Chapter 48: Chapter 48. This Gossip, Tsk, Missed It
It didn't take long before Professor McGonagall appeared in the corridor, following closely behind Professor Snape.
"Thank you for your effort, Professor William."
Her tone was cold, but William was certain that the iciness wasn't directed at him. Because in the next moment, the atmosphere seemed to freeze entirely.
Professor McGonagall's lips pressed tightly together, and her gaze resembled the unmelting ice atop a snow-capped mountain.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, the two of you, follow me."
The two terrified boys, like frightened quails, trembled as they trailed after Professor McGonagall. Only when their figures disappeared down the corridor did William feel the air around him begin to move again.
Something big just happened.
William was sure that it wasn't simply a case of Professor McGonagall being angry. If his guess was correct, the Transfiguration master was nearing the level where she could transform surrounding objects at will for attack or defend.
Although he hadn't read any explicit descriptions of this in books, based on cards he'd studied earlier, Dumbledore likely possessed the ability to transform the materials of a battlefield into puppets on a whim.
From piecing together multiple sources and his own memories, William speculated that this capability was probably achieved only when one's magic could directly influence the surroundings without requiring incantations.
Terrifying.
Just as William reached that conclusion, Professor Snape, who had disappeared at some point, reappeared. This time, he wasn't alone; he had brought someone even more terrifying; Dumbledore.
"Professor William, which way did Minerva go with the students?"
"They went that way," William replied, pointing down the corridor. He wasn't familiar with the castle's layout, so providing a general direction was the best he could do.
Dumbledore nodded and, with Snape in tow, hurried in the indicated direction. However, after taking just a few steps, he noticed William standing still. Turning back, his expression softened slightly.
"Professor William, you should come along as well. You've been to the scene and likely know more about what happened."
"Yes, Headmaster."
Baffled, William found himself transitioning from a mere bystander to an involved party. Following Dumbledore, he quickly navigated the castle's corridors.
As they approached their destination, William finally realized where they were headed; Professor McGonagall's office.
***
Though he'd been there before, he hadn't taken this particular route.
Before Dumbledore could knock, William heard Professor McGonagall's icy voice drifting through the slightly ajar door.
"Why didn't you send an owl to inform us? I believe you both have owls, do you not? Even if you did nothing, a professor on the train would have immediately come to find you!"
Professor, that's unfair.
To my knowledge, aside from myself; someone unwilling to risk long-distance Apparition and who dislikes Floo Powder; no professor ever opts to ride the Hogwarts Express. That train, despite its 'Express' label and improved safety, is agonizingly slow. When have there ever been professors onboard?
Of course, this wasn't the right time to voice such thoughts.
The Headmaster's face was so cold it seemed like water might drip from it. Timing was everything; even the most reckless wouldn't risk speaking up now.
Acknowledged as the greatest white wizard, and unquestionably so, Dumbledore was clearly furious.
Yet, despite his anger, Dumbledore still knocked politely on the office door.
"Come in." Professor McGonagall's authoritative voice rang out from inside.
Dumbledore entered the room, with William and Snape following closely behind.
At this moment, William finally noticed that apart from Professor McGonagall and the two tardy students, there was a fourth person in the office; the little Gryffindor student he had brought in earlier that afternoon. She was slumped over the desk, diligently copying something with a quill. Even as three new people entered the office, she didn't pause her work.
While William was idly glancing around, Professor McGonagall had already yielded her position to Dumbledore.
The two students visibly drooped the moment Dumbledore's gaze settled on them.
For a brief time, the office was enveloped in utter silence, broken only by the faint sound of a quill scratching against parchment in the corner.
Finally, it was the Headmaster who broke the silence.
"Please explain why you did this," he said, his voice low but exceptionally clear.
William almost believed one of the students was on the verge of tears.
But no tears came. Instead, one of the boys began to speak.
His explanation was disjointed and chaotic, the story jumping through fragmented events. Yet, as William listened, he managed to piece together what had happened at King's Cross Station.
In short, the two underclassmen had panicked when they couldn't access the platform. Ultimately, they had somehow ended up riding a flying car, deciding this was the best way to reach the school and avoid missing the Start-of-Term Feast.
Judging from how things had turned out, it was highly likely these two would now spend their Start-of-Term Feast in Professor McGonagall's office; along with their friend.
That friend being Hermione, who was currently copying the Student Code of Conduct for Holidays; which William had just noticed.
Now came the real question; where did they even get a flying car?
William thought it sounded pretty cool, probably more stable than simply adding railings to a broomstick.
As William watched Hermione finish one sheet of parchment and move on to a fresh one, the boy recounting the tale finally fell silent.
If William wasn't mistaken, this boy must be Harry Potter, the student Hagrid had been mentioning for so long.
But clearly, this wasn't the time for introductions. Dumbledore didn't comment on the long-winded story either.
Amid the oppressive silence, the other boy couldn't hold back any longer.
"We were getting something." His voice was filled with despair.
"What are you talking about, Mr. Weasley?" McGonagall demanded.
"We're getting expelled, aren't we?" the boy, apparently named Weasley, replied.
"Not today, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore said, "but you must understand the severity of your actions."
"Therefore, I'll write to your families tonight. Furthermore, I must warn you that if such behavior happens again, I will have no choice but to expel you."
I don't buy it. I know they attack a professor later!
Taking advantage of Dumbledore's lack of attention, William entertained himself with the thought.
Professor Snape, however, wasn't as amused. His face bore the same expression as someone who had just learned they'd have to work overtime on a Friday night. "Headmaster, these two students blatantly disregarded the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery and committed severe violations of the Statute of Secrecy…"
"Let Professor McGonagall decide on their punishment, Severus," Dumbledore interrupted calmly. "They are students of her house; she should take responsibility."
"Well, it's getting late. We should return to the feast."
Dumbledore forcibly dragged away a disgruntled Snape and a reluctant William, who had been eagerly waiting to see how the drama would unfold.