9

9. Goodbye…for now

The day of the last feast at Hogwarts had arrived. Along with Hermione, Harry and Ron I walked into the great hall. We wore our black hats and I did my best to hide myself under it. Since the encounter with Quirrel and our loss of house points there weren't many Gryffindors speaking with us. The last days we had kept away from our classmates. Fred and George were more or less the only one who wanted to hang out with us. They had tried to console us but without luck.

The day of the house cup awarding we walked rather quickly to our seats. Nevertheless, some Slytherins were thanking us for making Gryffindor lose. The winner was already set: Slytherin. Therefore, all the banners wore Slytherin's snake and the great hall was decorated with silver and green. Suddenly, Professor McGonagall stood up to get the student's attention. Whilst she sat down again Dumbledore started speaking.

"Another year has gone. And now as I understand it the house cup needs to be awarded. The score reads as follows: In fourth place Gryffindor with 262 points." A few Slytherins, among them Draco, were looking at the Gryffindor table with smug faces, others were laughing silently. Dumbledore waited until the students were silent again until he continued.

"Third place: Hufflepuff with 352 points." The clapping was louder now.

"On second place: Ravenclaw with 426 points." Some students of the Ravenclaw table cheered. Harry, Hermione and Ron however were disappointed just like many others. Like the last six years Slytherin would win the house cup again and it was only because of us. We couldn't understand why we should lose the house cup although we had saved many people.

"And in first place with 472 points: Slytherin house." The Slytherins cheered and whistled. All the others were rather reserved. If we hadn't made lose Gryffindor so many points we would have won. I looked at the teachers table and had to suppress a laugh. Severus was clapping along but I saw that he couldn't care less about the house cup. I guessed if it was for him he would have abolished the awarding. He looked into my direction and our eyes locked. His raising eyebrow only confirmed the opinion I had interpreted.

"Yes, yes. Well done, Slytherin, well done! However…recent events must be taken into account. And I have a few last-minute points to award. To Ms. Hermione Granger, the cool use of intellect while others were in great peril: fifty points. Second, to Ms. Aryanna Jackson for the great use of knowledge far beyond the Z.A.G. standarts: fifty points." Students were cheering and many Gryffindors were looking in our direction now. Hermione and I were looking on the table while Ron and Harry congratulated us. I looked up at the teacher's table and could see the slight smile on Severus' face. He nodded his head in agreement. I couldn't hold back my smile and focused quickly on the other students.

"Thirdly, to Mr. Ronald Weasley for the best played game of chess that Hogwarts has seen these many years: fifty points. And fourth to Mr. Harry Potter for pure nerve and outstanding courage I award Gryffindor house sixty points."

Now all the tables- except Slytherin- were cheering. Many had noticed that Gryffindor had as many points as Slytherin. Now it was Dumbledore who decided about the winner of the house cup.

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

The whole Gryffindor table exploded cheering and congratulating Neville who couldn't understand his luck. He had made Gryffindor win the house cup. Therefore, Dumbledore redecorated the banners and suddenly the great hall shone red and gold everywhere. Everyone except the Slytherins cheered. Even Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff celebrated Gryffindor. I had never seen so many happy people in one place. After dinner every Gryffindor celebrated in the Gryffindor tower. For the first time in six years another house had won the house cup. I couldn't remember when I went to bed that night…

The next morning I woke up early. Everyone else was still asleep after all it had been a long night. I, however, wanted to see Severus before I had to leave Hogwarts over summer. I quickly put on my clothes and wandered silently through the castle. I had to take some detours because Peeves was looking out for victims. Nevertheless, I arrived at his office and knocked on the door. I could sense his presence in the office even if I was a little surprised that he was working. Instead of his usual "enter" Severus opened the door. When he saw me standing there shivering of coldness he stepped aside and let me in. I had underestimated the cold in the morning. I walked directly to his fire place and cast him an apologetic look.

"A little early, don't you think?" He asked with a smile while walking to the back of his office.

"I wanted to see you before I leave. To be honest, I thought I would disturb you in your sleep."

"Well, as you can see I'm wide awake." He laughed a little and came back with a blanket in his hands. Gently, he put it around my shoulders.

"Thanks. I guess I underestimated the cold." I assured with a grin. I sat down on his chair behind his desk while he leaned on the table, folded his arms and watched me with an amused expression.

"So I take it you haven't have breakfast yet?" He asked raising one eyebrow. "But on the other hand you've never been one to eat early."

Damn, I had always wanted to know how to do that. "No, I haven't but I'm not hungry yet. What's so funny?" I asked because he was chuckling now.

"At the beginning of this year I had wondered how much you had changed but you haven't changed that much actually. I mean you are older, you have more knowledge and you understand everything now but you are still you." We both started laughing.

"And you are still you." I told him grinning.

"Glad to hear that. Now… Do you still like hot chocolat?" He asked chuckling. Since I had lived with him I had discovered my love for hot chocolate, or rather for Severus' hot chocolate. I didn't like the one at Hogwarts or at the orphanage.

"Are you kidding? All those years I missed it a lot. Nobody can make it as good as you do." I assured him with a serious expression.

