The morning of the end-of-year feast arrived, and Adam woke early, the first rays of sunlight streaming through the Gryffindor dormitory window. He lay there for a moment, feeling a bittersweet pang at the thought of leaving Hogwarts for the summer. Though he looked forward to the comforts of home, Hogwarts had grown to feel like a second home, filled with friends, magical creatures, and countless mysteries he had yet to discover.

Since he’d packed most of his belongings the night before, the morning felt calm, almost meditative. After a few quiet minutes of breathing exercises to center himself, he freshened up and slipped into a comfortable tracksuit, a practical choice for the errands he had in mind. There were a few places he wanted to visit, and farewells to make, before the feast.

His first stop was the kitchens, a hidden place that had become a small sanctuary for him over the months. He tapped on the familiar portrait of the fruit bowl, and as soon as he entered, the house-elves greeted him enthusiastically. They had grown fond of him, having seen him visit many times, and now they swarmed around him, each eager to send him off with treats and well-wishes. Their small hands reached up to press pastries and bundles of fruit into his hands, while a few even tugged at his sleeve, asking if he’d had enough breakfast or needed anything for the journey.

One house-elf in particular, Mip, waddled forward with a shy smile, holding out a small bucket filled with fresh fish—a gift he’d prepared after hearing Adam mention he’d be seeing Argos one last time. “For your friend in the lake, sir,” Mip said, eyes shining with pride. Adam’s heart swelled with gratitude as he took the bucket, thanking Mip and each of the elves for their kindness and for all they’d done throughout the year. He promised to visit them again next term, their beaming faces a warm reminder of the quiet care they provided to everyone at Hogwarts.

With the bucket of fish in hand, Adam made his way down to the lake, the early morning mist still hanging over the water, casting a silvery haze across the surface. By the time he reached the lake’s edge, Argos was already there, floating close to the shore as though he’d sensed Adam’s arrival. Adam smiled, feeling a quiet connection with the giant squid, who had become an unusual but comforting companion during his lakeside visits.

With a gentle toss, he began throwing the fish, one by one, watching as Argos’s long tentacles stretched up gracefully to catch them, each movement smooth and mesmerizing. Adam could see Argos’s deep-set eyes focused on him, a silent understanding passing between them. As he tossed the last fish, Adam crouched by the water’s edge, reaching out to pat the surface, sending small ripples outward. “I’ll be back soon, Argos,” he murmured, the gentle splash of water echoing his words. Argos lingered for a moment, bubbles rising to the surface in response, before his massive form slowly drifted back into the depths, disappearing with a graceful ripple.

Feeling a quiet satisfaction, Adam stood, taking in the lake, the castle in the distance, and the grounds that had become so familiar. The morning sunlight began to brighten, casting golden hues over the grounds and lifting his spirits. He felt a renewed sense of gratitude for the memories he’d made this year as he made his way towards the castle.

In the common room, many Gryffindors were up and about, packing, chatting, and getting ready for the day. Some were even dressed in their house uniforms already, though Adam couldn’t spot Harry, Ron, or Hermione among them. They were probably either in the Great Hall or finishing up last-minute packing. After changing into his Gryffindor robes, he joined the crowds moving towards the Great Hall.

Inside, the Great Hall was vibrant with rich green and silver decorations, the colors of Slytherin house proudly on display. Banners bearing the Slytherin serpent hung from the enchanted ceiling. The tables were laden with mouth-watering dishes, even more decadent than usual, creating an inviting spread of roasted meats, seasonal fruits, creamy desserts, and fresh breads. The hall buzzed with a palpable excitement as students chatted about their upcoming summer plans, eager for the freedom that lay just ahead.

Adam spotted his sister, Elara, seated among the Slytherins and made his way over. Gryffindors and Slytherins rarely mingled without a few sharp looks or muttered comments, but Adam’s presence seemed to command a quiet respect; students from both houses parted easily as he passed. Elara looked up as he approached, her face lighting up as she noticed him. They exchanged a few words, laughing about their favorite moments of the school year and discussing family plans for the summer. They promised to catch up soon, and Elara gave him a quick, affectionate hug before he returned to the Gryffindor table.

Back at his own table, Adam found Harry, Ron, and Hermione talking animatedly. They greeted him with bright smiles, barely containing their excitement. Adam joined in, listening as they joked about exams and the adventure that had unfolded over the past weeks. He could see the excitement in their eyes, a mixture of pride and disbelief at all they’d accomplished. As he glanced around the hall, he noticed the towering green and silver Slytherin flags hanging high above, a testament to Slytherin’s dominance in the House Cup standings this year. Adam felt a pang of disappointment but braced himself, knowing Dumbledore would soon make the official announcement.

Moments later, Dumbledore rose to his feet, and a hush fell over the hall. His calm yet powerful voice echoed through the room as he announced the final house points, congratulating Slytherin for their impressive performance, especially in Quidditch. At the mention of victory, the Slytherin table erupted in cheers, their voices filling the hall with a triumphant clamor. Adam caught sight of Elara beaming proudly, and even Draco Malfoy was grinning, reveling in their house’s accomplishment. But Adam kept his eyes on Dumbledore, sensing that there was more to come.

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After the cheers subsided, Dumbledore continued, a familiar twinkle in his eye. “However, there are a few last-minute points I feel should be awarded,” he said, and a ripple of anticipation swept through the Gryffindor table. Adam’s heart skipped a beat as he listened, knowing exactly what was coming but feeling the thrill of it all the same.

Dumbledore proceeded to award points for bravery, intellect, and loyalty to Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Neville for their roles in protecting the Philosopher’s Stone. Each time a name was called, a cheer rose up from Gryffindor, and Adam could feel the hope and excitement building around him. Harry was recognized for his courage, Hermione for her sharp intellect, Ron for his clever strategy, and finally, Neville for the bravery he’d shown in standing up to his friends—a moment that hadn’t gone unnoticed.

