Merula slowly turned around and finally saw Professor Snape standing there. Her face stiffened, but she tried to act innocent, "Professor Snape… w-when did you appear?"
She pretended she had done nothing wrong.
Snape ignored her completely.
Instead, he looked straight at Soren.
"I suspect this is your fault, Mr. Whitlock.
Are you aware of Hogwarts' policy regarding unauthorised duelling?"
Soren kept his voice steady, "Yes, Professor."
Professor Flitwick stepped beside Snape, "Tell me, Mr. Whitlock… Did you cast the first spell in this duel?"
Soren swallowed but answered honestly, "Yes. I had to stop Merula from bullying my friends."
Flitwick sighed, "I warned you, Mr. Whitlock.
There would be consequences for such a decision."
Snape glanced at Flitwick, "I am curious where he learned the Disarming Charm so early."
Flitwick raised an eyebrow but didn't comment.
Snape then turned back to Soren, "Clean yourself up and meet me in the West Tower. You will face the consequences of your actions there, Whitlock."
With that, Snape turned and walked away.
Flitwick followed, pausing only long enough to look at the gathered students. "Now everyone, your next lesson begins shortly. Charm Class. Move along."
Students immediately started heading toward the Charms corridor.
Jacqueline walked beside Soren.
Penny and Cassie followed behind.
Ben stayed close to Soren, still shaken but unbelievably grateful.
Soren took a slow breath.
---
Here is your clean, direct, novel-style continuation, keeping all your details intact but polishing the flow:
---
When Soren entered Charms class with Jacqueline, Cassie, and Penny, several students were already whispering.
A Ravenclaw boy leaned toward Soren, "I could've sworn I heard Professor Flitwick and Professor McGonagall talking about you in the corridor before class."
Soren blinked.
Jacqueline looked at him curiously.
Before he could respond, another student, this time a Hufflepuff girl, spoke up, "I heard you were helping Ben Copper with flying. Do you have any tips for me?"
Soren opened his mouth to answer, but—
Flitwick clapped his hands sharply.
"Quiet, please! Today we will be learning Wingardium Leviosa."
The classroom instantly settled.
Flitwick stood on his stack of books and continued with his usual enthusiasm.
"The Levitation Charm is used to make objects fly or float. It is an excellent test of your wand control, and your patience."
He walked to a table where a feather lay.
"One of the wizard's most basic skills is the ability to make an object rise. Do not forget the wrist movement we've practiced: Swish and flick."
He held his wand lightly and demonstrated. "Allow me to show you. Remember, Wingardium Leviosa."
He pointed his wand at the feather. It lifted smoothly into the air, floating in front of the class.
Gasps echoed.
Flitwick let the feather drift down.
"You may levitate many things, feathers, books, small objects. But control is key. Now, practice the posture and the incantation."
The class spread out and began trying.
Jacqueline copied the stance of Professor Flitwock, "Swish… and flick… Wingardium Levio—sa?"
Her feathers trembled and started rising.
Cassie managed to lift hers a few inches.
Penny's feather shot up too quickly, almost hitting the ceiling.
Flitwick clapped happily at her enthusiasm.
Meanwhile, Soren stood calmly. He focused, then moved his wrist with smooth precision.
"Wingardium Leviosa."
His feather rose gracefully, floating higher and higher in steady circles.
Flitwick noticed immediately, "Excellent work, Mr. Whitlock!"
Jacqueline looked at Soren with admiration, "You're good at everything today…"
Cassie nodded, "I think he's just born for magic."
Soren smiled slightly but didn't brag.
He simply continued practicing.
---
After Charms class ended, Professor Flitwick dismissed everyone, "Alright, that will be all for today. Class dismissed."
Students packed their things and left the room.
Soren walked through the dim corridors toward the West Tower, nervous about what kind of punishment Snape had planned.
When he arrived, he stopped immediately.
Professor Snape was standing there, but beside him was Professor Dumbledore himself.
Soren froze in confusion, "Headmaster? Why are you here?"
Dumbledore smiled kindly.
"Hello, Mr. Whitlock. Professor Snape informed me of the… incident in the courtyard."
Soren nodded, ready to hear his punishment.
"Your actions were reckless and in violation of school rules."
Soren lowered his head, "Yes, Professor."
But Dumbledore raised a hand gently, "However, they were also done with the intention of protecting your fellow students."
Soren looked up, surprised.
Dumbledore continued, "So, instead of traditional punishment, you will receive a… constructive task."
Soren blinked.
"A task, sir?"
Dumbledore nodded cheerfully, "Yes. Your 'punishment' will be to organise something special."
