This time, Ludo Bagman did not ask Neville to give a speech, because the medical team needed to step in immediately and treat the young wizards.
The Aurors had controlled the strength of their spells exceptionally well. The students had effectively just taken a full-strength Stunning Spell.
Under Madam Pomfrey's care, they soon clambered back up, lively as ever. After each drinking an entire bottle of Invigoration Draught to replenish their energy,
the young wizards "arrogantly" declared that they could fight the Aurors all over again.
Clang!
The lounge door swung open, and several young wizards walked in as though they were sleepwalking.
Zhang Xiao immediately grinned and waved.
"Hey, what's gotten into you lot?"
"Nothing..." Malfoy said in a dreamy voice. "Zhang, I just can't believe it... we... we really came second?"
It was not just him. Zhang Xiao glanced over his other friends. Harry, Ron, even Hermione-all of them wore much the same expression.
"Of course!" Zhang Xiao patted his shoulder. "Draco, you won. In fact, it's practically the same as coming first. You know, in other people's eyes, I more or less represent half of Hogwarts too.
"So there's nothing wrong with saying Hogwarts took first place."
Malfoy nodded. He felt as though he were floating in the clouds. Joy filled his entire body like air filling a balloon, leaving him a little dizzy.
He sat stiffly in a chair. That sense of unreality gradually receded, replaced by boundless delight. His mouth opened wider and wider until he looked like a monkey with an enormous mouth.
"Hahahahaha! We won!" Before Malfoy could even laugh aloud, Ron's wild laughter erupted nearby. His face flushed red, he gripped Harry's shoulders and shook him so hard that his head bobbed back and forth. He looked as though he wanted to