HRHL# Chapter 71: "Dumbledore, Are You Teaching Me How to Do Things?"

With Professor Snape testifying, Filch had no choice but to close his mouth.

Just then, Dumbledore emerged from the hall.

The first thing he did was wave his wand to gently lower Mrs. Norris from the wall. After carefully examining her with a series of spells, he looked up and said, “Rest assured, Argus. Mrs. Norris isn’t dead. She’s been petrified—an advanced form of dark magic, one that even I can’t easily counter.”

“This also proves Harry’s innocence,” Dumbledore added. “A first-year student couldn’t possibly have access to such dark magic.”

“My cat! My poor cat!” Filch’s face twisted with rage. “Someone must pay for this!”

“But that doesn’t mean an innocent person should bear the cost, Argus,” Dumbledore said gravely. He turned to Harry and continued, “That said, Harry, you must face consequences for your actions. Next Thursday evening, you’ll accompany Hagrid on patrol in the Forbidden Forest.”

“Since Professor Snape has already deducted points from Gryffindor, I won’t impose any further punishment,” Dumbledore added.

“Yes, Headmaster,” Harry replied, standing tall, though he firmly added, “but I still believe I did nothing wrong.”

The students present exchanged stunned glances, their expressions shifting from shock to admiration. Who would have thought that after knocking down a school staff member, Harry would refuse to admit fault before the Headmaster?

Any other student would’ve tucked their tail between their legs and confessed by now.

But not Harry. He openly declared his innocence in front of the Headmaster.

That wasn’t just courage—it was sheer audacity!

“Oh, of course not,” Dumbledore said, giving Harry a meaningful smile. “Harry, your mistake was casting spells on someone in front of witnesses.”

Harry looked at the old Headmaster, catching the subtle lesson.

“I do admit to that,” Harry nodded.

The implied message was clear: if no one sees it, it doesn’t count as a mistake.

“Well then, prefects, take your students back. It’s getting late,” Dumbledore instructed.

With this unexpected twist, Harry and his friends decided to postpone their plans to visit the Room of Requirement.

After all, Gryffindor had just lost fifty points, and Harry had publicly confronted Filch. A nighttime stroll seemed unwise—who knew if Professor Snape might be lying in wait to deduct even more points?

Back in the Gryffindor common room, Harry braced himself for a wave of criticism. Surely, losing fifty points would provoke some anger.

But to his surprise, he was greeted like a hero.

Was he imagining things, or were there even a few Hufflepuffs mingling in the Gryffindor common room?

“Harry, you’re the man!” Lee Jordan exclaimed, flashing a bright grin that seemed even brighter against his dark skin.

Harry was puzzled. He glanced at Hermione, who was clapping for him, then at his cheering classmates. “Didn’t I just lose fifty points for Gryffindor? Why are you all…”

“Lose points?” the Weasley twins chorused. “Harry, mate, just getting Snape to award Gryffindor three points is something we can brag about for life!”

“I agree,” Percy said, straightening his posture and clapping for Harry. “But I must point out, Harry, there were better ways to handle the situation—”

“Oh, Percy, don’t spoil the fun,” the twins interrupted, rolling their eyes in unison.

Their words were met with enthusiastic agreement from the Gryffindors, and even a few nods from the Hufflepuffs.

“We brought butterbeer and cookies!” announced a tall, handsome Hufflepuff boy. “Let’s throw a party to celebrate Harry for standing up to Filch!”

It was Cedric Diggory. Harry recognized him.

“Yeah!” the students cheered.

“I’ve got some Muggle snacks,” Harry offered. “Everyone can share.”

“I’ll help!” Ron volunteered eagerly.

Before long, Ron came back dragging Harry’s suitcase.

Harry’s eye twitched.

Nice one, Ron. Are you planning to empty my stash?

But he didn’t stop Ron. Opportunities to bond with classmates like this were rare.

“For our Lion King!” Fred Weasley stood on a stool, raising his voice.

“Potter! Potter! Potter!” the crowd chanted.

“I don’t get it,” Hermione said amidst the noise, turning to upperclassman Angelina Johnson. “Why is everyone so happy? It’s as if Gryffindor didn’t just lose points.”

“Losing points is disappointing, sure,” Angelina replied loudly, cracking open a can of soda. “But seeing Filch get what he deserves? That’s something to celebrate! You know, when I was a first-year, he threatened to string me up by my ankles for some minor infraction!”

“Same here!”

“Me too!”

“And me!”

The surrounding students eagerly shared their grievances, their expressions filled with frustration toward Filch.

“His cat is just as annoying as he is,” one student complained. “She’s worse than a bloodhound. I can’t stand either of them, not even a little!”

“Still,” Hermione said thoughtfully, “Dumbledore assigned Harry detention in the Forbidden Forest. At the start of term, he warned us how dangerous it was. Do you think Harry might be in danger?”

“Danger?” Angelina paused mid-sip of her soda, looking puzzled. “How does this… work?”

“I’ll show you.” Hermione opened the soda for her with a click and handed it back.

“Delicious!” Angelina exclaimed, smiling in satisfaction.

She put the soda down and said to Hermione in an exaggerated tone, “Oh, Hermione, how could you even think that? Our Savior has already proven his strength. What you should be worried about isn’t whether Harry is in danger, but…”

“Whether the Forbidden Forest is in danger,” Alicia Spinnet finished with a grin.

Despite the reassurances, Hermione couldn’t shake her unease.

Harry was just a first-year student. Could Hagrid really protect him from the dangers lurking in the Forbidden Forest?