Chapter 155: Destroying the Horcrux (Part 1)
Three days after exams ended, Gryffindor faced Hufflepuff in the final Quidditch match. Though Harry caught the Snitch, Gryffindor's earlier loss to Slytherin (led by George's undefeated streak) secured the Cup for the serpent house.
When final points were tallied:
- 4th Place: Hufflepuff (335)
- 3rd Place: Ravenclaw (352)
- 2nd Place: Gryffindor (353)
- 1st Place: SLYTHERIN (734)**
Between George's scoring sprees and Snape's biased point awards, the victory was crushing.
At the end-of-year feast, the Great Hall gleamed in Slytherin's silver and green. A massive banner depicting the house serpent dominated the head table. George—top first-year point earner—sat at the center of attention.
Dumbledore's speech acknowledged the year's events, including George and Harry's role in stopping the basilisk. But unlike last year's last-minute Gryffindor favoritism, even bonus points couldn't bridge Slytherin's lead.
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One week later:
Exam results posted.
- 1st Year Top: George
- 2nd Year Top: Hermione
The next morning, Hogwarts emptied as trunks packed themselves. Notices warned students:
NO MAGIC DURING SUMMER HOLIDAYS
(Except in wizarding zones like Diagon Alley. Minor spells like Lumos got overlooked, but flashy magic before Muggles meant Ministry hearings.)
Boats carried them across the lake to Hogsmeade Station. This time, George rode with Slytherin peers—his fame as their star first-year demanded it. The upside? Pureblood gossip revealed useful political tidbits.
As countryside turned to city, robes changed to Muggle clothes. By 4 PM, the train hissed to a stop at King's Cross.
One by one, students vanished through the barrier—
Until only George remained.
No family awaited him. (His "father" had been... handled.) But solitude suited him fine.
A wand-summoned Knight Bus returned him to Knockturn Alley's shop.
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Alone at last, George retrieved two items:
1. Tom Riddle's Diary
2. Basilisk Fang
After milking the Horcrux for fifth-year Dark Arts, trust had eroded. Keeping it risked exposure—or worse, possession.
As he raised the fang, the diary thrashed. Dark tendrils lashed at his mind—
"You'll REGRET this!"
George's body flared with holy light, repelling the assault. The fang plunged down—
Stab. Stab. Stab.
Fiendfyre finished the job, reducing the diary to ash.
(Horcrux #1: Destroyed)
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With two months of freedom ahead, George pondered next steps.
Hiding here to practice magic wasted opportunities. Without Hogwarts' restrictions...
"Time to learn Apparition."
Joseph's attack had proven its value. Even in Earth Land, teleportation magic was rare. Mastering it now could save his life later.
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(End of Chapter)