Exams and the House Cup

This "little" incident did nothing to dampen Tver's enthusiasm for attending the feast. As for Dumbledore purchasing huge quantities of sweets from Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley for the celebration...

That had nothing to do with it. Absolutely nothing!

The students, naturally, knew nothing of this secret, but that did not stop their faces from beaming with cheerful smiles.

Along with the parents and graduates who had hurried over, everyone sat together in the restored Great Hall.

The houses had not even been separated. Including the Slytherin students, everyone had scattered themselves across the four long tables, excitedly discussing matters or listening to accounts of the fierce battle that had begun the night before.

Of course, there were also the reproachful looks from parents. Draco, for instance, had bragged to his parents about facing Voldemort head-on, only for Narcissa to twist his ear bright red...

At the sight, Dumbledore rose to his feet with a broad smile.

To be honest, he had once worried about the antagonism between the various houses. Especially after the Statute of Secrecy had been repealed, such opposition was hardly beneficial in an increasingly complicated situation.

Yet he had never expected that a battle against a common enemy would bring such an unexpected gain.

"I am very pleased," Dumbledore said loudly, his clear voice reaching every ear and instantly quieting the bustling Great Hall.

"I am pleased to see that, after facing so many challenges, you have not feared the chaos and evil of war. Your faces still shine with passionate smiles, and you still hold beautiful hopes for the future..."

"You still choose to believe that only by joining hands and working together can we create a better future."

"You must understand that after the Statute of Secrecy was repealed, the challenges we face may be