Of course, Diana didn't come in the end, because for some reason, she rarely appeared in places like school where there were many people.
But despite this, she still sent a Howler to Dumbledore.
Nobody knew the contents of the Howler, it was just that on that day, someone saw a Phoenix over the Quidditch Pitch, and the castle's portraits added a group of braggart old men and women.
"That little girl is terrifying..."
Someone passing by the corridor heard a big-nosed wizard complaining to a witch beside him:
"She even insulted us... Merlin's socks, what does Dumbledore hiring Death Eaters as professors have to do with us? I've been dead for over three hundred years..."
Dumbledore? Death Eaters?
The student felt he had discovered something, hurriedly stopped, wanting to listen clearly.
But when he turned to look at the portrait, he found the people inside were chasing a short-legged horse, not talking at all.
And beside him... two witches were having afternoon tea.
"Did I just hear wrong?" He scratched his head, puzzled, and left.
By the time afternoon came... Chris did show up.
But Kael felt he was more using this chance to visit friends at school, hardly exchanged a few words with him, but chatted very animatedly with Professor Flitwick beside him.
Later, Professor McGonagall also came, the three chatted more joyfully, and ultimately went off to the Three Broomsticks for drinks together.
Kael watched them leave the castle, wide-eyed, and silently gave a thumbs-up in his heart.
As for Harry, he was still in the Hospital Wing, lying miserably on a bed.
The Dursleys didn't come, and he wasn't surprised at all.
He was upset because he ultimately couldn't participate in the last Quidditch match; Madam Pomfrey refused to let him be discharged no matter what.
And to fend off the persistently hovering Oliver Wood, she even enlisted Filch to guard the door.
Without him as the Seeker, Gryffindor's morale hit rock bottom, getting trounced by Ravenclaw.
Cho caught the Golden Snitch seven minutes into the match, leaving them no time to score.
After the game ended, they were tied for first... last place, with Slytherin, who had consecutively lost three matches.
At that time, Professor McGonagall's face was frighteningly grim.
Some young wizards claimed they saw Professor McGonagall take Wood to the Astronomy Tower... seemingly aiming to hang him up at the castle's highest point for a good reflection.
But later, it was proven to be a rumor... In fact, Professor McGonagall returned to her office right after the match, and never came out again.
...
Just like that, time quickly arrived at the last day before the holidays.
That night, everyone went to attend the end-of-year banquet.
When Kael and others arrived at the Auditorium, it was already packed. The hall was redecorated in the yellow and black representing Hufflepuff, celebrating their consecutive two-year winning of the House Cup. A large banner with the Hufflepuff badger was hung on the wall behind the guest tables.
The Quidditch championship added quite a few points, letting them overtake Slytherin at the last moment, becoming first place.
The Auditorium was lively beyond measure, everyone anticipating the upcoming vacation, until Dumbledore arrived, and the noise gradually subsided.
"Ah, another year has passed..."
At the table, Kael wasn't interested in listening to what Dumbledore said.
He was rather curious, wondering if Hufflepuff could ultimately win the House Cup this year.
Dumbledore didn't let him wait long...
"Now, we shall first proceed with the House Cup awarding ceremony, the specific scores for each house are as follows:
Fourth place, Gryffindor, 410 points.
Third place, Ravenclaw, 436 points.
Second place, Slytherin, 495 points.
First place, Hufflepuff, 500 points!"
The Hufflepuff table erupted in thunderous cheers and stomping, but Kael didn't celebrate, he knew very well... this definitely wasn't the final result.
"Yes, yes, well done, Hufflepuff." Dumbledore said: "However, a few recent events must be calculated into it as well."
The hall became very quiet, Cedric and their smiles also restrained somewhat.
Dumbledore cleared his throat:
"I have a few more points to distribute, let me see...
"First, Mr. Kael Chopper..."
Kael was somewhat surprised, not expecting himself to be the first.
"... For his outstanding herbal abilities, helping the house resolve the shortage of potion materials, and aiding in finding lost precious items, I reward Hufflepuff House with fifty points!"
The Hufflepuff students were overjoyed, several people familiar with Kael, like Cedric and Mikel, were even more dancing with excitement.
But Kael could hardly smile at all.
Potion materials?
No wonder when he went to the restricted area again, he couldn't even find a trace of Chomping Cabbage...
"Second, Mr. Ron Weasley... for winning the most exciting chess game Hogwarts has seen in many years, I reward Gryffindor House with fifty points!"
This time, cheers moved to the Gryffindor side, Ron's face turned red instantly, looking like a dried red carrot baked by the sun.
Percy loudly told the other prefects: "That's my brother, you know! My youngest brother, who passed Professor McGonagall's Giant Chessboard Array smoothly!"
It took a while before everybody calmed down.
"Third..."
Then, Dumbledore added fifty points each for Hermione and Harry.
Gryffindor rose by a total of one hundred and fifty points, now standing at 560 points, narrowly surpassing Hufflepuff.
Did they just snatch the House Cup from last place?!
After a brief silence, the cheers from the Gryffindor table nearly lifted the magically enchanted ceiling.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood up cheering loudly, the Weasley Brothers even stood on chairs waving their hats, facing Kael, laughing triumphantly.
"What this means!" Dumbledore had to shout loudly to overpower the thunderous cheers. "We need to make a few small changes to the decorations here."
He clapped his hands, and instantly, the yellow drapes changed to bright red, black changed to gold, the giant Hufflepuff badger faded away, replaced by a majestic Gryffindor lion.
After many days, Professor McGonagall finally showed a long-awaited smile.
But just as she was about to shake hands with Professor Sprout...
"Bang bang bang!"
Suddenly someone knocked on the Auditorium door, then seven old wizards with gray hair pushed open the door and hurriedly walked in.
The one walking at the forefront was holding a delicate box.
He looked at the bustling hall, and said with a smile: "Thank Merlin, Hogwarts hasn't started its holiday yet, looks like we arrived just in time."