CHAPTER 27

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CHAPTER 27

As Elmi was eating his breakfast, two girls and one boy came next to him. The one at the front was a familiar face. She possessed an air of quiet confidence that set her apart from the others. With her sleek blonde hair framing a face adorned with piercing blue eyes, she moved with a graceful demeanor; her sharp and intelligent eyes complimented this demeanor. To Elmi, she was always a calm, observant presence. Elmi raised his hand,

"Hello, my distant-distant cousin."

Her sapphire blue eyes shined with anger,

"Didn't I tell you not to call me that? You are so annoying, Elmi."

"I love you too, Daphne."

Daphne sat right across from him and said,

"You never stay still, do you? First, you punch him and humiliate him in front of the whole house."

"He deserved it, I warned him, and he was the one asking for it."

"Don't you know who his father is?"

Elmi took a big bite from his French toast and said,

"Coul..n't care le...s."

Daphne looked angry at him and said,

"Where are your manners? Why are you talking when your mouth is full?"

Elmi checked his pockets and then threw his hands up in disappointment.

"I must have left it at home."

Upon this, the boy next to Daphne laughed. Elmi turned towards him, and the boy said,

"I am sorry, where are my manners? I am Blaise Zabini. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Zabini was a tall, black boy with high cheekbones and long, slanting eyes. He had a smug smile on his face. A smooth, dark complexion and an air of casual confidence was his usual self. Blaise Zabini's intriguing blend of vanity, prejudice against muggle-born, and revulsion towards the Death Eaters added complexity to his character. Elmi shook his hand and said,

"Pleasure."

Right next to Zabini was a girl. She greeted Elmi with a nod and, with a low voice, said,

"Tracey Davis, pleasure."

Tracey Davis was a shy and reserved girl but had an understated yet captivating presence that wanted people to be friends with her. She was like a cute little bunny among the snakes. After knowing her Elmi, though, she fitted with Hupplepuff more than Slytherin with her friendly personality.

Her quiet demeanor and demure disposition set her apart in the ambitious and outspoken Slytherin House. Tracey's appearance, with her dark hair framing her face and her soft-spoken nature, often drew attention despite her efforts to remain in the background. Tracey said,

"You might not care who he is, but Malfoys are known to be petty when it comes to those kinds of events. His father might not be able to kick you out, but he can make things hard for you."

While she may not have been the most outgoing, her thoughtful insights and keen observations revealed a depth of intellect beneath her reticent exterior. Despite her shyness, Tracey's presence contributed a unique and valuable perspective to the dynamic tapestry of Slytherin House. Elmi shook his shoulders and, not having a care in the world, said,

"He could try, but I am here in this school with his son, and I am not an angel. I don't back down in front of bullies. Lucius Malfoy and Draco are both bullies; if they see someone weak in front of them, they will attack, but if you stand tall and fight back, they will back down. Of course, it would be harder to make Lucius back down as a child, but I can make things harder for his son."

...

Elmi and his newfound friends were enjoying themselves when the Slytherin prefect approached them.

"Fawley, you need to come with me," the prefect said, gesturing for Draco to follow as well.

"You too, Malfoy."

Elmi exchanged a curious look with Draco. Was this about the punch he landed earlier, or was it the later incident? The two of them followed the prefect until they reached a room where four professors awaited. They were the heads of the four houses. It became apparent to Elmi that the meeting was indeed about the punch. Someone like Snape would never allow an incident that happened inside his common room to be carried to the outside so easily.

Elmi and Draco stood across a long wooden table in the cold, austere room designated for disciplinary hearings. Professors McGonagall, Snape, Flitwick, and Sprout sat on the opposite side, their expressions stern. At the corner, Lucius Malfoy, Hogwarts School Governor, was observed with an air of authority. He looked at Elmi like he was going to eat him. The atmosphere was tense, the weight of the situation palpable.

Professor McGonagall, the stern Transfiguration teacher and head of Gryffindor, addressed them, "Mr. Fawley, Mr. Malfoy, your behavior is unacceptable. Physical altercations are not tolerated at Hogwarts."

