Chapter 45: Harry In Confinement

After Hermione left Eisen's office and returned to the library, she informed Harry and Ron that Eisen had agreed to help keep an eye on Snape.

Both Harry and Ron sighed in relief upon hearing this. It saved them from sneaking around on their own.

"However, Eisen said that if you discover anything, Harry, you must inform him immediately," Hermione relayed Eisen's request.

"Of course. If I find anything, I'll let Eisen know right away," Harry agreed without hesitation.

"Yes, telling Professor Eisen is the best option for now," Ron said, smiling as the matter seemed settled.

However, early the next morning, before they had time to feel fully relieved, bad news arrived.

At breakfast, both Harry and Neville received identical notes: "Your detention begins tonight at eleven o'clock. Meet Mr. Filch in the entrance hall."

Harry had almost forgotten that losing points also came with a punishment. Now, he and Neville were stuck facing detention together at eleven o'clock that night.

Harry half-expected Hermione to complain about how he was bound to get expelled eventually, but she said nothing. In fact, she believed that both Harry and Neville deserved the punishment.

"It's alright. I heard from Fred that detention is just some simple tasks, like polishing trophies in the trophy room," Ron said, trying to comfort Harry.

But Harry remained unconvinced. After all, losing a hundred points in one go was hard to forget.

Meanwhile, Eisen had taken some free time to send a manuscript to his father. On his way back, he ran into Hermione in the library around noon.

"Hermione, how's your revision going? Is the question bank method I suggested working for you?" Eisen asked as he noticed Hermione studying intensely.

"Professor Eisen, your method is great! It's made reviewing so much easier!" Hermione responded with a confident smile, admiration clear in her eyes.

"Ahem—by the way, where are Harry and Ron? Why aren't they studying with you?" Eisen, slightly flustered by Hermione's praise, shifted the topic. After all, the study method wasn't his original idea.

"Harry has detention at eleven tonight, and Ron is still trying to comfort him," Hermione replied, her mood sinking as she recalled the 100-point loss for Gryffindor.

"Don't worry, Hermione. I'm sure something good will happen," Eisen said mysteriously, knowing what lay ahead.

Eisen was aware that Dumbledore would reward Gryffindor with points at the final banquet. But for now, he couldn't spoil the surprise. So, when Hermione gave him a puzzled look and was about to ask, he subtly avoided the subject.

...

At eleven o'clock that night, Harry and Neville said goodbye to Ron and Hermione in the Gryffindor common room and made their way to the entrance hall.

When they arrived, they found Filch waiting. To Harry's surprise, Malfoy was also there.

Harry suddenly recalled that Malfoy had detention as well.

"Follow me!" Filch said, lighting a lamp and signaling them to follow him.

Filch, being a Squib, seemed to harbor resentment toward young wizards. As they walked, he shot Harry and the others a sideways glance. "I suppose this will make you think twice before breaking the school rules again, won't it?"

"It's a pity Hogwarts abolished the old punishments—like hanging students by their wrists from the ceiling for days on end. I still have the chains in my office, you know. Maybe one day they'll be useful again… Well, keep up, and don't try running off, or your punishment will be even worse!"

Filch's ramblings were clearly intended to frighten them, and in the dark night, his words were quite unsettling.

As they crossed the dark grounds, Harry and Neville's nerves grew. They had no idea what punishment awaited them, but judging by Filch's cheerful tone, it wasn't going to be light.

When they reached Hagrid's hut, Harry noticed a light in the window—Hagrid was still awake.

"Filch, is that you? Come on, I'm ready!" Hagrid's voice rang out, clear in the quiet night.

For a moment, Harry felt some relief. If Hagrid was involved, surely things wouldn't be too bad.

But as if reading his thoughts, Filch chimed in: "You think you'll have a grand old time with that oaf? Well, guess again, boy. You're headed into the Forbidden Forest. If you come out in one piece, consider yourself lucky."

"The Forbidden Forest?" Malfoy, who had been quiet until now, suddenly stopped in his tracks, his face filled with shock. "We can't go in there at night! It's dangerous—there are werewolves in there!"

The night seemed to grow even more terrifying. Neville, beside Harry, stifled a sob and clung to Harry's sleeve.

"Well, you should've thought of that before you caused trouble," Filch said, his voice dripping with glee. "You'll get what's coming to you."

"It's about time! I've been waiting for half an hour. What kept you, Harry? Neville?" Before things could get more tense, Hagrid emerged from the shadows.

He was dressed for the occasion, carrying a massive crossbow and a quiver full of arrows. His loyal dog Fang, a large and intimidating Neapolitan Mastiff, followed close behind. Despite Fang's fierce appearance, Harry knew he was gentle at heart. Perhaps Hagrid brought him along just for moral support.

"You shouldn't be so polite to them, Hagrid. They're here for punishment," Filch sneered, irritated by Hagrid's friendly demeanor.

"Your part's done, Filch. They're my responsibility now," Hagrid said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"I'll be back at dawn to collect their remains," Filch said coldly before turning and heading back to the castle.

When they reached the edge of the Forbidden Forest, Malfoy finally lost his nerve. "I'm not going in there! It's too dangerous!" he cried.

Hearing the panic in Malfoy's voice, Harry felt an odd sense of satisfaction.

"You've got to pay for what you've done wrong," Hagrid replied sharply, not bothering to coddle Malfoy.

"But jobs like this are for servants, not students! I thought we'd just be writing lines or something," Malfoy protested, looking even more frightened in the moonlight.

"Writing lines? What good would that do you? You've got to learn your lesson, or you'll end up expelled," Hagrid scoffed.

"If my father knew about this, he'd—" Malfoy began, but Hagrid cut him off. "Yeah, he'd say this is how Hogwarts works. If you want to get expelled, go pack your bags now and head back to the castle!"

Malfoy, thinking his father's influence would shield him, tried to use it as a threat. But Hagrid wasn't swayed by Lucius Malfoy's name and firmly put Draco in his place.

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