Disclaimer:
Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K Rowling.
I own nothing but the original characters I make.
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
$Parseltongue$
Chapter 73: End of the third year
When it was time for the end-of-the-year feast, the mood in Hogwarts was very gloomy. Dozens of students were firsthand witnesses of the attack, some of them were injured and two students died.
The Slytherins were the only ones in a festive mood. They seem to excited about the prospect of death eaters coming back to do some cleansing of the unworthy.
After dinner was over, it was time for the Headmaster to make his speech and declare the House Cup winner. The murmurs in the hall came to a stop when Dumbledore tapped his wand on the stone podium.
"I'll make this brief" The Headmaster looked like someone who hasn't slept much in days.
"I will first ask for a minute of silence in memory of the two souls we lost during the unfortunate events at Hogsmeade. Percy Weasley and Penelope Clearwater."
Harry looked around and saw the Weasleys at the Gryffindor table looking miserable. At the Slytherin table, many were smiling, some were fighting hard to contain their laughter. The only one that looked miserable at that table was Theodore Nott. His father was not only publicly revealed to be a death eater, but they also announced his death after the healers from Saints Mungo were unable to save him.
After the minute was over, Dumbledore continued.
"As a gesture of respect for the victims of the attack. This year, there will be no House Coup winner announcement."
The students at the Slytherin table started to complain loudly since they knew, their house was the one with the most points.
"SILENCE" Dumbledore's voice resounded loudly all over the hall.
"The decision is final and is not up to debate. It would feel wrong to celebrate anything at this time."
Dumbledore gave a look around the hall.
"Since dinner is concluded. I will ask all students to go back to their rooms for tonight and rest. Tomorrow, the train for Kings Cross leaves at 8 A.M. That is all." Dumbledores turned around and started to leave the hall.
All the students started to leave their seats.
"What a bummer, to end the year like this," Hannah said, looking sad.
"Yeah…and this summer is already looking boring. I doubt my aunt will let me leave the house much, with all of those masked men being around." Susan said.
"Well, we can at least visit each other, right Harry?" Hannah said, trying to cheer her friend up.
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When He left the train at King Cross, Harry spotted Amelia Bones waiting and looking around.
He told Susan and this one went running over to greet her.
He then saw Xeno Lovegood approaching them when Luna came out running to hug her dad.
"Are you two ready?" Xeno asked Harry and Luna.
Harry of course was going to be staying at the Potter Manor. But officially, He is still supposed to be under the care of Mister Lovegood, so for appearance's sake, He needs to leave the station with Him.
Susan and Hannah came to say their goodbyes and promise to visit soon. Harry and Susan had arranged a schedule for their summer practice.
Before leaving with Xeno, Harry gave a last glance at his surroundings and spotted something unusual.
A shaggy black dog was sitting near the entrance to the station and looking in his direction.
Harry wanted to roll his eyes at Sirius's recklessness but contained himself.
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After arriving at the Lovegods household, Xeno offered him to stay for some tea while Luna went running inside to put her things down and eat some pudding. According to her, the one served at Hogwarts is not bad, but it cannot compare to the one made by her father.
Apparently is also the only thing that Xeno is capable of preparing that is actually edible.
After serving the tea. Xeno sat down with an unusually serious expression.
"I have heard a lot of things, but I wanted to hear it from You. How bad is it?"
Harry was pensive for a moment. He didn't understand why Xeno put so much faith in him. Although Harry has proven himself to be capable, you wouldn't normally ask those kinds of things to a student.
'Could He know something? No, He would never allow me to be anywhere near his daughter if He suspected something.'
He decided not to dwell on that. Xeno was always very perceptive.
"You could say is bad. I would advise you to not leave the wards unless is absolutely necessary. If you need anything, just ask Luna to call Lorry, the elf has been instructed to answer her calls."
After talking for a few more minutes, Harry decided that it was time for him to leave.
Luna, who had just started eating a big bowl of pudding looked at him.
"Can't you stay for a bit longer?" She pouted.
"Sorry, I have things to do. But, You will be seeing me again soon enough. Call Lorry if you need anything."
Luna came close and gave him a hug. This seems to have become something natural for her to do.
"Alright. I'll see you next Saturday. I'll bring some treacle tart!" Luna said, filled with excitement.
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"Harry, welcome back!" Sirius greeted him as soon as He entered.
He raised an eyebrow.
"What were you thinking?, coming to the station in your animagus form"
Sirius gave a cheeky smile. "Well, I just wanted to see my godson's arrival from Hogwarts."
Harry sighed. He was getting used to Sirius's personality, but it was still difficult to handle someone like him.
"Oh, by the way," Harry said and Sirius looked at him.
"Did you get the house ready to visit?"
Sirius made a complicated expression.
"Yes, it was not pleasant to speak with that blasted elf, but I order him to get the house clean and ready. We can go tomorrow if you want."
"Excellent, well do that." Harry gave a smile.
"I still don't understand why you want to visit the Black manor. Is just a creepy empty house." Sirius said.
Harry of course had other motives that He could not reveal to Sirius, so He had to come up with something.
"Well, is the ancestral home of one of the oldest wizard families in England. I'm sure there is a lot of interesting stuff in there. The library alone should be worth the trip." Harry answered.
"Yeah…I guess. But be careful with those books. I'm sure there is a lot of dangerous nasty stuff there." Sirius said while He started to walk towards the kitchen.
'I'm counting on it' Harry thought.