Forked tongue and consequence

Can we know what's going on here? Stop immediately! Demanded Chourave upon arriving at the scene of what looked like a disaster. Harry, Lucas, and Jenny (who had been freed from her bonds with Harry's Alohomora) were entrenched behind a barricade made of wooden partitions and pieces of faience in the middle of a chaos that had once been the girls' bathroom, while about ten of their classmates were sending them basic spells more or less well executed (paradoxically, it was the poorly executed spells that caused the most damage).

It is him, the heir of Slytherin. He asked his monster to attack us.

But have you lost your mind? Harry declared.

Put away your wands immediately. Those who still have them in their hands in 5 seconds will be expelled. 5, 4, 3, 2. Good. And now, could someone calmly explain to me from the beginning what happened here?

This was followed by a perfectly incomprehensible commotion.

Stop! One at a time, please.

oOoOoOo

After some explanation Chourave asked:

And what became of that famous snake?

I don't know. He must have run away while we were fighting.

You want to tell me that a one-meter venomous snake, resistant to magic, is roaming around Hogwarts looking for prey and that you couldn't find anything better to do than fight among yourselves? If a student gets bitten, you'll all be in detention until the end of the year.

It is not venomous. Harry specified.

Here, it's the proof. He knows the snake. How could he know otherwise. He harangued a Hufflepuff named Justin.

You heard him say it just like I did. Harry replied.

What are you talking about? I heard you speaking Parseltongue.

Huh? What's Parseltongue?

It must be the name of the thing you did with the snake. Said Lucas.

Fourchelang is the language of snakes, Jenny explained.

Harry can talk to animals. Cool! Said Lucas.

Not fair to the snake. And that's not cool at all.

Wait, both of you, what are you talking about, I spoke English. Interrupted Harry

No, Harry, Justin is an idiot, but he's right, you spoke Parseltongue.

I'm letting you know that the idiot came to save you.

I didn't ask you for anything.

On one hand, Harry was glad that his friends supported him, but on the other hand, Jenny's fiery temper (worsened by a difficult night) was not going to help him make up with the other Hufflepuffs.

After this last tirade. The two groups contented themselves with glaring at each other like cats and dogs until Sprout ordered them to return to their common room (except for Jenny, who was forcibly sent to the infirmary). During the following hours, the teachers searched the castle for the reptile.

oOoOoOo

A few hours later.

It was Malfoy and his gang who attacked Jenny.

These are very serious accusations, Mr. Potter. What proof do you have? Asked Professor Sprout.

But finally, it's obvious that it's him. We told you how he reacted in the great hall.

The situation does not allow you to disrespect your teachers. You will use the term professor or Sir to address each of us.

Thank you Severus, but I think I am capable of earning the respect of my students myself. Moreover, the problem is not the respect my students show, but the respect yours show. Declared Professor Sprout, glaring at Professor Snape.

It is certain. To return to the subject, unlike you, I did not wait until today to notice that Mr. Malfoy and Miss Jenny have, shall we say, some differences. I have therefore already questioned his classmates who assure me that he was in his dormitory at the time she was attacked.

On the other hand, your Hufflepuff classmates raised an interesting point. Of course, I don't think you have anything to do with this attack, but could you tell me how you knew where to find Miss Jenny?

Harry and Lucas silently decided not to report Theodore Nott. They were practically sure that the Slytherin had nothing to do with this attack and did not want to get him into trouble.

I don't remember anymore.

All of this is not very clear. Maybe we should deprive Potter of certain privileges until he regains his memory. I propose (..).

I do not see how the situation would justify Potter being punished for anything. Cut in Sprout. Besides, 20 points for Hufflepuff and 20 points for Gryffindor for helping a student in danger. But next time, even if you are not sure something has happened, inform a teacher.

oOoOoOo

A few hours later in Snape's office.

Snape was furious and had to use all his patience to refrain from strangling his student.

Mr. Malfoy, can we know what was going through your mind?

What are you talking about, sir?

Don't play these little games with me. Snape said, casting a murderous look, capable of frightening even a Death Eater. Nevertheless, the unbearable brat seemed indifferent to it. He had favored the boy too much.

Very well. You will be in detention every evening, with me, until the end of the year.

You don't have the right. I will tell my father.

Oh, but there's no need to inflict this trouble on you. I have already informed your father, and he is just as furious as I am to learn that his heir has the atrophied brain of a Gryffindor. No, even the stupidest of Gryffindors would at least have had the intelligence not to sign their crime. Serpensortia is a spell that I invented myself, and you are the only student I have taught it to.

