Diffindo and Stupefy

Soon all the students had to go leave the Great Hall to take their last exams. So Harry, Ron, Hermione, and the rest of the 6th year Gryffindors headed to Professor Flitwick's classroom. Maybe it was the joy from the news in the Daily Prophet, but all the Gryffindors felt as though they did extremely well on the exam. Maybe it was that they could look up and gleefully see the fury on the Slytherins' faces. Anyway, the trio left the class in very high spirits.

"I should have studied more, but I think I did really well!" said Ron, stretching.

"Did you see the look on Malfoy's face?" gloated Harry as they turned the corner. Then the trio found themselves face to face with Malfoy's face, and he did indeed look very livid.

"Think it's funny do you? That our fathers are now in prison?" Malfoy spat. Crabbe and Goyle looked menacing on either side of their leader.

"No Malfoy, we don't think it's funny. We just think it's justified that men as evil as they are finally got their comeuppances," said Hermione coolly.

"Shut the hell up, you filthy Mudblood!" Malfoy retorted.

"No need to insult Hermione, Malfoy. It won't help daddy at all," replied Ron.

"Screw you, Weasel!" yelled Malfoy as he whipped out his wand. "I'll curse you all!"

"Do your worst! Maybe you'll land yourself in Azkaban with your daddy!" taunted Harry.

Malfoy was enraged, but didn't dare to curse anyone. "I won't curse the crap out of you now, but when the Dark Lord is back in power, that will be my privilege!"

"When are you going to learn that the good guys always win, Malfoy? You better switch alliances now, because your side is losing," said Harry.

"Now get out of here, before I hex you!" ordered Ron. Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle stared at the trio furiously. Impatient that they didn't move, Ron aimed his wand at Malfoy's bookbag and shouted, "Diffindo!" Malfoy was ready for him though, and performed the Shield Charm. Ron's spell deflected him and hit him square in the face. He stumbled backward and was knocked out. Then Malfoy yelled, "STUPEFY!" His spell hit Hermione, who slammed against the wall then collapsed, unconscious.

Harry watched Hermione fall in horror. Then enraged, he turned on Malfoy, "Get out of here or you'll really pay!" Malfoy was just about to say another curse when Harry yelled, "Quietus!" Suddenly the Slytherin could emit no sound, so his curse was in vain.

Then Harry heard footsteps running toward him. Professors Flitwick and McGonagal appeared, looking quite shocked.

"Boys! What is going on?" Demanded McGonagal.

"It was Malfoy!" Harry blurted. "He stupefied Ron and Hermione! I had to quiet his voice before he stupefied me!"

Malfoy was trying to protest, but he was still mute. McGonagal pointed her wand at him and said, "Sonorus," so that he could speak. He turned on Harry.

"I did not stupefy Ron, you liar! I only deflected his diffindo charm! He tried to break my bookbag for no reason!"

"You insulted Hermione! That was the reason!"

"BOYS!" yelled McGonagal. She interrogated Malfoy, who not only looked really guilty, but also had direct ties to a dark criminal. "Malfoy! Did you stupefy Miss Granger or not? I will be happy to test you with Verisatum."

Malfoy glowered at her before replying spitefully, "Yes, I did."

Professor Flitwick had revived Hermione with the enervating charm, but she had hit her head against the wall and wasn't very responsive. "She's alright, Minerva, but I think she had a mild concussion."

"Did you stupefy Mr. Weasley?"

"No, I did not. He tried to split my bag with a diffindo charm, but I used the shield charm in self-defense and it deflected back at him. He isn't stunned. You can check him." Malfoy tried to plead his case calmly.

"His diffindo charm hit him, eh? Professor Flitwick, check him," McGonagal requested of her colleague. Tiny old Flitwick bustled over to Ron's crumpled figure. "Enervate!" he said, but Ron didn't stir. Flitwick looked back up at McGonagal and shook his head. She asked of Harry, "Is Mr. Malfoy's story true, Harry?"

Harry was reluctant to reply, but he didn't want to lie about his friend's condition, so he admitted Malfoy was telling the truth.

"Very well. However, Malfoy, you did stun Miss Granger. It's Christmas break, so I can't give you detention, but I will speak with the headmaster and take 50 points from Slytherin. I will not have you attacking students. Mind you, Mr. Malfoy, it is very unwise what with your father… Well, hurry along back to the Slytherin common room, you too Mr. Goyle, Mr. Crabbe. Professor Flitwick, we should take Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger to the hospital wing immediately. Mr. Potter, you will want to accompany them, am I right? Well then, Mobilicorpus! Let's go!"