Chapter 243: The Turning of the Seasons
"Yes, yes, well done, Ravenclaw," Dumbledore said. "However, recent events must also be taken into account."
The Great Hall fell silent. The students were filled with curiosity.
What events?
Snape's supposed assassination attempt on Quirrell?
The appearance of a lucky black cat in the castle?
Or had a true alchemical genius truly emerged from Hogwarts?
Surely it couldn't be that Ron and the others had guarded the Forbidden Forest, protected a Unicorn, and defeated a madman trying to steal a mysterious creation from the third floor? That sounded like utter fantasy.
Dumbledore cleared his throat. "I have a few last-minute points to dish out. Let me see. Ah, yes..."
"First—to Mr. Ron Weasley..."
Ron's face went beet-red; he couldn't believe his name was being mentioned at a time like this.
"...for enduring two dark days in the Forbidden Forest and fighting to the end against evil forces, I award Gryffindor House fifty points."
The Gryffindors were stunned for a moment, and then a cheer erupted that nearly took the bewitched ceiling off. The stars overhead seemed to tremble from the noise. Percy could be heard shouting to the other prefects:
"My brother, you know! My youngest brother! Good heavens! What did he do!"
It took some time for the Hall to settle down again.
"Second—to Miss Hermione Granger... for her cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor House fifty points."
Hermione buried her face in her arms; Sean and Justin shielded her from view—she was crying happy tears.
The Gryffindors surrounding them at the long table were ecstatic, jumping up and down beside their seats—they had risen by a full hundred points!
"Third—to Harry Potter..." Dumbledore said. The Hall became exceptionally quiet. "...for displaying pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor House sixty points."
The din was deafening. Those who were screaming themselves hoarse while mentally calculating the scores knew that Gryffindor now stood at four hundred and ten points—a total increase of one hundred and sixty.
Just a little more, and they might even overtake the Slytherins, who had been laughing at them earlier.
Dumbledore raised a hand. Gradually, the Great Hall became quiet again.
"To Neville Longbottom and Justin Finch-Fletchley, who likewise did not bow before fear and darkness, I award Gryffindor and Hufflepuff fifty points each!"
Dumbledore was smiling.
"We've overtaken Slytherin!"
If anyone had been standing outside the Great Hall at that moment, they might have thought an explosion had occurred. The cheers from the Gryffindor table came in wave after wave. Harry and Ron stood up and cheered at the top of their lungs; Neville went pale with shock and was instantly submerged by the crowd rushing to hug him.
"Gryffindor is at four hundred and sixty! Ron, I—I was wrong." Seamus was stammering his apology.
The Slytherins, meanwhile, were frozen, their expressions decidedly grim.
"Did anyone else do anything?! Are there any more points?!"
Percy was nearly frantic. If there was just one more addition, Gryffindor might pull off a miraculous reversal, overtaking Ravenclaw to win the House Cup. From being the least favored, from a possible historic low, to a final turnaround as champions—they were writing a legend!
"There's still..." Ron snapped out of his excitement. He looked toward Sean, who was smiling and applauding for them.
His applause led the rest of Ravenclaw; the Eagles didn't seem worried at all.
"Finally," Dumbledore continued, "I have one more important piece of news to announce.
"There is one among us who possesses the courage of Gryffindor, the leadership of Slytherin, and most commendably, the kindness of Hufflepuff...
"He successfully organized a brilliant counterattack and, together with Professor Quirrell, defeated the Dark wizard who had infiltrated Hogwarts.
"Because of his outstanding performance, the wisdom of Ravenclaw shines once more—I award one hundred points to Ravenclaw—to Mr. Sean Green!"
The Ravenclaws stood up to applaud, cheering and celebrating so loudly that their voices actually drowned out Gryffindor for a moment.
"Are there any more points for Ravenclaw?!" Percy roared, seemingly driven to distraction.
Prefect Penelope Clearwater gave him a curious look, her lips curling into a slight smile.
Professor Flitwick flicked his wand, and the portrait of the soaring eagle of the distant skies let out a resounding cry. The tiny Professor's face was glowing with pride; he shook hands first with Professor McGonagall, then with Professor Snape.
The two professors were in a better mood now. They watched Sean, who was surrounded by Ravenclaws, with a sense of genuine interest.
Professor Quirrell, whose strength had only just returned, fell into a state of daze upon hearing "together with Professor Quirrell, defeated the Dark wizard." Then, he clutched his head and buried it low, his body trembling.
The Hogwarts Express was about to arrive at the station.
Compared to his previous simple suitcase, Sean's trunk was now practically luxurious. It was packed with clothes and scarves chosen by Professor McGonagall, along with numerous jars of potion ingredients and various draughts.
His trunk had vanished during the night; after vanishing twice in a row, nothing else would fit inside. Consequently, Sean had to place his letters and books inside the Niffler-shaped Undetectable Extension Bag given to him by Headmaster Dumbledore.
It was worth mentioning that the bag truly behaved like a Niffler. If Sean didn't offer a Silver Sickle as a reward, it refused to surrender the items hidden inside. If Sean tried to take them by force, it would bite and scratch. Although its cloth exterior ensured it caused no real harm, Sean humored it with a reward nonetheless.
With a massive roar, the great red train pulled into the station amidst clouds of steam.
As Sean, Justin, and Hermione sat together in the same compartment, all three felt a momentary sense of trance.
The countryside outside the window became greener and tidier as the train sped past Muggle towns. Compared to the last journey, time had passed too quickly; it was only as King's Cross drew near that Justin and Hermione realized it was time to part ways.
"You promised you would come and find me, right?" Justin looked even more panicked now than he had when facing the troll.
"We promised," Hermione said crossly, though her annoyance lessened the sadness of the parting.
"We'll come," Sean agreed to the plan Justin proposed—meeting in Diagon Alley. With Floo Powder, it wouldn't be too difficult.
"Oh, I still think it's wonderful. We're all wizards not born into magical families..." Justin sighed with relief, suddenly smiling.
"Mmhmm," Hermione nodded in agreement.
As they spoke, they slowly walked onto the platform. A shriveled old guard stood at the barrier, allowing only two or three people to pass at a time so they wouldn't all burst out of the solid wall at once and attract Muggle attention.
Hermione's family, Justin's family, and Professor McGonagall were all waiting at the edge of the platform.
"Goodbye," Justin waved, his voice trembling slightly. "My mother told me that I needn't be sad at all, for winter turns to spring, and those meant to meet will meet again."
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