Together (A Harry Potter love story) 1

59

MILLIES POV

Harry and I made our way down to the end-of-year feast that night. We had been held up by Madam Pomfrey's fussing about, insisting on giving us one last check-up, so the Great Hall was already full. It was decked out in the Slytherin colours of green and silver to celebrate Slytherins winning the House Cup for the seventh year in a row. A huge banner showing the Slytherin serpent covered the wall behind the high table.

When the two of us walked in, there was a sudden hush and then everybody started talking loudly at once. We slipped into seats at the Gryffindor table next to Mione and Ron. I tried to ignore the fact that people were standing up to look at us.

Fortunately, Dumbledore arrived moments later. The babble died away.

"Another year gone!" Dumbledore said cheerfully. "And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sync our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were ... you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts...

Now, as I understand it, the House Cup here needs awarding and the points stand thus: in fourth place, Gryffindor, with two hundred and forty-two points; in third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two; Ravenclaw have four hundred and twenty-six and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two."

A storm of cheering and stamping broke out from the Slytherin table. I could see Malfoy banging his goblet on the table. It was a sickening sight.

"Yes, yes, well done, Slytherin," said Dumbledore. "However, recent events must be taken into account."

The room went very still. The Slytherin's smiles faded a little.

"Ahem," said Dumbledore. "I have a few last-minute points to dish out. Let me see. Yes ... First - to Mr Ronald Weasley ..."

Ron went purple in the face; he looked like a radish with a bad sunburn.

"... for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."

Gryffindor cheers nearly raised the bewitched ceiling; the stars overhead seemed to quiver, as I reached over the table and high-fived Ron. I could hear Percy telling the other prefects, "My brother, you know! My youngest brother! Got past McGonagall's giant chess set!"

At last there was silence again.

"Second - to Miss Hermione Granger ... for the cool use of logic when others were in grave peril, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."

I flung my arms round Mione, who buried her face in my shoulder. I could feel her sobbing with happiness. Gryffindors up and down the table were beside themselves - we were a hundred points up!

"Third - to Miss Millie Donovan ..."

Everyone instantly froze. I could hear my thundering heartbeat through the silence. "... for continuing to fight even through the darkest of times, I award Gryffindor house sixty points."

It was like a bomb had gone off at the Gryffindor table. People were on there feet, cheering and clapping for me all over the hall. Someone had there arms round me, but I didn't even notice who...

I realised something in that moment. I realised that whatever was to come in the future, whatever life was going to throw at me, I would be okay. I would be okay, because I wasn't alone...and I never would be.

My cheeks ached from smiling by the time everyone had settled back down.

"Fourth - to Mr Harry Potter ..." said Dumbledore. The room went deadly silent this time, even quieter than before. " ... for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house sixty points."

The din was deafening. Those who could add up whilst yelling themselves hoarse knew that Gryffindor now had four hundred and seventy-two points - exactly the same as Slytherin. We had drawn for the House Cup - if only Dumbledore had given Harry just one more point.

Dumbledore raised his hand. The room gradually fell silent, although I still couldn't wipe the smile from my face.

"There are all kinds of courage," said Dumbledore, smiling. "It takes a 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."

Someone standing outside the Great Hall might well have thought some sort of explosion had taken place, so loud was the noise that erupted from the Gryffindor table. I stood up to yell and cheer as Neville, white with shock, disappeared under a pile of people hugging him. He had never won so much as a point for Gryffindor before. Harry nudged me in the ribs and pointed at Malfoy, who couldn't have looked more stunned and horrified if he'd just had the Body-Bind cast put on him.

"Which means," Dumbledore called over the storm of applause, for even Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were celebrating the downfall of Slytherin, "We need a little change of decoration."

He clapped his hands. In an instant, the green hangings became scarlet and the silver became gold; the huge slivering serpent vanished and a towering Gryffindor lion took its place. Snape was shaking Professor McGonagall's hand, with a horrible forced smile. He caught my eye and I knew at once that Snape's feelings towards me hadn't changed one jot. I didn't care.

"You did good, Potter," I said loudly over all the noise, facing my green-eyed friend.

Harry grinned. "And you, Donovan."

My hazel eyes rolled as Harry playfully leant down towards me with his lips puckered, but I couldn't help the warming of my cheeks as I laughed loudly, placing a hand on his face and pushing his head away.

It seemed as though life would be back to normal next year, or as normal as it ever was at Hogwarts.
It was the best evening of my life, better than winning at Quidditch or Christmas or knocking out mountain trolls ... I would never, ever forget tonight.

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