Hogwarts: I Am an Exemplary Wizard

Chapter 584: Chapter 582: The Schoolwide Brawl

In the days that followed, Harry seemed to become a rather dangerous figure, gathering many complicated glances wherever he went.

Even Hermione and Ron gained some notoriety, becoming people everyone avoided.

Gradually, these glances turned into mockery.

In the last few days before the holidays started, some people seemed to take mocking Harry as a new sport.

After all, Dumbledore only told them not to ask questions, but didn’t say they couldn’t do other things.

Take Malfoy and his two cronies, for example, who would often deliberately approach Harry and discuss newspaper content loudly.

At first, Harry would argue and explain a few times, but after a series of days like this, he decided to stop wasting his efforts and chose instead to just throw a book at Malfoy’s face.

Harry had been feeling quite down these past few days.

First, he was unexpectedly taken by the Death Eaters, then witnessed and participated in Voldemort’s revival, and with the newspaper’s portrayal, all these things piled up, making Harry long for a chance to vent his frustrations.

Malfoy’s recent antics just happened to give him a perfect opportunity.

As if planned, Ron and Hermione joined the fray without hesitation, targeting Crabbe and Goyle.

Caught off guard, Malfoy and his two cronies were left stunned.

But that was just the beginning; as more people passed by, the news of this quickly spread, resulting in a massive brawl between two houses.

In the narrow corridor, everyone tactically avoided using magic, choosing instead to resort to fists.

That day, the Hospital Wing was packed with people; Madam Pomfrey was nearly smoking from waving her wand, struggling to make enough beds, and boiled three large cauldrons of Healing Potion overnight.

Due to the sheer number of people, Filch, who originally needed a few more days of treatment, was forced to be discharged early.

The consequence of this incident was Gryffindor and Slytherin both losing 500 points, the most deducted in recent decades.

But no one cared about this.

Though losing 500 points sounds exaggerated, they had to have those points first; thanks to Snape and Sirius’s efforts, the scores of both houses were already at the bottom.

Forget about 500, even having 100 points was a struggle.

But these didn’t affect Kael.

Perhaps because he didn’t participate in the confrontation with Fudge that day, the Daily Prophet didn’t mention his name.

Moreover, since Dumbledore didn’t say anything, apart from a few close friends, no one knew where he went during the time he disappeared in the maze.

”What were you guys thinking?”

In Hufflepuff’s common room, Kael looked at Fred and George sitting there grimacing, casually tossing them a bottle of Dittany Essence.

”Isn’t it obvious? It’s to fight against You-Know-Who’s forces.”

Fred took the Dittany Essence, lifted his sleeve, and smeared some on his arm.

”I’m sure one of You-Know-Who’s Death Eaters definitely includes people from Slytherin.” George also smeared some Dittany Essence on his face, ”At least Malfoy is definitely included.”

”That’s not what I meant,” Kael said. ”I’m asking why you’re not going to the Hospital Wing as you’re injured, instead of coming to me. I’ve only treated Fantastic Beasts before.”

”Too crowded in the Hospital Wing.” Fred said nonchalantly.

”Besides, these are just minor injuries; there’s no need to go there...”

”You haven’t seen Madam Pomfrey’s demeanor; it’s terrifying.” George said with lingering fear.

”With so many people injured, it’s hardly surprising she’d look upset...” Kael muttered.

He glanced at the two of them; their injuries weren’t serious, mostly bruises from bumps and knocks.

For these injuries, Dittany Essence wasn’t very effective, but the problem was that he didn’t have the entirely suitable Healing Potion here, so they’d have to make do.

”Malfoy, Crabbe, Goyle...” George continued. ”These three names were on the trial list ten years ago.”

”You must have seen them that day.” Fred asked.

”Perhaps, but the Death Eaters were all wearing masks, so I didn’t see their faces.”

Kael shrugged, ”I arrived a bit late and missed a lot; Harry should know.”

