Upon returning to Hogwarts, the first Quidditch match was between Ravenclaw and Slytherin.
The intense rivalry between Ravenclaw's heartthrob and Slytherin, known for their disdain for Muggles, made the atmosphere thick with tension.
Before the match, Malfoy intentionally cornered Alaric in the corridor, accompanied by Crabbe and Goyle. They were all set to cheer for the Slytherin team during the game.
"Make way, Ravenclaw's 'pretty boy,'" Malfoy taunted Alaric loudly. "Or are you so eager to be insulted in front of your lovers on the field? Watch out for a broken leg!"
After saying this, he chuckled, thinking he was witty. His two followers laughed exaggeratedly, as if someone were holding a knife to them.
Alaric shook his head in silence, finding the childish antics quite amusing. Spoiled brats like Malfoy could only talk tough in front of him, and if things got serious, he would definitely back down.
However, though he wasn't angered, there were others ready to defend him.
"You're just jealous, Malfoy," Hermione said sharply beside Alaric.
"No girls like you, and you aren't even that good of a player. All you can do is spew bitter words from the sidelines."
Her words hit Malfoy right where it hurt, and he became visibly irritated, his face turning unpleasant.
"No one asked for your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood," he retorted harshly to Hermione. "Just roll away with your lover."
This statement immediately triggered an explosive reaction.
Cho Chang glared at him in anger, warning, "How dare you...shut up."
However, the most significant reaction came from Alaric. He coldly declared to Malfoy, "You will pay for that statement."
At that moment, a cold aura made Malfoy feel as if he was tied naked in an ice slab, he couldn't help but shudder.
In an instant, Alaric drew his wand and pointed it at Malfoy, who promptly transformed into a white mouse, scurrying anxiously on the ground.
Crabbe and Goyle roared and lunged at Alaric, but he stood firm, merely pointing his wand at each of them.
Malfoy's two hefty sidekicks instantly transformed into mice—Crabbe became a large, chubby brown mouse, while Goyle turned into a sturdy black mouse.
Alaric casually snapped a twig, transforming it into a large iron cage. Then using Levitation charm, he tossed all three confused mice into the cage, then hung it from the corridor ceiling, allowing the mice to scurry around inside.
Finally, he instructed Himari, "Himari, gather your friends and teach these three little hooligans how to be good students."
Upon hearing this, nearby onlookers shuddered involuntarily.
Call Himari's friends to educate them? Who is Himari? She's the ultimate big sister of all Hogwarts cats. Who could she possibly call as friends?
Sending cats to deal with three transformed young wizards? That's enough to give someone a heart attack.
The new guy from Ravenclaw turned out to have such a frightening side. Better not mess with him.
That was the view of the boys.
However, the girls' reactions were completely different. They not only did not find Alaric cold and heartless but admired him even more.
"Alaric is so cool."
"Such a reassuring man."
"He gets angry on behalf of his girlfriend; how romantic."
"Why does that bookworm get his favor?"
"If only I were the one insulted as a Mudblood."
...
After leaving the trio, on the way to the match, Hermione curiously looked at Alaric and asked, "Are you okay now? Why did you get so angry just now?"
Before Alaric could speak, Cho Chang sarcastically interjected, "Haven't you figured it out yet? He was venting for you, Malfoy insulted you."
But Hermione still couldn't understand. She seemed somewhat worried, saying, "I know Malfoy said some rude things, but it didn't have to escalate this far. Using magic in the corridor is against the rules. Just because he said that 'mud—' word, what was it?"
"It's Mudblood," Alaric took over, sighed, and spoke softly, "It's a very malicious term. It's the most insulting thing he could think of. Mudblood is a derogatory term for those with Muggle parents. I could tolerate it if he said it about me, but he actually said it to you."
"So you couldn't help but do itr?" Cho Chang complained somewhat irritably.
"This is using magic in the corridor against a fellow student, and the target is Snape's favorite student. Do you think that biased old bat will react?
He will lock you up for a month! He has never liked you, can't you endure it for yourself, even if just for that?"
"So, I should just watch him insult me or retort back at him?" Alaric shook his head.
"I won't engage in a war of words with him; that would make me look just as foolish as him. The best way to deal with such people is to strike when necessary.
If you tolerate him, you'll find he becomes as annoying as a fly—because, though he can't harm you, he'll keep pestering you.
Oh, I forgot, wizards are never bothered by flies, so let's replace the flies with garden gnomes in your yard."
Finally, he added with pride, "And, Snape can't do anything to me. If he gives me detention, I'll be out in three days. Just wait and see."
Listening to him comparing Malfoy to a garden gnome, Hermione and Cho Chang burst into laughter.
After finally stopping their laughter, Cho Chang turned to Hermione and said, "Listening to him, I suddenly feel like he makes sense.
Some wizards, like the Malfoys, always think they are superior to others because they are so-called pure-bloods. In fact, we all know it doesn't matter.
Look at Neville Longbottom—he's a pure-blood, but he can't even handle a cauldron properly."
Alaric also proudly chimed in, "We don't even need the curses they use! We're better off without them because they haven't even invented a magic spell that our Hermione can't use yet."
Blushing, Hermione's expression softened. She looked at Alaric and, using a voice completely unlike his, said, "Thank you."
"Don't thank him," Cho Chang complained with some frustration.
"He's asking for trouble himself. I heard Draco Malfoy's dad, Lucius Malfoy, is on the school board, and he used to be a Death Eater. If he hears that his son has been turned into a mouse and played with by a cat, he'll definitely come after you. What will you do then?"
However, Alaric was not worried because of this. He responded calmly: "It doesn't matter. Lucius Malfoy can't do anything to me. At most, he can try to expel me at the school board meeting, but Dumbledore I believe won't agree to that."
Sighing at this, Cho Chang helplessly said, "It's good that you know what's going to happen. Anyway, I won't be the unlucky one then. Why should I worry so much? You'll still treat me as a nosy girl."
"How could it be?" Alaric gently touched her smooth black hair, "I know you're just concerned about me. But a boy should stand up to protect his girl in these situations, right? If the person insulted was you, I would do the same."
"His girl?"
"If it were you?"
Alaric didn't know, but with a casual remark, he hit the softest spot in the hearts of both girls simultaneously. The scene immediately quieted down, and the girls were moved, each involuntarily grabbing one of his arms.
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