Elmi, maintaining a composed demeanor, responded, "Professor, I understand the gravity of the situation, but Draco used a highly offensive term against Hermione. I couldn't let it go unanswered."

Snape, his eyes piercing, retorted, "Violence is not the solution, Fawley. There are other ways to handle such situations."

Draco, with a hint of arrogance, added, "He attacked me because he's friends with Mu...muggle-borns. It's a disgrace to Slytherin."

Elmi shot back, "Using that term is a disgrace for a real pure-blooded noble. Malfoy. It's about time someone stood up against such bigotry."

Lucius sneered from the corner, 

"Boy, it is not like we are going to learn how to be a noble from a child."

Elmi fearlessly shot back,

"If this is how your son acts, maybe you should, sir."

Professor McGonagall turned her glasses into a judge hammer and started hitting the table.

"Gentlemen, please mind your manners, and you, Lucius, you are just here to observe and can't state your opinion."

Lucius tried to say something, but Professor McGonagall raised her finger and cut him off,

"Ahah! This is your last warning, Lucius."

It was like Lucius was killing Elmi with his eyes. When the silence returned to the room, Professor Flitwick, the small Charms professor, and head of Ravenclaw, intervened, "Regardless of the provocation, Mr. Fawley, resorting to Violence is not the answer. We are here to maintain order."

Professor McGonagall, her stern expression unwavering, directed her attention to Draco Malfoy. "Mr. Malfoy, your use of a derogatory term is absolutely unacceptable. Such language goes against the principles of this school and undermines the values we strive to uphold. It is essential that you, as a student of Hogwarts, treat your fellow classmates with respect, regardless of their blood status."

Lucius Malfoy, observing from the corner, maintained a composed facade, though a flicker of irritation crossed his features. McGonagall continued, "This behavior reflects poorly on the Slytherin house and tarnishes the reputation of the entire school. Hogwarts is a place of learning and acceptance, and we will not tolerate any form of discrimination."

Draco, though maintaining a defiant posture, couldn't meet McGonagall's gaze. The professor concluded, "Consider this a warning, Mr. Malfoy. Future transgressions of this nature will be met with severe consequences. We expect better from our students, especially those in positions of influence."

Professor Flitwick said, "Considering the circumstances, we will deduct points from Slytherin for both of you."

Snape talked with an ice-cold voice, " I am deducting 20 points from Slytherin for each of you."

McGonagall lastly said, "A word of caution: such incidents will not be tolerated in the future."

As the meeting concluded, Elmi couldn't help but feel a sense of vindication, knowing he stood up against discrimination. However, he also understood the need for maintaining peace within the school, even if it meant facing consequences. Lucius stood up in anger.

"Is that it? He beats my boy, and this is all he gets?"

McGonagall raised one of her eyebrows and said,

"Your boy didn't do something to be proud of either. This is our decision, and it is final."

Lucius pointed at Elmi with his cane and said,

"This is not his only incident; in the common room, he ambushed 5 Slytherin boys, and this is all he is going to get a point deduction."

Other professors looked with confusion at what he was talking about; Snape gave way to other professors and said,

"I will take care of this as it is a Slytherin matter."

After other professors left the room, Snape turned towards Elmi and Draco then said,"

"Wait outside until I call you back."

The second the boys left the room, Snape charged at Lucius, and he was not expecting this; Snape grabbed his collar and slammed him onto the wall.

"If you undermine me in front of other professors ever again, I will make you regret the day you were born. Do you understand me, Malfoy?"

Lucius was really angry and felt humiliated. He reached for his wand, but Snape was faster, and he put his wand at Lucius's neck. At that moment, Lucius realized who he was facing: one of the most feared Death Eaters at the side of Lord Voldemort. he released his wand and, with a sly smile, said,

"I am sorry; I didn't mean that, Severus. You know me; I respect you. I was just so angry because of what happened to my boy."