"Good. You can eat later at breakfast but I'll make you one to warm up, all right?" I didn't even bother saying anything and only shook my head at his question. I would never refuse his cooking or his hot chocolate. He on the other hand understood me and left smiling. I assumed the door he went through lead to his personal chambers. While waiting I looked around the office. It was rather dark and the shelves were filled with potions or books. When Severus came back he was being followed by a flying cup which landed smoothly on the desk in front of me. I smiled to Severus who wore an expression I hadn't seen in a while. He leaned against the frame of a window, his arms crossed in front of his chest. He was smiling, more to himself, and watched every move. I sipped on the hot beverage and enjoyed the great taste. I have missed this so much! While I was drinking slowly Severus turned around and went to a book shelf. He took out several books and placed them on the desk.

"If you still like potions you can have these books over the summer. They'll save you from boredom." He said laughing a little but became serious again. I knew what was troubling him. I also wished I could stay with him over the holidays but we both knew that we had nothing to say in that matter. I stood up and hugged him tightly. He embraced me and placed a small kiss on my head.

"Thank you Severus." I gulped. I didn't want to go back in the orphanage.

"If something's wrong you can owl me any time, remember that. Write me if you need something or if you are bored." He looked at me with a meaningful expression and smiled warmly.

"I will…Sir!" I joked and grinned to break the uncomfortable tension. It worked because Severus smile turned into a laugh. He lifted me up, sat me on his desk and sat down on his chair. I climbed on his lap and made myself comfortable. He laughed and embraced me in his arms. We talked about everything that came into our minds. It was about one hour later when we were suddenly interrupted by a knock on the door. Immediately, Severus froze but before I could stand up the door opened and in came Dumbledore. He wasn't wearing a smile as usual but a very serious expression. I stood up, so did Severus. I attempted to leave but Severus stood quickly in front of me in a protective manner.

"I thought I had forbidden you to speak with Aryanna in order to protect her." Dumbledore said while focusing on Severus.

"And I abided by our agreement until it wasn't possible anymore." Severus answered coolly.

"Until it wasn't possible anymore?"

I decided to interfere because I didn't like the accusation Dumbledore was using in his voice. I stepped aside and for the first time he looked at me.

"It wasn't his fault. He didn't say anything. The oblivion charm hadn't worked so I remember everything. I told him first." I stated slightly angry. He was the one who had made all the decisions. Dumbledore looked from me to Severus and back again.

"I should have expected that possibility. You are a fairy after all... Forgive me Severus for my mistake." He was smiling again but seemed to think about the charm.

"You are quick with accusation and forgiving! Do you really think it's that easy?" I asked, my anger clearly noticeable. Dumbledore watched with an expression of amusement.

"Aryanna." Severus said warningly. I ignored him completely.

"Don't expect me to forgive you that quickly. You have made all these decisions about me without me. You have pushed me from one place to another. You are the one who wanted Severus to erase my mind. You are the reason why I was so angry at Severus and why I'm angry at you. I had forgiven that you had brought me to the Malfoys but then again you didn't let me live there but moved me again to the orphanage where my father had lived. But most importantly, you took me away from Severus, you made me curse him. You-" I had become angrier during my rant so I was speechless when Severus interrupted me again.

"Aryanna I understand your anger but it was in agreement with me. I knew he moved you but didn't know where. I agreed with his decisions in order to protect you. I don't know why it was necessary but I guess we will have to trust Albus on that." He assured me looking me deep in the eyes. I felt confused but didn't know why. The fact that Severus had known about it made me see it in another light. I knew he would only do things which would help me.

"But…Why did you do that?" I asked, suddenly calmed down again. Dumbledore had been watching Severus and me smiling.

"One day you will get the answer, both of you. But this day isn't today." He assured blinking. I thought about it and decided to relax and calm down. I knew Dumbledore was a good man even if some of his decisions weren't the best. I smiled slightly at him as sign of peace. Severus on the other hand didn't relax at all. He was still very tense. Again he stepped in front of me and his voice was cold when he spoke.

"If you ask me again to erase her mind or if you want forbid me to take care of her I will refuse. I will never ever leave her alone whatever you say!"

"Oh I know that Severus. And I can assure you that I won't ask you something like that again." Dumbledore assured smiling. "From now on I'll leave you to. I have only one request: Nobody can find out about you being her legal guardian. Don't let someone caught you together. It is essential that nobody knows about your connection." Severus nodded and relaxed a bit.

"Well… Now that we have discussed that matter I suggest you go to breakfast now Aryanna. I saw your friends in the great hall." I turned to Severus who nodded encouraging. He embraced me in his arms.

"Remember what I told you Arya, owl me if anything's wrong. Anytime."

"All right." I looked up and met his dark warm eyes. He smiled warmly.

"I love you. Never forget that."

"Love you too Severus." I smiled one last time at him and turned to leave when he called me back.

"Don't forget the books!"

"Yeah, right. Thanks again. I guess I'll know them by heart when I come back." I said laughing. "It's so boring at the orphanage." He chuckled deeply.

"I'm sure your friends will help you out too." He assured laughing. "I'll see you in seven weeks Arya."

"Yep, see you then." I turned around and left. I could still hear his laugh when he closed the door behind me. Sighting I walked to the great hall. These seven weeks would be very boring.

When I arrived at the great hall I stopped and searched my friends. When I found them I didn't walk straight to them. They hadn't seen me yet so I only watched them. They were laughing about something and looked very happy. I smiled slightly. I had managed to get friends who were kind and brave. They hadn't judged me for who I was and that made me love them even more. At least something had worked out well this year… I still did my best to avoid Draco. Nevertheless, he would try to catch me alone. Therefore, I controlled every place I went to. Every encounter with him was horrible and very exhausting. I hated myself for what I had to do but I needed to protect Draco at any costs. Being Tom Riddle's daughter isn't really favorable.