The professors seated in the guest chairs remained unaware of what was about to unfold. Dumbledore rose to his feet once more, his cheeks flushed as if he had indulged in a generous amount of red wine.
"Children, please stand—it's time to dance."
He gestured toward the students, urging them to rise. With a flick of his wand, the long tables flew toward the sides of the Great Hall, lining the walls and leaving a wide open space in the center.
Two large platforms emerged, one forming along the left wall, and the other along the right.
"Please, join us on stage—Roman and Moriarty, bring your dance partners. You will lead the first dance," Dumbledore called out, his tone bright and festive. "Two captains, don't dawdle."
Roman, who had been chatting among friends, pulled the explosive-haired boy out from behind a pile of plates.
"Oi! So you still haven't found a dance partner," the boy teased mercilessly, jam smeared across the corner of his mouth like battle paint.
The students around them burst into laughter. Roman's expression shifted rapidly—first red, then pale, then blue with embarrassment. Still, he had long since grown used to the antics of his wild teammate. He shook his head and smiled wryly.
"I wasn't worried about myself. I knew you'd be too shy to ask anyone, so I came to accompany you. My good brother—there'll always be a place for you beside me."
The two made their way toward the left stage. On the way, the explosive-haired boy—eyes brimming with emotion—nodded fervently. His shoulders trembled with a mix of mock sorrow and giddy performance as he walked, his voice lifting into an impromptu chant.
"Hey, hey! Girls, gather round and feast your eyes on this fine Roman specimen beside me!"
Without warning, he launched into a spontaneous hip-hop routine, throwing down slick moves and beatboxing his own rhythm:
"He told me when he was young that he'd build the best Quidditch team—and be number one!
He lives for every second, every minute on the pitch!
Shouldering pressure, breaking through the storm—
He blazes like fire!
He's climbing to the peak, chasing higher goals!
But still... no girlfriend! No girlfriend! No girlfriend!"
With dramatic flair, the boy spun and gestured grandly at Roman, dragging him front and center. "You get what I'm saying, ladies? He might have his quirks, but this one here? Solid as stone. Trust me."
The hall roared with laughter. The national team players especially couldn't believe what they were seeing. The wild-haired boy was actually helping Roman get attention from girls—and at Hogwarts, of all places!
Unfortunately for Roman, the bold display had the opposite effect. Mortified, he covered his face with his hands, fingers unable to conceal the vivid red blossoming across his cheeks.
The explosive-haired boy, meanwhile, basked in the cheers, drinking in the limelight.
Lee Jordan leapt up and cheered, "Yo, that's some real black rap, man!"
A number of the black students nodded in admiration. A few even whispered among themselves, eager to pick up some of that lyrical fire.
Gradually, the laughter and chatter began to fade as students noticed the stage on the right remained empty—Moriarty hadn't moved. What was he waiting for?
The professors, intrigued, followed the students' gaze. Moriarty rose slowly, leaning on his staff with a poised elegance.
And then—whoosh—the crowd of students rose to their feet as well!
The younger students watched with wide eyes, and even the older ones bore expressions of mounting anticipation.
"Headmaster Dumbledore," Moriarty said calmly, a faint smile gracing his lips. "We have prepared a small gift—for the four Heads of House."
"A gift?" Dumbledore repeated, blinking as he glanced from one head to another, all of whom looked equally puzzled.
Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow in surprise. Snape's expression was unreadable, hovering between suspicion and dread. Professor Flitwick tilted his head, completely baffled. Professor Sprout squinted and smiled knowingly.
Clearly, none of them were in on it.
That only heightened the excitement. The students from each house glanced proudly toward their Heads, then nodded at Moriarty—Charlie and the others among them—signaling that all was ready.
Moriarty raised his staff, and from its tip emerged a luminous silver snake, coiling gracefully as it soared through the air with regal poise.
