The Longbottom Family Tradition Had Not Disappeared

While Hermione and the others worried themselves sick over Damon, Damon himself was leisurely sipping tea.

Beside him, Dumbledore shared Fizzing Whizzbees with him, while Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape argued without end.

However, they were not arguing over whether Damon should be expelled because of this, but over who would carry out his detention—everyone present was an adult, plus one little adult, and no one bothered with empty formalities.

At first, Professor McGonagall had indeed been furious.

But when she learned that Malfoy had constantly called Damon a Mudblood, even saying it when they first met on the train and repeating it often afterward, and that Damon had therefore given up being Sorted into Slytherin—when Snape heard this, his expression turned even uglier, while Professor McGonagall's face eased considerably, with even a hint of relief flashing through it?

And when Damon spoke of Malfoy threatening Neville, and how he had endured it until he could endure no longer, Professor McGonagall had already quietly forgiven Damon in her heart. Only Snape continued to watch them with a strange smile.

"Whatever the case, this brat cannot escape detention. As Head of Slytherin House, I should be responsible for it!"

"My opinion remains the same as it was that day, Snape. Damon is a Gryffindor student. I have my own plans for his education and need no one else interfering."

"Your own plans? Forgive me for saying so, but you have practically spoiled him rotten. Today, he dared to openly assault another student right in front of us. What else will he do in the future?

"With this kind of attitude, you will only fuel his arrogance. Look at the way those students look at him—there is awe amid their shock. If this continues, what do you think will happen?

"Or do you believe that person has truly disappeared for good?"

"Snape!" Professor McGonagall's expression turned stern once more. "How can you compare Damon to him! He only used strength and fear to dominate others, whereas Damon—clearly, he knows what love is!"

"Say what you like, Professor, but the more you maintain that attitude, the harder it is for me not to think so."

Snape looked toward Dumbledore again. The corners of his mouth dipped slightly before curling up in a strange, half-smiling expression. "With the double protection of a Head of House and the Headmaster, our Duelling Prince will be able to do whatever he pleases at Hogwarts from now on."

"Enough, Snape."

Professor McGonagall had a headache, though she faintly admitted that Snape had a point—she had never defended a student like this before, and it was difficult for her to deny that much personal bias was mixed into it.

"I understand. Until the end of the term, Damon will serve two hours of detention in your office every Saturday evening. Are you satisfied with this arrangement?"

"I am pleased that you have retained your reason, Professor McGonagall."

Snape bent slightly, and his smile became somewhat more sincere.

Damon White had finally fallen into his hands! He would use the harshest methods to teach this brat what it meant to respect his teachers!

"Damon, do you have any objections to this?"

Dumbledore looked at Damon, making a symbolic inquiry.

"I have no objection." Damon looked at Snape with a smile on his face. "Professor Snape is an outstanding Potions master. I imagine that by staying at his side, I can learn some fine habits besides 'not liking to bathe.'"

What a sharp-tongued brat. He was clearly flattering him, so why did it sound so uncomfortable?

Snape kept a straight face, but inwardly he sneered—once this brat put on Dragon Hide Gloves and purified a full thousand portions of Giant Slug Slime, would he still be so smug?

Just as the matter seemed settled and Dumbledore was preparing to dismiss everyone so he could speak with Damon privately, a knock suddenly sounded outside the door.

Knock, knock, knock. The knocking was brief and forceful.

"Professor Dumbledore, Augusta Longbottom has come to visit. Please open the door."

The voice outside was very old, yet its words carried a firm strength. Even when addressing Dumbledore, it did not sound particularly polite.

A look of surprise appeared on Dumbledore's face—why had she come?

The next moment, his head began to ache.

The reason this elderly woman had suddenly visited at this hour was perfectly clear—she had come for her grandson, Neville.

Professor McGonagall opened the door and welcomed the elderly woman inside.

She wore a long dress, carried a large red handbag, and wore a hat topped with a stuffed vulture. Her bearing was solemn and dignified.

"Greetings."

She removed her hat and bowed to the three professors in the manner of a gentleman.

Her gaze swept around the room and soon settled on Damon. Her eyes brightened.

"Hello, young man. I am Neville's grandmother, Augusta Longbottom."

The elderly woman removed her hat once more and bent toward Damon in thanks—but before she could complete the motion, a pair of hands supported her.

"Hello, Grandma. I'm Damon White. Since you are Neville's grandmother, then you are my grandmother as well."

Augusta raised her head and met the boy's azure eyes, taking a liking to him almost immediately.

"I truly wish I had a grandson like you."

She took Damon's right hand into her palm and patted it gently.

"I already know what happened to Neville."

"Professor Dumbledore, please tell me, how have you decided to deal with this child?"

"One detention a week, until the end of the term."

Upon hearing this, Augusta nodded. Her gaze swept over the room, slowly passing Snape and McGonagall before finally returning to Dumbledore.

She spoke.

"There is something you may not know. It is not something to be proud of, and I normally would not tell anyone—my son and daughter-in-law were tortured into madness by Death Eaters, and I raised Neville alone.

"To this sensitive child, his parents' suffering felt as though it were his own at every moment. To ensure Neville could live normally, I had no choice but to use Memory Charms on him often, even though it affected his memory."

Professor McGonagall covered her mouth, her eyes deeply moved.

"I say this not to gain your sympathy, nor to ask for any reward." Augusta looked at Dumbledore. "I only wish to ask one thing, Dumbledore. Do you still remember their contributions? Even if those contributions were so laughable, so insignificant?"

"Of course I remember—I will never forget."

Dumbledore's expression became solemn.

Augusta nodded and pulled Damon to her side, simply looking at Dumbledore.

"This child changed my grandson. The Longbottom family tradition did not disappear with Neville's generation. This is of utmost importance to the entire family."

Her hawk-like gaze met Dumbledore's directly. Her tone was humble, but her attitude was firm.

"Please, forgive this child this once. Can you?"

"I cannot refuse you, but it will still depend more on what the two Heads of House think."

Dumbledore looked toward Snape and McGonagall with a helpless expression.

The elderly woman had said she wanted neither sympathy nor reward, only to make such a request in the end.

But could they possibly refuse?

"I respect your wishes," Professor McGonagall replied seriously.

Snape said nothing.

His gaze swiftly swept across the three people present. With a flick of his sleeve, he turned and left.

"He agrees as well."

After Snape turned away, Dumbledore translated with a beaming smile.