Chapter 83: Be Careful When You Walk Alone at Night
Chapter 83: Be Careful When You Walk Alone at Night
Professor Aurene had not only failed to inspect the first-year students' homework but had neglected to check any year's homework at all.
This decision instantly made him the most popular professor in Hogwarts overnight, without exception.
"He's sure to break the curse and become the first Dark Magic Defense professor to serve consecutive terms at Hogwarts in nearly fifty years."
The famous Quidditch enthusiast, Gryffindor second-year student Lee Jordan, publicly expressed in the Great Hall, "If an excellent professor like Professor Aurene can't break the curse, then there's no hope for this class. It's better to just cancel it."
His statement resonated with students from Hufflepuff and Gryffindor.
Of course, where there is support, there is also opposition.
Just as Lee Jordan was speaking passionately, a scoff was heard from the Ravenclaw table.
"Pfft, are you that happy just because he didn't check your homework?"
A somewhat handsome Ravenclaw student sneered at Lee Jordan and said, "In my opinion, this decision is extremely irresponsible and even negligent. We have discussed it, and we will jointly complain to Principal Dumbledore about his behavior."
"What did you say?"
The Gryffindor lions glared at the speaker, their faces darkening.
It is common knowledge in Hogwarts that a professor who doesn't check holiday homework is rarer than a ballet-dancing giant. Now that they've finally come across one, instead of treasuring this opportunity, these bookworms are actually considering filing a complaint?
Is that a human thing to do?
The Gryffindors were seething, and some of them slammed their hands on the table and stood up, demanding, "Do you dare say that again?"
"I remember you, Ravenclaw's Roger Davies." Lee Jordan, with his hands in his pockets and his head tilted back, looked at the other boy disdainfully through his nostrils. "Weren't you the one mocking us, Gryffindor, in the Charms class the other day...
Tsk tsk, you're quite brave, aren't you? Just be careful when you walk alone at night from now on."
Seeing his fellow Ravenclaw being threatened so openly, someone from the house stood up.
"Don't be afraid, Roger," said an older student with a head boy badge pinned to his chest. He looked at Lee Jordan coldly and asked, "Are you looking for a fight, Gryffindor?"
Fred waved his fingers dismissively and said, "My friend is just concerned about your new students falling. How did that turn into wanting to fight?"
"Oh, I see," George said, "You want to tattle to Professor McGonagall, accusing us of wanting to fight, so she can deduct points from us."
Fred raised an eyebrow, "So you can win the House Cup."
"And no one can stop you from complaining about Professor Aurene."
"I see," Lee Jordan's eyes lit up, and he quickly joined in.
"As expected of Ravenclaw, the smartest house. You're just full of nasty tricks."
Hearing the three of them finishing each other's sentences, the head boy's face turned green.
The House Cup? How dare you when you're in last place... Do you even have the right to say such things? And with your measly two-digit house points, he'd have to be full to bursting before he'd scheme against Gryffindor.
"We won't be going to the professors," the Ravenclaw head boy took a deep breath and said, "What I mean is that the paths at Hogwarts are flat, so Roger won't fall. But if someone has ill intentions, we won't stand idly by."
His words boosted Ravenclaw's morale.
"Roger has nothing to fear with Edward, the Head Boy, here. There's nothing they can do to us."
...
With the support of his peers, Roger Davies straightened his back and locked eyes with Lee Jordan, the tension between them palpable.
"Kyle, what do you think?" Cedric from Hufflepuff asked with concern, "Do you think they'll actually come to blows?"
"I'll just sit here and watch."
Chewing on a piece of steak, Kyle replied nonchalantly, "As long as they're not idiots, they won't actually fight."
Arguing was commonplace between Gryffindor and Slytherin, and they never actually came to blows.
Moreover, Ravenclaw wouldn't want to lose their second-place standing, and Gryffindor wouldn't want to give Slytherin the satisfaction of gaining an advantage.
So, some heated words were the limit.
As for whether they would resort to underhanded tactics behind the scenes... Kyle estimated it was highly unlikely, unless they truly wanted to be confined to their dorms.
After all, the entire castle knew about the situation, and with such obvious targets, it would be nearly impossible to pull the sack trick again.
Of course, this only applied to Ravenclaw; it would be a different story if it were Slytherin.
"What are you all doing!"
Just then, Professor McGonagall stormed into the hall, her lips pursed as she glared at the students at the center of the commotion.
"I hope you're not quarreling, gentlemen, or else..."
"Of course not, Professor McGonagall," Fred was quick to reply, "We were just discussing Quidditch."
"Yes," George chimed in, "We all felt that it was a shame Ireland lost to Canada this year."
Lee Jordan was the slowest to react, only speaking up after a kick from George, "They'll definitely take the cup in four years!"
...
"Heh, that's the most foolish thing I've ever heard."
It was unclear if Roger Davies was deliberately provoking them or if he truly believed what he said, "Bulgaria is the strongest team. Ireland isn't even worthy of carrying their shoes!"
"Oh? And how did your beloved Bulgaria fare this year..." Fred asked.
George added in a mocking tone, "You forgot, Fred, they didn't even make it past the semifinals!"
"That's only because their Seeker was terrible!" Roger Davies shouted, his neck veins popping, "If they had a better Seeker, they'd be the strongest team, hands down."
Kyle wondered if it was his imagination, but Roger seemed angrier than he had been before.
...
And so, the incident fizzled out without further incident. Professor McGonagall didn't deduct any points, merely reminding them not to make a ruckus in the Great Hall before making her way over to Kyle.
"Headmaster Dumbledore is looking for you." Professor McGonagall subtly gestured towards Michael, "If you're finished eating, please head to his office."
"Of course, Professor McGonagall."
Kyle swallowed the last bite of his steak and left the hall with her.
As they walked out the door, he clearly heard Professor McGonagall mutter under her breath, "These young wizards nowadays... clearly, Scotland is the strongest team."
...
(End of Chapter)
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