58 58. The punishment served

Harry was sitting with his housemates at the Ravenclaw table when the snakes arrived in packs. Draco, Parkinson, Crabbe, Goyle were together at the front while Nott jr. was just behind them with Zabini.

Dumbledore was sitting at the high table with Mcgonagall and others on both sides. Slowly other students also started to trickle in from the big doors beside the teachers table.

Everything seemed normal for the first 15 minutes, the hall was filled with a chitter-chatter of students, when suddenly all voices stopped. It was a pin drop silence except for the sound of some heavy breathing and smooching.

Everyone looked at the Slytherin table with incredulous faces which slowly turned into disgust, sneer, mocking, gloating and laughing expressions.

Dumbledore had a look of nostalgia which would have sent shivers down anyone's spine if they had paid attention to it, while snape looked like his head would burst from anger.

The source of everyone's attentions were four Slytherin first years, namely Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott jr., Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, who were engaged in an intense make-out session without bothering about anyone else in the world.

In particular it was Malfoy and Nott, who were straddling Crabbe and Goyle respectively, rubbing their bodies while giving their partners sloppy kisses and touching each other in a very intimate fashion.

"MALFOY!!!, NOTT!!!, CRABBE!!, GOYLE!!!" Every head snapped towards Mcgonagall with her roar. What no one was able to pick was the clicking sound of the camera, hidden by a trusty elf using his spatial powers.

Only the girls sitting close to Harry noticed that his lips curled upwards for a moment before returning to normal making them doubt their eyes.

"What in Merlin's name are you all doing? The school does not have any objection with your peculiar interests but that doesn't allow you to act indecently in front of the whole school." The boys also snapped back to the reality with her roar only to scramble apart and start vomiting all over each other.

"One month of detention with Mr. Filch. Maybe you will learn to clean the trash stacked in that gutter you call a brain after cleaning toilets using your hands without magic for the month." Mcgonagall said, her face red from stopping herself to laugh out loud by all her willpower, even if everyone thought it was from anger.

"Now now Minerva. It is clear that they are the victims of someone's cruel prank. Calm yourself down lest you end of punishing the victims instead of the perpetrators." Dumbledore stood up from his seat and looked towards the Weasley twins and then Harry and his group.

" It was not us.."

" We are innocent" Shouted the twins.

He couldn't infer anything from Harry's expression too.

" Headmaster is right Minerva. Calm down. First let him check things carefully." Flitwick said to Mcgonagall then turned towards Dumbledore.

"Magic leaves traces and Headmaster is extremely skilled in finding those traces. Let's go follow Albus and try to find out if there really is some foul play here."

Dumbledore also started to doubt his thinking. 'Is it really not related to him or has Flitwick understood the error of his ways.' He thought, frowning.

Prefects started to vanish the vomit thrown out at other tables by disgusted students.

The teachers too stunned the four boys and vanished the vomit on the Slytherin table. Dumbledore started to search for traces of magical energy but even after applying all the methods he did not find any traces. He checked foods, drinks, clothes, everything without any success. Dumbledore started sweating heavily because of extensive use of magical energy and finally gave up after trying for 30 minutes.

"What happened Headmaster, did you find which arrogant bastard was behind this cruel act?" Snape asked looking towards Harry hatefully.

"Severus!, conduct yourself.." Mcgonagall chided.

" No Severus. I did not find any traces of magical energy at all except for house elf magic. And let me assure you they have no hand in this incident." Dumbledore too started thinking, how it was made possible.

" It seems it really is their fault. I'm very disappointed in them." Flitwick shook his head." Minus 40 points from Slytherin. I hope you will teach them better Severus." Flitwick walked out of the great hall with an expression of extreme disappointment. Harry almost laughed out aloud seeing Flitwick do the Dumbledore act in front of everyone.

" They will serve their detentions from tomorrow. Prefects, take them back to their rooms." Mcgonagall too walked out, mumbling something about 'vulgar parents, vulgar children'.

Prefects started leading their housemates back to their common room and slowly silence returned to the great hall.

"Headmaster, I'm sure it's that arrogant boy's doing. Just like his father..." Snape said only to be interrupted by Dumbledore.

"Severus, I checked things personally. I specifically tried to match his magical signature from them. I also kept a close watch on his and his friends' faces but it seems he really was not behind this incident. I don't believe he can escape my senses when I give it my all.

Moreover there is nothing wrong with liking the same sex. We should respect their choices. Just tell them to keep these kinds of activities limited to their bedrooms.." Dumbledore shook his head and walked back to his office with a fond smile that sent chills down Snape's spine.

After Harry and others reached their common room, Harry immediately headed towards his room. His friends asked why he was going back in a hurry to which he just said he was disturbed by the events and wanted to rest. Hermione, Daphne and Penelope also went back to their dorm room.

Harry did not have to wait for long before the three of them appeared in front of him one by one.

"So why did you do this?" Penelope asked without beating around the bush.

"Was it because of this morning?" Daphne asked making both Hermione and Penelope confused.

"Guys, I'm feeling left out.. Please tell me what is happening? What happened in the morning?" Hermione asked.

"Well the thing is....."

(One long explanation later)

"Serves them right." Hermione exclaimed.

"Bastards. That was too light a punishment Harry. You should have been more cruel." Daphne said gritting her teeth in anger.

"You do realise that it will only escalate the matter, right?

Don't get me wrong. I also think what you did was right. But now we have to be prepared for retaliation all the time.

If they can do such things just because of some verbal beatdown then imagine what they are going to do now.. " Penelope warned gravely.

" Don't worry Panny. At first I also thought that I should not escalate the matter. But Nott jr. would have continued to poke Draco and they would have misinterpreted it as our weakness.

And trust me, I can be very intimidating when I want to be. They will not try anything funny anytime soon and even if they try, I will take care of them." Harry said confidently.