To be honest, Fitch is quite unpleasant, even Hagrid, who is always a good-natured person, shows disgust whenever Fitch is mentioned.
And now, the way Fitch looks repulsive as he lunges towards him, reminds him of Uncle Vernon.
But Uncle Vernon is different; after all, he's nominally a relative who's at least given him food—what about Fitch? He's done nothing aside from being annoying.
With both combined, Harry's anger soared even higher.
Accusing me of petrifying your cat?
Heh...
If I were truly a first-year student, I might still try every means to explain that the one who petrified your cat isn't me.
Now?
Even if I did petrify it, what could you do to me?
"Depulso (Expel)!" He pointed his wand at Fitch, a spell shot out from the tip and hit the lunging Fitch.
Fitch flew backward as if he'd been hit by a speeding freight truck, rushing away with a thud.
"Ah—!!" Fitch screamed miserably, his limbs flailing helplessly in the air.
"Harry!"
Dumbledore's urgent voice echoed from the hall.
At the same time, a soft cushion appeared behind Fitch, cushioning him from severe injury.
"Head... "
Before Fitch could finish speaking, another one of Harry's spells followed closely.
"Petrificus Totalus (Petrification)!"
Fitch's body froze, stiffly rigid on the cushion.
At that moment, the students also emerged from the dining hall and happened to witness the scene.
"Potter is our king!" The Weasley Twins, never missing a chance for trouble, loudly cheered.
Fitch's popularity was terrible; after all, his office ceiling was hung with polished bright iron chains and handcuffs, ready to punish unruly students once he got permission, which he loved to do.
He even used these iron chains and handcuffs to scare students, silencing many who dared not speak up, letting him force them into dirty and tiring work.
Now Harry actually, outside the dining hall, before all the teachers and students, and even in front of Headmaster Dumbledore, severely taught Fitch a lesson, which naturally excited the students.
Everyone cheered rowdily, especially Gryffindor students, who had faced the most detentions and were the most intimidated by Fitch.
Even though Slytherin didn't clap and cheer for Harry, their gaze was clearly one of admiration and agreement.
This guy is awesome.
"Potter!" Professor McGonagall's stern voice resonated from the hall as she quickly walked up to Harry, asking angrily, "Mr. Potter! What on earth is going on! How dare you... how dare you attack the castle's gatekeeper!"
"Professor McGonagall."
Despite his anger, Harry still didn't let his emotions affect his demeanor, speaking politely to Professor McGonagall, "I believe professor, you should understand the full picture before making a judgment on this matter."
Professor McGonagall's lips trembled, sighing inwardly.
Oh no, this boy is just another James!
Actually... actually openly attacking the castle's gatekeeper in front of all the teachers and students...
The impact is extremely bad!
No, even with James, he wouldn't dare do this; he'd only cast a few minor curses on classmates...
If it weren't for Albus's timely intervention, Fitch would probably stay in the school hospital for a few months!
"A remarkable spell combination! Outstanding dueling skills!"
A sharp voice arose from the crowd, and Harry looked towards the voice—it was Flitwick, the head of Ravenclaw.
His feet were high on tiptoe, one hand raised as if attempting to poke the ceiling, giving Harry a thumbs-up.
Professor Sprout silently pressed down Professor Flitwick; in this sort of situation, well... evidently not suitable for praising a student.
"Oh, probably now isn't the time to praise Mr. Potter, Filius!" Professor McGonagall said, drawing her wand and aiming it at the frozen Fitch, speaking the decurse.
A flash of red light; Fitch's spell was undone, regaining his mobility.
Regaining freedom, Fitch stood up, suppressing the fear towards Harry with rage over Mrs. Loli's encounter, tremblingly pointing at Harry, stammering, "This Potter! This Potter killed my Mrs. Loli! Even hanging it on the wall! I will kill him! I will kill him!"
"You see?" Harry calmly said, "He's the one who wants to kill me first, even putting it into action by lunging towards me... I think anyone hearing such words wouldn't be indifferent, right, professor?"
The boy was graceful, strong, yet composed despite being only eleven; he demanded great respect.
He should truly belong to Slytherin, Miss Farley, the prefect of Slytherin, thought with some frustration.
Professor McGonagall's expression wasn't as severe as before; she slightly softened her face and asked again, "Then what's with the cat? Is Mr. Fitch falsely accusing you?"
Harry was a bit surprised—could it be that the impartial and solemn Professor McGonagall would also protect one's own?
This statement equates to affirming Fitch's false accusation—asking whether he's falsely accusing you, meaning she's willing to believe Harry is innocent.
"He's right here!" Fitch roared, his fat, saggy face turning purplish-red, "He's the one who did it! Who else but the culprit would be at the scene of the crime! You, explain why you weren't in the hall but outside instead, tell us what you were doing then!"
"I did it, what can you do about it?" Harry folded his arms, coldly watching Fitch, "Not only did I petrify your cat, but I dare petrify you in front of all the teachers and students—"
The crowd gasped; no one expected Harry to be so bold, outright admitting on such an occasion and even threatening Fitch publicly before the professors and headmaster.
"Let me speak."
The greasy, draggy voice sounded nearby.
"I testify for Mr. Potter, just now he was brewing a potion in my potions office," Professor Snape swept over like a gust of wind, "I think Mr. Potter just appeared at the wrong time in the wrong place; we can't wrong an innocent person."
Just as Harry wanted to thank him, he found Professor Snape's tone suddenly changed.
"Of course, we also absolutely can't let any evil person go... Mr. Potter attacked the castle's gatekeeper, especially openly doing so before the professors; I think Gryffindor should be deducted fifty points to show punishment."
Harry looked up, catching sight of Snape's mouth curling with pride.
Clearly, he means to show anytime a Gryffindor breaks the rules, Snape will certainly be there to deduct points!