Harry Does Different DXV
20 Points
"Last, but certainly not least; it takes a great deal of courage to stand up to a foe. It takes even more to stand up to a friend." Dumbledore had been awarding, much to the delight of Gryffindor and the growing distress Slytherin "I award ten points to Neville Longbottom."
And the 75% of the school that had never known a non-Slytherin win went insane. Harry was equally delighted, having contributed a good portion of those last-minute points. He grinned at the toast Hagrid offered him, which was followed by congratulatory shakes from Dean Thomas, Percy Weasley and Lee Jordan. Then he saw Professor McGonagall clapping excitedly, and something snapped. As the celebration quieted he approached the Head Table with a growing anger. The boy gestured at the teacher and demanded "Well? What are you so happy about?"
"What is this?" her tone was icy.
At the sudden attention, Harry gulped air but went on with his protest "Professor Dumbledore only really gave us 20 points when you account for that 150 you knocked off. Little much, especially since you only took 50 from Slytherin for Malfoy being in the same place at the same time."
"The matter of House Points, Harry, is strictly professors' discretion." The Headmaster interjected himself authoritatively.
The young Gryffindor snorted, and shrugged an unknown hand off his shoulder, and went on "Like Snape blaming me and deducting points because Neville made a Potions mistake I couldn't even see? But gives points to Malfoy and Parkinson just for showing up on time? No Gryff got that from him. But, back to you Professor McGonagall? How come Greengrass never lost points for Crabbe's bad Transfiguration? Ever give Hermione 20 points for being first for class?"
Harry wasn't gaining any friends among either Gryffindors or Slytherins, but he was making points with Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw. Something he noticed as he continued "I don't think Binns KNOWS even who's in his class. I know Professor Sinistra was in Slytherin, but she's fair. Professors Flitwick and Sprout, everyone believes they are too. Me included. So, the way I see it, we got a professor that hates Gryffindors …and me personally. And a Head of House that won't fight for us, or …I dunno… give Ron five points because she likes his hair."
There was a round of muted laughter that was silenced by McGonagall's cold query "You would have us lose the House Cup, Potter? After eight years? I think the rest of the night in your dormitory should be of benefit. I do not expect to see you until the leaving breakfast."
"I just don't care …anymore… about a useless lump of metal just gathering dust, Professor. Nothing in it when you make up the rules as you go." Harry countered, then started to leave, but he turned to add "Breakfast is nice. Wouldn't get that at the Dursleys."
The silence that followed him was deafening.