Chapter 426: The Most Promising Newcomer Award
That night, the party in the Hufflepuff common room continued until the early hours of the morning.
Thanks to the championship, several Hufflepuff students made surprising progress at the end-of-month Patronus Charm Club.
Kanna even managed to summon a full Patronus before the club session ended. Unsurprisingly, her Patronus was a butterfly. It was stunning; as it flapped its wings, it scattered silver light across the Great Hall, dazzling and bright like a starry sky.
Professor McGonagall looked at the shimmering butterfly above the Hall and felt genuine happiness for Kanna. She thought this was the perfect Patronus for her. McGonagall still remembered Kanna as she'd been when she first arrived: timid, quiet, and almost always alone, never initiating interactions.
Now, Kanna was not only cheerful and confident but had also found true friends. She had blossomed, little by little, like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis.
It's a pity that such a good child isn't in Gryffindor, McGonagall thought wistfully, feeling a twinge of envy for Professor Sprout.
Perhaps inspired by Kanna's success, just minutes later, the silver mist in front of Cedric began to take shape. In the next moment, a wild goose appeared, soaring above the Great Hall. Cedric clutched his wand, shouting and jumping with excitement.
"Well done!" Professor Lupin said with a smile. "You've truly surprised me. I always thought no one under sixth year would achieve this before year's end, but it seems I underestimated you."
"As a reward, Hufflepuff will earn 50 points... 50 points each!"
With Professor Lupin's 100-point addition and the bonus for the Quidditch championship, Hufflepuff shot into first place, now over 80 points ahead of second-place Slytherin. With only a month left in the school year, the House Cup was firmly within reach, and Hufflepuff's spirits soared. Even the weather seemed to join in their celebration.
As June approached, the days grew clear and hot. The perfect weather for relaxing by the Black Lake with a few pints of chilled pumpkin juice, chatting, fishing, or playing Exploding Snap. But with exams looming, students couldn't be allowed outside to play. Instead, they were confined to the castle, forcing themselves to memorize the contents of their books.