Hogwarts: My Grandmother is the Queen

Chapter 59 Influence Soars

The revelry in the locker room lasted for nearly half an hour before the noise gradually subsided.

After Flint announced a celebration party in the common room at 7 p.m., the team members gradually dispersed, returning to the castle covered in sweat and excitement.

Henry was the last to leave. He changed back into his usual dark green robe, carefully put away the Nimbus 2000, and walked out of the dressing room alone.

It was nearly dusk outside, and the cold wind was even more biting than in the morning.

The stands were empty, with only a few house-elves cleaning up the scattered ribbons and food wrappers.

He walked slowly along the path leading to the castle, his feet crunching on the snow-covered ground.

"Your Highness Henry."

A gentle voice came from the side.

Henry stopped and turned around, and saw Zhang Qiu standing under a beech tree by the roadside that had lost half of its leaves.

She was wrapped in a blue Ravenclaw scarf, her cheeks flushed slightly by the cold wind, and she held a small wicker basket in her hands.

"Miss Zhang," Henry said, somewhat surprised, "why didn't you go back to the castle? It's very cold."

"I've been waiting for you." Zhang Qiu stepped forward and handed him the basket. "Thank you for the invitation, Your Highness. This is osmanthus honey and Longjing tea that my mother sent. Today's competition was very exciting, both in terms of the rescue and the final prediction."

She paused, then looked at him earnestly: "My grandmother always said that Eastern culture values both virtue and talent, and I see those qualities in you today. There are also some Chinese pastries in this basket; perhaps you can use them for the celebration."

Does he possess both virtue and talent?

Henry took the basket; the wicker felt cool to the touch, but he could smell the faint fragrance of osmanthus and tea.

"Thank you, Ms. Zhang, this gift is very thoughtful," he said with a smile. "Many unexpected things happened in today's match."

"True skill is revealed in unexpected ways." Zhang Qiu smiled slightly. "I should go back now. Congratulations again, Your Highness."

She turned and left, her blue scarf swirling in a soft arc.

Henry continued toward the castle with his basket, and as soon as he stepped into the entrance hall, he was surrounded by a commotion.

"He's here! He's here! The hero Seeker is back!"

Draco's voice rang out sharply as he, along with Crabbe, Goyle, Pansy, Daphne, and a group of Slytherin students, thronged over like welcoming a triumphant general.

"Did you hear what Lee Jordan shouted at the end?" Draco's face flushed with excitement. "'Wells caught the Golden Snitch!' The whole arena was chanting your name! Even Gryffindor had to shut up!"

Pansy squeezed to the front, her eyes shining: "That last prediction was absolutely brilliant! How did you know the thief would bounce upwards?"

"Observe," Henry replied gently, gesturing to the basket in his hand. "Miss Zhang Qiu sent some celebratory refreshments; we can add them to the party tonight."

"Cho Chang of Ravenclaw?" Daphne asked softly, taking the basket and looking at it. "She's very thoughtful."

"Never mind that!" Draco urged Henry towards the common room. "The party's about to start! Flint said the kitchen will be sending in special food, and butterbeer from Hogsmeade!"

The Slytherin common room was completely transformed tonight, with dark green flags hanging all over the walls and ceiling, and silver serpentine decorations gleaming in the firelight.

The long tables were arranged into a huge U-shape and piled high with all kinds of food: roast chicken, steak, meat pies, a mountain of fries, five flavors of pudding, jelly that changes color on its own... and of course, dozens of butterbeers.

Almost all the Slytherin students were present, from first year to seventh year. Even Theodore, who usually stayed in a corner reading, was unusually seated in an armchair by the fireplace, holding a cup of butterbeer and quietly observing the lively crowd.

Flint stood on a table, tapping a brass cup with a spoon: "Quiet! Quiet!"

As the noise subsided, everyone turned to look at their Quidditch captain.

"Today!" Flint's voice was a little hoarse with excitement, "We proved who the strongest Quidditch team at Hogwarts is! We not only won, we won beautifully!"

Cheers erupted again.

Winning this match doesn't guarantee the championship, but for Slytherin, losing to anyone is acceptable, but losing to Gryffindor is absolutely unacceptable.

"And all of this," Flint pointed to Henry, "is thanks to our new Seeker—Henry Welsh! Although he's only a first-year substitute Seeker, he held his nerve when Higgs was injured, not only completing his marking duties but also catching the Snitch at the last moment! Not to mention..."

He paused here, seemingly considering his words.

"His sportsmanship during the game is equally commendable!"

This is very Slytherin—it praises the victory and subtly acknowledges the act of saving lives, while avoiding direct praise for things that are considered virtues in other houses but might be seen as weaknesses in Slytherin's eyes.

"To Wells!" Flint raised his glass.

"Homage to Wells!" the entire audience responded.

Draco, in particular, was grinning so wide his mouth almost reached his ears.

Henry raised his butterbeer mug and gestured to those around him.

The warm beverage slid down my throat, with a subtle caramel flavor; it was indeed quite delicious.

The party officially began, with older students gathering to discuss tactical details, while younger students excitedly imitated the exciting moves from today's game.

Draco became Henry's most enthusiastic praiser, repeatedly describing the moment of catching the thief to everyone willing to listen—of course, adding his own exaggerated embellishments.

Henry was toasted and congratulated by his teammates in turn.

He handled the situation appropriately, neither being overly humble to the point of appearing hypocritical, nor arrogant or conceited.

When asked about rescuing Harry, he simply said that the competition was important, but the students' safety was even more important, and the professors would agree.

This statement cleverly links personal behavior to school rules, leaving Slytherins who might question his assistance to his rivals with no way to refute it.

Once the enthusiastic classmates had given him a break, he sat on the sofa and opened the system panel.

[Current Scope of Influence: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]

[Influence Level: Emerging Talent (5/1000)]

Available Influence Points: 5

[Source of influence:]

Slytherin House: +51/week

Hufflepuff Academy: +6/week

Gryffindor Academy: +6/week

Ravenclaw College: +2/week

Professor's attention: +3/week

[Current Weekly Income: 68 points (settled every Sunday at 23:59)]

[Influence Shop (Unlocked, requires Influence Level 5)]