Wade recounted everything, neither exaggerating nor trying to cover anything up.
Even so, Professor McGonagall was furious, her nostrils flaring as if she could breathe fire at any moment. She said angrily, "Bullying a classmate... and using such an insulting epithet... We absolutely will not tolerate such behavior—Severus, I'm giving Mr. Malfoy a month of detention, at least!"
Professor Snape seemed lost in thought, his face pale and vacant. Hearing Professor McGonagall's words, he was absent for a moment before slowly saying, "Of course... you're right... Minerva... do it that way..."
"Good!" Professor McGonagall exhaled, and as she turned to Wade, her stern expression finally softened a little.
"Mr. Gray—"
"Yes, Professor." Wade lowered his head. "I know I shouldn't use spells on classmates in the corridor..."
"Ahem, ahem." Professor Flitwick suddenly coughed twice. "Yes, too impulsive. What if someone got hurt? For your recklessness and rashness, I'm deducting one... uh..."
Professor Flitwick secretly glanced at his two colleagues beside him.
"—Five points!"
He hardened his heart, gritted his teeth, and said it, then subtly winked at Wade, signaling—Don't worry, we'll add them back later.
Professor McGonagall smiled imperceptibly and said, "Hmm, of course—at the same time, for bravely defending your classmate and successfully casting the Disarming Charm, I'm adding ten points to you, Mr. Gray. It's clear that you... hmm... are exceptionally good at Charms!"
...
"Ten points added?" In the Umbrella Room, Michael was also very surprised by the result.
"Actually, only five points were added, because before that, Professor Flitwick deducted five points," Wade emphasized.
"I know... but... that was Professor McGonagall!" Michael said, quite incredulously. "She doesn't even favor Gryffindor!"
"It's precisely because Professor McGonagall is fair that she added ten points to Ravenclaw!" Padma didn't seem surprised at all. "Just think about what Malfoy did... A month of detention, he got off easy!"
"Not only that, they didn't get anywhere with Professor Snape either," Theo said, revealing news that no one else knew. "Someone saw the Slytherins go together to complain to Professor Snape, but they were kicked out in less than two minutes."
Ryan nodded knowingly. "Even if Professor Snape is usually very—strict, he wouldn't unfairly favor Slytherin without reason, would he?"
Neville probably didn't quite agree. He felt that if they could see how Snape picked on them in Potions Class, which Gryffindor and Slytherin shared, they probably wouldn't have such a far-fetched opinion.
As everyone chatted, the door of the Umbrella Room suddenly opened—at this time, only one person would come. Padma happily raised her hand and called out, "Hermione!"
The brown-haired girl walked in from outside with cheerful steps, smiling brightly as she said, "Good afternoon, everyone!"
"Huh?" Padma looked at her with some confusion. "Hermione, why do I feel like you're a bit different today?"
"N-no, I'm not—" Hermione tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, saying evasively, "Maybe it's hearing that Malfoy got his comeuppance—I'm just a little too happy—"
"Hmm..." Padma was half-convinced—Was that really the reason?
Michael, however, saw it at a glance—Hermione used to have noticeably large front teeth, and coupled with her bushy brown hair, it made her look a lot like a beaver. But when Hermione smiled today, her teeth were perfectly straight and of normal size, making her look much cuter than usual.
"Wow, Hermione!" Michael didn't voice his discovery but instead complimented her, "You look radiant today."
Hermione smiled shyly, and to divert attention, she turned and called out to the person behind her, "Come in, Harry!"
Harry Potter, who had been lingering outside the door, finally walked in. Everyone looked at him, and the boy uncomfortably ran a hand through his hair.
This wasn't their first meeting, of course, but seeing classmates in a classroom was normal. Seeing Harry Potter as a new member in their "territory" or "circle," however... still brought a strange and special feeling to their hearts.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Harry was a little awkward. He greeted them awkwardly, "Um—hello, everyone? I'm Harry Potter..."
Then he desperately realized—What a silly thing to say? They had been in school together for more than half a year. Could anyone still not know each other?
Hermione had always told him to make a good impression, but his stupidity seemed to have ruined the first step...
They must think he's strange for talking like that, right? He looks so foolish...
"Should we reintroduce ourselves?" Wade was the first to stand up, extending his hand with a smile. "Hello, Harry, I'm Wade Grey."
If you were the only one doing something foolish, it would be incredibly embarrassing; but if someone else was doing the same, that embarrassment somehow didn't seem to matter as much.
Harry gratefully shook Wade's hand.
Then Michael Corner also extended his hand. "Welcome, I'm Michael Corner—actually, I've wanted to say for a long time, your move catching the Golden Snitch last time on the field was really cool! I look forward to your next performance."
"Thanks." Harry smiled shyly.
"Welcome to the group, Harry, I'm Theo Mancini." Theo smiled. "Next time you'll be playing against Hufflepuff. I can only wish you enjoy the match and hope Hufflepuff wins."
Harry truly wished he could say something witty and humorous in response, but being bad with words, his mind was suddenly filled only with Wood's passionate speech in the rain—
"Hufflepuff is nothing to worry about!"
No... I can't say that...
"Beat Hufflepuff! Win the House Cup!"
Enough! He didn't want to offend everyone yet...
"You must give it your all! The first time in seven years! Make Professor McGonagall proud!" Wood yelled, pumping his fist!
Harry: ...
"I'll definitely give it my all!" Before his brain could catch up, Harry had already spoken.
Theo smiled. "That's the spirit."
"Ryan Caro." Ryan shook his hand, his smile faint but sincere. "Although I haven't joined any other clubs, I have to say, SSC is definitely the best."
"Of course," Harry quickly said.
"Padma Patil." Padma grinned, shaking his hand. "My only request is that you don't mistake me for my sister."
"I won't make that mistake," Harry said with certainty.
Unlike the Weasley Twins, who seemed like copy-pasted duplicates, the differences between the Patil sisters were actually quite noticeable. Even though they had very similar appearances, their personalities, temperaments, and expressions varied greatly, making it impossible to confuse them.
"So—last but not least, it's me." Hermione also went through the motions of shaking his hand, chuckling. "Your friend—and a fellow SSC member."
"Oh—Hermione—" Harry couldn't help but laugh.
At this moment, Harry had completely forgotten all the thoughts he'd had upon entering. Amidst the playful welcoming ceremony, he truly felt himself being accepted by a group—this was completely different from his friendship with Ron, or the admiration and curiosity some classmates showed him because of his "Savior" reputation.
Harry couldn't quite articulate what this difference was at the moment; he only knew he was in a very good mood, as if he were floating on a soft cloud.
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