General
Albus Dumbledore Awards Points to Gryffindor and Neville Longbottom Saves the Day
PAGES: 305-306
During the end-of-year feast, Albus Dumbledore surprises everyone by awarding extra points to Gryffindor for Ron Weasley's bravery in the chess game, Hermione Granger's logical thinking, and Harry Potter's courage. He also awards ten points to Neville Longbottom for standing up to his friends, which allows Gryffindor to win the House Cup.
Content
“Yes, yes, well done, Slytherin,” said Dumbledore. “However, recent events must be taken into account.”
The room went very still. The Slytherins’ smiles faded a little.
“Ahem,” said Dumbledore. “I have a few last minute points to dish out. Let me see. Yes…
“First—to Mr. Ronald Weasley…”
Ron went purple in the face; he looked like a radish with a bad sunburn.
“…for the best played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor house fifty points.”
Gryffindor cheers nearly raised the bewitched ceiling; the stars overhead seemed to quiver. Percy could be heard telling the other prefects, “My brother, you know! My youngest brother! Got past McGonagall’s giant chess set!”
At last there was silence again.
“Second—to Miss Hermione Granger… for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house fifty points.”
Hermione buried her face in her arms; Harry strongly suspected she had burst into tears. Gryffindors up and down the table were beside themselves—they were a hundred points up.
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“Third—to Mr. Harry Potter…” said Dumbledore. The room went deadly quiet “…for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house sixty points.”
The din was deafening. Those who could add up while yelling themselves hoarse knew that Gryffindor now had four hundred and seventy two points—exactly the same as Slytherin. They had tied for the house cup—if only Dumbledore had given Harry just one more point.
Dumbledore raised his hand. The room gradually fell silent.
“There are all kinds of courage,” said Dumbledore, smiling. “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Neville Longbottom.”