Link nodded at Professor McGonagall, then gestured toward the crowd around them and said, "Professor McGonagall, I believe you recognize many of the people here, don't you?"
"You've probably also heard about their family situations, honestly, none of them are very fortunate. But unlike some people who've given up on themselves, they still firmly believe that knowledge can change their lives!"
"Almost every one of them has already been accepted into their desired N.E.W.T. courses, or is determined to do well on their O.W.L. exams so they can take those courses later. But now, money has become the obstacle standing between them and their dreams."
"Professor McGonagall, they need money to continue their studies. That's why they're here, selling their labor and dignity to take on this kind of work, willingly allowing themselves to be exploited."
"I believe that, in this matter, Hogwarts also bears some responsibility."
"We have neglected how these students feel and what they're going through."
Link's words were sincere and filled with emotion, and many students around them were moved to tears.
Even Professor McGonagall was touched, her normally stern expression softened slightly.
However, the most excited people in the crowd were George and Fred.
Because from Link's words, they could see a glimmer of hope, maybe even a chance to have their punishment reduced or lifted entirely.
After all, if you looked purely from Link's reasoning, opening their underground workshop wasn't really a crime, in fact, it could almost be seen as doing something good.
But before they could get too hopeful, Link continued, "As for George and Fred, whatever punishment you give them, it wouldn't be too much."
"What they did indeed broke Hogwarts rules, and even went against the basic moral standards a person should have! But about this workshop, I think it would be best not to shut it down completely."
"Right now, these students have finally found a way to support themselves, a way to earn money with their own hands. Do you really think it's right to take that away and throw them back into the helpless situation they were in before?"
"So, my suggestion is that George and Fred's workshop can stay, but it must be reformed. Improve the terrible working environment and pay the students fair wages."
As soon as Link said this, George and Fred's faces turned sour. The students around them, who'd been too intimidated by Professor McGonagall's presence to say a word before, now began to speak up one after another, echoing Link's plea and trying to persuade her.
The whole corridor quickly became noisy again.
"Quiet, all of you!"
Professor McGonagall couldn't stand disorderly scenes like this. Her voice wasn't loud, but everyone instantly held their breath.
When silence returned, she said to Link, "I admit that in the area you just mentioned, Hogwarts has indeed not done enough."
"And I agree that students do need more money to pursue their N.E.W.T. studies faster. But I still can't support your idea of keeping the workshop open and only having it reformed."
She glanced at George and Fred standing in the corner. "And the reason is simple, are you sure those two will really follow our orders and make the proper changes?"
"As far as I know, you already told them to reform the workshop days ago in your capacity as prefect. And what was the result? This tragedy still happened. With that kind of precedent, how can you expect me to trust them?"
Her voice grew louder and harsher, her words like heavy blows landing on everyone's hearts.
But Link's lips curled into a faint smile.
He stepped forward and said, "You don't need to worry about that. I've known George and Fred for many years, and honestly, I never really trusted them much to begin with."
"That's why I didn't put my hopes on them. After seeing the situation here that day, I immediately contacted Cedric to discuss it. Up to now, we've already come up with a plan that benefits both sides."
"Oh? And what plan is that?"
Professor McGonagall raised an eyebrow.
Instead of answering directly, Link turned to look at Cedric. He'd already said enough, the final, decisive move would sound better coming from the "honest and dependable young man" Cedric. Otherwise, McGonagall might feel like she'd walked right into one of Link's traps.
Cedric understood perfectly. Smiling, he said, "It's actually quite simple. The idea is for our Student Council and Link's Flamel family to jointly establish a semi-official factory within Hogwarts. Now, this factory wouldn't exist to make profit, but rather to provide work opportunities for students."
"So long as the factory doesn't run at a loss, all its revenue will go toward maintaining equipment and facilities, and improving students' pay."
"It will also be subject to supervision by three parties, the students, the Student Council, and the teaching staff."
After speaking, Cedric leaned closer to McGonagall and lowered his voice so only the two of them could hear, "Professor McGonagall, this is already the best deal I could negotiate."
"You must know, this whole thing brings no personal benefit to Link at all. In fact, he's taking on a lot of responsibility for it. He truly wants to do something to help the other students. Please don't let him down."
"Link is a good child, that much I know," McGonagall replied quietly. "But what I don't understand is this, Link just asked me not to shut down George and Fred's workshop. What does that have to do with setting up a new factory?"
Cedric froze for a moment, then smoothly replied, "Oh, George and Fred's workshop is just an example. What Link really meant is that he hopes you'll agree to establish a school rule, one that allows students or alumni to open workshops or factories within Hogwarts, as long as they accept proper supervision and operate legally."
"This would be a great help for Hogwarts' future development."
"After all, even with our and Link's factory, the number of job positions we can offer is limited. We'll need others to fill the remaining demand, and we could even allow a small amount of profit for them."
