"I'm here to see Hermione!" Malfoy was blocked by two mudbloods, which stung his pride, but he couldn't exactly throw hands with them.
Sue and Terry were both Ravenclaws, and they roomed with Tom.
Malfoy knew that little bastard Tom could get along with anyone, so these two roommates were probably the same.
If he insulted them too badly here, that damn Tom would probably throw him into detention again.
"I'm not looking for trouble with Tom. I don't want trouble with Tom."
Sue lifted his chin. "Trouble with Tom? You'd have to be able to cause him trouble first, Malfoy. You don't want detention either, right?
Anyway, we said no one's going in, so you're not going in!"
"I'm looking for Hermione!"
"Exactly—Hermione asked us not to let anyone inside. She's in there with Tom right now, practicing for next week's Christmas Ball. Got it?!"
Malfoy felt like he'd been struck by lightning. His brain exploded.
Hermione and Tom were practicing for the Christmas Ball together?
Which meant… the two of them were in there right now?
Alone?!
"No… what do you mean? You let Tom and Hermione… How could you do that? I have to go in! I can't let them be alone together!"
Terry snorted. "Tch, who made you the boss? Sue, close the door. Release Peeves—sic him on them!"
"Peeves, come out!"
Malfoy had thought they were bluffing, but Peeves actually popped up, cackling with a very unfriendly grin aimed straight at him.
Seeing the situation turn bad, Malfoy spun on his heel and ran.
If you didn't run from Peeves, you were asking to be pranked.
"You lot wait for me—I'll be back!"
Half an hour later, a group of young wizards arrived.
Harry, Malfoy, and a bunch of students from Hufflepuff, Slytherin, and Gryffindor.
Every house except Ravenclaw was represented.
"You really want detention that badly?!" Seeing the huge crowd surging forward, Sue and Terry quickly backed up a few steps. "Malfoy, you're mobilizing so many students… Harry Potter, why are you joining in on this nonsense too?"
Harry coughed awkwardly. "We're in a club. We're having a meeting right now."
"A club?"
"The Hermione Appreciation Club…" Harry's voice grew smaller.
The name was honestly embarrassing to say out loud.
The Hermione Appreciation Club—an unofficial, unrecognized Hogwarts club. The main members… naturally revolved around Malfoy and Harry.
With Malfoy's rich family background, recruiting people was easy. Combined with Harry's fame, the club had grown to an astonishing size in a short time.
"I'm telling Professor Dumbledore!" Sue gritted his teeth. "Idiots! A bunch of idiots! You're even more disgusting than Peeves!"
Their argument was so loud that Tom inside could hear the commotion. He pushed open the door and saw forty or fifty young wizards outside. Confused, he asked Sue what was going on.
After listening, Tom rubbed his forehead.
"Malfoy, Harry, do you even know what you're doing?!" Tom was genuinely angry.
The two named immediately lowered their heads.
"Gathering followers, bringing your little cult out here to cause trouble—don't you think you're acting exactly like someone?
Did you ask me before starting the Hermione Appreciation Club?
Do you know how much trouble you're causing other people?!" Tom's voice grew louder. "Tell me, gentlemen, how well do you actually know me? Do you know what I like to eat? What I do for fun? What's my favorite color?!
What you're doing right now—what's the difference between you and You-Know-Who?!"
After being scolded by "Hermione," the whole group quickly lowered their heads. No one dared meet her eyes.
She wasn't wrong…
Many wizards had joined without thinking after hearing that Harry Potter—the legendary Boy Who Lived—had joined the club.
"Harry, I'm very disappointed in you. Malfoy, you too!" Tom stared at them coldly. "So I've decided: for the next month, neither of you is allowed to speak to me!
Right now, both of you are going to the library. Copy 'The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1', 'A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration', 'Magical Drafts and Potions', and 'One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi' five times each. Turn them in to me next month. Everyone else—leave immediately!
If I hear anything more about this Hermione Appreciation Club, I will punish every single one of you. I will request a wizard's duel with each of you!
If you think you can beat me, then go ahead and keep it up.
Incendio!!!"
