HP: Fairy Tale Wizard - 155

Chapter 155: First Year Ends

On the last day of the school year, all of Ravenclaw seemed electric with excitement.

Robert kept shooting Sterling and his friends satisfied glances. Without exaggeration, this semester's House Cup victory belonged to them.

But that satisfaction quickly turned to dread.

These glorious days of earning house points thanks to Sterling the "monster," Terry the "Blindsight," and "Miss Know-It-All" Hermione were probably gone forever.

Actually, these nicknames had been established after the Hogwarts Cup ended. Upper-year students were all protesting Professor Vitam's unfairness because she'd only allowed first years to compete in the "Hogwarts Cup."

Currently, Hermione was collecting signatures, trying to make the "Hogwarts Cup" a fixed end-of-year all-grade activity. Notably, this collection was proceeding exceptionally smoothly. Even Slytherin had sent through intermediaries a long strip of signatures, though with sour faces.

"Hey, Sterling, if you guys have any extracurricular project achievements after the second year, remember to definitely apply to professors for points. Though by the time you have this ability, you'll probably be third or fourth year."

Robert dramatically dabbed at his eyes with tissues.

"Sure," Sterling responded flatly.

"That's not right! I'm doubting your abilities in this way. Shouldn't you strongly disagree and say you'll definitely produce shocking results in the second year, then score big points for Ravenclaw?"

Sterling and Terry both turned around, looking at Robert with indescribable expressions. After a moment, Terry sighed.

"Prefect Robert, this obvious provocation might work on Gryffindor."

"No, you must take my provocation. Otherwise, our House Cup will be lost again next year!"

"Robert! What do you think you're doing!"

Not far away, Penelope, who'd been reading, put down "Medieval Herbology Detailed Explanation" and looked glared at Robert.

"We agreed that the first years bear House Cup responsibility. Above first year, Ravenclaws should have their own research interests. Where would we have time to compete for House Cups?"

"Terry, have you found something interesting, willing to spend time understanding and learning?"

"Of course, Penelope."

Terry pulled a palm-sized crystal ball from his waist pouch. Penelope's expression showed slight surprise, but she still nodded.

"Divination? Currently, few Ravenclaws are pursuing this path. But Robert, since they have their interests, follow convention. Let new first years earn house points!"

"Moreover, even if they wanted to earn points, they couldn't earn much. This was agreed upon. Ravenclaw's house point bulk depends on first-year performance. Unless you guys work hard and bring back a Quidditch trophy, I'll convince fourth-year Ravenclaws to all earn points."

Penelope's last sentence made Robert's face flush with embarrassment. He hurriedly bid Sterling and the others hasty farewells, then fled the common room.

"Hey, don't worry about him. Professor Flitwick chose him as prefect not because he is the fifth year's most excellent, but because he cares most about collective honor. Honestly, this is a rare trait in Ravenclaw."

After saying this, Penelope buried herself back in her book.

Terry and Sterling exchanged glances and shrugged.

"Almost feast time. Don't forget, senior."

"Won't. After all, it's the House Cup after so long. We won't actively pursue it, but since it's in our hands, we're happy to celebrate."

Penelope waved her hand as farewell.

Sterling and Terry also waved, leaving the common room. Looking at the somewhat spacious corridor, Sterling suddenly felt strange.

"The school year's over."

"Yeah. Remember to visit me during summer vacation. I'll write you."

"That depends on handling my matters. I should be going to London."

"Andrew's matter? If you need help, I can get some from my dad. Like, say, ointment or potion blocking the Trace?"

Terry patted his chest. "He's a Mystery Department Unspeakable after all. Has lots of good stuff. He doesn't even come home. Forget taking a bit, I could sell everything and he'd probably take a year or two discovering it, since he only comes home once every year or two."

"The Trace?" Sterling repeated. He seemingly hadn't heard of this.

"Used to prevent underage wizards from using magic anywhere, breaking secrecy laws. Starts from the first year of every holiday. You escaped it because you didn't go home for Christmas. Otherwise, you should've signed the contract then."

