Chapter 60: No one can find someone to kick you when you are down
Unlike Harry and his friends, Aaron and Draco not only avoided any cold shoulders during this point deduction incident, but also indirectly became heroes of Slytherin.
Although Slytherin didn't know why the two of them had fifteen points deducted, this amount of points was nothing to two excellent students; it could be earned back in a few classes.
Aaron, for example, was almost always given bonus points in every class, and Draco alone had contributed more than fifteen points to Slytherin's House Cup this semester.
And using fifteen points to deduct one hundred and fifty points from Gryffindor was definitely a profitable deal.
Slytherin was indeed in first place, but Gryffindor was in second, biting at their heels, which was truly unsettling, fearing they would be caught up at any moment.
But now they were no longer worried; the point difference was too great. Unless a miracle happened, Gryffindor's last place was a foregone conclusion.
Every Slytherin felt that this year's House Cup was secured, and their tense nerves relaxed considerably. Some students even began to celebrate early.
"You really didn't need to do this," Aaron said, looking at the smug Draco speechlessly. "After all, we also had points deducted. This isn't something to be proud of."
"Alright! I admit I'm a bit gleeful.
But everyone will know sooner or later; I'm just saying it in advance.
This incident was entirely caused by the three of them. For certain reasons, we have to keep it a secret, but if we just let it go, I won't be reconciled.
So I took this opportunity to make things difficult for them. I just didn't expect the effect to be so obvious," Draco said, his lips curling into an involuntary smile. "Actually, Harry, Ron, and Hermione, these three Gryffindors, should be Slytherin's heroes.
One hundred and fifty points! With this give and take, Gryffindor will definitely be at the bottom this time.
Aaron, are you interested in going to see them with me?"
"See them for what?
I suggest you get a good night's sleep; we still have detention tonight!"
"Aaron, I have to say something to you about this.
Sleeping will only make our detention slightly easier, it's irrelevant.
In comparison, seeing Harry and their dejected faces is truly interesting," Draco said with great interest. The thought of Gryffindor's star students becoming targets of public criticism made him subtly excited.
But seeing Aaron's lack of interest, he was a bit speechless again. "I know you disdain kicking someone when they're down, but this time they were in the wrong.
Even if you don't think about yourself, you have to think about Abey!
If it weren't for him being stronger, he probably would have been bullied by Norbert last night."
"This..." Aaron paused, looking at the dragon yawning on the table, and sighed slightly. This little guy was too carefree.
"Let's go! You have a point, too. You can't be too nice to some people.
But do you know where they are?"
"No need to look at all," Draco said confidently. "Their negative popularity has risen by more than one level now. They're the center of attention wherever they go, so they're easy to find."
"Indeed."
The two walked out of the common room, and the first student they met was a Slytherin.
"Millicent, do you know where Harry Potter is?" Dracoasked.
"Uh... I saw them in the Library earlier, but they shouldn't be there now.
Except for Slytherin, the remaining three Houses almost all want to kill them with their eyes."
"See!" Draco said to Aaron with a smile. "I told you they'd be like rats on the street today."
"It's truly pitiful," Millicent said. "But it's also deserved. No one has had three-digit points deducted in recent years."
"They don't deserve sympathy."
"I know that. These are points deducted by Professor McGonagall, deducted by their Gryffindor Dean himself, absolutely fair and just.
What exactly did they do last night? Can you conveniently reveal it?
I promise not to tell anyone else."
"That's not allowed," Draco said righteously. "I certainly can't tell you that they had so many points deducted because..."
"Cough, cough!" Aaron coughed, then gave Draco a look that said, 'You understand.'
"Just kidding, we have to keep it a secret."
"Oh!" Millicent nodded thoughtfully, very sensibly not asking any more questions.
After Millicent entered the common room, Aaron looked at Draco meaningfully, "What were you going to say just now?"
"Uh... don't misunderstand, I know my limits.
I just wanted to say they stole a student's property, that's all.