"And, to be honest, we can't just expect Link and the Flamel family to keep contributing selflessly forever, can we?"
"One day, if the Flamel family withdraws their investment, the other workshops will need to shoulder the responsibility."
"When that time comes, the number of workshops will be crucial. If there are too few, it could create monopolies like the one George and Fred have now, and I think you've already seen how disastrous that can be."
Professor McGonagall didn't respond, she lowered her head, deep in thought.
Although she was very knowledgeable, like most wizards she knew very little about Muggle concepts, so she didn't really understand what "monopoly" meant.
But that didn't stop her from being deeply impressed.
Judging from her expression, she seemed to have been convinced by Link and Cedric's argument.
Sure enough, after a long silence, McGonagall finally sighed deeply and said to them, "I support your proposal. But whether it can actually be approved will depend on Professor Dumbledore and the other Heads of House."
"I'll report it to them right away. Until a decision is made, this workshop must temporarily shut down. Cedric, the Student Council will oversee that part."
"We understand, Professor McGonagall."
"In that case, I'll be going."
She nodded to Link and Cedric, then turned briskly and walked away, heading, it seemed, straight for the Headmaster's office.
As she disappeared, Link turned back to Cedric and gave him a thumbs-up.
He could swear that he'd never mentioned anything about "school rules for establishing factories at Hogwarts." All he'd wanted was to keep George and Fred's workshop around as a comparison for the new factory.
But Cedric had improvised brilliantly, coming up with a perfectly logical, almost flawless, explanation.
No wonder he was considered the "perfect student." Cedric really was capable.
"Link, since this is settled, let's get going," Cedric said after they shared a brief laugh in celebration.
But as he spoke, his eyes drifted to the students still standing around anxiously, waiting for the final decision.
Knowing Cedric's soft heart, Link signaled for him to stay quiet. Then he said coldly,
"Everyone, disperse. The workshop is suspended for now. The Student Council will send people to watch over it. As for your tools and belongings, you'll get them back later, after inspection by the prefects."
At that, the students' faces darkened.
They all knew how slow the Student Council and other official bodies could be. Based on experience, it would probably take a while before they got their tools back.
Thankfully, tomorrow was the weekend, no classes.
But if they still didn't have their tools by next week... well, that would be bad.
Still, even though they were unhappy, none of them dared protest against Link. They could only leave reluctantly.
Once the crowd was gone, Link turned to John, George, and the others.
"You three, come with us. There are some things we need to make clear."
———
Link and Cedric led them across nearly half of Hogwarts Castle, eventually reaching a classroom in an unfinished corridor on the far side of the main building.
This room was one Link had already picked out to serve as the future factory's office. Though it wasn't fully renovated yet, it had been cleaned and furnished with a few tables and chairs, good enough for a meeting.
At their invitation, everyone took a seat.
John stayed silent the whole time, choosing a spot as far away from George and Fred as possible, clearly still upset with them.
George and Fred weren't much better.
Even though they'd expected some punishment, and had a thousand Galleons set aside as a backup, after actually being disciplined by McGonagall, they were still shaken and unusually quiet.
The room was completely silent.
Link and Cedric exchanged a glance. Then Link's lips curved slightly as he said, "George, Fred, you two should apologize to John first."
"Apologize? For what?"
George's eyes sharpened immediately, and Fred stood up, anxious and angry. "Link, we've already done everything you asked us to, and we got punished for it! I'm telling you, don't push us too far!"
"So you think you were punished because of me?" Link slammed the table.
"If you hadn't broken school rules, used Hogwarts property to build an illegal workshop, and exploited your classmates, leading to a safety incident, would you have been punished?"
"If it weren't for me, after that dungbomb fiasco last time, McGonagall would've had you hanging from the tower spire already! It was me who gave you another chance, me who gave you a future. And now you dare blame me!?"
At his shout, the little courage the twins had managed to gather vanished instantly.
They lowered their heads in silence. Only when Link glared at them again did they mumble weakly, "Sorry, mate."
John had suffered plenty under those two and still held a strong grudge. If it weren't for Link holding him back, he probably would've punched them already, there was no way he'd accept their apology.
He just snorted coldly and turned his head away.
Link shook his head and said, "John, do you know why I made them apologize to you?"
John didn't answer, but he looked up at Link.
"I made them apologize,"
Link continued, "not because they exploited you or the other students, that was a deal you all agreed to. And not because they stirred up trouble or failed to help when things went wrong. It's because they used you without your consent, and did it in such a despicable way."
"Link, how can you say that?" John protested anxiously.
"I don't care about myself, but that kid, what did that child do wrong? George and Fred stood by and watched, then tried to cover it up afterwards. How could that ever be right?"
"I never said they were right," Link said with a faint smile. "But are you sure what you saw was really the truth?"
As he spoke, he snapped his fingers. The back door of the classroom opened, and a small, thin figure John knew all too well walked in.