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Inside the Headmaster's office—
After finishing everything he needed to do, Rock raised a brow, placed a hand over his chest, gave Dumbledore a polite nod, and said nothing further.
His calm, almost casual attitude left everyone present staring at one another in stunned silence.
Professor McGonagall looked as though she very much wanted to smile, but she pressed her lips tightly together and pretended to study the décor of the office instead.
Professor Flitwick lowered his head and examined his wand intently, as though it had suddenly sprouted a flower.
Snape's eyes, however, were locked on the pocket watch pinned to Rock's chest. With the corner of his eye he glanced at Malfoy—still cupping his mouth where a tooth had been knocked loose—before angling his body subtly toward Dumbledore.
Neville scratched his head, confused why everyone had suddenly gone quiet.
Dumbledore, meanwhile, kept his eyes on Rock. His gaze lingered briefly on the watch before a faint, warm smile touched his lips.
"Go on, young Rock."
He gave the boy a look that meant You may speak now.
Every professor turned to him. Even several portraits of former headmasters leaned forward with interest.
Bearing all those gazes without flinching, Rock remained composed. His voice was calm and steady:
"Headmaster, professors. First, I'd like to correct something—this isn't something one can brush off as a matter of 'unclean speech.'"
Snape, standing beside Dumbledore, twitched his mouth slightly but said nothing.
"Newt Scamander—my grandfather—personally captured Gellert Grindelwald in 1926. In 1927, together with Nicolas Flamel and other wizards, he helped stop the Fiendfyre that nearly consumed Paris. In 1932, he aided Headmaster Dumbledore during the International Confederation of Wizards election to defeat Grindelwald once again."
"Theseus Scamander—my great-uncle—was the youngest Director of the Auror Office in his time. He fought on the front lines, personally arresting twenty-seven of Grindelwald's core followers. Other major incidents of that era? You can find his name in every one."
"And Tina Goldstein Scamander—my grandmother—served as an Auror for MACUSA, also working on the front lines in the pursuit of dark wizards."
The words flowed out steadily.
Neville, standing beside him, went from shock to visible, rising excitement—his face gradually reddening with pride.
Draco, on the other hand, lost his arrogance by the sentence. His face slowly drained of color.
Rock stepped forward, unhurried, stopping directly in front of Draco. His posture radiated unmistakable disdain.
"So then… during the height of Grindelwald's terror, Abraxas Malfoy—your grandfather—what exactly was he doing?"
"If I'm remembering correctly, your family was one of the most 'cautiously observing' factions. And during that time, you used the neutrality of certain countries to expand your family fortune, didn't you?"
"So tell me, Malfoy."
Rock's voice was quiet, but his eyes were razor-sharp.
"Answer me. When Grindelwald's darkness covered the wizarding world, at which negotiation table was your family sitting?"
"When the name Scamander was carved into the Order of Merlin—your Malfoy family name was carved onto which file under the Ministry's 'Special Observation List'?"
The room fell silent. Utterly silent.
Draco opened his mouth, but only a panicked wheeze came out.
Fear—real fear—rooted itself deep inside him, sharper than humiliation, sharper even than failure.
"Now you understand, don't you? The people you called a cripple and a freak—my grandfather and great-uncle—are people your entire family isn't worthy to shine the shoes of, Draco Malfoy."
Rock cast one last glance at Draco before turning to Dumbledore and the three professors, giving a respectful nod.
"I've said what I needed to, Professor. I'm willing to accept any punishment."
Professor Flitwick stepped forward at once.
"Headmaster, Rock is a student of my House. I don't believe he was in the wrong."
"And I agree," McGonagall added, offering Rock an apologetic nod. "My apologies, Mr. Scamander, for not understanding the context sooner."
She finally grasped what Malfoy must have said earlier. Neville, trying to protect Rock from further insult, had never repeated those words—so she had had no idea.
"Professor McGonagall, there's no need," Rock said gently. "My grandfather praised you often—he said your Transfiguration was something even he hoped to learn from."
He placed a hand over his chest in polite salute.
McGonagall's expression melted into a warm smile as she nodded back.
After all, Rock was wearing the emblem of the current head of the Scamander family on his robes.
Snape stayed rigidly facing Dumbledore, carefully avoiding Draco's desperate attempts to tug his sleeve for help.
"My boy," Dumbledore finally said as he rose from his chair, his voice light, "thank you for recounting that history. It brought back memories. I suppose it's time I sat down with an old friend again."
He looked across the room.
"There are many forms of courage. Some run into the fire… others guard the embers."
His gaze paused meaningfully on Snape's face.
"Mr. Malfoy," Dumbledore continued, "I hope you learned two things tonight. First—never use your ancestors' accomplishments as a weapon against others, unless you're certain your ancestors stood in the light."
"Second—before you judge someone else, ask yourself—"
Draco suddenly collapsed onto the floor as if every ounce of strength had left his body.
"Now then," Dumbledore clapped his hands lightly, returning to his usual warm tone, "ten points to Gryffindor—for Neville Longbottom."
"As a friend, you stood against injustice, refusing to let rumors harm someone you care about. That takes courage."
Neville's ears turned red as beetroot. He looked helplessly between Rock and McGonagall, unsure what to do with himself.
"As for Slytherin—fifty points will be deducted. Some students need a reminder of what honor truly means. And Mr. Malfoy—"
Dumbledore's voice hardened just a touch.
"You will polish every honor display cabinet in the castle. Detention will be overseen by Professor McGonagall. Duration: two months."
"Yes, Headmaster," McGonagall said immediately.
Finally, Dumbledore turned to Rock.
"As for you, young Rock—casting magic on a fellow student, even in the context of a duel… I won't deduct points."
"But punishment is still necessary. You will assist Hagrid in caring for the magical creatures along the forest edge for the next two weeks."
"And once a week, you will serve detention under Professor Snape."
"Yes, Headmaster," Rock said with a nod.