Professor McGonagall sat at the High Table, her gaze sweeping over the noisy students as her lips gradually pressed into a thin line. Her stern expression seemed capable of piercing the clamor, making even the air around her a little colder.
At last, she rose and lightly tapped the goblet before her with her wand. The clear ringing sounded like an alarm bell, instantly silencing the noisy Great Hall.
"Given your outstanding 'performance' during dinner,"
Professor McGonagall's voice carried a trace of unquestionable authority.
"Every student must submit a report on this study trip, detailing the history and mechanisms of each place visited, as well as its potential impact on the magical world today. Each of you will hand in at least twenty inches to me on the Monday two weeks from now. Those who did not attend may consult those who did."
A chorus of sighs and groans immediately rose from the students.
Just then, an older student slowly rose from a corner of the Slytherin table. He bowed slightly, a polite yet faintly sly smile on his face, and said:
"Professor, the Slytherin students did not join in the commotion during dinner and maintained proper decorum throughout. Might we be excused from this assignment?"
Professor McGonagall's gaze lingered on the Slytherin students for a moment, a barely perceptible flicker of approval in her eyes. She nodded slightly and said:
"Very well. The Slytherin students may be excused from this assignment."
However, Professor Snape, seated nearby, gave a faint snort.
His gloomy gaze swept over the Slytherin students as he spoke in his trademark low, raspy voice:
"Slytherin students will not relax their pursuit of knowledge over such a trifling favor. Students of my house will begin preparing an essay on the latest advances in research on Muggle medicines