Chapter 142: I couldn't escape the scolding after all
The next day, in the Great Hall.
Many students were whispering. Harry and Ron, under the envious and jealous gazes of others, proudly yet somewhat self-consciously sat at the long table, ready to enjoy their breakfast.
They had escaped punishment last night, even though Professor Snape desperately wanted them to receive their due, such as expulsion.
But Harry and Ron were, after all, from Gryffindor, and Professor McGonagall didn't want to expel them for this incident. With Dumbledore pleading on their behalf, the two were only given detention, with no points deducted.
Moreover, to many, flying a car to school was a pretty cool thing to do. After the news spread, the two unexpectedly gained a number of fans.
"Look at how smug they are. Anyone who didn't know would think they saved the Magical World!" Draco said indignantly at the Slytherin long table.
"They only look good now," Aaron sighed. "The fame they're enjoying at this moment isn't even worth a false reputation. Everyone will forget in a few days."
"I know, but I just feel resentful.
Harry Potter seems to attract everyone's attention no matter what he does, even when it's wrong."
"It's true they did something wrong, but the suffering they endured wasn't ordinary.
Actually, I spotted them on the train yesterday and even sent them some food."
Draco paused, then turned to look at Abey, who was devouring herring at the table, as if he suddenly understood something.
"So you went out yesterday because of... them two?"
"Otherwise? Do you really think driving is easy?" Aaron said with a knowing smile. "Ron drove for over eight hours, and there was no food in the car. Plus, the sun's rays significantly increased the temperature. They were tired, hot, thirsty, and hungry. Anyone who could endure that is a true warrior.
And do you think this matter will just pass so easily?
Don't forget, they were in the newspaper, and Mr. Arthur Weasley works for the Ministry of Magic."
"Oh! I see."
Draco thought of the two's miserable state in the car and the delayed punishment they were about to face, and his mood immediately brightened.
"But how did you spot them on the train?"
"Uh... that was an accident."
Draco didn't ask further, gave Harry and Ron a disdainful glance, and started eating his breakfast.
Aaron shrugged, pushed his half-eaten food in front of Abey, and then walked towards the Gryffindor long table.
"You two look very happy!
Accidentally famous."
"It's alright!" Harry said with a hint of pride, "It's just that Ron's loss is a bit significant."
"It's a heavy loss."
Ron helplessly pulled out his wand. This old wand was barely usable before, but now it was on the verge of being discarded.
One-third of the shaft was almost completely broken, and although it was tightly bound with tape, even so, you could vaguely see the splinters of wood inside.
Aaron looked at him sympathetically, "That's incredible. No one would take this wand even if it were free, and you're still hoping to turn something rotten into something magical."
"Can it be fixed?" Ron asked earnestly.
"Heh!" Aaron shook his head. "Take my advice, you'd best get a new wand.
Believe me, even if you gave this thing to Ollivander, he couldn't fix it."
Hearing this, Ron's face turned bitter. "Then I'm finished."
He didn't have money to buy a new wand, which was why he was hoping to settle for less.
But now it seemed there wasn't even a possibility of repair. Aaron was Ollivander's grand-nephew, so his words had more weight than an ordinary person's.
"Good morning!" Hermione walked over, holding a book. She first smiled and greeted Aaron, then glared unhappily at Harry and Ron.
The two immediately looked down guiltily. They knew Hermione was displeased with their method of returning to school.
"Aaron, were you very busy this holiday?" Hermione asked somewhat nervously.
"Extremely busy, the kind of busy you can't even imagine."
"No wonder." Hermione nodded thoughtfully. "I was wondering why you didn't reply to the few letters I sent you. Your shop assistant also said you weren't there when I went to Diagon Alley."
Aaron gave an awkward yet polite smile. "Sorry, I didn't want to, but my family's rules are really strict."
"Exactly, Aaron was even forced to run away from home," Harry interjected.
"Run away from home?" Hermione paused, then turned to Aaron. "What exactly happened?"
"It's all in the past. It shouldn't happen again," Aaron said somewhat guiltily. He didn't even believe his own words.
