Аннотация: Harry comes to his senses. The feast and the victory of Gryffindor. A trip to the train station.
CHAPTER 15 Harry comes to his senses.
"Ron, Harry's awake." Hermione jumped up to me. I wonder how she found out.
"Let's go visit him soon."
I put down the chess set and rubbed my aching head. Damn, the queen cracked my skull, you bastard. We put on our robes and went to Harry's infirmary.
But Madam Pomfrey balked and wouldn't let us in. While she was talking to Harry, we waited outside the door to the medical wing. Finally, she opened the door, letting Hermione and me into the room.
"Harry!" Hermione screamed, rushing towards Potter.
"Oh, Harry, we were sure you were..." Hermione stopped short, not uttering the word "die." "Dumbledore was so worried..."
"The whole school is talking about what happened," I said. "And what really happened there?"
It was one of those rare occasions when the truth turns out to be much stranger and more exciting than the most ridiculous rumors. Harry told us everything - about Quirrell and the mirror, about Voldemort and the stone. Hermione and I were very good listeners. We gaped at the right places. And when he told us about what was hidden under Quirrell's turban, Hermione screamed loudly. And I shivered in fright. You know who, to think he's been with us all year!
"So the stone is gone?" I asked when Harry stopped talking. "So Flamel is going to die?"
"I asked that question too," Harry nodded. " But Dumbledore did... I'll remember now... He said that for a highly organized mind, death is just another adventure."
" I always said he was crazy." I responded with adoration in my voice. "Dumbledore was my idol."
"And what happened to you after we broke up?" Harry asked in turn.
"Well, I went back and fixed Ron up, and it wasn't easy. The blood didn't want to stop, and a concussion was such a thing." Hermione rolled her eyes. "And then we hurried to the owlery. But on the way out of school, they ran into Dumbledore. He already knew everything, can you imagine? He just asked: Harry went after him, didn't he? - and ran to the third floor, to the hatch."
"Do you think he set it up like this on purpose? Maybe he wanted you to do it." I asked thoughtfully. "Since he's the one who sent you the invisibility cloak and all..."
"Well, you know!" Hermione exploded. "If it's him... I mean, it's terrible, because you could have been killed..."
"No, it was all right," Harry replied after a pause. "He's a strange man, Dumbledore. I think he just wanted to give me a chance. And that he, in general, knows about everything that happens here. So Dumbledore was aware of what we were up to. However, instead of stopping us, he taught me something, prepared me for what was about to happen. I don't think I found her mirror Erisad by accident-he was the one who pushed me to find it, and he explained to me how it works. I even think he was the one who decided if I had the right to meet one-on-one with Voldevмort. And I proved that I am ready for it..."
"No, Dumbledore is really crazy!" I exclaimed proudly. "Listen, Harry, you shouldn't be lying around here-there's a graduation party tomorrow. Of course, we don't have much to celebrate-of course, Slytherin won the inter-house competition, and we didn't do well in Quidditch either. The last game you missed, the Ravenclaw boys blew us apart like a steamroller. Haystock, the last Gryffindor seeker who was released on the field, just plays disgusting. But the food at the feast will be delicious," I promised my friend.
At that moment, Madam Pomfrey burst into the room.
"You've been sitting here for fifteen minutes," she said sternly. "Miss Granger, get out of here! Mr. Weasley, take the next bed. The spell shows that you are sick."
"Madam Pomfrey, I'm fine, just a concussion."
"Concussion is no joke, Mr. Weasley, get on the bed and I'll get you some medicine. You will stay in the med wing for the night."
Then she kicked Hermione out the door. I hope she lets us out to the feast tomorrow.
***
Harry came to the banquet when the hall was already full. When he entered the Great Hall, all the faculties were already there. Madam Pomfrey let me out of the infirmary this morning, with instructions to come to her in case of headaches.
Madam Pomfrey pulled back the curtain by my bed and looked at me sternly over the top of her glasses:
"Well, Mr. Weasley, the readings are normal. The nausea is gone, the pupil response is good, the coordination is... well, as good as it can be. You can go now. But remember: if your head starts to hurt again, don't be a hero, come straight to me. Neither Quidditch, nor fighting with trolls, nor even running after pies is worth lying here for three more days."
I sat down, rubbed the back of my neck, and smiled awkwardly:
"I wasn't going to... well, except maybe to play chess."
"No chess for at least a week, okay? Your head is already damaged, you don't need to train it either. Let him rest: just sit by the window, look at the clouds, this is now more useful than any strategy", Madam Pomfrey snapped, handing me a small vial. "This is just in case the pain becomes unbearable. One drop, no more. And if you feel that the world is starting to spin or the letters are floating, come right here, okay?"
"I see," I grumbled, putting the vial in my pocket.
Harry, who was lying on the next bed, propped himself up on his elbow and looked at me with envious longing:
"You're already being released... And I'm only in the evening before the feast."
