Chapter 58 Tenfold Score Gap
"Haha! There are still some that slipped through the net!" Filch sneered, "But they're unlucky, running right into a trap."
"Good evening, you two." Professor McGonagall said with a stern face, "Why are you just standing there? Hurry up and come over!"
Harry and Ron felt incredibly unlucky. Although they had received information tonight from the Professor who designed the Philosopher's Stone's defenses, overall, it was completely not worth it.
The two walked nervously in front of Professor McGonagall, first lowering their heads, then looking at Aaron and Dracowith suspicious glances.
Filch usually patrolled the Castle, so why was he suddenly at Hagrid's Hut tonight? Plus, Professor McGonagall was with him.
They didn't think this was a whim; someone had definitely tipped them off.
"Don't look at us like that, we were only a few steps out before Filch and Professor McGonagall ran into us." Aaronsaid disdainfully, "So, don't insult our noble character with your suspicious gazes."
"This is all thanks to Madam Norris." Filch said triumphantly, "She found Aaron, then told me, and I went to get Professor McGonagall.
Actually, I should have gone to Professor Snape, since he is the Dean of Slytherin, but his office is a bit far away.
But now it seems I unexpectedly didn't find the wrong person; there are three Gryffindor and two Slytherin.
Three to two, Professor McGonagall, I wonder how you plan to handle this?"
"Detention, everyone gets detention.
But before that, I need to understand why." Professor McGonagall looked expressionlessly at the five students in front of her, "What are you doing here so late at night? Don't you know students are not allowed to wander around the campus at night without permission?"
"Professor, I'll explain!" Draco sneered at Harry and the others, then took a step forward, "Although we were out past curfew, it was entirely for a reason.
Of course, when I say 'we,' I mean Aaron and me, and it doesn't include Potter, Weasley, or Granger."
"Are you trying to exclude the two of you?" Professor McGonagall said, "Forget it, no matter the reason, the detention you deserve cannot be avoided."
Draco's mouth twitched, and he inadvertently glimpsed the half-smiles on Harry's three faces, feeling a bit annoyed.
"Professor, it's like this: tonight, Crabbe, Goyle, and I were on our way back to the common room when we coincidentally saw three sneaking figures.
It's not unreasonable to follow them out of curiosity, is it?
Of course, we are very respectful of school rules and intended to return to the dormitory before curfew."
"Get to the point, Malfoy.
Also, don't speak so grandiosely; you following others isn't exactly above board."
"Professor, I admit my actions lacked decorum, but I don't regret it." Draco said indifferently.
Tonight, he was unusually pleased. Although he wasn't the main character, he could be said to be the key character who pushed the story to its climax.
Even though he was accidentally caught at the end, it was harmless.
His and Aaron's punishment might be unavoidable, but Harry's punishment would definitely be more severe.
Comparing them like this, his mood improved quite a bit.
"We quietly followed them to Hagrid's Hut and saw… Harryand the others intended to give Aaron's pet to Hagrid."
"What?" Professor McGonagall frowned, "Is Mr. Malfoytelling the truth?"
The three Gryffindor lowered their heads, remaining silent, and their silence at this moment was an admission.
"That's how it is, Professor McGonagall.
Aaron is my best friend, and I couldn't bear for him to be deceived, so I had Crabbe and Goyle go back and inform him.
As for what happened next, I won't say much more."
"You've disappointed me greatly. Points deducted, fifty points deducted." Professor McGonagall said, angry at their lack of ambition, "You've gone too far."
"Fifty points?"
All three of them gaped, this number had too great an impact on them.
That was fifty points! Divided evenly, each person would lose sixteen or seventeen points.
Hermione was a bit better; she might be able to make it back with hard work over several classes, though not including Snape's Potion Class.
But Harry and Ron were somewhat devastated. It was already good if they didn't lose points; trying to fill this huge hole wouldn't be easy.
"Fifty points deducted per person." Professor McGonagallsaid calmly.
"Per person…" Ron was stunned, exchanging glances with Harry, as if they could both see the huge negative point debt weighing on each other.
Draco looked at the three with a triumphant smile, his heart filled with joy.
"What are you smiling about?
When I said 'per person,' that includes you and Aaron too."
Draco's smile instantly vanished, "I'm sorry, Professor, I might have misheard.
Are you saying we also have fifty points deducted?"
