"Professor, isn't this a little inappropriate?" Ron said hesitantly.
Just a moment ago, he had been taking pleasure in their misfortune—if they were going down, everyone should go down together. But in the next moment, the two Slytherins' punishment had been reduced by more than half.
The huge disparity left him feeling rather uncomfortable.
"And you have the nerve to say that? Isn't this all because of what you three did? I have never been as ashamed of Gryffindor students as I am today," Professor McGonagall said angrily. "You stole Aaron's pet and nearly got it hurt. If they had not violated school rules as well, the full responsibility would have been yours. If you are dissatisfied, I can notify your father. I'm sure Mr. Arthur Weasley will seek justice for you."
"That won't be necessary. Professor, the punishment you've given is perfectly reasonable. I accept it, and I accept it wholeheartedly," Ron said at once, displaying his instinct for submission to the fullest.
The Weasley family was harmonious and did not have so many rules. Though they were somewhat poor, there was no denying that they were a very happy family.
There was just one small condition: do not make mistakes, especially mistakes too embarrassing to speak of.
If his father Arthur found out about tonight, perhaps a scolding would be the end of it, since the school had already punished him.
But if his mother Molly found out, he would probably receive no fewer than five rounds of scolding. For a long time to come, he would have to endure his mother's wrath, which would be far from pleasant.
"Hmph! Filch, I'll leave these children to you. Handle this by the book."
"Understood, Professor McGonagall." Filch chuckled, looking at them with a sinister gaze. "In the future, you'd