End of the second year

James was in the Great Hall at the end-of-the-year party. Unlike last year, this time the Gryffindor table was laughing and chatting happily and raising the tone.

The Great Hall was decorated in Gryffindor colors to celebrate the house's triumph in winning the cup and being on top of the scoreboard.

A large banner showed the Gryffindor lion covering the wall behind the professors' table. McGonagall had a slight smile on her serious face. It had been a very good year for her house. Champions of Quidditch and the annual house competition.

It had been over seven years since Gryffindor had emerged as Quidditch and House Cup champions.

"Good evening students!" said Dumbledore, rising from his chair and looking around at everyone with a broad smile. The Gryffindor table went quiet. This would be their moment of glory.

"This year has been peculiar at Hogwarts... But it all ended well..." said Dumbledore, beginning his ten-minute-long speech.

"Now before I hand out the Cup of Houses, I will give last-minute points. It seems to me that this is the best occasion to give these points to be given to several students for their brave deeds," said Dumbledore with a slight smile.

Murmurs began to be heard from all four tables. The Gryffindor students did not like this news. They wanted the scoreboard to stay frozen there, they didn't want any surprises.

"Quiet, please," said Dumbledore, and within seconds everyone was silent.

"Firstly, Xenophilius Lovegood. You earn twenty points for Ravenclaw for the bravery you showed in wanting to defend your classmates and then warning the professors about the vault," said Dumbledore, and the entire Ravenclaw table erupted in applause.

Xeno had a surprised look on his face. It was the first time he got so many points and so much applause and shoulder clapping from the members of his house. Thanks to this Ravenclaw made it to third place passing Hufflepuff. Although they didn't win, it was better than finishing in last place.

"Second. Gwen Shafiq. You showed bravery and defended Hogwarts. twenty points for Slytherin," said Dumbledore, and the Slytherin table began to applaud and congratulate Gwen.

Slytherin's hourglass went up twenty points reaching a score of 455. It was still below Gryffindor, who had a score of 475.

"This isn't good..." said Sirius with a grimace.

"Don't worry... We'll get some points too," said Lupin, since they were in the vault. The Gryffindor students knew this so they were a bit calmer, but not that much calmer.

The main concern of the Gryffindor students is Snape. The Slytherin boy risked his life to save everyone, entering the vault so that the dark wizard could follow him and the others could escape. This was a great heroic act.

Everyone knew about the incident in the vault of fear. The professors could not hide it, so they all looked at Snape, who was not very comfortable being watched by all the tables.

"Third. Severus Snape. Your bravery and sacrifice were very respectable. You entered a dangerous vault being chased by a dark wizard to save the other students... 100 points for Slytherin!" exclaimed Dumbledore, and the entire Slytherin table exploded in applause and cheers.

The hourglass added 100 points to Slytherin, who surpassed Gryffindor and reached 555 points. A very high number.

Many Gryffindor students cursed under their breath. As for the marauders, they didn't complain. Even Sirius didn't say anything. To him, Snape had deserved those points. He had risked his life and experienced an unforgivable curse. The boy deserved it.

When the hubbub ceased Dumbledore spoke again, "Fourth and fifth. Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. They both rescued Severus from the vault and took him to the infirmary to be treated as soon as possible. Thirty points for Gryffindor!" said Dumbledore and the Gryffindor table cheered and began to applaud.

Gryffindor's score reached 505 points. They were still below Slytherin. However, everyone knew that one person from Gryffindor was missing being rewarded.

"Finally. James Potter. You faced and defeated the dark wizard. It was a dangerous and reckless act..." said Dumbledore, and all eyes fell on James.

Defeating a DADA professor as a second-year student was a feat rarely if ever seen. Everyone wondered how the battle had gone, but they didn't know the details.

"However, it is not your fault that a dark wizard sneaks into Hogwarts, we adults are responsible. Your act was heroic, and you also showed great leadership by strategizing how to deal with the enemy and sending Xenophilius to warn the professors," Dumbledore said with a smile.

"50 points for Gryffindor!" exclaimed Dumbledore, and the entire Gryffindor table regained their happiness and energy.

"Well done, ace!" exclaimed Gideon, hugging James. Fabian brutally stroked James' hair tousling it even more. Everyone at the Gryffindor table was congratulating him and applauding. A slight smile formed on James' face. He didn't know how to react to so many congratulations.

The hourglass changed again. One hundred points were added to Gryffindor, who reached 555 points. Tying with Slytherin.

When the Gryffindor table stopped celebrating their 50 points they looked at the clock with confusion. The Slytherin table was the same. No one knew what happened in the event of a tie, as there were no other people involved in the vault incident.

"I can see their confused expressions. In the event of a tie, both houses will share the Cup of Houses. I must remind you that it is good competition, but we are all fellow wizards and must get along. More so in this day and age," said Dumbledore in a serious tone.

'Why do I feel like he planned the tie...' thought James doubtfully. Strangely, all the points distributed end in a tie for Slytherin and Gryffindor.

As for the tie and having to share the cup James didn't mind. What Dumbledore said is true. It is better to be united in these turbulent times. Instead of having such a feud. Especially Gryffindor and Slytherin.

The seventh-year annual prizes of Gryffindor and Slytherin raised the cup. It was a strange situation for the four students, but they wore smiles as they were in front of Dumbledore and the professors.

Then, the party continued. Gryffindor and Slytherin were celebrating. After all, they finished first, and even though they tied they put their differences aside, and no student started an argument with another student from another house.

'What will become of my bet with Gwen?' thought James as he enjoyed the food and conversations with his friends.

Last vacation he bet with Gwen on who would be the winner of the house cup. He bet on Gryffindor and Gwen on Slytherin for obvious reasons. The loser would have to follow the winner's orders for a day. That was the strange bet Gwen wanted.

'I guess it's nullified,' thought James, putting the subject aside.

The next day, the school year ended. James and his friends boarded the Hogwarts Express home. The vacations began.