After a moment's thought, Shawn realized that this stern witch was Professor McGonagall, the deputy headmistress of Hogwarts. Hmm, she was also an older catgirl.
He nodded without the slightest panic.
"Of course, Professor McGonagall. Let's go."
Looking at this elegant, polite boy, McGonagall found it hard to imagine that he could be a violent thug.
Draco asked nervously.
"Professor, will Shawn be expelled?"
McGonagall shook her head.
"I don't know. The twelve school governors have already arrived at Hogwarts and are in the Headmaster's Office, discussing this unprecedented train brawl with Dumbledore."
Hermione hurried over as well and explained anxiously.
"Professor, this wasn't Shawn's fault. Those older students called me a mudblood, and that was why Shawn got angry and fought them."
McGonagall's expression darkened considerably.
"Is that so? Thank you for your testimony, young lady, but I believe you should all be taking the boats to Hogwarts now."
Hermione and Draco wanted to say more, but Shawn interrupted them.
"All right, go take the boats and experience the route the Founders took. Trust me, I'll be fine. Draco, save me a seat."
"All right. I'll wait for you."
"Don't worry, Shawn. My father is a school governor too. He'll protect you."
After Hermione, Draco, and the others left, McGonagall addressed the professors behind her.
"Please escort the injured students to the Hospital Wing. I'll take Mr. Black to the Headmaster's Office."
The professors gave Shawn inscrutable looks. One young professor with a scarf wrapped around his head kept studying him in particular. Once they turned and headed toward the train, McGonagall held out her hand.
"Hold on to my arm. The headmaster has temporarily lifted the Anti-Apparition Jinx on his office. We must hurry; we can't delay the Sorting Ceremony."
Shawn reached out and took McGonagall's hand. With a whoosh, the two of them vanished.
Shawn once again experienced the unpleasant sensation of being squeezed out through a flushing toilet. Though his body still felt awful, he no longer dry-heaved.
He and McGonagall now stood on the Seventh Floor of Hogwarts Castle.
Before them stood an enormous gargoyle. Upon seeing McGonagall and Shawn, it spoke coldly.
"Password."
"Fizzing Whizzbees."
Once McGonagall gave the password, Shawn felt the floor tremble. Then the gargoyle slowly began to turn, rising like an elevator and revealing a spiral staircase.
When it stopped, McGonagall led Shawn up the stairs. Soon, the door to the Headmaster's Office stood right before them.
Professor McGonagall thoughtfully straightened Shawn's collar, her tone softening.
"Don't be nervous in there. Just explain honestly what happened. Headmaster Dumbledore will see that you're treated fairly. Hogwarts won't give up on a talent like you."
Shawn wasn't nervous at all, but he still bowed in thanks.
"Thank you for your concern, Professor."
Professor McGonagall pushed open the door and let Shawn enter alone. She still had to welcome the first-years and preside over the Sorting Ceremony.
The Headmaster's Office was a luxurious, split-level room, with a semicircle of bookshelves behind a broad desk.
Delicate silver instruments stood on slender-legged tables around the room, while magical portraits of past headmasters hung on the walls.
What drew Shawn's attention most was a silver sword in a glass case, along with a colorful phoenix dozing on a gilded perch.
As for the group glaring furiously at him, Shawn paid them little mind. He merely gave Malfoy a slight nod.
Seated behind the desk, Dumbledore warmly teased Shawn, who was still in the mood to look around after entering.
"It seems Mr. Black isn't nervous at all. Admirable composure."
Before Shawn could speak, a middle-aged wizard with greasy hair and a cold expression sneered.
"The arrogant always think themselves above everything, never realizing how unforgivable their transgressions are. Headmaster, I suggest we expel this Mr. Black immediately."
Shawn didn't need to guess to know this had to be Snape, that prickly man who hid his feelings. He really did have a face that screamed "perpetual bachelor."
Malfoy's lips moved among the crowd, but he said nothing in Shawn's defense. An elegant, sprightly old man, however, spoke up first.
"It was merely a group of foolish children scuffling. There's no need to make such a serious matter of it."
"Old Fawley, your granddaughter wasn't sent to the hospital. Of course you can make light of it."
"Hmph, this boy from the Muggle world has clearly forgotten the nobility and elegance of the Black family. All he knows is violence. As a school governor, the Nott Family firmly opposes his admission."
"The Blacks were once school governors. Their children should be entitled to one exemption!"
"Absolutely not..."
