I knew the Dumbledore would come here any minute, I ran back the way I came and rush past all the "puzzles" and reached the Key room. Grabbing one of the dilapidated brooms I slowly flew threw the long corridor and flew up the next room chanting a spell on the way, "Lumos Solum" the snare that had grew back from the walls retreated back to the walls making way for me.
"Flippendo" I forcefully opened the door, startling the still sleeping Fluffy. Since I did not have time to play with him, I bolted out off the door and shut it behind me, locking it with magic. My Invisibility Cloak was wrapped around me as I strolled through the corridors enjoying the triumphant victory over Quirrell-morte and pulling off the heist of the Century.
I went straight to the Owlery and Hedwig swooped down from her perch and landed on my shoulder. She hooted in happiness and rubbed her head against mine. I smiled at her affection and wondered how lucky I was to have her as my friend. I rubbed the scruff of her neck and brought her to face me. I looked straight into her eyes and conveyed my thought and what I wanted her help for.
"Good girl." I rubbed her small beak, after noticing that she had understood her assignment. I tied a parcel to her legs which contained the Philosopher's stone and a letter to Sirius,
[Dear Padfoot.
I hope this letter finds you in better health than the last time we met. I would be happy if you have fully recovered and would like to ask three things of you. And I hope you will grant me these three things, (the first two I would like you to accept without question and trust me on it. I will explain later).
First: I have sent you a package. Keep it EXTREMELY SAFE. It is a magical artifact, which could potentially topple countries and governments. And please be VERY cautious of it. Not even House elves should know about this.
Second: Do not trust Dumbledore too much and do not tell him about the package. Please. I will explain everything that I found out and Dumbledore's plans that I have unearthed in the past year and a half. Although his intentions are good, his ways are bordering on senile and deranged. I would also ask you to protect your mind from him and everyone else.
Third: Could I stay with you for the Summer? I might be correct in guessing that you had already asked Dumbldore and he refused saying that I needed to stay with Blood Relatives to mask my presence. But the thing is, I have never considered them as my relatives. The protection they had inadvertently given me must have lost its effects on long back. Don't ask me how I know about this.
Whether Dumbledore accepts or not, I will be getting out off the Dursley's house on the second day of the holidays. I cannot stand those assholes anymore. I will not be their servant and I am sick and tired of being their punching bag. Take care Uncle.
Love Prongs Jr.
P.S: I'll meet you at the Weasleys. Don't worry. I planned everything.]
Hedwig nibbled at my earlobes affectionately before taking off into the air.
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The following morning, Quirrell's absence was noted by the entire student body and before anyone could ask, Dumbledore announced that Quirrell had to leave for a family emergency and had taken an "Extended Holiday" to visit a sick relative and gave no further explanation. I am sure none of the older students buy that cheap.
By this time, everyone expected the DADA professor- whoever they may be to not last more than a year. It has always been that way for decades. Voldemort cursed the position to probably weaken the students as he might have been afraid that they might become too powerful. Or he was just petty that Dumbledore did not give him the job. Me personally? I'm ninety nine percent sure it was the second one. Voldemort is known for many things: powerful, cruel, mad power-hungry. Little did they know he was probably the world's most pettiest man. He cheated death so many times just to try and kill a boy who had not even learnt much of magic and wasn't the brightest kid either. It is actually a miracle that the original Harry lived so long.
Dumbledore got up from his seat and walked forward to the Owl shaped podium in the front. "Students of Hogwarts. Another year has passed. I'm happy to announce that the students have all exceeded my expectation and have consistently done well throughout the academic year." He gave a dramatic pause and looked around and beamed.
"I'm very proud of what you have all accomplished and eager to see what you will be doing in the future. Although many of you will not be returning to Hogwarts due to the completion of your seventh years. I hope that you would visit is and consider this old castle as your Alma Matter." He raised his hands cheerily and said, "What an year it has been! Hopefully all your heads are a little fuller than it was before." He chuckled and continued, "Worry not. You all have the whole summer to make it nice and empty before you come back."
"Now... as it stands the final evalutions of your house points have been done." He raised his voice and declared, "Forth place goes to Hufflepuff with three hundred and twelve points." A collective groan came from the Hufflepuff table as they hid their faces with their hands. "Third place goes to Slytherin with Three hundred and twenty five points." Every one looked at Snape sneering at the whole School, ready to give detention to the entire student body if he could. "Second place goes to.... Ravenclaw with Three hundred and eighty two points."
The Ravenclaw looked even more depressed than the Hufflepuff table. The Gryffindor table was like a shaken bottle of Soda Pop, ready to burst when opened. The Weasley twins had to restrain their younger brother to avoid prematurely celebrate. Dumbledore announced at last, "The first place with Four hundred and six points and the winners of this year's House cup goes to.... GRYFFINDOR!"
A deafening cheer rose from the seats as the banners hung from the ceiling was magically transformed into a red and gold streamers, the lions stood up and threw their Wizarding hats into the air as the Hufflepuffs followed joining in on the celebration. A jolly bunch those Hufflepuffs are. The Ravenclaws followed suit, giving up and also following suit, throwing their hats up into the air. Only the Sytherins were seated and looked murderously at us.
It took a while for us to settle down, but the old man had waited patiently for us to do so. The last of the slogans and cheers yelled by the Twins died down finally and Dumbledore spoke up again, "Well done students. Now let us all enjoy a farewell feast and depart happily to our homes. Pip pip." He clapped once and the tables were ladder with food.
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We boarded the Hogwarts Express once more. I was in a compartment with Fred, George, Ron, Lee, Neville, Seamus and Dean. Hermione was sitting with her friends- Lavender Brown, the Patil Twins, Susan Bones and another girl I did not know from Ravenclaw. "You sure you can come get me from there? I know you talked about the car Mr.Weasley had gotten but just come by on your brooms will you? I don't want to be seen by the neighbors and then marched off to Azkaban for breaking the Statuette for the blatant Violation."
We spent the train ride with idle banter, some Exploding snap, wizard's chess and a heated Quidditch debate on which national team was going to win this summer. As per the usual we supported Ireland, which was the next best thing (honestly, the better option) to the English team as the English national team was shite.
We reached King's Cross station in the evening just before dusk and we were greeted by the the hoards of parents come to pick up their children. We waded through the crowd, giving our farewells to Seamus and Dean, then Neville and his stern grandmother and at the edge of the crowd we met Mrs.Weasley who was with Ginny. "Oh Harry! How you have grown! And your hair, it needs a trim or you will end up like Billy!" She gave me a tight hug and proceeded to fuss over her children one by one till we were ready to go.
We walked through the barrier one by one and I separated from them when we reached the exit where Vernon was waiting with his car and a grumpy expression. "Get in, boy. And make it quick." I loaded up the trunk and got it the car not caring about his attitude a bit. I had two days to brush up on my muggle studies so I was gonna ignore them as much as possible.