Dumbledore looked up sharply from his desk. "How many students went to the Hospital Wing?"

"22," Professor McGonagall replied, through pursed lips.

"Most will be out shortly," Professor Slughorn added hastily, moping his forehead, "Their injuries aren't serious, but Madam Pomfrey was a little overwhelmed by the sudden number of patients…naturally had to focus on the more seriously injured ones first…naturally…I expect most of them will be out before we leave here. So…" he shrugged sheepishly.

"And how many were seriously injured?" Dumbledore asked coolly.

"5," McGonagall said. "Potter got it worst. Madam Pomfrey said if she hadn't gotten to him when she did, he might have bled to death within a few minutes."

"I almost thought he had," Slughorn said, moping his forehead again, "I've never seen so much blood…I can't even imagine what spell caused those injuries."

Dumbledore shook his head heavily. "Do either of you know who caused them?"

They shook their heads.

"Now, the fight this morning…were Potter and his friends the cause of it?"

"I can vouch for them, Albus," McGonagall said firmly, "The Marauders were all eating breakfast when the fight started. I was too. They heard the noise and went to investigate. They joined the fighting before I was able to get there," she added bitterly.

"Then who started the fight?"

McGonagall eyed Professor Slughorn, who said, shamefaced, "Avery, Mulciber, and Malfoy were mocking a Hufflepuff."

"One of the McLean twins," McGonagall said, "Second Years. Muggleborns."

"I suspected as much," Dumbledore said grimly, "and I also suspect the Slytherin boys were doing worse than merely 'mocking' someone."

Slughorn mumbled, "Anyway…one word led to another and the next thing anyone knows, wands are out, and spells are getting thrown everywhere. And then, of course, everyone in the Great Hall heard the ruckus. Some came over to watch, some tried to leave and got caught in the crossfire, some joined in for the fun of it, some joined in to help their friends, some tried to get everyone to stop…"

"And 22 of them ended up needing medical attention," Dumbledore said.

"Nobody seems to know who cast the first spell," Slughorn went on, "the McLean boy says it was Avery, the Slytherins swear McLean started it…I'm not sure who's lying. It could be nobody's lying, maybe they all genuinely believe the other side started it…"

"Given the fact that Avery, Malfoy, and Mulciber have all been involved in many incidents of bullying in this term alone, whereas McLean has a clean record—"

When things like this happened, Slughorn always felt a surge of shame for the disgrace others were bringing to the house he had always been proud to belong to. "I know, Minerva, I know. Between the two, the Slytherin boys are the more likely instigators."

"Horace, this behavior has got to stop," Dumbledore said sternly. "I try not to be biased against any house at Hogwarts, but the fact remains the worst fights and bullying in the past few years have all been caused by students in Slytherin. This cannot continue."

"Do you think I don't know that?" Slughorn cried, feeling that surge of shame yet again. "I dock points and give detentions to everyone I catch breaking the rules, Slytherin or not, but they don't care! I think some of them are hoping they'll get expelled so they can join You-Know-Who that much sooner!"

Dumbledore nodded. "I understand the difficulties. But we must keep trying. If we give up, they will only grow bolder and that will lead to more violence. And speaking of which, Minerva, I'm concerned that, with Potter in the Hospital Wing, the other Marauders will be plotting revenge."

"I'll speak to them."

"I enjoy a good prank as much as the next man. But I fear any retaliatory pranks–or worse—pulled by the Marauders will only cause the Slytherins to seek their own revenge, and soon the fight we saw this morning will be merely a prelude instead of an isolated incident. Make sure they understand this."

"I will."

Professor Slughorn snorted, "Oh, they'll understand what Minerva tells them, all right! But that won't stop them, you mark my words!"