The Slytherin students immediately caught on. A sly smile danced in their eyes, and they chanted in unison:
"Slytherin, a genius among generations! Our Head of House—elegant and enchanting!"
The entire room turned toward Snape.
The national team players blinked, seemingly rediscovering that Snape did, in fact, have a gender. The board members, many of whom had attended Hogwarts with Snape, erupted into laughter.
"Elegant and enchanting?" whispered someone. "Are they talking about Sev's long hair?"
Snape's expression darkened into what could only be described as his greatest social death. His lips twitched. His eyes locked onto Moriarty, silently demanding, This is your idea of a gift?
Charming, elegant—how could he ever look his peers in the eye again?
Snape's teeth ground against each other audibly as he glared at Jericho, who was doubled over with laughter.
Still... Snape had taken the time to clean and condition his hair with rare bird snake egg yolk shampoo, and his dark locks were particularly silky today. He thought no one would notice...
You little snakes—less homework for all of you this week!
He was about to stand and reprimand them when—BOOM!
Charlie's wand sparked with a red explosion. A fiery lion leapt into the air, its mane thick and wild, its roar echoing majestically through the hall.
The Gryffindors roared: "Gryffindor, courage above all! Our Head can even turn into a cat!"
Everyone turned to Professor McGonagall, whose Animagus form was a well-known tabby cat.
Laughing brightly, she transformed on the spot and bounded across the professor's table as a cat, before hopping lightly back into her chair.
The Gryffindors clapped and cheered—only to be drowned out by the Ravenclaws.
"Ravenclaw, eternal wisdom! Our Head—legs for days!"
Professor Flitwick stood with a chuckle. Though he barely reached the height of the guest seats, he gamely twirled in place, even gesturing toward Dumbledore, whose seated frame still overtopped him.
Laughter swept through the hall again.
Then came the Hufflepuffs.
"Hufflepuff, noble of spirit! Our Head—queen of cultivation!"
Professor Sprout stood and gave a gracious bow, her students applauding wildly.
The board members nodded in approval. Mrs. Malfoy turned to those beside her and whispered, "This must be Moriarty's idea. A bit of humor, a bit of heart—nicely done."
Mr. Greengrass leaned in, watching intently. "They haven't left yet," he observed. "They're still standing. This gift isn't over."
And indeed, the students remained in place.
Moriarty raised his hand once more, and the opening notes of the Hogwarts school anthem rang out, echoing through the Great Hall.
As the music filled the air, the expressions on the students' faces shifted from joy to solemnity.
The Slytherins began, voices powerful and proud:
"We came from the quagmire.
We crave power.
We are full of ambition.
We are strong and calm.
We are graceful and self-sufficient.
We never regret it.
We are Slytherins!"
Then the Gryffindors, led by Charlie, shouted with pride:
"We come from the wilderness!
We crave power!
We are full of ideals!
We are brave and fearless!
We are righteous and courageous!
We never give up!
We are Gryffindor!"
Next came the Ravenclaws. Most were girls, and the Ravenclaw chairwoman transformed into a shimmering blue raven. The house sang softly, melodiously:
"We are from the riverside~
We are ~ so smart~
We ~ think calmly ~
We ~ seek the truth deeply ~
We ~ pursue wisdom ~
We ~ never give up ~
We are Ravenclaw!"
Finally, Tonks, standing beside Moriarty, spun dramatically into her Animagus form—a honey badger.
In hushed harmony, the Hufflepuffs sang:
"We come from the forest,
We love deeply,
We are loyal to nature,
We are honest and true,
We are steadfast and kind,
We are unafraid of danger,
We are Hufflepuff!"
Moriarty lifted his staff once more. The four animal symbols rose into the air, flying in formation toward the staff's head.
There, they merged seamlessly into the shining emblem of Hogwarts.
And together, the students cried out in thunderous unity:
"Thank you, dear Heads, for your careful guidance! Our four houses have walked together to reach this day. WE ARE HOGWARTS!"