"Depulso!"
Lynn reacted with lightning speed, knocking away a piece of rubble flying in from an unexpected angle.
He frowned, sensing that the situation was starting to spiral out of control.
Immediately, he cast a precise Disarming Charm with a backhand flick: "Expelliarmus!"
A flash of red light shot out; a Slytherin boy attempting a sneak attack felt his hand lighten as his wand flew into Lynn's grasp.
Lynn muttered silently: 'What the hell? They're calling for backup? If you can't win, you gang up?'
Two Slytherin students charged side-by-side toward Lynn, Edgar, and the later-joining William and Ollie. Lynn pointed his wand forward:
"Torrential Impact!"
A highly compressed, rotating stream of water shot out like a coiling dragon. The powerful blast knocked the two students over instantly, sending them tumbling to the ground.
Lynn didn't hold back, following up with two "Tongue Twisters," leaving them able to only emit chaotic "yi-yi-ya-ya" syllables for a short time—completely unable to cast spells clearly.
He gave a silent thumbs up: 'This is much more useful than Langlock. No counter-curse, no undoing. Peace and quiet!'
Just as he finished dealing with those two, two more spells—resembling Locomotor Mortis and Tarantallegra—shot toward him.
Lynn was puzzled: 'Why is all the fire concentrated on me? Why aren't they hitting Edgar and the others? Just because I took the most wands?'
"Protego!"
A barrier rose instantly before him. The two incoming spells struck it with a crisp clang like colliding metal before dissipating.
Not one to simply endure, Lynn counterattacked immediately: "Expelliarmus! Expelliarmus!"
Two more wands flew from their owners' hands, and he caught them smoothly. He was now clutching four or five wands, looking like a wand peddler.
Lynn tried to regain control, shouting to the few remaining Slytherins: "Have you had enough? Are we still fighting?"
No sooner had he spoken than—Bang!—another Stupefy slammed into his active Shield Charm, causing a ripple.
Lynn: '…Wait, I was just being polite, and you actually attacked?'
He was slightly annoyed. His wand flicked rapidly, and a smooth combo sequence formed instantly:
"Flipendo!" The Slytherin was knocked back."Leviosa!" Good news, Lynn caught him."Descendo!" Bad news, Lynn slammed him down.
The student who ignored the warning floated half a meter into the air, then was violently pulled sideways and slammed onto the solid ground with a dull thud, curling up in pain.
Lynn's gaze swept over the remaining two or three Slytherins still standing. Calmly, he asked: "Are we still fighting?"
The few stared at their classmates groaning on the ground, then at the handful of wands in Lynn's hands. Faces pale with terror, they shook their heads. Only a fool would keep fighting; the consequences were obvious.
A cold voice cut through the tension.
"What are you doing?!"
Snape arrived silently, like a massive shadow, his black robes billowing behind him. His dark gaze swept over the students lying on the ground—mostly Slytherins—before settling on Lynn and his group, clearly at the center of the conflict.
Almost simultaneously, another urgent voice rang out: "Can anyone tell me what happened here?"
Professor McGonagall hurried over, her expression grim, eyes sharp behind her spectacles.
"Professor, it was like this…" Lynn seized the opportunity, stepping forward to recount the events objectively: from Caro's rejected attempt to buy the broom, to his insults, Edgar's angry retort, and finally the other party drawing their wands first.
He didn't exaggerate but emphasized the insulting term "mudblood" and that the other side had cast the first offensive spells.
McGonagall's face darkened further as she heard "mudblood," her lips thinning into a tight line.
Before she could judge, Snape suddenly moved. He spun, staring at Caro, still groaning on the ground, eyes burning with fury.
"'Mudblood'!?"
Snape's voice was low, but carried a terrifying weight. "How dare you… openly use such a filthy, despicable word in the corridors of Hogwarts?
Mr. Cass, has your upbringing been done by a Troll? Or do you think your shallow family background gives you the privilege to insult others at will?
The honor of Slytherin has been completely disgraced by your foolish behavior!"
Caro, expecting support, was stunned into silence, lying on the ground, a mask of shock and disbelief. Wait, aren't we on the same side? Why is he scolding me?
Snape swept his gaze over all the Slytherins involved, his presence freezing them, and announced through gritted teeth:
"Due to Mr. Cass's extremely rude and foolish remarks, and all of your participation in a corridor brawl, Slytherin will lose… five points! Now, all of you, follow me!"
He actually deducted points from his own house. Ignoring their expressions of despair, he swept his robes and led the defeated captives away.
Professor McGonagall, seeing the matter resolved, left as well, after sternly warning Lynn and the others not to let it happen again, and instructing them to return the confiscated wands to the students under Madam Pomfrey's care.
A hesitant voice broke the quiet.
Lynn and the others looked toward the shadow of a pillar, where a pale, platinum-blonde Slytherin freshman lingered.
"Are you… Draco Malfoy?"
Lynn recognized him—after all, the House of Malfoy was famous. Raising the handful of wands he hadn't yet returned, Lynn asked teasingly:
"Is there something you need? Surely you're not looking for a fight too?"
Edgar and the others immediately became wary.
"No, no!" Malfoy waved his hands, forcing a friendly expression. "I just… wanted to talk about that broom in your hand." He paused, trying to sound sincere. "I'll offer a price that will satisfy you."
Lynn's interest piqued; he was curious what kind of price the young master of the wealthy Malfoy family could offer.
"How much?" Lynn asked bluntly.
"1,000 Galleons."
Lynn's eyes widened slightly. Good lord, these Pure-blood families are truly wealthy. For a novelty toy, they spend what a normal wizard earns in months… even a year?
Malfoy noticed Lynn's expression and clenched his teeth. How could such a cool, powerful, and safe broom be worth only 1,000 Galleons?
"2,000 Galleons!"
Malfoy practically spat out the doubled price. The calm expression he'd forced was nearly cracking—anyone could see the strain of parting with such a large sum. If he hadn't been captivated by the broom's intelligence and power, and if he hadn't thought it would leave Potter's Nimbus 2000 in the dust, he never would have offered so much.
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