"Firstly, Mr. Harry Potter, Mr. Ron Weasley, and Miss Hermione Granger are to be commended for their timely discovery of the anomaly in the Forbidden Forest and choosing to notify a professor to rescue, preventing greater losses for the school..."
As Dumbledore spoke, his gaze lingered on Evan for a moment, acknowledging that if not for Harry and his friends' timely notification, the Forbidden Forest might no longer exist.
Evan wasn't particularly regretful; had he not set fire, Quirinus Quirrell, merely bumped by the dragon, might have returned for another attack, and he and Hagrid probably wouldn't have survived to see any support.
"For this, I award each of them twenty points!" Dumbledore announced.
A roaring applause erupted from the Gryffindor table. Sixty points added all at once could allow Gryffindor to surpass Ravenclaw, who was originally second, and tie with Slytherin, who was at the top.
Harry was so excited that he was about to jump up, his frustration instantly wiped away. He couldn't help but want to see Snape's reaction, hoping to see disappointment on his face. Turning around, however, he found Snape with his usual indifferent expression, unchanged.
Hermione maintained her composure, but the smile curling at her lips betrayed her excitement.
Ron raised his head high, experiencing such applause for the first time.
After the applause died down, Dumbledore continued.
"Next, Mr. Evan Halse! With his quick wit and bravery, he successfully repelled the attacker, ensuring Hagrid's rescue...
I hereby award Gryffindor an additional fifty points!"
As soon as Dumbledore finished, a brief silence fell over the hall, followed by incredulous stares from many, including some professors, towards Evan.
Although they weren't fully aware of what transpired in the Forbidden Forest, the dragon's roars followed by thick smoke and even Hagrid being attacked indicated the danger level...
Moreover, Dumbledore made it clear: it was Evan who successfully repelled the attacker, not the professors who arrived to support...
Applause broke out from the silence, first from Dumbledore himself, and then like thunder from the rest of the hall...
This time, it wasn't just Gryffindor; even students from the other three houses joined in, reluctantly admiring Evan's actions, which exceeded their expectations.
Evan was accustomed to such fanfare and was somewhat confused. Wasn't the incident supposed to be kept as quiet as possible?
The deafening applause lasted for several minutes before gradually fading.
Then, all eyes turned to Dumbledore, expecting him to address the dragon matter.
Unexpectedly, Dumbledore made no mention of it, instead conjuring desserts on the tables with a wave of his wand.
Cream puddings, chocolate cakes, cornflakes, crushed almond ice cream... just the sight was mouth-watering.
"I believe you might need some desserts to calm your agitated minds," Dumbledore said after a pause.
"As for the attacker, there's no need for excessive worry. I am aware of his identity, and the Ministry of Magic will send someone to investigate before long. As long as you stay within the castle, you'll face no danger."
Dumbledore's words always carried a magical trust, even causing the concerned expressions on the professors' faces to dissipate.
Evan, paying half attention, busied himself with the desserts. After visiting Hagrid's hut and the day's events, he hadn't even had dinner...
As Dumbledore prepared to leave, having many matters to attend to, a voice suddenly rose from the Gryffindor table.
"Professor, what about the dragon? Aren't you going to mention that?"
Silence fell instantaneously, and Dumbledore halted.
Evan, busy with his cream pudding, turned to see who the brave speaker was.
Seeing the person, Evan was slightly taken aback—it was none other than the mischief-maker, Seamus Finnigan. Evan hadn't expected him to be so bold...
Under Dumbledore's "gentle" gaze, Seamus stood up, trembling slightly. However, the headmaster didn't seem to blame him but instead offered an explanation.
"I must remind you that Hogwarts is not authorized by the Ministry of Magic to keep dragons. As for the dragon's roar, it might have been some magical effect. There are several ways to achieve this.
Not long after I became the headmaster of Hogwarts, some students enjoyed playing similar pranks. Back then, Filch would hang those students in a
small dark room. I've always advised him to be more lenient with the children..."
Dumbledore didn't go far into his story before drifting into his own reminiscences, pretending as if everyone was keen to listen.
Evan couldn't help but roll his eyes internally, critiquing Dumbledore's consistent feign of ignorance.
"But I saw it with my own eyes," Seamus said, his voice trembling but persistent. "It was as big as a house, maybe even bigger, with four legs and a pair of wings... and it could breathe fire!"
The students around laughed; Seamus' description sounded just like every dragon from their storybooks.
"I really wasn't lying!" Seamus exclaimed, his face flushing red.
Evan understood immediately. Seamus must have accidentally seen Norbert, and then bragged about it to others. Now that Dumbledore denied the dragon's existence, Seamus felt compelled to stand up and contradict him.
However, Seamus' vague description left Evan somewhat puzzled, but after a moment of thought, it all made sense.
Hogwarts Castle is situated on high ground, and only from Norbert's moment of descent from the sky could someone have seen it from the castle, probably because of the distance, which is why Seamus didn't see it clearly.
Realizing this, Evan reached for a glass of chilled lemonade, curious about how Dumbledore would explain this...
Before Dumbledore could respond, Seamus, as if struck by a sudden thought, exclaimed,
"I also remember seeing someone riding on the back of that fire dragon...."
"I can't be a hundred percent certain, but I think it might have been Halse!" Seamus said loudly.
Evan choked on his drink, spraying it out in disbelief and irritation at Seamus. To think Seamus could identify him from such a distance, he might as well be called 'Eagle-Eyed Seamus' instead of a mischief-maker!
The hall was filled with murmur and laughter at Seamus' bold claim. Such an assertion seemed ludicrous to many, given the distance and the chaotic circumstances of the sighting, yet it sparked whispers and speculation across the hall.
Dumbledore, now facing this unexpected turn, paused, his eyes twinkling with that familiar blend of amusement and wisdom. He cleared his throat and addressed the hall, his voice calm and measured, effectively drawing everyone's attention back to him.
"Let us remember the power of imagination among young witches and wizards," Dumbledore began, steering the conversation away from the specifics of the dragon or Evan's alleged involvement. "It is a powerful tool, but it should not be mistaken for reality. Hogwarts has long been a place of learning and growth, not just in magical skills but in discernment and understanding."
With a slight smile, Dumbledore subtly shifted the focus from the immediate excitement back to the broader values and lessons that Hogwarts aims to impart. The mention of a dragon, real or imagined, and the adventurous tales woven around it became a teachable moment rather than a point of contention.
As the atmosphere in the hall relaxed once more, Dumbledore used the moment to gently remind everyone of the importance of safety and the rules put in place to protect all within Hogwarts' walls. He reiterated the school's stance on unauthorized magical creatures and the need for vigilance and responsibility from all students.
With a final, "Let us enjoy the rest of our evening and the delights prepared for us," Dumbledore concluded the discussion, leaving the students with a mix of curiosity, admiration, and a renewed sense of community. The hall gradually filled with the sound of conversations, laughter, and the clinking of cutlery against plates as the students returned to their desserts, the earlier tension diffused by Dumbledore's masterful handling of the situation.
Evan, now somewhat composed after his surprise at Seamus' accusation, shared a knowing look with his friends. They understood the thin line between adventure and recklessness that they had tread that night and the importance of discretion in the magical world. As the evening wore on, the dragon incident remained a topic of hushed discussions and wild speculations, but the sense of urgency and fear had been replaced by a collective appreciation for the mysteries and wonders that Hogwarts continued to offer.