As the slightly blinding white light seeped through his eyelids, Harry let out a long sigh of relief.
Then, three figures almost simultaneously sat up from their seats. This time, they were no longer surrounded by the battle-ravaged ruins, but by neatly arranged benches, and on the benches... were classmates who had been silent just a moment ago, now erupting with deafening cheers and whistles.
"By Merlin's patched robe! They did it?"
"Was that real just now?"
"The first ones— they are the first ones!"
Harry's mind was still lingering on that ruin, on the moment when Professor William's wand flew out of his hand, on the words Hermione had just said...
Previously, the shock from Hermione's sudden increase in power had overshadowed everything else, but now, reality's uproar surged in like a tide, and Harry finally realized— he turned to see the other two, whose faces were also mixed with fatigue and uncontainable joy.
"We…"
Ron pinched his thigh hard, wincing in pain, "Okay, this isn't a dream… no wait, that was a dream, this is not…"
Just then—
"Bang! Bang! Bang…"
With several crisp sounds, vividly colorful streamers and confetti exploded from the classroom ceiling, showering down in a brilliant rain on everyone's heads. George and Fred somehow were already standing on the benches, holding what looked like a modified firework tube, continuously blasting at the ceiling—
"Cheer for Mr. Savior, Miss Know-It-All, and dear Little Ronnie!"
Both of them shouted in unison, setting off several loud golden fireworks, Ron's protests about his nickname drowned out by the crowd's uproar.
The classroom was in a complete uproar, and other students joined in the applause.
Only, once his consciousness fully returned, Harry couldn't help but feel his cheeks warming, knowing full well that the battle wasn't as much about him as it seemed, but noticing Hermione's lack of reaction, and recalling what she said two minutes ago, he hesitated and chose to stay silent.
"Alright, settle down—"
William's voice was not loud, yet it easily overpowered the noise, as he still stood at the front of the classroom with his usual smile. He gently lifted his hand and clapped, signaling the twins to calm down.
"Thank you to the Weasley brothers for their congratulations."
William raised an eyebrow, glancing over the mess in the classroom—
"It seems you two always have an unusual enthusiasm for classroom cleaning activities, very well, as usual, after class, the cleaning of this classroom is your task, still— no magic allowed, and I'm sure Mr. Filch will be delighted to provide you with the most traditional cleaning tools and personally supervise you."
George and Fred's smiles froze momentarily—
Everyone knew by now that Filch had learned magic—there wasn't anyone in the whole castle who didn't know, for the old man never intended to hide it. Now, he was no longer as easy to fool as before— the two couldn't help but lament, quietly sitting down to reflect on themselves.
But reflection aside, if there was a next time, they'd probably act faster than they'd think.
Then, William turned his gaze to the trio, who looked slightly expectant... especially at a girl, who was looking at him with a smug expression.
'I helped you enhance your skills, not for you to do this…'
'Then don't worry about it.'
They exchanged a short glance of understanding before William spoke again, "As everyone can see."
His voice clearly resonated through the classroom, "Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, Mr. Weasley, successfully completed a little... surprise I set up in the 'Sleepwalking'."
He paused, searching for the right words, "It was definitely a challenge requiring high cooperation and adaptability, and since the beginning of the course, they are the first team to clear it completely..."
So, the classroom erupted into even more enthusiastic applause, as others had attempted the hidden stage, but after all the Boss was William.
"For this."
Once the applause subsided a bit, William continued, "As a reward, and as recognition of their excellent performance, this weekend, I will personally sponsor a... little extracurricular practice activity, the specific content of which will temporarily remain a secret, but I promise, it will definitely be a lot more fun than staying in the classroom cleaning."
"Hey—"
Hearing this, the twins let out dejected boos.
"Now, class dismissed!"
William clapped his hands, "Homework remains the same, analyze the defensive gradient of the Iron Armor Spell with different magic input, six inches. Oh, Mr. Weasley— those two Mr. Weasleys, please stay behind, I know you want to sneak off... of course, if you don't mind spending every weekend for the next half-semester in detention..."
The students began to pack up and leave amidst excited chatter, many gathering around Harry, Hermione, and Ron, although most surrounded Harry, while Cedric took this moment to approach Hermione, the black-haired boy speaking softly, somewhat reproachful—
"You didn't even give me a heads-up—"
"But if I had, you would've snatched the first clear reward, right?"
Hermione responded unceremoniously, yet the rebuffed boy could only touch his nose with a helpless smile— clearly, Cedric thought Hermione had a point.
After all, who could refuse— the achievement of defeating "William" professor first?
At least he couldn't refuse at all.
The crowd gradually dispersed, the noisy classroom finally quieted again, leaving only the two Weasley brothers with grim expressions and William "conversing" with them— a notified Filch was using Levitating Spells to carry a large pile of cleaning tools, his eyes gleaming with schadenfreude.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron also left the classroom with the others, the cool corridor air making their flushed cheeks from the excitement feel much more comfortable.
"...So, Hermione, are you going to tell the truth now?"
The three of them reached a rarely frequented tower, a place that had become their secret base since the Eight-Team Tournament, as some things weren't suitable to discuss in the common room. Here was just right— Harry spoke first, and Ron also looked over curiously.
"Although I'm more curious if that 'professor' really only had thirty percent power." Ron shrugged, "But Harry's question is a good one too—"
In the Dream Game, or "Sleepwalking," Hermione hadn't clarified this matter— a student had astonishingly increased their strength within just one week, which was simply incredible—
"Obviously," Hermione slowly started, capturing the attention of her two companions, "far more than thirty percent! I'm sure that guy was just pretending—"
"I knew it!" Ron immediately punched the air with force.