Chapter 17: Revenge

Allen dove toward Malfoy and his two companions like an eagle.

Only then did Harry see clearly what Allen held in both hands: two tree branches still bearing many green leaves, instantly realizing these were the weapons Allen had found for himself...

But he noticed Allen's grip on the branches was extremely strange; he was actually holding them by the middle. Shouldn't holding one end maximize attack range? Harry silently grumbled.

By now, the trio of Malfoy had nearly reached the castle's main entrance, but how could they outrun Allen soaring through the sky?

In the blink of an eye, Allen caught up to them, swiftly swept past, and knocked Crabbe down with a single strike of his branch.

Crabbe dropped to his knees, clutching his head tightly as he lay prone on the ground with his buttocks sticking high in the air, wailing, "I was wrong! I know I was wrong! Spare me!"

Allen, however, had no intention of sparing him; Crabbe's round, large buttocks made an unmistakably conspicuous target.

Allen changed direction, repeatedly sweeping past him, unleashing a frenzied barrage against his buttocks that made Crabbe cry out in agony, scrambling chaotically across the ground.

In the end, Allen's weapon even became "discolored."

Finally unable to endure it any longer, Crabbe cried out, "Draco! Gregory! Come save me quickly! Hurry!"

Malfoy and Goyle exchanged a glance, each seeing the answer in the other's eyes; the two quietly retreated, daring not to respond to Crabbe, fearing they might draw Allen's attention.

At that moment, a furious roar echoed from within the castle: "Allen Finis! Stop immediately!"

It was Professor McGonagall rushing over.

"In all my years at Hogwarts—never—"

Professor McGonagall was so astonished she could barely speak, her spectacles flashing with anger, "—how dare you—"

But Allen, flushed with hot-blooded fervor, would hear no persuasion; he spread his wings, shifted direction, and prepared to continue attacking Crabbe, who was crawling miserably across the grass, his robes stained with green plant juice.

Just as Allen anticipated savoring the thrill of revenge once more, Professor McGonagall's incantation reached his ears.

"Wingardium Leviosa!"

"Petrificus Totalus!"

Then Allen discovered he could not move; with wings extended and hands frozen in an attacking posture, he floated suspended in midair.

"It wasn't his fault, Professor—"

"Silence, Miss Patil—"

"But Malfoy—"

"No more, Miss Granger. Very well, Weasley, Potter, come with me," Professor McGonagall said mercilessly.

She then prepared to return to the castle; nearby, Malfoy secretly exhaled a sigh of relief, a look of fortune crossing his face, but this did not escape Professor McGonagall's sharp eyes.

She halted, stating expressionlessly to Malfoy and Goyle, "Malfoy, Goyle, you come with me as well; you will support Crabbe! I shall notify Head of House Severus to deal with you."

Malfoy and Goyle's faces instantly fell, but daring not to defy Professor McGonagall's orders, they supported Crabbe with mournful expressions, stumbling along behind the group.

Professor McGonagall used her wand to control Allen, petrified and floating halfway in the air, as she strode toward the castle, with Harry and Ron following mechanically behind; Harry wished to speak a few words in defense of the three of them, but his throat seemed to have failed him.

The young wizards watched the group being escorted away, exchanging silent glances.

At that moment, Madam Hooch finally hurried back, looking somewhat dumbfounded at the scene.

"What has happened here?"

No one responded to her.

As Professor McGonagall led them along the campus path, teachers and students preparing to dine were all drawn to this strange procession, pointing and commenting along the way, especially at Allen floating in midair,

which attracted everyone's attention; thick-skinned as he was, this time he was ruthlessly pierced through.

The posture was simply too shameful, not to mention he was dual-wielding a pair of broken branches, his face frozen in an expression of rage, which in this context could only provoke laughter, let alone the fact that he hung suspended in midair, allowing everyone to see every detail of him clearly; those standing in the back rows didn't even need to stand on tiptoe.

Yet people still wished to approach closer, but were all intimidated by the furiously angry Professor McGonagall.

Only George, Fred, and Jordan dared to tease the tiger; George shouted loudly to Jordan, "Haha, we bet this morning whether little Allen could fly, and unexpectedly he really did fly; quickly honor the bet and give me one Jin Jin Jialong!"

Jordan retorted unwilling to yield, "We bet that Allen would fly using his own wings; now he is flying via the Levitation Charm, so you should pay me!"

"Are you blind? Allen's posture clearly shows he was flying in midair when frozen; hurry up! Don't renege on the debt!" George refused to let Jordan off.

Meanwhile, Fred watched Ron, who was dodging and hiding within the group, with great interest, excitedly telling the other two, "Stop arguing! Look, our dear little brother Ronnie is still in the group!"

As expected, George's attention shifted; he excitedly shouted to Ron, "My dear little brother Ronnie, were you caught trying to steal the school toilet seat for Jin Ni?"

Ron's face turned so red it nearly matched his hair color; unwilling to acknowledge his two brothers, he lowered his head and turned it aside.

Fred then began directing Ron with utmost seriousness: "Ron, lift your head! As an honorable Weasley, even if you are about to be expelled, you must lift your head with dignity!"

Ron indeed fell for it; provoked, he indeed raised his head, striving to look straight ahead, where the floating Allen stood directly in his line of sight.

"Aha! My good brother, just like that!" Fred laughed upon seeing Ron had taken the bait, "Now tell me, what color are Allen's underpants today!"

A burst of laughter erupted from the crowd; Ron quickly lowered his head again, while Allen kept rolling his eyes; he was wearing jeans today, so there was no way anyone could see his underpants.

Professor McGonagall finally could listen no longer: "Are the three of you prepared to receive punishment alongside those six?"

George and the other two swiftly departed the scene, leaving behind waves of laughter from a distance.

Filch, holding his cat, watched Allen and the others excitedly; he recalled it had been a long time since so many students had been punished simultaneously.

Professor McGonagall only dispelled her spell and lowered Allen when they were about to enter the castle, as this state made passing through many areas inside the castle quite difficult.

Allen's earlier fury had completely vanished; in his heart, he even felt a hint of regret, first for being too conspicuous, and second, wondering whether his actions might lead to expulsion.

Professor McGonagall brought them to her office, scrutinizing the six students with a stern gaze, saying nothing.

The six hung their heads like eggplants battered by frost; only now did they begin to realize the gravity of the situation, each becoming increasingly uneasy.

At this moment, a knocking sound came from the doorway.

Then entered a man with greasy black hair, a hooked nose, and a sallow complexion.

It was Professor Snape.