it had been three days since the quest for the stone. in that time Ron,Rigel and Hermione had spent most of their time in the infirmary wing with Harry waiting for him to wake up. Ron had also made it his mission to teach Rigel wizards chess. after one of their lessons Rigel went outside and sat under neither a tree and took out his sketch book. "oh cousin" a voice said. Rigel rolled his eyes and turned and saw Draco. "what do you want Draco cant you see im trying to relax" Rigel said. "cant i say hello to my baby cousin" he said. "all you've done since we met is make fun of my friends and assume i have a crush on Ron" Rigel said. "i just wanted to remind you your spending most of the summer at Malfoy Manor with me" Draco said. "kind of hard to forget" Rigel said. "which means we'll be able to celebrate our birthday together" Draco said. "i dont care" Rigel said.

it was at that moment that Hermione and Ron came out. "oh look Weasley and Granger" Draco said. "oh Shove off Malfoy" Ron said. Draco began to tisk"temper temper it just so happens i was leaving anyway" Draco said leaving. "what was Malfoy doing" Hermione asked. "he just wanted to remind me most of my summer holidays with him at his manor" Rigel said. "I am so sorry about that" Ron said getting on one knee. "Thank you for your concern now what are you two doing out here" he asked as Ron stood back up. "its harry hes awake" Hermione said smiling. at the mention of that Rigel too off with Ron and Hermione behind him to the infirmary wing. the three ran over to Harrys bed grinning that he was awake" sorry you three but Mr Potter needs to rest.

"Just five minutes," Harry pleaded."Absolutely not." she said "You let Professor Dumbledore in...""Well, of course, that was the headmaster, quite different. You need rest.""I am resting, look, lying down and everything. Oh, go on, Madam Pomfrey...""Oh, very well," she said. "But five minutes only." she said as she left.

Hermione looked ready to tackle Harry in a hug but didn't.

"Oh, Harry, we were sure you were going to Dumbledore was so worried " Hermione said. "The whole school's talking about it," said Ron. "What really happened?" Rigel asked It was one of those rare occasions when the true story is even more strange and exciting than the wild rumors. Harry told them everything :Quirrell; the mirror; the Stone; and Voldemort. Ron and Hermione were avery good audience; they gasped in all the right places, and when Harry told them what was under Quirrell's turban, Hermione screamed out loud."So the Stone's gone?" said Ron finally. "Flamel's just going to die?""That's what I said, but Dumbledore thinks that -- what was it? -- 'to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure."I always said he was off his rocker," said Ron, looking quite impressed at how crazy his hero was. "Sorry im still focused on the fact Quirrell was the one who knocked me out and Voldemort was attached to his head " Rigel said. the other three laughed at what he said.

So what happened to you three?" said Harry."Well, I got back all right," said Hermione. " after i left i brought Ron up to the hospital wing." "D'you think he meant you to do it?" said Ron. "Sending you your father's cloak and everything?" Ron asked. "Well, " Hermione exploded, "if he did I mean to say that's terrible you could have been killed.""No, it isn't," said Harry thoughtfully. "He's a funny man, Dumbledore.I think he sort of wanted to give me a chance. I think he knows more or less everything that goes on here, you know. I reckon he had a pretty good idea we were going to try, and instead of stopping us, he just taught us enough to help. I don't think it was an accident he let me find out how the mirror worked. It's almost like he thought I had the right to face Voldemort if I could...."

"Yeah, Dumbledore's off his rocker, all right," said Ron proudly."Listen, you've got to be up for the end-of-year feast tomorrow. The points are all in and Slytherin won, of course you missed the last Quidditch match, we were steamrollered by Ravenclaw without you but the food'll be good." Rigel said. At that moment, Madam Pomfrey bustled over."You've had nearly fifteen minutes, now OUT" she said firmly. "ok ok we are leaving going" Rigel said as they left the hospital wing.

"so are you two going to write to me" Rigel asked as they entered the Gryffindor common room. "of course" Hermione said. "try and stop us" Ron said. "good because im staying at my cousins now if you'll excuse me i have some packing to do" he said going up to his dormitory.

Later that night it was the end of term feast so the Great Hall was decked out in the Slytherin colors of green and silver to celebrate Slytherin's winning the house cup for the seventh year in a row. A huge banner showing the Slytherin serpent covered the wall behind the High Table."What are you wearing" Hermione asked. Rigel smirked. "one of Ron's Christmas presents" he said. Hermione turned to Ron "you got him pink hairbands" Hermione asked. "what he likes pink" Ron said. "besides i like it" Rigel said. they all turned their attention to the entrance of the great all and everything went silent. they saw that Harry and entered and then everybody started talking loudly at once. He slipped into a seat between Ron and Hermion eat the Gryffindor table Dumbledore arrived moments later. The babble died away."Another year gone!" Dumbledore said cheerfully. "And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were... you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts...."Now, as I understand it, the house cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus: In fourth place, Gryffindor, with three hundred and twelve points; in third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two;Ravenclaw has four hundred and twenty-six and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy- two.

