Two professors?
Morris thought it was a good arrangement.
This is probably why Dumbledore seemed to be in a good mood; he now has Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts for the next semester.
It remains to be seen whether Sirius and that retired Auror can survive a year and break the curse left by Voldemort.
Today is the last day of the semester.
As night fell, the Great Hall of Hogwarts was brightly lit, and the End-of-Year Feast was held as scheduled.
According to Hogwarts tradition, the Great Hall's decorations for the End-of-Year Feast are based on the color scheme of the House Cup.
This year's colors are blue and bronze.
A deep blue curtain hung from the ceiling, with a huge eagle embroidered in the center, its wings fluttering slightly, lifelike, as if it were about to take flight at any moment.
66
... The winner of the House Cup is -- Ravenclaw.
As Dumbledore announced this, the Ravenclaw students all burst into applause with ecstatic joy.
Morris clapped along, remaining relatively calm.
In fact, we owe it all to him.
Because he captured Sirius Black Peter, Dumbledore generously added 150 points to his score.
This bonus point propelled Ravenclaw's overall house score from third to first.
While Ravenclaw was celebrating, all the Slytherin students next door were staring intently at Morris.
Without Morris's bonus, they would have been this year's Champion.
But there was nothing they could do; the other side had captured Sirius.
That score is absolutely perfect.
Although it was very upsetting, I was still somewhat convinced.
As the applause subsided, Dumbledore returned to the professor's seat and spoke quietly with Professor Flitwick.
Morris looked away and down at the parchment in front of him.
This is his final exam report card; he got full marks or near-full marks in every subject.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he will be first in his grade again.
"Quiet, quiet."
Dumbledore's voice rang out again, and the Great Hall gradually quieted down. "Finally, before the banquet begins, there is one more thing to announce."
He paused, scanned the room, and finally his gaze settled on the Ravenclaw Table —or more precisely, on Morris.
" Morris Black," he suddenly spoke, "For successfully capturing the escaped criminal hiding in the school, the school has decided to award you the Special Award for Services to Hogwarts."
"Please come up and collect your trophy."
Morris was taken aback.
Is it really necessary to make it this formal?
He stood up and walked to the front under the watchful eyes of all the teachers and students.
Immediately afterwards, Professor Flitwick approached him, holding a trophy, his body trembling with excitement.
"Thank you." Morris bent down and accepted the trophy from the other person's hand.
Applause erupted again from the audience, this time even sparsely heard from the Slytherin table.
Seeing this, Morris waved to the crowd.
Although there's no real reward, the feeling... isn't bad.
The banquet concluded successfully.
The next day, summer vacation officially began.
Morris then piloted the Ship in a Bottle to a secluded spot around Hogsmeade and brought it to a stop.
Because of the badge with location magic, he couldn't sail around aimlessly.
However, he has no plans to travel during this holiday, so it doesn't really matter to him.
Or rather, he simply didn't care about the badge.
When it really comes down to using the Ship in a Bottle, that thing can't stop him.
After doing all this, Morris returned to Hogsmeade Station and boarded the Hogwarts Express with the other students on their return journey.
The train arrived at King's Cross Station on time.
Morris followed the crowd off the train, across Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, and into the bustling King's Cross Station.
He carried his suitcase and walked slowly through the station hall into a quiet corridor.
Once he was sure no one was watching, he took out the Aura Concealment Gem from his pocket, held it in his hand, and used Apparition.
A soft crackling sound echoed in the air, and Morris vanished without a trace.
When his feet touched the ground again, he had arrived at the entrance to Knockturn Alley.
He glanced down at the gem in his hand—the runes on it had been exhausted.
"This is really troublesome..."
Morris muttered something under his breath.
Underage wizards are prohibited from using magic outside of school – who came up with this law?
Just as he was about to leave, a voice sounded from behind him.
"Are you lost, darling?"
The voice was very hoarse.
Morris turned around and saw an old witch, ugly in appearance, holding a plate with some things that looked like fingernails on it.
Um.
He felt like he had seen the other person before.
Oh right, isn't that the old witch Harry encountered when he wandered into Diagon Alley?
Morris secretly admired his own memory.
Last time, he casually threw a few curse spells at the other person, and they were knocked unconscious in seconds.
Seeing that Morris did not respond, the old witch rolled her cloudy eyes and a terrifying smile spread across her face.
"This is not a place for you, little wizard," she said. "Come with me, I'll take you out."
Morris decided to let the old witch taste his curse again.
Just then...
" Morris, come here!"
A familiar voice sounded from behind.
Morris turned around and saw his former Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts walking towards him.
" Professor Lupin?" he asked, puzzled. "What are you doing here?"
Seeing this, the old witch spat on the ground.
"Damn it," she muttered viciously, then quickly turned and disappeared into the Knockturn Alley, moving with a speed that belied her age.
Morris silently planted the seed of a Pain Curse upon her.
It will take effect in ten minutes.
"That's what I should be asking you," Lupin said, approaching Morris and frowning as he looked around. " Knockturn Alley isn't a place for students. Besides, just call me Lupin; I've resigned."
Morris shrugged. "I know someone here, just dropping by."
Lupin was clearly skeptical of this claim.
"Besides, Lupin," Morris continued, "Even if you don't help me, I can handle that old witch. You know my strength."
Lupin paused for a moment.
That's true.
He really didn't need to worry about Morris's safety.
Sirius had also mentioned to him that Morris's strength was unfathomable.
"Alright," Lupin said, "Be careful, Morris, I'm off."
He seemed to be in a bit of a hurry.
"Goodbye." Morris waved.
The two of them walked in the same direction.
A few minutes later, they stopped simultaneously in front of Frick's shop.
Lupin looked at the shop entrance, then turned to Morris with a strange expression, and spoke first, "Your acquaintance isn't Frick, is he?"
Morris nodded. "Oh, yes."
Judging from this, Lupin seems to recognize Frick as well.