“What are you planning to do?! Let go of him!” The sudden lunge of Prefect Waring towards Wentworth caught everyone off guard.
It was Cedric who finally reacted and swiftly intervened, pushing Prefect Waring away from Wentworth with a stern expression.
At that moment, everyone’s attention was drawn to the scene, revealing that Professor Ilona, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, had halted Prefect Waring’s advance.
Angry and with a stern face, Professor Ilona approached Prefect Waring and questioned him coldly, “What were you intending to do just now?”
Prefect Waring attempted to explain himself, but before he could utter a word, Professor Ilona interjected sharply, “Slytherin, deduct 30 points!”
This unexpected reprimand left Prefect Waring outraged.
He protested, pointing at the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor students nearby, only to be ignored by Professor Ilona, who continued her punishments.
“Doubting a professor? Slytherin, deduct another ten points!”
The experience left Prefect Waring and his fellow Slytherin students feeling a taste of what students from other houses often felt when dealing with Professor Snape.
The scene attracted the attention of various Professors, including Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall, and even the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Professor Dumbledore himself, due to its rarity within the school.
Prefect Waring’s grievances continued as he complained to Professor Snape.
“Professor Snape, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor teamed up to oppress Slytherin! You must rectify this!”
Prefect Green and the Weasley twins were quick to counter, “Absolute nonsense!”
As the situation escalated, everyone gathered around their respective heads of houses, each sharing their own perspectives and complaints, creating a cacophony of conflicting narratives.
To restore order to the chaotic situation, Dumbledore raised his voice.
“Quiet, everyone! Don’t you all have classes to attend? As per my memory, the morning classes are about to begin.”
“Now, apart from those I will name, the rest of you, return to your classes immediately. Those I’ve named, please accompany me to the Headmaster’s office.”
Guided by the head of Gryffindor and Hufflepuff, along with the Weasley twins, Prefect Waring, and his fellow Slytherins were led away.
In the meantime, Professor Ilona directed the freshmen of Hufflepuff and Slytherin to proceed to their Defense Against the Dark Arts class together.
Upon entering the classroom, the students were surprised to find that all furniture had been cleared.
Addressing her students, Professor Ilona began with an explanation.
“As a new professor, I am unsure what to say, but I believe practice is key to mastering Defense Against the Dark Arts. Practical application is the best teacher.”
The unexpected approach caused a mix of reactions.
Some exchanged puzzled glances while others seemed eager.
Among them, Wentworth felt a growing sense of excitement at the prospect of finally learning magic.
Amid the buzz of anticipation, Wentworth couldn’t help but notice Cassandra’s gaze fixed upon him.
An uneasy feeling crept over him as he considered the possibility of practical combat, a notion Professor Ilona had just mentioned.
Meanwhile, in Dumbledore’s office, the Headmaster, Kirk, and the others were seated before the Pensieve.
Dumbledore’s method of extracting memories for assessment was swift and efficient.
Upon reviewing the memories individually, Dumbledore contemplated, withholding his thoughts from the group.
“Professor Dumbledore? What’s the matter?” Professor McGonagall’s curiosity finally got the better of her, prompting her to inquire.
Dumbledore stepped aside, allowing Professor McGonagall to view the memories for herself.
After watching the memories, Professor McGonagall concluded, “It seems that the Slytherin students initiated the trouble. Professor Ilona’s response was justified.”
However, Dumbledore’s concerns lay elsewhere. He shook his head slowly, revealing his true thoughts, “That’s not what I’m concerned about.”
Not one to leave matters vague, Professor McGonagall asked, “What is it, then? Wentworth?”
Dumbledore’s affirmation prompted Professor McGonagall to sigh knowingly.
“I see. His impressive rhetoric, as observed during the sorting ceremony, and his adept incitement are reminiscent of Gellert’s rumored abilities.”
“It’s astonishing how quickly Hufflepuff’s demeanor has shifted since Wentworth’s arrival. The Hufflepuff of the past could never have orchestrated such an event. Truly, the blood of the Grindelwald family runs strong in him.”
Without waiting for Dumbledore’s response, Professor McGonagall continued.
“I understand what you’re getting at. He’s making the Alliance party more diverse. It’s a conscious effort to broaden their horizons. This inclusivity might make them even stronger than before.”
Dumbledore acknowledged Professor McGonagall’s analysis, a thoughtful expression on his face.