human again / hp.

Chapter 20

The air in the Great Hall was heavy with anticipation. Green and silver banners gleamed in the torchlight, proclaiming Slytherin's dominance for yet another year. The students chatted energetically over their meals, but there was a sense of finality in the atmosphere as Dumbledore rose from his seat.

Harry, his arm still in a sling, stepped into the corridor leading to the hall. Above him, Hermione and Ron leaned over the railing, their expressions lighting up when they saw him.

"All right there, Ron?" Harry called, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"All right," Ron replied, grinning. "You?"

"Getting there." Harry shrugged with his good shoulder. "Hermione?"

"Never better," Hermione replied brightly.

Celeste appeared beside them, her arms crossed but a mischievous smile playing on her face. "Late as usual, Potter. Thought you were going to miss the grand finale."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Harry shot back with a chuckle.

The four of them entered the Great Hall together, their eyes immediately drawn to the imposing Slytherin banners hanging above. Harry's gaze flicked to the teacher's table, where Dumbledore was nodding toward Professor McGonagall. A sharp clink of her spoon against a glass silenced the hall, and all eyes turned toward the headmaster.

Dumbledore rose, his magnified voice carrying easily over the hall. "Another year gone. And now, as I understand it, the House Cup needs awarding."

The room fell utterly silent, the tension palpable.

"The points stand thus: In fourth place, Gryffindor, with 262 points."

A polite smattering of applause arose from the Gryffindor table. Celeste clapped half-heartedly, her face set in a scowl. "This is a joke," she muttered.

"In third place, Hufflepuff, with 352 points."

The applause grew louder, and the Hufflepuff table cheered with a cheerful hum of good sportsmanship.

"In second place, Ravenclaw, with 426 points."

More cheers erupted, this time accompanied by some triumphant whoops.

"And in first place, with 472 points—Slytherin House."

The Slytherin table erupted with cheers and smug laughter. Draco Malfoy sneered at the Gryffindors, who glared back with barely concealed frustration.

"Yes, yes, well done, Slytherin," Dumbledore said, raising his hands to quiet the hall. "However, recent events must be taken into account."

At this, the Gryffindor table perked up, heads lifting with cautious hope.

"I have a few last-minute points to award," Dumbledore continued, his eyes twinkling. "To Miss Hermione Granger, for the cool use of intellect while others were in grave peril, 50 points."

Hermione's mouth fell open in shock as the Gryffindor table erupted into cheers.

"Good job," Harry said, giving her a gentle pat on the back. Celeste leaned closer, grinning. "Didn't even break a sweat, huh?"

"To Mr. Ronald Weasley," Dumbledore continued, "for the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen these many years, 50 points."

Ron's eyes widened, and his face turned beet red. The cheers from Gryffindor were even louder this time.

"You earned it," Celeste said, elbowing him playfully. "Even if you did scare us half to death."

"And third," Dumbledore said, his tone growing slightly more serious, "to Mr. Harry Potter, for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor House 60 points."

But Dumbledore wasn't finished. His eyes twinkled as he looked directly at me. "And to Miss Celeste Malfoy, for remarkable resolve, courage, and loyalty under pressure, I award 50 points."

I blinked, stunned. "Wait, what?"

The Gryffindors roared, their cheers reverberating around the hall.

"Harry," Hermione whispered urgently, her mind working furiously. "We're tied with Slytherin!"

Dumbledore's expression turned thoughtful as he looked out over the students. "And finally," he began, "it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but an even greater deal to stand up to your friends." His gaze shifted meaningfully to the Gryffindor table.

I leaned forward, a flutter of hope rising in my chest.

"I award 10 points to Neville Longbottom."

The Gryffindor table exploded into applause, their cheers deafening as they realized what this meant.

The Gryffindors screamed their approval, and Hermione grabbed my arm, shaking me. "Celeste! We've done it! We've won!"

Dumbledore smiled, spreading his arms. "Assuming my calculations are correct, I believe a change of decoration is in order."

With a clap of his hands, the Slytherin banners shifted. Green and silver melted into red and gold, and the Gryffindor lion roared proudly from the fabric.

The hall erupted into cheers, not just from the Gryffindor table, but also from the Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs. Hats flew into the air, and students jumped to their feet in excitement.

"Gryffindor wins the House Cup," Dumbledore announced.

Amid the celebration, I glanced over at the Slytherin table. My twin sat sulking, his face contorted in anger as he slammed his hat onto the table.

Afterwards he looked me in the eye and gave me a look that told me he would tell our father.

As the celebration swirled around us, Hermione grabbed my hand, pulling me into a hug. "We did it, Celeste. We really did it."

"Yeah," I said, forgetting my father for a moment and feeling the warmth of the moment settle over me. "We really did."