When Charle spoke, everyone who heard him was stunned, wondering if they had misheard.
Even the portraits and ghosts in the castle, and even Dumbledore himself, were taken aback.
Dumbledore stared at Charle, wondering where Charle got his courage.
Did he think that after defeating Snape, he could continue to challenge him?
If that were the case, he was truly too arrogant.
Dumbledore's gaze grew colder.
"Was what I just said not clear enough, Charle? You are suspected of dangerously harming students and teachers. Although there are some reasons behind it, the harm you caused is real."
"Therefore, to ensure a harmonious, friendly, and fair environment at Hogwarts, you will be punished..."
Before he finished speaking, Charle stepped forward again.
"It seems the Headmaster didn't understand what I meant. I'll make it clearer then."
"What I'm asking 'by what right' refers to you, Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. By what right do you have to punish me before you have reflected on yourself, admitted your mistakes, and accepted punishment?"
"I do not believe you are qualified to make a fair judgment."
When these words came out, the minds of those who heard them buzzed even more.
Shocked gazes were cast towards Charle.
Even Quirrell and Voldemort, who was possessing Quirrell, looked at Charle with the eyes of a madman.
"Is he crazy?"
"He dares to speak to Dumbledore like that? Is he questioning Dumbledore's qualification as Headmaster?"
Voldemort was horrified in Quirrell's mind.
He had always thought that when he was a student, he was the most insane and deeply hidden dangerous person in Hogwarts history.
He opened the Chamber of Slytherin, killed a female classmate in the process, and successfully framed another student, causing them to drop out.
He also created horrifying Horcruxes during his time at school, committing multiple murders in the process!
But all of this was nothing compared to what Charle had done today.
A first-year little wizard questioning the qualification of the Hogwarts Headmaster and the Chief of the Wizengamot to make a fair judgment?
"Only a little over a decade has passed, and the wizarding world has truly gone mad!"
Voldemort couldn't help but exclaim.
"This show today is truly interesting."
At this moment, a terrifying and boundless aura suddenly erupted from Dumbledore, as if the sky was about to collapse.
"Charle Evans, do you know what you are saying?"
Charle remained completely unmoved.
Dumbledore was terrifyingly strong. The power of his magic was so immense that the current Charle could only look up to it.
If they were to fight head-on, Charle estimated that besides transforming into an Ancient Dragon to contend with Dumbledore for a short time, his only option would be to Apparate away.
But at Hogwarts, in front of so many people, Charle was ten out of ten sure that Dumbledore would never make a move.
Firstly, Dumbledore wouldn't stoop to fighting a first-year student; it would be beneath his dignity.
Secondly, there were so many people present. If Dumbledore were to truly attack him, unless he modified everyone's memories, his reputation would truly collapse.
There was also a third point: Dumbledore was the Headmaster of Hogwarts and had the greatest authority there, but taking on the position of Headmaster also meant that Dumbledore was not without limitations at Hogwarts.
If he dared to kill a student, Hogwarts' own defensive magic would immediately activate and strip him of his Headmaster authority.
A Headmaster cannot intentionally harm a student; this is a rule written in Hogwarts: A History.
Because of this, Charle was not intimidated by Dumbledore's aura.
He sneered.
"Of course I know what I'm saying. If the Headmaster still doesn't understand, then I'll tell you one thing at a time."
"So, first of all..."
Charle waved his wand, and behind him, in the Slytherin Head of House office, Snape's arm was lifted.
Beneath the already slit sleeve, the incredibly conspicuous Dark Mark, a skull intertwined with a snake, was revealed.
Dumbledore's heart sank, and the next moment, Charle asked faintly.
"Severus Snape, Head of Slytherin, Hogwarts Potions Professor. When I was fighting him, I found the Dark Mark on his arm."
"According to the records I've read in books, this is the mark branded on the core followers of the Black Magic Lord, symbolizing the highest honor among the Death Eaters."
"In other words, Snape was a core member of the Death Eaters before. Regarding this, Headmaster Dumbledore, do you admit it?"
When Charle said these words, the little wizards of Hogwarts immediately exploded.
The first-year little wizards were ignorant and naive, most of them still didn't know what the Dark Mark and Death Eaters meant.
But they certainly knew the name of the Black Magic Lord.
Even the Muggle-born young wizards, after these past few days, had been thoroughly educated about the terror of the Black Magic Lord because of Harry Potter. This was an existence in the wizarding world whose name couldn't even be mentioned.
Now, according to Charle, Snape actually had the mark of a Death Eater on him?
The older students, even more so, collectively drew in a sharp breath.
They were much clearer than the younger wizards about what this mark and being a core member of the Death Eaters meant.
"A skull and a snake, is that really the Dark Mark?!"
"It must be, otherwise Snape would have washed it off, but he couldn't. Once the Dark Mark is branded, it's impossible to wash away!"
"He's really a Death Eater, and a core member at that. Why wasn't someone like him caught and sent to Azkaban? How is he still teaching at Hogwarts?!"
A clamor of discussion spread uncontrollably.
