Chapter 150: The End of the School Year!!
At last, everyone had finished their annual exams!
Some students had struggled in certain subjects, while others had fared more easily.
A week later, the results were posted on the notice boards in the courtyard.
To everyone's surprise, one particular name appeared among the top five students of the third year!
The rankings were as follows:
1. Albert Black (100/100) – Hermione Granger (100/100)
2. Luna Lovegood (97/100)
3. Cho Chang (95/100)
4. Loriana Boot (91/100)
5. Harry Potter (89/100)
6. Lavender Brown (87/100)
7. Seamus Finnigan (83/100)
8. Lever Downed (80/100)
9. Neville Longbottom (81/100)
10. Ron Weasley (79/100)
11. Balsam Blower (77/100)
Everyone was astonished that Harry Potter had earned a place among the top five students of the year.
Harry himself hadn't expected such a ranking.
And as for Ron, he was just as shocked to find himself listed among the top ten!
All of this was thanks to Albert's constant guidance his help in studies and subjects that his friends had struggled with.
---
Among the crowd, a girl in her school robes and a skirt patterned with orange and brown stripes stepped forward.
She ran her finger down the list until she found her name at number six: Lavender Brown.
Her face lit up with joy and shyness she had never imagined she'd make it into the top ranks.
But as she turned away, she bumped directly into Ron, who was also trying to squeeze his way out of the cluster of students.
Ron raised his hand apologetically:
"I'm really sorry! I didn't see you there!"
Lavender froze where she stood. The moment Ron's words reached her, her cheeks flushed crimson. She could barely breathe, her body trembling with nervousness.
Ron tried again to explain himself But Lavender bolted, running out of the courtyard in a fluster.
Once she was far enough away, she stopped in an empty corridor, panting hard.
Placing a hand on her chest, she whispered to herself:
"What's happening to me?! Why is my heart racing like this just from seeing him? Is this… love at first sight? No, no, impossible! It's just a misunderstanding!"
She shook her head, trying to chase away the thought.
Yet the moment she saw Ron again this time walking back inside with Harry and Albert her cheeks burned even redder.
Quickly, she ducked into an alcove, hiding behind a wall frame, peeking at the three boys as they passed.
Only when they disappeared from sight did she retreat back to her dormitory, which she shared with Hermione.
---
With the results posted, the final bell of the year tolled.
The school year at Hogwarts had officially ended!
Students once again gathered around the Hogwarts Express, preparing to return home.
A few days earlier, Harry had already written a letter to the Dursleys, informing them that this summer he would be staying with his godfather, Sirius Black, instead of returning to Privet Drive.
The thought filled Harry with excitement finally, he could live in a real home, free from the Dursleys' cruelty.
---
As the students disembarked from the train, Hermione reminded her friends to write to her during the summer.
But then, to Albert's surprise, she stepped closer than usual, her cheeks slightly pink.
"Albert… if it's possible… my father has always wanted to meet you. So… if you could, maybe… come by our house sometime before the summer ends?"
She spoke haltingly, her gaze fixed on the ground, unable to meet Albert's eyes.
Albert smiled gently and nodded his agreement.
Hermione's heart soared she hadn't expected him to accept so easily. She quickly bid him farewell, reminding him not to forget his promise.
Albert reassured her that he would send a message by owl before visiting.
---
At that moment, Sirius arrived among the crowd of parents.
He quickly gathered both his son and Harry, leading them away toward the Black family home.
It was risky for Sirius to appear in public, but in such large gatherings it was easier to blend in without being recognized.
Still, the three of them vanished quickly from the platform, before anyone could notice.
---
Now, only one week remained before the final trial of Peter Pettigrew the hearing that would condemn him to Azkaban for good, and clear Sirius Black's name in the eyes of the entire wizarding world.
To be continued…