Hogwarts, Great Hall.
As more and more Slytherins gathered, Gryffindor also took action. George and Fred were the first to stand up, leading the Quidditch players and upper-year students over.
This scene was so blatant that Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were not surprised at all.
They very tactfully retreated to the sides, leaving the entire hall open, each standing in a spot where they wouldn't be affected, watching the situation unfold with interest.
Seeing the increasing number of Slytherins around, Draco became more and more excited.
"Now let's see who has the courage to hit me! Show me what you've got! Poor Weasley!"
It was as if Draco had a talent for provoking people with just one sentence. The Weasley surname wasn't a joke; they dominated Gryffindor for an entire era.
Starting with Bill Weasley, for over ten years, they built considerable connections in Gryffindor.
Even at this point, when their numbers were at their lowest, there were still four Weasleys in Gryffindor: seniors remembering Charlie, Percy handling upper-year affairs, the twins in the middle, and Ron in the lower years...
"Then let me show you what the poor can do!" Fred spoke up.
He hadn't planned to get involved in Ron's affairs, but since Draco targeted the Weasley name instead of Ron, he and George couldn't just be bystanders anymore.
Just as the conflict was about to ignite, all the Slytherins suddenly dispersed.
"Harry Potter! Stirring up trouble in the Great Hall, disrupting the castle's order, Gryffindor loses 10 points!"
Snape, clad in his black robe, looked at Harry with a blank expression, then turned his head, his eyes slowly sweeping over the Gryffindors. No one met his gaze, including the Weasley twins.
Perhaps because the reason was valid, Snape deducted a whole ten points from Harry at once.
With nearly a year's experience, Harry knew that the only thing he could do now was to keep his mouth shut, so as not to give Snape another chance to deduct points.
However...
"Potter, not greeting a professor, showing no manners! Gryffindor loses one point."
Snape said the most ruthless words in the most indifferent tone.
Hearing another point being deducted, Harry felt a surge of anger he couldn't extinguish. His clenched fists trembled slightly. If it were a deduction during Potions class, it would be one thing.
But today, in the Great Hall, with so many people watching, facing Snape's repeated insults made Harry feel extremely humiliated, like a clown being laughed at.
Snape noticed Harry's change, his lips even curling into a faint smile, anticipating Harry's next reaction.
...
"What are you all doing here? Trying to cause trouble before the holidays?"
Professor McGonagall's voice rang out in the Great Hall, and Harry released his clenched fists.
"Severus! I assume you're here to mediate between students, right?"
Snape, being called out, said nothing and turned to leave when facing Professor McGonagall.
"And you? Still standing here for the show? What do you want, more homework?"
Professor McGonagall looked around, sternly reprimanding everyone, whether Slytherin or Gryffindor.
A potential storm was thus easily defused by Professor McGonagall.
As the crowd dispersed, Ron tugged on Harry's sleeve.
"Don't worry, the old bat won't be smug for long. He probably still doesn't know that we know all about his plans."
Ron's words were undoubtedly the greatest comfort to Harry, as it meant he wouldn't have to see Snape's face next year, and Potions class would no longer be his nightmare.
"Ron, you're right! We still need to keep a close watch. I noticed that he's no longer limping. The leg bitten by Fluffy must have healed. I'm afraid he will..."
Considering they were in the Great Hall, Harry stopped mid-sentence, remembering the lesson from his previous slip of the tongue.
"Don't worry! As long as we keep an eye on the old bat, that thing will be safe."
Ron said confidently, then changed the subject and began to complain:
"I wonder if Dumbledore is really getting old, not noticing such an obvious thing."
This time, Harry didn't agree but instead changed the topic.
"Professor Dumbledore must be too busy. Let's go! We still have class in the afternoon."
...
Time always passes quietly in the mundane details of life.
After entering June, the scenery outside the castle became more beautiful.
But this was just a facade, because June meant the arrival of final exams, something all young wizards dreaded.
In the corridors, students hurried by, their faces filled with anxiety and focus.
The library doors were almost always closed, and through the windows, one could see those buried in their books, struggling in the sea of textbooks and notes, trying to cram the last bits of knowledge into their heads.
Occasionally, a few laughs could be heard in the castle, but those sounds were quickly swallowed by the surrounding silence.
Even George and Fred, who usually loved pranks, had restrained themselves, focusing on their studies.
This couldn't help but make one admire the genes of the Weasley family. Bill, Charlie, Percy—there was no need to mention them. George and Fred, despite their antics, never faltered in their grades.
...
A few days later, exam season arrived as scheduled.
One theoretical paper after another completely overwhelmed everyone.
In addition to theory, some subjects also had practical exams.
For example, Professor Flitwick had the young wizards enter the classroom one by one to see if they could make a pineapple tap-dance across a desk.
Professor McGonagall had everyone try to turn a rat into a snuffbox, with the prettier the box, the higher the score.
...
After the Transfiguration exam.
Ino didn't leave as usual but chose to wait at the classroom door.
When he saw Professor McGonagall come out of the classroom, he hurried up to her.
"The exam is over. Do you have any questions, Mr. Swinburne?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"Professor! I recently encountered some difficulties with Transfiguration and wanted to ask for your guidance."
Ino replied politely, bowing slightly.
He had chosen to wait and catch her before the holiday to complete his Animagus transformation over the summer.
This pinnacle of Transfiguration magic was incredibly useful, whether for travel, survival, or hiding, it was an excellent tool.
Hearing that he had questions, Professor McGonagall didn't hesitate or refuse.
"Alright then! Follow me to my office."
___