"I'm here to see Hermione!" Malfoy snapped, blocked by two mudbloods. He felt a bit embarrassed, but he couldn't exactly start throwing hexes at them.
Li Su and Terry—they were both Ravenclaws, and they shared a dorm with Tom.
Malfoy knew that little punk Tom somehow got along with everybody, so his dorm mates were probably no exception.
If he insulted them too much here, that jerk Tom would probably slap him with detention again.
"I'm not here to cause trouble for Tom. I don't want any trouble with Tom."
Li Su smirked. "Cause trouble for Tom? First you'd have to be able to actually get to him, Malfoy. And you don't want detention either, do you?
"Anyway, we're not letting you in. End of story."
"I'm here for Hermione!"
"And Hermione specifically asked us not to let anyone in. She's in there with Tom right now, practicing for next week's Christmas Ball. Got it?"
Malfoy felt like he'd been struck by lightning—his brain exploded.
Hermione and Tom were practicing for the Christmas Ball?
Meaning... the two of them were in there right now?
Alone?!
"No... what do you mean? You let Tom and Hermione... how could you do that? I have to get in there! I can't let Tom and Hermione be alone together!"
Terry snorted coldly. "Tch, now you're trying to control other people? Su, close the door—release Peeves and let him bite 'em!"
"Peeves, get out here!"
Malfoy had thought they were just bluffing, but sure enough, Peeves popped up with his creepy cackle, giving Malfoy a wicked grin.
Seeing things go south fast, Malfoy turned and bolted.
If you didn't run from Peeves, you'd end up the victim of one of his pranks.
"You lot wait—I'll be back!"
Half an hour later, a whole group of little wizards showed up.
Harry, Malfoy, plus a bunch from Hufflepuff, Slytherin, and Gryffindor.
Pretty much everyone except Ravenclaw was represented.
"You guys really want detention?!" Seeing the mob rushing in, Li Su and Terry backed up a few steps. "Malfoy, you privately rounded up all these wizards... Harry Potter, how are you messing around with them too?"
Harry coughed awkwardly. "We're part of a club. We're just having a meeting right now."
"A club?"
"The... Hermione Fan Club..." Harry's voice trailed off.
That name was seriously hard to say out loud.
The Hermione Fan Club—an unofficial club not recognized by Hogwarts. Its main members... well, naturally centered around Malfoy and Harry.
With Malfoy's family money, it was easy for him to pull in a few people, and adding Harry's fame on top of that? In no time, the Hermione Fan Club had grown to a shocking size.
"I'm telling Professor Dumbledore!" Li Su gritted his teeth. "Idiots! A bunch of stupid wizards! You're more disgusting than Peeves!"
Their arguing got so loud that Tom heard the commotion from inside. He pushed open the door, saw the forty or fifty young wizards outside, and turned to Li Su with a confused look, asking what was going on.
After hearing the explanation, Tom rubbed his forehead.
"Malfoy, Harry—do you two even realize what you're doing?!" Tom was genuinely angry now.
The two who got called out immediately hung their heads.
"Gathering followers, bringing your followers here to cause chaos—don't you think you sound exactly like someone?
"Did you even ask me before starting this Hermione Fan Club?
"Do you have any idea how much trouble you're causing people?!" Tom's voice got louder. "Tell me, gentlemen—how much do you actually know about me? Do you know what I like to eat? What I do for fun? My favorite color?
"Your behavior right now—what's the difference between you and You-Know-Who?!"
Getting scolded by Hermione like that, the whole group dropped their heads, none daring to meet her eyes.
You had to admit... Hermione was totally right.
A lot of the wizards had just heard that Harry Potter—the Boy Who Lived from the legends—had joined some club and jumped in without thinking.
"Harry, I'm really disappointed in you. You too, Malfoy!" Tom said coldly, staring them down. "So here's what's happening—for the next month, neither of you is speaking to me!
"Right now, you two are going to the library. Each of you is copying Beginner Charms Guide, Beginner Transfiguration Guide, Beginner Potions Basics, and One Thousand and One Uses for Magical Herbs five times. Due next month.
"Everyone else—leave now!
"If I hear one more word about this Hermione Fan Club, I'll punish every single one of you. I'll even apply for a wizard's duel with you!
"If you think you can beat me, then keep going.
