The smug look on Juan de León's face froze instantly. He turned stiffly, while the boys beside him fell silent and quietly backed away a few steps.
Professor Flitwick rarely got angry, yet they had managed to catch him in just such a moment.
"P-Professor Flitwick..." de Leon stammered, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. "I... I didn't mean it that way..."
"You didn't mean it that way?" Professor Flitwick's voice was still high-pitched, but now it had an icy, penetrating edge. "Openly spreading unverified rumors in the corridor, damaging a fellow student's academic reputation, and even casting doubt on a professor's academic judgment—is that the conduct of a proper Ravenclaw?"
De Leon went deathly pale. He realized he had let his smugness get the better of him and picked entirely the wrong fight.
"I just... read the newspaper... I thought..."
The boy beside de Leon covered his face. He was still bringing up the newspaper?
"The claims in the newspaper are being investigated and addressed," Professor Flitwick interrupted coldly. "I recall Professor Snape giving you two weeks of detention a few days ago. At the time, I told you to spend your evenings copying out papers analyzing charms. Your detention is now extended by two weeks. Starting today, you will report to Professor Rubeus Hagrid and have him take you on patrols of the Forbidden Forest. And now, go to class. Immediately!"
De Leon dared not argue further. He hurried away with his head bowed in disgrace, and his companions scattered as well.
Watching them leave, Professor Flitwick took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. He knew that the pressure of public opinion facing Will went far beyond a few students gossiping in a corridor.
He had already decided to prepare a forceful statement clearing Will's