While the world was still reeling from the shock of the attack and the killing of eight Death Eaters at Bones Manor, another piece of news had spread throughout wizarding society.
And while this news in itself should have been shocking enough, because of the attack and its aftermath, much of the attention had shifted away from it.
A news which in normal condition would have flashed on the front page had been tucked in one of the middle pages.
9 Students Suspended from Hogwarts
In an extremely shocking and unexpected move, nine students, all from Slytherin House have been suspended from Hogwarts.
Three students have been suspended for eleven days, four students for nine days, and two students for seven days.
Along with them, three more students have been punished with eleven days of harsh detention, though they have not been suspended.
According to the official statement from Hogwarts, presented to us by Minerva McGonagall, these students were suspended for attacking a fellow student. While the name of the student attacked was not officially released by Vice Headmistress McGonagall, our sources confirm that the victim was a Muggle born witch from Gryffindor House. Lily Evans.
"These twelve students were found guilty of attacking a fellow student. The three students suspended for eleven days had ambushed the said student from behind, and dangerous curses were used by them. The rest of the students were also found guilty of being involved to varying degrees in attacks on the same student on different occasions. We have informed their parents, and they have already been sent home," stated Minerva McGonagall in her official wording.
"While this punishment may seem heavy, people can consider it a standard procedure and punishment of Hogwarts from now on. We encourage discipline in our students, and though we have great patience and tolerance for harmless pranks and jokes, attacks on fellow students will not be tolerated. It is a limit which must not be crossed."
"If these same students repeat their mistakes, Hogwarts will file an official complaint with the Ministry, and they will be tried as any normal person would be for attacking another. Hogwarts is no place where you can commit crimes and escape in the name of being a student," the Vice-Headmistress added. "The students should keep in mind that all laws that apply to Wizarding Britain apply to Hogwarts too along with the suspension or even permanent expulsion they might face."
She also issued a warning to all students and even their parents to restrain themselves and their children, and to regard discipline with reverence.
James' eyes widened in shock as he heard what Professor McGonagall said to him. He had just finished his breakfast, during which he had learned of the attack on Bones Manor.
And since it was Hogwarts itself, the suspension of the students had been an equal point of chatter in the Great Hall.
As soon as he and his three friends, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew had finished eating, they were summoned to the office of Minerva McGonagall. They had been expecting the usual lecture, probably for one of their earlier pranks, but Minerva was in a totally different mood that day.
"Professor," James almost snapped. "You cannot do this."
Minerva's stern face looked even stricter than usual, and her eyes narrowed. "You would be surprised to know that I can and I am doing exactly what I said, Mr. Potter."
She cut him off before he could say anything more. "And do not think that, like usual, you can ignore my words and I will eventually turn a blind eye."
"If you do not improve and restrain yourself, you will be the next to follow those nine students," she added firmly.
James reeled in shock. He knew those students had been suspended for attacking Lily, but this punishment still seemed too far-fetched to him. They had attacked her, yes, but nothing had actually happened to her. They should have been punished, certainly, but this level of punishment felt excessive in his eyes. They should have been forgiven. They must have realised their mistake.
"But why?" he questioned. "Why would you do this? Lily and I are friends."
"No," Minerva boomed, and for the first time the fearless Marauders felt fear rising inside them. Gone was the stern but gentle McGonagall. Her magical power flared, and the atmosphere in the room grew suffocating.
"You are not friends with Lily Evans," she continued. "You are her bully and this is what she has stated in her formal complaint. She wants no connection with you. She does not want any interaction with you. She does not want you to approach her. This is her wish and I also feel that whatever she has asked is reasonable enough. She is asking nothing too preposterous."
James' eyes widened in shock. "She complained against me?"
"Wait!" Realisation sank in. "She complained against those Slytherins too and that is why they have been suspended."
But Minerva continued as though she had not heard a word from James' mouth. "And as I said, none of you will ever go near Lily. You will not try to speak with her or initiate any kind of interaction with her."
"If you breach my warning," she added coldly, "you will be suspended. You will follow the path of those very same 9 students."
"I will talk with Lily," he said. "And she should also forgive those students. Suspension is too hard a punishment for them."
"No," Minerva snapped, her fist slamming against her desk and shaking everything upon it. "You will not talk to Lily. You will not approach her. This is what I just said."
James wanted to argue, but the anger and sternness on Minerva's face told him she would not budge from her decision.
"I want to talk to the, headmaster," he mumbled. "He will surely understand me."
"You are free to do as you please, Mr. Potter," she replied. "But what I have stated must be followed in both letter and spirit. No direct approach. No indirect approach through someone else, either."
James nodded as he rose from his seat to leave, but Minerva extended her palm.
"Hand it over," she said.
James did not understand at first, but then realized she was gesturing toward his badge.
"My badge?" he asked in confusion.
"You are no longer Head Boy," she said firmly.
James clenched his teeth before pulling off the badge and placing it on the table. He did not really care about being Head Boy, but the act itself felt insulting.
The rest of the Marauders followed him in silence. Even the usually chatty Sirius did not dare speak a word against Minerva.
They were about to step out of the room when Minerva interjected once more.
"If I were you, I would be careful with my pranks," she said. "Hogwarts is going to reduce its tolerance for indiscipline."
James gave one final look back, while Remus and Peter nodded as they walked out of the office.
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