There were indeed rumors among the students that Snape was a Death Eater, but this was only circulated within a small range and without any evidence, so it hadn't caused any stir.
After all, this was Hogwarts with Dumbledore. How could there be a Death Eater? Everyone firmly believed this.
But now, the mark on Snape's hand shattered their trust.
Especially those students whose families had members who died after being attacked by Death Eaters or were previously harmed, they were now filled with righteous indignation.
Gryffindor's Neville Longbottom's face was flushed red, looking at that mark with uncontrollable disgust.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, is this true?"
"Is that the mark of a Death Eater? Why is there a Death Eater at Hogwarts, and he even became the Head of Slytherin?"
"How can this be? My parents, my parents were driven mad by Death Eaters!"
Questions like these rose and fell throughout Hogwarts.
A layer of gloom enveloped Dumbledore's heart.
Following Snape's mental breakdown caused by Charle, another unexpected event had occurred.
Snape's identity as a Death Eater was actually exposed by Charle in public?
This matter was truly troublesome.
You know, some things don't weigh much until they're put on the scale, but once they are, they can weigh a thousand pounds!
Before, although there were rumors about Snape's Death Eater identity, there was no concrete evidence, so out of respect for him, everyone turned a blind eye.
Now, this had been directly exposed, and it was impossible for others to pretend ignorance.
Dumbledore felt a headache coming on, still thinking about what kind of explanation to use to defend himself.
However, at this moment, Charle didn't give Dumbledore a chance to explain and stepped forward again to question him.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, do you know whether Snape is a Death Eater?"
"If you know, then you are deliberately concealing the fact that Snape was a core member of the Death Eaters, and without any relevant notification, you have placed Hogwarts under the threat of a Death Eater, and even allowed young wizards to be directly taught by a Death Eater."
"Then I would like to ask, what is your intention in knowing and not reporting?!"
"If you don't know that Snape is a Death Eater, then can I understand that under your leadership, there are serious loopholes in Hogwarts' assessment system for hiring personnel?"
"Snape is the Potions professor and even the Head of Slytherin. Such an important position, was there no check before hiring him? Was his Dark Mark not found?"
"Then I must ask even more, was it impossible to find, or was it not checked, or did Headmaster Dumbledore you simply know, but still choose to let Snape hold this position?"
"Is it incompetence, dereliction of duty, or is there another motive, Headmaster Dumbledore, how will you explain yourself?!"
Sharp words like knives and swords blocked Dumbledore's retreat one by one, causing fine beads of sweat to appear on Dumbledore's forehead, which was rare for him.
He forced himself to defend.
"Past identities cannot be a burden on the present."
"What's past is past. Snape is still responsible as the Potions professor and Head of Slytherin. I can assure you of that."
However, these words caused Charle to let out a sneer.
"Past events cannot affect the present?"
"Headmaster Dumbledore, what kind of stance allows you to say such words?"
"Past events have indeed solidly affected the present, and this influence is still ongoing."
"The crimes committed by those Death Eaters in the past have caused countless people here to lose their fathers or mothers, and some students even lost their parents because of the Black Magic Lord and the Death Eaters, becoming orphans."
"The crimes they committed in the past still leave the wizarding world with lingering fears. Countless people dare not recall that period, and the damage caused to the wizarding world has not been healed to this day."
"Yet you say that past events cannot be a burden on the present, that what's past is past?"
Charle looked at some of the students present whose eyes were red and fists were clenched tightly.
"I would like to ask the Headmaster to look at them, look at Neville Longbottom, whose parents were cruelly tortured to madness by Death Eaters using the Cruciatus Curse, look at Harry Potter, the boy who lived, but the price of living was that his parents sacrificed themselves that day to resist the Black Magic Lord and the Death Eaters..."
"Look at how many people here still harbor hatred and pain."
"Have the past events truly passed? Have the past crimes truly been forgiven? Headmaster, no matter how respected you are, what right do you have to forgive on their behalf?"
Charle asked Neville, Harry Potter, and the others.
"Do you forgive?"
Neville's eyes were bloodshot, Harry Potter's lightning-shaped scar on his forehead was throbbing as if it would explode, and many students who had lost loved ones because of the Death Eaters were gritting their teeth and growling.
"Don't forgive..."
"How could we possibly forgive these beasts!"
Dumbledore fell silent, completely thrown off balance.
But Charle didn't give him any time to collect his thoughts.
"Alright, regarding whether Snape's identity as a Death Eater makes him fit to teach and educate at Hogwarts, I believe we already have an answer."
"Now, let's move on to what you just said, Headmaster, about Snape doing quite well at Hogwarts."
Charle revealed a mocking smile.
"I truly didn't expect that seeing so many people applauding Snape being knocked to the ground, you, Headmaster, could actually say that Snape has done well."
"So, that means you were completely unaware of Snape's actions, is that right, Headmaster?"
"For so many years, Snape has used countless malicious words to insult, suppress, and ridicule young wizards."
