76

Chapter 76: The Villain Complains First?

"Harry... let's go..."

Ron pulled Harry along, darting through corridors in the direction Wade and the others had taken. They slipped away unnoticed, escaping smoothly from the center of the commotion.

Turning a corner, Harry glanced back to see Pansy and Goyle attempting to assist Malfoy, only to be swatted away. The once proud blond was now dusty and dabbing at a nosebleed, surrounded by Slytherins feigning concern with fake smiles.

Even from across the corridor, Harry could see the hypocrisy etched on their faces.

Harry had always considered Malfoy the most insufferable person he'd ever met, second only to Snape, more irritating than his cousin Dudley. Yet, in this moment, he realized Malfoy wasn't as influential or well-connected in Slytherin as he'd imagined, lacking true friends.

Then, the wall blocked their view.

"- What are you looking at?" Ron asked curiously.

"Nothing—" Harry turned and said, "I was just thinking, if I ever faced an unbeatable enemy, you and Hermione would stand by me, ready to fight."

"Of course!" Ron assumed Harry referred to Neville and Malfoy's confrontation, indignant. "Slytherins are always like this, we won't back down! We can't let them get too cocky! Neville's just too timid, he needs to show some Gryffindor courage."

"He showed it today. Didn't you see? He stood up to Malfoy, punched him in the nose—for Hermione!"

"Oh, yeah!" Ron's excitement bubbled up again at the memory. "Neville finally looked like a true Gryffindor! Did you see Malfoy's face? He looked like he was about to cry!"

Ron's words made Harry uneasy—Malfoy deserved it, but it reminded him of the times Dudley and his gang had chased him.

As they talked, they spotted Wade and the others in the distance. Standing together, they exuded a unique aura that set them apart from ordinary classmates, making it hard for others to approach.

Harry stopped suddenly.

"Ron—"

"What?"

"They're SSC—the club Hermione suggested I join—" Harry spoke quietly.

Ron grew uneasy, the smile vanishing from his face. He stuttered, "Yes—yes—"

"I want to join." Harry made up his mind. "I want to learn real skills, practice actual spells—not just sit in class listening to Quirrell!"

"That's good—I mean, you should go—maybe you'll become top of the class someday—" Ron avoided Harry's gaze, his tone uncharacteristically hesitant.

"Aren't you coming, Ron?" Harry asked, surprised.

"I wasn't invited—Hermione only mentioned you—" Ron forced a smile. "You should go. I might... I think I need to visit the infirmary—Crabbe might've cracked a rib or two—"

"- Maybe Hermione just forgot to tell us. Let's go ask together!" Harry pulled Ron towards the group.

"Don't—Harry—"

Ron hesitated but was no match for Harry's determination. He was secretly hopeful—maybe Hermione had simply forgotten to include him? After all, he and Harry were inseparable; others assumed they were always together. And they did stand with Neville earlier...

Approaching, they overheard Wade saying to the others, "Neville, you should go to Madam Pomfrey; your arm might be fractured. Everyone, be cautious of Slytherin retaliation—don't go alone..."

"Wade, what about you?" Theo inquired, concerned.

"I'm heading to Professor Flitwick for disciplinary action. Using magic on a classmate in the corridors guarantees detention." Wade sighed.

"You're going—oh—" Michael was initially surprised but nodded. "That's the right thing to do."

"Why?" Ron interjected, puzzled. "If the professor didn't see it, it didn't happen. Why turn yourself in?"

Harry and Theo nodded in agreement; Ryan pondered.

"Don't you think Malfoy will complain after such a humiliation?" Michael reminded them. "Better Flitwick than Snape for punishment."

"Yeah, with Snape, he'd dock points and assign detention for a month," Neville added with a shudder. Snape's harsh treatment in Potions class had left a lasting impression on Neville.

"Then we'll go with you!" Ryan proposed. "We can't let you take all the blame."

"You didn't do anything wrong." Wade saw Neville about to protest and shook his head. "Neville, you were the one targeted. It wouldn't be fair for you to be punished—head to the infirmary and check on Hermione."

With a wave, Wade turned to leave.

Harry attempted to ask Ron about joining SSC but found no opportunity. Seeing Wade depart, he settled for, "Let's go together."

At that moment, he became acutely aware of his body's ache, surprised he hadn't noticed it earlier.

---

Wade knew Professor Flitwick would likely be in the staff room now. He reached the first-floor landing, knocked, and heard Professor McGonagall's voice, "Come in."

The door opened automatically.

Spotting Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, and Professor Flitwick inside, Wade hesitated.

Professor Flitwick was grading papers; upon seeing Wade, he smiled warmly. "Wade? What brings you here today?"

Wade entered, somewhat embarrassed. "Um... I have a matter to discuss, but more importantly, Professor, I'm here to accept responsibility for breaking school rules."

"Accept responsibility?" Professor Flitwick appeared genuinely surprised, while the other two professors looked on with interest.

After so many years of teaching, they had never encountered a student willingly confessing to a mistake—unless they had ulterior motives.

"What have you done, Wade?" Professor Flitwick asked gently.

Wade hesitated, glancing at the other two professors—not out of fear of Snape's reprisal, but because owning up to avoid trouble felt somewhat juvenile.

Suddenly, Wade felt as though the words "Evildoers report first" were flashing over his head.

——He's clearly not a bad person.

Professor McGonagall sensed something amiss, her expression turning serious. "Mr. Grey, I believe all professors should be informed of students' rule violations."

"Okay." Wade nodded reluctantly. "Well, Professor—"