Professor McGonagall's gaze lingered on Hermione's face for a few seconds, noticing the tear stains still in the corners of her eyes and her pale complexion.
She had originally intended to press further about why she was alone in the bathroom, but seeing Hermione's still-shaken appearance, Professor McGonagall's heart softened.
From what she knew of Hermione, this Little Witch never lied.
"Miss Granger, given today's events, Gryffindor will lose five points."
Professor McGonagall ultimately only said this, her tone strict, but already much lighter than expected.
Harry and Ron breathed a sigh of relief; they had originally thought they would lose more points, or even be given detention.
At this moment, Dumbledore, who had been observing the Troll, finally straightened up, his blue eyes sparkling with wisdom behind his spectacles.
"Minerva's handling is very fair."
Dumbledore nodded, his voice calm.
"However, Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter, risking their lives for the safety of their friend, came to her rescue. Such courage deserves praise. Gryffindor will gain ten points."
Snape snorted from the side, clearly displeased with this decision.
Dumbledore acted as if he hadn't heard, and continued.
"Mr. White saved his friend..."
He paused, his gaze turning to Professor Flitwick, who was looking at him expectantly.
"And with this perfect nonverbal Spell casting technique, Hufflepuff will gain twenty points."
Upon hearing this, Professor Flitwick proudly puffed out his chest, his smile brighter than flowers, as if Ravenclaw had been awarded the points.
As Charlie's Charms Class Professor, his student's excellent performance was the best proof of his teaching ability.
"Nonverbal Spell casting!" Professor Flitwick couldn't help but exclaim again.
"To master such a technique in the first year, I have never seen such talent!"
Snape's face grew even darker, and he glared fiercely at Charlie.
This boy always managed to brew perfect Potions in Potion Class, and now he was displaying such superb Spell casting skills.
It made it impossible for him to find a reason to deduct points.
"Now every house is having a feast in its common room," Dumbledore continued.
"You should still be able to make it if you go back now."
Just as everyone was preparing to leave, Charlie suddenly spoke.
"Professor Dumbledore, how will this Troll be dealt with?"
Dumbledore looked at him with some surprise.
"It will be cut up into magic materials for school lessons. All parts of a Troll have high magic value."
No one sympathized with the Troll; after all, it was truly ugly.
Charlie's eyes lit up, and he immediately said, "Then, as the one who defeated the Troll, may I apply for the right to use a portion of its troll hide?"
"What do you want troll hide for?"
Professor McGonagall frowned; this request was indeed a bit strange.
"I want to make a set of armor from troll hide," Charlie said, not hiding his thoughts.
When Charlie was attacking the Troll just now, he had already eyed it covetously. If he could get a set of armor made from troll hide, wouldn't he be immune to some Spells?
The Professors present were all stunned. An eleven-year-old Wizard actually wanted to make armor?
This idea was certainly creative, but also crazy.
"Hahaha!" Dumbledore suddenly burst out laughing.
"An interesting idea, Mr. White. I grant your request."
"Principal!" Professor McGonagall was a little worried.
"Letting first-year students handle such dangerous magic materials..."
"Minerva, don't worry." Dumbledore waved his hand.
"troll hide itself isn't dangerous, and Mr. White's demonstrated strength just now proves he is capable of handling these things."
After receiving Dumbledore's permission, Charlie was satisfied.
"Well then, you can all return to your dormitories now," Professor McGonagall urged.
The students prepared to leave. Harry, walking at the very back, suddenly noticed something unusual about Snape's footsteps.
His right foot was clearly avoiding putting weight down, and through his black robe, it seemed his calf had been bitten.
Even stranger, Snape was carrying a small package in his hand, from which emanated the aroma of food.
Harry blinked, confirming he hadn't seen wrong.
Professor Snape was actually packing food for someone?
This was more shocking than seeing him wear a pink robe.
"Come on, Harry," Ron urged.
Harry quickly followed, but the doubts in his heart grew deeper.
After the Professors watched the students leave, Dumbledore turned to Snape.
"Severus, how is the situation on the fourth floor?"
"All is well," Snape replied expressionlessly.
"Someone did try to get in, but they were stopped by the dog."
Dumbledore nodded, his blue eyes twinkling behind his spectacles.
"It seems our protective measures are still effective." He paused, his gaze falling on Snape's slightly limping right leg.
"What happened to your leg?"
"It's nothing serious," Snape said coldly.
"Just a bite."
Dumbledore raised an eyebrow.
