Harry watched Zabini and Ron bicker on the Hogwarts grounds, debating if someone used Polyjuice to impersonate Snape.
"You're both too harsh," Harry said. "Even Snape has a good day once a year."
"Once a year? How grumpy is he usually?" Ron replied. "My dad's tense before audits, but still."
"I want to be a happier adult," Harry mused.
Exams over, Harry felt liberated but uneasy. Hogwarts life was settling, yet the thought of returning to the Dursleys' cupboard loomed darkly. After facing mortal danger, a summer with only Asclepius to talk to felt unbearable.
"You'll be fine, Farkas. Practicals were easy, right?" Harry encouraged.
Farkas sighed. "I messed up one Transfiguration spell… fixed it, but probably lost points."
Ron feigned outrage. "Rubbing it in? My potion turned to candy!"
"I feel better now. Thanks, Weasley," Farkas said, warming up.
Ron seemed to forget Farkas was Slytherin. Compared to polished Zabini or Azrael, Harry and Farkas felt approachable.
"You botched the mint timing, Ron," Hermione teased.
"Turned herbicide into fertilizer. Not the worst mistake," Harry added. "Some ruin soil entirely."
They laughed over their blunders, except Hermione, who fretted over writing too much in History of Magic. Harry envied her perfection.
"Got plans for July 20th?" Azrael asked.
"I'm free," Harry said.
"No plans here," Zabini added. "Beach trip?"
"No, my dad's unveiling a new broom at a party. I'm attending and want my friends there," Azrael said, inviting all five, including Ron and Hermione.
"Thanks, but I don't have fancy clothes," Ron said.
"My dad'll handle it," Azrael replied. "I didn't have many friends before Hogwarts. Want to introduce my new ones. Hermione?"
Hermione sighed. "Sorry, I'm traveling that week."
"No worries, next time," Azrael said. "Harry?"
"Definitely! Might be tight with Sirius's visitation pending. My family hates magic."
"We'll disguise it as a Muggle invite from Blue Cosmos, our sports brand. No Muggle would refuse," Azrael said.
Harry blinked. "Not a wizard company?"
"You have a broom empire!" Ron exclaimed.
"Wealthy wizards build Muggle assets for versatility. It's an open secret," Azrael explained.
Ron grimaced. "That's what I can't stand."
Harry was baffled. Azrael, quintessentially Slytherin, knew Muggle ways better than Ron, who barely understood phones.
"Look, there's Gafgarion!" Zabini pointed to the Slytherin prefect relaxing nearby.
"Who?" Ron asked.
"Slytherin prefect," Azrael clarified.
"With Gryffindor's prefect, Agrias," Hermione noted.
"I need to thank Gafgarion for study help," Harry said, heading over.
"Gafgarion, exam's done," Harry greeted.
"Potter! Looks like you passed," Gafgarion replied, chatting with Gryffindor's Agrias Beorve, both relaxed post-OWLs. Agrias feigned sleep as Harry approached.
Harry returned the past papers, now revealed by Revelio. Gafgarion smirked. "Betrayed by your idol, huh?"
"Shocked at first, but it made me study harder. Thanks," Harry said.
Gafgarion scratched his head. "Why're you so sharp about this, Potter?" He ruffled Harry's hair playfully. "Stay vigilant. Knowledge comes from habit, discipline, and effort, not handouts. You get that."
"Yes," Harry nodded.
"Slytherin's virtue is cunning and loyalty to our own. But Hogwarts—no, the wizarding world—doesn't coddle slackers. Your strength protects you," Gafgarion said. "Next year, if a Slytherin shows promise, be kind. Trick them with fake past papers like I did."
"Promise," Harry vowed, feeling more Slytherin than ever. His green robes felt slightly small now.
Exams done, the Quidditch final loomed. Slytherin faced Gryffindor, aiming for an unprecedented eighth consecutive win. Harry cheered for Slytherin, apart from Ron and Hermione, joined by Umbridge, who beamed as if she were victory's muse.
Gryffindor was formidable. Captain Wood countered rough play with precise teamwork. Their female Chasers' swift passes left Slytherin little room for fouls. Gryffindor scored twice early.