"So after signing the contract, can't use magic?"

Sterling was considering using "Witness of the Author" to erase the Trace after signing. Oh, Terry said he had methods, so that was unnecessary.

Now, unless absolutely necessary, Sterling generally wouldn't use "Witness of the Author."

"No, no, no, it's detecting on wands. Using wands to cast draws the Ministry's attention. They'll issue warnings, even expel you."

"Then no problem. You know I don't need wands to cast."

"Still better with the ointment. I'll mail you when I get home. I remember which drawer the old guy keeps it in."

"Thanks."

Sterling nodded and raised his head, seeing blue ribbons hanging at the Great Hall entrance.

"You finally came! Hurry, over here!"

Padma spotted them at once, immediately standing up and waving them over.

The Great Hall was already lively. Besides Slytherin, all houses were happy. After all, breaking Slytherin's consecutive championship. Among them, Gryffindor was most active. Yes, Ravenclaw actually didn't look as cheerful as Gryffindor.

Except for a certain beaming prefect discussing future championship prospects with friends, Ravenclaws only smiled. Their personalities meant they wouldn't be too enthusiastic.

As for Gryffindor? They couldn't care less. Slytherin unhappy? Then they must be happy.

Sterling sat beside Hermione and looked at the book in her hands.

"Lockhart's book? I remember Professor McGonagall said it has deficiencies in authenticity."

That was "Break with a Banshee." Sterling hadn't read this one, but he'd read other Lockhart books.

Professor McGonagall was indeed right. Lockhart often had obvious errors in some advanced magical knowledge. However, his plotlines were dramatic.

As leisure reading, they were excellent.

"Yeah, I'm not expecting to learn anything real from it. At first I did—after all, he won an Order of Merlin and these are supposedly his true personal experiences."

Hermione closed the book and stuffed it in her bag.

"But when I asked Professor Flitwick about some questions from the book, he told me Lockhart's books sacrifice accuracy for entertainment. Reading them for fun is fine, I suppose. The term's over anyway, and even though I'm studying ahead over summer vacation, I deserve a little break."

Studying ahead—probably hoping to catch up to Terry, Sterling thought.

Sterling estimated that after one summer vacation, he could make up for his own shortcomings.

"Speaking of which, that eagle banner behind the professor's table always feels rather ordinary?"

Padma pointed at the banner that had just hung tonight. Sterling looked. Felt quite nice to him.

However, Padma had been studying magical paintings recently. In aesthetics, she was more authoritative.

"Oh, Professor Dumbledore's here! Starting, starting!"

Terry patted Sterling. They looked at each other toward the professor's table. Smiling Dumbledore was also looking at them. He nodded, then lightly tapped his cup.

"Another school year's passed." After everyone shifted attention to him, he stood up, tone emotional:

"This school year differed from all previous ones. Yes, so much happened. Halloween and the just-passed months. This school year's Hogwarts stories perhaps exceeded the previous seven years combined."

Mentioning Halloween and past months, many people nodded emphatically.

Dark wizard Quirrell!

Though Dumbledore never gave specific explanation for "Halloween Thriller Night," students reasoned that since the "Hogwarts Brawl Incident" was Quirrell's doing, then "Halloween Thriller Night" was probably also his.

Quirrell was so terrible!

"But I'm very happy we didn't suffer irreparable harm in these troubling matters. Even disturbed by these events, you still grew one year at Hogwarts."

"Yes, please believe, Hogwarts will always protect its children. Alright, I think you don't like hearing me ramble. Then let's directly enter the most interesting segment."

"Let's see. First, Ravenclaw: 574 points."

The Hall erupted with scattered gasps. This score was uncommon even in Hogwarts's history.

Too high, nearing 600 points.

Usually, at House Cup settlement, four houses generally ranged between 300 to 500 points.

"Slytherin: 456 points."

"Hufflepuff: 421 points."

