Secrets Lie Within: Year 1

Secrets Lie Within: Year 1 Part 18

Chapter 18:

Roselia never felt the same after the night. Her heart grew dark in hatred for Harry Potter. The nights he was in the hospital wing, she will sit crisscrossed with a glare of hatred spread on her features while her wolf ears and tail perked out.

The day of the End of the Year Feast arrives. Softpaw walks directly towards the Great Hall, not caring about who's around her. At one point, she bumps into someone by the shoulder. "W-Watch wh-where you are going," her stutter appears through the new tough attire she has now.

"Well, sorry!" Hermione gives attitude back but then realizes it's Roselia. "Roselia?"

"Y-Yea, and?"

"You seem different."

"I'm a-always different if you excuse m-me," she tells her coldly and heading towards the Great Hall.

Hermione stares at the secret wolf girl a little more, suspicious of this strange behavior. Then she feels some sort of pain in her shoulder/upper arm area and rubs it while continuing to stare at the white-haired girl.

Green banners with snakes on them surround the ceiling as everyone enters the Great Hall.

Roselia sits at the Hufflepuff table wearing her full school robes like everyone else as they chatter among themselves. She has the side of her face in her hand as she picks at her food, not really feeling hungry.

Dumbledore sits at the head of the staff table and nods over his colleague McGonagall. She dings her glass just loud enough for the talking to die down. The headmaster rose from his seat to make announcements. "Another year gone," he begins. "And now, as I understand it, the house cup needs awarding, and the point stands thus. In fourth, place, Gryffindor with three hundred and twelve points." Clapping is heard as Roselia smirks. "Third place, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two points." Slow claps were heard among the clapping. "In second place, Ravenclaw, with four hundred and twenty-six points." Clapping is heard once again. "And in the first place, with four hundred and seventy-two points, Slytherin House."

Slytherin House cheers in victory as Professor Snape joins in.

"Yes, yes, well done Slytherin," the headmaster congratulated the House. "However, recent events must be taken into account."

That sparks attention.

"And I have a few last-minute points to award." Gryffindor students look up. "To Miss Phoenix Emberson," he turns to the Slytherin table, "for showing the importance of Magical Creature Equality and nursing the creatures back to health. Fifty points will be added to Slytherin."

Slytherin House cheers, but a few of the members sense a catch.

"Too Miss Hermione Granger, for the use of cool intellect when others were in great peril, fifty points," Dumbledore announces.

"Ravenclaw," Roselia scuffs under her breath.

"Second to Mr. Ronald Weasley, for the best-played game of chess." Weasley looks at Potter while mouthing, "Me?", which he nods, mouthing back, "You!", "that Hogwarts has seen these many years.....fifty points. And third, to Mr. Harry Potter, for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor House sixty points."

Softpaw growls under her breath.

"Roselia? Are you okay?" her housemate, Hannah, asked about her growling.

"Fine," she quickly answers, glaring at Potter.

"And finally, it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your anemones, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends. I award another sixty points to Neville Longbottom."

Neville is in disbelief at the announcement and just sits there while the cheering gets louder.

Roselia shakes her head, not happy.

"Assuming that my calculations are correct," Dumbledore speaks, "I believe that a change of direction is in order." He claps a couple of times. The beautiful green banners change into Gryffindor red and yellow. "Gryffindor wins the House Cup!"

The whole Gryffindor House cheers loudly. Hagrid cheers along while grinning. Most of all the students stand and throw their hats into the air.