With that final roar, Tom raised his wand. A pillar of flame shot into the sky, exploding brilliantly against the clear blue background. Sparks rained down like fireworks.
The flames outshone the sun itself, more dazzling than daylight—like fireworks blooming in the night.
All the young wizards stared up at the spectacular display in the sky.
A first-year… could a first-year wizard really do this?
Not even fourth-years or fifth-years could pull this off. Could graduates?
"Are you still not leaving? Do I need to escort you myself? Harry, Draco, what are you two standing there for?"
Draco… she called me by my first name!
But Malfoy's smile only lasted less than a second.
Suddenly his expression froze. He lowered his head completely, not daring to look at Hermione.
A cold chill swept through everyone's hearts. At the same moment, one thought flashed through every mind.
Run!
Run as fast and as far as possible!
Tom didn't understand why they were suddenly so scared.
Then he heard the deep, icy voice behind him.
"Miss Granger. Mr Malfoy. And you, Potter!"
Snape had appeared like a ghost, standing silently right behind Tom.
"Would someone kindly explain what you are doing right now?!
Miss Granger, who gave you permission to use such large-scale magic inside the school?!
Perhaps you should spend some time in detention—until after Christmas next week!!!"
Oh shit, Snape!
Tom finally understood why the kids had been so terrified.
Damn it, why didn't anyone warn me? What happened to the Hermione Appreciation Club? You all had your fun!
"Miss Granger, do you have anything to say? I can spare one minute to listen to your excuses."
Sue stepped forward.
As a Ravenclaw, Sue's mind worked fast.
"Professor Snape, although Miss Granger was wrong, they started it!
Look at them, Professor—so many people showing up just to cause trouble for Miss Granger. Any first-year would be scared in that situation, so I think Miss Granger's reaction is understandable!
Besides, she only showed us a beautiful firework display and didn't hurt anyone. It was just a little intimidation. I don't think it deserves a week of detention."
"Hmph. Silver tongue," Snape snorted coldly. "So, you lot came here to cause trouble?"
Snape's icy gaze swept over the crowd. No one could lie under that stare.
"Yes…" Malfoy bit his lip and forced himself to answer. "I know I was wrong, Professor Snape. Please give me detention instead. I won't make this mistake again."
Holy crap, Draco!
Tom felt a wave of emotion. Draco actually spoke up for him.
If I accepted his protection now… these people probably won't trust me anymore in the future.
Teasing Hermione occasionally was fine, but this was serious.
Never underestimate children's information network. Within two days, today's events would spread to every wizard at Hogwarts.
"Professor Snape, he's lying. Please give me detention instead," Tom sighed. "Draco, while I appreciate you trying to help me, I still need to tell you this.
If I accepted that, wouldn't I be just as shameless and disgusting as You-Know-Who? Own up to what you do. Professor Snape, I'll go with you."
"Excellent!" Snape glared at Harry. "Mr Potter, I never thought you could be this childish. Is this the legendary wizard?
Pathetic. Utterly pathetic!
Mr Malfoy, remember—this is Hogwarts, not your family manor. Do I need to remind you again, young master?!"
The last two words came out through gritted teeth.
"N-no need… I'm sorry, Professor Snape."
"Then what are you all still standing here for? Are you waiting for me to perform magic like Granger? Why haven't you left?!"
The crowd scattered instantly. No one dared stay near the terrifying Professor Snape.
"Now, you can come with me."
"Wait!" The real Hermione came running out anxiously from inside. "Professor Snape, please calm down."
"Riddle, I hope you're not trying to get involved. Or are you the type who loves joining in on chaos? In that case, perhaps I should take you to detention as well."
Hermione waved her hands frantically. "You misunderstand, Professor Snape. I just want to make a request."
"Hmph."
"Next week… next week I have to attend the ball with Tom… with Hermione." Hermione spoke very quickly. "Professor Snape, could you please wait until after the ball to give him detention?
He still hasn't learned how to dance yet. If this continues, he'll embarrass himself on the dance floor, and I'll… I'll be criticized by the whole school until graduation, and it'll leave psychological scars. For the sake of a child's growth, please be lenient, Professor. I beg you…"