Quaffles, Anyone?

Chapter Nineteen (Epilogue)

The Letter

Hermione surprised everyone when she announced that she's staying… the reason? Nobody but Harry and Hermione knows… Harry and Hermione decided to keep their relationship a secret but would tell Ron later on the train back home. Ginny and Ron did have a hunch why Hermione decided to stay… because of Harry

“I see you're talking to each other already” Ginny said happily in the Great Hall “How did you make up?”

“We just shook on it” Hermione said casually winking to Harry who was just across the table

“I see” said Ginny “Well, I wonder if Viktor's feeling down in the dumps”

“Actually, he was okay with it” Hermione said

“Really?” Ron said

“Yup” she said

“At least you are on speaking terms again, that what counts” Ron said eating his meat rolls

“We don't use the mouth just to speak anymore though” Harry muttered jokingly

“Sorry?” Ron asked

“Nothing” Harry said grinning to Hermione

To add to Harry's happiness, he got `O's in all of his required subjects for his Auror career. Hermione aced everything so did Ron. Ginny was able to grab ten O.W.L.s

“This is great!” Hermione said looking at Harry's grades “You can finally be an Auror”

“Thanks to you” said Harry

Hermione chuckled

“Your welcome”

When the last weekend before the end-of-term arrived, Harry decided to visit Rapticon Sr. Just to thank him for what's he's done this year. Harry walked along the corridor of the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. But Harry stopped on his tracks when he saw the door to the classroom open. Without hesitating, he entered the room and was surprise to see it empty but with all the paper and junk lying around it seemed that the room emptied in a very fast way

“Professor Raptor?” Harry called but there was no answer

“Professor?”

No reply

“Fiyuna? Figment? Elvis?”

No one came or replied

Harry looked around and saw everything gone… the muggle items of Rapticon Sr. was not there and the his music wasn't even playing… Harry went to the office which was connected to the classroom but he wasn't there. Everything was gone…

“Where is he?” Harry said

Then an owl flew into the room through the open window and landed on the desk that was left in the classroom. It had a letter attached to its leg

“Wha -?”

Harry walked to it and removed the letter from the owl. Harry opened it as the owl disappeared out of sight. Harry unfolded the letter and there it read:

Dear Harry,

I'm sorry that I had to leave without short notice… I felt bad when I was packing my stuff

But something just came to my mind so I had to leave immediately… Fiyuna, Elvis and Figment give you great wishes and hope that you will be happy. Fiyuna wanted to say goodbye to you but we had to leave.

The reason? Sorry Harry, but that's something I have to keep from you… but remember, my problems are my problems while your problems are yours... I don't know when we will meet again. But I doubt it will be sooner… It will be a matter of time till He attacks. You know who I speak of

Anyway, on a lighter side, congratulations on your grades and I hope you'll succeed on your quest to become an Auror… believe me when I say this; You'll be the best Auror the Wizarding world has ever seen…

Thank you Harry for everything to make my stay in Hogwarts a happy one!

Sincerely,

Rapticon D. Sr.

Harry reread the letter. So, Rapticon Sr. left without warning… Harry frowned and looked at the deserted classroom. Rapticon Sr. was the one of the best professors he had since Lupin and he was hoping that Rapticon Sr. would stay for another year but it looks like Harry will never get to enjoy Rapticon Sr.'s humor and his way of life again… the thought of it was sad. Before feeling even more sad, Harry took a last glance to the classroom that made his year a happy and left

- - -

The news of Rapticon Sr.'s disappearance made the school shocked which lead to his resignation which Dumbledore announced on the end-of-term feast

“I'm gonna miss him” Ron said staring miserably at his chicken “He was a great teacher”

“A very funny one” said Ginny, who patronizes Rapticon Sr. “I wonder who they will send in next year

“I think a vampire” Ron said

“I just realized that Professor Raptor leaving without telling is kinda sad” Hermione said “I'm gonna miss him…”

But their spirits became normal on the trip home. Ron took the news of Harry and Hermione together rather nicely when they left Hogwarts

“You!” he said gasping “and You!”

Hermione and Harry nodded then Ron laughed

“I thought I wouldn't see the day that my best friends would be together! Well?”

“Er - well what?” Harry asked

“When? Where? How?” Ron said

“Not again” Hermione said laughing “Oh, but don't tell your mum” she added to Ron

“Why?”

“Because” Harry said “she might get edgy again”

“Don't worry, secrets safe with me” Ron said

They arrived at King Cross that afternoon and was greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Weasley, Moody, Tonks and Lupin

“Harry!” Mr. Weasley said putting an arm around him “Had a great year?”

“Yes” Harry said grinning to Hermione

“We heard a lot about what happened” Moody growled “A raptor as a professor, a Christmas Ball and you three earning Hogwarts Legend Awards”

“Yeah” Ron said excitedly “Want to see mine?”

“Maybe when we get home, dear” Mrs. Weasley said hugging Harry “I see your uncle is here”

Harry looked back and sees the Dursleys waiting for him

“Oh” said Harry “Looks like I have to go now”

“I wish you could go to the Burrow” said Ron

“Sorry Ron” said Harry “But I have my reasons to stay there”

“Darn” Ron said “Anyway, take care… if you need anything just send me an owl”

“Bye Harry!” Mr. Weasley said patting his shoulder

“Take care of yourself” Lupin said holding Harry's shoulder

“Remember to not put your wand in your -”

“Back pocket” Tonks interrupted Moody “Yeah, we know that Alastor”

“You take care of yourself Harry” Mrs. Weasley kissed him on the cheek

Harry bade them goodbye but before he could go to the Dursleys he felt someone tugging on his sleeve. Harry turned and saw Hermione smiling to him

“Leaving without saying goodbye?” she asked innocently

“Oh, I forgot” Harry said then gave Hermione a very intimate hug

“Thanks Harry” Hermione said as they pulled back and gave Harry a kiss on the cheek “Take care now” then she patted his cheek and Harry went to the Dursleys always looking back to see the Weasleys, Moody, Tonks, Lupin and Hermione waving at him.

Then Harry saw someone from the corner of the station… despite the shadow of the area around that certain soemone, his figure looked familiar. The person waved to Harry and something came to Harry's mind

“Thank you Harry for everything”

Harry then realized that the person in the shadows was his Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor with his psychic friend

“Are you just going to gawk at your freaky little friends or come with us?” Vernon growled

Harry just followed the Dursleys quietly out of the station and hoped that this summer would be a great one… just as is last one.

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