"Incendio Maxima!!!"
The last words came out in a roar. Tom flicked his wand, and a massive burst of flame shot high into the sky, exploding against the clear blue like brilliant fireworks—sparks raining down in a dazzling shower.
The fire's glow outshone the sun, more radiant than daylight, like fireworks blooming in the night.
Every young wizard there looked up at the sparkling sky, stunned.
A first-year... this was something a first-year could do?
Forget first-years—even fourth or fifth-years, or wizards long out of school—could they pull that off?
"What are you waiting for? Want me to escort you out? Harry, Draco—what are you two still standing there for?"
Draco... she said my first name!
But Malfoy's smile only lasted a second—maybe less.
Suddenly his face froze, head dropping low, too scared to glance at Hermione.
A chilling aura swept over everyone, and the same thought hit them all at once.
Run!
Run as fast and as far as possible!
At first Tom didn't get why the kids were freaking out.
Then he heard that deep, icy voice.
"Miss Granger, Mr. Malfoy—and you, Potter!"
Snape had appeared behind Tom like a ghost, silent and sudden.
"Would you care to explain what you are doing right now!
"Miss Granger, who exactly gave you permission to use magic on this scale in the school?!
"Perhaps you should spend time in detention—until after next week's Christmas Ball!"
Holy crap, Snape!
Tom finally understood what everyone had been terrified of.
Damn it, you jerks—some fan club you are! Where's the loyalty when I need it?!
"Miss Granger, do you have anything to say for yourself? I suppose I could spare one minute to hear your excuses."
Li Su stepped forward.
Being a Ravenclaw, his brain worked fast.
"Professor Snape, while Miss Hermione was wrong, they started it!
"Look at them, Professor—a huge crowd showing up just to hassle Miss Hermione. Any first-year would've been scared in that situation, so I think her reaction was understandable!
"Plus, Hermione put on a really pretty fireworks show for us, and nobody got hurt. It was just a little intimidation—I don't think that deserves a full week's detention."
"Hmph. Smooth talker," Snape sneered. "So, you came here to cause trouble?"
Snape's cold gaze swept over the crowd, chilling everyone to the bone—no one could lie under it.
"Y-yes..." Malfoy gritted his teeth and forced out the answer. "I know I was wrong, Professor Snape. Please give me detention. I won't ever do something like this again."
Whoa, cool move, bro!
Tom felt a rush of gratitude—Draco was actually trying to cover for him.
But if I let him take the fall here... these guys would never trust me again.
Teasing Hermione a bit is one thing, but this is serious.
Never underestimate kids' gossip network—in two days, everything that happened today would reach every wizard in Hogwarts.
"Professor Snape, he's lying. Please give me the detention," Tom sighed. "Draco, I appreciate you trying to stick up for me, but I have to say this.
"If I let you take the blame, wouldn't that make me just as shameless and awful as You-Know-Who? Own up to what you did. Professor, I'll go with you."
"Excellent!" Snape glared at Harry. "Mr. Potter, I never imagined you'd be this bored. Is this the legendary wizard everyone talks about?
"Pathetic. Utterly pathetic!
"Mr. Malfoy, remember—this is Hogwarts, not your personal manor. Do I need to remind you again next time, young master?"
The last two words came through clenched teeth.
"N-no... no need. I'm sorry, Professor Snape."
"Then what are you all still waiting for? Or do you want me to give you a magic demonstration like Miss Granger? Why haven't you left yet!"
The crowd scattered instantly—no one dared linger. They all fled from the terrifying Professor Snape.
"Now, you can come with me."
"Wait!" Hermione came rushing out anxiously. "Professor Snape, please calm down."
"Tom—Riddle. I hope you're not here to join the fun. Or are you actually someone who enjoys stirring up trouble? Perhaps I should take you to detention as well."
Hermione quickly waved her hands. "You've got it wrong, Professor! I just wanted to ask you something."
"Hmph."
"Next week... next week I have to go to the ball with Tom—with Hermione." Hermione spoke fast. "Professor Snape, could you please wait until after the ball to give him detention?
"He still hasn't learned how to dance properly. If he goes now, he'll mess up on stage, and I'll... I'll get teased about it until graduation. It'll leave psychological scars too. For the sake of a child's growth, please go easy on him, Professor. I'm begging you..."