Justified Self-Defense

If they'd still been in her old world, Harley would have frozen Malfoy into an ice sculpture ages ago.

Didn't he know Demonesses were all petty? And here he was, provoking her like crazy.

But considering the situation she was in now, Harley decided to start by verbally egging him on. If he made the first move, then she'd be acting in justified self-defense.

But before Harley could say anything, Hermione, who had been shoved aside, spoke first:

"You say you're a noble, highborn aristocrat? What age are we living in? Everyone's equal, and you're still preaching about how noble aristocrats are?

Even the greatest queen stopped wielding power ages ago! Most aristocrats have fallen into decline!"

Although Malfoy couldn't fully understand what Hermione meant, he could just about tell that the girl in front of him was a Muggle-born wizard who was expressing her contempt for aristocrats.

"That only proves how narrow your horizons are!" Malfoy said scornfully.

"We're not the kind of Muggle aristocrats you're talking about. We're Pure-blood families from the ancient Wizarding World!

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

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

"Of course, Miss... 'Otter,' I don't expect that not-so-bright brain of yours to understand what I mean. After all, we're on completely different levels."

It took Hermione a moment to realize what "Otter" meant. She trembled with anger. "My name is Hermione Granger! I'm not an otter!"

"Whatever," Malfoy said, shrugging. "What do I care what your name is? I don't have the time to learn it.

Besides, with those big front teeth and that frizzy hair, 'Otter' suits your looks perfectly."

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

Harley couldn't help rubbing her forehead. Hermione really had no idea how to argue! She couldn't even get to the heart of an insult.

"Mr. Malfoy," Harley said, taking control of the situation in a gentle voice,

"although I don't know whether you truly are an aristocrat, judging from your words and behavior, I certainly can't tell.

I don't think a true aristocrat would speak so crudely, nor do I believe an aristocrat would treat a young lady so rudely.

Even if you're a fallen aristocrat who can't manage either of those things, I think—"

Harley glanced at the two tall boys, her eyes full of scorn.

"—you should at least learn to knock before entering a room. That's basic manners. Anyone with parents should know that."

As she spoke, Harley suddenly put on a look of realization and lightly rested a finger against her chin.

"Oh, perhaps you're an orphan? If so, I owe you an apology. It's understandable that you have no manners if you don't have parents.

My condolences. Still, I hope you can learn some etiquette. Of course, I can't teach you. I'm not your parent, after all."

Combined with the Instigator's Beyonder Ability, Harley's words instantly sent Malfoy's anger soaring.

What Malfoy hated most was anyone questioning the nobility of Pure-blood aristocrats.

His parents and the portraits of his elders throughout Malfoy Manor had taught him to engrave the nobility of Pure-bloods into his heart.

Now someone had not only questioned his nobility, but also insulted him by saying he had no parents! How could Malfoy, who thought so highly of himself, possibly stand for that?

Malfoy felt an inexplicable malice rise in his heart. His whole mind was telling him, "Beat her up! Give that ** who looks down on me a good thrashing!"

He didn't think it over. Instead, he shouted to the two boys beside him, "Crabbe, Goyle, teach her a lesson! Show her what happens when she dares to question the nobility of a Malfoy!"

Crabbe and Goyle always did whatever Malfoy told them. They grinned and stepped in front of him.

Ron immediately stood up. "What are you doing? Beating up a girl?" Hermione let out a scream beside him.

Malfoy shouted from behind them, "Don't hesitate! Beat up that Weasley family traitor and the filthy Mudblood too!"

Crabbe and Goyle exchanged a glance, then lunged forward, apparently planning to take out Ron first since he looked the most capable of fighting.

Harley was delighted. The little boy named Malfoy really had no resistance to her instigation.

If I act now, it'll count as justified self-defense! As she thought this, Harley raised her hand.

The Spirituality within her rapidly dwindled, and the entire compartment grew cold. Crabbe and Goyle realized they couldn't move; a layer of frost had formed over their hands and feet.

The two panicked and started yelling, but Ron promptly punched one of them in the face.

Malfoy was yelling too. Neville, who had been shoved aside earlier, had somehow gotten back up and was now pinning Malfoy down, angrily shouting,

"I won't let you insult my parents! I! Absolutely! Won't! Let! You!"

Malfoy's feet had been frozen by Harley, and he hadn't expected Longbottom, who looked so dim-witted, to suddenly attack him. He went straight down beneath Neville.

Hermione watched the scene and couldn't help screaming, "Stop! Stop it! You have to stop fighting!"

But no one paid her any attention. Harley had already swapped her homemade wand for the Snakewood Wand.

She was now gently waving it, directing the frost to spread further over the three boys.

Crabbe had already gotten a nosebleed from Ron's punches, while a rat in Ron's pocket had bitten Goyle's finger until it was streaming with blood.

The commotion in the compartment had drawn the attention of young wizards in several nearby compartments, who poked their heads out to see what was happening.

Some who didn't mind trouble even came over to watch the huge brawl, pointing and commenting as they went.

Just then, a burst of fire appeared outside the door, and Professor Dumbledore emerged in the train corridor. A golden-red bird was perched on his shoulder.

When many of the young wizards saw Professor Dumbledore, they ducked their heads in fright and hurried back to their seats.

The onlookers stood rooted to the spot, afraid the headmaster would give them detention.

Professor Dumbledore ignored them and waved his wand. The five people fighting in the compartment were instantly pulled apart, and the frost covering the three boys disappeared at once.

Professor Dumbledore then turned to Harley. "Harley, what happened?"

Harley didn't hide anything. She immediately gave an objective account of the facts, starting with when she boarded the train and ending with the professor's arrival.

As she spoke, her voice stayed soft, making her sound weak and helpless.

The only thing she concealed was that she had cast a little Instigation spell.

That ability hardly left any Spirituality behind, and the frost that had spread over the compartment had also prevented Dumbledore from using Divination, if he knew how.

Professor Dumbledore frowned. He had been quietly monitoring the train, so he knew that Harley's account matched what had happened.

Malfoy had provoked them first. When Harley had answered back, he'd lost his temper, used insulting language, and ordered his lackeys to attack.

Ron had fought to protect the girls, while Neville had presumably fought to stand up for his friend. So they had ended up brawling with Malfoy and his two companions.

Harley, meanwhile, had used some strange magic to make sure Ron and Neville didn't get hurt too badly.

The whole thing seemed perfectly reasonable, but the instincts of a man who had lived a very long time told Dumbledore that something was off.