Although Kael moved quickly, they still couldn't catch up to Fred and the others before Professor McGonagall.
When they returned to the castle, they happened to see the door to Professor McGonagall's office being closed.
After a brief discussion, they decided to wait in the hallway for them to come out.
Due to the Quidditch match, the hallway was silent, with no one around, except for a ghost.
Nearly Headless Nick poked his head out from the hallway floor and slowly floated up.
"What did those students do?" He looked at Kael and asked curiously, "I just noticed McGonagall's hands were shaking, she rarely gets that angry."
"Just some minor student conflicts," Kael said.
"I see," Nearly Headless Nick said,
He didn't think a minor conflict could make Professor McGonagall that angry, but seeing that Kael didn't want to elaborate, he didn't ask further.
Besides, it wasn't necessary... Ghosts could freely roam the castle, so he could listen in himself.
Then Nearly Headless Nick floated to the adjacent room.
Once more, only Kael and the others were left in the hallway.
A minute later, Cho also rushed over.
"How are Fred and George? Are they okay?" She asked anxiously.
"We don't know yet," Cedric pointed to the door of Professor McGonagall's office, "They've just been brought in."
"But I would say, McGonagall probably won't let them off easily, with so many people and professors watching."
"…I bet a week's detention is inevitable."
"They were too impulsive," Cho frowned, "Malfoy was clearly provoking them because he lost the match, and they fell for it."
"Yes…" Kael said, "I guess Professor McGonagall is probably telling them the same now."
At that moment, Cedric walked to the window at the end of the hallway and took a look outside.
"Everyone's back."
Noise and chatter drifted into their ears, growing louder.
"Look at the Slytherin people," Cedric suddenly pointed outside, "They sure look happy, don't they?"
Kael walked over.
From this vantage point, he could clearly see Malfoy and Montague standing on the grounds in front of the castle.
Another person stood in front of them.
…Umbridge
Kael didn't know what they were talking about, but if he guessed correctly, it had to do with Fred and the others.
Because although Malfoy walked with a limp, and his face was swollen, there was no trace of anger on his face; on the contrary, he was smiling as if celebrating the success of his scheme.
"They're definitely plotting some conspiracy!" Cho couldn't help but say, "Such despicable people."
"But Fred and George were tricked." Cedric sighed.
…
Five minutes later, Umbridge walked over cheerfully.
To avoid unnecessary trouble, Kael and the others left the hallway as soon as she arrived on that floor.
However, they didn't return to the Hufflepuff Common Room downstairs but went to the eighth floor, waiting in front of the Fat Lady's portrait.
What Kael didn't expect was that they waited a whole day.
Neither Fred, George, nor Harry came back that day, not even at dinner time.
They finally saw them the next day.
That day, Kael and the others came to the Auditorium early in the morning and finally saw the dejected Fred and George.
"What did Professor McGonagall say?" Cedric sat in the empty seat next to them and tentatively asked, "Is it detention? For how long?"
"A week," Fred's voice was somewhat dry.
"That's not too bad," Cho said, pretending to be cheerful, "A week's detention just for beating up Malfoy is actually quite worth it, isn't it?"
"If that's all it was, we could handle a year of detention." George said, "But we got banned from playing."
"What?" Cedric said incredulously.
"Yes, Umbridge said it. We, along with Harry, are banned from playing Quidditch again," Fred's face looked grim as he stabbed his bread with his fork.
"Didn't you go to see Professor McGonagall?" Cedric instinctively asked, "Quidditch is the most important thing to her; she can't possibly agree to this."
"It's useless," George said, "Umbridge brought the Ministry of Magic's Twenty-Fifth Educational Decree, which gives her the authority to punish any student. Not even Headmaster Dumbledore can stop her."
"What about your team…"
"Yeah, it's over," Fred forced a look of nonchalance, "Without a Seeker and Beater, Gryffindor is destined to be at the bottom in Quidditch this year."
"It's up to you all now," George said with an exaggerated laugh, sounding unlike his usual voice, "Make sure you teach Slytherin a lesson."
At this point, his voice turned resentful again.
"That Malfoy brat… he was disrespectful, insulting our parents and Harry's mother… yet no punishment."
"It's unfair!" Fred said angrily, "We'll make them pay someday… whether it's Malfoy or that toad Umbridge."
"Definitely… but don't be impulsive," Cho advised, "Umbridge holds a lot of power now, and if she catches any slip, you might get expelled."
"Don't worry, we won't… get expelled," George said calmly.
Kael glanced at him and suddenly asked, "Is there any way to get you back into playing?"
"Yes," Cedric stood up, "I'll go to Professor McGonagall; she must have a way."
"Don't go," Fred stopped him.
"It's useless," George shook his head, "Umbridge did say how we could lift the ban."
"But no matter what, we won't do it," Fred stated firmly.
"Don't talk nonsense, it's a ban!" Cedric pursued, "What exactly, detention? Or apologizing to Malfoy?"
"Neither," Fred hesitated for a moment before saying, "Umbridge said Lucius Malfoy is very upset, and to play again, we need to write to him for forgiveness."
"I'm sure this is the Malfoy brat's idea," George sneered, "Everyone knows our family and the Malfoys don't get along… how could they pass up this chance."
"Plus, if we do write, we'd surely be made a laughingstock."
Fred continued, "Not just us, our dad would be mocked by old Malfoy too."
"This would be an eternal stain on the Weasley family…"
"Even if we get expelled, we certainly won't let this happen."
Fred and George's tones were resolute.
Cedric opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing.
Honestly, if he were the Weasley Brothers, he wouldn't write to the Malfoys either.
In matters concerning family reputation, the ability to play seemed less significant.
The atmosphere around the dining table dropped to the lowest point.
However, Kael suddenly spoke up, "Don't worry, I'll handle this."
"No, Kael, we're absolutely not going to bow to the Malfoys." Fred said, "There's no compromise on this…"
"Let me finish," Kael waved his hand, "I'm not asking you to apologize; I'm planning to reason with them.
The truth is, Malfoy was at fault first, wasn't he? If we tell Lucius the whole story from start to end, I think he would understand you."
"Ha, understand us?" George genuinely burst into laughter for the first time, "Don't be ridiculous, that's impossible."
"The Malfoys are thoroughly rotten; they won't pass up this chance. Your letter will only waste a piece of parchment."
Even Cedric gently nodded.
"Yeah, Kael, we should think of other solutions," he said, "Rather than writing to the Malfoys, I think finding Professor McGonagall is more suitable.
"Or we could directly go to Headmaster Dumbledore; he must have a way to make Umbridge revoke the punishment.
"After all, this is Hogwarts, not the Ministry of Magic."
"Whether it works or not, we'll have to try," Kael shrugged, smiling, "Remember, I mentioned before that I'm actually good at reasoning."