Green Power
On the final night before they were to leave Hogwarts, the entire student body gathered in the Great Hall for the last feast of the year.
The moment Leo stepped inside, he see it.
Green.
Banners draped from the ceiling, silver trim catching the candlelight. Serpents coiled proudly on every hanging flag. The Slytherin table gleamed like it had already won—because it had.
The Slytherins themselves looked insufferable.
They were louder than usual, smug grins plastered on their faces, green ties perfectly straight as if they'd rehearsed this moment. Leo scowled, sliding onto the Hufflepuff bench beside his friends.
Third place.
Despite everything—despite the points he'd earned, despite Cedric's and Leo perfect scores, despite all their hard work—Hufflepuff had landed in third…
Free points, he thought bitterly, eyes flicking toward the Slytherin table. Handed out like sweets.
He muttered under his breath, "Honestly, with the way Snape gives Slytherin points for breathing, the other professors should've deducted some just to even it out."
Cedric shot him a warning look. "Leo."
"I know," Leo sighed, slumping slightly. "They're not petty. I just… wish one of them would be."
Across the hall, Professor McGonagall sat stiffly at the staff table. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, her expression tight and no smile in sight.
Gryffindor was last.
Leo glanced toward their table and instantly knew why.
The Weasley twins were standing on the bench, joking loudly, surrounded by laughter and cheers. Popular. Untouchable. Completely unconcerned.
Leo taught for a minute. He wondered if there ever someone in that house would ever try and beat them up for losing point like it was water, if there is someone it should probably be Percy, seeing Percy look at the twin menacingly.
Still, he sighed and leaned back.
At least Hufflepuff wasn't last. He grinned at that taught.
Ravenclaw, for their part, looked perfectly content. Many of them wore satisfied expressions—not because of the House Cup, but because they knew their exam scores outshone Slytherin's. If Slytherin won the cup, Ravenclaw had won the year academically.
A quiet revenge—but a sweet one.
As murmurs filled the hall, Professor Dumbledore finally rose from his seat and stepped up to the podium.
The hall slowly quieted.
"Well now," Dumbledore said cheerfully, eyes twinkling behind his half-moon glasses, "another year has come to a close. I must say, this year had been fun."
A ripple of laughter passed through the students.
"There have been triumphs," he continued, "moments of courage, dedication, and—most importantly—growth. Growth not only in skill, but in character."
Leo folded his hands, listening intently.
"And so," Dumbledore said, lifting his arms slightly, "with the final tally of House points accounted for… I am pleased to announce that this year's House Cup goes to—Slytherin."
The Great Hall erupted.
Green and silver robes exploded into cheers, stomping feet, and loud applause. The Slytherin table roared in triumph. Professor snape stood to clap exaggeratedly, and for the first time Leo could remember—
Professor Snape clapped.
Not slowly. Not reluctantly.
Proudly.
Leo exhaled through his nose and looked away.
He taught snape was allergic to put his hand together but I guess he wasn't.
Moments later, the feast finally began.
Platters of food appeared in waves—roast chicken, honey-glazed ham, golden potatoes, steaming vegetables, pies stacked impossibly high. Desserts followed: treacle tart, chocolate éclairs, fruit trifles, and towering cakes decorated in every house colour.
Despite everything, laughter returned.
Rowan piled his plate high.
Maribel debated loudly whether pudding should count as a historical artifact.
Tobias tried to steal Elowen's dessert and failed spectacularly.
Cedric ate calmly, already congratulating others.
Leo took a bite and joking with everyone.