Harry Potter: Restoring The Glory of the Black Family

For more chapters (10+) or if you want to support me, visit https://www.patreon.com/FFAddict. Thank you!

Chapter 46: Dealing With Fights

In the Hogwarts Headmaster's office, a group of people stood, meeting Principal Dumbledore's gaze. Next to Professor McGonagall were Harry, sporting a pair of panda eyes, and Ronald, whose face was battered beyond recognition. One looked aggrieved, while the other appeared unconvinced.

Ronald, understandably, felt wronged. The Black family, as he saw it, did not respect the rules of fair fighting. Did having more people mean they could gang up on someone? The Weasley family was not to be underestimated, and Ronald already plotted to enlist Fred and George's help. He couldn't let this go unavenged, lest people think the Weasleys were a pushover. Although, he was slightly concerned about how much Fred and George might charge him for their assistance.

Harry, on the other hand, was puzzled. Ronald was clearly the one who got beaten, so why was he also injured? Harry couldn't figure out why Goyle and Crabbe had attacked him. He hadn't provoked them; they were as bulky as his cousin Dudley. Why would he willingly provoke them? Feeling the pain in his eyes, Harry couldn't help but grumble that he was assaulted despite doing nothing to prompt it.

Why does trouble seem to find him whenever he's with Ronald? Professor McGonagall appeared as flustered as a lioness, unable to remain calm in the situation. "Headmaster Dumbledore, look at the state of my students. This is Hogwarts, after all. Anyone would think we're at Durmstrang," she exclaimed.

McGonagall's fervent plea snapped Dumbledore back to reality. In truth, he hadn't expected Harry to be so roughed up. Though young Harry might not know many spells, he was at least adept with his fists. Dumbledore reminisced about his own childhood, dueling with wands following the rules, albeit not with powerful spells. Had times changed so much?

Attempting to soothe McGonagall, Dumbledore replied, "Professor McGonagall, let's first calm down. I understand the situation somewhat. Why don't you take young Harry and Ronald to Professor Sprout?"

He advised her to get medical attention for the students, mindful of Snape's anxious expression beside him. "No, Headmaster. What happened today is unacceptable. Snape, your students violated school rules by attacking others. There must be consequences," McGonagall insisted.

Snape's mouth twitched slightly. Of all the professors at Hogwarts, he least enjoyed dealing with McGonagall; she was a formidable opponent. If not for his godson Draco and the Black family children being involved, he might not have appeared at all. 

Draco and Martin, standing beside Snape, did not panic at the mention of punishment. They had merely been in a fight and weren't facing expulsion, so what was there to fear? In truth, Martin and Jerome hadn't taken action. Instead, it was Ben and his two sisters. This was why the Gryffindor students hadn't rallied to help Ronald; no one wanted to be seen bullying young girls. 

Moreover, Martin and Jerome, although inactive, wielded their wands to keep others apart. Martin's reputation as a genius was known to all, and Jerome's classroom talents underscored that the Black family children were indeed formidable. Their rapport with Harry had cooled since they recognized his talent as only average, lessening the luster of his "savior" aura.

Snape, hearing McGonagall's remark, defended his charges. "Professor McGonagall, as I've heard, it was your student who initiated the provocation."

"Yes, that's right, it was Weasley who mocked Martin first," Draco took the lead, as if insulting Martin, his cousin, was an insult to him. Draco looked arrogant and gave Ben a look of praise; after all, they had just gotten rid of the annoying Weasley together. Ben looked at him as if he were a fool, but in Ben's eyes, although Draco, this cousin, was foolish, he was still rather agreeable.

After Draco spoke, noticing Professor McGonagall's expression growing even worse, Martin quickly stood up and said, "Principal Dumbledore, it was my class who were too impulsive, and I didn't stop them in time. But we can bear the medical expenses. After all, Harry and Ronald's injuries are relatively serious."

Dumbledore looked at Ben, Darlene, and Alice, who were unharmed, and Draco, who didn't even have a hair out of place. He was truly disheartened; both sides were fighting, yet one side was unscathed.

"Hmph, don't think you can be arrogant just because you have a bit of money. The Black family doesn't necessarily have where the money comes from," Ronald's voice was loud and even caused Professor McGonagall to frown. Harry rolled his eyes helplessly. To be honest, he really wanted to seal Ronald's mouth at that moment.

"Some people are jealous. They envy what others have when they can't get it. Are all the Weasleys like this?" Jerome spoke coldly. Although he was usually reluctant to speak, it did not mean that he could tolerate outsiders provoking the Black family.

Martin's eyes grew colder, but he tried to remain refined: "Mr. Weasley, can you take responsibility for what you said? We will take the slander against the Black family seriously."

"Yes, I will write to Uncle Cole when I get back. Weasley, you are done for. You have a bad mouth." Draco didn't mention writing a letter to Lucius to complain but directly wrote a letter to Uncle Cole to complain. He found that his uncle seemed to be more approachable than his father.

"I, I didn't, I just..." Ronald also realized that he had misspoken. He just felt angry when he heard Martin mention compensation. His father worked in the Ministry of Magic, and he knew that the Black family's current status in the wizarding world was too formidable for the Weasley family to compete with. If his father lost his job, Ronald could already imagine being torn apart by his mother.

Seeing Ronald trembling with fear, Dumbledore couldn't just sit back and ignore it. After all, the Weasley family were his loyal friends. "Martin, wait, I don't think Ronald has any ill intentions, and he doesn't mean to slander the Black family. The matter is very simple, isn't it?" Dumbledore stroked his beard and continued, "I remember that when I was young, I often fought with the neighborhood kids. It was an unforgettable experience when I think about it now. I think you might become better friends after this, don't you, Martin?"

"Of course, Principal, I like making friends the most." Martin's answer satisfied Dumbledore. Sometimes talking to smart people just doesn't waste time.

"It's getting late, and the old man's sleep comes as soon as he wants." Both Snape and Professor McGonagall took the students from their own houses back, and neither of them mentioned the matter of punishment. This proved that punishment would only be dealt with in one's own house, as decided by the head. Not to mention how Professor McGonagall would punish Harry and Ronald; Snape could only imagine how he could not protect his godson and his friend's children.