Snape cast Harry a long, penetrating look, silently agreeing with Dumbledore's suggestion.
Seeing no objections, Dumbledore spoke calmly:
"Arguments on the train to Hogwarts are quite common. I have already heard Draco's version of events. Now, I would like to hear what truly happened—from your perspective."
"But… but Malfoy was on the train the whole time, how could he—" Ron's face flushed red with indignation. He had never expected Draco to play the victim.
Draco, meanwhile, pulled a small mirror from his pocket and revealed a smug smile.
"A two-way mirror. My father gave it to me before term started." He raised it proudly. "You see, Weasley, you have to admit that some wizarding families are different. My father can give me the very best—"
"Mr. Malfoy," Professor McGonagall cut in sharply. "Spare us irrelevant matters."
Reprimanded, Draco did not appear intimidated. Instead, he raised an eyebrow defiantly, casting a provocative glance at Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
Harry, meanwhile, was carefully organizing his thoughts.
He had heard on the train that Malfoy's father was a member of the Hogwarts Board of Governors and wielded considerable influence. If this situation was mishandled, things could turn very badly for them.
Now, seeing Professor McGonagall's firm and impartial demeanor, Harry realized he needed to choose his words wisely.
He had heard much about her—Head of Gryffindor, daughter of distinguished Gryffindors, strict yet fair. The other professors also fit neatly into his deductions: the plump witch with leaves clinging to her robes could only be Professor Sprout of Hufflepuff; and the man with greasy black hair was clearly the Head of Slytherin.
Convincing Snape would be unlikely. But perhaps it would not be necessary.
Taking a steady breath, Harry spoke up.
"Professor, I think I have something to say."
"Go ahead, Harry," Dumbledore encouraged gently.
Professor McGonagall nodded, and Harry continued, his confidence growing:
"On the train, we weren't looking for trouble. But after Malfoy learned that Hermione comes from a Muggle family, he used that word against her."
"What word?" Professor McGonagall asked, though she already knew.
"'Mudblood,' Professor." Harry clenched his fingers subtly. "I don't fully understand what it means… but once I overheard my aunt say that my mother cried for weeks after coming home from school because someone called her the same thing. They said she was… a filthy little thing."
"Is that true, Mr. Malfoy?" Professor McGonagall asked coldly.
Her authority pressed down like a physical force. Draco was unable to meet her gaze and lowered his head.
"Yes," he muttered.
Harry felt a quiet sense of relief. When he looked up, he met Snape's piercing stare fixed directly on him.
"That's enough," Snape said, his voice cold as ice.
Harry was not surprised. It was natural for the Head of Slytherin to defend his own.
But then Snape continued:
"Mr. Malfoy, is this what you call pure-blood upbringing?" His tone carried restrained contempt. "I would very much like Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy to see what kind of son they have raised."
He paused, his expression returning to its usual blankness.
"After the Sorting Ceremony, Slytherin will lose twenty points."
Harry blinked in astonishment.
Ron looked equally shocked.
At home, he had heard it countless times—Snape never deducted points from Slytherin. Fred said it. George swore it. Even Percy confirmed it.
And yet…
What was happening today?
The other professors, however, showed no surprise at all.
"Since Headmaster Snape has already issued punishment," Professor McGonagall said, casting Draco a stern look, "I will not add to it. But remember this, Mr. Malfoy: that word is absolutely forbidden at Hogwarts."
Draco kept his eyes fixed on the floor, clearly shaken.
"As for you, Mr. Potter," Professor McGonagall continued, turning to Harry, "defending a fellow student is admirable. However, Hogwarts does not encourage the use of spells against classmates."
Harry immediately understood the weight behind her words.
"Yes, Professor." He bowed respectfully. "We apologize for causing trouble on the very first day."
"Very well," said Professor McGonagall, a faint smile appearing on her usually severe face. "Return to the Great Hall. The Sorting Ceremony is about to begin."
Harry led Hermione and Ron out of the room, both still dazed.
"What a well-mannered child," Professor McGonagall remarked, folding her hands. "He really does resemble Lily…"
"Yes, Minerva," Dumbledore agreed softly. "Now come—the ceremony awaits."
Back in the Great Hall, the three were immediately surrounded.
"What happened? Are you all right?" Neville asked anxiously.
"We're fine," Ron replied, thumping his chest. "The professors didn't do anything to us. See? We made it back just in time for the Sorting."
His relaxed expression made it hard to believe that moments earlier he had been convinced they would be expelled.
"You think this is over, Weasley?" Draco's voice sounded behind them. "We've got plenty of time ahead of us."
Ron opened his mouth to respond, but Hermione quickly pulled him back.
"Don't give him the satisfaction," she advised. "He's trying to provoke you."
Ron blinked, processing her words.
"Yeah… you're right."
For once, he decided to listen to the right brain.
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