"Ahem—Quiet! Quiet! Settle down!"
Dumbledore amplified his voice with a Sonorus Charm, signaling the professors to step in and separate the students.
"I just want to say, we still have some awards to present—"
Out of nowhere, a large trophy, nearly half the height of a person, appeared on the podium. The Hogwarts crest gleamed prominently on its surface.
"The list of recipients for this award is quite extensive—" Dumbledore unfolded a long piece of parchment and began reading aloud. "Let us congratulate Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Dean Thomas... from Gryffindor; Terry Boot, Luna Lovegood, Penelope Clearwater... from Ravenclaw..."
Jane Yu recognized these names instantly—
Most of them were club members and had recently become prominent contributors to The Daily Prophet and The Quibbler!
They had written numerous promotional articles about the gaming console, almost making her feel like she had orchestrated a trending topic!
Dumbledore continued for what felt like an eternity, pausing only to sip water before resuming his list:
"Susan Bones, Ernie Macmillan... from Hufflepuff; Gemma Farley, Blaise Zabini, Draco Malfoy... from Slytherin..."
After announcing six or seven dozen names, he finally stopped, wearing a warm and benevolent smile:
"In the face of errors and unjust public opinion, you stood up to challenge and correct them—"
"You united across houses, working together to resist external pressures and protect your peers—"
"For this, I will have your names engraved on this trophy to commemorate and encourage your solidarity!"
With a wave of his wand, lines of names began to appear one after another on the trophy.
The Great Hall fell silent for a few seconds. No one had expected to receive a trophy symbolizing unity just for writing a few articles for Jane Yu and the gaming console. Bewilderment was evident on their faces.
But soon, realization dawned. Bewilderment gave way to euphoria, and the hall erupted with exclamations:
"Merlin's beard—I can't believe my name is engraved on a trophy! I actually won an award?"
"I can die happy now—maybe when my future kids come to school, they'll see their dad's name on a trophy!"
At the Gryffindor table, Ron grabbed his own arm and pinched it hard, muttering in disbelief:
"Why doesn't it hurt? Did I really win an award? Am I dreaming?"
Harry, wincing from the pain, muttered sarcastically:
"No, this isn't a dream. You pinched my arm."
Realizing his mistake, Ron apologized profusely.
"Sorry! But... Merlin's beard... If it weren't for Yu... I don't think I would've won this award! She's truly my lucky star!"
Harry nodded in agreement:
"If you'd told me a year ago that I'd be playing games in the same room as Malfoy and co-authoring an article with him, I'd have thought I'd lost my mind!"
"But since it helps Yu—"
Ron interrupted eagerly:
"So, do you think any of my five brothers or my sister have a chance with Yu? Does she like smart guys or handsome ones? I think I could become her family—"
Before Harry could retort, Hermione furiously grabbed a drumstick and stuffed it into Ron's mouth.
"Ron Weasley! What nonsense are you spouting about Yu?"
"I'm telling you, Yu has already set a life goal for me—I'm going to join the Department of Magical Law Enforcement—"
"If you dare slander her, you'll have to answer to the legal codes in my hand!"
While studying wizarding laws, Hermione had discovered that there were very few clauses punishing malicious slander. She had been quite disheartened until Jane Yu comforted her:
"It doesn't matter. Laws can be amended... The head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the authority of the Wizengamot..."
Hermione immediately grasped her intention!
Yu wanted to fully encourage her interest in law!
In the future, she could work in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and dedicate herself to revising unreasonable legal provisions...
Perhaps one day, she could even become the head of the department...
Yu was truly her guiding light!
And Ron Weasley, how dare he gossip about Yu in front of her!
If he dared provoke her, he'd definitely regret it!
"Uh... I wasn't... I didn't mean..."
With a chicken leg in his mouth and a desire to cling to a big name, Ron found himself utterly speechless.
Meanwhile, at the Slytherin table, Draco and Blaise's heads were practically tilted back as they surveyed the hall with smug superiority.
Ignoring Daphne's glare, Draco declared with pride:
"This award is well-deserved!"
"My father admires Yu greatly. He's already established connections with The Daily Prophet... mutual benefit... Yu, don't you have anything to say?"
He looked at Jane Yu expectantly, wearing a face that practically begged for praise.
Jane Yu weakly pressed her temples:
"I really... thank you and your father..."
Unhappy with her perfunctory response, Draco pouted but quickly came up with another idea:
"You haven't been to my house in half a year. My mother misses you... Mmph mmph mmph..."
He was promptly silenced by a group of Slytherins covering his mouth and glaring at him.
"Ahem! I want to inform you all that the school has some institutional changes—"
Dumbledore cleared his throat loudly on the podium, successfully diverting everyone's attention and rescuing Draco from near suffocation.
"I believe that systems should keep pace with the times—this concerns the gaming consoles you are all so interested in—"
Everyone held their breath.
"The practices of our professors and students have proven that as long as these devices are used reasonably, they can be beneficial—"
"Therefore, the ban on bringing gaming consoles to school is lifted. Starting next school year, you may bring them to Hogwarts—"
"However, due to your lack of self-control, they must be handed over to your Head of House at the start of term, where professors will place time-restriction spells on them!"
Cheers erupted throughout the Great Hall. The students were so excited that their faces turned red. Many stood on the tables and began dancing, letting their joy overflow:
"Our club! It can continue!"
"We can play openly now!"
"This is the reward for our efforts! If it weren't for those articles, how could we have won the right to play gaming consoles!"
Jane Yu was dumbfounded.
Weren't gaming consoles supposed to lead students to skip classes, neglect homework, and ruin their health by staying up late?
And now the professors were brainwashed by a few articles?
Even the ban was lifted?
They even implemented an anti-addiction system?
She wanted to rush onto the stage and shake Dumbledore awake:
Even gaming consoles could get a pass—
Hogwarts was truly doomed!
But before she could think further, the excited club members quickly climbed down from the tables, rushed toward her, and hoisted her into the air—
"No, don't come near me—!"
"Help—"
Her helpless cries were drowned out by the crowd.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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