Unexpected Glory (1st year)
June 10th, 1972
The entire school had gathered at the Great Hall for the final feast of the year. At the front of the Hall, four large hourglasses were placed containing gemstones that represented the points each House had earned throughout the school year; rubies for Gryffindor, emeralds for Slytherin, sapphires for Ravenclaw and tourmalines for Hufflepuff. The long tables were decked with the colours of each House, the banners floating proudly above them. The Slytherin table was particularly loud that night, already celebrating their victory.
“Do you think they’ve already won?” Peter whispered nervously as the group took their seats at the Gryffindor table.
James shrugged. “Not necessarily. There are still the final points to be added. Anything can happen.”
“Please,” Sirius said, glancing towards the Slytherin table. “They’re acting like it’s a done deal. So what if they’re ahead? Gryffindor has come back from worse.”
“We’re still in fourth place, though,” Mary said quietly. They all glanced towards the glittering hourglasses near the staff table. The rubies in the Gryffindor hourglass looked painfully low compared to the emeralds overflowing in the Slytherin’s.
Lily who had been scanning the other tables, gave a small nod. “Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff are pretty far ahead too. It’s not just Slytherin we’d have to beat.”
“Don’t be such a pessimist, Evans,” said James. “McGonagall’s still got a trick or two up her sleeve.”
“Right,” said Lily. “Because Professor McGonagall’s secretly going to award us a hundred points for... I don’t know, not blowing up the castle?”
“Wouldn’t put it past her,” said Sirius.
“Look at Snape,” James muttered, nodding towards the Slytherin table where a smug-looking Severus sat, his arms crossed and a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.
Sirius snorted. “Well, if Slytherin wins it’ll be because Snivellus and his mates have been sucking up to Slughorn all year.”
“You know that’s not true,” Lily said, casting a quick, warning glance at Sirius. “He’s just good at Potions.”
Sirius scoffed. “Yeah, and we’re good at being decent people.”
Lily opened her mouth to retort but before she could say anything the doors of the Great Hall opened as the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, entered the room, followed closely by the Heads of the Houses.
“Here we go,” Remus muttered under his breath, sitting up straighter.
Professor McGonagall took her seat at the head table. Filius Flitwick, Pomona Sprout, and Horace Slughorn followed next, glancing towards their respective tables, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Dumbledore reached the podium.
“Good evening, students,” he began. “As another school year comes to an end, it is time to recognise your efforts and accomplishments. As you all know, the House Cup is awarded to the House with the most points at the end of the year. The current standings are as follows.” He gestured towards the glittering hourglasses at the side of the room. “In fourth place, with 326 points—Gryffindor.”
There was a soft groan from the Gryffindor table. James tried to remain optimistic. “Not too bad,” he muttered. “We’ve had worse.”
“Not bad?” Peter said. “We’re in last!”
“Have a little faith, Pete,” said James.
“In third place, with 368 points—Hufflepuff.”
A polite round of applause came from the Hufflepuff table and there were a few disappointed sighs.
“In second place, with 472 points—Ravenclaw.”
Ravenclaws clapped and cheered softly though their smiles were forced from the disappointment. They had been in the lead for most of the school year but it seemed they hadn’t managed to hold on.
“And finally,” said Dumbledore, “in first place, with 484 points—Slytherin.”
Applause erupted from the Slytherin table as green and silver banners shimmered brightly overhead. Snape’s smirk widened as he exchanged smug looks with his fellow Slytherins while Professor Slughorn beamed proudly at his students.
“Well, that’s that,” said Peter, slumping in his seat. “Slytherin wins again.”
“However,” Dumbledore said with his usual mysterious tone, “before we close the year, I believe it is only fair to recognise certain late-breaking contributions to our school.”
James’ head snapped up, his eyes narrowing as he watched Dumbledore closely. Sirius exchanged a look with Remus who had been sitting quietly through most of the feast though now a faint smile played around his mouth.
“For their courage and exceptional display of skill and sportsmanship as well as their victory in the Inter-House Quidditch Tournament,” said Dumbledore, “I award 100 points to Gryffindor.”
The applause from the Gryffindor table hit like a burst of thunder, sharp and rapid.
“Not bad, at least we’re in third place now,” Sirius muttered.
“Yeah,” James said. “I really thought we stood a chance.”
