Harry stood before Dumbledore, who glanced at the Sword of Gryffindor that Harry had brought back. With a smile, Dumbledore remarked, "It seems fitting for a Gryffindor to wield such a weapon in bravery." Then, it was John's turn. Feeling a bit guilty, John couldn't help but notice Professor Snape's scowl. Snape was visibly frustrated, having witnessed a student daring to drink poison. "Smart, brave, strong, and trusting in your peers, never abandoning a fellow student," Dumbledore praised. "Mr. John Wick, your willingness to take risks for your companions is commendable."
John, somewhat taken aback, asked cautiously, "Professor, don't you think it lacked a bit of wisdom on my part?" Dumbledore paused, his expression turning stern. "You risked your life by testing the poison, and yet you seek praise for wisdom?" He chose to move past the comment, quickly briefing everyone on Tom Riddle's true identity, which alarmed the parents present.
Turning to Professor McGonagall, Dumbledore suggested, "Minerva, I believe these events call for a celebration. Could you please arrange a banquet?" Understanding Dumbledore's intention to speak privately with the young wizards, McGonagall agreed and left with several parents and Daphne.
Dumbledore then addressed Snape, "Severus, we have a cat in need of your expertise, don't we?" Snape, though displeased, had no choice but to comply, especially since Professor Sprout's mandrake potion was ready.
John felt a wave of dizziness, realizing he might have become Snape's least favorite student. Despite this, the pressure didn't ease as Dumbledore's gaze lingered on them. "You have all earned the Special Contribution Award. Harry and Ron, your actions speak louder than words," Dumbledore said, offering a reassuring wink to the two boys worried about expulsion.
"Each of you has earned two hundred points for Gryffindor, and John, you've also earned two hundred points for Slytherin," Dumbledore continued. John was astounded; his contribution had inadvertently helped Gryffindor surpass Slytherin in the House Cup race.
Hermione, ever the voice of reason, expressed concern. "Professor, isn't this a bit excessive? We didn't do it for the points." Dumbledore's smile widened. "Your humility is worth two hundred points in itself."
John felt a mix of amusement and disbelief. Dumbledore's methods were unorthodox, but effective. Lockhart, meanwhile, was absent from the scene, busy with his own troubles, thanks to John's intervention.
Harry, seizing the moment, voiced a concern that had been troubling him. "Professor Dumbledore, Riddle mentioned in his diary that I resemble him..." Dumbledore's gaze softened. "And what do you think, Harry?"
"I'm nothing like him!" Harry responded passionately. "I'm a Gryffindor, but..." He paused, recalling his conversation with the Sorting Hat about his potential in Slytherin and his ability to speak Parseltongue, which had led some to suspect him as the Heir of Slytherin.
Dumbledore listened intently, ready to offer guidance to Harry, who was grappling with his identity and the shadows of his past. Dumbledore addressed Harry with a calm demeanor, "Harry, you can speak Parseltongue because Voldemort, who is the last heir of Slytherin and can also speak it, inadvertently transferred some of his magical powers to you."
Harry was taken aback by this revelation, his confidence faltering as he considered, "So, I should belong to Slytherin. The Sorting Hat might have seen Slytherin's traits in me."
Dumbledore responded with patience, "Yet, it chose Gryffindor for you. Harry, you possess qualities that Salazar Slytherin valued—Parseltongue, resourcefulness, a strong will, and a certain disregard for rules. However, it's your choices that define you, not your abilities."
As Dumbledore spoke, John noticed everyone's gaze shifting towards him. Harry recalled John's direct confrontation with Riddle, highlighting his resourcefulness. Ron brought up an instance from their first year, showcasing John's strong will. Hermione, with a raised eyebrow and a hint of a smile, mentioned his disregard for rules.
John, feeling misunderstood and slightly indignant, protested, "What's wrong with having Slytherin traits? Merlin himself was a Slytherin, and he wielded both a wand and a sword. Your stares won't change who I am."
Dumbledore, with a hint of amusement, reflected on John's bravery, especially his willingness to face danger head-on. To reinforce Harry's Gryffindor identity, Dumbledore showcased the Sword of Gryffindor, stating, "Only a true Gryffindor can summon it."
Harry, however, hesitated, suggesting that John might have been the one to summon the sword, which left Dumbledore pondering the situation. Despite the uncertainty, Dumbledore reassured them, "Let's consider you both true Gryffindors."
John, attempting to comfort Harry, inadvertently added to the confusion. Dumbledore, with no clear answer, encouraged John to continue protecting the school, albeit with a cautious hope that he wouldn't cause too much trouble.
As they prepared to leave, Lucius Malfoy barged in, nearly colliding with John. The confrontation between Lucius and Dumbledore was tense, with John choosing not to linger.
Outside, John observed the unity among the Gryffindor students and couldn't help but comment on their penchant for gossip. After a brief encounter with a disgruntled Lucius, John turned to Harry with a mischievous suggestion, "Harry, I think you have the chance to free a soul."
Harry, puzzled at first, followed John's gaze to Dobby, who was still in Lucius's company, and immediately grasped the opportunity to make a difference. Harry had nearly forgotten about Dobby amidst the excitement with Ron and Hermione. He rushed to borrow the diary from Dumbledore, and just as he was about to remove his worn and sweaty socks, John intervened. "Perhaps Dobby would appreciate something less... pungent," he suggested, conjuring a fresh sock with a flick of his wand and handing it to Harry. With a knowing smile, Harry slipped the sock into the diary and hurried off to find Lucius Malfoy.
Upon presenting the diary to Lucius, Harry watched as the man's face twisted in anger upon discovering the sock. In a fit of disdain, Lucius discarded the sock and tossed the diary back to Harry, eager to sever any connection to the object. Dobby, seizing the sock with a gleam of liberation in his eyes, held it triumphantly above his head. Freed from his enslavement, Dobby's joy was palpable, contrasting sharply with Lucius's fury at losing his house elf and the disgrace of being stripped of his directorial position. Lucius, overwhelmed by his emotions, stormed off, leaving a lasting impression on John, who watched him go with a thoughtful expression, absently caressing his wand. "Lucius Malfoy," he murmured, his gaze intense with contemplation.
Upon their return to the Great Hall, John was greeted by the sight of students in pajamas, struggling to keep their eyes open. The decision to hold a banquet in the middle of the night baffled him, leaving him to wonder at Dumbledore's unconventional wisdom. The atmosphere, however, was undeniably charged with a sense of victory and relief, marking the end of another extraordinary chapter at Hogwarts.
_________
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Direct Link to playlist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_Hg-qsW4rM&list=PLKskshYG-OcPTR4-Nw7IWFEBZm07D8pBV&ab_channel=NovelAudioForge