Chapter 44. The Feast
By the time we met Harry, he was already back to his old self and ready for new adventures. Unfortunately for him, thanks to us almost all possible adventures up to third year had already been resolved. The basilisk? Dead. Sirius? Cleared.
The only thing left was Voldy's horcrux, which Malfoy was supposed to slip to the younger Weasley girl. But if nothing changes, no real adventure will come of that either, just another freebie with yet another piece of the Dark Lord destroyed.
What did surprise us a little, though, was that Ron actually figured out that Dumbledore had wanted to test Harry, and even shared this thought with the others! Even if he did call him a nutcase, with a sort of odd admiration in his tone. And Harry… he even took it as a lesson he needed. All in all, the pair of them pleasantly surprised us.
And now we were all sitting at the end-of-year feast in the Great Hall. The hall was decked out in Slytherin colors, since thanks to the points taken back from Ron and Hermione, Snape had overtaken our house on points. Only, watching the Slytherins gaze around with smug superiority and spiteful glee, we felt nothing but anticipation.
"So, another year has passed!" Dumbledore exclaimed cheerfully. "But before we begin our fantastic feast, I must trouble you a little with some elderly grumbling and empty chatter. So, we've had an excellent school year! I hope your heads have become a little heavier than they were at the beginning of the year. However, you have the whole summer ahead of you to get your heads back in order and completely empty them again before the start of next term."
Dumbledore swept his radiant gaze over everyone present.
"And now, as I understand it, we must determine who has won the House Championship. Let us start from the bottom. In fourth place, Hufflepuff — three hundred and fifty-two points. Third — Ravenclaw, with four hundred and twenty-six points. In second place, Gryffindor — four hundred and thirty-six points. And in first — Slytherin — five hundred and twenty-two points."
The Slytherin table erupted with loud cheers and applause. An unsuspecting Malfoy was banging the golden cup on the table in triumph.
"Yes, yes, you have worked very well," Dumbledore said, addressing the Slytherin table. "However, we have not yet taken into account recent events…"
The hall fell silent. The smiles at the Slytherin table were already not quite so bright, having sensed a catch.
Dumbledore chuckled loudly.
"So then," he continued. "In light of recent events, some students have earned a certain number of points… Wait, wait… Aha…"
Dumbledore paused in thought — or pretended to.
"Let us begin with Mr. Ronald Weasley and Miss Hermione Granger…" At that moment every eye in the house fixed on them. "When danger hangs over your friends and your emotions are driving you into battle, it takes no less self-control to act coolly and, defying prejudice, seek help where others would never even think to look."
"I award Gryffindor thirty points." The Gryffindor table burst into applause, and only fools failed to understand where this was all going. Percy, who had jumped to his feet, stood out especially.
"Next — Mr. Harry Potter." The hall plunged into silence. "For iron self-control and fantastic bravery, I award the house of Gryffindor fifty points."
This time almost the entire Great Hall broke into applause. After all, Slytherin's lead was now down to six points, and nearly everyone knew that the main achievement was still to come.
Dumbledore waited for everyone to quiet down and then went on:
"And finally, Mr. and Miss Vega Black. Please, come here." He beckoned us forward invitingly.
We didn't quite understand why this time he didn't just announce the number of points awarded, but we didn't argue and, heads held high, rose from the table and walked up to him.
"For defeating the monster of the Chamber of Secrets and holding off a powerful enemy until help arrived, I award you the Special Award for Services to the School!" As he said this, he produced two medals and hung one first on Regulus, then on Andromeda.
To be honest, in such a solemn atmosphere, with the entire hall breaking into applause, including even some from the Slytherin side, it was truly stirring. Happy smiles crept onto our faces of their own accord.
"Also, for inventing an effective method of combating a thousand-year-old royal basilisk…" Dumbledore paused briefly to let people fully process who he was talking about. "I award you the Order of Merlin for Magical Merit, as well as one hundred points each!" Dumbledore pinned yet another medal to our robes. The noise in the Great Hall grew so loud it was like a real explosion.
"And thus," Dumbledore shouted, trying to make himself heard over the applause, which only grew louder, "thus, we must change the decorations."
He clapped his hands, and the green-and-silver banners hanging from the walls turned scarlet and gold, while the huge snake vanished, replaced by a gigantic Gryffindor lion. Snape extended his hand to Professor McGonagall and began to shake it with a strained smile. His face made it clear that this was exactly what he had been expecting, but that didn't lessen his displeasure. The Slytherins, meanwhile, looked as though they'd been doused with cold water.
And then came the feast. Some celebrated and made merry, some tried to eat away their resentment, and for some not a bite would go down at all, but one thing was certain: at least three out of the four houses were happy with how this year had ended.
The next day everyone began to pack for home. Cupboards stood empty, trunks were packed, and while it was not yet time to leave for the train, we were in the headmaster's office, where he was now looking at us with a resolute gaze.
"I have thought over your words… Starting next school year, I will make our lessons more difficult. Be prepared."