Abey is also considered your private property, so saying that should be fine."
"The words are fine, but it's still best not to speak carelessly.
Sometimes, not being able to control your mouth is more terrifying than not being able to control your hands."
"Understood."
The two went to the Library, didn't find Harry and his friends, then casually asked another student, and went to the Great Hall.
However, when they arrived at the Great Hall, they were told that the trio had moved to another place again.
"This is ridiculous. Can't they just stay put in one place for a while?" Draco said somewhat dejectedly.
Kicking someone when they're down was something he had planned long ago. Although it was a bit unkind, who told him he didn't get along with those people?
Ron, for one, the feud between Weasley and Malfoyprobably goes back hundreds of years.
Harry had embarrassed him in public at the beginning of the school year, and usually didn't take him seriously, often causing him trouble.
As for Hermione, she betrayed her friends' trust, so mocking her a bit was only natural, right?
But he never expected these people to be as slippery as eels. How could he kick them when they're down if he couldn't even find them?
"This is normal.
They are now universally condemned. Staying in one place would probably make them die of shame.
If I were them, I'd hide somewhere no one could find me, or somewhere with fewer people."
"Gryffindor's common room?" Draco mused. "Hiding in the dormitory and closing the door, that's indeed a good way to escape.
But they can't hide forever."
"There's another place, Hagrid's Hut," Aaron prompted. "Compared to Gryffindor's common room, which is entirely Gryffindor, that's a better choice.
If that's truly the case, then your idea will probably have to be postponed, as there's a Giant protecting them."
"Surely not! They wouldn't dare go there, would they?
The problem with that Norwegian Ridgeback should still be unresolved, right? Aren't they afraid of running into Dumbledore and being reprimanded again?" Draco said, his mouth twitching.
Based on his understanding of Harry and the others, it was highly likely that the three of them were hiding in Hagrid's Hut.
There, there were no other people's cold stares, nor those sarcastic remarks laced with accusations. It was definitely the best refuge.
"Let's go back!
No matter where they are hiding now, they will always have to gather in the Entrance Hall tonight."
Draco nodded, but still felt a little regretful.
Today was definitely Harry and his friends' most difficult day, but tomorrow would be different. After a night's sleep, many people would passively accept the reality.
After some more time, the fervor would gradually die down, and their situation would improve considerably.
After ten in the evening.
Aaron and Draco walked out of the common room and headed towards the Entrance Hall.
Before they even got close, they heard Harry Potter's voice coming from inside, "Wood doesn't want me to quit the Quidditch team. He's still counting on me to win the game as Seeker and earn back the points.
But only as Seeker, they look at me strangely, they don't even call me by my name, just 'Seeker.' I feel out of place."
"It's alright, everyone will forget about these things in a few weeks," Ron comforted. "Fred and George also often have points deducted, but they're still quite popular."
"They definitely weren't deducted fifty points at once, were they?"
"Uh... no, they weren't," Ron said sheepishly. "Hermione and I are in a slightly better situation, after all, our reputations aren't as big as yours, but now no one is willing to talk to us either."
"You're all here!" Draco said, walking over with a smile. "I thought you'd been expelled. I looked for you for a long time today and couldn't find you!"
"Malfoy, are you here specifically to kick us when we're down?" Harry said, annoyed.
"Misunderstanding, truly a misunderstanding," Draco said, walking up to Harry with a beaming smile, clapping continuously. "I'm here to express my gratitude. You've truly done Slytherin a huge favor.
One hundred and fifty points! Heaven knows how long it would take to earn that back.
Potter, Granger, and Weasley, if you want to transfer to Slytherin, you must tell me, and I will definitely help you.
At worst, I'll swallow my pride and have my father meet Dumbledore, using his position on the school board to make him agree."
"You... you're simply going too far!" Ron pointed at him furiously, about to rush forward and duel him.
"Enough!" Aaron shouted. "Are you complaining that too few points were deducted?
I must remind you, Filch will be here any moment."