Harry's heart sinks, faster than he'd just dived. Although the figure is still quite far from where his flying class is, Harry can clearly see that the approaching man is none other than Professor Dumbledore himself. And there's an obvious aura surrounding the legendary wizard.
Professor Dumbledore doesn't appear menacing. He always has that warm smile dons on his face at all time. One look at him and you know that he was born to be a great headmaster to a great wizarding school. But Harry knows better not to be deceived by still waters …
He got to his feet hastily while his classmates scurry to take their previous positions. He can feel the trembles in his legs. Harry believes it is the effect of the presence of the great Professor Dumbledore.
Everyone stands still without another sound. As if he's gliding, Professor Dumbledore moves elegantly across the open field straight towards Harry, adding more to Harry's fear. Now that the great wizard stands before him, Harry can't help but feel so little and so insignificant.
"May I ask …?" says Professor Dumbledore politely, addressing the whole class, "where is Madam Hooch?"
A Gryffindor girl bravely raises her shaking hand up. "She – I MEAN – Madam Hooch is at the hospital wing with Neville Longbottom, sir," she speaks with great tremble in her voice.
Professor Dumbledore smiles at the girl. "Thank you for answering me, Miss Patil. If that is the case, it is safe for me to assume that all of you have been assigned not to play with your broom, let alone fly one. Is my assumption wrong, Mr Potter?"
Harry's body becomes rigid. His body is experiencing tremendous shock after being singled out by the headmaster, yet Harry tries his best to answer the professor without sounding like a guilty party. "No, Professor. Madam Hooch did tell us not to play with the brooms."
"So, it seems …" Then, Professor Dumbledore looks at Harry directly in the eyes, and Harry swears he sees a soft smirk on the professor's lips.
"But professor!" Ginny suddenly decides to come forward. "It wasn't Harry's fault, professor! It was Montague's fault! Harry didn't do anything –"
"Are you saying Mr Potter didn't fly his broomstick while Madam Hooch is away?" asks Professor Dumbledore firmly.
Ginny instantly lowers her gaze and shakes her head. "No… Harry did fly his broom …" Ginny apologetically answers as she glances at Harry. "BUT – he only did so because Montague took something of Neville. Harry was only trying to take Neville's Remembrall back from him."
Upon hearing that, the whole class unanimously nods their heads to support Ginny's claim. As Harry looks around gratefully at his loyal classmates, he notices Montague's murderous look at Ginny. Harry sighs quietly and shakes his head. I guess he won't let this go, ever. What a knob.
"HE STARTED FIRST!" Montague dashes forward to defend his name. "Potter started the whole thing! He's the one who took the Remembrall! You can check his hand!"
Nobody says another word.
"… Professor Dumbledore," Harry carefully breaks the silence between them. The headmaster doesn't say anything in reply but keenly stares at Harry, causing Harry to be more a nerve-wreck than he was before. "I'm sorry, professor… I – I didn't mean to cause trouble to anyone today."
Professor Dumbledore contemplates for a moment, then he says, "On that note, Mr Potter, I want you to come with me." He turns to look at Ginny. "And you as well, Miss Weasley. If you both don't mind." He gives his signature smile at Ginny, which, by the look on her face, fails to respond likewise.
Both Harry and Ginny look at each other, worried of what Professor Dumbledore would do to them as a punishment. They dejectedly put down their brooms onto the grass and obediently follows the headmaster from behind while their classmates watch. Harry catches sight of Montague's and his cronies' triumphant faces (he quickly rolls his eyes at the ugly sight), and a glimpse of Draco's, and only disappointment he sees on that thin, pale face. Harry sighs soundly, feeling even more discouraged.
"Are we …" Ginny hesitantly asks, "… in trouble, sir? What about Montague, sir?"
"Don't you worry about Mr Montague, dear Miss Weasley. Madam Hooch will know what to do with him precisely, better than I would do to him." And then, Professor Dumbledore winks at Harry.
Harry is more puzzled than ever. But Harry knows for sure now: Professor Dumbledore is indeed mad as rumoured by Uncle Sirius.