Madam Pomfrey turned to him and shook her head:
"Mr. Weasley had a head injury, but no complications. And you, Mr. Potter, have managed to earn consequences that require more careful monitoring. So just lie there and don't sigh. But you can safely finish the pie that Hermione brought you - no one will take it away on the way to the living room."
I giggled, but then winced as a sharp smile caused a slight pain in my temple.
"Hey, take it easy," Madam Pomfrey immediately frowned. "No sudden movements. Walk slowly, as if you were carrying an egg on a spoon. If I see you running down the stairs, I'll send you back for a day."
"I'm going slowly, honestly," I promised, stepping carefully towards the exit. At the door, I turned around and winked at Harry: "But I'll be the first to get to the mushroom pie at the feast. You'll have to wait."
Harry grinned, but there was more sadness than amusement in the smile:
"The main thing is not to have a headache."
"He won't get sick," I said confidently, although I didn't really believe myself. Well, we need to calm down our medical expert. "Well, I mean... if anything, I'll come right here. Honestly."
***
Madam Pomfrey watched Ron go, then turned back to Harry:
"Don't envy him too much. Being "almost healthy" is when you still can't do anything interesting. And he has the whole day ahead of him today to remember why it's still unpleasant to be sick."
Harry leaned back against the pillow and sighed:
"At least he can walk."
"And that's a lot," Madam Pomfrey said softly and adjusted the blanket. "And by evening you will be ready for the farewell feast. But no exploits, okay?"
Harry nodded weakly:
"Agreed."
***
Since the competition between the houses was won by Slytherin for the seventh time in a row, the hall was decorated in green and silver colors. There was a huge Slytherin banner with a snake on it on the wall behind the teacher's desk.
As soon as Harry entered the door, there was complete silence in the hall, and the next second everyone was talking at the same time. Harry, without raising his head, quickly came to our table and sat down between me and Hermione. He tried to pretend that he did not notice the stares of all those gathered at him. Many even got up from their seats to get a better look at him.
Fortunately, Dumbledore appeared in the hall just a few seconds later. Everyone took their seats, and the conversations died down.
"So, another year is over!" Dumbledore exclaimed happily. "But before we begin our fantastic feast, I'll bother you a bit with senile grumbling and empty chatter. So, a great school year is behind us! I hope your heads are a little heavier than they were at the beginning of the year. However, you have the whole summer ahead of you in order to get your heads in order and completely empty them before the start of the next semester."
Dumbledore looked around at everyone present with his radiant eyes. Yeah, Percy says that if you don't repeat the curriculum in the summer, everything goes out of your head. But I want to finally take a break from studying.
"And now, as I understand it, we have to determine who won the competition between the faculties. Let's start from the end. The fourth place was taken by the Gryffindor faculty - three hundred and twelve points. The third is Halfpuff, they have three hundred and fifty-two points. Ravenclaw is in second place with four hundred and twenty-six points. And on the first Slytherin - four hundred and seventy-two points."
The table where the Slytherins were sitting exploded with loud cheers and applause. I saw Malfoy triumphantly banging a golden goblet on the table while hugging Parkinson.
"Yes, yes, you've done a great job," said Dumbledore, addressing the Slytherin table. "However, we have not taken into account recent events." The hall was silent, and the smiles at Malfoy's table were not so cheerful.
Dumbledore chuckled loudly.
"So," he continued. "Due to the fact that in the light of recent events, some students have earned some points... Wait, wait... yeah..."
Dumbledore thought about it, or pretended to think about it.
"Let's start with Mr. Roland Weasley..."
I turned purple.
"...For the best chess game in the history of Hogwarts, I award the Gryffindor house fifty points."
The screams that rose from the table where I was sitting probably reached the enchanted ceiling. At least the stars on the ceiling began to tremble. I could clearly hear Percy shouting non-stop to the other prefects:
"This is my brother! My little brother! He won McGonagall's enchanted chess game!"
Finally, there was silence again.
"Further... Miss Hermione Granger," said Dumbledore. "For the ability to use cold logic in the face of flames, I award the Gryffindor house fifty points." Even Professor Snape applauded her.
Hermione covered her face with her hands. Did she cry? Something unimaginable was happening at our table - in one minute the faculty earned a hundred points.
"And finally, Mr. Harry Potter," Dumbledore announced, and there was absolute silence in the hall. "For iron self-control and fantastic bravery, I award the Gryffindor house sixty points."
The noise was deafening. Everyone who could count and yell hoarsely at the same time had already realized that Gryffindor now had four hundred and seventy-two points. That is, the same amount as Slytherin. We almost won the competition between the faculties. If only Dumbledore had given Harry another point...
Dumbledore raised his hand. The hall began to quiet down.
"Bravery can be different." Dumbledore was still smiling. "You have to be brave enough to stand up to the enemy. But it takes no less courage to stand up to your friends! And for that, I award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom."
