Vid looked towards the Slytherin Long Table, beneath the fluttering green banners, even Crabbe, who usually wore a sullen expression, couldn't help but tug at the corners of their mouths, revealing a rare smile.
At the faculty table, the corners of Professor Snape's mouth twitched slightly, forming a barely there "smile" which only made him appear even more terrifying.
"It's really strange," Michael said, "Professor Snape doesn't seem very happy? Isn't Slytherin winning the Academy Cup the result of his constant efforts?"
Vid was silent for a moment, then said, "Probably because... those points he deducted at will were all added back by Professor Dumbledore, right?"
Of course, Vid knew very well inside that the reason Snape's face didn't show joy was because he was well aware that Voldemort was still at large.
I just don't know if that Dark Lord has dared to summon this "double agent" who is constantly under Dumbledore's nose every day...
The cheers lasted for a long time before Dumbledore raised both hands and gently pressed down, interrupting the applause intermittently.
At this moment, most of the Slytherin students, as they looked at the headmaster, their latent resistance and resentment somewhat faded, their faces still flushed with excitement and their eyes sparkling with happiness.
"Congratulations, Slytherin College, congratulations, children."
Dumbledore said gently, "In the past year, limited by the number of entries allowed for the competition, Slytherin College did not have a champion participating in the league."
"But you have demonstrated extraordinary focus and desire for knowledge, achieving remarkable academic progress and receiving unanimous praise from the professors, placing first in the Academy points, which is a testament to your unity and efforts!"
This time, a round of orderly applause erupted from the Slytherin Long Table, not fierce, but filled with pride.
Although Professor Snape showed favoritism towards his college, most of the time he only added or deducted a few points. If the Slytherins didn't perform well in other courses, they wouldn't have been able to open such a gap with the other colleges.
Before Harry exhibited his extraordinary Quidditch talent, the Academy Cup champions for six consecutive years were all Slytherins.
Amidst the applause, Dumbledore nodded slightly, yet his eyes gradually became profound.
"However," his tone shifted, his voice becoming somber, "we must remember that we all witnessed Voldemort's resurrection not too long ago."
The mention of this name seemed to abruptly lower the temperature in the hall, and many faces showed signs of unease.
"I know, many people think the crisis is over — but I must tell you — it is not."
Dumbledore's gaze swept over those young faces, not directly saying Voldemort was still alive, but stating:
"Darkness never truly disappears, it merely lurks in the shadows, waiting for its moment. Once it finds suitable nourishment—"
The headmaster glanced at those students who appeared out of place due to their Death Eater fathers.
"—darkness will break through the ground again, tearing our families apart, causing innocent blood to flow!"
"Remember, children... only by unity we are strong, if divided, we become vulnerable. We must set aside differences, pride, and the blind pursuit of power, maintain clear judgment, uphold the right stance, and together, guard the light of the Magic World!"
...
The lavish banquet ended amidst a noisy atmosphere, the flickering candlelights gently swayed as the students left the table, each college's common room remained lively for long, and everyone slept late.
Before sleep, Vid stroked Eva's smooth feathers, sending this owl ahead on a mission to deliver a letter, flapping its wings back home.
Early the next morning, they packed their luggage and boarded a shaky carriage to Hogwarts Station, with the Hogwarts tower gradually receding in the morning mist.
The scarlet train departed with a long whistle, Harry remained on the platform, smiling broadly and waving goodbye to everyone, while Sirius stood lazily with hands in pockets beside him, the handsome demeanor causing some girls who had already boarded to lean out of the windows to watch him.
Vid and his companions smoothly found an empty compartment, and after closing the door, everyone stuffed their ostensibly carried small cases into a book bag with The Undetectable Extention Charm, Theo and Leian brought out various foods and two large bottles of juice obtained from the cafeteria, filling up the table.
"Do you all remember the last things the headmaster said yesterday?" Theo said thoughtfully while unscrewing a candy jar, "What did he mean? It felt like words with hidden meanings, creepy."
Leian sat by the window, watching the scenery outside, and upon hearing this, turned back, "It's easy to understand, right? Even if there isn't a Mysterious Man, isn't Grindelwald and the Witch Pure Party still active? Plus, this time their forces silently entered the United Kingdom..."
The majority of students who heard those words thought as such.
Dumbledore didn't mind who they thought he alluded to, as long as they remembered to stay vigilant.
Michael leaned back in his seat, casually playing with his Little Demonic Puppet pet, and suddenly laughed:
"You can never arrest all Dark Wizards, if it's not the Dark Lord, it's Grindelwald, if it's not Grindelwald, maybe in the future there will be Red Lord, Green Demon King or something emerging..."
He turned to Vid, winking, "You agree, right—Gray Lord?"
The compartment was filled with a few light laughs, but Vid didn't roll his eyes at him as usual. He gazed at the swiftly passing scenery through the window, unconsciously rubbing the magic wand with furrowed brows.
Michael noticed the strange behavior, asked keenly, "Vid, is there really something else going on here?"
Vid hesitated for a moment, took a deep breath, then lowered his voice.
"I'll only tell you guys about this..."
He quickly glanced at the compartment door, swung the magic wand, and added the Imperturbable Charm before saying, "That night... Voldemort escaped, he didn't die."
The air inside the compartment instantly solidified, Theo's just unwrapped Chocolate Frog hopped out the window forcefully, Leian's hand slipped, dropping the cup to the ground, Michael's mouth twitched, barely squeezing out a stiff smile.
"Hey, buddy... this joke is not funny at all..." he said trembling.
"This is not a joke." Vid said seriously, "The Ministry of Magic didn't announce the news because they feared causing panic..."
Actually, even if they did announce it wouldn't have much effect, the majority of Ministry officials firmly believed Voldemort was dead, and the magic that disarmed the Brain Hall Spell by Dumbledore was too depleting, not possible to perform on everyone.
"Voldemort currently has lost most of his followers, and shouldn't have any major actions in the short term. He has more important tasks at hand now, and no time to randomly attack ordinary people..."
Vid looked at each friend seriously and said softly, "But in any case... when we go back, remember to remind your family to be extra cautious recently."
The few naturally didn't believe Vid would joke about such a matter, they nodded silently, and the atmosphere inside the compartment suddenly turned heavy.
Vid turned to look out the window—
Above the undulating mountains, gray clouds spread across the sky, concealing the peaks in a leaden shadow. A few black birds flapped their wings across the gloomy sky, lingering uncertainly.