Snape looked annoyed but said nothing.
Dumbledore clasped his hands behind his back, "Hagrid's birthday is coming soon. And I would like you to help organise a small party for him."
Soren stared at him. A… party? "Hagrid's… birthday party?"
Dumbledore nodded with warmth, "Yes. Professor Snape will oversee the preparation, to ensure you remain… responsible."
Snape crossed his arms, "Do not look so relieved, Whitlock. If anything goes wrong, you will deeply regret it."
Soren nodded at him, "Yes, Professor."
Dumbledore gave Soren a reassuring smile. "I believe you will do well. And Hagrid will certainly appreciate it."
Snape stepped aside, "You may go for now. But be prepared. We will begin planning tomorrow."
Soren nodded and turned to leave, still confused—but also relieved.
This was the strangest punishment he had ever heard of.
---
Later that evening, Soren and Jacqueline sat together in the Slytherin Common Room. The green flames flickered softly, casting reflections across the stone walls.
Soren turned to Jacqueline, "Professor Dumbledore assigned me to arrange a birthday party for Hagrid. So… what should I do?"
Jacqueline's eyes brightened, "Wow, that's amazing!"
"I know it's amazing, but I don't know where to start. Tell me—what should I arrange? What should I put at the party?"
Jacqueline tapped her chin thoughtfully, "Well… first, think about what Hagrid loves the most."
"Hagrid loves magical creatures. If you get him a rare one, he'll be thrilled."
A voice suddenly joined in. Both Soren and Jacqueline turned to see their prefect approaching.
"Thanks, Prefect Selene."
Jacqueline frowned slightly, "But many magical beasts are illegal. Wouldn't that be a problem?"
Selene shook her head, "Hagrid has a history of loving exotic and… technically illegal creatures. Something rare would make his day."
Soren looked confused, "But where would we get an illegal creature?"
Selene folded her arms, "Don't worry about that. I already suggested it to Dumbledore. He said he'll handle it."
Jacqueline nodded and added, "Then we just need to plan the rest. We should use our time and resources efficiently."
Selene agreed, "Yes. You'll need decorations, food, something fun for Hagrid, perhaps something related to Care of Magical Creatures."
Soren smiled as the ideas started forming, "This might actually turn out well."
Jacqueline stretched and stood up, "It will. And since it's a party… I suppose I'll need to wear something nice."
Soren nodded immediately, "Yes. You should. Everyone should look their best."
Jacqueline blushed slightly at his straightforward tone.
The three of them continued planning, they
noted the ideas, decorations, Hagrid's favorite things, until they finally had a rough outline of everything the party needed.
---
Soren walked to the Training Ground.
A few students were already gathered.
Merula was bragging loudly to a younger witch, "Before anyone else arrived, Madam Hooch told me I'm the best flier she's ever seen."
The witch nodded nervously.
Nearby, Penny spoke to Cassie, "I'm surprised no one's invented a flying potion yet. Maybe I should invent one myself."
Cassie laughed softly, "You'd probably succeed."
Ben stood alone, muttering to himself, "What sort of wood are brooms made of? Maybe I should ask Jacqueline…"
Soren walked past them and approached Madam Hooch, who was inspecting a row of school brooms.
"Excuse me, Madam Hooch."
She looked up, "What is it, Mr. Whitlock? Class is about to begin."
Soren nodded politely, "I wanted to talk to you about Hagrid's birthday."
Her expression softened slightly, "Oh? And what exactly do you want to discuss?"
"I'd like to invite you to the party. Hagrid respects you a lot."
Madam Hooch thought for a moment. "I see. I'm usually too busy to attend parties… but I appreciate Hagrid's dedication to Hogwarts, and I appreciate that you thought to invite me."
She gave him a small approving nod, "Five points to Slytherin."
Soren smiled. But Hooch continued, "Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend. I need to treat all these brooms before the next Quidditch match."
She pointed at the pile of brooms beside her, "They all need the Charm to Cure Reluctant Reversers to improve their reversing ability."
Soren nodded "I can help you with that."
Hooch raised an eyebrow, "You know that charm? I don't have time to teach it to you."
"My sister taught it to me. I know it."
Hooch looked impressed, "Well then… let's see."
They spent the next several minutes casting the charm together on each broom, one at a time.
Hooch watched Soren's technique carefully.
"Your wand control is excellent. Your sister taught you well."
Soren finished the last broom.
Hooch nodded in approval, "In that case… I will attend the birthday party. It seems Hagrid has very thoughtful friends."
Soren smiled proudly.
Class was about to begin, but he had already secured Madam Hooch's presence at Hagrid's party.