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———GREYSON MADE HIS WAY DOWN TO THE END OF THE YEAR FEAST ALONE THAT NIGHT. He had been held up by Madam Pomfrey's fussing about, insisting on giving him one last checkup, so the Great Hall was already full.
It was decked out in the Slytherin colors of green and silver to celebrate Slytherin's winning the house cup for the seventh year in a row. A huge banner showing the Slytherin serpent covered the wall behind the High Table.
When Greyson walked in there was a sudden hush, and then everybody started talking loudly at once. He slipped into a seat between Clementine and Theo at the Slytherin table and tried to ignore the fact that people were standing up to look at him.
Fortunately, Dumbledore arrived moments later. The babble died away.
"Another year gone!" Dumbledore said cheerfully. "And I mustn't trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were–– you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts.
"Now, as I understand it, the house cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus: In fourth place, Gryffindor, with three hundred and twelve points; in third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two; Ravenclaw has four hundred and twenty-six and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy- two."
A storm of cheering and stamping broke out from the Slytherin table. Theo clapped his hand on Greyson's shoulder and shook him wildly. "We won––!"
"Yes, Yes, well done, Slytherin," Dumbledore said. "However, recent events must be taken into account."
"We didn't win?" Theo looked confused. The room went very still. The Slytherins' smiles faded a little.
"Ahem," Dumbledore smiled. "I have a few last-minute points to dish out. Let me see. Yes––
"First–– to Mr. Ronald Weasley––" Ron went purple in the face; he looked like a radish with a bad sunburn. "––for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."
Gryffindor cheers nearly raised the bewitched ceiling; the stars overhead seemed to quiver. At last there was silence again.
"Second–– to Miss Hermione Granger–– for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."
