Disclaimer: I don't own anything. This is not meant to infringe upon copyrights.
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"Rita Skeeter? The reporter from the Daily Prophet?" Fred asked in confusion, "What does this have to do with her?"
George added, "Besides, we're not interested in her. She's destined to be in unrequited love."
"That's a shame." Kyle didn't continue the topic, saying a perfunctory word before walking between the two of them.
Lunch had already started, and Kyle just wanted to sit there and enjoy his tender steak and pumpkin juice instead of standing like an idiot at the entrance to the Great Hall.
However, Fred and George had different ideas and followed Kyle all the way to the Hufflepuff table.
"Even though I have no proof, I have a feeling the Charms classroom exploded because of you."
Fred shoved Cedric aside and sat down next to Kyle. He grabbed a glass of pumpkin juice and took a long gulp. "Why else would nothing have happened before, but something like this happened right after you arrived? It must have been you."
Hearing this, Kyle felt a sinking sensation in his back, and he nearly choked on the pumpkin juice.
What did he do? He was clearly helping the whole time, so why did they really have to put the blame on him?
Kyle turned around and raised his middle finger without a word.
But Fred ignored it, continuing to speak to himself, "What a shame you're not in Gryffindor."
"We asked," George said with a smile. "The first class for Gryffindor first-years is Potions. If you were there, and the new students cooperated, it would very likely be Snape who went to the hospital wing."
"Yeah, what a pity," Fred said, putting down his pumpkin juice and lamenting, "If you could have gotten Snape to the hospital wing, you would have been a hero of Gryff… no, you would have been a hero of all of Hogwarts!"
It was unclear what Fred was thinking about, but his face, which had just been filled with regret, suddenly became excited, his whole body shaking.
In his excitement, Fred didn't even notice Cedric stealthily tugging at his robes.
"Honestly, Kyle, I still think you shouldn't be in Hufflepuff. Gryffindor is your real home."
"Let's assume you're right, but, Fred, George..." Kyle suddenly cleared his throat and said with a smile, "Why do you think the Gryffindor first-years will cooperate with me to deal with Professor Snape?
In my opinion, the young wizards in Gryffindor are all very polite and speak well, and the headmaster is also kind. They are not so... um, unruly."
"What nonsense are you talking about, Kyle? How can a well-behaved and honest child be sorted into Gryffindor?" Fred was stunned for a moment, then raised an eyebrow and said, "Oh, right, that's not the case. We just like adventure..."
"So... Mr. Weasley, is this the reason why you don't eat at your own house table?"
A cold, emotionless voice came from behind.
The smiles on Fred and George's faces disappeared in an instant, and they turned their heads with difficulty to look behind them.
"Professor McGonagall, when did you arrive..." Fred forced a smile uglier than tears and said dryly, "Well, I think you must have misunderstood something. I can explain."
"No need, Mr. Weasley. I think I understand you perfectly well. There's no misunderstanding. And you should be thankful that it's me standing here, not Professor Snape."
Professor McGonagall's face was calm, looking no different from usual. "Because you disrespect the professor, Gryffindor will be deducted ten points… each."
Fortunately, it was only a point deduction.
Fred and George breathed a sigh of relief. It was only the beginning of the school year, and Gryffindor's scoring hourglass still had plenty of room. It was only twenty points, acceptable.
"Also..." Professor McGonagall glanced at the twins and continued, "Due to your poor performance at the Sorting Ceremony, you two will be in detention every night for the next week."
Fred and George were struck by lightning.
The Sorting Ceremony? They'd thought that was over...
They could ignore the point deductions, but detention was different. And being locked up for a week straight, with no nighttime activities for seven days, was practically killing them!
The two were beginning to despair.
"Professor, please..."
Fred and George looked at Professor McGonagall pitifully, hoping to awaken her pity.
Unfortunately, Professor McGonagall didn't buy it at all, and even her tone of voice didn't fluctuate at all:
"Detention starts at 11 o'clock this evening. Go find Filch, and he will take you to the trophy room. There is a roster there, which records the names and deeds of all the outstanding students since the establishment of Gryffindor.
You need to copy this roster completely until it is finished. Remember, one roster for each person, and no magic or shorthand quills are allowed. Copy everything by hand."
After Professor McGonagall finished speaking, she pointed in the direction of Gryffindor and said, "Now, Mr. Weasley, hurry back to your tables!"
Fred and George were struck by lightning, and they lowered their heads and hurried back to their seats in Gryffindor, with a look of despair on their faces.
Kyle also lowered his head, forcing himself to suppress a laugh. Only after the twins left did he turn around and say, as if nothing had happened, "Good afternoon, Professor McGonagall. It's nice to see you here."
Professor McGonagall's voice finally gained some momentum as she replied, " Good afternoon, Mr. Chopper."
"Just call me Kyle, Professor," Kyle said with a smile. "Have you had lunch yet? If not, have something here."
Cedric, realizing this, quickly moved aside, creating a spacious spot.
Professor McGonagall's expression softened. "I'd love to, but unfortunately, I've already eaten."
To maintain her dignified demeanor, Professor McGonagall usually came to the Great Hall before lunchtime or stayed in her office, rarely eating with the young wizards.
"That's unfortunate," Kyle sighed softly, and the other little badgers matched his disappointment, as if they really wanted to eat at Professor McGonagall's table.
Everyone was well-behaved.
Professor McGonagall looked at the scene before her, then compared it to the chaotic Gryffindor table next door. A wave of fatigue suddenly washed over her.
It's true that there's no harm without comparison.
Why are all the good kids in other houses, especially Kyle and Cedric? Even if one of them could be in Gryffindor, that would be fine.
This damn sorting hat…
[End of the chapter]