"As long as they weren't Slytherin, no matter how excellent their potions were, it was difficult to get his approval. In fact, if he was in a bad mood or didn't like you, even if you made a perfect potion, you wouldn't get the points you deserved."
"And for students outside of Slytherin, losing points for no reason was simply commonplace, accompanied by insults to their intelligence and character."
"No recognition or praise, only suppression. Is this the behavior a professor should have?"
"I would also like to ask the Headmaster, besides the members of Slytherin House, how resilient must a young wizard be to maintain their enjoyment of Potions under such blows?"
"Then I can only say that he has done a truly excellent job of monopolizing Potions for Slytherin and making students from other houses lose interest in the subject."
"Is this what you mean, Headmaster, when you say Snape has done well in his position as a professor?"
Dumbledore opened his mouth, unable to say a word.
He was truly in the wrong.
Did he not know about the things Snape had done?
He truly knew, he just hadn't taken it seriously.
Before Charle caused such a stir, he hadn't imagined that Snape insulting a few students would cause such an uproar.
Anyway, no student had failed to graduate because of this so far, and Snape was his most capable pawn, so why upset Snape over such a small matter?
Charle's sneer grew even more pronounced.
"Also, Headmaster, you mentioned the harmonious, friendly, fair, and just atmosphere at Hogwarts."
"A joke, truly a huge joke."
"When has Hogwarts ever been harmonious and friendly?"
"Can you honestly say that house rivalry doesn't exist? How many young wizards who didn't even know each other before have inexplicably become enemies simply because they were sorted into houses with poor relations?"
"Have you thought of measures to resolve this?"
"No, you seem to think this is a tradition of Hogwarts, that it doesn't need to change, that you can let it be, and even think it's harmonious and friendly."
"And fairness and justice, that's even more of a joke!"
"Fair? Snape can deduct points from students arbitrarily, he can insult them at will, is that fair?"
"Just? Slytherin has won the House Cup for six consecutive years. Is it because Slytherin is far superior to other houses? I believe all the senior students and professors present understand what's going on. It's nothing more than Snape being able to add points to Slytherin at will and deduct points from houses that threaten Slytherin."
"Then I have to ask, the efforts of students from other houses for the House Cup are meaningless, while Slytherin can win the House Cup by doing nothing. It's one thing for this to happen once or twice, but now it's six consecutive times. Where is the fairness and justice?!"
"If this continues, who will still want to work hard for the House Cup? Everyone knows it's already decided for Slytherin. Whatever they do is just adding a little fun for Slytherin House and Snape!"
"I refuse to believe that no one has ever reported this problem. What measures have you taken, Headmaster Dumbledore?"
Charle's voice grew increasingly high-pitched.
"If you knew all this, then you are condoning Snape's actions, condoning insults, verbal abuse, psychological humiliation, condoning cheating, favoritism, condoning injustice, and tacitly allowing Snape to teach all the students at Hogwarts a life lesson – effort is useless, having someone behind you is the key to success!"
"Considering that Snape is a Death Eater yet still holds a high position at Hogwarts, I have reason to suspect there are huge hidden circumstances behind this, and reason to suspect there is a relationship of benefit transfer between you and Snape."
Dumbledore's face changed dramatically, and he vehemently denied it.
"Nonsense!"
Charle chuckled.
"Then you don't know about these situations?"
"Then I have to ask you even more, Headmaster Dumbledore, you haven't understood the situation of the school at all for so many years, and Snape has been doing whatever he wants. May I ask if you have been sidelined by him?"
"The most powerful wizard of this century, Headmaster of Hogwarts, Chief Mugwump of the Wizengamot, holder of the Order of Merlin – Albus Dumbledore..."
"What exactly have you been doing during your many years as Headmaster of Hogwarts?"
"Have you protected the psychological health of the students?"
"Have you ensured fairness among the houses?"
"Under your leadership, has Hogwarts become a haven for seeking knowledge and learning, or has it become a breeding ground for school bullying, discrimination, prejudice, and injustice?!"
As Charle spoke passionately, the entire Hogwarts was silent.
Then a hat, seemingly out of nowhere, fell and landed in front of Charle.
A sudden inspiration struck Charle, and he instinctively reached out, pulling a jeweled, ornate, and gleaming sword from the Sorting Hat.
The Sword of Gryffindor, symbolizing the courage of Hogwarts students to resist authority and fight injustice.
It would not only appear before Gryffindors but also before any student who displayed this precious courage.
And at this moment, it revealed itself before Charle!
Charle held the Sword of Gryffindor, its blade pointed directly at Dumbledore.
"Just now you said you were going to punish me?"
"Sorry, until you explain these matters clearly, I do not acknowledge or agree that you have any right to punish anyone!"
"Because the facts prove that you are either biased or incompetent, neither of which qualifies you to judge others!"
"Until you announce your own punishment, you—have no right to judge me!"
-----------
Machine Translation by: https:// randomtranslator.com/
Read 777+ original & fanfic translations in English, Español, Português, Deutsch, Français, or Русский at: https:// randomtranslator.com/
Join our Discord: https:// discord.gg/NSWvfN7vua
-----------