"Yes, you also violated school rules. This is to ensure you don't make the same mistake again."
"But this…"
"No need to explain, Draco." Aaron gently patted Abey, whom he was holding, "I'll pay your fifty points for you. It's only a hundred points, which can still be managed by the end of the semester."
"It's not about the points; it's unfair." Draco said unhappily, "I have no objection to Professor McGonagall punishing us, but why is the punishment the same as theirs? I'm not convinced.
Besides the same punishment as us, those three suffered no other losses, but Abey almost got hurt. That was…"
"Enough, this matter ends here." Aaron interrupted him loudly.
Professor McGonagall paused slightly, as if she understood something, and turned to look at Aaron, "Is it… alright?"
"It's fine, just a little bit startled."
"Startled? Are you sure it's just startled?"
"Yes, I'm sure." Aaron's attitude was firm.
Professor McGonagall turned to Draco, "Won't you explain for him? Perhaps you could have fewer points deducted."
"No, I won't." Draco shook his head, "Let's just consider ourselves unlucky this time."
"Ho ho!
Filch, please watch them for a moment. I'm going to Hagrid's Hut to understand the situation." Professor McGonagall said meaningfully, "If you won't speak, someone else will. Hagrid is an honest man; he won't lie."
Seeing Professor McGonagall walk towards the Hut, Harryand the other two immediately panicked.
There was a Dragon inside the Hut; if it were discovered, what then? Hagrid would probably be heartbroken.
"Wait, Professor McGonagall, how about I explain?" Harryhurriedly stopped her.
He didn't actually know what to say, but stopping Professor McGonagall was the priority. As for what came next, he would improvise!
"Then speak, I'm listening."
"I… this… the thing is…" Harry stammered, unable to form a complete sentence.
Professor McGonagall naturally saw through his perfunctory attitude and sighed helplessly, "I'll just go find Hagrid."
This time, no one blocked her way, because they all knew in their hearts that Professor McGonagall wouldn't give up until she got to the bottom of things.
"Aaron, this, is it okay?" Draco was a little worried. He didn't care if Norbert was discovered, but it couldn't be discovered today.
What if it implicated them and exposed Abey's identity?
Hagrid and the others had signed a non-disclosure agreement, but in his opinion, that piece of paper had no binding force whatsoever, let alone at this critical juncture.
"Don't worry, it's fine." Aaron said calmly, "Everyone understands the principle that it's better to avoid trouble than to seek it. Hagrid is just simple-minded, not stupid; he won't be an exception."
"I hope so!"
Soon, Professor McGonagall's roar came from the Hut, "How can you keep a Dragon in the school?
How dare you, Hagrid?"
"He's keeping a Dragon?" Filch exclaimed, "I know he likes all sorts of magical creatures, but isn't a Dragon a bit too much?"
"We just found out too." Aaron said, "No one expected Hagrid to be so bold."
Professor McGonagall walked out of the Hut, let out a long sigh, and then walked up to the group.
"What punishment will Hagrid receive?" Harry asked nervously.
"He'll definitely be expelled." Draco said gleefully.
"Expulsion won't be necessary. Fortunately, the Dragon just hatched and doesn't pose a threat to the school's safety yet. If it were any bigger, no amount of pleading would help.
But he certainly can't keep it. I'll discuss with Dumbledorewhere would be suitable to send it." Professor McGonagallsaid with a weary tone, "Aaron, Abey… is it really okay?
I hope you tell me the truth, without any reservations."
"It's really fine.
Abey grew up with me; it's one of my few family members. I wouldn't let it suffer any grievances.
It's just that the clothes my mother specially prepared for it before school were scorched by Dragon fire, which is a bit of a shame."
Abey also timely showed a pitiful expression, extending its two paws to its head, pulling out a hat with scorch marks from Dragon's breath from under its cap.
Its large eyes were covered with a layer of mist, instantly filling Professor McGonagall with sympathy.
"I'm very sorry, Aaron.
As the Dean of Gryffindor, I didn't supervise them well.
Abey almost got hurt, and I bear some responsibility too." Professor McGonagall said earnestly, "I apologize to you here. I was negligent and didn't realize the situation was much more dangerous than I thought.
Detention is certainly unavoidable; that's the punishment for violating school rules. But your and Draco's points can be reduced at my discretion. Draco will lose ten points, and you will lose five!"