Chapter 247: Annual Dinner
"As for others, they can't obtain the Philosopher's Stone no matter what. In the Mirror of Erised, all they'd see is themselves fishing for gold or drinking the Elixir of Life and singing about eternity. Oh, my brain really is quite brilliant, isn't it? Yes? I was surprised at myself at the time."
"Alright, enough questions. You need to rest," Dumbledore said with a smile. "And enjoy these candies."
But then he noticed the empty sweet boxes and added,
"Before Phineas eats them all."
Phineas looked at him, helpless.
"Professor, we should go. Otherwise, Madam Pomfrey will be here any moment."
As the school matron, Madam Pomfrey was famously strict—and one of the few people at Hogwarts capable of scolding Dumbledore and actually getting results.
Dumbledore nodded immediately. He certainly didn't wish to get on her bad side. After all, the woman could be quite persistent.
"Very well, Harry. Phineas and I will take our leave. By now, I expect your friends have heard that you're awake. I'm sure they'll want to see you."
Harry's eyes lit up, and just as he opened his mouth to speak, they heard Madam Pomfrey's voice ring out—
"No! He needs rest!"
"Just five minutes?" Harry pleaded.
"Absolutely not!"
"But Professor Dumbledore and Phineas were allowed in!"
"Of course—they're different. Dumbledore is the Headmaster, and you need rest!"
"I am resting! Look—I'm lying here, doing nothing. Please, Madam Pomfrey…"
With some effort, Harry finally wore her down.
"Alright, five minutes. No more!"
Watching the interaction, Phineas shuddered and rubbed his arms. "Watching Harry wheedle like that gives me goosebumps."
He turned toward Harry and said, "Then we'll go now."
Just as he reached the door, he paused and turned back.
"Right—something you should know. For certain reasons, you'll have to return to your relatives' home every year until you come of age. However, after a week, Sirius and I will come to pick you up. You'll spend the rest of the holiday at Grimmauld Place. That should make you happy."
Harry blinked in disbelief, then grinned in pure joy.
"Really? I mean, I get to spend the holidays with you and Sirius?"
Dumbledore smiled and nodded. It seemed that, compared to the coldness of his aunt and uncle, Sirius represented something Harry had longed for: real family and love. And so, perhaps Phineas's earlier efforts to speed up Sirius's release hadn't been in vain—though the man had certainly been vengeful enough to hold a grudge.
After leaving, Phineas and Dumbledore passed Neville, Ron, and Hermione coming in to see Harry.
"Harry!"
Hermione looked like she wanted to hug him, but a glance at Phineas made her reconsider. She dropped her hands quickly.
Not that Phineas noticed—or would have cared.
"Oh, Harry, we thought you were—" Ron stammered. "Dumbledore was really worried…"
From the beds nearby, Fred and George piped up:
"Oh, our dear little brother didn't even check on us."
"A tragedy, truly."
"Injured because of him…"
"So very sad."
"Fred! George!" Ron scowled.
Hearing the familiar voices, Phineas and Dumbledore exchanged smiles.
"Professor," Phineas said wryly, "perhaps you don't need to worry so much about Harry's character."
Dumbledore simply shrugged. But from the thoughtful look on his face, he might have been reconsidering a few things.
Phineas didn't stay to hear what Harry, Ron, Hermione, Neville, and the twins talked about. He had other plans. After parting from Dumbledore, he sent letters to Sirius regarding their holiday plans—and a potential visit to Nicolas Flamel.
The Black household had changed. They were family now, and there were things Sirius needed to know.
Sirius, of course, would be thrilled about both.
---
The next day was the annual Hogwarts End-of-Year Feast. After tonight, the students would board the Hogwarts Express back to London and home, where they'd spend a summer without magic.
By the time Harry arrived at the Great Hall, everyone was already seated.
This year's decorations were in green and silver—Slytherin colors. A massive banner featuring a coiled serpent hung behind the staff table. For the seventh consecutive year, Slytherin had won the House Cup.
The Slytherin students were jubilant. Even Professor Snape, who typically wore an expression carved from stone, looked faintly—faintly—pleased.
But Phineas knew better. With Harry around, Dumbledore would find a way to tip the scales for Gryffindor.
As Harry walked in, conversation in the hall died. Thanks to Ron's loose lips, everyone knew Harry had faced Professor Quirrell—and You-Know-Who—just days ago.
The silence lasted only a few seconds. Then came the chatter again—students boasting about their scores, their spells, their vacation plans, and of course, the latest Hogwarts gossip, which mostly centered around Harry.
When Harry took his seat, Dumbledore stood and tapped his goblet with a spoon. The hall quieted.
"Another year has passed," he said cheerfully. "Before you enjoy this magnificent feast, allow an old man a few words. What a remarkable year it has been. You've all grown in knowledge, in skill, and—hopefully—in wisdom."
"You now have a whole summer to reflect on what you've learned, to clear space in your minds for even greater lessons next year."
"But first, we must award the House Cup."
Dumbledore smiled and turned toward the student tables.
"This year's scores are as follows: In fourth place—Gryffindor, with 312 points. In third—Hufflepuff, with 352. In second—Ravenclaw, with 426."
"And in first place, with 472 points… Slytherin!"
A thunderous cheer erupted from the Slytherin table. Students pounded the floor with their feet in triumph.
But Phineas simply sipped his juice and watched. He knew the show wasn't over yet.
"Yes, yes," Dumbledore continued. "Well done, Slytherin."
"However, recent events must be taken into account, as they occurred before term officially ended."
The hall quieted again.
"There are a few final points to be awarded. First—Mr. Ron Weasley."
Ron turned bright red.
"For playing the most brilliant game of wizard's chess Hogwarts has seen in years, I award Gryffindor 50 points!"
Cheers erupted from Gryffindor.
"Second, Mr. Neville Longbottom. For standing firm in the face of fear and protecting his friends, he earns 50 points."
Neville's face flushed. The Gryffindors roared even louder.
"Third, Harry Potter. For exceptional courage and bravery in the face of unimaginable danger—60 points."
The Great Hall exploded with noise again. The Slytherins, by contrast, had gone very quiet.
Draco Malfoy was turning pale.
Even the younger students—like little Astoria Greengrass, who was visiting her sister Daphne—were muttering prayers to Merlin.
Phineas just chuckled to himself. The little Greengrass girl really could be adorable.
Dumbledore raised a hand again, and the hall hushed.
"There are many kinds of bravery," he said. "We celebrate those who face danger—but also those who defend their friends, even at great personal cost."
"Therefore, I award Fred and George Weasley 40 points—for their courage in protecting others and standing against impossible odds."
More wild cheers.
"And finally, Mr. Phineas Black. For his sharp mind and vigilance, for raising alarms and advising caution when others might have rushed in blindly, I award Slytherin 30 points."
The cheer that followed was deafening. If someone had been standing outside the hall, they might have assumed an earthquake had struck.
Harry, Ron, Neville, and the twins were now on their feet, roaring with the crowd.
Dumbledore raised his voice one last time.
"And so, we must adjust our decorations…"
He clapped.
Instantly, the banners turned from green and silver to scarlet and gold. The serpent vanished. In its place stood the golden lion of Gryffindor.
Professor McGonagall beamed as she shook hands with a very uncomfortable Snape.
Phineas watched Snape's expression and sighed.
Slytherin students were in for a long year.
And Gryffindors—especially Harry—were going to have an interesting time in Potions class next term.