Public Enemy

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Just as Snape was about to speak, Professor McGonagall and Ethan entered the principal's office together. Snape ceased talking immediately, casting a malicious glance at Harry and Ron, who cowered in the corner, their faces pale.

"Minerva? Ethan? You here too?" Dumbledore finally grasped the gravity of the situation. His expression turned serious as he addressed Snape, "Severus, what has happened?"

"I believe Professor Ethan should explain." Snape gritted his teeth to utter the sentence. "Mr. Potter and Mr. Weasley truly embody the Gryffindor spirit." Snape sneered, seizing any chance to taunt Gryffindor.

"Not every Gryffindor breaks school rules, and courage doesn't equate to recklessness. Let's hear what mistakes they've made." Professor McGonagall shot Snape a disapproving look. As Gryffindor's head, she didn't want to tolerate disparaging remarks about her house.

"Alright, Ethan, let's discuss what transpired," Dumbledore intervened to prevent further bickering between the deans.

Ethan narrated the events, detailing how Harry, Ron, and Hermione concocted the potion, laced it into a cake, knocked out Crabbe and Goyle, infiltrated Slytherin, questioned Malfoy, and orchestrated their escape. As Ethan concluded, a peculiar silence enveloped the headmaster's office. Professor McGonagall covered her mouth in disbelief, staring at Ron and Harry, "Oh my God, how could you dare to do such a thing?"

Professor McGonagall's reproachful tone left Harry and Ron feeling extremely uncomfortable. They avoided her gaze, fixating on their toes instead. Enduring her scolding now seemed preferable to the awkward silence in the air.

Throughout Ethan's narration, Dumbledore sat behind the desk, bathed in light that emphasized the weariness on his face. Shadows cast by the light accentuated the gray in Dumbledore's hair, beard, and eyebrows. Harry noticed Dumbledore's age for the first time, intensifying his sense of guilt.

"Why would you do this?" Dumbledore's voice conveyed exhaustion and weariness. Harry felt even worse as Dumbledore's tired eyes scrutinized their faces.

"We wanted to find Slytherin's heir," Harry mumbled, almost inaudible. Another prolonged silence settled in the room. Dumbledore removed his glasses and placed them on the table, his gaze shifting between Ron and Harry, his expression grave.

Ethan understood that Dumbledore couldn't dismiss Harry. The headmaster, willing to sacrifice his life to defeat Voldemort, couldn't afford to let a crucial part of his plan slip away.

"Minerva, as the Gryffindor head, it falls to you to determine their punishment. Ensure they learn the lessons they deserve," Dumbledore declared, crossing his hands.

Professor McGonagall tightly pursed her lips, her clenched hands betraying her extreme anger. She took a deep breath before continuing, "Potter, Mr. Weasley, I've never encountered students like you in all my years at Gryffindor. Poisoning your classmates... for this, you will lose 200 house points. Miss Granger, 150 points. George and Fred, 50 points each. Potter, you're disqualified from Quidditch this semester. The three of you will have after-school detention, supervised by Professor Snape for Potter and Weasley and Professor Ethan for Miss Granger. Mr. Weasley, I'll need to speak with your parents again, face to face."

Harry and Ron wore bitter expressions as if life had become unbearable. From the outset of their school journey, they managed to incur a daunting five percent deduction for Gryffindor, alienating many classmates, including Percy, who regarded them as enemies. Though Percy's demeanor had softened recently, the 650-point deduction and the Quidditch ban made their lives even more dreary. Facing Snape's confinement and the prospect of explaining their actions to their parents, Harry and Ron found Gryffindor's parents an unwelcome thought.

"Professor McGonagall, Potter, and Mr. Weasley attacked Professor Ethan at the beginning of the school year, and now they've assaulted Slytherin students. Even Voldemort couldn't do such things at the age of twelve. Their actions warrant a sentence to Azkaban; I believe they should be expelled," Snape asserted coldly.

Professor McGonagall's face grew pale, and her hands trembled under her robe. Despite the apparent severity of her actions, she had already been lenient in protecting Harry and Ron. Technically, the duo had violated over 200 school rules, which is more than enough for expulsion, yet Professor McGonagall opted for a milder punishment.

The mention of expulsion and Azkaban terrified Harry and Ron. Their faces paled, and they meekly accepted Professor McGonagall's punishment, hoping it would spare them expulsion.

"Severus, please give them a chance," Dumbledore requested wearily. Snape contemplated a response but eventually refrained, leaving without bidding farewell.

Snape's departure left Harry and Ron apprehensive about the days ahead. Dumbledore, visibly tired, rubbed his temples and took a deep breath. "Minerva, please wait. I have something to discuss with you. Ethan, take Potter and Weasley to the Gryffindor common room."

Ethan agreed, and Harry and Ron followed him, eager to leave the stifling atmosphere of the headmaster's office.

A heavy silence hung in the air during the journey back to Gryffindor. The recent string of setbacks overwhelmed Harry and Ron, and they walked dejectedly. Eventually, Ron's thoughts turned to Hermione. The duo inquired about her situation, learning she was in the medical wing. While Ethan refrained from revealing Hermione's transformation into a catgirl, he assured them she was not in danger and they could visit Madam Pomfrey the next day.