Professor Dolores Umbridge slipped out of the Hospital Wing early on the final morning of term, attempting to sneak out of Hogwarts.
It was obvious she didn't want anyone noticing her.
Unfortunately, just before she could escape the castle, she ran into Peeves. The poltergeist seemed to have been tipped off by someone and seized this last opportunity…he gleefully blocked her path, whacking her with a cane and a chalk-stuffed sock.
Students rushed excitedly to the Entrance Hall to send off the former Headmistress and former Care of Magical Creatures professor. Watching her flee in panic, they tried to restrain themselves, but many younger students couldn't help bursting into laughter.
At breakfast afterward, Professor McGonagall strongly protested, saying the students had failed to show proper respect to a departing teacher. She also lamented not being able to see Umbridge off herself, as Peeves had "borrowed" her cane.
...
At the End-of-Term Feast that evening, Slytherin House won the House Cup without dispute.
Their point total was simply too high, while the other three Houses had all been reduced to zero… Professors Flitwick and Sprout attempted to deduct points from Slytherin and award more to the other Houses…
But they quickly discovered it was far too troublesome. Whether lowering Slytherin's gemstones or raising the gemstones of the other three Houses, it would take far too long… so they simply gave up.
And so, the Great Hall glowed with Slytherin green and silver.
Yet barely any Slytherin students looked happy about it. In stark contrast, even though Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw each ended the year with only double-digit scores, their students were all beaming with excitement.
When Harry Potter and his four friends entered the Great Hall (Hermione Granger was still being treated at St. Mungo's), thunderous applause erupted.
Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, newly reinstated, gave a speech before the feast began… urging everyone to stand united, not fear the darkness, and prepare for the coming threats…
After the speech ended, the annual feast officially began.
...
Draco Malfoy sat beside Jon, though he seemed like a different person entirely these past few days… quiet, pale, and noticeably thinner.
His greatest idol in life had always been his father, Lucius Malfoy. Many of his behaviors at school were modeled after him—such as feigning cold disdain toward anyone outside his inner circle.
He also firmly believed in his father's ideals: "Pureblood supremacy"; "The Malfoy family is destined to lead the wizarding world"; and "Once the Dark Lord rises, the Malfoys will flourish as his most loyal servants"...
Now, all those dreams had shattered. With Lucius Malfoy's failure in the battle at the Department of Mysteries, Draco's worldview had collapsed completely.
He had always believed the Malfoys stood at the pinnacle of wizarding society, yet now his father was imprisoned in Azkaban. He and his mother were becoming pariahs even among the Death Eaters, since both Voldemort and his followers considered Lucius the primary culprit behind the Ministry disaster.
For a boy raised with such an extreme sense of superiority, this blow was devastating.
Yet in its own way, it also created the perfect opportunity.
"What are you thinking about, Draco?" Jon asked casually, sipping his pumpkin juice.
"The Dark Lord… could he really lose?" Malfoy whispered timidly, lifting his head.
"Have I ever lied to you? And I've no reason to," Jon replied coolly.
"I'm sorry, Christopher…" Malfoy muttered quickly, darting nervous glances around him in case anyone overheard. "If the Dark Lord fails, then my father, and the Malfoy family…"
"What you should be worried about," Jon said with a faint smile, "is what happens if the Dark Lord wins… Don't tell me you still believe he'll value your father and your family after everything that's happened—that you'll retain your old status?"
"You need to understand: once the Dark Lord takes power, everything will be reshuffled… And criminals who hold leverage rarely end well."
"Christopher… is this something you foresaw… or…" Malfoy stammered.
"Guessed," Jon replied casually, taking another sip of pumpkin juice.
"Then… what am I supposed to do?" Malfoy asked earnestly.
"Simple. Do what I do — choose the winning side," Jon said meaningfully. "Remember the prophecy I gave you?"
"I remember!" Malfoy nodded immediately. "I'll be given an impossible task, and failure will bring terrible consequences… My only escape is to seek help from someone willing to assist me?"
"I hope you perform better than Mr. Potter did," Jon added suddenly, leaving Malfoy utterly stunned.
...
The End-of-Term Feast ended, and with one final night left, they would soon be leaving Hogwarts.
Students from the four Houses filed out of the Great Hall, heading back to their dormitories to pack. The wave of Slytherin green also flowed toward the dungeons.
Jon stood, then walked straight toward a group of girls behind him.
"Excuse me… may I have a private word with Miss Greengrass?" he asked openly.
Astoria Greengrass's roommates exchanged knowing smiles. Teasing her as they went, they left her behind and headed forward.
Astoria stood there, flustered. Once the others were gone, she kept her eyes lowered and asked in a voice barely above a whisper, "…Jon… is something the matter?"
"Do you remember this time last year?" Jon asked with a smile. "You invited me to your home for the summer. You invited me to meet your mother…"
Astoria froze, then nodded stiffly.
"I only want to know," Jon asked softly, "after a year has passed, is that invitation still open?"