Chapter-17 Snape's Blood Pressure Soared, Who Are You Punishing?

Early Morning, the Next Day

"Dumbledore!" Snape's voice echoed through the corridor as he stormed into the Headmaster's office, his black cloak billowing behind him. The sun had barely risen, and most students were still fast asleep, but Severus was already fuming.

Dumbledore, looking weary and sipping his black tea, glanced up from behind his desk. He had hardly slept after last night's events.

"Severus, it's early. What seems to be the matter?" Dumbledore asked calmly, though his exhaustion showed.

"It's much worse than you think!" Snape began, his tone sharp with frustration. "That Kyle, the so-called 'Blood Demon' from Knockturn Alley—last night, he hung over a dozen new Slytherin students from the ceiling, leaving them dangling there all night long!"

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "Really? Did anyone get hurt?"

"No," Snape admitted, still seething. "But it's his nature—his evil nature! That can't be changed. Those students were terrified, and once their parents hear about this—"

"Severus," Dumbledore interrupted gently, "it's normal for students to have conflicts from time to time. As teachers, it's our duty to resolve these issues, not label students as inherently evil. We must guide them."

Snape stared at him, clearly unconvinced. He was used to Dumbledore being more cautious, but after last night's interaction with Kyle, it seemed Dumbledore was becoming more lenient. Yet, Filch still lay unconscious in the infirmary, having fainted from shock.

"Well," Dumbledore added, "it seems Filch was also knocked out by one of Kyle's pets last night, but Kyle has already reflected deeply on the incident."

Snape's gaze hardened. "Filch? A student attacked the janitor, and you're letting him off with just a self-reflection?"

Dumbledore hesitated. Kyle hadn't exactly done a formal reflection—he'd shifted most of the blame onto his pets. But there was no need to mention that.

"Of course, it wasn't just a simple reflection!" Dumbledore replied, keeping a serious expression. "I've decided to also deduct 50 points from Slytherin as punishment."

Snape's face went pale with shock and fury. "You're deducting points from Slytherin? Fifty points?" His mind raced. Lily… and the House Cup! The two things he cared about most in life. "I came here first thing in the morning, and the outcome is that you've put Slytherin in the negative before the term has even properly started?"

He felt as if Dumbledore was punishing him, not Kyle.

"Severus," Dumbledore said calmly, "we must give students who've made mistakes a chance to learn and grow."

Snape, thoroughly irritated, snorted in disdain. With a swift turn of his cloak, he stormed out of the office, muttering under his breath. "Give him a chance? What about me? Why am I the one suffering the consequences?"

---

Meanwhile, Kyle had woken up, feeling refreshed after a long night of teaching his two mischievous Eevees how to use their powers responsibly. The common room was empty, likely because the first-year Slytherins who had spent the night suspended from the ceiling had been freed by older students once the magic wore off.

Unbothered, Kyle made his way to the Great Hall for breakfast. As he approached the Slytherin table, the chatter and laughter abruptly died down. Some of the younger students quickly left the table, preferring hunger over sitting near him. Kyle, however, didn't mind and began enjoying his meal.

What a joke, Kyle thought to himself. I'm a generous person—why would I hold a grudge over something like this?

He noticed Draco Malfoy was the first to leave the table, followed closely by Marcus Flint, Slytherin's Quidditch captain and a pure-blood from the same family as the Auror who had confronted Kyle at the train station.

Kyle smirked to himself. He wasn't bothered by their behavior. Let them be afraid if they want. He had bigger things to worry about.