Chapter 45 - End of the term (2/2)

One for saving Ginny, he awarded him 60 points, the second one is for breaking Tom Riddle's academic records again, he awarded him 80 points and the last one is for becoming one of the best chasers in the History of Hogwarts and creating a new record of 118 goals in a year, he awarded Neal, 150 points. Then Dumbledore announced Slytherin has won the house cup for the eighth time in a row making the students of the other three houses sigh.

Neal, Daphne, Tracey, and Malfoy sat in a cabin together and chatting while returning to London. Draco said, ”so, after one more year, you'll be getting your freedom, finally huh!”. Neal looked at him and asked, ”what are you saying?”. Draco replied, ”since you are under guardian's care all the time, you've been under Dumbledore's watch every day, right?”.

Neal replied, ”I guess you can say that. But it is still better. After all, who would want to go into a house who disowned and killed your mother”. Upon hearing it, Draco realized his words and apologized, ”I'm sorry. I forgot about it”. Neal waved his hand, ”it's ok. It isn't like I'm offended or something. There is one advantage for sure. I get to read and buy some books which I can't do with Edward”.

When the train was just a couple hours from the destination, Tracey spoke, ”I'm really excited to go see my surprise this time”. Neal asked, ”surprise?”. Daphne replied, ”oh, right. I forgot about it. In the previous letter, Ms. Dulcie wrote to her that she's going to give a big surprise for all of us, especially for Tracey and you, Neal”.

Neal pointed at himself in a surprise, ”me?”. He looked at Tracey and asked, ”do you have any idea?”. Tracey shook her head, ”nope. Mom only said all of us will be surprised when we reached KingsCross station this time”.

While Neal mumbled, ”I wonder what it was?”, Tracey began to dream about her favorite things, Draco uttered unconsciously while looking for a vanilla-flavored candy inside the box, ”maybe she's getting married to Edward”.

All three of them suddenly turned towards him in a shock and screamed, ”What?”. The box slipped from his hands as he was frightened for a second because of the loud scream. He looked at them, ”what are you looking at me for? I'm just saying a possibility”. Tracey and Neal shouted at the same time, ”No way”.

They looked at each other for a second before Neal folded his hands and commented, ”Ms. Dulcie is 42 and Edward is just 35. Too much age difference. Not possible. He even said he will marry a young girl”. Tracey suddenly looked at him like she's going to battle him at any time, ”hey, my mom is still young and beautiful.

Didn't you remember that shopkeeper who sells the lanterns in Diagon Alley asked me whether she's my big sister or little aunt? Do you know how many people who were in their twenties asked her for a date? Why would she go and fall for an old man like Edward? Even if he's in the 30s, he looks like a man in the 40s”.

Neal replied, ”that's because he doesn't depend on things like artificial beauty enhanced by potions and spells”. Tracey said ”oh, please. Did you forget that we used the Wit sharpening potion to raise our intelligence temporarily for the exams? And who concocted it for us? Isn't that you? You can use potions for the brain, bones but not for skin? please, don't kid around”.

Daphne interrupted them, ”stop, right now. You two don't need to overreact for such a simple comment”. Then she slapped her shoulder and praised, ”you've gotten very brave, Tracey. You can even argue against Neal now”. Neal snorted, ”Oh, please, she was only behaving like that because Isle isn't here”.

Tracey replied, ”do you think I will fear your pet? That was in the past year”. Neal slyly smiled, ”oh, really, then, I guess you will have no problem if Isle comes out of the trunk, right? You can even pet her”. He spoke out loud, ”Isle, nap time is over. You can...” Tracey interrupted him, ”ah, fine. You win. Let it sleep”.

As King's Cross station arrived, everyone pulled out their trunks and stepped down on to the platform. They saw Edward, Dulcie, Narcissa, and Alene and Astoria stood together. Daphne then introduced her mother and sister, ”Tracey, Neal, this is my mother, Alene Greengrass and this is my little sister, Astoria Greengrass. She's going to join Hogwarts this September”.

When Neal introduced himself, ”Hello ma'am, I'm Neal Slytherin”. And when he turned towards Astoria, she suddenly hid behind her mother and mumbled, ”hello”. Daphne whispered, ”she's a bit shy. Don't mind her”.

Then after a while, Tracey asked, ”mom, you said there's a surprise waiting for me, here. What is it?”. While Neal too turned towards her in anticipation, Edward and Dulcie looked at each other for a second with a smile and raised their hand towards them.

Tracey and Neal looked at each other in a shock