”Ah, that’s right.” George shook his head, ”But Headmaster Dumbledore told us not to ask him.”

”And Dad wrote to tell us not to pester Harry.”

”Why don’t we ask him on the train tomorrow?” Fred suddenly thought of something and said excitedly, ”By then, school will be on holiday, and surely there won’t be an issue.”

Cedric beside him looked at them speechlessly... they couldn’t ask in school, so once on holiday, it’d be okay?

However, thinking about it this way seemed logical.

On the last night before leaving school, Kael went to the Auditorium with others to attend the feast.

At the entrance, he encountered Harry with a bandaged arm.

As the protagonist of this fight, Harry was only just allowed to leave the Hospital Wing.

Though his appearance didn’t show any sadness, in fact, he seemed rather pleased, presumably because Malfoy not far away also sported a similar look.

...

This year’s feast was like usual, adorned with banners representing Hufflepuff.

As the champion of the Triwizard Tournament, Kael received, besides the thousand Galleons prize, an additional 200 points from Dumbledore.

This made Hufflepuff undeniably the first place winner, securing the House Cup for the fifth time, tying with Slytherin’s previous record.

Sirius and Professor Moody, who had been missing for many days, were sitting at the teachers’ table, chatting with Dumbledore, while Snape sat with a gloomy face next to Professor McGonagall.

Also, Ms. Maxime had returned, engaging in quiet discussions with Hagrid.

It probably concerned the Giants, given the Ministry of Magic surely wouldn’t send envoys to contact them, but Dumbledore had to.

As for candidates, only the two Half-Giants, Hagrid and Ms. Maxime, were most suitable, and they were likely to act during this holiday.

While Kael was pondering this, Dumbledore suddenly stood up beside the teachers’ table, causing the Auditorium to become silent.

”Another year.” Dumbledore said, looking at everyone, ”Tonight, I have something very important to tell you all.

”The Ministry of Magic repeatedly requests me to keep this matter secret, but I believe the truth should be told.”

All eyes turned to him.

”You all have been wondering why Caretaker Filch ended up in the Hospital Wing, haven’t you?

”It’s because he was attacked by a deranged Death Eater.”

”Death Eater?”

The crowd buzzed with discussion.

”How is that possible...”

”What gives them the nerve to appear in the school.”

”...”

Dumbledore raised his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet.

”Regarding the contents of the Daily Prophet, let me tell you, it’s all true, not Harry’s delusion.

”That Death Eater disguised as Filch took Harry Potter out of the school to his master, which is Voldemort!”

Now, the Auditorium exploded, everyone stared at Dumbledore fearfully and unbelievingly, thinking they heard wrong.

A moment ago it was just Death Eaters, how did it suddenly escalate to Voldemort.

Dumbledore had to use magic to amplify his voice to barely cover the continuous hum below.

”Moreover, I must tell you, Voldemort has returned.” He said loudly:

”I know many of you may be unwilling to believe or feel shocked by my claim, but it’s what I witnessed firsthand.

”I can’t convince myself to hide this truth from you, because simply avoiding it won’t solve any problem; you can doubt, or mock what I say, but remember, always be prepared.”

Everyone in the Auditorium looked at Dumbledore; each face displayed shock and fear.

They couldn’t believe it was real.

At the Hufflepuff table, Cedric and Conna, already aware of this, remained silent, but most people had complex expressions.

Some believed Dumbledore, while others did not.

Like Mikel, who fully leaned toward Dumbledore; as a Muggle-born wizard, he had only heard of Voldemort and wasn’t particularly afraid, so he still preferred to trust the headmaster.

But Ryan seemed to struggle; he had heard of Voldemort’s deeds and knew how terrifying the war was over ten years ago, and subconsciously resisted the news of Voldemort’s revival.

Yet he also trusted the headmaster; in such a situation, Ryan was torn, unsure of what to do.

He remained silent until the feast ended.

...