79: Chapter 79 The Settlement of the Academy Cup

Draco gripped his goblet, the glass edge digging into his palm.

Pansy spoke first.

"I knew it wouldn't end like this."

Zabini dropped his fork.

"The points are tallied; can they really be overturned?"

Nott looked toward the staff table.

"The Principal hasn't stood up yet."

Draco sneered.

"Then just wait and see."

Allen cut into his steak, unhurried.

Draco looked at him.

"You still have an appetite?"

"Dinner isn't for you to throw a temper tantrum."

"You're certainly sitting still."

"If you couldn't sit still, would you be able to snatch the House Cup back?"

Draco slammed his goblet onto the table.

"At least I wouldn't act like nothing happened."

Pansy suppressed her anger.

"We didn't lose points recklessly all year, and our Quidditch wasn't bad either. If we let Gryffindor take it in the end, who could act like it's nothing?"

Zabini glanced toward the Gryffindor table.

"Eighty percent chance it's Potter again."

Crabbe leaned forward.

"What did Harry do again?"

Goyle added in a muffled voice: "Isn't he still in the Hospital Wing?"

Nott turned a page of his book.

"Being in the Hospital Wing doesn't stop others from earning points for him."

Draco curled his lip.

"The Chosen One can win even while unconscious. How convenient."

At the staff table, Dumbledore stood up.

The murmurs in the Great Hall died down, and the Slytherin table became even quieter.

Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"Before the feast ends, I have a few more things to say."

Draco cursed under his breath.

"Here it comes."

McGonagall sat nearby without speaking, while Snape leaned back in his chair, his expression darker than usual.

Dumbledore first awarded points to Ron, citing the courage he displayed in the chess game.

The cheers at the Gryffindor table grew louder.

The goblet in Draco's hand cracked.

Pansy gritted her teeth.

"Winning a game of chess is worth this many points?"

Zabini looked at the staff table.

"Be grateful the Principal didn't call that chess game saving the school."

Next was Hermione, for her cool-headedness and outstanding logic.

Draco stared ahead.

"She just memorizes books."

Nott said: "Memorizing books can also earn points."

"Whose side are you on?"

"I'm stating facts."

Dumbledore looked toward the Gryffindor table again.

"And Harry Potter."

The uproar in the Great Hall rose again.

Draco pressed the cracked rim of his goblet back onto the tablecloth.

"As expected."

Dumbledore said Harry displayed extraordinary courage.

Draco sneered.

"Every year there has to be a specific word assigned to him."

Pansy said: "Next time, will they give him a medal too?"

Zabini stopped smiling.

"Quiet, it's not over yet."

Dumbledore paused for a beat.

"There is one more award, for Neville Longbottom."

Murmurs also came from the Ravenclaw table.

Draco nearly rose from his seat.

"Neville Longbottom?"

Goyle asked: "He can get points too?"

Crabbe followed up: "What did he do?"

Nott answered quickly.

"Standing up to friends is sometimes harder than facing enemies."

Draco turned to look at him.

"You even guessed the Principal's next sentence?"

"That cliché isn't hard to guess."

As the points settled, the silver snakes and green banners above the Great Hall faded away, and red and gold banners covered the ceiling.

The Gryffindor table was in an uproar, goblets were clinked, and the Weasley twins were practically climbing onto their benches.

No one on the Slytherin side made a sound.

The pumpkin juice goblet in Draco's hand shattered completely, and juice dripped down his palm.

Pansy tossed a napkin to him.

"Wipe it off."

Draco didn't take it.

"What is this?"

Zabini looked at the red and gold banners.

"It means whoever the Principal wants to win, wins."

Crabbe asked in a low voice: "Then was our whole year in vain?"

Goyle added: "Was Quidditch played for nothing?"

No one paid them any mind.

Draco stared at the staff table.

"Father was right; Hogwarts has never been just about classes and matches."

Allen finished his last piece of steak and set down his cutlery.

Draco looked at him.

"You're still saying things like that now?"

"Things like that can be said at any time."

"We lost the House Cup."

"Can you not afford to lose it?"

Draco's palm was cut by the glass, leaving bloodstains.

"Aren't you angry?"

"A cup, is it worth getting this angry over?"

"That's Slytherin's face."

"Is face hung on a cup?"

Pansy couldn't help but interject.

"Allen, did you sleep too much today?"

"No."

"Then why don't you have any reaction at all?"

Allen looked toward the Gryffindor table.

Harry hadn't returned yet, Ron was surrounded by people patting his shoulder, and Hermione sat up straight, unable to hide her smile.

"What they're taking away tonight is just a feast."

"Nothing else."

Draco frowned.

"Explain."

Allen wiped his hands with a napkin.

"You're staring at the cup, while others are staring at the people."

"The Principal wants Gryffindor to keep believing they stand at the center."

"Your father wants a position on the Board of Governors."

"Snape wants to find out who meddled in the night."

"Is that clear enough?"

Draco didn't speak again.

Pansy also quieted down.

Zabini tapped the tabletop.

"So you really don't care?"

"I care."

"Then how can you sit there and finish eating?"

"Because the ones who won aren't them."