But we cannot let her sully the reputation of the Notts!

And what does Mr. Nott think exactly?

The expression Malfoy adopted was the best response.

We don't care what that coward thinks. It's the honor of pure-blood families that's at stake.

Congratulations! Everyone is positively impressed that it took five of you to gang up on a first-year witch. The whole school is buzzing about your incredible display of power. No doubt that upon leaving Hogwarts everyone will feel respect and fear towards you. And it is obvious that this little stunt has restored your honor. Your peers absolutely do not think of you as a bunch of inbred degenerate aristocrats devoid of power and intelligence just waiting to be outsmarted by more talented people.

We should do nothing then?! Malfoy challenged.

I don't know, but you, you must learn to behave like a true Slytherin and not like a stupid child. And it starts by stopping drawing attention to yourself. Tomorrow, you will go apologize to Miss Nott, publicly in the Slytherin common room. And if I learn that you have resumed your little vendetta against her in any way whatsoever, I will ensure that your punishment extends during the school holidays.

But why is it so serious? She's just a traitor to her blood!

100 points less for Slytherin.

But why?

For deliberately breaking the school rules in front of a teacher and for forcing me to explain what is obvious even to a 5-year-old. If you have to ask stupid questions, at least try to ask them in an intelligent and indirect way. In your opinion, what will the witch society do following these attacks?

Find the culprit.

You are so naive! They are going to look for a scapegoat. Another question. Try to think this time. What has your father been trying to do since the end of the last war?

He is trying to regain respectability while placing our allies in the highest possible positions in the ministry.

Correct, even though you could have added that he also tries to discredit his enemies, especially Dumbledore. Snape continued. Well, do you understand now why your attitude is problematic?

But no one will ever accuse us of being responsible, my father (..)

Your father can't do everything. And even if he could, in his place, I would let you face the consequences of your actions to knock some sense into you. Even if it means having to transfer you to Durmstrang afterwards.

But that can't be. I have an alibi for both attacks!

Mr. Malfoy, do you know who was accused and convicted the last time the Chamber of Secrets was opened?

No.

This is Rubeus Hagrid.

What? But it's impossible that this simpleton has anything to do with (...).

Exactly. And that's the conclusion anyone with the intellectual capacity of a flobberworm can reach. Unfortunately, as my students prove to me every day, the average level of wizards is well below that. You are lucky that Potter chose that moment to show the whole school that he was a Parselmouth. Without that, you would have been accused. And at the next attack, your father's many political enemies would have pushed the Ministry to demand your expulsion.

In desperation, Malfoy let out:

You can't put me in detention. There's no proof that it's me. Unless you want to tell them that it's you who taught me this spell?

Did you listen to what I said? The stakes go far beyond the school setting. And for your information, if there is no evidence, it's because I covered for you. But we can still make arrangements. What will happen if I allow Chourave to use the Priori Incantatum on your wand? Or if I go to question Miss Nott myself to force her to confess the names of her attackers? But you are right. I cannot openly punish you after proclaiming your innocence. That is why you will tell everyone who asks that you are voluntarily helping me prepare lessons to improve your potion skills. And if you are late even once to your detentions or if I hear you complain again, you will deal directly with your father to receive a punishment more fitting for you. Now, get out of my office. You have already wasted enough of my time.

oOoOoOo

A few hours later.

How come Snape knew that Malfoy was harassing you and not us? Why didn't you tell me anything? Lucas asked, just after Jenny was finally allowed to leave the infirmary.

He doesn't harass me. I have no problem with that slick little jerk.

Stop lying to me! Don't you trust me?

But no, it's just that... I don't know, I didn't feel like talking about it. You too must sometimes want to keep things to yourself.

Me, I always tell you everything. Lucas said as he left.

Lucas is waiting.

Don't worry, he's just a little shocked. It's normal to have secrets. As soon as he calms down a bit, he'll come back to apologize and we'll see what we can do to make the slick-haired one not want to do it again. Said Harry to reassure the young girl.

No, he is right. I should have talked to him about it.

During the following days, Lucas refused to talk to Jenny, which caused a lot of suffering for the young girl and Harry, who had to act as an intermediary between the two.Friends. Over time, they eventually started talking again, but Lucas remained more reserved than before with his childhood friend. Despite everything, even during the period when he no longer spoke to her, Lucas spent a lot of time discreetly following her to ensure nothing happened to her and somehow managed to convince some Slytherins in his year to tell him what was happening in her dormitory.

To avoid worsening the problems, Harry refrained from any comment, but he found Lucas's behavior unhealthy. He remained silent, hoping that things would improve with time.