A Young Wizard's Journey - The Lost Tomb

Result's Day

Y/N snapped himself back from his musings, worrying over those specific details wouldn't benefit any of them now. They had to press on.

'I figured it may end up being something like that,' he said, as Hermione and Ron stared at Harry. 'Lucius seemed too keen on collecting it, and we spent an entire year defending it. Sturgis, Bode, the Snake and Rookwood all trying to get in. It had to be something major, but that...'

'Are you scared?' Hermione asked, looking towards Harry.

'Not as much as I was,' said Harry. 'When I first heard it, I was, but now, it seems as though I always knew I'd have to face him in the end.'

'When I heard Dumbledore was collecting you in person, I thought he might be telling you something or showing you something to do with the prophecy,' said Ron eagerly, 'and I was kind of right, wasn't I? He wouldn't be giving you lessons if he thought you were a goner, wouldn't waste his time, he must think you've got a chance!'

Y/N felt a small spark of hope at this as well. Maybe Dumbledore did think there was hope?

But then again, maybe he was just ensuring Harry survived long enough to do what needed to be done...

'That's true,' said Hermione. 'I wonder what he'll teach you, Harry? Really advanced defensive magic, probably, powerful counter-curses, anti-jinxes-'

Harry's brain was evidently trailing off, a smile lighting up his face at the pleasure of his friends siding with him. And it was all Y/N could do to mirror him. Because deep inside, the brighter Harry's face shone, the darker Y/N's stomach felt.

'...and evasive enchantments generally,' concluded Hermione. 'Well, at least you know one lesson you'll be having this year, that's one more than we do. I wonder when our O.W.L. results will come?'

'They'll be here soon,' said Y/N soothingly.

'Can't be long now, it's been a month,' said Ron.

'Hang on,' said Harry. 'I think Dumbledore said our O.W.L. results would be arriving today!'

'Today?' shrieked Hermione, so loudly that Y/N jumped. 'Today? But why didn't you- oh my God- you should have said-'

She leapt to her feet.

'I'm going to see whether any owls have come.'

And she sped out of the room.

'Well, guess I'm on damage control,' said Y/N, also getting to his feet, though his heart was racing too.

'We'll be down soon,' said Harry, and with a nod, Y/N left.

He spent the next 10 minutes, with some help from Ginny, playing damage control. Hermione had wound herself up into a tizz even in the few short moments they'd been apart, and it was all Y/N could do to stop her from having a breakdown, not least of all because his own voice must be just as shaky.

By the time Harry and Ron had arrived downstairs, only Ginny remained on the comforting effort, and even that was half-hearted.

Hermione was pacing round and round the kitchen, twisting her fingers together.

'Mrs Weasley, you're quite, quite sure no owls have arrived this morning?'

'Yes, dear, I'd have noticed,' said Mrs Weasley patiently. 'But it's barely nine, there's still plenty of time.'

'I know I messed up Ancient Runes,' muttered Hermione feverishly, 'I definitely made at least one serious mistranslation. And the Defence Against the Dark Arts practical was no good at all. I thought Transfiguration went all right at the time, but looking back-'