Exams were over.
It was the most carefree time for the young wizards. The OWLs had wrapped up before the end-of-term exams, so while the other years were still preparing, laughter and cheers from the fifth-years echoed through every corner of the castle.
Sirius's surfing idea was finally realized.
He took the students on wild waves of fun all the way to the end of term.
The End-of-Year Feast.
Hogwarts was ablaze with light. Yellow and black decorations filled the Great Hall from wall to ceiling.
The students were rowdy and celebratory.
The seventh-years lit fireworks. This was their final night at Hogwarts, and under George and Fred's lead, the festivities exploded—fireworks, prank gadgets, and all sorts of banned items came out one by one.
No one stopped them.
Not even Professor McGonagall or Filch.
A firework zoomed toward Dumbledore. He calmly stood, raised his hand, and the colorful sparks fused into the ceiling, erupting into a dazzling firework display—one burst even morphed into Dumbledore's smiling face, holding a giant jar of cockroaches.
"Thanks to George and Fred. Making such fireworks isn't easy," he said, smiling and applauding them.
The twins stood up and bowed politely.
Dumbledore lifted his goblet and tapped it gently with a spoon:
"I understand how you all feel—especially with the Weasley twins among you—but for now, I must ask for a bit of silence so this old man can say a few words."
The hall gradually quieted.
"I'm so happy to have spent another year with you," Dumbledore said softly. "To see another class of brilliant students grow, graduate, and set off to find their paths."
"This year has been a rare moment of peace."
"No Dark wizards. No evil magical creatures. No sinister plots."
Laughter rippled through the room.
He paused for them to finish. "Though there were some… unpleasant events—and one universally disliked person."
"But I must say—perhaps her arrival wasn't so bad. I've never seen Hogwarts more united. Not even in the worst days of the Dark Lord."
He raised his wand gently.
At the center of the Great Hall, magic converged. The prefects' wands—along with Harry's and Cedric's—trembled, emitting golden light that merged into a shining Hogwarts crest above them.
"I believe this moment should be etched into Hogwarts' history. Perhaps even made into a statue and placed in the center courtyard—nothing could be more important to Hogwarts."
He withdrew his wand.
Even without magic sustaining it, the crest remained suspended above. Hogwarts could not hold onto history—but it could preserve its imprint.
Godric Gryffindor's portrait floated behind Dumbledore, his eyes full of emotion, lost in thought and bittersweet regret.
"Though we stood united this year, let's still take a look at the House Points."
He waved a hand.
Golden letters appeared before everyone.
"First place: Hufflepuff, 467 points."
"Second place: Gryffindor, 384 points."
"Third place: Ravenclaw, 378 points."
"Fourth place: Slytherin, 289 points."
Slytherin came in last. Snape's expression soured. They hadn't been united this year. Fights broke out nearly every week, even involving prefects. Professor McGonagall had nearly exhausted herself dealing with them. That they still had nearly 300 points by year's end showed great restraint on her part.
Gryffindor had originally been in first—but Umbridge had wiped out their points in one fell swoop. Despite the other professors being a bit more lenient afterward, and Snape regularly yelling "Potter, five points off!", they never made it back to the top.
Ravenclaw's case was similar—outspoken students got punished.
Hufflepuff, calm and moderate, fared best. Even with Cedric's confrontations with Umbridge, they lost the fewest points.
Dumbledore smiled gently at the scores. "Before we finalize the rankings, I'm afraid I have a few more things to say."
Hufflepuff hearts collectively dropped.
Flashbacks to being dominated by Harry and Dumbledore haunted them once more.
"This year, the castle drew some dangerous attention," Dumbledore continued with a chuckle. "But I was proud to see you all fight to protect your rights."
"First, Mr. Harry Potter."
"Let's thank him—for his leadership, for uniting Hogwarts as one."
Boos echoed from the Slytherin table.
Someone shouted insults at Draco Malfoy.
"Let's add 100 points to Harry Potter!"
Grumbling rose from Hufflepuff. That extra 100 meant they were no longer first.
They turned to Cedric—eyes full of frustration. This was his final year, the student they most admired. And now...
Dumbledore went on: "Of course, we must also award Gryffindor 100 points for their efforts."
Even Professor McGonagall frowned.
Wasn't this favoritism a bit much?
The Hufflepuff table erupted.
Dumbledore let the protests rise before calmly continuing: "Next, Mr. Diggory."
The Hufflepuffs froze, lifting their heads.
"I dislike some of the talk out there," Dumbledore said. "To me, Hufflepuff is as great a House as Gryffindor—loyal, resilient, fearless. Mr. Diggory embodies all these virtues."
"I'm truly glad."
Godric Gryffindor interrupted: "Helga would've loved a student like you. Damn it, if it weren't for Voldemort, you'd have been her heir."
Cedric stood, fist to chest, voice solemn and sacred: "I already am."
Godric blinked.
Different body, different height, different gender—
But across a thousand years, it was like seeing Helga Hufflepuff again.
The material inheritance never mattered—only the spirit passed from one generation to the next.
"Yes, Mr. Diggory is already Hufflepuff's heir—Hogwarts recognizes it," Dumbledore said, adjusting his glasses. "Let us cheer for such an excellent Hufflepuff—and give Mr. Diggory 100 points!"
"And to Hufflepuff as a whole, for their bravery and belief—another 100 points!"
He turned to Ravenclaw.
"Exceptional wisdom is humanity's greatest pride."
"And wisdom isn't just learning—it's doing the right thing at the right time, even when obstacles stand in the way."
"Let's give Ravenclaw Prefect Goldstein 100 points—and another 100 for the whole House!"
Lastly, his gaze settled on Slytherin.
His eyes complex, he was silent for a long time before speaking: "Draco Malfoy—you may be the most unique Prefect Hogwarts has ever had."
Unacknowledged by your own House…
Yet still the one who best represents them.
"I won't dictate your path—at Hogwarts or beyond. But I will say this—"
Draco rose, chin high, posture proud, and bowed precisely: "Thank you, dear Professor Dumbledore, but I've already made my choice."
He stood straight, pointing to the green-and-silver crest on his chest.
"That's what Slytherins do—stay true to themselves," Dumbledore murmured. "But as Headmaster, let me show a little bias. To Mr. Draco Malfoy, and those students who stood united under him—200 points."
He looked away, clearly done awarding points.
He sipped his pumpkin juice, turned toward the Hufflepuffs, and smiled teasingly: "Did I scare you, Hufflepuff?"
"Yes!" the badgers chorused loudly.
Dumbledore laughed heartily.
"Then let us congratulate Hufflepuff on winning this year's House Cup!"
He raised the golden trophy high.
Gryffindor's seventh-years looked a bit disappointed.
But when they remembered that their rival was Cedric—a student deemed worthy of being Hufflepuff's heir by none other than Gryffindor's own portrait—they couldn't blame Harry, the House's current heir (only in fifth year, after all).
It was their own fault. They had simply been outmatched by Cedric.
George and Fred cheerfully lit fireworks.
Explosions bloomed into a lumbering, goofy badger crawling across the ceiling.
"We're not that cute!" some badgers grumbled.
"We're fierce!"
"Yeah, fierce!"
Laughter, celebration, and joy filled the hall—
Except at the Slytherin table.
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Powerstones?
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