"Why do you all need leave? You don't look ill to me?"
Scanning the three children, Professor McGonagall spoke with uncertainty.
"We aren't sick, it's Lynn." Penelope instinctively lowered her voice. She didn't want anyone besides themselves and the Professors to know about Lynn punishing herself.
She didn't want Lynn to endure the strange looks of others; even if there was only a slight possibility, she couldn't take that risk.
"Because of some things, she punished herself, and it's not the first time she's done it. We feel we must talk to her."
Penelope bit her lower lip. Fearing the Professors wouldn't realize the gravity of the situation, she described the scene she had witnessed the last time Lynn punished herself.
"Last time, Lynn punished herself by slapping her own face until it was swollen, and... I saw blood on the corner of her mouth then."
Clatter! Screech... Penelope's fear that the Professors wouldn't realize the seriousness did not come to pass.
The moment they heard Lynn had punished herself, their hearts were already in their throats.
It was just that hearing such a thing for the first time was so shocking they couldn't react immediately; they needed a moment to process it before they could respond.
Then, suddenly hearing Penelope say Lynn had slapped herself until her face was swollen and her mouth was bleeding, they didn't need any more time to process.
Professor Flitwick knocked the cup and plate beside him straight to the floor, while Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout stood up abruptly, their chairs screeching harshly against the ground.
Headmaster Dumbledore's bright eyes fixed on the three girls, and his expression revealed a rare, undisguised worry.
As for Professor Snape, who sat on the other side, he quickly reached out to press down on the "restless" Lockhart, giving him a warning look.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, Minerva, and Filius will handle this. You should just stay seated here for a while, Professor Lockhart."
Lockhart's expression stiffened for a moment. He nodded awkwardly and sat back in his seat, no longer attempting to get up.
Professor Snape looked at the three anxious girls with a profound gaze. Lynn was punishing herself?
He suddenly thought of the scenes where he had made things difficult for Lynn in class. A flicker appeared deep in his eyes before immediately returning to their usual depth. He looked down at the sausage on his plate.
"Where did she hurt herself this time?" Professor Flitwick had already jumped off his chair and was walking out anxiously.
Marietta, who understood the situation better, quickly answered, "It should be her left leg, Professor Flitwick."
"Left leg..." Professor Flitwick frowned. Although Lynn was still young, she was a girl after all. If the injury was on her leg, it wouldn't be appropriate for a male Professor to go.
Professor McGonagall stepped forward quickly and nodded to him. "Since Miss Lynn's injury is on her leg this time, it's not suitable for you to go, Filius. I'll go instead. I believe my students for this period can join a Charms Class?"
"Of course," Professor Flitwick agreed solemnly. "I'll leave it to you, Minerva."
Professor McGonagall shook her head with a serious expression. "I am the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts; this is my duty. Moreover, Miss Lynn is a student I like very much."
For the same reason, it was also inappropriate for Headmaster Dumbledore to go.
As the Dean of Hufflepuff, Professor Sprout had an absolute fondness for a model student like Lynn—especially one who helped the Hufflepuffs learn Defense Against the Dark Arts.
She followed along without hesitation, but in the end, Professor McGonagall persuaded her to stay back.
If too many Professors went, Lynn might get nervous; it was enough for her to go. To treat Lynn's injuries, they also stopped by the Hospital Wing to call for Madam Pomfrey.
Racing all the way back to Ravenclaw Tower, Penelope answered the bronze knocker's question at her fastest speed ever, leading Maranhao, Marietta, Professor McGonagall, and Madam Pomfrey into the Ravenclaw Common Room.
The Little Eagles who were self-studying in the common room were stunned to see Professor McGonagall and Madam Pomfrey enter.
Wasn't Professor McGonagall the Head of Gryffindor? Why would she come to Ravenclaw?
And why was Madam Pomfrey here? Was someone sick? Or injured?
They had actually seen Maranhao and Marietta following behind Penelope.
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