If someone had been standing outside the doors of the Great Hall, they would have thought that an explosion had occurred here, They reacted so violently to the headmaster's words at the Gryffindor table. Harry, Hermione, and I jumped up and applauded Neville, cheering him on.
Before that, he had only earned points in Herbology when Hermione refused to answer the teachers' questions. He's too insecure. Besides, Hermione always raises her hand first in herbology. So Professor Sprout is asking her. Although she's been encouraging Neville lately.
Harry, still applauding, poked me in the ribs and nodded at Malfoy. He looked so confused and scared, as if Hermione had cast a spell on him that had completely paralyzed his body.
"So," Dumbledore shouted loudly, trying to drown out the applause, which was only intensified by the fact that the Ravenclaw and Halfpuff houses were also cheering over Slytherin's defeat. "So we need to change the scenery."
He clapped his hands, and the green-and-silver banner hanging from the wall turned scarlet and gold, and the huge snake disappeared, replaced by the giant lion of Gryffindor. Snape extended his hand to Professor McGonagall and began shaking it with a forced smile. We started celebrating the victory and the end of the school year. Aspic pie with mushrooms come to me. And a chicken. And potatoes. Damn, Harry had given himself very little again. I handed him a chicken leg. Let him eat.
***
The next day, we were informed of the exam results. Harry and I got good grades, and Hermione, of course, became the best student. Even Neville managed to pass the exams somehow: His good grade for herbology made up for his incredibly poor grade for potions.
Harry and I were hoping that Goyle - who was as dumb as he was mean - would be expelled. But he also somehow managed to pass the exams. It was a shame, but as I rightly pointed out, you can't get everything at once.
Just a few minutes after the announcement of the exam results, all the cupboards were empty, the suitcases were packed, and Neville's toad was caught trying to escape through a hole in the toilet wall. All students were given warnings that they should not resort to magic during the holidays. You can do magic in our house, of course, but mom is against the use of magic by children.
"And I was hoping that they would forget to give us these papers at least once." Fred remarked sadly.
We boarded a horseless carriage and drove to Hogsmeade. The students boarded the train, chatting and laughing. Outside the window, the wild nature was replaced by manicured fields and neat houses. We ate candy together as we drove past Muggle towns, and then we took off our robes and put on jackets. Finally, the train pulled up to platform nine and three quarters of "King's Cross" station.
It took us a long time to leave the platform. A wise old caretaker stood in front of the exit, releasing the children in twos and threes so that they would not attract the attention of Muggles. If a crowd of schoolchildren with huge suitcases suddenly appeared out of a solid wall, the Muggles would definitely be alarmed.
"You should come and stay with us this summer", I said as we stood in line. And you, Hermione, too. I'll send you an owl. I hope Percy shares his owl."
"Thank you," said Harry gratefully. "I am glad that something pleasant awaits me this summer."
We were returning to the Muggle world in a terrible commotion and crush.
"Bye, Harry!" There were several voices.
"See you later, Potter!" Several more people shouted.
"You're still famous and popular," I smirked.
"But not where I'm going, that's for sure," Harry assured me.
He, Hermione, and I went through the wall together.
"Here he is, Mom, look!"
It was my younger sister's voice, but she wasn't pointing at me at all. It's a damn shame.
"Harry Potter!" Ginny piped up. "Look, Mom! I can see him."
"Keep it down, Ginny," her mother warned her. "Don't point fingers, it's ugly."
Mom smiled at us.
"Has it been a difficult year?"
"Well, yes," Harry admitted. "Thank you so much for the sweater and sweets, Mrs. Weasley."
"Oh, don't mention it, my dear," she replied.
A fat man with a moustache came up to us.
"Well, are you ready?"
Mr. Dursley was clearly outraged by his nephew's insolence. To think of standing among ordinary people with a huge owl in a cage! Behind him, Mrs. Dursley and his cousin could be seen staring at their cousin in horror.
"You must be Harry's relatives!" Mom exclaimed.
"In a way," growled Uncle Vernon. "Hurry up, boy, I'm not going to wait for you all day."
Mr. Dursley walked away, and Harry turned to Hermione and me.
"See you later," he smiled.
"I hope you have... That you'll have a fun vacation..." Hermione stammered uncertainly, clearly startled by Mr. Dursley's ungraciousness.
"Oh, don't hesitate!" Harry exclaimed.
Hermione and I were surprised to see that he was grinning broadly:
"My relatives don't know that we're not allowed to use magic during the holidays. Which means I'm going to have a lot of fun with Dudley this summer... And it will be possible to play the flute at least for some entertainment."
"Well, goodbye or something. Good luck with your family."
Harry went to the Dursleys' car, Hermione was picked up by her parents, and we went to our flying Ford.
And now, a couple of hours later, we're home. Mom immediately began to set dinner on the table. Well, finally you can eat normally. Harry was the only one who gave me sweets on the train. Yes, I ate the chicken leg I captured at the feast yesterday.