Time flew by, and the end-of-term results were finally released.
As expected, Charlie's grades were top-notch.
Except for History of Magic, which was better left unmentioned, he had scored full marks in every other subject.
And as for History of Magic... let's just move on.
Dumbledore had been absent for days.
Charlie had been trying to speak with him, wanting to ask why Voldemort couldn't be killed.
But every time he went to the Headmaster's office, the door was tightly shut.
It wasn't until the day of the End-of-Term Feast that Dumbledore finally appeared.
The next day, students would return home for the summer holiday.
Charlie was running late, he'd been packing up in the dormitory, and arrived at the Great Hall after everyone else.
As soon as he pushed open the door, the noisy hall fell dead silent.
Hundreds of eyes turned toward him in unison.
By now, the story of Charlie defeating the Dark wizard had spread throughout Hogwarts.
The Weasley twins were the first to react, clapping enthusiastically.
They'd earned twenty full Galleons thanks to Charlie. Honestly, they felt like they owed him a shrine.
There was only one Galleon left in the Weasley family vault.
The applause thundered through the hall.
The Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables were the most enthusiastic, many had personally witnessed Charlie's heroics.
Even Ravenclaw students joined in, applauding politely, though they hadn't been part of the action, they'd heard about the thrilling events.
Only the Slytherin table remained stony-faced.
The House Cup had been within their grasp, but Charlie had stolen the spotlight.
Who wouldn't be salty?
Charlie made his way to the Hufflepuff table and sat down, and only then did the applause slowly fade.
On the high table, Dumbledore sighed helplessly as he looked at Charlie.
This child really couldn't go a day without stirring things up.
He'd deliberately kept a low profile these past days, simply because he was tired of dealing with Charlie.
The carefully constructed test of Harry's courage had been completely turned into a raid dungeon by Charlie: "The Defense of the Philosopher's Stone."
Still, Dumbledore couldn't complain too much, Harry had shown bravery in the face of Voldemort.
That was enough.
Professor Sprout beamed with pride as she looked at Charlie.
That was her Hufflepuff student.
Hufflepuff had been producing outstanding students lately, Cedric in Year Three, Charlie in Year One. A new golden age!
Meanwhile, Snape let out a cold snort.
"So desperate to be in the spotlight," he muttered, "thinks he's better than everyone."
Professor Sprout immediately bristled.
Frowning, she snapped in a stiff tone,
"Severus, what's that supposed to mean?"
"Charlie is an exceptional student of Hufflepuff. I don't recall him doing anything to provoke you."
Snape remained expressionless, his tone frosty as ever.
"Oh yes, exceptional indeed. Can't even pass a History of Magic exam, truly unprecedented brilliance."
Professor Sprout raised her voice.
"But he got full marks in every other subject, and he protected the Philosopher's Stone!"
"Heh." Snape sneered.
"If our House hadn't scored so high overall, I would've assumed the House Cup was going to Hufflepuff this year."
Sprout was momentarily speechless.
That much was true, Slytherin's points were still in the lead. No matter how indignant she felt, there was no arguing the numbers.
She turned away in a huff and ignored him.
Professor McGonagall tried to mediate. "That's just how Severus is, don't take it personally."
She herself didn't dare say much.
After all, Gryffindor was dead last in points.
Dumbledore stood up and cleared his throat lightly.
The entire hall fell silent.
"Before tonight's feast begins, we have one last matter, this year's House Cup award ceremony."
His voice echoed across the hall.
Everyone held their breath.
"The current House standings are as follows."
He waved his hand, and four giant numbers floated into the air.
"Fourth place, Gryffindor, 212 points."
Dead silence at the Gryffindor table.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville sat with heads bowed, looking absolutely miserable.
They had accomplished so much this year. Now, nothing to show for it.
"Third place, Hufflepuff, 392 points."
A few scattered claps from the Hufflepuff table. Nothing too enthusiastic.
Most Hufflepuffs didn't care much about the House Cup.
What mattered more was whether there'd be fries at the feast.
"Second place, Ravenclaw, 426 points."
The Ravenclaws applauded politely, expressions calm and composed.
"First place, Slytherin, 430 points."
Thunderous applause erupted from the Slytherin table.
Draco Malfoy stood up proudly, waving at the other Houses.
"Slytherin forever!"
"We're the champions!"
The Gryffindors scowled.
"What are they so smug about? If it weren't for Snape's favoritism, they wouldn't be in first."
"Exactly. Snape only adds points to them and deducts from everyone else."
"If only Professor McGonagall played favorites too…"
Dumbledore slowly set down his parchment.
"But," he said, stopping. His voice echoed through the hall.
"Recent events must also be taken into account."
Laughter at the Slytherin table came to an abrupt halt.
Something wasn't right.
"Mr. White," Dumbledore said, eyes shifting to the Hufflepuff table.
"In the face of external threats, you led your peers in defending the Philosopher's Stone, showing courage and valor. For this, I award Hufflepuff twenty points."
The applause was thunderous. Everyone agreed with Charlie's honor.
Snape did a quick mental calculation.
Hufflepuff: 392 + 20 = 412.
Still less than Slytherin's 430.
He quietly exhaled in relief.
It would've been pretty embarrassing to get slapped in the face right after his sarcastic remark.
But then Dumbledore spoke again, that familiar mysterious smile tugging at his lips.
"And to the brave students who joined Charlie on that day, I award each of them ten points."
The hall exploded.
"What?!"
"Ten points EACH?!"
"How many students went with him?!"
Snape said nothing.
He didn't know how many came from other Houses, but Slytherin had exactly zero.
Professor McGonagall pulled out a parchment and cleared her throat.
"On that day, fifteen students from Gryffindor, sixteen from Hufflepuff, and three from Ravenclaw took part."
Snape's vision blurred.
Hufflepuff: 392 + 20 + 160 = 572.
Ravenclaw: 426 + 30 = 456.
Slytherin: still 430.
Gryffindor: 212 + 150 = 362.
Slytherin was now second-to-last.
"Now, I declare," Dumbledore stood tall, voice booming,
"This year's House Cup Champion, Hufflepuff House!"
With a flick of his wand, the green-and-silver banners of Slytherin vanished.
In their place, the hall was draped in the golden yellow and black of Hufflepuff.
The Hufflepuff table erupted.
Students jumped up, knocking chairs over in excitement.
"We actually won?!"
"Charlie forever!"
They might not have cared much for the Cup, but winning it still felt amazing.
Justin leapt onto the table and shouted,
"HUFFLEPUFF! HUFFLEPUFF!"
The Weasley twins, though Gryffindors, were equally fired up.
Fred stood and shouted,
"CHARLIE WHITE!"
George followed immediately,
"OUR KING!"
Their voices rang through the hall, drawing everyone's attention.
Gryffindors stood and joined in.
"CHARLIE WHITE! OUR KING!"
Even some Ravenclaws couldn't help joining the chant.
Compared to Slytherin's seven-year winning streak, Hufflepuff's victory felt like a breath of fresh air.
The entire Great Hall echoed with Charlie's name, each chant louder than the last.
Charlie sat at the table, lips curled into a faint smile.
Then, just like Justin, he climbed onto the table and shouted:
"To restore the glory of Hufflepuff, our duty is clear!"
The hall exploded again.
Even the professors on the high table looked on with warm smiles at the youthful spirit before them.
All except one sullen man.
Professor Sprout glanced at Snape's thunderous expression and couldn't help but tease,
"Looks like the Cup isn't Slytherin's this year after all."
<><>---------------------------------------
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