Chapter 211: Punitive Measures

"Points deducted! Points deducted! Every single one of you in Gryffindor!"

Professor McGonagall, regaining her composure, resumed her authority and methods:

"Potter, leading the violation of school rules! 50 points! And you, Weasley! Granger!"

Seeing Professor McGonagall harshly penalize her own house's students, Snape, successfully restrained, had no choice but to deduct points from the Slytherins as well.

This immediately triggered a chain reaction of point deductions.

In no time, Professors Sprout and Flitwick joined in, causing the scores of the four houses to plummet towards zero.

Fortunately, the term "dynamic conservation" was still applicable this year, and many students showed expressions of relief after surviving the ordeal.

This was quickly caught by the sharp-eyed professors.

Professor McGonagall's face turned ashen as she pointed a trembling finger at Ron, whose expression she accidentally saw.

She never expected the current Hogwarts students to be so shameless!

They didn't even care about losing points! It was as if they were pigs unafraid of boiling water!

Unbelievable, Gryffindor actually had such students!

"It seems you're dissatisfied with the professors' punishment, thinking it's too lenient." She said coldly, "In that case, your regular points—"

Her approach was halted by Professor Snape, who understood the students' mindset and decided to hit them where it hurt:

"No, Minerva, I think this isn't a classroom, and deducting regular points isn't quite applicable."

He curled his lips with a sinister smile, speaking in a slippery voice:

"Since these students can't control their hormones, perhaps we need to help them calm down, don't you think?"

The students, realizing what was about to happen, gasped in horror, and some began to plead helplessly: "No—please don't—"

Professor McGonagall suddenly realized, and for a moment, she regarded Snape with a bit more esteem. She made a cold and ruthless judgment:

"Since you can't control yourselves, fighting over dance partners and even brawling in groups, I must help you regain your senses and ensure you don't disgrace us in front of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang."

"I'm sorry, but I must forbid the students involved in the fight from attending the ball."

A chorus of wails echoed throughout the castle, but even the usually gentle Professor Sprout hardened her heart, ignoring the pleas from the Hufflepuffs. She frowned, her face stern, and waved her wand to clear the mess:

"I can't imagine if you were to fight over dance partners and cast spells at each other during the ball, Hogwarts would be ridiculed."

"Ridiculous, that you could do such a thing—it's so disgraceful, I'm ashamed of you—"

Professor Flitwick also shook his head wearily, refusing the Ravenclaws' hurried apologies:

"Lads and lasses, I thought you would have some gentlemanly or ladylike demeanor, but I didn't expect you to be like this—alas—"

The Slytherins, pale-faced, under Snape's deathly gaze, stammered with words of plea stuck in their throats, unable to utter a sound.

Jane Yu looked at Professor Snape with hopeful eyes.

By this account, she was also one of the culprits...

Could she also be excused from attending the ball?

She really didn't want to place her hands and feet awkwardly in front of a crowd!

But Professor Snape shot her a glare, dismissing her request outright.

Jane Yu unhappily pouted.

Soon, Ron's voice advocating for Harry's chance emerged from the crowd, immediately diverting Snape's attention:

"But Harry is a champion and needs to open the dance, which you said is customary—"

"I'm afraid I must break with tradition for him." Professor McGonagall responded firmly, "This whole thing is absurd! Students fighting en masse over dance invitations, all four houses together—I don't understand what you're thinking—"

Snape glanced at Harry as if seeing something repulsive, but he persuaded Professor McGonagall:

"I think missing a champion might attract attention from other schools, perhaps we should adopt some other means—"

Professor McGonagall pondered for a moment, realizing she couldn't afford to lose face outside, she angrily said:

"In that case, detention with Professor Snape! Potter! Until the end of this academic year!"

Harry made a choking sound, looking as though he wished he could drown Ron in the Black Lake.

This was not the kind of opportunity he wanted!

Professor Snape sneered, then glared at Jane Yu, though his words were directed at Harry:

"Are you satisfied, Potter? Only you and Jane can attend the ball now."

"Unfortunately, I must inform you that due to your actions of fighting over dance partners and attacking Slytherin students, you'll have to find someone else."

This hit Harry's weak spot directly.

Causing him, who had just managed to stand up, to collapse back down in despair, half-sitting on the floor.

What it means to kill with words, he once again witnessed Snape's prowess.

A year's detention... Losing his dance partner... And having to dance awkwardly...

He'd rather go fight the Hungarian Horntail for three hundred rounds again!

But Jane Yu also frowned.

Chewing on peanuts, she suddenly realized she was not only caught up in the drama herself—

But also that the students she knew, whether from Slytherin or other houses, were almost all banned from attending the ball!

How was she supposed to dance?

All the heroes who could be dance partners were banned, and could they buy a year's room in the ban position?

Was she going to retire before even stepping onto the stage?

...

Recovering from sadness, the Slytherins soon caught the culprit behind everything.

—Blaise Zabini, leisurely strolling back to the common room from the Great Hall.

This instigator, trying to cook his own meal, was caught red-handed.

The weak and helpless Blaise leaned against the common room sofa, standing firm, and before his eyes went dark, he let out a final shout:

"If I could do it all over again, I'd still do it, because it's just too much fun!"

He was knocked out on the spot by Theo's Stupefy, and the Slytherins swarmed over him.

Not only the Slytherins, but Jane Yu also gave him a sinister smile.

So it was this guy who left her hero pool with so few options!

With such a desire to apply for battle, it seemed she had to satisfy him—

By giving him a good dose of bad luck, gifting him a stomp package with her ball high heels!

~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~

Welcome to visit my Patreon, read the early chapters, and enjoy your reading!

 patreon.com/DarkGolds