The End-Of-The-Year Feast.
The Great Hall was aglow with floating candles and glittering decorations in the colors of all four houses. The long tables were laden with a feast fit for celebration, but the mood in the hall was subdued. The events of the past months lingered in the minds of students and staff alike. Whispers rippled through the room as students speculated about Ginny Weasley’s condition, the Chamber of Secrets, and the mysterious resolution that no one seemed willing to discuss openly.
Harry sat at the Slytherin table, picking at his food with mild disinterest. Around him, his housemates were quieter than usual. Even Draco Malfoy, who usually dominated conversations, seemed preoccupied, shooting glances toward the staff table every so often.
The sound of Dumbledore rising to his feet silenced the hall. The headmaster stood tall and commanding, his usual twinkle dimmed but not absent.
“Another year has come to an end,” Dumbledore began, his voice carrying effortlessly across the hall. “And what a year it has been.”
Murmurs spread across the hall, but a single glance from McGonagall silenced them.
“This year, we faced a threat unlike any other. The re-opening of the Chamber of Secrets was a grave and terrible event, one that endangered the lives of all who call Hogwarts home. However,” he continued, “I am pleased to announce that the student who suffered the gravest consequences of this ordeal is now on the path to recovery and will soon be reunited with her family.”
Cheers erupted from the Gryffindor table, with Ron Weasley and his brothers the loudest of all. Harry caught sight of Hermione wiping a tear from her eye, her face a mixture of relief and exhaustion.
Dumbledore waited for the applause to die down before continuing. “While the events of this year will not soon be forgotten, I wish to remind you all of the resilience and courage that defines the spirit of this school. Hogwarts has faced many challenges in its long history, and each time, it has emerged stronger. That strength comes from all of you—students, staff, and the bonds we share.”
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room. For the briefest moment, Harry thought their eyes met, but Dumbledore’s expression revealed nothing.
“I encourage you all to take the lessons of this year to heart. Cherish the friendships you have made, value the knowledge you have gained, and, above all, remember the power of unity. With that, let us enjoy this feast and look forward to a brighter, safer future.”
Dumbledore clapped his hands, and the food on the tables multiplied, the hall filling with the scent of roasted meats, steaming pies, and sweet puddings.
Harry leaned back in his seat, tuning out the chatter around him. Across the room, he noticed Ron and Hermione glancing in his direction, their faces a mixture of gratitude and curiosity. He looked away, focusing instead on a particularly ornate dessert that had appeared in front of him.
The feast carried on with the usual excitement, but for Harry, it was just another meal, another end to another year. As plates were emptied and students began to disperse, he stood quietly and made his way out of the hall, unnoticed by most.
The stars were bright as Harry stepped into the cool night air outside the castle. The weight of the year pressed on him, but he felt no regret, no lingering fear. Only the quiet satisfaction of knowing he had done what was necessary.
Behind him, the Great Hall buzzed with life, but Harry didn’t turn back. The year was over, and for now, that was enough.