"You have all witnessed the commission transaction between Mr. Ron Weasley and me. Presumably, you have some foresight of what I am about to do!"
Ares looked around the Gryffindor common room, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the students... Just moments ago, these young faces still wore similar expressions of dull shock, but now, some students clearly showed intense interest.
They looked at Ares, expecting him to continue his "performance"!
So—
To better address the students, Ares stepped onto a high table (his action of stepping on air as if climbing stairs unsurprisingly caused the students to gasp again).
"The whole story is simple—the stubborn, decadent ruling class of the school, relying on the trivial power in their hands, has deprived the Class of '91 first-year students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry of their legitimate right to play the 'Protect the Captain' game, using 'safety' as an excuse!
This behavior is undoubtedly shameful, hypocritical, and utter bullying!
So, my client, Mr. Ron Weasley, could not tolerate this bullying behavior tainted with prejudice from the school management. Therefore, he decided to rise up in resistance (Ron screamed inwardly: I didn't!). And I, personally, greatly admire Mr. Weasley's spirit of resistance against power and his courage to fight, so I decided to give him my full support!"
In the common room, all the Gryffindor students shut their mouths, breathed lightly, and stared at Professor Delfino with burning eyes, pricking up their ears, unwilling to miss a single word he said!
"—But having said that, everyone—"
Ares lowered his voice but increased his emphasis.
"Even though Mr. Weasley and I are determined to fight to the bitter end (Ron's body shook violently), in front of the school management who holds the power and makes the rules, the strength of the two of us... is ultimately... insignificant!"
Ares sniffled, and the pathos in his tone made some girls clutch their chests in distress.
But the next second—
"As Sir Nicholas said, we need more partners!"
Suddenly, Ares's subdued voice rose again to a high pitch.
"So, I call upon you once again! I make a request to you—asking you to join my operation!"
Ares panted heavily twice.
"I know the first-year students will definitely respond to my call (Hermione screamed inwardly: No!!!), but the others—the older students...
I think I understand what some of you are thinking—you might think, what does this have to do with us? It's the first-years who are unlucky... It's the first-years' rights that are damaged, not ours. Can't we just stand aside and watch the show?"
Some students twisted their shoulders uneasily, looking ashamed.
"But I must tell you, having such thoughts means you are ignorant, which is equally shameful!"
Ares's momentum was like a rainbow.
"We are all Gryffindors, aren't we? We are all part of the House of Courage, aren't we? When the rights of the weak are damaged, you choose to watch from the sidelines. If one day, the butcher's knife of the tyrant falls on your heads, how dare you expect others to stand up and save you!!!"
"Well said!!!"
Nearly Headless Nick was so excited that his ghostly body turned a pale pink. His head hung on his neck as he applauded Ares desperately.
"Gryffindor never fears tyranny!"
"Well said, Sir Nicholas!"
Ares nodded solemnly at Nick, then his gaze, heavy as a mountain, fell on the students.
"What do you choose? To be a warrior, or choose to be a coward?"
A brief silence—
A hand rose tremblingly.
Ares looked over and found it was the boy who had walked in last when he was chatting with Professor McGonagall that day.
"I... I am Oliver Wood, Professor—"
Wood's face was flushed, and his eyes were slightly red.
"I—er, I want to ask, what exactly do you intend to lead us to do?"
"Did I not make myself clear enough?"
Ares gave a cold smile, his voice booming like a bell.
"To help the Class of '91 reclaim the rights that belong to them, I will personally light the beacon of resistance and lead you to launch an uprising!
Unless the shameless authorities submit, this beacon fire will burn Hogwarts to the ground!"
In the silence, a virus-like passionate emotion spread, quickly igniting the hearts of the students.
"I... I'm going to cry, George—"
In the crowd, Fred's naturally hanging arms trembled along with his voice. He stared at the impassioned Professor Delfino standing on the table, finding no emotion other than adoration in his eyes!
"Me too, brother—"
George Weasley's trembling voice sounded sentimental.
"I can't believe it... I've been searching all my life, Fred, searching for a professor who rejects rigidity and possesses a rebellious spirit... And now, he has appeared..."
"Then what are we waiting for, George..."
"Not a single person willing to participate?"
Ares's disappointed gaze enveloped everyone.
"It doesn't matter. Even so, Mr. Ron Weasley and I will not give up. After all, the two of us are not cowards who fear tyranny."
Ron moved his bloodless lips. Until now, he had managed to stay standing entirely thanks to Harry's support.
"We are not cowards!"
Finally, someone roared—it was the Weasley brothers!
"We're willing to follow you to the death, Professor!" —Fred Weasley
"What do we do? Burn down the Forbidden Forest first?" —George Weasley
The "spark" was lit, and a raging "fire" immediately swept through the Gryffindor common room.
Now, displayed before Ares were faces filled with public outrage, pairs of eyes burning with fierce flames!
They raised their hands high, jostling desperately to get closer to him... shouting all sorts of strange declarations of determination at him!
Ares revealed a gratified smile. He looked around, nodding frequently.
"Gratifying... truly gratifying. The courage you display does not tarnish Gryffindor's title as the 'House of Courage.' Times change, but your courage, like the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry beneath our feet, is immortal!"
Another round of howling and cheering!
"Do we start the raid directly now, Professor Delfino? Charge into the Headmaster's office?"
Fred howled.
"Oh, our strength is still a bit thin, Mr. Weasley,"
Ares smiled.
"Before the final decisive battle, we need to unite more forces, understand?
Fighting alone won't accomplish anything. Uniting all forces that can be united is the true meaning of struggle... Hey, Mr. Percy Weasley, where do you intend to go... Quick, two people hold him down for me!"
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