"It seems Fluffy's temper is still as bad as ever."
Snape didn't respond, merely pursing his lips tightly.
Dumbledore's gaze then shifted to the package in Snape's hand, a puzzled expression on his face.
"I remember you ate quite a bit at the feast," Dumbledore said, feigning confusion.
"Why did you pack another portion? Do you want it as a late-night snack?"
He paused, a sly glint in his eye.
"Or is it for someone else?"
Snape's face instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot.
He stared intently at Dumbledore, fire practically spewing from his eyes.
"If your observational skills were that keen," Snape said sarcastically.
"How did a Troll get into Hogwarts?"
With that, he angrily threw the package to the ground, flicked his black robe, and strode away.
Dumbledore watched Snape's retreating figure and gave an awkward laugh.
Then he bent down to pick up the package from the ground, muttering softly, "Oh, don't waste food."
...Meanwhile, the four students were walking towards their respective dormitories.
After the events of this evening, there was a bit of awkwardness between Hermione, Harry, and Ron.
Although the conflict had been resolved, both sides remained silent until one of them spoke first.
The corridor had returned to quiet, save for the occasional laughter and music, reminding them that each house was holding a celebratory feast.
"Charlie, thank you so much," Hermione suddenly said, her voice trembling slightly.
"If you hadn't arrived in time, I might have..."
She didn't finish her sentence, but everyone knew what she meant to say.
"It's nothing, we're friends, aren't we?"
Charlie waved his hand, appearing very relaxed.
But a strong sense of frustration rose in Hermione's heart.
When she saw Charlie perform the nonverbal Spell just now, the fluidity and proficiency were something she had only seen in Professors.
And herself?
She studied desperately every day, memorizing various Spells and theories, but at the critical moment, she could only tremble in a corner.
"Charlie, you must work very hard, don't you?" Hermione couldn't help but ask.
"To be able to master nonverbal Spells, you must have spent a lot of time practicing."
Harry and Ron exchanged glances, both suppressing laughter.
Hard work? Charlie?
Putting those two words together was even more unbelievable than a Troll doing ballet.
Charlie slept in class, had others do his homework, and ran around with The Twins after class. Was that hard work?
"Hmm, indeed, I work quite hard." Charlie nodded seriously.
"After all, magic is something you can't learn without effort."
Hermione nodded deeply. So it was.
Even a genius needs diligence. For Charlie to have his current strength, he must have put in unimaginable effort behind the scenes.
Thinking of this, her admiration for Charlie grew even stronger.
"Oh, right, Hermione," Charlie suddenly said.
"If you really want to thank me, help me with my homework."
The corridor instantly fell silent.
Hermione froze, her eyes wide as she looked at Charlie.
Harry nearly choked on his own saliva, coughing several times.
Ron's mouth simply dropped open.
They usually got a severe scolding if they even tried to copy Hermione's homework.
She could spout a whole barrel of reason, like "learning is your own business" and "copying homework is disrespecting knowledge."
And now Charlie was directly asking Hermione to do his homework for him?
Wasn't this a direct challenge?
But to everyone's surprise, Hermione wasn't angry.
She tilted her head and thought for a moment, then a flash of sudden realization appeared in her eyes.
"I understand," Hermione said excitedly.
"Charlie, you're doing this to train me, aren't you?"
"Huh?" Charlie looked bewildered.
"You're so strong, you must be learning higher-level magic," Hermione thought, finding more and more sense in it.
"Those basic assignments in class are no help to you at all."
"But I'm different; I still need to build a solid foundation." She clasped her hands, her eyes shining with excitement.
"If you give me your homework to do, I can do it twice, and understand it more thoroughly!"
"Charlie, you're so considerate!"
Charlie froze in place for half a second.
"That's right, that's exactly what I was thinking." Charlie immediately decided.
"From now on, my homework is in your hands."
"You will definitely become even more excellent."
"No problem!" Hermione readily agreed, her face full of gratitude.
Harry and Ron looked at each other, both seeing the same thought in the other's eyes.
Charlie must have put a Spell on her.
"Um... Hermione," Ron asked tentatively.
"Our homework..."
"Don't even think about it!" Hermione immediately glared at him.
"Ron, you're so lazy. Of course you have to do your own homework."
Ron hung his head in dejection. Sure enough, preferential treatment.
Charlie was in a great mood.
Now Ernie was writing one set of homework for him, and Hermione was writing another. His homework problem was completely solved.