Draco looked at the juice on his palm.

"What do you mean?"

Allen looked at him.

"The fact that you're asking this now shows you haven't understood the loss yet."

Nott took over.

"The ones who can stand until the end aren't the ones with the loudest voices at the table tonight."

Draco looked up.

"You understood it too?"

"It's not hard."

Zabini said: "Be more direct."

Allen stood up.

"Look at the big picture."

"The game of power is never in a cup."

The fire in Draco's chest hadn't dissipated, but he didn't throw anything else.

Pansy said in a low voice: "You always choose the time when people least want to hear it to lecture."

Allen replied to her.

"That's when it's useful."

The cheers in the Great Hall continued, and the Slytherin students left one after another.

Draco tossed the broken goblet into his plate and wiped his hands clean.

"I'll remember it."

"Better really remember it."

"You always treat me like an idiot."

"When you're impulsive, you're about the same."

Zabini laughed.

"That part's the truth."

Pansy rolled her eyes.

"Don't bother me tonight."

Nott closed his book.

"Let's go back."

When Draco left the table, he glanced toward the Gryffindor side again.

"This isn't over."

Allen walked out.

"The House Cup is over; don't go looking for trouble in the Great Hall."

The corridors were crowded with students leaving, the red and gold banners still swaying behind them, and laughter chased them from the doorway.

Draco walked a few steps and spoke again.

"If Harry knew he could earn points for his House while lying in the Hospital Wing, he'd probably be smug for the entire summer."

"If you're still thinking about him over the summer, that's your problem."

"I'm not that idle."

"Better not be."

Pansy and Zabini turned away first, while Crabbe and Goyle followed behind, muttering about desserts.

Nott lagged half a step behind.

"Snape has been watching people more often than usual these past few days."

Draco stopped in his tracks.

"He's still investigating?"

"What do you think?"

"Quirrell is dead, Harry is unconscious, and the Principal has sealed his lips; what else is he investigating?"

Nott looked ahead.

"Investigating the person who didn't leave a name."

Draco didn't reply, and Allen didn't speak either.

When they reached the corner, Nott stopped.

"I'll head back first; don't let anyone corner you alone tonight."

Draco looked at him.

"You're sounding more and more like him lately."

Nott nodded.

"Which means you should listen."

After Nott left, the corridor emptied a bit, and torches stretched their shadows onto the stone floor.

Draco lowered his voice.

"Will he really investigate us?"

"He'll investigate you first."

"Why me?"

"The Malfoy name is right there."

Draco frowned.

"Then what about you?"

"My surname is Potter."

"That's not any better."

"At least I usually sleep enough to look like a good-for-nothing."

Draco glanced at him but didn't refute it.

The two reached the entrance to the Slytherin dungeons, and footsteps came from the other end.

Black robes swept across the stone floor, and Snape stepped out from the shadows, blocking the passageway.

Draco immediately stopped talking.

"Dean."

Snape looked at him.

"Mr. Malfoy, it seems the House Cup hasn't taught you how to be quiet."

Draco pursed his lips.

"Sorry, Professor."

Snape's gaze fell on Allen.

"Potter."

Allen stopped.

"Professor."

Draco stepped back half a step.

Snape got straight to the point.

"Did you enjoy the feast?"

"It was alright."

"You're easily satisfied."

"The school's steak isn't bad."

Snape stared at him.

"I thought you would at least be disappointed by tonight's result."

"Does the Professor care about the House Cup?"

"I care about students failing to see the situation clearly."

Allen replied: "Then I suppose I've seen it clearly."

Snape's mouth twitched.

"Is that so?"

"Then why don't you tell me, on the night of the Philosopher's Stone, who actually arrived at the stone chamber first."

Draco's back stiffened.

Allen looked at Snape.

"I was sleeping that night."

Snape sneered.

"Do you plan on using this excuse until graduation?"

"It works every time, why not use it?"

"You're certainly honest."

"The Professor asked, and I answered."

Snape took a step forward.

"Harry Potter's memory has gaps."

"Quirrell died too quickly."

"There was a spot in the stone chamber that was too clean."

"I don't believe in coincidences."

Draco spoke up.

"Professor, Allen was indeed in the common room that night."

Snape turned his head.

"Did I ask you, Mr. Malfoy?"

Draco shut his mouth.

Allen met Snape's gaze.

"Since the Professor doesn't believe in coincidences, then keep investigating."

"I'm not stopping you."

"Could you stop me?"

"That, I couldn't."

The corridor was quiet for a few moments.

Snape didn't press any further.

"You had better remember one thing."

"Hogwarts is not a place for those who think they are clever to practice their skills."

"Especially first-year students."

Allen replied: "I will remember."

"But remembering and doing are two different things."

"The Professor has more experience than I do; I believe that."

Draco felt his scalp tighten as he listened.

Snape stared at Allen for a moment, then snorted.

"Go back."

"Don't let me see you in places you shouldn't be again."

Allen nodded.

"Yes, Professor."

Snape turned and left, his black robes disappearing into the darkness outside the torchlight of the corridor.

Draco waited until he was far away before letting out a breath.

"He nearly skinned me along with you just now."