Hogwarts had never seen a night like this. The Great Hall was transformed, shining brighter than ever, and for the first time in what felt like centuries, the castle was alive with joy. The long battle against Voldemort was over. Harry Potter, the Master of Death and now a true legend, had led the charge and emerged victorious.
The enchanted ceiling sparkled like a brilliant night sky, but instead of stars, it displayed fireworks in vivid, ever-changing patterns. Dragons of light roared across the heavens, phoenixes burst into dazzling flames, and golden snakes slithered elegantly before exploding into showers of shimmering sparks.
Tables were laden with feasts so grand that even the house-elves had outdone themselves. Platters of roasted meats, trays of sparkling desserts, and goblets filled with the finest butterbeer and pumpkin juice filled the air with tantalizing aromas.
As the students and staff celebrated, a sudden hush fell over the hall. The grand doors swung open, and Harry Potter strode in, his black and gold robes flowing behind him like a shadow kissed by light. His piercing blue eyes, with their nebula-like glow, scanned the crowd, and a small, genuine smile tugged at his lips. Behind him followed Hermione, Daphne, Tracey, and Fleur, each radiant in their own elegant attire.
The room erupted into cheers and applause.
"Harry Potter!" someone shouted from the Gryffindor table. "The guy who makes saving the world look easy!"
Ron, sitting at the edge of the table, cupped his hands around his mouth and hollered, "Oi, Potter! Next time, leave some glory for the rest of us!"
The Slytherin table erupted in laughter. Blaise Zabini smirked and added, "Careful, Weasley. He might save you next, and then you'll owe him a life debt. Nobody wants that."
The banter lightened the mood even more, and Harry gave a mock bow, his grin growing. "I'll try to remember that, Ron," he called back, his voice laced with humor.
Professor McGonagall rose from her seat at the head table, her stern demeanor softened by the rare smile on her face. "Tonight, we gather not just to celebrate the end of a dark chapter, but to honor those who brought us into the light. Mr. Potter, your bravery and determination have united us all. To you, and to all who stood by your side, we owe our deepest gratitude."
The hall erupted into cheers once more, with students pounding their goblets on the tables and shouting Harry's name.
Hades, who had popped in as a guest of honor, raised his goblet with a devilish grin. "To Harry! The only mortal who's ever made death look like a casual afternoon stroll."
The room roared with laughter.
Music filled the hall, courtesy of the Weird Sisters, who had been convinced by Dumbledore's portrait to perform one last Hogwarts show. Students danced, laughed, and let loose in ways they hadn't in years. Even the typically aloof Slytherins joined in, their usual airs of superiority dropped for the night.
At the Slytherin table, Daphne and Tracey were surrounded by friends, while Fleur and Hermione laughed at a joke Blaise had just told. Harry sat at the head of the table, his usual composed demeanor relaxed as he clinked glasses with his housemates.
At one point, Seamus Finnigan approached, wobbling slightly from too much butterbeer. "Oi, Harry," he slurred, "do us all a favor and let someone else be the hero next time, yeah? My ma says I'm lookin' too pale from all the worrying!"
Harry chuckled, patting Seamus on the shoulder. "Noted, Finnigan. I'll try to leave some villain-slaying for you."
As the festivities reached their peak, Harry stood and tapped his goblet with a spoon, creating a resonant ding that silenced the hall. All eyes turned to him as he stepped onto the raised platform near the teachers' table.
"I've got something to say," Harry began, his voice steady but warm. "Tonight, we celebrate victory. But for me, it's more than that. Tonight, I celebrate the people who've stood by me, who've fought with me, and who've given me a reason to keep going."
He turned to Hermione, Daphne, Tracey, and Fleur, each of whom was now standing, their eyes wide with curiosity and emotion.
"I realized something during all of this," Harry continued. "I don't want to face another day without knowing you're all by my side. Not just as allies, or friends, but as my family. As my partners."
Gasps filled the room as Harry pulled out four small boxes, each containing a ring so unique it seemed crafted to match its wearer perfectly.
"Hermione, Daphne, Tracey, Fleur," he said, dropping to one knee with effortless grace. "Will you marry me?"
For a moment, the hall was silent, the weight of his words hanging in the air. Then, as one, the girls rushed forward, their faces lit with joy as they each exclaimed, "Yes!"
The hall erupted into the loudest cheer yet. Students and teachers alike rose to their feet, applauding and whistling. Even Peeves the Poltergeist flew through the air, dropping confetti and yelling, "Three cheers for Potter and his lovely brides-to-be!"
The party reached a new level of energy after the proposal. People danced and sang, toasts were made, and Harry found himself being pulled into a dozen conversations at once.
From the Gryffindor table, Ron shouted, "Four at once, Potter? Save some ambition for the rest of us!"
At the Ravenclaw table, Luna Lovegood tilted her head dreamily. "I suppose it makes sense. Harry's always had the aura of a Crumple-Horned Snorkack leader."
The Slytherin table, of course, had a more measured reaction. Blaise smirked, clapping Harry on the back. "Trust you to outdo everyone even in matters of the heart."
As the night wound down, Harry and his fiancées sat together at the Slytherin table, watching as the Great Hall slowly emptied. They were exhausted, but the smiles on their faces told of a happiness that ran deeper than words.
"You know," Harry said, looking around at his friends, his girls, and the castle he'd come to think of as home, "this feels like the start of something incredible."
And, everyone agreed.