School's Out (Ryan's POV)
Chapter 19: School’s Out (Ryan’s POV)
She blinked, looking around. She was in the hospital wing, curtains drawn around her bed. “Hello?” Her voice was raspy and she coughed. “Madam Pomfrey?”
“Ryan?”
“Eli?”
“You’re awake!” The curtain around her bed moved and she was instantly enveloped in a tight hug. “Oh, Merlin, I’ve been so bored without you. Well, kind of. I’ve been helping Harry and Ron since you and Hermione had to get yourselves Petrified.”
“Right, because we planned that.” Ryan rolled her eyes. “Where’s everyone else at?”
“Slowly waking up.” Elijah looked around. “I got knocked out when we went into the chamber.”
“What?!”
“Ryan?”
“Hermione!” She grinned as her other friend joined them, walking stiffly. “Okay, start from the beginning, Holmes.” She ordered, sitting up to let the other two sit.
“Merlin, I forgot how bossy you are.” He grumbled. “But fine. So, because I am just as involved in the parselmouth thing as Harry, when you two got attacked and abandoned me with those two, I started helping them as much as I could. We went into the Forbidden Forest and almost got killed by a giant spider, and then Ginny went to the chamber because Riddle was possessing her, and that’s about all I remember.”
Ryan looked at Hermione, her mouth open. “I’m sorry. Riddle was possessing Ginny? And a giant spider?”
“What in the world?” Hermione echoed, looking equally as shocked.
“Yeah, long story.”
“Oh, good, you three can go.” Madam Pomfrey bustled past them to finish administering the Mandrake Draught to the other patients. “There’s a feast in the Great Hall.”
“Oh, Merlin, I’m starving.” Ryan scrambled to her feet, a little unsteady. “Let’s go!”
As soon as they seen Harry and Ron, the boys ran to the girls, Harry hugging both of them tightly. “You’re alright!”
“And you saved the world again!” Ryan grinned. “How’s Ginny?”
“She’s resting.” Ron replied. “But she’ll be okay.”
Daphne and Blaise pulled her away from her other friends when Dumbledore started toward the podium. “I can’t believe you got attacked!” Daphne whispered, kissing her on the cheek. “Astoria and I were so worried!”
“Holmes punched Malfoy in the nose after the monster got you.” Blaise added. “I like that Hufflepuff. We should keep him around.”
“Why?”
“Because Malfoy was being a self-centered git.” Daphne shot the blonde boy a dirty look.
“Settle down, settle down.” Dumbledore’s soft voice quieted the students. “First off, end of year exams have been canceled due to the year’s events. And now, for the House Cup, I believe it goes to Gryffindor once again!”
Ryan sighed, clapping halfheartedly. “One day, that’ll be us.”
“Yeah, if Potter disappears.” Daphne rolled her eyes.
“Also, due to a poorly cast Memory Charm, Professor Lockhart will not be rejoining us next term.” The headmaster announced.
Ryan cheered loudly, with nearly the entire school and most of the teachers.
The rest of the term passed too quickly. Defense Against the Dark Arts classes were canceled, but Ryan filled that time slot flying, sometimes with Harry joining her. On the evening of her and Elijah’s birthday, he led her down toward the Hufflepuff dorms to a painting of fruit. “Tickle the pear.”
“What?”
“Just do it.” He huffed.
She reached out and gently scratched the pear in the painting. To her surprise, it started giggling and the painting swung open, revealing the Hogwarts kitchens. “How did you-”
“House secret.” He grinned, leading her to a small table. “I got the house-elves to make us a birthday cake.”
“Thank you!” She said to the many house-elves, cleaning.
“Of course, Mistress Ryan!” They all bowed, smiling happily.
“Happy birthday, Holmes.” She took a slice of cake and a goblet of pumpkin juice.
“Happy birthday, Black.” He followed suit. “Maybe next year, we can have a cool party.”
“I mean, it won’t be that cool. You’ll be there.” She teased, laughing.
He rolled his eyes before smashing a piece of cake in her face. “At least I know how to eat cake without getting it all over me.”
All too soon, she and Daphne were cleaning their dorm and packing their trunks to leave the next day. “You should totally come stay with me sometime this summer!” Daphne said excitedly. “I’ll write you after I ask Mum and Dad, but I’m sure they won’t mind.”
“I don’t think James would mind me leaving for a bit, either! That would be fun!”
Elijah met her on the train and she, Daphne, Blaise, and Oscar all piled into the compartment the next day. “Are you ready to be back home?” Elijah asked, settling in beside Oscar. “I know I am.”
Everyone by Blaise nodded. “My mum’s getting married again this summer.” He frowned. “Makes her fifth marriage in four years.”
“Do you like her new boyfriend?”
“Not really. He’s just wanting the money.” Blaise looked out the window. “Sometimes I wish she’d just focus on us, you know?”
Ryan smiled sympathetically. “Thank Merlin James makes sure to spend time with me when he’s dating Caroline.”
“I might just see if I can spend the rest of break with Theo. His parents usually let me.”
“Where is Theo, anyways?” Daphne asked.
“Merlin, he’s driving me crazy.” The door slid opened and Blaise’s best friend, Theodore Nott, flopped down beside Oscar. “Malfoy’s literally pouting because his dad isn’t on the school board anymore.” He flashed Daphne a smile. “Hey, Daph.”
“Ready for summer?” She asked, her cheeks turning pink.
“Absolutely. No school for three months? Best thing in the world.”
“I’m going to see if my parents will let me throw an end of summer party at the house.” Oscar said. “I’ll write everyone if I can, so we can spend our last week together.”
“Oh, please.” Elijah grinned. “I’m going to see if I can come over again.”
“They are already expecting you.” Oscar also grinned. “So as long as your parents let you, you can.”
The train pulled into King’s Cross Station and Elijah hugged Ryan before they exited the train. “See you around, Ry. Don’t forget to write!”
“I won’t!” She followed him to the platform and saw her godfather waiting. He was transfigured yet again.
“Hey, kiddo.” James said affectionately, grabbing her trunk. “Ready?”
“Very.” She smiled. “You wouldn’t believe what happened after the holidays.”
“I can’t wait to hear about it.”