Slytherin's captain, Flint, earned a penalty with a sloppy foul, tilting the game to Gryffindor. Slytherin's technician, Adrian Pucey, scored three goals, tying the match, but Fred and George's Bludger felled him. Gryffindor's twins, energized by toying with Umbridge, outplayed Slytherin's Beaters.
With Pucey out, Gryffindor dominated. Keeper Miles Bletchley blocked two shots, but Wood stopped five, sealing Slytherin's fate. Down a hundred points, Slytherin pinned hopes on their Seeker.
"No, not that way!" Harry shouted as Gryffindor's Seeker, Cormac McLaggen, darted off, Slytherin's Seeker trailing. McLaggen, spotting the Snitch closer to Slytherin's Seeker, baited them away, then reversed, using his Nimbus 2000 to snatch victory.
Gryffindor won. Harry's house retreated to their common room, subdued. The players took it hardest, and most Slytherins could only offer sympathetic glances.
"That's reality," Farkas said. Slytherins learned neither exams nor Quidditch bent to favoritism.
Draco declared, "I'll be Seeker next year and lead Slytherin to victory!"
He turned to Harry. "Join me, Potter! We'll fight for Seeker. Winner takes Slytherin's top spot."
"Deal. I'll give my all. Whoever wins, Slytherin strengthens. Though I'll win," Harry grinned, already plotting to exploit Draco's flying habits.
In the headmaster's office, Dumbledore praised Dolores Umbridge for taking on Defense mid-term. "You did well, Dolores."
Umbridge basked in the praise, believing it secured her Ministry ascent. "My pleasure, Headmaster. I'll return anytime to instill discipline."
Dumbledore saw her flaws but said nothing. Only failure would teach her. "Enforcing rules invites dislike. It's lonely work. You endured."
"Rules need enforcers and followers," Umbridge replied. "I saw how teachers toil. The Ministry will reform education soon."
"Reform," Dumbledore echoed, staying silent. Her overreach would fail, paving the way for better reformers.
Umbridge joined the feast, her dark desires to harm students checked by her limited authority. Unchanged, she left without reflection.
Packing in the dorm, Harry dreaded the Dursleys. Zabini handed him a pill. "Firewhisky? Blue's the antidote."
"Hot-Tongue Potion. Makes food taste spicy. Upperclassmen say the Ministry tracks magic, not potions. Slip it to any Muggle who bothers you. They'll regret it without the antidote," Zabini smirked.
"Thanks. I'm almost excited to face them," Harry laughed, deciding not to use it. The potion reminded him of his friends. With Hagrid's photo of his parents, he steeled himself for the Dursleys.
The Great Hall glowed crimson for Gryffindor. Cormac McLaggen basked in glory, though slightly annoying peers. Hermione's relentless scoring, despite mockery and isolation, secured Gryffindor's win.
I need to step up, Harry thought. He'd earned points, but not enough for victory.
Dumbledore announced, "Before summer empties your minds, let's honor this year's efforts."
"Hufflepuff, fourth, 352 points." Cheers erupted; they prided their honest points.
"Slytherin, third, 382 points." Half-hearted claps followed; the eighth win slipped away.
"Ravenclaw, second, 426 points." They gloated over besting Slytherin.
"Gryffindor, first, 472 points!" Explosive cheers rang out.
Slytherin's 382 trailed Gryffindor's 472 by 90. Hermione alone likely scored over 100.
"Well done, Gryffindor. But recent deeds demand recognition," Dumbledore said.
Gafgarion whispered to Harry, "Top performers get last-minute points. Probably Gryffindor's Seeker."
McLaggen beamed, expecting praise.
Dumbledore declared, "First, Farkas Sadalfas. For disarming multiple foes without harm, Slytherin gains 30 points."
"Nice, Farkas!" Slytherins roared.
"Next, Bloom Azrael. For sound judgment and trusting teachers to save friends, Slytherin gains 30 points."
Azrael protested, but cheers drowned him out. Ravenclaws paled as Slytherin surged.
