Before the banquet commenced, the students gathered in the Great Hall, their faces beaming with excitement. Such celebrations were rare, and tonight's event was particularly special.
The Great Hall had been adorned with decorations honoring Slytherin's colors of silver and green, not only to commemorate the slaying of the basilisk but also to celebrate Artel's bravery.
Among the decorations were stone statues and framed paintings, all depicting pivotal moments from Artel's battle with the basilisk. These artworks were crafted by the talented witches of Slytherin. Some adept at drawing had captured the scenes from memory, while senior students had commissioned sculptures in Hogsmeade based on these drawings.
An oil painting depicted Artel in mid-air, his sword gleaming with light as he delivered the fatal blow to the basilisk. The creature's head was severed, blood spraying in the air—a vivid portrayal that left Artel feeling both amazed and humbled.
The other paintings were equally captivating. One showed Artel drawing the Sword of Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat, another depicted him bravely facing the basilisk alone in front of the professors. There were even more imaginative creations, like Artel holding the basilisk's head triumphantly in one hand while wielding a sword in the other, or standing atop the basilisk with golden light enveloping him.
Overall, these paintings and sculptures, meticulously prepared by Slytherin's young witches, perfectly captured Artel's heroic deed. They had not only cemented his status as a hero within Slytherin but had also garnered him a legion of admirers from the other three houses. The Great Hall buzzed with admiration and praise, marking a night of celebration and unity among Hogwarts students.
As the professors and students gathered in the auditorium, Dumbledore's commanding voice cut through the chatter with a loudspeaker spell.
"Quiet!!!" Dumbledore's voice echoed, silencing the murmurs among the students as they turned their attention to him.
"Some time ago, Hogwarts faced great challenges. Our friend Mr. Filch and his cat, Mrs. Norris, have left us forever," Dumbledore announced solemnly.
The students bowed their heads in a moment of silent respect. Despite their mixed feelings about Filch, the thought of him being lost to the basilisk's jaws brought a somber mood over the hall.
Dumbledore paused, allowing a moment of reflection for Filch's passing, then continued, "In the battle with the basilisk, several of our professors were injured... Professor McGonagall... Professor Snape..."
With careful words, Dumbledore recounted the bravery and sacrifices of each professor until he shifted his tone.
"Fortunately, the basilisk was defeated... Today, we honor Slytherin's own Artel Shelby!" Dumbledore's voice swelled with admiration as he turned to Artel, extending his hand in recognition.
"Artel displayed extraordinary courage and quick thinking in facing the basilisk when others couldn't. He was chosen by Gryffindor's sword and dealt the decisive blow!"
Dumbledore's words ignited the hall with applause. Every student felt a surge of pride and inspiration, eager to celebrate Artel's heroism.
Amidst the thunderous applause, Dumbledore raised his hand for silence.
"In recognition of Artel's bravery, Slytherin House is awarded 50 points!"
"In recognition of his defeat of the basilisk and his protection of our professors and classmates, Slytherin House is awarded an additional 100 points!"
The Slytherin students erupted in cheers, their house points soaring with Artel's remarkable achievement. With this boost, Slytherin's total exceeded 800 points, putting them on track to surpass 1,000 points by the end of the school year.
As Dumbledore concluded, the students reflected on the events of the day, inspired by Artel's courage and reminded of the bonds that held Hogwarts together even in the face of darkness.
Artel watched from a distance as Hermione and Pansy conversed with an odd mix of curiosity and bemusement. He couldn't help but overhear snippets of their conversation, and the topic intrigued him.
"Pansy, that's a brilliant idea! A Shelby Support Club sounds wonderful," Hermione exclaimed, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. "But president... well, I think we should take turns leading, don't you agree?"
Pansy's face lit up with a self-satisfied smirk. "Of course, Hermione. We could rotate leadership, but I'll take the helm first, naturally."
Artel couldn't suppress a chuckle at Hermione's competitive spirit. She always found a way to turn even the simplest of ideas into a challenge. He wondered how this new club might shape up—whether it would be a serious endeavor like Dumbledore's Army or something more lighthearted and supportive.
As he contemplated, Artel noticed Dumbledore observing the scene with a knowing smile. The Headmaster seemed pleased by the camaraderie blossoming among the students, even if it did occasionally manifest in spirited rivalries.
Meanwhile, the banquet continued in full swing. The Great Hall buzzed with laughter and conversation as students enjoyed the feast and celebrated their triumph over the basilisk. Artel felt a warm glow of contentment as he exchanged smiles and pleasantries with fellow students who congratulated him on his bravery.
Soon, plates were piled high with delicacies, and every corner of the hall echoed with joyful chatter. Artel's attention drifted back to Hermione and Pansy, who were now deep in animated discussion about the logistics of their newly proposed club.
"Shelby's Army," Artel mused quietly to himself. It had a ring to it—a name that hinted at solidarity and strength, much like Dumbledore's Army had during their own tumultuous times.
Lost in thought, Artel sipped from his glass of juice and contemplated the friendships and alliances forming around him. Hogwarts, it seemed, was always brewing something new and unexpected, just like the magical world itself.
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A/N
We are back.....