The Gryffindor students applauded Ravenclaw halfheartedly, then looked at Dumbledore expectantly.
But even when Dumbledore announced the start of the feast, the blue and bronze banners hanging above the Great Hall remained unchanged.
The Gryffindors were utterly dejected. Some students even looked at Harry with a hint of resentment.
The Slytherins first glanced at the Gryffindor table and burst into mocking laughter.
But under Professor Snape's icy gaze, they abruptly remembered that his house had come second again this year...
Harry was just as upset. He had thought Hermione's words made perfect sense, and he had already worked out what Luna had given Professor Holmes back then. If she could receive an award for special services to the school, why couldn't he?
Hermione and Ron quietly comforted him from beside him. Even George and Fred came over to show their support.
Though neither of them knew why Harry had been so confident earlier...
Douglas sat at the staff table, watching everything unfold below.
Dumbledore had actually planned to give Harry an award for special services to the school. After all, he had provided their only access to Parseltongue, which was enough to earn it.
But Douglas had talked him out of it, telling Dumbledore about Harry and Ron's plan to sneak into the Chamber of Secrets at night and giving him a whole list of reasons as well.
Douglas had nothing against Harry. He simply felt that Harry was becoming a little too confident. If Dumbledore gave him an award for special services under these circumstances, it would amount to encouraging him to take ill-timed risks.
Douglas had not expected to persuade Dumbledore, because his impression was that all of this was part of Dumbledore's efforts to train Harry, though Harry had not found many opportunities this term because of