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With Christmas over, everyone slipped back into their normal routines. Thanks to Quirrell and Voldemort being dealt with, the second half of the semester passed without any major incidents—just ordinary classes and ordinary exams.
Before the exams, Tom's translation shop had turned into everyone's unofficial study base.
The spacious room was filled with review materials. Hermione had even taken the initiative to prepare summarized notes for every subject.
Tom, of course, didn't miss the opportunity. During exam week, he made multiple copies of Professor Binns' History of Magic notes and the Potions revision points he'd gotten from Snape. Together with Hermione's notes, he sold them to the first-years for one Sickle per subject.
Hermione had some objections at first, but she eventually gave in to Tom's money-driven persuasion.
As Tom put it, he was only selling review notes. Even if other students bought them, it would only narrow down their study scope—it wouldn't affect the fairness of the exams.
Plus, the profit split he offered her was extremely generous. In the end, Hermione chose to yield. This was the moment little Hermione finally understood what it meant when people said money makes the world go round. She had thought she didn't care about money—turns out she just hadn't been offered enough.
After this little venture, Hermione's reputation spread through the school. Especially after the exams, when the younger students realized her review materials had covered almost everything that appeared on the tests.
Of course, covering the material didn't mean everyone scored high. Ron, for example, completely bombed History of Magic. He'd always hated the subject—too many scattered facts. Even with Tom and Hermione's condensed notes, he still failed.
Harry didn't do much better in Potions. He couldn't exactly turn into Harriet for the exam, so under Snape's death glare, he ended up with a P.
As for the actual rankings—Tom was, without question, first in the year. Right behind him in second place was our resident know-it-all, Hermione.
He had his pride to maintain, after all. If he couldn't even beat a bunch of first-years, a certain smelly mouse would never let him live it down.
Thankfully, Tom defended his dignity. Even with his cheating abilities, he still secured first place with perfect scores across the board.
"This isn't fair! I didn't even see you during the History of Magic exam!"
When Hermione found out Tom had beaten her, she was genuinely upset. Forget everything else—she hadn't seen him at all during the History of Magic test. How the hell did he still get full marks?
[Professor gave me special permission. What can I say? I am the most charming cat in all of Hogwarts~]
Tom wore an infuriatingly smug expression. In reality, it was true. As Professor Binns' teaching assistant, the first-year History of Magic exam had been laughably easy for him.
Some of the exam questions had even been written by him! Under those circumstances, why would he need to actually take the test?
Of course, he kept that part to himself.
"Don't even get me started on Potions and Flying," Hannah complained from the side, looking annoyed. "Tom didn't take those exams either."
[After all, I'm a genius~ If you could break free from the textbook and brew a proper potion using your own methods, even Snape wouldn't be able to find fault with you no matter how much he dislikes you.
As for Flying? If you could fly faster on those school brooms than Harry on his Nimbus 2000, Madam Hooch would let you skip the exam too~]
Tom looked innocent, but everyone could clearly see the smugness in his eyes.
"…"
"…"
Watching Tom act so insufferable, everyone felt their teeth itch with frustration. But they couldn't argue—he was right.
Even Hermione, the smartest one in their year and the only person ranked right below Tom, had earned second place through her own ability. Tom had taken first because first place was simply the highest rank possible.
The gap between them was like a chasm that couldn't be crossed.
Draco had even more to say on the matter. Tom had also skipped the practical portions of Charms and Transfiguration, which were taken together with Slytherin.
Of course, he still took the written theory exams. But even that was ridiculous!
Professor Flitwick was one thing—he was eccentric enough to allow it. But Professor McGonagall, the strict Deputy Headmistress? Letting Tom skip the exam and still giving him full marks? If Draco hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he never would've believed it.
Good thing I didn't fall out with Tom. Otherwise…
Just imagining the consequences made Draco's back feel cold.
"Still, it's finally over. Now we just have the House Cup left. Time really flew by. Feels like I only just got off the train yesterday."
Ron sounded a little sentimental.
"Technically it's been nine months and twelve days," Hermione said, flipping open her notebook and jotting something down. "I counted—we had 142 Potions classes this semester, and Snape deducted—"
"Alright, Hermione," Harry cut in. "It's over. Let me enjoy the break before the House Cup points are announced."
"I can't help it," Hermione closed her notebook and rolled her eyes at him. "Who told our Savior to be so unlucky that he missed the Quidditch final? If Gryffindor had won the Quidditch Cup, the House Cup would've been in the bag."
"Well…"
Harry had no comeback.
He had missed the Quidditch final. Even though the confrontation with Voldemort had ended early, Harry still managed to get himself benched. A few days after exams, while visiting Norberta and the others in the Forbidden Forest, he hadn't paid attention and got scratched by an aconite plant.
The poison landed him in the Hospital Wing. According to Madam Pomfrey, if he hadn't been carrying the antidote Snape had given him for Christmas, he might not have even made it there.
Because of the incident, his already shaky Potions grade dropped from an A to a P, and Gryffindor lost a decent number of house points along with it.
"Hahaha, how stupid of you, Potter."
Draco couldn't help laughing. He'd been worried Gryffindor might overtake Slytherin with Quidditch points, but the idiot Potter had gone and gotten himself sent to the Hospital Wing.
"Laugh all you want. It's not like Slytherin has the House Cup locked down either."
Harry shot back, refusing to back down.
Even though their private relationship had improved, that didn't stop them from clashing publicly—especially when House pride was on the line.
"So what? I already did my best. As long as we beat you Gryffindors, that's enough."
Draco shrugged, putting on an indifferent expression.
