On the stormy Quidditch pitch, three Dementors appeared like a nightmare. The Gryffindor team was on edge, especially for Harry. Would the disaster of the previous match repeat itself? If Gryffindor lost to Ravenclaw again, they would lose their chance to compete for the Quidditch Cup this year.
"How is this possible?" Lilian's eyes reflected her surprise. "Dementors are here on the pitch again? And don't they usually act in groups? Why are there only three this time?"
Thor's sharp eyes scanned the Dementors below. "If those are supposed to be Dementors, then the prisoners in Azkaban would be laughing in their sleep. Such lifeless creatures—besides Malfoy and his two cronies, what else could appear so pathetic as these so-called Dementors? These knock-off ones might only be fit to scare children."
"I think I overestimated Draco's intelligence," Loki sighed deeply. "I was expecting some sort of spectacle, but now it seems Slytherin will just end up being the school's laughingstock."
Augustus's expression twisted slightly. Although he had anticipated things might take this turn, he hadn't expected Draco to pull such a stunt in front of the entire school. It was utterly senseless!
Harry was initially startled by the appearance of the Dementors. He had assumed they wouldn't dare cause trouble with Augustus present. Yet, here they were again. Oddly enough, he didn't feel any of the usual effects this time. And, thanks to the lessons from Professor Lupin, Harry was prepared.
He reached under his robes with one hand, swiftly drew his wand, and shouted, "Expecto Patronum!"
A large, silvery figure burst from the tip of his wand. He didn't stop to observe the effect, keeping his focus razor-sharp. The Snitch was within reach. He extended his wand-wielding hand farther, his fingers closing around the tiny, fluttering ball just as he reached it.
Madam Hooch's whistle blew. Harry turned in midair, his heart racing, as six scarlet blurs charged toward him. The entire Gryffindor team surrounded him in a joyous embrace, nearly knocking him off his broom. Below them, the Gryffindor stands erupted in cheers.
"Well, it seems Slytherin will gain fame for all the wrong reasons this time," Loki remarked with a cold smirk. His expression darkened. "To openly intimidate players from another house—if Malfoy had succeeded, it might have been excusable. But now that Gryffindor has won, we'll be seen as a complete joke. Draco has done us a great disservice."
"You gave Malfoy quite a scare," Lupin said to Harry, smiling.
Harry looked down in surprise. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle—along with Slytherin team captain Marcus Flint—lay tangled on the ground, struggling to free themselves from black robes and headscarves. It seemed Malfoy had been standing on Goyle's shoulders. Professor McGonagall, her face furious, loomed over them.
"Despicable!" she shouted. "A shameless attempt to sabotage Gryffindor's Seeker! Such cowardly behavior! You will all be punished severely. Fifty points will be deducted from Slytherin! And I will report this to Professor Dumbledore. Oh, here he comes now!"
As the Slytherin prefects, Augustus, Lilian, Loki, and Thor stepped down to assist in handling the situation and ensure appropriate disciplinary measures were taken.
Dumbledore approached calmly from the castle, listening intently as McGonagall recounted the incident. His expression betrayed no emotion, and the crescent-shaped glasses on his nose glinted faintly.
"So, Draco Malfoy was the instigator of this event?" Dumbledore's piercing blue eyes fixed on Draco through his spectacles.
Ron, standing next to Harry, couldn't hide his delight at Malfoy's predicament. If anything could make Gryffindor's victory sweeter, it was this scene.
"Sir, I acted entirely on my own," Draco said, staring at the ground. His voice was low and filled with remorse. "If punishment is due, let it fall on me alone."
"Responsibility for this cannot rest solely on your shoulders, Malfoy," Dumbledore replied, his tone steady but deeply penetrating. "Your actions today impact not just yourself but your house and the school's collective spirit. Have you considered the consequences for Slytherin and the relationships with your peers? Did you reflect on these matters before deciding to act?"
Even Crabbe and Goyle, normally impervious to shame, looked visibly embarrassed. Draco's head hung low, regret etched on his face.
"Thankfully, no major harm was done this time," Dumbledore said after a brief pause. "However, this must serve as a cautionary example. Severus, as head of Slytherin House, what punishment do you suggest?"
Snape, ever diplomatic, replied smoothly, "I defer to your judgment, Headmaster. Malfoy's actions were indeed excessive and could have resulted in injury. Whatever penalty you impose, neither Slytherin students nor faculty will object."
Dumbledore turned to Augustus. "And you, Augustus? What punishment do you think is appropriate?"
Augustus considered briefly before responding. "According to the school rules, sabotaging students from other houses, especially if it risks injury, warrants a penalty of 200 house points and two months of service duties. Given that no injuries occurred, I propose halving the punishment: deduct 100 points from Slytherin and assign one month of service duties. Does that sound reasonable, Headmaster?"
Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully. "A fair suggestion, Augustus. We shall proceed accordingly. Additionally, Mr. Malfoy, you will write a thorough reflection on your actions and submit it to me in one month. True understanding of your errors is essential; otherwise, no punishment will have lasting meaning."
The verdict was final, leaving Draco, and the entirety of Slytherin, to reflect on their actions.
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