Chapter 14: Beginning or Ending

Looking back on this year, it was certainly different from other years I have been through at Hogwarts. But just as those years came to an end, so has this one. I'm not sure what was most remarkable about it. That I managed to help catch murderers, that I started dating James Potter, or that I started a Hufflepuff revolution. Perhaps it was the fact that I actually blew up at my parents. Figuratively! Blowing up the Hunters hide out was enough of the literal kind for me. I did make up with them pretty quickly though.

Then they joined my friends and I in a belated Christmas celebration. We were all a few days late but I had been preoccupied and my friends and family were too busy being anxious about me to properly celebrate. Gosh, I sure do suck for making them worry like that.

After that we were finally able to hold some proper funerals for everyone the Hunters killed. I often find myself thinking about Candace. I miss her. But I can only hope that she's happy no matter where she is. And whatever happens, I will do everything I can to look after the twins in her place. The Hunters themselves have been trialled and placed into Azkaban for life. I almost feel sorry for them. Almost.

As for me, I became quite well known for a while. The Ministry awarded me an Order of Merlin Third Class for my actions and I was offered a position as an auror for after I graduate. I don't think being an auror is really for me though. If I made a habit of what I did this year, I thing my parents and my friends would become quite furious with me. They'd have good reason to as well.

So here I am, in the Great Hall with the rest of the school, on the last day of the year. "In fourth place, with 362 points, Ravenclaw," Headmistress McGonagall announced, "In third place, with 396 points, Gryffindor. In second place, with 427 points, Slytherin. Finally in the first place, with 593 points, the House Cup goes to Hufflepuff." We all broke out into cheers and polite clapping in the case of some people. The first time Hufflepuff House has properly won the House Cup in such a long time. I met eyes with Raven across the table and we shared a smile.

We didn't quite manage to win the Quidditch Cup, but we came in close second after Gryffindor. I suppose you can't win them all. Either way, Hufflepuffs have been getting a lot more respect recently. A page has been turned and a new beginning has been written for hufflepuff house. We have come so far. And we'll be going even further in the future.

~o0o~

"Oi!"

"Sorry," Jess laughed at my reaction, "I didn't mean to scare you."

"You didn't scare me," I scoffed, I was far too used to this kind of thing by now, "But what reaction do you expect when you suddenly drag someone out of the hallway?"

"You never seem to mind when James pulls you away to snog," she countered.

"He-That-We don't—" I spluttered. I must be completely red in the face right now. And she's laughing at me again. "Oh, shut up."

"But seriously," she said, "I pulled you in here because I wanted to show you something."

"Well show away," I said, "I do have packing to do, you know." She simply grinned and pulled out a long piece of parchment.

I took it from her, eyeing her cautiously, and began to decipher her messy writing. "You…" I trailed off in astonishment, "Will it work?"

"I'm confident it will," she replied, "But we can't know until we test it." I couldn't believe what she was saying. This was…This could help so many people. When Jess had told me she was going to get rid of my full moon headaches I thought it was impossible. And yet here she is, about seven months later, handing me a recipe for a potion that could make almost every aspect of being a werewolf or a part werewolf less painful. Something that could not only cure full moon headaches, but make transforming almost painless. Jess truly is one of the most brilliant minds out there.

"You've really out done yourself," I breathed, "I knew you were a genius but your ability to do the impossible never fails to astound me."

"It did take me longer than any project I've worked on so far," she said thoughtfully, "But it really wasn't as impossible as you were making it out to be. It turns out that when you add—"

"Jess," I interrupted, "You could try to explain whatever you did to me for hours on end but I still wouldn't be able to comprehend a word of it. We can't all be outstanding."

"Yeah because you're certainly not outstanding," she agreed sarcastically, "It's completely ordinary for a fifteen year old girl to start revolutions and take down mass murderers."

"You're never going to let me forget that, are you?"

"Nope."

"So what are you going to do with this," I asked, gesturing to the parchment.

"I talked to someone in the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, and they said they've sent it off to be made, tested, and developed," she replied, "Then someone offered me a job as an unspeakable after I graduate."

"If that job were offered to anyone else like that, I'd be surprised, but seeing as it's you…Are you thinking about it?"

"Nah," she said, "I like inventing and developing things on my own terms. Besides, I already have my next challenge lined up."

"I'm afraid to ask," I told her.

"Well I just really miss my computer," she said, "So I figured I'd come up with a way to make technology work around magic."

"Well you've done the impossible before," I smiled, "It would be silly of me to doubt you."

"That it would," she nodded. There was a pause.

"Can I please go and pack now?" I half wined.
"Sure," she laughed and we left the room, separating to head to our different common rooms.

Then I was grabbed. "Really?!" I exclaimed, "Again?!"