"Gryffindor: 394 points."

Professor McGonagall used her champagne glass to block her downturned mouth.

Gryffindor was lowest again. She could only console herself that at least Dumbledore had announced eliminating all house point changes occurring during Voldemort's influence over Hogwarts. Otherwise, whether the current Gryffindor would even be positive was unclear.

Thinking this, Professor McGonagall's hand suddenly clenched. If not for several foolish lions actively fighting Slytherin after Voldemort's influence removal, losing big points while letting Snape find reasons to add points to Slytherin. Relying on Harry's suddenly excellent mid-term performance, earning those points, Gryffindor could have at least matched Slytherin!

"I think it's already clear, isn't it?"

Dumbledore smiled, his thumb stroking his graying beard.

"But regarding Halloween and recent events, I must make some additions for our little heroes."

Ravenclaws instantly sat straight. They didn't want any variables affecting the within-reach House Cup.

Sterling and his friends weren't anxious. They knew their own affairs. They'd only climb higher in scores.

"First Halloween. Perhaps you don't know, that was evil dark wizard Quirrell's probe of Hogwarts."

Many students showed "as expected" expressions.

"And we should thank a Ravenclaw student, Sterling Page. He sensitively discovered Quirrell's sinister plan and timely informed me, strangling a disaster in the cradle."

"Therefore, I'll add one hundred points to Ravenclaw for his attentiveness and responsibility."

Too little, Terry thought.

However, since they'd chosen to hide the facts, this score for Dumbledore's stated "truth" seemed very generous.

If they truly revealed Sterling and Voldemort confronting in the Forbidden Forest, adding 400 points wouldn't raise objections.

Ravenclaw's table immediately erupted in vigorous applause. Robert ran to Sterling trying to give him a big hug. Sterling pushed him away.

"Then, in recent days, Quirrell's final conspiracy. Sterling Page, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Terry Boot, and Hermione Granger all played critical roles!"

"Sterling Page frontally restrained Quirrell, buying time for professors' arrival. I'll add one hundred points to Ravenclaw for his superb magical accomplishments and fearless courage."

"Harry Potter assisted Sterling Page in stalling Quirrell. I'll also add one hundred points to Gryffindor for his bravery and helping friends."

"Ron Weasley helped notify professors of Quirrell's hiding place. I'll add fifty points to Gryffindor for his loyalty to friends."

"Terry Boot used his clever head to find Quirrell hidden in Hogwarts. I'll add fifty points to Ravenclaw for his intelligence."

"Hermione Granger also made undeniable contributions in finding Quirrell's hiding place. Therefore, Ravenclaw gets another fifty points."

"Finally! A special contribution award!"

Dumbledore raised his hand. A golden trophy flew from his palm, slowly floating before Sterling.

"Awarded to Sterling Page and his friends, Utopia. I think you've perhaps heard their little club's name? To commend their contributions to Hogwarts!"

Finally, Dumbledore spread both hands, raising them upward.

"Sterling Page!"

"Sterling Page!"

"Sterling Page!"

Even reserved Ravenclaw couldn't suppress their joy. 874 points!

Hogwarts' highest score ever!

No Hogwarts student could refuse this honor. Children from all-Ravenclaw families were already prepared for parental admiration.

This glory they shared.

Sterling also smiled. Together with Terry, he raised the trophy engraved "Utopia," with the names of seven members inscribed below in small characters.

"Sterling! Don't graduate! Stay in the first year forever, okay? Sob!"

"No! Let go! Your snot's getting on me!"

"Hahahaha, Sterling, you finally got yours!"

Robert tearfully pounced on Sterling. Sterling's face showed dismay as he desperately kept his sleeves from Robert's nose. Terry clapped and cheered beside them.

"Hey boys, advance wishes for a happy summer vacation?"

Padma raised her grape juice to Hermione.

Hermione raised her orange juice like an adult, clinking glasses.

"Same wishes to you."

"Ah, our magnificent first year's finally over."