To most, the month of May also passed quietly, and the 1993–1994 academic year drew to a close under soft warmth and gentle skies.
The exam weeks, too, came and went, humming with their familiar energy. Students in a rush with parchments clutched and quills tucked behind ears murmuring spells or checking notes one last time while teachers walk the corridors, offering reminders or sharp glances to keep the castle in quiet, careful order.
That said, after everything settled, the atmosphere changed completely, separating the school into two groups. There were those who hesitated, second-guessing and waiting quietly for their results, and then there were the few, bold enough to embrace the moment, who had already started arranging their holiday plans.
Today, an even gentler warmth filled the skies above Hogwarts, accompanied by a mild breeze that drifted along the ancient walls with perfect ease. It was the final day, with the practicals completed and the last written exam for the final batch of subjects having finished only moments earlier. Students poured out of the exam rooms in a rush of every expression imaginable, and one trio in particular stood out above the rest.
"Dad said he already got tickets for all of us from the first-class platform. Can you believe it… first class!"
Ron had already forgotten he had even left an exam room, acting as if the results would never arrive. Hermione Granger, on the other hand, looked as though her entire life were flashing before her eyes, while Harry rested between the two extremes, appearing calm and confident. In spite of that contrast, the three still moved in perfect sync through the sea of students and stopped beneath the shade of a tree, where they settled on an empty bench.
"Sirius told me he also has a surprise waiting for me… hmm… I bet it has something to do with the World Cup finals." Harry shrugged nonchalantly, thinking for a moment, then pulled three cold soda cans from his storage ring, the metal hissing lightly in the sun, and passed them to his friends.
Hermione absentmindedly took hers, opened it with a click, and without a word, gulped down half the can. She exhaled as if a massive burden had lifted from her shoulders, and clarity returned to her eyes. She glanced sideways, although her eyes were already halfway rolled.
"I am genuinely baffled that neither of you seems worried about the results. Especially you," she said, glaring at the redhead beside her. "Is Quidditch all that goes on in your head?"
Her permanent stance, however, did not faze Weasley this time. "What are you on about now?" He didn't hold back and even mirrored her by rolling his eyes. "Is wracking your brain over the exams now going to change anything?"
Hearing his best buddy's comment, Harry couldn't help but chuckle aloud. "What?" he asked, looking at Hermione, who was now giving him a pointed glare. "He's got a point, you know…"
Miss Know-It-All gave a final huff and leaned back as the odds were two against one. Anyway, it wasn't a serious quarrel and was only another everyday episode for the trio.
And just then, from the corner of her eye, she spotted a familiar figure walking with a few witches and before she knew it, her hand was already up waving.
"Jean…"
The girl in question turned at the call of her name, confusion melting into delight when she saw who it was. She murmured something to the people beside her, slipped out from their circle, and made her way toward them at a quick pace.
"Hermione… Harry and…"
"If it isn't my long-lost sister…" Ron pulled a teasing face and shuffled to the side to make room for her.
Jean rolled her eyes and dropped into the spot between them, snatching the cold soda can from Hermione's hand. "Don't even start." She took a slow slurp, sighed, and grumbled, "It's annoying enough that half the castle keeps calling me Jean Weasley."
Without mercy, the trio laughed at her misery, and the redhead's eye twitched as if it had a life of its own.
"Alright, stop teasing her," Hermione said, though she was giggling just as badly as the other two. "I've been meaning to ask… how did all of that even start?"
"It's that fat snake from the Ivory family," Jean replied, flicking her hair back as if the memory itself was beneath her. "Guess she was jealous I was better than anyone in my grade but had nothing to use against me, so she called me a Weasley bastard."
Hermione gasped, covering her mouth. "She actually called you a bastard?"
Jean wiggled her fingers dismissively. "Anyway. I showed the snakes what it means to be a protégé. Hung the morons upside down in some forgotten corridor before they were eventually found by someone."
Hermione gasped again, louder this time, leaning in as if she had just witnessed a crime. "You… so it was you… Merlin, the whole school was searching for the culprit. How did you not get caught?"
"Forget that. Jean, I'm your biggest fan from now on." Harry laughed so hard he slapped his knee.
"Exactly," Ron added, cackling with delight. "Why didn't I think of that? It's way better than hexing a tongue-lock or making those stupid snakes vomit frogs."
Ron wasn't boasting at all. Unlike in the original story where dumb luck usually dragged him out of trouble, he now had the capital to back up most of his claims after grinding through Maverick's training plan for three years.
"Stop it," Hermione exclaimed, pointing accusingly at them with the seriousness of someone twice her age. "What if she gets caught? Do not encourage her to be like you two…"
Harry leaned forward with a dramatic bow. "So how did you avoid getting caught? Teach us, Master Yoda."
Jean pressed her palms together with sudden sage-like calm. "Ah… young padawan. Simple, it is. Caught, I would be, or humiliated, they would be by a little witch. Which do you think they'd choose?"
Ron copied Harry's bow. "I see. I see. Wise you are, master."
Jean let out a small laugh, ending the drama. "Alright, I've got to ask… how do you wizards even know about Star Wars?"
"Professor Caeser showed all the movies in Muggle Science," Hermione replied, rubbing her chin. "He claimed it was compulsory cultural knowledge… for science… whatever that actually means."
"Isn't Muggle Science only from sixth year?" Jean raised a brow.
