In Harry Potter as Neville Longbottom - Chapter 66: Missing Lord saviour and his sidekick -1

The dinner was almost over. After the gap of two months, many students have forgotten the terror and fear that they felt that night before they ran from Hogwarts the next day. After all, the one who shall not be named has gone silent or is in hiding and there is no news about him.

“Ahem! Before all of you head towards your bed, I would like to make a few announcements. Last year, due to unforeseen events, we were unable to award the house cup to the deserving. Let me fix that.” Headmaster Dumbledore clapped his hands making all the plates and leftover food vanish and said a short speech. However, his short speech did manage to excite the young lions.

With a flick of his hands, a lot of Gryffindors banners suddenly appeared hanging on the ceiling and this pushed the Gryffindors to the final edge. First, a great favourite professor and now they won the house cup that they could only dream about.

Even Professor McGonagall had a slight smile on her face. Finally, the era of Slytherin dominance ended in Hogwarts.

However, while she was also clapping, she noticed two boys missing from the Gryffindor seats. Thinking about those two made her feel this cup will be lost this year if Gryffindor students do not work hard.

Hermione was jubilant. Yes, crazy mad. She was already jumping with other Gryffindor students while holding Neville’s hand. Two minutes passed and the kids finally calmed down and Hermione’s small round face went orange. The crazy lion became a shy cat realizing she held Neville’s hand like that.

Surprisingly, one particular Slytherin was also clapping from the house that bought hateful gazes towards her, but she ignored them. Pansy was very happy for her friends and if she wants to clap for them, no one can stop her.

The previous meek and obedient Slytherin had her life turned upside down in the last few months and she had no care or affection for the students of her dormitory or house. She only wished they would leave her alone and let her enjoy her life in Hogwarts with Neville and new friends.

“Very well Gryffindor, very well. Now, the second point…,” Headmaster Dumbledore coughed up a little and the cheering students went back to their seats, “A few students stood up and showed us the brave spirit of Gryffindor last year, Neville Longbottom, Dean Shacklebolt and finally One explosive Seamus Finnigan.

For showing camaraderie beyond the boundaries of the house and helping all those students in need, I personally award them with the special contributions award that has not been awarded to any student in the last 50 years.”

Neville, Dean and Seamus stood up in their seats and a golden Gryffindor pattern appeared behind their robes making the black plain robe change into red colour with the logo of Gryffindor appearing at the back. Gryffindor students again clapped the loudest but this time many students from houses also joined.

Even Slytherin girls and boys who received their help last year could not stop themselves from clapping and showing their support for these three.

While the celebrations and cheerful mood had taken over the Hogwarts and especially the Gryffindors, two Gryffindor students were currently in a cold dark basement standing in front of their least favourable Professor.

Professor Snape looked closely at the duo, making them feel that the cold went up by a notch, “What have you done with the car?” Ron gulped. Harry who was just thinking about the car felt as if his thoughts were clearly seen.

But a moment later, he understood, as Snape unrolled today’s issue of the Evening Prophet. “You were seen,” he hissed, showing them the headline: FLYING FORD ANGLIA MYSTIFIES MUGGLES.

He began to read aloud: “Two Muggles in London, convinced they saw an old car flying over the Post Office tower… at noon in Norfolk, Mrs Hetty Bayliss while hanging out her washing… Mr Angus Fleet, of Peebles, reported to police… Six or seven Muggles in all. I believe your father works in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office?” he said, looking up at Ron.

Ron can swear he has never seen someone smiling while looking so nasty. Even the Malfoys were not this annoying. He truly wants to punch and break the pointy nose of this Slytherin Professor.

“Dear, dear… his son…” as Professor Snape mocked the duo, Harry felt as though he’s just been hit by one of the larger branches of that mad tree.

In all the joyride and fun, he never thought of Mr Weasley and what would happen if the words got out. At this moment, he felt if he could go back in time, he will never use the flying car even if missed Hogwarts for that.

“I noticed, in my search of the park, that considerable damage seems to have been done to a very valuable Whomping Willow,” Snape went on.

“That tree did more damage to us than we —” Ron blurted out.

“Silence!” snapped Snape.

“Most, unfortunately, you are not in my House and the decision to expel you does not rest with me. I shall go and fetch the people who do have that happy power. You will wait here.” Harry and Ron stared at each other, white-faced.

‘Getting expelled while ruining the career of Mr Weasley’ The very thought scared Harry and he could not imagine his future if he got expelled from Hogwarts.

The creepy and eerie atmosphere in the head of the Slytherin house added to his panic feeling. Thankfully, soon Professor McGonagall came along with Headmaster Dumbledore.

Somehow, they were saved by the headmaster but the disappointment in the headmaster’s eyes made Harry feel the ride in the car was the most foolish way to start his second year.

“I must impress upon both of you the seriousness of what you have done. I will be writing to both your families tonight. I must also warn you that if you do anything like this again, I will have no choice but to expel you.”

Snape looked as though someone stole all his potion materials.

He cleared his throat and said, “Professor Dumbledore, these boys have flouted the Decree for the Restriction of Underage Wizardry,—”

“We are not the Ministry Severus, and it will be for Professor McGonagall to decide on these boys’ punishments,” said Dumbledore calmly.

“They are in her House and are therefore her responsibility.”

He turned to Professor McGonagall. “Today is a very happy day for the Gryffindor and I know this is not the way you want to end it, Minerva. Since there is time, I must go back to the feast. Come, Severus, there’s a delicious-looking custard tart I want to sample —”

Snape shot a look of pure venom at Harry and Ron and he left along with the headmaster, leaving them alone with Professor McGonagall, who was still eyeing them like an angry lioness.

“You’d better get along to the hospital wing, Weasley, you’re bleeding.”

“Not much,” said Ron, hastily wiping the cut over his eye with his sleeve.

“Professor, I wanted to watch my sister being Sorted —” “The Sorting Ceremony is over,” said Professor McGonagall.

“Your sister is also in Gryffindor.”

“Oh, good,” said Ron.

“And speaking of Gryffindor —” Professor McGonagall said, but Harry cut in: “Professor, when we took the car, the term hadn’t started, so?”

“Stop cutting in when I am speaking Harry. That is the basic manner or do I need to teach even that?” Professor McGonagall said sharply as she did not look pleased after Harry cut her off but Harry noticed, that her lips were not as thin as before.

“As I was saying, Gryffindor started this year on a very positive note with multiple awards to students and winning the House Cup that was due from last year.

Somehow, in all this joy, you two, manage to create an embarrassing scene for the entire house. Hence, you will take detention.”

It was better than Ron and Harry had expected. Much better.

As for Dumbledore’s writing to their parents, that was something Harry never cared about, and Ron forgot after Headmaster left.

Professor McGonagall raised her wand again and pointed it at Snape’s desk. A large plate of sandwiches, two silver goblets, and a jug of iced pumpkin juice appeared with a pop.

“You will eat in here and then go straight up to your dormitory,” she said. “I must also return to the feast.”