To be honest, Argus Filch had never been a popular figure at Hogwarts. Even Hagrid, usually kind-hearted, could not hide his distaste for the caretaker.
And now, seeing Filch charge at him with twisted features and flailing arms, Harry was unavoidably reminded of Uncle Vernon.
There was a difference, however. However unpleasant Vernon had been, he had at least been Harry's legal guardian — and had fed him. Filch, on the other hand, did nothing but prowl the corridors looking for students to punish.
Petrifying his cat?
The accusation was absurd.
If he were an ordinary first-year, perhaps he would have had to stammer explanations to escape blame.
But now?
Filch was nearly upon him when Harry raised his wand.
"Depulso!"
The spell struck squarely. Filch was hurled backward as though hit by a speeding carriage.
"Ahhh!" he shrieked, limbs flailing.
"Harry!"
Albus Dumbledore's firm voice echoed through the Entrance Hall.
At once, a conjured cushion appeared behind Filch, softening his fall and preventing serious injury.
"School—" Filch began, but Harry, still bristling with anger, acted first.
"Petrificus Totalus!"
The Full Body-Bind Curse took effect immediately. Filch stiffened atop the cushion, rigid as a board.
Students pouring out of the Great Hall stopped short at the sight.
"Potter is our king!" Fred and George Weasley cheered delightedly.
Filch had never been well liked. The ceiling of his office was hung with chains and manacles — relics of harsher times — and he had never missed a chance to use them as threats. Many students had endured unpleasant punishments under his supervision.
To see him immobilized before the entire school — and in front of the Headmaster — was astonishing.
Gryffindors cheered the loudest. Even some Slytherins watched with undisguised interest, though they remained outwardly composed.
"Potter!" Professor Minerva McGonagall's sharp voice cut through the noise as she strode forward. "Mr. Potter! What is the meaning of this? How dare you attack a member of staff!"
Despite the tension, Harry stood straight.
"Professor McGonagall, I believe it would be fair to hear the full story before judging me."
Her lips tightened. For a fleeting moment, she saw an echo of James Potter — yet there was more restraint in Harry's composure.
A high-pitched voice piped up from the crowd.
"Excellent spell combination! Superb execution!"
Professor Filius Flitwick was standing on tiptoe, clearly impressed, until Professor Sprout gently tugged him back.
"This is hardly the moment for technical praise, Filius," McGonagall said curtly.
She pointed her wand at Filch.
"Finite Incantatem."
A red flash broke the spell. Filch regained movement and staggered upright, face purple with rage.
"It was him!" he shouted, pointing at Harry. "He killed my Mrs. Norris! Hung her up like a trophy! I'll kill him!"
"Professor," Harry said evenly, "he charged at me and threatened my life. I defended myself."
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the students.
McGonagall's expression softened slightly.
"And Mrs. Norris?" she asked. "Is Mr. Filch mistaken?"
Stung by the accusation, Harry's pride flared.
"I did it — so what?" he said coldly, folding his arms. "If I wished, I could petrify him again right here—"
A collective gasp filled the Hall.
"Allow me to clarify."
The smooth, cold voice carried across the stone floor.
Severus Snape approached, robes billowing.
"Mr. Potter was in my office serving detention," he stated sharply. "He was brewing a potion under my supervision. If he encountered the animal afterward, he was merely in the wrong place at the wrong time."
Harry felt a flicker of surprise — almost gratitude.
But Snape continued.
"However," he said silkily, "this does not excuse the fact that Mr. Potter attacked a member of staff before numerous witnesses. Such conduct cannot go unpunished."
He turned toward the Gryffindor table.
"Fifty points from Gryffindor."
Harry met Snape's satisfied gaze and understood.
Snape might defend him from accusation…
—but he would never miss an opportunity to deduct points from Gryffindor.
/------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------/
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