"Blaise Zabini, for Hogwarts' finest performance, Slytherin gains 50 points."
Slytherins exploded, girls swarming Zabini. Harry high-fived him. "Twenty more than us. Stone challenge, maybe?"
Ron and Hermione earned 50 each for chess and logic puzzles, totaling 100 for Gryffindor. Slytherin hit 492, Gryffindor 572—an 80-point gap.
Eyes on Harry, he felt uneasy. "Sixth, Harry Potter. For unwavering resolve, bravery, and compassion, Slytherin gains 60 points."
Gryffindor cheered; Slytherin groaned. The 20-point gap persisted.
"Courage varies," Dumbledore continued, awarding Neville Longbottom 10 points for confronting friends, leaving him tearful.
Finally, Dumbledore eyed Slytherin. "Friendship is complex. Some stand by friends; others oppose them for greater good. For true friendship, Draco Malfoy, Vincent Crabbe, and Gregory Goyle each earn 10 points—30 total for Slytherin."
"My calculations show… Gryffindor and Slytherin tie at 582 points!"
With a wand flick, crimson and green banners adorned the hall, sharing one cup. Slytherin erupted, Gryffindor grumbled but vowed to win next time.
Harry smiled at Draco, basking in Gafgarion's praise. Dumbledore's magic lifted Slytherin's spirits. Some Gryffindors glared at Harry, but he laughed with Zabini and Farkas.
"Dumbledore played us," Harry said.
"Take the praise," Zabini grinned.
"Slytherin accepts flattery," Azrael quipped.
"You overuse that," Harry teased.
"Fun's what matters," Azrael replied.
Harry thought, Dumbledore's great, making everyone smile, but I hate him. I'll master magic and defeat Voldemort.
He chased the century's greatest wizard, driven by his towering shadow.
At King's Cross, Harry saw Zabini's elegant mother and Azrael's towering father. A Muggle-dressed man approached—Sirius, youthful behind sunglasses.
"Sirius!" Harry rushed. "Visitation approved?"
"Calm down, Harry. Ministry finally agreed. Been a while, huh? Those your friends?"
"Sirius Black!?" Zabini gasped.
"The one and only. Thanks for being Harry's friend," Sirius said, relieved Harry wasn't isolated in Slytherin.
"I'd have been friendless without him," Zabini admitted.
"Your dad's a fan, Azrael. I'm coming to the party," Sirius said.
Sirius turned to Ron. "Sorry about Peter. I'm taking you and your dad to a pet shop. Pick any pet—my treat."
Ron blushed, thanking him. They vowed to write, parting ways.
Sirius lent Harry a snowy owl, Hedwig, ensuring summer letters. At the Dursleys, Harry recounted the Stone ordeal. Sirius looked stunned.
"Slytherin's got good in it," Sirius said.
"Something's been bugging me," Harry said. "Dumbledore praised my bravery, but it's not special. Quirrell fought too. I tried but did nothing. If I were great, I'd have saved him and beaten Voldemort."
"No, Harry," Sirius said firmly. "Quirrell, Peter, many skilled wizards lacked what you and your parents had."
"What?"
"Courage isn't just the first step—it's running to the end. You did that. That's why Dumbledore praised you."
Harry grappled with Gryffindor courage, feeling his differed from Ron's or Hermione's but couldn't articulate why.
Sirius smiled. "You remind me of my Gryffindor days."
"Like us?" Harry asked.
"Close, but we didn't mix with Slytherins. Your mum did, though."
"You disliked Slytherin?"
"Old story," Sirius waved off.
Harry frowned. "There were good Slytherins, unnoticed."
"You're right. That'd have made Hogwarts more fun," Sirius admitted.
Harry beamed, proud to defend Slytherin. "Dursley negotiations are done," Sirius added. "You'll return briefly, but I'll fetch you for the party. I keep my promises."
Harry trusted Sirius, stepping toward the Dursleys' cupboard, bolstered by his words.
Gryffindor: "Hooray for Weasley and Hermione!"
Slytherin: "Malfoy's honor intact, bonus win!"
Hufflepuff: Silent
Ravenclaw: Silent
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