The Slytherins snickered and Professor Slughorn puffed his chest with pride. But Dumbledore wasn’t done yet. He cleared his throat and the Hall fell silent once more. “As I often like to remind my students, selflessness is a great virtue, one we all should practice in our lives,” he said. “To throw ourselves on the line for others, to protect those we love and care about and those we don’t simply because it is the right thing to do—these are the motives that truly give meaning to our actions. And sometimes, the greatest acts of selflessness come not in grand gestures but in small, meaningful things that can make a great difference.”
Lily’s eyes widened slightly, her gaze darting towards James, who looked equally confused.
“For the recent actions of certain Gryffindor students in preventing a rather unfortunate accident with a rogue potion in the dungeons, I award Gryffindor 50 points.”
Whispers emerged from the Gryffindor table, most students glancing toward Peter who looked utterly bewildered.
“Wait, me? But I caused the accident!”
“Maybe,” said Sirius. “But you also stopped it from getting worse.”
Dumbledore raised his hand again. “And finally, for displaying great friendship, compassion, and nobility towards their fellow students—another 10 points…to Gryffindor.”
The entire Gryffindor table held its breath as they stared at the hourglasses. Slowly, impossibly, the rubies in the Gryffindor hourglass rose until they surpassed Slytherin’s emeralds. James, Sirius, Peter, and Remus stared in stunned silence as the final tally was revealed.
“With that,” said Dumbledore, “it appears that, with a lead of only two points, the House Cup this year goes to...Gryffindor!”
The voices that exploded from the Gryffindors were deafening. Shouts pierced through the Hall rising to a chaotic roar. Students rose to their feet, cheering, hugging one another and pounding the table. Even Professor McGonagall couldn’t hide the small, triumphant smile threatening to break through as she clapped alongside her students.
“We did it,” Peter muttered.
Sirius let out a bark of laughter, slapping James on the back. “Of course we did! I should have placed that bet with Parvis!”
Marlene was smiling broadly as she turned to the others. “I told you we’d make it in the end.”
“You’ve got to admit, we pulled off a miracle,” said Mary. “Fourth place to winning the Cup? I don’t think any House has ever done that!”
Peter was still sitting there, blinking in disbelief. “I— I didn’t think we’d actually win. How...?”
“It’s Dumbledore,” said Remus. “He could award us a million points if he wanted to.”
“Bloody hell, this is brilliant!”
“Look at them,” said Sirius, pointing at the Slytherin table. The Slytherins sat in stunned silence, mouths open in disbelief as they glanced up at the Gryffindor banners, now shimmering in victory. Professor Slughorn looked flabbergasted, glancing between Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall who raised an eyebrow at him. He turned his face, his lips pressed into a thin line, clearly disappointed for his House.
“That’s what winning looks like,” said Sirius.
“Don’t rub it in too much, Black,” said Lily. “We might want to survive the rest of the night.”
“Survival’s overrated.” Sirius grinned. “Victory, now that’s what matters.”
Professor McGonagall stepped up to Dumbledore’s side. “Congratulations, Gryffindors,” she said. “But let this be a reminder that House points are earned through hard work, not simply given.” (Professor Slughorn was not so sure about that at the moment). She cast a warning look at the boys. “Perhaps, next year, we can win it without so many incidents.”
“We’ll try, Professor!” James shouted through his hands, earning laughter from the other tables.
“No promises though,” Sirius said.
Dumbledore reached the podium once again, holding his goblet. “Another year at Hogwarts draws to a close.” He glanced over at his students with a soft expression. “It seems only yesterday that you all arrived through these doors, not knowing what lay ahead. And yet, look at you now.” He waved with his hands wide open. “Each of you has grown in ways you wouldn’t have expected. We have lived, loved, and learned together, more than any dusty textbook could ever teach us.
Some of you faced a fair share of struggles but you overcame them. For as I often say, it is not our problems that define us, but how we keep on rising to face them, with courage, kindness, wisdom, and determination.” Dumbledore glanced at all four Houses. “To those returning, we shall meet again soon, to create more memories and gain more knowledge. And to our seventh-years, this is not a farewell. Whether you return to Hogwarts again or simply cherish the time you spent here as you go on, know that you are never truly far from home.”
Sirius glanced over at the Slytherin table, searching for Andromeda’s seat but it was empty. A deep melancholy settled in his heart but he smiled faintly despite everything.