They continued arguing noisily. Not all twelve school governors wanted Shawn punished.
Between families like the Fawleys, whose relations with him had only just eased, and neutral ones like the Bones family, there were six or seven families on his side.
They merely recommended giving Shawn detention.
Dumbledore watched calmly without intervening. He wanted to use this incident to probe Shawn's character and certain people's attitudes.
Shawn, however, was growing impatient and had no desire to keep playing along.
The opposing governors simply wanted Shawn to state his position now. As long as he stopped arguing with them and pursuing the matter of those properties, they would probably wipe the slate clean over the assault.
That had also been the motive behind Marcus bringing people to provoke him on the train. Those families simply hadn't expected things to turn out this way.
The Slytherin students had nearly been wiped out-a textbook case of trying to show off, only to get humiliated instead.
Though these people were now furious, they could still use the opportunity to pressure him. Surely their children couldn't have taken a beating for nothing.
These families had grown too accustomed to arrogance, and their interests had blinded them to Shawn's enormous potential.
Since Shawn had dared to beat them up, he naturally had a countermeasure ready.
Without hesitation, he walked straight to the desk and handed Dumbledore a note.
"Professor, I think you should read this before deciding whether to expel me. I believe Hogwarts still needs me."
A sharp gleam flashed in Dumbledore's eyes. He studied Shawn through his blue spectacle frames as he took the note and unfolded it.
After reading its contents, his expression turned serious. He did not question Shawn further about the details. With an unspoken understanding, the two had effectively struck a deal.
Dumbledore stood and addressed the twelve governors, who were still arguing.
"That will do. The start-of-term feast is about to begin. Please return home. As for Shawn's punishment, his future head of house will handle it."
Old Nott and the other fiercest opponents naturally refused to accept this. They couldn't let today's trip be wasted.
"Dumbledore, we school governors have the right to... urgh."
Before they could continue objecting, they suddenly felt an immense pressure emanating from Dumbledore, as though even the flow of air had slowed.
Only then did everyone remember that Dumbledore was the greatest wizard of the century. When he chose to be polite, he was naturally a kindly old man.
But once he became serious, he was every inch the White Wizard. Even setting aside his power, his influence alone could leave them in deep trouble.
The twelve governors had no choice but to leave the Headmaster's Office. Before departing, Old Fawley tried to invite Shawn to spend Christmas at his home, but Shawn politely declined.
Snape gave Shawn a dark look, swept his sleeves back, and left like an enormous bat.
Dumbledore resumed his kindly expression and chuckled.
"It seems Professor Snape has misunderstood you. You'll have to find an opportunity to explain things properly to him."
Shawn was unconcerned.
"Don't worry, Headmaster. Once I'm in Slytherin, I'll naturally have plenty of opportunities to make peace with my head of house."
Dumbledore looked briefly surprised.
"Oh? You want to join Slytherin? Gryffindor is quite good too, actually. Your uncle Sirius also graduated from Gryffindor. Had he not made a mistake, he could certainly have become a great warrior."
Shawn had no desire to argue about this with the Old Beekeeper.
"Professor, it's getting late. I still need to attend the Sorting Ceremony. As for what's on that note, I'll let you know as soon as I have definite information."
Dumbledore frowned slightly and glanced at the note again. Then he flicked his hand, and the note burst into flames in midair.
"Yes, you're very sensible. That puts my mind at ease. Why don't we go to the start-of-term feast together? Take my hand. Being headmaster does come with a few conveniences."
Just as Shawn placed his hand on Dumbledore's arm, one of the former headmasters spoke from a portrait on the wall.
"One moment, Albus. Let me have a few words with Shawn. Boy, why haven't you come to talk to me in the room with the family tree on the second floor of the old house?"
As though he already knew who was speaking, Dumbledore continued without pausing and beckoned to Fawkes.
"Next time, Phineas. The Sorting Ceremony is almost over. Surely you wouldn't want a descendant of your Black family to miss being placed in a house?"
Fawkes spread his wings and flew onto Dumbledore's shoulder. With a melodious cry and a burst of sparks, Dumbledore and Shawn vanished.
Half an hour earlier, in the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall began the sorting.
"Hannah Abbott."
But apart from the nervous young witches and wizards waiting to be sorted, everyone was more concerned about the boy who had taken down Slytherin.
Those who had seen Professor McGonagall take Shawn away began discussing it.
"Shawn won't really be expelled, will he?"