Self-Defense

If she were still in her original world, Harley would have already frozen Malfoy into an ice sculpture.

Did he not know that witches were petty? And yet, he was here, provoking her like a madman.

However, considering her current environment, Harley prepared to use verbal instigation first. If the other party struck first, then she would be acting in self-defense.

But before Harley could even open her mouth, Hermione, who had been pushed to the side, spoke up first:

"You say you're a noble aristocrat? What era is this? In a time where everyone is equal, you're still preaching about the nobility of aristocrats?

Even the greatest queens haven't held real power for a long time! Most aristocrats have already fallen into decline!"

Although he couldn't fully understand what Hermione meant, Malfoy still managed to judge that the girl before him was a Muggle-born witch, and that she was expressing disdain for the nobility.

"That only shows your vision is too limited!" Malfoy said in a contemptuous tone.

"We aren't the kind of Muggle aristocrats you're talking about, but pure-blood families in the wizarding world with long-standing traditions!

Except for idiots like Longbottom and traitors like Weasley, everyone else is born noble!"

As he spoke, Malfoy looked Hermione up and down with disdain:

"Of course, Miss... 'Otter', I don't expect your unintelligent brain to understand what I mean. After all, our levels are far too different."

It took a while for Hermione to realize what "otter" meant, and she couldn't help but tremble with anger: "My name is Hermione Granger! I'm not an otter!"

"Whatever," Malfoy shrugged. "What does it matter to me what you're called? I don't have the leisure to learn your name.

Anyway, judging by your big front teeth and messy hair, the name 'otter' fits your image quite well."

The two tall, strong boys beside him laughed along, though they looked a bit dim-witted.

Harley couldn't help but rub her forehead. This Hermione didn't know how to argue at all! She couldn't grasp the key points of mocking someone.

"Mr. Malfoy," Harley took over control of the battlefield, speaking in a gentle voice.

"Although I don't know if you are truly an aristocrat, judging by your words and actions, I really can't see it.

I don't think a true aristocrat would be so vulgar in their speech, and I certainly don't believe an aristocrat would treat a young lady so unreasonably.

Even if you are a fallen aristocrat and can't manage those things, I think—"

Harley glanced at the two tall boys, her eyes filled with contempt.

"—at the very least, you should have learned to knock before entering a room. That should be the most basic upbringing; anyone with parents should understand that principle."

As she spoke, Harley suddenly wore an expression of realization, a finger gently resting against her chin:

"Oh, perhaps you're an orphan? If that's the case, I must apologize to you. Because it's understandable that you lack upbringing.

My condolences, though I still hope you can learn some etiquette. Of course, I can't teach you; after all, I am not your parent."

Harley's words, combined with the extraordinary ability of an Instigator, instantly pushed Malfoy's temper to its peak.

What Malfoy hated most was someone questioning the nobility of pure-blood aristocrats.

Under the guidance of his parents and the portraits of his ancestors at Malfoy Manor, Malfoy had engraved the concept of pure-blood nobility into his mind.

Now, someone had not only questioned his nobility but also insulted him by saying he had no parents! How could the self-important Malfoy endure this?

Malfoy felt an inexplicable sense of malice arise in his heart, and his entire brain was telling him: "Beat her up! Let that ** who looks down on you get a sound thrashing!"

He didn't think twice, instead shouting directly to the two boys beside him: "Crabbe, Goyle, show her some color! Let her dare to question the nobility of the Malfoys!"

Crabbe and Goyle had always been obedient to Malfoy, and they walked in front of him with a sinister grin.

Ron immediately stood up: "What are you doing? Beating up girls?" Beside him, Hermione let out a scream.

Malfoy shouted from behind: "Don't hesitate, beat that Weasley traitor and the stinking Mudblood together!"

Crabbe and Goyle exchanged a glance and immediately lunged forward fiercely, seemingly preparing to deal with Ron, who looked like the most capable fighter, first.

Harley felt extremely delighted; that little fellow named Malfoy truly had no resistance to her instigation skills.

If I strike now, it counts as self-defense! Thinking this, Harley raised her hand.

Her spirituality was consumed rapidly, and the entire compartment plunged into a deep chill. Crabbe and Goyle found they couldn't move, a layer of Frost forming on their hands and feet.

The two couldn't help but panic, starting to shout and yell, but were immediately punched in the face by Ron.

And screaming along with them was Malfoy. Neville, who had been pushed aside earlier, had climbed up at some point and pinned Malfoy down fiercely, saying angrily:

"I won't allow you to insult my parents! Ab-so-lute-ly! Not! Allowed!"

Malfoy had his feet frozen by Harley, and he hadn't expected the seemingly dim-witted Longbottom to suddenly attack him, so he was pinned directly to the floor.

Hermione watched this scene and couldn't help but scream: "Stop, stop it! Don't fight anymore!"

But no one paid her any mind. Harley had already swapped her homemade wand for the snakewood wand.

At this moment, she was gently waving her wand, guiding the Frost to further cover the three of them.

Crabbe had already been punched until his nose bled by Ron, while Goyle's fingers were bleeding profusely from being bitten by a rat in Ron's pocket.

The commotion in the compartment was so loud that young wizards from the surrounding compartments poked their heads out in curiosity.

Some who weren't afraid of trouble even ran over to watch the massive brawl, pointing and gesturing.

Just then, a flash of fire suddenly appeared outside the door, and Professor Dumbledore appeared in the train corridor. A golden-red bird stood on his shoulder.

Upon seeing the figure of Professor Dumbledore, many of the young wizards shrank back in fright and obediently returned to their seats.

The few who had been watching the commotion stood rooted to the spot, terrified that the Headmaster might give them detention.

Professor Dumbledore paid them no mind, instead giving a wave of his wand. The five people brawling in the compartment were instantly separated, and the Frost covering Malfoy and his two cronies vanished immediately.

Professor Dumbledore then looked toward Harley: "Harley, what is the meaning of this?"

Harley did not hold back, immediately recounting the facts objectively and fairly, starting from when she boarded the train all the way up to the professor's arrival.

Throughout her narration, Harley's voice remained soft, making her appear very fragile and helpless.

The only thing she omitted was the fact that she had cast a minor incitement spell.

In any case, this ability left virtually no spiritual residue, and the earlier Frost coverage had effectively blocked any divination spells Dumbledore might have attempted, provided he knew any.

Dumbledore frowned. He had been quietly monitoring the train, so he naturally knew that everything Harley said was entirely consistent with the truth.

Malfoy had provoked her first, and after being retorted by Harley, he had flown into a rage, using insulting language and ordering his lackeys to attack.

Ron had stepped in to protect a girl, and Neville had presumably joined in to defend his friend, leading them to get into a scuffle with Malfoy and his two companions.

Harley had cast some strange spells in the midst of it all, helping Ron and Neville avoid taking too much damage.

The whole affair seemed perfectly reasonable, yet, guided by the intuition of an old man who had lived for a very long time, Dumbledore couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.