"It is. But students from all grades join whenever something interesting comes up. Even some professors join in. The whole classroom ends up packed…"
"Ah… I always figured it was just boring basic science. Didn't know it could actually be interesting." Jean grinned, eyes shining. "Next year, I'm totally going to check it out."
"Speaking of next year," Hermione said, nudging her gently with an elbow, "anything fun planned for the summer?"
Jean tapped her chin, thinking. "Not really. Probably traveling."
"Same here," Hermione sighed, looking genuinely let down.
From Ron's side of the bench came a hopeful spark. "How about watching the World Cup finals with us then?" He leaned in like someone offering a rare treasure.
"Watch Quidditch for who knows how long? I'll pass…" Jean replied immediately, decisive enough to make Ron wince.
Harry lifted a finger. "It's not just Quidditch. It's the World Cup finals. There'll be fireworks and loads of fun activities too."
"Yeah. And it's practically a camping trip," Ron added quickly. "We never know how long the match is gonna last. I heard this year's entertainment section is supposed to be something special."
The girls paused, exchanging a look. Put like that, it really did sound tempting.
Jean sighed. "Even if I want to go, who's going to take me there?"
"Can't you ask Professor Caeser?" Hermione offered.
Jean gave her a look. "Professor Caeser is not my nanny, Hermione. He's already doing a lot for me, considering I live on another continent. Knowing him, I'm sure his summer is completely packed."
Harry lifted his head, thinking aloud. "I could go with Sirius to pick you up from America…"
Jean's eyes brightened instantly. "Ooh, is it that handsome criminal uncle from the news back then?"
Harry's eye twitched as he stared at her. "I don't know about handsome, but he was indeed a criminal once. Wrongfully convicted though."
Hermione nodded firmly, chiming in. "Jean's not wrong," she added, jabbing the redhead playfully before glancing at Harry. "Your godfather is practically the number one bachelor in all of wizarding Britain… maybe even the whole wizarding world."
"Right?" Jean grinned at Hermione, then leaned toward Harry, eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So… is he picking you up at the train station?"
Harry winced. "About that…" He scratched the back of his head as he suddenly remembered something. "I've been meaning to tell you… I won't be joining the train back home. I have to stay for a few more days."
At his words, the entire group turned to him with synchronized suspicion—even Ron. They were well aware that much of their training under Maverick happened because of Harry, and that Harry, unlike them, also received some private tutoring.
Well, "private tutoring" was mostly their suspicion, since every now and then, after practice, Maverick would keep Harry behind and dismiss them. What else could it be for?
"Is Professor Caeser keeping you behind for extra special training or something?" Ron asked, speaking the question on everyone's mind.
"No, no." Harry waved both hands quickly. "It's not Professor Caeser. Headmaster Dumbledore asked me to stay… though Professor Caeser was there as well. Apparently, it's something about my parents and…" He lowered his voice, eyes flicking around. "Well… Voldemort."
"You-Know-Who?" Ron yelped.
"Shhh! Ronald!" Hermione hissed, almost smacking him.
"Yes… You-Know-Who. So, I'm sorry, guys. I can't join you on the train…"
"That's alright, Harry," Hermione said gently. She understood that he would share everything when he was ready. Especially anything involving his parents, it was Harry's private matter and it was only right to respect that.
Trying to steer them away from the awkward topic, Harry brightened again, glancing in Jean's direction. "Once I'm home, I'll ask Sirius to go pick you up from America. I'll call first, of course."
"Pick me up too," Hermione added. "If Jean is going, I'll join as well. I'll tell my mum and dad… maybe they'll even come along."
"Brilliant. It's settled then. We're all going to the finals." Ron looked as if someone had delivered his life's wish on a silver platter. To him, Quidditch was the highest priority, and sharing it with his best friends was simply perfect.
---
Time slipped by before any of them noticed. Two days later, the results were announced and, as expected, the school erupted into a wild assortment of emotions. Another two days later, the OWL and NEWT results were released as well, officially closing the academic year.
As always, the year-end feast was held in grand style. The House Cup, surprisingly, went to Gryffindor, with Slytherin, last year's winners, coming second, followed by Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff. This year, though, the scores were closer than usual, with no more than twenty points separating them.
The headmaster ended his speech in an unusual way, leaving everyone buzzing with curiosity when he hinted that next year would bring a major surprise.
Finally, on Thursday of the third week of June, the Hogwarts Express departed from Hogsmeade Station, ferrying students home and leaving the castle wrapped in a rare, peaceful quiet after months of bustling activity.
Yet not every student was on the train. As it disappeared from view, Harry, the only one left behind, followed his alchemy Professor up the spiral staircase to the headmaster's office for the appointment they had arranged a couple of weeks ago.
—————————
Author's Note:
And that's a wrap for Book Three. Phew. I wanted to add a little fluff this time, a bit of filler, showing bits and pieces of the year from the students' perspective. Hope you enjoyed it.
Drop your thoughts in the comments... I always love hearing from you.
Things are only going to get more exciting from here, and I can't wait to share it all with you.
Thanks so much for your support, and see you in the next one.
If you're enjoying the story and wish to support me, you can visit my P@tr3on, where you can read 25+ extra chapters ahead!
You can find this story on Webnovel, Fanfiction, and ScribbleHub, all under the same author name: RyanFic. Updates drop first on Webnovel!
PAT r30n [.] com / RyanFic