"While our education always encourages you to solve problems on your own, the way you go about it doesn't always have to involve breaking the rules," Dumbledore said with a smile.
"For that reason, I'm awarding Miss Pansy Parkinson ten points for solving a problem within the bounds of the rules, which requires even greater wisdom."
If anyone had been standing outside the castle at that moment, they'd have thought a war had broken out in the Great Hall.
The Slytherin students went through an emotional rollercoaster, their cheers drowning out every other table as their spirits soared from a low to a new high. Their house was back in first place! Well, tied for first with Gryffindor, at least.
Pansy, sitting next to Daphne, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and shot a smug glance at Malfoy, who looked thrilled but confused, and Edward, who seemed deep in thought.
"Pansy, where were you that night? I looked everywhere for you!" Daphne had to practically shout into Pansy's ear to be heard over the Great Hall's uproar.
"Oh, me?" Pansy said. "I went to Professor Snape early and subtly mentioned the Philosopher's Stone, asking him to keep an eye on you lot so you wouldn't go wandering off at night."
"I've always had a good reputation with him, so after some convincing, he let me wait in the Potions classroom while he went to the common room to find you." Pansy's cheeks flushed slightly.
"I didn't have the guts to face You-Know-Who myself, but I didn't want you three to end up dead either, so that was the best I could come up with. Let the professors handle the big stuff, right?" She stuck out her tongue playfully.
Edward suddenly realized why he'd run into Professor Snape in the corridor that night. If it hadn't been for Pansy, he wouldn't have met Snape in time, which would've delayed him on his way to Dumbledore. He might not have made it in time to save Harry from Quirrell.
"Pansy, you're our savior!" Edward beamed, his face lighting up with a huge grin.
"Well, cowards like me have to use our brains, don't we, Draco?" Pansy said with a laugh.
Malfoy, still banging on the table, pretended not to hear.
The cheers continued, but Dumbledore didn't cast a Silencing Charm this time. Instead, he raised both hands and pressed them downward, and the noise quieted just a bit.
"I'll add one more thing," he said. "As Headmaster and a teacher, I hope you'll come to us first with any concerns. And I especially hope the staff will take every student's feedback seriously."
"Now, I'm sure you've already done the math. For the first time in Hogwarts history, we have an unprecedented situation."
"Two houses have tied for the House Cup! This means we have two champions this year!" Dumbledore clapped his hands.
Half of the silver and green banners hanging in the hall transformed into red and gold, while the rest stayed as they were. A roaring lion now stood beside the giant Slytherin serpent.
Both houses erupted in celebration, cheering and screaming. The Slytherins were a bit miffed—after all, they'd been the clear winners until Dumbledore's "meddling" put Gryffindor on equal footing. But a tie? They could live with that. Compromise, right?
Plus, Dumbledore had awarded points to Edward, Draco, Daphne, and Pansy—one more person than Gryffindor!
Edward noticed Professor Snape shaking hands with Professor McGonagall. McGonagall was all smiles, while Snape's grin was a bit strained. He even shot Dumbledore a look that seemed to say, You turned our first place into a tie?
"This is the first tie in Hogwarts history, with two houses equally matched. But I also see misunderstandings being cleared and friendships budding between rivals, which is exactly what we hope for!" Dumbledore said loudly, though by now, hardly anyone was listening.
Edward's senses were overwhelmed. The Slytherins had surrounded him, Daphne, Malfoy, and Pansy, shouting, cheering, and screaming. The four of them were the heroes who'd helped Slytherin reclaim the House Cup, undeniable even with Dumbledore's "tweaks."
At that moment, the Blessing of Glory leveled up to 2.
Winning the House Cup was a dream for so many students. That night, Edward and Daphne ate more than they had all year—happiness does wonders for the appetite. Even Malfoy, who usually kept his distance from Edward and Daphne, dug in.
The days after the feast flew by, and soon it was time for exam results. No surprise—Edward took first place in their year, acing nearly every subject. But that was old news; everyone expected it.
Edward not first? Then who would be?
The race for second was fierce. Hermione edged out Daphne by a hair, claiming the runner-up spot. Daphne, naturally, was not thrilled. She'd always aimed to beat Edward, and now Hermione had snuck in between them.
"Next year, I'm definitely outscoring you," Daphne vowed.
But the real shock? The top ten included Hermione, three Ravenclaws, one Hufflepuff, and the rest were all Slytherins—Malfoy, Pansy, and Blaise right behind Daphne.
Everyone knew who deserved the credit.
It brought back memories of the start of the term, with students whispering, Why isn't Edward in our house?
With the end of term approaching, Edward had plenty on his mind. He rallied Daphne, Malfoy, and Pansy to scour the castle for a spot to practice spells next term. Secret passages had left them wary after everything with Quirrell, so they avoided those. But while Edward was busy hunting for an empty classroom not claimed by a club, an owl delivered a letter from Dumbledore, inviting him to the Headmaster's office for afternoon tea.
"If you have time, I'd love for you to join me in my office today," the note read.
Right on time, Edward stood before the gargoyle statue, stepped onto the spiraling staircase, and entered the mysterious Headmaster's office.
It was much the same as last time, except for a magnificent wooden perch behind the desk, where a stunning gold-and-red bird stood. Its feathers were sleek and vibrant, its glittering tail trailing almost to the floor.
Sure, Ramley the phoenix was beautiful and holy under moonlight, but this phoenix—Fawkes—radiated a natural nobility and splendor.
"You didn't meet Fawkes last time, did you?" Dumbledore said, emerging from behind a curtain with a book titled The History and Legends of the Knights of the Round Table.
Edward's eyes caught something familiar behind the curtain—the Mirror of Erised.
"Professor, you brought it back?" Edward asked, sitting in an ornate cushioned chair at Dumbledore's gesture.
"Of course. With the matter resolved, that place was no longer needed. I thought it best to keep the mirror here," Dumbledore said, tapping a cup with his wand.
"How about Sprite this time? I just learned this one."
Edward stared at the delicate porcelain teacup fizzing with white bubbles. It was… odd.
Next time, just conjure a bottle, Professor.
"Is the mirror why you called me here?" Edward asked.
"You always get to the point, Mr. Edward," Dumbledore said, glancing at the Mirror of Erised. "Actually, I wanted your opinion on something—about co-authoring a paper of mine."
What?
Even Edward hadn't expected Dumbledore to suddenly dive into academic matters. Co-authoring the Headmaster's paper? Is he serious?
"You seem puzzled, so let me explain," Dumbledore said. "This paper was inspired by the mirror. Since your last visit, I've been studying it closely, and the events from a week ago confirmed some of my theories."
"The Realm of Mist, as legend has it, is a liminal space between our world and the afterlife—a place few living people have ever visited. Yet here you are, someone who's been there more than once."
"My research suggests there are pathways between our world and the Realm of Mist, and this mirror is one of them," Dumbledore explained briefly.
"One of them?" Edward caught the key phrase.
"Exactly. After studying the magic behind the mirror, I believe it could be replicated. I haven't succeeded yet, but for its creator, it wouldn't have been difficult. Who's to say Merlin made only one mirror?"
"Maybe he made many. Maybe he made other things we haven't found yet," Dumbledore mused.
"That's just one of my findings. The rest are in the paper. All it needs now is your signature. I'm sure every journal would scramble for a paper on the Realm of Mist, especially with you, the foremost expert, as a co-author," Dumbledore said with a twinkling smile.
"And if I choose not to sign, Professor?" Edward asked suddenly.
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