With each announcement, the points tally grew closer to Slytherin’s lead, and by the time Dumbledore awarded Neville the final points, the Gryffindor table erupted in cheers. The hall itself transformed as a wave of red and gold banners washed over the walls, replacing Slytherin’s green and silver. Gryffindor had won the House Cup.

Adam joined in the applause, grinning widely as he exchanged delighted looks with Harry, Ron, and Hermione. They all clapped each other on the back, laughing in sheer disbelief at the unexpected victory. Across the hall, he spotted Elara rolling her eyes with a hint of exasperation but noticed a small, begrudging smile on her face, which only added to his joy.

The feast that followed was one of the grandest Adam had ever seen. Laughter and celebration filled the hall as students shared stories, indulged in the endless plates of food, and reveled in the friendly chaos that marked the last night of term. Adam took it all in—the glowing candles floating above them, the chatter of students from every year and house, the warm camaraderie that now seemed to cross house boundaries, if only for the evening.

As the feast wound down, students began to drift toward the exits, gathering in small groups and preparing for the journey home. Adam walked with Harry, Ron, and Hermione, feeling a mix of excitement and nostalgia as they stepped out of the hall. The castle’s corridors glowed softly in the warm morning light, a comforting farewell as they made their way to the entrance hall. There, they found their trunks and belongings already waiting, neatly arranged and ready for departure.

Adam spotted his own trunk and quickly gathered it up, feeling the familiar weight of his belongings as he prepared to head home. He joined the trio near the entrance, and together they discussed their summer plans with eager anticipation. Harry and Ron were thrilled at the idea of visiting Adam’s family in mid-July, and Adam looked forward to introducing them to his world outside of Hogwarts, to his home and the magical creatures he loved.

As they walked toward the waiting carriages, Adam took one last glance at the castle, savoring the sight of its towering spires against the summer sky. This place, he realized, had given him so much more than magical knowledge—it had given him friends, a new family, and a sense of purpose.

Finally, Adam and his friends made their way to the Hogwarts Express, joining the throng of students boarding for the journey back to London. As they passed by the platform, they spotted Hagrid standing near the train, his massive frame towering over the younger students. Hagrid had always been a comforting presence for Adam, and he quickly nudged Harry, urging him to go over. After stowing their luggage in the compartment, Adam, Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked back toward Hagrid, who was waving and wiping a suspicious glisten from his eyes.

When they reached him, Hagrid gave Harry a gentle smile, his hand disappearing briefly into his coat pocket. “Got summat for yeh, Harry,” he said, holding out a small, well-worn photo album. Harry’s eyes widened as he took it, realizing it was filled with moving pictures of his parents, captured in memories he’d never known. His voice broke slightly as he thanked Hagrid, who gave him a soft pat on the shoulder, his misty eyes full of affection.

Then, Hagrid turned to Adam with a broad smile. “And fer yeh, Adam,” he said, handing over a thick, hand-bound book. As Adam took it, he felt the weight of it—a collection of Hagrid’s notes, sketches, and personal observations on magical creatures he’d encountered over the years. Adam’s eyes lit up with awe as he carefully opened the cover. Inside were delicate, detailed drawings of creatures like hippogriffs, bowtruckles, and blast-ended skrewts, each accompanied by Hagrid’s handwritten insights.

“Hagrid, this is incredible,” Adam said, deeply touched. “Thank you so much.”

“Ah, think nuthin’ of it,” Hagrid replied, looking a bit bashful. “I know yeh got a soft spot fer ‘em, same as me. Take care o’ it, yeah?”

Adam nodded, his heart swelling with gratitude as he wrapped his arms around Hagrid in a warm hug, just as Harry had done. After saying their final goodbyes, they headed back onto the train, finding an empty cabin in the first-year section and settling in for the ride home. They talked animatedly about the summer ahead—Ron and Harry were especially excited about visiting Adam in July, and Hermione chatted about her plans to catch up on reading and perhaps learn a bit of Ancient Runes over the break. Adam was thrilled to share his family’s world with them, knowing they’d love meeting Glimmer, Seraphina, and Twiggle, along with his fire crab Ember and the rest of the creatures at home.

After several hours, the familiar sights of London began to pass by the window, signaling that they were nearing King’s Cross Station. Adam felt a mixture of anticipation and sadness as he gazed at the passing scenery, savoring the last few moments with his friends. The train finally came to a gentle halt, and the sounds of bustling parents and excited students filled the air as they gathered their belongings.

As they disembarked, Adam hugged Harry, Ron, and Hermione, promising to write and counting down the days until their visit. They waved goodbye with wide smiles, each disappearing into the crowd to meet their families. Adam watched them go, feeling grateful for the friends he’d made and the memories they’d shared.

Soon enough, he spotted Elara waiting by their family’s carriage outside the station, a familiar sight amid the bustling crowd. She greeted him with a teasing grin as they climbed in, settling into the plush seats and watching the busy station fade from view. As the carriage wheels began to turn, Adam chuckled, nudging her playfully. “So, what do you think of Gryffindor’s surprise House Cup win?”

Elara rolled her eyes playfully. “I think you got lucky,” she said, smirking. “Next year, Slytherin will take it back—you just wait.”

They exchanged a few more jibes, their friendly rivalry sparking laughter as they sped through the countryside. The scenery changed gradually from the city streets to lush, sprawling fields, and soon they were nearing the grand stone walls and towering spires of Morgan Castle. A sense of warmth filled Adam’s heart as they passed through the gates, the familiar sights of his family’s estate welcoming him home.