He probably would still be forced to study those courses after this school year, until he truly completed his apprenticeship.
"Are you really alright?" Hermione still didn't quite believe him.
"Really, I'm fine.
Instead of worrying about me, you should worry about these two."
"Us?" Harry pointed to himself, involuntarily swallowing. "We should be fine, right?
Driving back to school was for a reason, Professor McGonagall has already punished us, and Headmaster Dumbledore also said that the underage Wizard's decree wouldn't hold us responsible.
In other words, this matter is closed."
Ron nodded vigorously beside him. He had already lost a wand and a car. If this wasn't over yet, his little heart really couldn't take it.
"You've avoided the decrees and school rules, but..."
Before he could finish, an owl flew in from outside.
This owl was Errol from the Weasley, belonging to the old, weak, sick, and disabled category of owls. It was quite difficult for him to fly such a long distance.
"Here it comes."
Aaron murmured, then pulled Hermione up from her seat.
The next moment, Errol crashed onto the dining table, landing right in Hermione's plate, splattering milk and feathers everywhere.
"Ron." Hermione's mouth twitched. "Your family's owl really needs to be replaced."
"I wish! This bird is truly stupid." Ron fished Errol out and, seeing a soggy envelope clutched in its beak, his face instantly fell.
"Oh no!"
"A Howler," Aaron said gloatingly. "It's clear Mrs. Weasley is truly angry, otherwise she wouldn't send you this kind of letter in public."
"What's a Howler?" Harry asked, somewhat puzzled.
"You'll know in a moment."
Ron was incredibly nervous, his hands unconsciously trembling. But looking at the smoking envelope, he still mustered the courage to tear it open.
The red envelope, along with the letter inside, folded into the shape of a mouth, and Mrs. Weasley's angry shouts erupted from within, many times louder than usual.
"Ron Weasley, how dare you steal the car?"
"I'm absolutely furious."
"Your father is now under investigation by the Ministry of Magic, and it's all your fault."
"If you dare to cause any more trouble, we'll bring you home immediately."
After speaking, the red envelope burst into flames, turning to ashes in an instant.
However, those nearby still felt their ears ringing, and Ronslumped in his chair, stunned unable to recover.
Harry also stared at him blankly. He had been involved in the car incident, but it seemed only Ron was getting scolded.
"My worst fear has come true," Aaron said, shaking his head. "You two still couldn't escape this scolding.
But you two don't deserve sympathy. If I had to describe it... you deserve it."
Harry and Ron both turned to look at him, the two words making them feel truly disheartened.
They had made a huge spectacle of themselves this time. The first day of school was so intense, they were too ashamed to eat.
"This is a good thing," Hermione murmured. "You've received appropriate punishment, and this matter is completely over. You don't have to worry anymore."
"That's hard to say," Aaron scoffed. "I'm not being an alarmist, but their ability to cause trouble..."
Hearing this, Hermione also became a bit less confident, as they had already proven their capabilities in that area last year.
"Oh well! Let nature take its course!"
Hermione opened a thick book and began reading it at the dining table.
"Voyages with Vampires"
Aaron looked at the book's cover and couldn't help but quip, "When did you start liking this kind of book?"
"It's a textbook!" Hermione said, somewhat surprised. "Didn't you know?"
"What?" Aaron was momentarily stunned, then carefully examined the book's content. "Rich in content, vivid colors, flowing prose, but most importantly, the portrayal of the protagonist Gilderoy Lockhart: witty, humorous, charming, powerful, kind, benevolent, full of wisdom..."
He read two chapters, and his mouth couldn't help but twitch. "I admit this book is quite good, but..."
"Right!" Hermione completely ignored the 'but'. "This book is certainly good. It was selling like crazy at Flourish and Blotts, and its sales in the Magical World probably rank in the top ten."
"No, I mean, is this book related to what we're supposed to learn?
There are no spells or knowledge in this book. Rather than a textbook, it's more like someone's autobiography. But if it is an autobiography, then I truly admire him."
"It is an autobiography," Hermione said with some pride. "Everything that happens in it is true. The protagonist of this book is our Defense Against the Dark Arts Class teacher."