Draco Malfoy Publicly Mocks Ron — McGonagall Cannot Take It Anymore
The Great Hall was buzzing with lunchtime chatter.
Ron Weasley stood in the center again, loudly retelling his troll story for the 27th time.
Ron:
"So there I was—face-to-face with the massive troll!
It swung its club at me but I dodged like a pro—"
A sharp, mocking voice cut through the air.
Draco:
"Dodged? You fainted so hard you nearly bounced off the floor."
The entire hall froze.
Ron turned red.
Ron:
"S–Shut up, Malfoy! I fought it! Ask anyone!"
Draco smirked, arms crossed, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle.
Draco:
"Oh? Really? Funny, because everyone else remembers something different.
Like how you wet yourself so badly the bathroom smelled like a swamp."
A wave of laughter exploded from the Slytherin table.
Ron's freckles nearly burned off from embarrassment.
Still trying to save face, Ron shouted:
Ron:
"At least I was brave enough to fight a troll! You would have run away!"
Draco stepped forward with a dangerous grin.
Draco (loudly):
"I don't need to fight trolls. I have functioning brain cells."
More laughter.
Even a few Hufflepuffs snorted.
Ron sputtered, trying to find a comeback—
Ron:
"I—I—I was heroic! Neville and Seamus saw it!"
Neville and Seamus immediately looked the other way, pretending they'd never met Ron in their life.
Draco delivered the final blow.
Draco (smirking):
"Yes, very heroic.
Fainting, crying, and decorating the floor with your… liquid courage."
The entire Great Hall erupted.
◆ McGonagall Walks In — And Walks RIGHT BACK Out
Just then, Professor McGonagall entered the hall.
She opened her mouth to scold Draco—
then she saw something that made her instantly freeze.
Ron Weasley was standing in front of the entire school…
bragging about fighting a troll…
…while she had personally levitated a soaked, unconscious, snoring Ron out of the bathroom last night.
She remembered the smell.
She remembered the floor.
She remembered the humiliation.
McGonagall's soul deflated.
McGonagall (internal screaming):
No. Nope. I cannot deal with this today.
Without saying a word…
without even blinking…
She turned around—
McGonagall:
"Nope."
And left the hall immediately, robes swishing behind her in pure despair.
The students stared after her.
Draco:
"…Did I break her?"
Keith, watching from the Hufflepuff table, hid his face in his hands to avoid laughing out loud.
Rias giggled softly.
Tonks actually fell off the bench cackling.
Helena shook her head, amused.
Vulpix tilted her little head in confusion, letting out a soft "Vul?"
=========================================================================
Chapter 55
Dumbledore's Headache: The Troll Trio Disaster Continues
In his office, Dumbledore massaged his temples so hard it looked like he was trying to erase his own headache.
Fawkes chirped sympathetically.
Dumbledore (muttering):
"First a troll mysteriously dies…
Then three boys wake up as heroes…
And now Mr. Weasley is claiming he fought it alone."
Another groan.
Dumbledore:
"Merlin's beard… Minerva levitated him while he was dripping all over the corridor. How am I supposed to explain this to the Board of Governors?"
Even Fawkes looked embarrassed, which was impressive for a phoenix.
Dumbledore rubbed his forehead again.
Dumbledore:
"I should have retired 40 years ago…"
◆ Ron "Challenges" Keith — The Most Embarrassing Moment of His Life
In the courtyard, Ron—pumped up by his own lies—stormed toward Keith, who was peacefully feeding Vulpix a treat.
Hermione, Daphne, Cassandra, Angelina, Katie, Rias, Susan, Tonks, Helena—
all nearby and watching.
Ron puffed out his chest.
Ron:
"Keith! I challenge you! A duel! Right now!"
Keith slowly blinked at him.
The courtyard went silent.
Keith:
"…Why?"
Ron gulped—Keith's calm expression was somehow scarier than any spell.
Ron (shaky):
"T-To prove I'm not scared of you!"
Keith tilted his head, still smiling gently.
Keith:
"Ron… you're trembling."
Ron opened his mouth to yell back—
and then his eyes widened, pupils shrinking.
Not because of magic.
Not because of intimidation.
Just Keith's calm smile.
That was enough.
PSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHH
A puddle formed under Ron.
Everyone froze.
Daphne covered her mouth.
Cassandra looked away in pain.
Hermione turned red from secondhand embarrassment.
Tonks fell to the ground laughing.
Katie and Angelina buried their faces in their hands.
Rias rubbed her forehead, sighing.
Even Vulpix tilted her head and let out a confused "Vul…?"
Ron (screaming internally):
"No—nonono—NOT AGAIN!!"
He turned and sprinted away as fast as his legs could carry him, leaving a trail of humiliation behind.
Keith just sighed softly.
Keith:
"…I didn't even do anything."
Angelina whispered to Katie:
Angelina:
"Keith's smile is more dangerous than any curse."
◆ Draco Malfoy Attempts to Recruit Keith
Later that afternoon, Draco approached Keith with the confidence of someone who believed he could sell sand in a desert.
Crabbe and Goyle stood behind him like decorative furniture.
Keith was reading, Vulpix sleeping on his lap.
Draco cleared his throat.
Draco:
"Keith Runcandel."
Keith looked up, curious.
Draco (trying to sound casual but failing):
"Your… talents are wasted in Hufflepuff.
You should join Slytherin.
We… value ambition."
Keith smirked.
Keith:
"Oh? You're offering me a transfer?"
Draco nodded proudly.
Draco:
"Yes. With your power, status, and… connections…
Slytherin would welcome you."
Keith chuckled.
Keith:
"That's flattering. But I'm quite happy in Hufflepuff."
Draco's eyes widened.
Draco:
"But— you're a Runcandel! Pure-blood nobility! Why would you—"
Keith smiled kindly.
Keith:
"Because my friends are there.
And I protect what's mine."
The air grew faintly heavier with Keith's draconic aura—barely noticeable, but enough.
Draco felt goosebumps.
Cassandra and Daphne, watching from afar, actually blushed.
Draco swallowed hard.
Draco (coughing):
"…Very well. Hufflepuff it is."
He turned stiffly and walked away with the dignity of a man pretending he hadn't just been intimidated by a smile.