— — — — — —
By seven o'clock, the Great Hall was ablaze with light. The usual decorations had been replaced with Slytherin's silver and green.
Silver-green banners hung from the enchanted ceiling, glinting coldly in the candlelight. They looked uncannily like the shed skins of some giant serpent, collected by Hagrid and draped across the hall.
Dumbledore sat at the head of the table. On either side of him were the heads of the visiting schools. Every one of them, aside from Grindelwald, wore a grim expression, as though they were steeling themselves for the battle ahead.
Madame Maxime was bent low, speaking rapidly to Sanchez. Her lips moved nonstop, clearly agitated, while Sanchez nodded over and over.
Farther down the table, DADA Professor Moody had abandoned every shred of his old table manners. He hacked into his steak with enough force to make it seem like he was carving up an enemy instead of dinner, then shoved the meat into his mouth and chewed with complete disregard for appearances.
It wasn't elegant, but he certainly seemed to have an appetite.
Almost no one else did.
Normally, mealtimes were the liveliest moments in the Great Hall. Tonight, silence hung over the students. Worry was written across every young face.
The Ministry of Magic hadn't released many details to the public, but the wizarding world was too small to keep secrets for long. Plenty of students had parents working at the Ministry. Bits and pieces gathered from different departments had spread through whispered conversations until the rumors became frighteningly consistent.
According to the stories now circulating, the wizarding world was on the verge of all-out war with Muggles.
Tom sat with a permanently frosty expression, radiating a very clear 'don't bother me.'
He wasn't angry. He was annoyed.
The moment he'd entered the Great Hall, students had swarmed him, all asking the same question: would homes in Dalaran be put up for sale?
If he gave a single yes, their parents would rush to Hogwarts immediately, wallets in hand, ready to buy one on the spot. But he had no interest in answering the same question dozens of times, so he'd simply scared them off with a cold stare.
Dumbledore would explain everything soon enough. Why should he repeat it?
"...."
In the past, the feast always felt too short. Tonight, it dragged on forever.
Every time one course disappeared from the plates, another replaced it. It felt as though the food would never end.
At long last, the dishes vanished. The empty golden plates gleamed once more beneath the candlelight.
A collective sigh of relief swept through the hall as everyone hurriedly looked toward the head table.
More precisely... at Dumbledore.
Under the gaze of the entire hall, Dumbledore rose to his feet. His robes brushed softly against his chair, the faint rustle sounding unusually loud in the oppressive silence.
"Another year has passed," he began, sweeping his eyes across the hall. "I must admit, this has been the most remarkable and eventful year of my career as an educator."
"Both I and Hogwarts have experienced a great many things this year, some wonderful, some painful. I won't dwell on them now. I believe each of you has already reached your own conclusions."
"But before we discuss the matters that concern your safety and your future, allow me to announce this year's House Cup champion."
He paused, looking toward the Slytherin table. "This year's winner is, once again, Slytherin. With a final score of... negative twenty-eight points."
He paused again before continuing, "It is an extraordinary achievement. They have accomplished an unprecedented ten consecutive House Cup victories. Their winning score is equally astonishing. I'm certain the next edition of Hogwarts: A History will include a record of it. So let us congratulate them for continuing their reign."
Scattered applause echoed through the Great Hall.
Weak. Half-hearted.
Even the Slytherins barely reacted, while the Gryffindors made no effort to boo or interrupt.
Nobody cared about the House Cup anymore.
Seeing the reaction, Tom suddenly felt immensely relieved. Thankfully, Herpo had exposed the wizarding world at exactly this time. Had it happened any earlier, neither the tournament nor the wizard classification system he'd introduced would have remained the center of attention. The completion rating for his mission would almost certainly have suffered.
...
Only after the applause faded completely did Dumbledore continue. "I know what all of you are worried about. I know you fear what is happening beyond these walls."
His voice slowed, each word deliberate. "I give you my word that everything I say tonight is the truth. I will not comfort you with lies or false hope."
Countless eyes were fixed on him, filled with anxious anticipation.
"Yes. Regrettably, through the actions of an evil Dark wizard, the existence of our world has been revealed to ordinary people who possess no magic. Their society is vast and complicated. Some have accepted the truth, while others remain skeptical. But what happened in New York cannot be denied. There is overwhelming evidence, and millions remember the events with perfect clarity."
"Once those facts are fully acknowledged, the non-magical world will inevitably reach one conclusion... That extraordinary people truly exist among them."
Fear spread through the Great Hall like a chill. Several young witches were already fighting back tears.
They couldn't help imagining Muggles searching every street for wizards. Going out to buy something might be enough to expose them. Then they would be caught...
A first-year Hufflepuff quietly sniffled. The older student beside him patted his shoulder, though his own hand was trembling just as badly.
Dumbledore noticed the rising panic. But he offered no empty reassurance.
Lowering his gaze, he continued exactly as he had planned. "I know the days ahead will be difficult. Whether you are a Hogwarts student or one of our guests who have traveled from afar, I ask only that you take care of yourselves. Do not place yourselves in unnecessary danger."
His eyes rested briefly on the students from the visiting schools. "If you wish, Hogwarts will always welcome your return. Our doors remain open to every friend. In circumstances unlike anything we have ever faced, unity is our greatest strength. Divided, we will be easily broken."
"I must also thank Mr. Tom Riddle for his generosity. In the days to come, he will open Dalaran as a city dedicated entirely to wizards. Anyone in need of refuge may seek safety there."
"Remember this. No matter what family you were born into, no matter who your parents are, at this moment, you are all members of the wizarding world."
"Pure-blood, half-blood, Muggle-born, there is no difference. The Ministry of Magic and I will do everything in our power to protect you."
"To those who will soon be leaving Hogwarts, my fellow professors and I will also provide whatever assistance we can. I recommend that each school depart in separate groups, allowing us to concentrate our strength and ensure everyone returns safely to their own countries."
"That is all for tonight."
With that, Dumbledore inclined his head respectfully toward the four house tables before turning and walking calmly out of the Great Hall.
Only after he disappeared through the doors did the silence finally break.
Whispers erupted throughout the hall, swelling like a pot that had finally come to a boil after being held just below it for far too long.
Tom looked toward the head table.
His eyes met Fontana's.
In that single glance, they both understood exactly what the other was thinking.
.
.
.