"I would have thought you'd be used to it by now," James commented.

"Doesn't mean you should do it," I explained.

"But I wanted to talk to you before the holidays start and I won't get to see you," he said.

"You know we'll see each other on the train ride back, right?" I asked incredulously.

"But we won't be alone then," he grinned. At this rate, I won't have enough time to pack my stuff properly before we're supposed to leave.

"I don't have time for a snog right now, James," I laughed.

"Hey! That's not what this is about!" He blushed.

"Oh."

"Just close your eyes," he said. What's up with this? I did as he said and waited…And waited…And waited.

"Is something going to happen any time soon?" I questioned.

"S-sorry I g-got distracted," he stuttered.

"Is everything alright?"

"Y-yeah," he said. I could practically hear the blush in his voice and couldn't help but smile. What is he up to? He sounds nervous.

I felt something cold settle around my neck and opened my eyes. It was a necklace with a small yellow rose charm dangling off it. I looked back up at James in astonishment. I was right. He's blushing. And now he's got me blushing. "What's this for?" I asked.

"Well I just wanted to give you something so you won't forget me over the holidays," he explained.

"It's beautiful," I told him with a smile and he let out a relieved sigh.

"And I also wanted to tell you that…that I love you," he said in a rush. My eyes widened slightly and my smile grew bigger.

"I-I love you too," I replied.

"Good," he grinned, "I would have had to take the necklace back otherwise."

"Oi!" I hit his arm but laughed.

"Well don't I get a thank you?"

"You're so demanding," I teased, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing him softly, "But thank you. I really love it."

"So you did want a snog then," he said, cheekily.

"And, we're done here," I said pushing him off and making for the door.

"You're so cold to me," he pouted jokingly. I just laughed.

"See you on the train," and with that I left. If I forgo folding my clothes I think I can still get everything packed in time.

~o0o~

"Well done, James," Millie said as she admired the necklace he gave me, "At least you have good taste."

"What do you mean 'at least'?" he protested.

"I'm only joking," Millie grinned.

We're on the train ride home right now. I did manage to get everything packed incase you're wondering. "Oh, Dani, are you done with that book I lent you?" Jess asked…Shit. So maybe I didn't get everything packed.

"Oh um…"

"I'm just kidding," she laughed, "Steve found it in your common room earlier."

"That's not funny!" I insisted, "It's your fault I was in a hurry to pack. And don't you laugh too James, you're just as much to blame."

"Oh. James pulled you away for a snog again?" Steve asked innocently. James and I blushed.

"No! And don't act like you don't do the same thing with Jess," I said.

"Yeah but it's funny how embarrassed you two get about it," Louis explained.

"You guys are the worst," I informed them.

"But you love us," Millie said.

"Not as much as she loves me though," James added jokingly.

"That's debatable," I teased.

"Oh the pain," he cried dramatically, "Will my heart ever recover?" I raised an eyebrow and his smile broke free. Soon we were all laughing.

"Oh I just remembered!" Louis said suddenly, "James told you about next week, right?"

"Next week?" I repeated.

"You forgot, didn't you?" Louis asked James.

"Maybe…" he responded.

"Well the Potters and the Weasleys all wanted to meet you," Louis explained, "You are James' girlfriend after all. He was supposed to ask you to come to the burrow for dinner next Friday."

"Oh sure," I agreed but truthfully I was a little nervous. I'd already met James' dad and uncle, but I didn't exactly make a great first impression what with yelling at my parents and storming out of the room. They probably think I'm a brat.

"Don't worry, they'll love you," James said, grabbing my hand and giving it a squeeze.

"Right," I said doubtfully.

"It'll be fine," Louis told me, "They're not going to eat you or anything."

"They never ate me," Millie confirmed mock seriously.

"Yes, that makes me feel so much better," I sighed.

"Honestly, I think James should be more worried about meeting your dad, Dani," Steve put in, "He might decide to blow him up."

"Hey!" I disagreed, "My dad may have blown up some tables and a bridge, but he has never blown up a person and neither have I."

"What do you reckon is more impressive, Dani's dad blowing up a bridge or Dani blowing up a house?" Steve asked.

"The house definitely," Jess replied, "She did use a Lumos after all."

"Would you guys let that go already!"

I was going to miss this kind of light hearted teasing over the summer. But I'll see them all again soon. And I know I'll be seeing James and Louis. I fingered the necklace James had given me. What if his family doesn't like me? Or am I just being silly worrying like this? Well if I can face the Hunters I can face James' family. Even if they don't like me I'll win them over no matter what. James is definitely worth it. And he was right when he said it would be okay.

If I've learned anything this year it's that, no matter how bad things seem, everything always works out sooner or later.

~o0o~

THE END

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