After Dumbledore's words, another fellow stepped inside the compartment. This fellow was as Dumbledore said, Rion Walse, the person whose head had Harry cracked open.
When Rion entered inside, his gaze landed on Harry. A range of expressions were plastered on Rion's face- hatred and anger for Harry was definitely the one but hidden behind these two expressions was the expression of slight fear. The way his head had been banged on the wooden cave was definitely a painful and fear inducing moment, and the caved in wooden panel of the compartment was only increasing this sensation.
"Headmaster Dumbledore," Rion said in a greeting.
"Mr. Walse," smiled Dumbledore. "Would you please mention what you told me, in front of Amelia?"
Even before Rion could speak, Amelia sighed deeply. It was a sigh of defeat- she could guess what Rion Walse was about to speak.
"Madam Bones," said Rion. "I admit that we, me and Harry Potter, got into some altercations which resulted in my head injury."
"But since, it was me who first provoked Harry Potter and caused him to lose his temper, I will not press any charges against him," he continued. "Since, this incident happened on Hogwarts express, which lies under Hogwarts' authority, I believe that Hogwarts will deal with it as an incident between two incidents."
"I do not see any reason to criminalise this matter necessarily," he concluded.
"Are you sure?" Amelia asked.
"Yes," confirmed Rion. "Since, I am still a magical minor, my parents will soon send a letter confirming the same."
Amelia nodded and did not say anything. She knew that she had lost. She cast one last hopeful gaze at Harry and marched away.
"Have a nice day, Amelia," Dumbledore smiled as Amelia Bones passed him. She did not respond and simply walked away.
After this, Harry knew that now Dumbledore will spout his nonsense to him.
"Harry," said Dumbledore. His face marred an extremely disappointed expression. "I do not expect such kind of things from you."
He then cast a look at Daphne Greengrass and then at Hermione Granger as if taking their presence into account.
"Never the less," he continued. "We will talk about this in detain when we reach Hogwarts."
Harry simply nodded without any change in expression.
Dumbledore then gave a look to Daphne and Hermione, "Ladies, I will request you to please vacate the compartment. Till, the train reaches Hogwarts, Harry will serve a detention in this compartment."
Daphne gave an 'obedient' nod, picked up her trunk from the upper berth and walked outside the compartment.
Hermione, meanwhile, gave a reluctant nod and cast a longing look at Harry who nodded back in return, and walked away.
Dumbledore did not say anything more to Harry and left the compartment followed by Arthur Weasley.
At the last moment, before Dumbledore closed the compartment, Harry found a certain redhead, Ron Weasley, peeping inside the compartment.
Harry wondered if Ron would call him evil because he broke someone's skull or will call his 'harbinger' of light because he broke the skull of a Slytherin.
The door was finally closed and Harry slumped on his seat. Things had taken an unexpected turn- he had encountered Daphne Greengrass and then bashed the head of a Slytherin, as soon as he arrived on the Hogwarts express. He had hoped to keep the things calm in Hogwarts, at least till his name came out of the goblet of fire, but it seemed that it might not be certain.
After few more moments, Hogwarts express gave a loud whistle and departed from the station for hours long journey to Hogwarts.
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The journey to the Hogsmeade station was uneventful and Harry spent his time, alone, in the compartment.
He only got up from his seat when the train had reached the Hogsmeade station. Harry pulled the compartment to find it locked by a certain charm.
And that meant, that someone would soon be here to retrieve Harry. Thus, he could only wait.
What it felt like few minutes and when the whole train had been emptied, the door of the compartment was unbolted from outside.
It was Minerva McGonagall. Her face was stern and marred by anger.
"Mr. Potter," she bellowed sharply. "When in Merlin's name, you will stop causing trouble?"
"And it is certainly no small trouble… you broke the head of a fellow student."
Harry smiled sheepishly at Minerva's words. He could feel the anger and a genuine disappointment emanating from her.
"And Mr. Potter," she added. "Because of you, it seems I am also being punished."
"In years, this would be first, when I would not be conducting the sorting ceremony for the first years."
Harry frowned, "Headmaster, would not have forced you?"
Minerva sighed, "No… he had requested Snape to come and get you but I did not want for another issue to arise even before the first problem gets sorted."
"Thus, I volunteered and Severus Snape is conducting the sorting ceremony."
Harry nodded and he could not help but chuckle at imagining the but conducting the sorting ceremony. The already nervous first years would be scared shit out Snape.
"Now follow me," said Minerva. "You are neither allowed to participate in the sorting ceremony nor in the feast."
"After the feast, headmaster will have a word with you," she said as she walked with Harry behind her.
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