Rewards and Punishments

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang...

As the Troll's agonized, pleading screams spread out from the Girls' Bathroom, a continuous, rhythmic series of bangs rang out without pause.

Snape and Professor McGonagall, who had been searching for the Troll, followed its scent. Hearing the sounds coming from the Girls' Bathroom, they quickened their pace and rushed inside, where they were met with a sight that surprised them both.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione stood helplessly in a corner of the Girls' Bathroom, while Sean used the Levitation Charm to control the Troll's own club, striking it over and over across the head and body. Many tough-looking Thorn Vines were also visibly wrapped around the Troll.

The poor Troll had no idea how long it had endured the torture and beating. Even its screams had grown weak, while its face was bruised purple and blue and covered in blood. Even the well-traveled Snape and Professor McGonagall could not help feeling a faint trace of pity for it.

Professor McGonagall had originally been furious. She had intended to severely punish the Young Wizards who had disobeyed the professors' orders and gone looking for the Troll on their own. Yet when she saw the scene before her, her emotions suddenly faltered.

"Mr. Bulstrode, p-please stop. This Troll no longer has the ability to resist."

"Really?" Sean turned to look at Professor McGonagall. "But it looked really terrifying just now. I think it might be pretending."

"Please trust me, Mr. Bulstrode. A Troll's brain means it is simply incapable of pretending, so you have already subdued it. Do not beat it anymore."

As Professor McGonagall spoke, Dumbledore, Flitwick, and the other professors arrived one after another. They looked at the Troll lying on the floor, sobbing miserably, then at Sean standing before it. Somehow, the scene felt rather strange.

Still, it was good that the Troll had been subdued, and none of the children here had been hurt. Every professor could accept that outcome.

Once her emotions settled, Professor McGonagall regained her composure. Looking at Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Sean, her anger rose again.

"At the Great Hall, the professors already told you to return to your Common Rooms and stay there. Why did you take it upon yourselves to come here? You are lucky this Troll did not kill you!" At that point, Professor McGonagall suddenly remembered the Troll's current state, and her emotions stalled again. The rest of her reprimand became rather difficult to say.

"Professor McGonagall..." Hermione stepped forward to stand before her, sniffing as she spoke softly. "This is really all my fault. I read a lot about Trolls in books, and I thought I understood them well enough. But later, I realized that real Trolls are very different from what is written in books. If Harry and Ron... and Sean, had not worried about me and come here to take me back, then I... They saved me. Harry stabbed the Troll in the nose with his Wand, and it picked him up. Ron protected me and got me away from the Troll, then Sean came in afterward and defeated it. They saved me."

Hearing Hermione's explanation, the anger on Professor McGonagall's face eased slightly. She greatly admired Hermione, such an outstanding student in both character and academics. She even saw a reflection of her younger self in Hermione—equally exceptional, equally eager to learn. Thus, Professor McGonagall had always been somewhat more lenient with Hermione.

"Miss Granger, you foolish child, how could you think that? What is written in books is ultimately different from reality. How could you possibly defeat a Troll as large as a hill on your own? For that, I must deduct five points from Gryffindor as punishment for acting on your own. As for the others..."

Professor McGonagall looked at Harry, Ron, and Sean, considering whether to deduct points from them as well.

At that moment, Dumbledore stepped up beside Professor McGonagall. "Минерва, do not be too harsh on them. While I admit that a certain degree of strictness helps children learn their lessons and grow better, I think they have already received the lesson they deserved in this matter, have they not?"

With that, Dumbledore looked at Harry and Ron. "Harry and Ron dared to search for and protect their friend, even facing a Troll head-on for her sake. For their courage, I believe they each deserve five points!"

Dumbledore secretly winked at Harry and smiled encouragingly at him and Ron. But before he could finish smiling, Snape interrupted him.

"Dumbledore, I believe it was Sean who defeated this Troll!" A rare trace of displeasure colored Snape's voice.

Hearing Snape's words, Dumbledore immediately smiled at him. "Of course, Snape. Sean was indeed primarily responsible for defeating this Troll. But before that, Harry and Ron also took action. That is an undeniable fact, is it not?"

Snape gave a disdainful snort and did not intend to comment. Dumbledore's favoritism toward Gryffindor was no secret, especially after the Savior, Harry Potter, entered Gryffindor. Dumbledore's bias had become even more obvious.

Dumbledore looked at Sean, his face still bearing that kind, gentle smile. "Sean, defeating a Troll head-on as a first-year is something that even many adult wizards may not be able to accomplish. For this, I will award ten points to Slytherin. I hope you will not take this as encouragement. If something like this happens again, I still hope you will listen to the professors and seek shelter as soon as possible."

"I understand. Thank you, Professor."

"Mm." Dumbledore nodded. Looking at the current situation, he said again, "All right, Snape and Минерва, take your students back. Leave this place to us."

Professor McGonagall responded, while Snape simply took Sean and left.

They had not gone far when Snape said to Sean in a voice loud enough for everyone else to hear, with a hint of anger, "Sean Bulstrode, the next time you wish to do something, I hope you will not behave like a rash and impulsive Gryffindor, but like a calm and wise Slytherin. Do you understand?"

"I understand, Professor. I made you worry. I'm sorry."

"Worry?" Snape gave an obvious cold snort. "Do not use that Gryffindor-like brain of yours to speculate about my thoughts. I was not worried about you. I merely feared you would cost Slytherin more points and jeopardize Slytherin's Seven Consecutive Championships. That is all!"