Dumbledore's office was thick with tension. Aurelius, Lucian, and Mavis stood together before the great oak desk, surrounded by a semicircle of professors whispering among themselves. Minerva McGonagall's sharp gaze weighed heavily on them, while Flitwick adjusted his glasses with nervous hands.
Snape, on the other hand, didn't bother to hide his hostility.
"These students have crossed every line, Dumbledore. Secret duels, rules shattered. Expulsion is the only fitting punishment." His voice cut through the room like a cold blade.
"I agree their actions were serious," added Professor Sprout, her tone more concerned than accusatory. "But we must understand their reasons before making any hasty decisions."
Snape's cloak swirled as he pointed directly at Aurelius.
"No reason justifies putting the school at risk. Their arrogance is a perfect reflection of Gryffindor's lack of discipline."
Lucian stepped forward, ready to argue, but Aurelius lifted a hand, silencing him. His eyes fixed on Dumbledore, who until then had remained quiet, thoughtful, his long fingers intertwined beneath his silver beard.
"Silence !" Dumbledore's voice rang out, calm yet unyielding. The murmurs died instantly. "My colleagues, I understand your concerns, but before we pass judgment, we must hear the full story from these young wizards."
He rose, moving slowly toward the trio, his gentle gaze falling on Aurelius.
"Aurelius, my boy," he said in a grave but encouraging tone. "Tell us exactly what happened."
Mavis's breath caught in her throat, Lucian clenched his fists, but Aurelius stepped forward, heart pounding. He knew that every word he spoke from this moment on could decide not only his fate, but also that of his friends.
Drawing a steady breath, Aurelius stood firm beneath the piercing stares of the professors.
"It all began because of Mavis," he said, glancing at his friend, who lowered her eyes. "She's been suffering constant insults from certain Slytherin students. Not just her—other Muggle-borns as well. What started as words quickly escalated into threats."
A low murmur rippled through the room. McGonagall's eyes widened, Flitwick looked horrified.
"Last night," Aurelius continued, his voice steady, "a Hufflepuff girl was kidnapped. We found clues that led us into the dungeons. We had no choice but to follow. When we got there, Marcus Flint was waiting with a group of students. He said he would only release the girl if we proved our 'courage' in a duel."
"Outrageous…" Sprout muttered, covering her mouth with her hand.
"We accepted—for the girl's safety. The duel was intense, but at one point…" Aurelius's fists tightened, his voice flickering between anger and disbelief.
"Marcus Flint deliberately cast the Cruciatus Curse on me."
The silence that fell over the room was sharp as a blade. McGonagall shot to her feet, her chair scraping harshly against the floor. Flitwick gasped. Even Madam Hooch went pale, covering her lips with trembling fingers.
"This is intolerable!" Sprout burst out. "A student using an Unforgivable Curse ?!"
Snape, however, remained unmoved, his dark eyes narrowed.
"Lies," he hissed, his voice dripping with venom. "There is no proof Marcus cast such a spell. Gryffindors always did have… fertile imaginations."
Aurelius's blood boiled. He stepped forward, his eyes blazing.
"Proof ? You want proof ? Then check all our memories ! Or better yet, dose us with Veritaserum ! We'll tell you the truth under oath !"
His hand slipped into his robes, and with a firm motion, he slammed Flint's wand onto Dumbledore's desk. The clack echoed through the office.
"Or even better—test the wand. Spells leave their mark."
The impact stunned the room into silence. Even McGonagall was struck speechless.
"Or better still…" Aurelius continued, locking eyes with Snape. "Check it. The evidence won't lie."
Dumbledore, silent until then, lowered his gaze to the wand. His long fingers brushed against it lightly, his expression hardening into something deep and unreadable.
The silence was suffocating.
Dumbledore lifted the wand with care, as though handling something tainted. His blue eyes flashed behind his half-moon glasses, and the whole room seemed to hold its breath.
[Prior Incantato] he said, raising Flint's wand.
A golden thread of light burst from the tip, weaving ghostly images. First came lesser spells—Expelliarmus, Petrificus Totalus—until suddenly, the room went cold. A spectral scream of pain echoed, and a blood-red light burned at the tip of the wand before them.
McGonagall's hand flew to her mouth, horrified. Flitwick staggered back, pale as parchment. Sprout let out a sob of outrage. Even Hooch turned her head away, unable to bear the sight.
"Cruciatus," Dumbledore finished softly, the echo of the curse rumbling like a muffled thunder through the office.
The silence that followed was heavy as stone.
"This… this cannot be possible," Snape said at last, his voice less steady now though he tried to maintain his icy tone.
"There must be some trick. Flint would not be foolish enough—"
"Enough, Severus." Dumbledore's voice cut through the air, calm but absolute. He closed his hand around the wand, ending the vision. "The evidence is right before us."
