Anastasia hated to admit it, but it seemed like Lexter's instructions and guides on her studies really helped her to do well in her exams. Draco and Pansy also helped a bit as they asked each other about made up questions that might appear on their exam last weekend. And now that she doesn't have the exams to worry about, she can finally have more free time.
"Thank Merlin our exams are finally done! ", said Fred.
" Did it go well for all of us? ", Lee asked.
" It went alright. I had some trouble with transfiguration though. ", George answered.
" It went well. My mind went blank for some minutes while doing potions though. I guess I got distracted. But I was able to finish it. ", said Anastasia.
The four of them were currently at the Black Lake, playing with the Giant Squid. Fred, George, and Lee were tickling one of the squid's tentacles while Anastasia just played with the water.
The Golden Trio arrived minutes after. Anastasia exchanged smiles with them before they all went back to what they were doing.
" How did this squid get in here, anyway? ", Fred asked.
" Dunno. Maybe it was out here so that it won't wander too close to the muggles. ", said Lee.
Anastasia was dozing off the more she stayed at this place. She kept hearing the calming whistles of the dolphins even though she was pretty sure there are no dolphins in the Black Lake. So she just decided to rest her head on Fred's shoulder. She'll take a nap while the three continued to paly with the squid.
But that ended up to be a bad idea, because minutes after taking a nap, she suddenly heard screams from her friends and the next thing she knew, she's underwater.
Anastasia began to flail underwater in embarrassment when the eye of the giant squid stared back at her as if judging her. She then felt herself getting pulled back up the the surface. She covered her face in embarrassment with her hands as she laid on the ground.
" Ana, are you alright? ", Lee asked.
" Are you crying? ", Fred asked.
" No! ", Anastasia exclaimed, cringing at how her voice broke. " I'm embarrassed! So stop asking questions! "
Anastasia felt like diving back into the lake to drown herself when the three laughed at what she said. She stood up and dried herself using a spell before walking away from the three, face red from embarrassment.
" H-hey! Wa- wait! ", Fred called out in between laughs.
After the embarrassing ordeal, Anastasia gave the three a silent treatment for the rest of the day. It was only at dinner time did she finally forgive them. She was getting tired of the countless sorrys and strange looks they got from others whenever the three pestered her. Though she did like their hugs whenever she attempted to walk away from them, but she won't say that out loud.
And now, they were peacefully conversing at the common room. They were the last people in the common room along with the Golden Trio.
Anastasia noticed the impatientl looks on the Golden Trio's faces and decided it's probably time for that.
" Aren't you three feeling sleepy already? We should go to sleep now. ", said Anastasia as she stood up.
The twins and Lee followed after her. Yeah, I was already dozing off. ", Lee said.
" You three can go ahead now. I'll just fix my stuffs. ", said Anastasia, gesturing at the opened sketchbook and colored pencils on the couch.
The three nodded at her words and told her good nights before they left. Now, it was just the Golden Trio and her. And Neville who was still hiding.
After picking up her stuffs, Anastasia turned to face at the three. " Aren't you three going to sleep? "
" Oh, well... ", said Ron.
" We're still talking about our exams. We'll go to sleep later. ", said Hermione, earning a nod from her friends.
" Okay. Sleep well then. Oh, and, do give awareness to your surroundings. ", Anastasia reminded, earning confused looks from the three. Anastasia walked away after that.
[<>]
The next morning, news came around that Harry Potter got injured due to unknown reasons and is now resting at the hospital wing. After their lunch, Anastasia, the twins, and Lee visited the hospital wing to check up on him.
Anastasia dropped off the letter that she wrote earlier in one of their classes at the desk near the bed.
" Bloody hell, what happened to him last night? ", asked Fred.
" Your brother was also injured, wasn't he? ", asked Lee, earning nods from the twins.
" Maybe they did something while everyone was asleep. ", said Anastasia.
" Did they visit the forest or something? "
Madam Pomfrey ended up shooing them away once she spotted them, telling them they needed to prepare for the year-end feast. So now, the four just wandered around the castle for a bit before Anastasia split up from them to go to the Library where she agreed to meet up with Draco and Pansy.
When she arrived at the library, the two were already there. They sat quite far from the rest. Though, there weren't ready that much people in the library at the moment.
Anastasia greeted them before sitting down. " Was I late? "
" No, we just went here early because we had nothing to do. ", said Draco.
" Let's continue visiting each other after school. ", said Pansy. The two nodded at her words.
" Yeah, we should. Maybe we should travel while we're at it. ", Anastasia suggested.
" Definitely! My mother knows of a lot of places here in England. ", said Draco.
And so for the remaining time before the year-end feast, the three discussed about what they should do after school ends. They were pretty much excited, especially the two Slytherins. After all, it'll be the time where the three can have each other for their selves without anyone bothering them.
They listed multiple places to visit including Godric's Hollow, Tinworth, Ottery St Catchpole, and Fameworth. They also listed the famous tourist spots in those areas. After that, they decided on what day they'll start their vacation and who they'll bring with them.
" 2nd week maybe? "
" Yeah, 2nd week it is. "
" Who will we bring with us though? Our parents will surely not allow us to go just by ourselves. ", said Pansy.
" I'll ask my father about it. He knows a lot of wizards. ", said Anastasia.
