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Professor McGonagall's threat was immediate; the students scattered quickly, clearing the corridor in less than a minute.
Robert also saw the culprits behind the commotion.
Ron and Malfoy, each held firmly by one of Hagrid's massive hands, were glaring furiously at one another. Standing nearby were Harry, Crabbe, and Goyle—robes wrinkled and tousled, clearly having just been in a scuffle. They were reluctantly staying apart, restrained only by Professor McGonagall's presence.
But was Harry really that bold? Facing off two-on-one, and against Crabbe and Goyle, no less? To be fair, those two looked like third-years, each nearly twice the size of their peers.
"I want an explanation!" Professor McGonagall demanded, her eyes blazing.
"Malfoy insulted Ron's family first, Professor," said Hagrid, setting the two boys down. "He said some nasty things."
"I—I was just speaking the truth!" Malfoy protested indignantly. "But Weasley hit me! He struck first!"
"Gryffindor, ten points deducted," said Professor McGonagall, her voice cold and expression unreadable.
"No, Professor! He's lying!" Ron's face flushed crimson as he shouted in protest.
On the other side, Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle grinned smugly—until Professor McGonagall spoke again.
"Slytherin, ten points deducted."
Their laughter vanished instantly, and their expressions soured, as though they'd bitten into a cockroach kebab disguised as candy.
"Wait, Professor, I think there's been a mistake," Malfoy began, trying to argue. "Everyone saw—he hit me first!"
"I believe I understand exactly what happened," Professor McGonagall said sternly, "and I trust you do as well. If you find my decision unfair, you're welcome to take it up with Professor Snape."
Under her piercing gaze, Malfoy gritted his teeth but chose silence over further protest.
"Very well," Professor McGonagall nodded. "Hagrid, we've been waiting for you. The Great Hall is missing only the final tree."
"Sorry, Professor McGonagall—coming now," Hagrid said. He heaved a large silver fir tree off the ground and followed her down the corridor.
This silver fir would soon stand as the centerpiece of the Great Hall's Christmas decorations.
"Just wait, Weasley. I won't let you off so easily," Malfoy hissed after the professor and Hagrid left.
He didn't stay to argue. With Crabbe and Goyle trailing, he pushed past Harry roughly.
"Look at him—like I'm afraid of that git," Ron muttered, watching Malfoy's retreating back while shaking his fist. "If Hagrid hadn't stopped me, I'd have flattened him."
Harry didn't respond. He merely rubbed his sore arm.
Crabbe and Goyle were stronger than they looked. If not for the timely help of other Gryffindor students, Harry might have ended up spending Christmas in the Hospital Wing.
"Are you guys alright?" Hermione arrived, breathless and concerned.
"We're fine. Professor McGonagall showed up just in time," Harry replied, though his eyes drifted toward the dungeons.
"Good thing you called her. If Snape had come instead, he'd have just deducted points from us and ignored Malfoy completely."
"Well, it's over now, right?" Hermione said, trying to lighten the mood. "You've got to see the Great Hall—it's amazing! I can't even describe it properly!"
"You guys go ahead. I've got something to do first," Harry said, giving Hermione a wink before darting off down the corridor.
Both Ron and Hermione stood there, confused.
"What's he on about?" Ron asked, bewildered.
"I don't know," Hermione admitted. "He winked at me, but I have no idea why."
"Whatever—let's check out the Great Hall."
"Okay."
Meanwhile, Harry had already climbed the stairs and reached the Fat Lady's portrait on the eighth floor, just as Robert was about to enter.
After McGonagall had arrived earlier, Robert had quickly pocketed his wand and left with the others. The Weasley twins had bolted even faster, clearly afraid that a second's delay might get Quidditch canceled.
"Wait up, Robert!"
"Harry?" Robert stopped in front of the portrait. "What's up?"
"I want to buy a wand."
"Huh?" Robert blinked, momentarily stunned, then his eyes lit up. "Good taste! Come with me."
He grabbed Harry's arm, pulled him through the portrait hole into the common room, and pushed him into an armchair before sprinting toward the second-floor dormitory.
"Wait here! I'll be right back!"
"No, I…" Harry began, but Robert had already vanished.
About five minutes later, Robert returned with a tray balanced carefully in his hands. On it were more than a dozen objects—were those wands?
Harry wasn't sure. Some looked like steering wheels, others had strange shapes and carvings. None of them resembled anything he'd ever seen at Ollivander's.
"I recommend this one—triple the magic, triple the fun," Robert said, pointing to a round wand. "Or try them all! If none suit your taste, I've got a two-and-a-half-foot wand upstairs, not quite finished, but I can take pre-orders."
"Wait, how much?" Harry blinked, unsure he'd heard correctly.
Was Robert still talking about wands and not some kind of weapon?
"I really like my current wand—I don't want a new one," Harry said firmly, cutting through Robert's excited rambling. "I came to buy the wand with the Red Cap hair core."
Robert froze. His eyes widened slightly as he processed Harry's words.
"Ron?"
"Yes," Harry said. "I decided long ago to give him that wand as a Christmas present."
"If that's the case, why didn't you tell me earlier?" Robert frowned. "I could've had it ready for you."
"Because I wanted it to be a surprise," Harry said.
"Heh." Robert gave a dry chuckle. "Well, I don't know how surprised Ron will be—but you certainly surprised me."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, confused. "If it's about the money, I've got it right here."
He pulled out a handful of gold coins from his pocket—exactly seven Galleons, prepared in advance.
"It's not about the Galleons," Robert said, sighing. "That wand… I sent it back to the shop two months ago."
"What?" Harry's hand, still holding the coins, froze mid-air. "You mean the wand is in Diagon Alley?"
"Or maybe somewhere else by now," Robert said with a shrug. "Honestly, I don't know where it is."
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