harry said. "I am sure we will see each other again. Say hello to Gabrielle for me, will you?"
"Of course, 'Arry!" Fleur said, with a beaming smile, "She 'as written so many letters since 'er return to France. I am sure she will be a little upset when she 'ears you 'ave a girlfriend, 'owever. But I will tell just 'ave to tell 'er about 'ow… dedicated you sounded to your girlfriend during your victory speech."
Harry smiled when he looked at Hermione. "I meant every word last night. I wouldn't have survived the tournament without her help. I was stupid not to ask her to the Yule Ball… we could have been a couple since then. But… after the end of the third task, after what happened to me in the graveyard... I realized just how much she meant to me. So I took a chance and asked her to be my girlfriend, and I was lucky that she said yes."
"I was never going to say 'no'," Hermione said, smiling; she looked at Fleur. "Don't tell Viktor this, but I do kinda regret going to the Ball with him. I should have waited for Harry to ask me. I guess I was just a little flattered when Viktor asked me."
"I understand," Fleur said. "I am 'appy for the both of you, and I wish you both well. But now it is time for me to go. So I must say farewell and I know we will see each uzzer again."
"I know we will," Harry said, "It was wonderful to meet you."
"Yes, it was," Hermione said.
Fleur smiled. "It was wonderful to meet you two as well. Adieu, my friends."
With another beaming smile, she turned and headed off toward the direction of the large carriage.
Harry sighed in relief. "I thought she was going to kiss me on the cheeks. She had a habit of doing that the last time around in the early stages of our friendship."
"I suppose I wouldn't have been too upset if she kissed you on the cheeks," Hermione said; then grinned when Harry showed his surprise; "it is a common French greeting after all."
Harry laughed. "You'd be better behaved toward her than Ginny was. Ginny called her 'French tart' among other unsavory names. I don't know if that was because she was jealous of Fleur's behavior toward me, or because she was in a romantic relationship with Ginny's eldest brother, Bill. Bill and Fleur got married in my other timeline, you see. Three summers from now actually."
"Oh, wow," Hermione said, "That's interesting. Do you think it could happen this time?"
"It all depends on what Fleur's opinion will be about Molly, Ron and Ginny," Harry said, "and any future plans they have toward you and I."
"That is a good point," Hermione said, nodding, "Fleur seems to think of you - and maybe me? - as friends, so yeah… if she gets close to Bill, she might have issues with what some of Bill's family might do to her friends."
"Yeah," Harry said, "So… do you want to watch Beauxbatons and Durmstrang leave, or…?"
"No," Hermione said, "And I know you probably don't want to sleep near Ron again tonight. So… should we go back to the Room of Requirement?"
"Sounds good to me," Harry said. "I'll ask Dobby to use the same elf-magic he did last night so our roommates won't notice our absence."
And with that, Harry and Hermione headed back into the castle, unnoticed by the other students and staff due to their focus on Durmstrang and Beauxbatons, and headed for the Room of Requirement.
Chapter finished! I'm sorry for the lame ending there. I just wanted it to end!
The words Dumbledore says (hej då, dovizhdane) mean goodbye in Scandinavian and Bulgarian.
Fleur is definitely going to be better with English if she comes back into the story. I hate writing her accent and broken English!
Next Chapter: Harry receives a letter - and a gift - from Sirius at breakfast, then is time to leave! Hogwarts Express and the return to England!
Chapter 11: Important Note For Readers
Author's Note: I have removed the message that used to be here for personal reasons.
Sorry for the long delay. Look for an update for this story soon. Thank you for the continued support, kind reviews of this story in all its chapters, and the kind comments on the message that used to be here.