A Ninja Calamity is a Hufflepuff at Hogwarts

As the days passed, the excitement and fear surrounding the secret corridor gradually faded. The professors, though watchful, did not bring up the incident again, and the students slowly returned to their routines. 

The tension that had once gripped the school eased, allowing a semblance of normalcy to settle over Hogwarts.

It was during this lull that the final exams were announced, sending a ripple of anxiety through the student body. 

The end of the term was fast approaching, and with it, the tests that would determine their academic progress.

For most students, this was a time of intense preparation, hours spent in the library pouring over books and notes. 

But for Kouchi, it was just another obstacle to navigate. The magical subjects were fascinating, but he didn't feel the need to excel. His primary focus remained on learning the secrets of this world, not impressing his professors or classmates.

When the exams began, Kouchi approached them with a strategy born out of necessity rather than effort. 

During the written portion, he decided to employ his skills subtly. Instead of exerting himself to understand every question, he opted to copy answers from someone else and tweak them enough to avoid detection.

Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, Kouchi's choice of target was Hermione Granger. Known as the brightest witch of her age, 

Hermione was meticulous in her work, her answers precise and comprehensive. 

Kouchi, with his Sharingan activated discreetly, scanned her answers and adapted them to his style. He made minor adjustments, just enough to make his responses seem original, but still reflective of Hermione's thorough understanding.

The practical exams followed, where students had to demonstrate their magical prowess. 

Here, Kouchi's ninja training gave him an edge he hadn't fully anticipated. His reflexes were sharper, his control over his body and energy far superior to most of his peers. 

Even without a deep grasp of the theory behind each spell, his execution was nearly flawless.

In one instance, where students were asked to levitate objects using the Wingardium Leviosa charm, Kouchi not only succeeded but also added a bit of flair, spinning the object gently in the air before setting it down softly. 

The professors, impressed by his precise control, awarded him high marks, much to the surprise of his classmates.

By the end of the exams, Kouchi's performance was undeniable. His written answers were near-perfect, and his practical demonstrations showed a natural talent that seemed almost too good to be true. When the results were posted, Kouchi found himself at the top of the class, much to his dismay.

The announcement caused a stir among the students. Whispers filled the halls, and eyes followed Kouchi wherever he went. It wasn't just his top spot that caused the buzz, but the fact that he had seemingly done it without paying attention in class. The other students had always seen him as aloof, barely participating in discussions or showing interest in the lessons.

"How did he do it?" a Gryffindor student muttered to her friend. "He never even takes notes!"

"I heard he copied someone," another replied. "But who could he have copied to get such high marks?"

The answer to that question remained a mystery, as no one dared confront Kouchi directly. His reputation as someone to fear had only grown, compounded by the mysterious aura he maintained.

Even Hermione was baffled. She had noticed Kouchi's seeming disinterest in class and had often wondered how he managed to keep up. To see him surpass her in both the written and practical exams was something she couldn't wrap her head around.

"I don't understand," she confided to Harry and Ron one afternoon in the common room. "He never pays attention in class, and yet... he did better than me."

Ron shrugged, his face thoughtful. "Maybe he's just one of those natural geniuses."

Harry, however, wasn't convinced. He had seen Kouchi in action, knew there was more to him than met the eye. "There's something different about him," Harry said quietly. "Something he's not telling us."

Meanwhile, Kouchi found himself in an uncomfortable position. He hadn't wanted to draw this much attention. His goal had been to blend in, to learn quietly without standing out. Yet now, he was both feared and respected, a figure shrouded in mystery.

He could feel the eyes on him as he walked through the corridors, hear the hushed whispers that followed his footsteps. While some students regarded him with admiration, others kept their distance, wary of the boy who had come out of nowhere to claim the top spot in their year.

Inwardly, Kouchi sighed. This wasn't what he had wanted, but it was the reality he had to deal with. For now, he would continue to play the part, using the fear and respect to his advantage as he continued his investigation into the secrets of Hogwarts.

As the term drew to a close, Kouchi couldn't shake the feeling that his actions had set a series of events into motion, ones that he couldn't yet foresee. But he remained vigilant, knowing that his path was one of constant adaptation and subtle maneuvering.

For now, he would endure the attention, all while keeping his true intentions hidden from those around him.

The Great Hall was abuzz with excitement and anticipation as students gathered for the final dinner of the semester. The enchanted ceiling reflected a clear night sky, dotted with stars that seemed to twinkle in time with the energy in the room. The house banners hung proudly from the walls, their colors vibrant against the ancient stone.

As the students settled into their seats, the tension was palpable. The House Cup would soon be awarded, and the points tallied over the year would determine which house would claim the coveted prize.

Kouchi sat at the Hufflepuff table, observing the animated chatter around him. His housemates wore expressions of hopeful anticipation, their eyes frequently darting toward the staff table where Dumbledore sat, his ever-present twinkle in his eyes. Kouchi, however, remained indifferent. His thoughts were elsewhere, wrapped in the intricate webs of plans and secrets he had been navigating all year.

The hall quieted as Dumbledore rose to his feet, signaling the beginning of the ceremony. "Another year at Hogwarts has come to an end," he began, his voice warm and commanding attention. "Before we part for the summer, we must award the House Cup."

The house tables tensed, the students leaning forward eagerly. The hourglasses that held the house points shimmered at the back of the hall, their sands reflecting the current standings.

"In fourth place, Hufflepuff, with 352 points," Dumbledore announced.

A collective sigh of disappointment swept through the Hufflepuff table. Shoulders slumped, and faces fell, though a few tried to maintain a semblance of composure. Kouchi glanced around at his housemates, noting the dejection in their expressions. Yet, he couldn't summon the energy to mimic their disappointment.

"In third place, Ravenclaw, with 426 points," Dumbledore continued.

The Ravenclaw table accepted their fate with quiet dignity, though a few students exchanged disappointed glances.

"In second place, Slytherin, with 472 points."

The Slytherins muttered under their breath, their eyes narrowing slightly as they watched Dumbledore move on to the final announcement.

"And in first place, with 482 points, Gryffindor!"

The Gryffindor table erupted in cheers, students leaping to their feet, clapping and shouting in triumph. Their red and gold banner unfurled majestically, and the air filled with the sound of jubilant celebration.

Meanwhile, the other tables sank into subdued murmurs. Kouchi noticed the way his housemates' shoulders sagged further, disappointment etched deeply into their features. The loss stung, even more so because they had hoped for a better outcome this year.

But Kouchi couldn't bring himself to care, not even enough to pretend. To him, the House Cup was a trivial contest compared to the larger game he was playing. He sat quietly, his expression neutral, as his housemates exchanged murmurs of discontent.

His lack of reaction did not go unnoticed. One of the Hufflepuff prefects, a girl named Amelia, cast him a sharp glance. "Kouchi, aren't you at least a little upset?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Kouchi met her gaze, his eyes steady. "It's just a cup," he replied simply, his tone devoid of emotion.

Amelia's brows knitted together in frustration. "It's about house pride! Don't you care about that at all?"

Kouchi shrugged slightly, his calm demeanor unwavering. "There are more important things."

His response sent a ripple through the nearby students. Whispers spread, and soon, Kouchi found himself the subject of harsh stares and quiet accusations. "Heartless," someone muttered from a few seats away. Others nodded in agreement, their disappointment quickly morphing into disdain.

To Kouchi, the reaction was predictable but irrelevant. He knew his priorities lay beyond the walls of Hogwarts, and he wasn't about to feign enthusiasm for a contest that meant little in the grand scheme of things. He remained silent, letting the words roll off him like water off a duck's back.