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Chapter 20: Sir, Believe Me
🕑 Added 2024-12-14 15:07:10 +0000 UTCOne Hour Later—
“So, are you saying this is your justification for sending Malfoy to the hospital wing?”
Professor McGonagall asked sternly.
“Professor, I didn’t mean to!” Harry protested, desperately trying to defend himself.
“I really didn’t intend to attack him! I used Serpensortia to summon a black snake just to scare him, to stop him from hitting me again—who would’ve thought that the snake didn’t even touch him? It merely slithered past his leg, and he fainted from fright!”
“So, in other words, Mr. Malfoy’s cries of ‘It bit me!’ and ‘It’s going to kill me!’ on the train were all... what? Hallucinations?”
“Exactly! It’s all in his head... Everyone saw it!”
Oh no, Professor McGonagall, please believe me!
Harry tried to win her over with an earnest look, hoping to sway the cold, stern face of the tall witch who stood before him—none other than Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts.
But she wasn’t buying it.
Her icy stare remained fixed on Harry.
Percy Weasley, Ron’s prefect brother, had personally escorted him here. Initially, Percy had only intended to mediate a conflict after hearing about the incident. But, as Percy explained:
“When we arrived, Malfoy was already sprawled on the floor, with Crabbe and Goyle too shocked to speak. All they could manage was to repeatedly say that Harry was going to kill them.”
This alarming situation prompted Percy to act immediately, hauling Ron and Harry off to face Professor McGonagall.
In the dim light of her office, illuminated by a lone lantern, Professor McGonagall’s face seemed even more severe, like an enraged hawk, radiating an oppressive aura.
A few seconds later, Ron couldn’t help but jump in to defend Harry.
“Professor, the snake really didn’t touch Malfoy! I only saw it brush past his leg before he fainted! It’s all on him...”
“What did the snake look like?” Professor McGonagall cut him off.
“Oh! It was no thicker than a finger and as long as an arm. Sure, its black scales looked a bit scary, but it wasn’t venomous and wasn’t even remotely dangerous. It couldn’t even be considered an actual magical attack.”
“And, Professor, it was Malfoy who insulted our families first. He—”
“Enough!”
Professor McGonagall’s sudden, sharp tone made Ron jump.
She glared at them, her expression filled with exasperation.
“Do you two not understand the point, Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter?”
“The issue isn’t whether your magic was frightening or not. The issue is why you felt the need to use it on the train! Disputes, no matter how unjust they may seem, should be resolved by seeking help from a prefect—not by recklessly using magic against your peers!”
“Mr. Weasley, Potter might be new to magic, but you are not. Do you truly believe your brother wouldn’t stand up for you?”
“I would, Professor!” Percy, still standing at the door, interjected.
But Professor McGonagall ignored him, her stern gaze fixed on Harry and Ron. Coldly, she summed up the situation:
“If you were adults, you’d already be in Azkaban by now. Perhaps Malfoy would serve a month and you two a fortnight, but regardless, your lives would be ruined!”
Ron turned pale, his face etched with despair.
“So... are we being expelled?”
Professor McGonagall hesitated briefly before replying:
“...To your disappointment, Mr. Weasley, no. You will remain here for seven years of strict education to ensure you never make such mistakes again.”
“The Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery does not apply to first-years, at least not yet. While I may propose an amendment to that rule later, for now, you haven’t broken any existing laws. As punishment, you’ll both serve a month of detention. Any further infractions, however, will result in suspension.”
Both Harry and Ron let out sighs of relief.
Harry couldn’t even begin to imagine what it would be like to be expelled—returning in disgrace to the Dursleys, attending Stonewall High? Having experienced this magical world only to lose it would feel worse than death.
But McGonagall wasn’t finished.
“And one more thing—”
After a few moments, her piercing gaze landed on Harry.
“Mr. Potter, I want you to tell me truthfully and in detail: where did you learn that spell?”
“A dangerous spell?” Harry exclaimed in confusion. “I learned it from a book! But the book clearly said it wasn’t harmful. The snake wasn’t venomous... I thought it was just a small spell.”
“Which book?”
“From Bloodlines to Curses.”
“It was a gift from Mr. Borgin of Borgin and Burkes, supposedly a textbook from the Black family. Professor Victor Vandeboom gave it to me when we visited Knockturn Alley.”
Professor McGonagall’s expression shifted slightly, and she responded dryly:
“I see. The book will be confiscated. I’ll also have a word with Professor Vandeboom.”
Meanwhile, Professor Victor Vandeboom was walking toward the Great Hall with Professor Snape.
Fully dressed and exuding an air of authority, Victor’s presence drew the attention of students. They would first gape at the new professor in surprise before quickly looking away, pretending not to notice while sneaking glances out of the corners of their eyes.
Much of this reaction was due to the new brooch Snape had given him.
Yes, Snape had succeeded in his plan.
After much deliberation, he couldn’t resist the allure of Victor’s Nightshade badge. He went to older Slytherin students to procure a brooch, added some of his own rare items, and managed to convince Victor to trade.
Victor’s new brooch featured a roaring serpent, intricately detailed with even its fangs clearly visible. The mithril craftsmanship gave it an ancient, almost eerie charm.
This led everyone to mistakenly assume that Victor was aligned with Slytherin House, making them too afraid to even glance in his direction.
No one wanted to risk losing points for their house on a Slytherin professor’s whim!
Thus, Victor and Snape parted the crowd like Moses through the Red Sea as they entered the Great Hall.
The Great Hall was already full of students, illuminated by hundreds of enchanted candles. The ceiling mimicked a starry night sky. Students, dressed in robes adorned with their house crests, crowded around four long tables. The hall’s vintage décor gave it an almost dreamlike atmosphere.
Even Victor found it surreal.
In his experience, gatherings like these often attracted fearful mobs who despised magic, turning such events into deadly contests of spellcasting and criminal trials, complete with bounties issued by the kingdom.
Once most students were seated, Professor Dumbledore stood up, smiling warmly as he began to speak.
“Welcome, welcome, everyone. After a summer apart, we are finally reunited once more.”
“This year, I hope you will fill your minds with new knowledge to replace what the summer may have emptied, and enjoy another wonderful time learning with your professors.”
The hall grew quiet as students listened attentively.
But minutes later, the grand doors creaked open, interrupting his speech.
Two small heads peeked nervously through the crack, their wide-eyed faces turning pale as they realized the entire hall was staring at them.
“Come on, gentlemen. Hiding behind the door won’t make it any less awkward,” came Professor McGonagall’s voice as she pushed the doors open.
“As you can see,” Dumbledore continued with a chuckle, “we have some new friends joining us. Though they seem a bit... hesitant, I assure you this term will be as delightful as ever.”
“Well then, I won’t keep you waiting any longer. Our old friend, the Sorting Hat, must be eager to begin.”