" Then I'll talk to my father about us bringing Dobby. He cooks nice foods. "
" I'll ask my mother to reserve our rooms. "
Time passed by quickly, and it was time for the year-end feast. Everyone was gathered at the Great Hall. It was noisier than usual as it's every students' last day in Hogwarts for the year.
The hall was decorated in colours of green and silver to celebrate Slytherin's victory for the house cup. Their banners proudly hung from the ceilings for everyone to see
" Tsk. We didn't win again. ", said George.
" Well, it is what it is. We did break a lot of rules this year. ", said Lee.
" Here, Ana. Your eating way too less again. You'll end up feeling hungry later. ", Fred said as he put three more drumsticks at Anastasia's plate.
Anastasia didn't know how to react. How is she supposed to finish all these food? Four drumsticks, half a corn, steak, potato soup, and cheesey wheeze pasta. What she only intended to eat was potato soup, a drumstick, the pasta! But Fred kept putting more and more food by the minute. She really needs the awarding ceremony to start now.
Thankfully, her wish was heard.
The sound of clinking was heard from the staff's tables, making everyone stop speaking and turn their attention in front.
Dumbledore stood up from his seat and began to speak. " Another year gone. And now as I understand it, the house cup needs awarding. And the points stand thus. "
" I'm fourth place, Gryffindor with 312 points, in third place, Hufflepuff with 352 points, in second place, Ravenclaw with 426 points, and finally, Slytherin with 472 points. "
A storm of cheers and yells from the Slytherin table overtook the entire hall. Draco and Pansy were shaking each other in delight.
The Gryffindors were the opposite. Almost everyone in the table was gloomy Anastasia illogically thought it would start raining at their table.
" Yes, yes, well done Slytherin. Well done. ", said Dumbledore. " However recent events must be taken into account. "
Everyone stilled at that.
" I have a few last minute points to dish out. Let me see. Yes... First, to Ronald Weasley. "
The boy in question looked so shock some people thought he had gotten a stroke.
" For the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor 50 points. "
The Gryffindors cheered so loudly it probably rrached even outside the castle. Percy can also be heard speaking proudly to his fellow prefects. " My brother, you know! My youngest brother! Got past McGonagall's giant chess set! "
The twins happily shook their youngest brither as they cheered loudly than anyone did. " Our brother!! ", they screams at the top of their lungs.
Anastasia and Lee laughed at the sight of Ron, who was clearly dizzy.
" Second, to miss Hermione Granger.. for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house 50 points. "
The Gryffindors then jumped up and down as they began to cheer again. Hermione on the other hand had covered her face with her arms, probably crying in delight.
" Third, to Mr. Harry Potter..... for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house 60 points. "
It was deafening at this point. Anastasia and Lee had to cover their ears as their two friends were the ones yelling louder than the rest. The Gryffindors and Slytherins were now at a tie.
Dumbledore raised his hand, silencing the entire room.
" There are all kinds of courage. It takes great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom. "
If the cheers and screams from before was loud, it was nothing compared to now. Anastasia began to fear that yeh chandeliers might break if it weren't for the protective spells.
Neville, who was now pale in shock had a lot of people embracing him to the point that he was completely covered from everyone's view.
" Which means, ", Dumbledore called over throught he storm. Shockingly, even Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs were cheering for Slytherin's downfall. Dumbledore clapped his hands, and instantly, the Slytherin banners turned into Gryffindor.
Anastasia laughed at the sight of Snape wearing a horrible forced smile as he shook Professor McGonagall's hand. She then felt herelf getting pulled up by the twins before she was spun around by one of them who she couldn't tell due to the sudden fast movements.
" W-wait! Put me down! I'm going to vomit! "
" GO GRYFFINDOR! ", the twins yelled.
" LEE! HELP ME! "
Lee merely laughed in return.
[<>]
At the train station, Anastasia stood with the Weasleys, Lee, Hermione, and Harry. The big group were happily talking to each other as they waited for their guardians.
Soon after, the Weasleys along with Alpheus, Aranel, and Lexter arrived. Little Ginny was excitedly gushing over Harry.
" Father! ", Anastasia greeted excitedly as he ran over to them and hugged her father who was still as awkward as ever. He gently pat her head, way too gently that Anastasia began to doubt if he was even doing it.
" Did you have a great time? ", asked Alpheus.
" Yeah! I have so many to say once we get home! "
Molly Weasley can be seen taking with Aranel beside them.
" Oh I know... I hope my children didn't bother your young miss that much. ", Mrs. Weasley said.
" Oh, no, no. In fact, Miss Ana always talked so nice and happy about them in our exchanged letters. I'm telling you, she loves them. ", said Aranel.
This time, it was Harry's guardians who arrived. The Drusleys. Vernon already looked pissed at the sight of Harry while Petunia and Dudley were hiding behind him.
" Ready are you? ", said Vernon.
" You must be Harry's family! ", said Mrs. Weasley.
" In a matter of speaking. ", said Vernon. " Hurry up boy, we haven't got all day. ", he added before walking away.
Well, that's not a good first impression.
" How rude! ", said Mrs. Weasley.
" Indeed. ", said Alpheus. " Mr. Potter if you found yourself needing help, do tell us. ", he added.