"A storm of cheering and stamping broke out from the Slytherin table.Harry could see Draco Malfoy banging his goblet on the table. It was a sickening sight. "Ron heads up you might need to restrain me if Draco doesn't stop gloating" Rigel whispered to him. Ron nodded to him in understanding. "Yes, Yes, well done, Slytherin," said Dumbledore. "However, recent events must be taken into account."The room went very still. The Slytherins' smiles faded a little."Ahem," said Dumbledore. "I have a few last-minute points to dish out.Let me see. Yes..."First to Mr. Ronald Weasley..."Ron went purple in the face; he looked like a radish with a bad sunburn."...for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."Gryffindor cheers nearly raised the bewitched ceiling; the stars overhead seemed to quiver. Percy could be heard telling the other prefects, "My brother, you know! My youngest brother! Got past McGonagall's giant chess set!"At last there was silence again."Second -- to Miss Hermione Granger... for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."Hermione buried her face in her arms; Gryffindors up and down the table were beside themselves -- they were a hundred points up. "Third to Mr. Rigel Lestrange." said Dumbledore. "for demonstrating the traits of courage self sacrifice the true traits of a gryffindor i award 50 points" Rigel started grinning and Ron patted him on the back. "Fourth to Mr. Harry Potter" said Dumbledore The room went deadly quiet for pure nerve and outstanding courage, "I award Gryffindor house sixty points."The din was deafening. Those who could add up while yelling themselves. Rigel was cheering the loudest. Gryffindor had officially beaten Slytherin.

Dumbledore raised his hand. The room gradually fell silent."There are all kinds of courage," said Dumbledore, smiling. "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom."Someone standing outside the Great Hall might well have thought some sort of explosion had taken place, so loud was the noise that erupted from the Gryffindor table. "IN YOUR FACES" Rigel shouted while pointing to the Slytheirn table. two people had to restrain Marcus flint from tackling Riguel.

"Which means, Dumbledore called over the storm of applause, for even Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were celebrating the downfall of Slytherin, "we need a little change of decoration."He clapped his hands. In an instant, the green hangings became scarlet and the silver became gold; the huge Slytherin serpent vanished and a towering Gryffindor lion took its place. Snape was shaking Professo rMcGonagall's hand, with a horrible, forced smile. "YES WE DID IT LOSERS" Rigel said doing a L sign to the Slytherin.

Rigels first year was better than he could have ever imagined he and friends and helped stop the return of the most dangerous wizard of all time. this whole adventure had almost made him forget about his Exam results. he was pleasantly surprised to see he had received top marks in every subject even history of magic and he was pretty sure he was half asleep during some of those lessons.

And suddenly, their wardrobes were empty, their trunks were packed,Neville's toad was found lurking in a corner of the toilets; notes were handed out to all students, warning them not to use magic over the holidays ("I always hope they'll forget to give us these," said Fred Weasley sadly); Hagrid was there to take them down to the fleet of boats that sailed across the lake; they were boarding the Hogwarts Express;talking and laughing as the countryside became greener and tidier;eating Bettie Bott's Every Flavor Beans as they sped past Muggle towns;pulling off their wizard robes and putting on jackets and coats; pulling into platform nine and three-quarters at King's Cross Station.

It took quite a while for them all to get off the platform. A wizened old guard was up by the ticket barrier, letting them go through the gate in twos and threes so they didn't attract attention by all bursting out of a solid wall at once and alarming the Muggles."You must come and stay this summer," said Ron, "all of you I'll send you an owl.""Thanks," said Harry, "I'll need something to look forward to." People jostled them as they moved forward toward the gateway back to the Muggle world. Some of them called:

"you know ill try Ron ill at least be their for a few days" Rigel said. "Rigel c-can i talk to you for a moment" said Ron. "sure ok" Rigel said. Ron pulled him over to a corner. "i-i wanted to say that i-i really like you Rigel"m Ron said. "w-what do you mean" Rigel asked hopeful. Ron looked around and saw no one looking at them. he quickly kissed Riguel on the lips. Rigel went wide eyed in shock. "p-please dont hate me" Ron said scared. "why would i hate you" Rigel asked. "Percy told me people hated people like me and i was scared you didn't like me" Ron said. Rigel quickly kissed him. "well i would never hate you Ron and i feel the same way" Rigel said making Ron smile.

"Ron,Rigel hurry up" Harry called. the two boys took each others hands and went back over to their friends. He, Harry, Ron, and Hermione passed through the gateway together. "There he is,Mom, there he is, look!" It was Ginny Weasley, Ron's younger sister, but she wasn't pointing at Ron. Rigel giggled. "Rigel" a voice called he turned and saw Draco waiting impatiently. "got to go guys ill see you three during the summer" he said before hugging harry,Hermione and Ron. as he let go of Ron he waved good bye and went over to Draco.

Rigel followed Draco to a couple. "Mother,Father this is Rigel" Draco said introducing him. Draco's mother aunt Narcissa hugged him. "it is very nice to meet you properly" she said ending the hug. "yes Draco's told us all about your accomplishments" said Draco's father Lucius who was eyeing Rigel up and down like he was expecting him . "well boys lets go shall we" said Narcissa. both boys nodded and proceeded to leave the station. as he left he took one last look at Ron and began to smile waiting to see what summer had in store for him and Ron. see ya Ronny boy he thought as they left