You're Surrounded by Aurors

All the little lions were working hard to earn points, trying to keep themselves off history's pillar of shame.

Professor McGonagall cared about her reputation, and her professional ethics required her to be fair and impartial.

Even though Gryffindor had lost so many points, she maintained her usual standards for awarding them, making no deliberate effort to favor the little lions.

The teachers from Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, on the other hand, were biased in Gryffindor's favor when awarding points, especially Professor Flitwick.

But even so, Gryffindor's score continued its stubborn approach toward the historical record.

Professor Snape was too formidable in battle. He was more than a match for six people on his own, and he had no scruples whatsoever!

All of Gryffindor was hoping William would put Snape in the hospital again, but during Potions Class, Snape stayed eight meters away from Marietta.

In this atmosphere, the stench slowly dissipated, and Halloween arrived.

On Halloween morning, they woke to the sweet, enticing smell of roasting pumpkin wafting through the corridors.

In Charms class, Professor Flitwick announced that he thought they were ready to start making objects fly.

Ever since seeing William save Summerby, the students had been eagerly hoping to try the skill for themselves.

Professor Flitwick divided the class into pairs and had them begin practicing.

"Now, don't forget that subtle wrist movement we've been practicing!" Professor Flitwick squeaked, standing on his pile of books as usual. "Swish and flick, remember, swish and flick."

It was easier said than done. Cho and Marietta swished and flicked, swished and flicked, over and over again, but the feather they were supposed to send into the air remained motionless on the floor.

In a fit of frustration, Marcus jabbed his wand at his feather, and it caught fire-fortunately, Professor Flitwick had come prepared and prevented a fire.

"Getting the incantation right is also very important-never forget the wizard Baruffio, who said 's' instead of 'f' and found himself lying on the floor with a buffalo standing on his chest."

"Of course, I expect those of you who read the Daily Prophet over the summer know that Mr. Stark gave an incorrect demonstration in Diagon Alley.

"Poor Malfoy family boy. I hope his head wasn't affected. The Daily Prophet said he had developed an aversion to magic."

Near the end of class, Professor Flitwick asked William to demonstrate the Buffalo Spell, and everyone applauded.

With Halloween's arrival, decorations covered everything. Hundreds upon hundreds of jack-o'-lanterns hung in the Great Hall, along with a flock of fluttering bats and many flame-spitting orange streamers that drifted lazily beneath the ceiling like brilliant water snakes.

The feast was lavish. Delicious dishes appeared suddenly on the golden plates, just as they had at the start-of-term feast, and everyone tucked in.

Dumbledore, dressed in purple robes, was telling a joke, but none of the teachers at the staff table laughed, leaving him a little embarrassed.

Professor McGonagall wore a stern expression. Whenever she thought about Gryffindor setting a new record low, she felt particularly miserable.

Snape ate his potatoes at a leisurely pace, occasionally letting his eyes roam over the crowd.

He was still looking for the criminal gang that had written him love letters!

Professor Tywin looked dejected as he discussed charms with Professor Flitwick. Something seemed to have stumped him.

Hagrid, who always responded to Dumbledore, looked distracted. He held a bottle of mead and gulped it down.

But that did nothing to cheer him up.

According to the latest news in the Daily Prophet, the Ministry of Magic had declared Malfoy innocent and claimed it had found a suspect, who would soon be apprehended!

The feast was in full swing when, halfway through, Filch suddenly pushed open the doors and rushed headlong into the hall.

His patterned mask hung crookedly from his chin, and his face was filled with terror. Everyone stared at him.

His face was bright red, but he did not slow down in the slightest. He stumbled along and nearly tripped over a chair.

He reached Professor Dumbledore's chair and slumped sideways against the table, panting as he stammered, "Aurors-a whole lot of Aurors have burst in-we're surrounded by Aurors."

The hall immediately erupted into chaos. Professor Dumbledore stood, and only after several piercing firework-like explosions sounded from the tip of his wand did everyone quiet down.

Hagrid was trembling all over like a leaf. He crushed the glass bottle in his hand, splashing its contents all over Professor Tywin's head.

The loud noise was piercing in the quiet Great Hall.

Everyone looked at Hagrid.

Hagrid shuddered and said, "I... I don't want... to go to Azkaban..."

A smile curled the corner of Snape's mouth. He glanced at Dumbledore and said in a gloating tone, "It seems our Keeper of Keys has done something daring again. Heh heh, I wonder whether you know about it, Headmaster..."

Dumbledore frowned and said in a low voice, "Prefects, lead the students of your houses back to their dormitories immediately!"

Percy, an outstanding student, volunteered to get to his feet and help the Gryffindor Prefect.

"Follow me! Don't get separated, first-years. As long as you do as I say, there's no need to be afraid! All right, keep close behind me. Make way, first-years coming through! Excuse me, I'm an outstanding student!"

But before anyone had left the tables, the doors to the hall were pushed open again.

Filch's description had not been accurate. It was not just Aurors who had come... At their head was the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge.

Fudge was short, fat, and stocky, with untidy gray hair and an anxious expression.

His clothes were a strange assortment: a pinstriped suit, a bright red tie, a long black cloak, purple pointed boots, and a dark green bowler hat on his head.

Two Aurors followed Fudge.

One was a tall, bald, dark-skinned wizard with a gold earring in one ear.

The other looked strong and wore his wiry hair very short.

Marietta whispered, "That's Kingsley Shacklebolt and Dawlish. I've heard my mother mention them."

Marietta's mother worked at the Floo Network Authority in the Department of Magical Transportation, making her a wizard within the system too.

Fudge walked up to Dumbledore, tucked his dark purple bowler hat under his arm, then took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Dumbledore remained seated where he was, while the Minister for Magic stood to one side like a lackey.

Fudge looked at Dumbledore and actually began to grow nervous.

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