Finally, it was time for the end-of-year feast.
These past few days had completely exhausted Adrian's energy, with grading the students' final assignments alone consuming an entire day.
Because Adrian's had increased the difficulty of the Defense Against the Dark Arts exam, the students' performance on the test papers... well, it was difficult to put into words.
However, quite a few students' test papers had left a deep impression on Adrian.
For instance, fourth-year Mr. Ward had successfully avoided all the correct answers, which was truly astonishing.
Third-year Cedric Diggory was just the opposite—he had answered all questions correctly, and Adrian unhesitatingly gave him an Outstanding.
Our Hufflepuffs were also showing their spirit.
Adrian also rewarded him with a lightning-struck wood Enchanted Charm as a prize for his excellent exam performance.
This had excited Cedric for quite some time.
Of course, other students who received "Outstanding" also received Enchanted Charm rewards from Adrian.
In the Great Hall, before the feast began, Harry was at his seat discussing final grades with Hermione and Ron—their grade reports had arrived a few days earlier than expected this term.
"Better than I imagined," Harry said, looking at his report card with some surprise. "Mostly Exceeds Expectations and Outstanding... wait! Why did Snape give me an Outstanding in Potions?"
"Perhaps he simply couldn't find fault with you," Hermione said proudly, displaying her own report card.
The abundance of "Outstanding" marks on it was eye-catching.
Ron leaned over to glance at Harry's report card, then looked at Hermione's, and couldn't help but purse his lips—he only felt that a thick barrier separated him from the two.
As the three chatted, the Great Hall gradually filled with people.
Soon, Dumbledore and the professors arrived as well.
Once everyone was in place:
"Another year has come to an end, children!" Dumbledore looked very excited. "I am delighted that everyone has once again spent a wonderful year at Hogwarts. Although I don't want to talk too much, there are some necessary announcements I need to make before you enjoy your delicious food...
"First, the House Cup award ceremony. The specific scores for each house are as follows: In fourth place, Hufflepuff with three hundred and seventy-seven points; in third place, Ravenclaw with four hundred and twenty points; in second place, Slytherin with four hundred and forty-two points; and in first place, Gryffindor with four hundred and seventy-four points!"
After saying this, Dumbledore smiled and waved his wand.
Gold and red streamers extended down from the ceiling, and a banner with a huge lion's head appeared on the wall behind the main guest table.
The entire hall was overwhelmed by the cheers of the Gryffindor students.
Harry applauded tirelessly; he had contributed significantly to this first-place finish.
Meanwhile, at the professors' table:
"Hmph!"
Adrian saw Snape turn his head to one side.
Professor McGonagall was excitedly talking with Professor Flitwick beside her, who nodded and smiled in response.
In truth, everyone already knew the result before the feast began.
Because in the four hourglasses representing the points, Gryffindor's hourglass clearly had more points accumulated than the other houses.
However, Gryffindor was able to take first place thanks to the crucial points Dumbledore had added for Harry and his friends.
Unfortunately, the Hufflepuff students were once again in fourth place this year.
Of course, that's just how Hufflepuff was—even in fourth place, they remained happy, eating and drinking as usual.
Unlike the Slytherin students, who maintained stern expressions.
They had tried hard enough, hadn't they?
Points are meaningless; true joy is what matters. The Hufflepuff students understood this principle well.
Adrian thought so too.
Dumbledore raised his hand, signaling the students to quiet down.
"Finally," he continued, "let us express our gratitude to Hogwarts' hardworking staff."
"Eat, children."
The food at the end-of-year feast was as sumptuous as the start-of-term feast.
This time, Adrian finally didn't have a table full of potatoes in front of him.
After eating a steak with an unidentified sauce, Adrian looked to the side—he had deliberately sat next to Professor Trelawney.
Since it was the end-of-year feast, the Divination professor, who rarely showed her face, was also in attendance.
Trelawney was drinking a glass of sherry and staring absently at a small mirror adorned with blue gemstones.
Her eyes were extremely wide behind her glasses, and she would occasionally twitch her mouth nervously, as if seeing something strange in the mirror.
Sherry was Professor Trelawney's favorite.
Soon, several empty bottles had piled up in front of her.
And more sherry was continuously being brought to the table by house-elves.
Only at times like these could Trelawney drink so much sherry—this was also why she liked attending feasts.
Finally, Trelawney sensed Adrian's gaze.
"Sherry is truly wonderful," Trelawney picked up the bottle in front of her and poured herself another glass. "It enhances my inner eye. That's why I drink so much of it."
However, Adrian believed that Trelawney simply enjoyed drinking.
"Do you know about the country of Albania, Professor Trelawney?" Adrian asked casually. "I'm planning to visit there this summer."
"Albania?" Trelawney first showed a puzzled expression, then took a sip of wine and said mysteriously, "Ah... I know everything, you will encounter... there..."
"Death?"
Adrian said casually, anticipating what Trelawney was about to say.
"Oh! I'm not joking," Trelawney, with a flushed face, waved her arm forcefully. "Don't go there! Please?"
"Thank you for the warning," Adrian nodded.
Trelawney's prophecies were a passive skill, and an unstable one at that.
Judging by her reaction, she had indeed forgotten the previous prophecy she had made for Adrian.
The end-of-year feast finally concluded, and professors and students departed one by one.
As Harry was leaving, he showed his report card to Adrian—in fact, Adrian had already seen it.
It was undeniably excellent. He was only slightly behind Hermione in History of Magic. In other subjects, he had received Outstanding marks.
He had not disappointed Adrian's "pre-school education."
Of course, after some time, when Hogwarts' curriculum difficulty increased, the effect of "pre-school education" would become less apparent.
To nurture Harry, perhaps he could give him some special training during the summer break. He couldn't waste Harry's good talent.
To become a qualified wizard, one should never stop learning!
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