Aurelius stepped forward, his face set, voice resolute.
"I told the truth. He used the curse—deliberately. And if we hadn't fought back, that girl might not even be alive."
McGonagall's voice trembled with fury.
"Albus, this is unforgivable. A student who would wield such a curse cannot remain at Hogwarts !"
Flitwick shook his head, whispering about the horror of what he'd witnessed. Sprout seemed on the verge of tears.
Dumbledore placed Flint's wand back onto the desk, then turned his piercing gaze on the trio.
"Very well… now that the truth has come to light, we must decide what comes next."
The office felt smaller, the shelves of books and instruments pressing down on them like watchful eyes.
"Marcus Flint," Dumbledore said, his voice grave, unyielding as stone. "By casting an Unforgivable Curse, he crossed a line that must never be crossed. This act violates not only every rule of Hogwarts, but also the laws of the wizarding world itself."
McGonagall straightened, eyes blazing.
"Expulsion is the bare minimum, Headmaster !"
"I fully agree," Sprout added, her voice trembling with outrage. "Such behavior is monstrous."
Though small in stature, Flitwick rose with authority.
"We cannot allow students' lives to be put at risk. Hogwarts is no place for someone willing to wield the Dark Arts against his peers !"
Snape opened his mouth to protest, but Dumbledore raised his hand. Silence fell once more.
"Flint will be expelled from Hogwarts, effective immediately," he declared, his voice leaving no room for argument. "His family will be notified, as will the Ministry of Magic."
A ripple of shock swept through the staff. Expulsions at Hogwarts were rare—never for something so grave.
"As for the other Slytherins who aided in this kidnapping and duel," Dumbledore continued, his gaze implacable, "they will be suspended indefinitely. Their parents will be informed, and this incident will remain on record."
Lucian let out a long breath, as if he had been holding it all along. Mavis pressed her hands to her mouth, eyes filling with tears of relief. Aurelius stood tall, though his fists still trembled slightly with the force of his anger and victory.
McGonagall looked at the trio, her stern features softening for a moment.
"You were reckless, yes… but you also showed courage and loyalty in the face of a situation no student should ever endure."
Sprout nodded, her gaze lingering on Mavis.
"You saved a life. That cannot be forgotten."
Lucian draped an arm over Aurelius's shoulder, a weary but satisfied smile tugging at his lips.
"Looks like we pulled it off."
Dumbledore placed Flint's wand back on the desk, now nothing more than a condemned piece of wood, and fixed his piercing gaze on the three young Gryffindors.
"You will still have to face the consequences of your choices," he said, his tone gentler now but still firm. "But know this—what you've revealed here today is of great importance. Hogwarts must remain a safe place. And thanks to you, darkness has been stopped from spreading sooner than it might have."
Still in the office, Mavis took a shaky breath, her voice wavering.
"And the girl ? The one we rescued… where is she now ?"
Professor Sprout, still visibly shaken, leaned forward, her motherly tone softening her anger.
"She's in the hospital wing, dear. Madam Pomfrey is taking care of her. She seems to be in shock… she just kept repeating that she wanted 'to go back and have fun.'"
Mavis nodded silently, her throat tight.
"You saved her," Sprout finished firmly. "And though you broke rules, we must not forget that."
Dumbledore finally dismissed them.
"You are excused. Rest. Tomorrow will bring new answers."
[The Next Day]
The skies above Hogwarts were gray, heavy clouds gathering as though the castle itself mourned what was about to happen. In the main courtyard, a small crowd of students and professors gathered in silence, watching.
Marcus Flint walked between them, flanked by McGonagall, Flitwick, and what appeared to be Aurors. His heavy steps echoed, his hardened face showing no hint of remorse—only burning hatred in his eyes.
"This isn't over !" he roared, his voice booming across the courtyard. "I'll wipe out every filthy Mudblood ! You'll all pay for this !"
Some students recoiled in fear, others muttered in outrage. McGonagall raised her wand, her face as hard as iron.
"That's enough, Mr. Flint. You've said more than enough."
He was marched beyond the gates, his figure fading while he still spat insults and threats.
From the top of the staircase, Aurelius, Lucian, and Mavis stood in silence. The weight of victory mingled with the bitter taste of reality: the problem wasn't gone—only expelled, waiting to return.
"He won't stop…" Mavis whispered, hugging her arms to herself.
"Then let him try," Lucian replied, his fists clenched. "I wouldn't mind hexing him again."
Aurelius gazed at the closed gates, his eyes burning with resolve.
The wind rose suddenly, carrying Flint's last words away and scattering them like ashes—leaving behind the quiet spark of a silent promise: the fight had only just begun.