He didn't have much choice. Pansy had caused way too much trouble this year and had also managed to piss off Professor Snape. Every time Snape saw her, he remembered what she'd said and found an excuse to deduct points from her.
Of course, after deducting points from Slytherin, Snape would fairly add the same amount to Gryffindor. So over the course of the semester, the hole Pansy had dug just kept getting deeper.
Winning the Quidditch Cup might have made up for it, but Ravenclaw had taken advantage of Harry's absence and racked up enough points to overtake Slytherin and claim the Quidditch Cup instead.
So whether Slytherin could still win the House Cup was uncertain. From the current standings, it didn't look likely—but they could probably still beat Gryffindor.
Just like that, under everyone's anticipation, the house points were finally tallied, and the end-of-year feast arrived.
For this special occasion, the Great Hall had been decorated in a completely new way. The colors weren't the green and silver of Slytherin, which had dominated for the past six years. Instead, they were the blue and bronze of Ravenclaw.
"Another year comes to an end."
As Dumbledore stood up, the Great Hall fell silent. "This year has certainly been one to remember. We welcomed three new professors and overcame many challenges. Now, it's finally time to rest and reflect on everything we've gained."
He paused, looking at the expectant young wizards with a small smile. "But before that, we have the House Cup to award. The current scores are as follows:
Gryffindor: 396 points
Hufflepuff: 406 points
Slytherin: 456 points
Ravenclaw: 476 points"
When Dumbledore announced the results, everyone except Slytherin erupted into cheers. They had finally broken Slytherin's six-year winning streak.
Slytherin's side was completely silent. Almost every student looked miserable—especially Pansy, whose face had gone deathly pale. If she hadn't lost so many points, Slytherin would still have the House Cup even without winning Quidditch.
Draco, on the other hand, looked fairly calm. While he was disappointed Slytherin hadn't secured a seventh consecutive win, he had already seen this coming.
Thanks to the Quidditch points, Ravenclaw had overtaken Slytherin by twenty points. If Slytherin had won the Quidditch Cup, they would have dominated the other three houses by a huge margin.
But what was done was done. There was no changing it now. While he was annoyed, it was mostly because Ravenclaw had won instead of Hufflepuff. If it had been Hufflepuff, he could've accepted it—after all, Tom was an actual cheat.
Whatever. At least Gryffindor is dead last~
With that thought, Draco's gaze landed on Harry, who—like the rest of Gryffindor—was cheering for Ravenclaw's victory.
They're in last place and still this happy. Typical stupid lions.
Draco thought to himself.
But just then, Dumbledore spoke again. "Congratulations. Ravenclaw has done very well. However, there are a few special circumstances we should also take into account."
Here it comes. Classic Dumbledore can't handle losing.
Hearing Dumbledore's words, Tom sat up straighter. He was very curious which house Dumbledore would ultimately give the House Cup to this time.
Excluding the least likely candidate, Slytherin, and the current leader, Ravenclaw, both Hufflepuff and Gryffindor had a chance.
Gryffindor was the house Dumbledore had come from, and both Harry and Ariana were there. It would be normal for him to favor them. On the other hand, Hufflepuff had Tom. Winning the House Cup was also very possible.
Either way, Tom was genuinely curious whether Dumbledore would pick Gryffindor or Hufflepuff.
"First, Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Ariana. When faced with evil, you showed courage and wisdom without arrogance or fear.
For your wisdom and bravery, I award Gryffindor twenty points—five points to each of you."
As soon as he finished speaking, the red rubies in Gryffindor's hourglass rose until they were nearly level with Ravenclaw's.
Dumbledore continued without pause. "Next, Hannah Abbott and Tom Lovegood. When faced with danger, you stepped forward and bravely protected your friends.
For your loyalty and integrity, I award Hufflepuff forty points."
See? Old man's still biased toward Gryffindor.
Tom rolled his eyes as he watched the yellow gems rise but still fall short of the other three houses.
Dumbledore wasn't done yet. "Also, Draco Malfoy."
The entire Great Hall went quiet when they heard Draco's name. The students who had been whispering stopped and stared at Dumbledore in disbelief, unable to understand why he would mention Draco.
"When faced with temptation, you showed remarkable strength of character and truly understood what it means to be a Slytherin.
Not sacrificing others to save yourself, but staying true to the path you believe is right.
For your wisdom and resolve, I award Slytherin twenty points."
Ignoring the murmurs from Slytherin, Tom looked at their hourglass with a strange expression. He didn't really care about the House Cup, but seeing three hourglasses tied and only Hufflepuff's yellow gems sitting noticeably lower still annoyed him a little.
"Of course, that's not all—"
As if sensing Tom's mood, Dumbledore continued. "Tom Lovegood, for bringing three excellent professors to the school and improving the classroom atmosphere, I award Hufflepuff an additional thirty points."
With Dumbledore's words, the yellow gems rose again until all four hourglasses were perfectly level.
Looking at the tied hourglasses, Dumbledore nodded in satisfaction. "It seems the greatest lesson Hogwarts has learned this year is how to share honor."
As he spoke, he clapped his hands. The colors of the Great Hall began to change—gold, red, green, silver, blue, bronze, yellow, and black. All eight colors wove together and decorated the entire hall.
Banners featuring the mascots of the other three houses appeared as well. The four animals stood together, watching over one another, forming the Hogwarts crest.
The Great Hall fell silent for a moment before erupting into cheers. Every student was celebrating—except for Ravenclaw.
The young eagles looked extremely complicated. It wasn't because they had lost the House Cup they were about to win. Ravenclaw had never cared that much about glory in the first place.
What annoyed them was simple: Why did the other three houses get bonus points while they didn't get a single one?!