All of Hufflepuff Was on Their Best Behavior (Please Recommend and Collect)

"Rita Skeeter? The reporter from the Daily Prophet?" Fred asked with a puzzled look. "What does she have to do with this?"

George added, "Besides, we're not interested in her at all. She's destined for unrequited love."

"That's a shame." Kyle didn't continue the topic. After giving a perfunctory reply, he slipped between the two of them.

Lunch had already begun, and all Kyle wanted was to sit down and enjoy some tender steak and Pumpkin Juice, not stand around like an idiot at the entrance to the Great Hall.

Fred and George, however, had other ideas. They followed Kyle all the way to the Hufflepuff table.

"Though we don't have any proof, I can't help thinking the Charms classroom only exploded because you were there."

Fred plopped down beside Kyle, shoving Cedric aside. He grabbed a cup of Pumpkin Juice and gulped down a big mouthful before continuing, "Nothing ever happened before, but the moment you showed up, this happened. You must have had something to do with it."

Hearing that, Kyle felt a weight settle on his back. He nearly choked on his Pumpkin Juice.

What was that supposed to mean? What had he done? He'd been helping the whole time, for goodness' sake. Did they really have to pin the blame on him?

Kyle turned his head and wordlessly raised his middle finger.

Fred ignored it completely and carried on as if nothing had happened. "It's a shame you're not in Gryffindor."

"We asked around," George said with a grin. "The Gryffindor first-years have Potions for their first class. If you'd been there, and the first-years had joined in, it might've been Snape who ended up in the Hospital Wing."

"Yeah, what a shame." Fred set down his Pumpkin Juice and sighed. "If we could really get Snape sent to the Hospital Wing, you'd become a hero of Gryffindor—no, the hero of all Hogwarts!"

Fred had seemed disappointed just a moment ago, but for some reason, he suddenly grew excited. His whole body began to tremble.

He was so worked up that Fred didn't even notice Cedric discreetly tugging at his robes from beside him.

"Seriously, Kyle, I still think you shouldn't be in Hufflepuff. Gryffindor is your true home."

"Let's say you're right. But, Fred, George..." Kyle cleared his throat and said with a smile, "Why do you think the Gryffindor first-years would help me take on Professor Snape?

"As far as I can tell, every little wizard in Gryffindor is polite and well-spoken, and their Head of House is kind, too. They'd never be so... um, unruly."

"What nonsense are you talking, Kyle? Would well-behaved, obedient kids be sorted into Gryffindor?" Fred paused, then raised an eyebrow. "Oh, right. That's not how I should put it. We just happen to like adventure..."

"Then... is this why you two aren't eating at your own House table, Mr. Weasley?"

A cold, utterly emotionless voice came from behind them.

The smiles vanished from Fred and George's faces. They slowly turned to look behind them.

"Professor McGonagall, when did you get here...?" Fred forced a smile more painful than a grimace and stammered, "Um, I'm sure you've misunderstood. I can explain."

"No need, Mr. Weasley. I believe I understood you perfectly well, and there is no misunderstanding. You should be grateful it's me standing here and not Professor Snape."

Professor McGonagall's expression remained calm, seemingly no different from usual. "For showing disrespect to a professor, Gryffindor loses ten points. Ten points each."

Well, at least it was only points.

Fred and George breathed a sigh of relief. It was still early in the school year, and Gryffindor's hourglass was far from empty. Twenty points was manageable.

"Also..." Professor McGonagall glanced at the twins and continued, "In light of your poor behavior at the Sorting Ceremony, you will both serve detention every evening for the next week."

Fred and George were struck as if by lightning.

The Sorting Ceremony? They'd thought that was all behind them...

They could shrug off losing points, but detention was another matter entirely. A whole week of it—seven days without sneaking out at night. It was practically a death sentence!

The two of them were already beginning to despair.

"Professor, please..."

Fred and George looked pitifully at Professor McGonagall, hoping to awaken the compassion in her heart.

Unfortunately, Professor McGonagall wasn't swayed in the slightest. Her voice didn't waver at all as she said:

"Detention begins at eleven in the evening. Go find Filch; he'll take you to the Trophy Room. There's a register there listing the names and deeds of every outstanding student since Gryffindor was founded.

"You'll copy the entire register by hand. You may leave when you've finished. Remember, each of you must copy it once, and you may not use magic or a Quick-Quotes Quill. You must write it all by hand."

After speaking, Professor McGonagall pointed toward Gryffindor's table. "Now, Mr. Weasleys, get back to your own table at once!"

Fred and George were struck as if by lightning. With their heads bowed, they hurried back to Gryffindor's table, their faces full of despair.

Kyle lowered his head too, barely managing to suppress his laughter. Only after the twins had left did he turn around as though nothing had happened and say, "Good afternoon, Professor McGonagall. It's a pleasure to see you here."

At last, Professor McGonagall's voice softened a little. "Good afternoon, Mr. Chopper."

"Just call me Kyle, Professor." Kyle smiled. "Have you had lunch yet? If not, please join us."

Cedric had come to his senses by then. He hurriedly shifted over to make enough room for her.

Professor McGonagall's expression softened. "I'd be delighted, but unfortunately, I've already eaten."

To maintain her dignified image, Professor McGonagall usually came to the Great Hall before mealtimes or stayed in her office. She rarely ate with the young wizards.

"What a shame." Kyle let out a soft sigh. The other Hufflepuffs joined in, all looking disappointed, as if they truly wished they could share a table with Professor McGonagall.

Everyone was on their best behavior.

Watching this unfold, then comparing it with the chaotic Gryffindor table next door, Professor McGonagall suddenly felt exhausted.

It really was true that comparisons made all the difference.

Why were all the good kids in the other Houses? Especially Kyle and Cedric. If only even one of them had been sorted into Gryffindor.

That wretched Sorting Hat...