Well Enough- Time to Prepare for the End of Year Feast!

You are actually allowed out of the Infirmary before Harry even wakes up. It's strange- nothing seems visibly wrong with Harry, but he doesn't wake up. Madam Pomfrey seems worried, and you resolve to look into it. You hobble back to the Ravenclaw Common Room, after a quick farewell to your nurse.

You have more trouble with the stairs than you would expect, every few stairs it feels like your sides are on fire, and it takes about twice as long to navigate all the way up to the Ravenclaw Dorms. Tucked under your arm you have both the letter from Kingsley and the book from the library. They are not exactly helping, but you dare not part with either. When you see the bronze lion staring at you, you are relieved.

You greet the bronze lion, who says, "Brothers and sisters, have I none, but this man's father is my father's son. Who is he?"

Before you can answer the door swings open and Jennifer bounds out of the doorway.

"Marvolo you are alright!" she beams.

Before you can say anything she drags you over the threshold into the Common Room where you see the entire house waiting for you. You are surprised to hear clapping and see the smiles on the faces of your fellow Ravenclaws.

People who have not given you the time of day for the entire year are clapping for you like you are some kind of hero. People like Padma Patil, and Sue Li, Cho Chang and Anthony Goldstein were suddenly proud to call you a member of their house. Jennifer and Ezra were there, so it was hard to be too upset, but some small part of you resented the other Ravenclaws.

After shaking everyone's hands, maybe more than once. You find yourself in front of Rupert.

"You're an arrogant kid, Marvolo." he says, apparently still sore about his Chess defeat. "But you back it up well enough. Maybe try to come out of your shell a little bit next year." He shakes your hand.

Finally able to free yourself from the throng of excited Ravenclaws you find yourself in your dorm room. You sit on your breath and let yourself calm down. Despite your angst, it felt nice to be praised by people of your house. Setting your library book on your desk you look at Kingsley's letter.

Dear Marvolo Gaunt,

After our previous conversation I was able to put your name in for several summer custody excemptions. The easiest to swing would be to board over at Hogwarts. There are a few summer work programs, but they typically prefer older students. Attached is the list of accepting offers, please let me know if you need any more help in this regard.

Secondly, and far more importantly Albus Dumbledore contacted me about your adventures. He was surprised at your resourcefulness and cleverness, he was upset about something, but he wouldn't share. I will not deny the courage that you displayed, nor the challenges that you overcame. However, you should consider keeping your head down. The Gaunt family name is not without blemish and people may start to assume your presence to be the source of their problems. Let Harry be the hero if Hogwarts needs one.

I am always here to talk, and I am eagerly awaiting your next owl.

Kingsley Shacklebolt

Smiling you tuck your letter under your pillow. Kingsley never really seemed to believe that you didn't mean to go looking for trouble.

Garreth comes into the room, his face flushed and his eyes twinkling.

"Hey Marvolo," Its time for the End of Term Feast!" He gasps. "Its pretty close, Slytherin has the lead, but We're only a few points behind. After your adventure the Headmaster has to give us some points! We could break Slyhterin's hold on the House Cup!"

Garreth spins on his heels and runs back out to everyone else. Sighing, you pull yourself to your feet and make your way down to the Great Hall.

You didn't think you had a good chance at the House Cup, after all you had broken more than your fair share of school rules to pull off your stunt. All to save the Boy Who Lived.