The Headmaster cleared his throat, to prevent himself from getting more emotional. “Now, let the final feast of the school year—begin!”
With a wave of his hand, the long four House tables overflowed with platters of food and desserts, a feast unlike any other the students had ever seen in their lives. They clapped their hands and cheered loudly, throwing their wizarding hats and colourful ties in the air.
Dumbledore raised his goblet.
“To all of you!”
The feast continued in high spirits until the Great Hall began to empty. The group reached the portrait of the Fat Lady who was somehow sleeping, despite the noise from the Gryffindor common room. After a few gentle nudges from Sirius, she stirred awake and yawned widely.
“Password?”
“Victory!” James said, throwing his arms wide. The others laughed.
“Ignis,” Remus muttered with a broad smile.
The portrait swung open.
Inside, the common room was decorated with Gryffindor’s banners, and tables were placed with snacks and drinks—pumpkin juice, butterbeer, and a few bottles of firewhiskey that the Prewetts had managed to smuggle in. A group of older students had already set up a small celebration, and laughter echoed off the walls.
“Look who’s here!” Fabian Prewett shouted, raising his glass in salute. “The champions of the House Cup!”
“That’s us,” said Sirius, feigning modesty.
Gideon Prewett laughed, approaching his younger brother. “I must say, you almost fooled me, you guys. I knew you were troublemakers from the moment you stepped foot in here but apparently, you’re so much more than that.” He smiled softly at the first-year boys.
“Of course they are!” Fabian laughed, clapping Gideon on the back. “Besides, they’re friends with Marls. That’s a good sign, right cuz?” He winked at Marlene who rolled her eyes in return.
“Well, then,” said Gideon, “as your Prefect, I want to say I am very proud of each one of you and the effort you showed this year.” He raised his glass. “To our wonderful Quidditch team!”
Astrid Wood, Alice Fortesque, Frank Longbottom, Kingsley Shacklebolt, and Rosalind Ashford cheered loudly, waving at their fellow Gryffindors.
“And to our House!”
“To Gryffindor!”
Astrid waved her wand at the pickup, and ‘Make Your Own Kind of Music’ by Cass Elliot started playing. Everyone joined the festivities. Rock n’ roll filled the room and the students danced to the music, their laughs and voices mingling. Fabian tried to pour two bottles of firewhiskey down his throat but he started choking from the burning sensation of the alcohol and everyone broke out in laughter. More students from the other Houses started gathering—Hufflepuffs, Ravenclaws, and even a few Slytherins, all celebrating Gryffindor’s win.
Lily found herself laughing more than she had in a long time. She shared a corner of the couch with Marlene, both giggling when James and Sirius started bickering, while Mary had dragged a frightened-looking Peter to the dance floor.
Marlene turned to Lily, with a teasing smile. “Just think, in a few months we’ll be in charge of the first-years.”
“Maybe we can scare them a little,” Lily said. “Just to keep up the Gryffindor tradition.”
“Definitely! It’ll be brilliant.”
Lily shook her head and her gaze drifted back to the common room. “Time flies, huh?”
“Yeah,” Marlene agreed. “And it’s only just the beginning.”
Some students started heading off to bed while others remained, looking tired but still gleeful. Eventually, as the last few students left the common room the space quieted. Sirius was the last one to rise, yawning widely. “I think I’m about ready for bed,” he said. “That was a fantastic end to the year.”
“Definitely,” said James, stretching his arms above his head. “I’ll remember this night forever.”
“Tomorrow we’ll be leaving for summer break, so don’t sleep in,” Marlene said. “I want to say goodbye to all of you.”
“Well, I’ll do my best with these two,” Remus said, pointing at James and Sirius.
“Yeah, yeah, fine,” said James. “We’ll be on time.”
Peter eagerly ran to their dorm. “Goodnight!”
Lily paused at the top of the stairs, looking back at her friends. “See you all in the morning,” she said softly.
That night she climbed onto her bed as exhaustion overtook her, but her heart was full. She closed her eyes, already dreaming of the next year and the stories still waiting to be written.
Summer stretched before them like a vast, uncharted sea. In the grand scheme of things, they were just kids still learning spells and jinxes. But at that moment, they were invincible, untouched by the darkness that loomed beyond the walls of Hogwarts. And for now, that was all that mattered.