A Certain Magical Hogwarts

Bullying in schools is always a sensitive and challenging issue, and ostracizing a student is perhaps one of the most common forms.

While Gryffindor boasts about unity and friendship, Ravenclaw claims to welcome "eccentric minds," and Slytherin prides itself on noble pure-blood heritage, the house that truly excels at supporting its members is Hufflepuff. 

The camaraderie among the Hufflepuffs is well-known, especially among the boys, making Cedric's straight-laced orientation a rare exception.

Most of the group didn't notice anything unusual about Hermione's behavior. They were still young and less aware of these social dynamics, and none knew Hermione well enough yet. 

But William had a pretty good idea of what had happened last night—probably something she said that didn't sit well with her roommates.

He could guess her lines almost verbatim:

"I spent the summer memorizing the entire textbook. How about you?"

"I successfully practiced several spells already!"

"I know all about that! I read about several examples just like it in Hogwarts, A History…"

William chuckled to himself, imagining a "Hermione's Best Quotes" collection, which he could someday use to tease her once she'd grown up a bit.

Oblivious, Hermione was happily eating her pineapple pastry, unaware of the social trouble she was in.

"By the way, Hermione, how did you find your way here this morning?" George asked.

"Uh… I just followed some upperclassmen," Hermione replied. "Why?"

"Are you sure you don't want a map of Hogwarts?" Fred said, seizing the opportunity. "You can follow the crowd to the Great Hall, but you'll be on your own to find your classes. Better not get lost!"

George pulled out a map with a flourish.

The twins were getting desperate for sales, pitching the map to everyone they saw. They were even planning to target some of the professors. Professor Quirrell did look like he'd get lost without one.

"No thanks!" Hermione said, shaking her head and lifting her chin slightly. "I'm sure I'll have no problem memorizing the layout on my own. I don't need a map!"

"I sometimes can't stand Gryffindors," Fred muttered, rolling his eyes.

Everyone burst out laughing.

Gryffindors could be pretty stubborn, and it seemed that newly sorted Hermione already fit the stereotype perfectly.

Still, William offered to point out the way on the map, and Hermione made a mental note of the directions, determined to finish breakfast and get to her assignments.

"Wait… it's the first day. What assignments?" Cho asked, looking puzzled.

"Oh, I assigned it," William said with a grin. "It's not just her; I gave Neville some assignments, too. They studied with me over the summer."

Everyone gave William and Hermione odd looks, though no one seemed to remember Neville.

Hermione didn't seem to mind and still planned to head to the library first thing, alone.

Everyone agreed that the Sorting Hat might have made a mistake putting her in Gryffindor. Ravenclaw seemed a much better fit for her.

At that moment, Cedric put a massive dollop of ketchup on his sandwich, which already had a strange mix of Lao Gan Ma sauce, butter, milkshake, and now ketchup, along with a few layers of bacon and cheese all stuffed between slices of bread.

William wrinkled his nose, recoiling.

"Want some?" Cedric offered to Cho.

She quickly shook her head; she didn't even want to look at it.

Without missing a beat, Cedric took a big bite of his monstrosity of a sandwich. 

He chewed a few times before his face turned green, and his cheeks puffed out.

William conjured a trash can and handed it over, motioning for Cedric to get rid of it.

Professor McGonagall approached the table with her usual stern expression.

"We didn't do anything," George said, raising his hands in mock innocence. "Cedric just decided to try his hand at 'experimental' cooking."

"Or maybe there's something wrong with the Hogwarts food!" Fred added loudly.

"That's impossible!" Professor McGonagall snapped. "You've snuck into the kitchens so many times and never gotten sick. Don't think I'm not aware of it…"

The twins exchanged shocked glances.

Noticing Hermione studying while eating breakfast, McGonagall's expression softened.

"Don't let me catch you causing trouble, or else…"

They nodded vigorously, feigning innocence.

McGonagall turned and headed toward the head table for her breakfast.

As soon as her back was turned, Fred whipped out a "Blooming Firecracker," tossing it into the air.

George, wielding a stick like a Beater's bat, hit the firecracker mid-air with perfect accuracy, sending it sailing in a graceful arc right into a large jug of milk on the Slytherin table.

With a fizz and a bang, the milk exploded, creating a milk-splattered disaster across the Slytherin table.

Malfoy, who had been showing off his new French-imported robe to Crabbe and Goyle, was now drenched in milk.

Malfoy's hands shook, and for a brief moment, he looked as if he was considering quitting school on the spot. This was open bullying, everyone was out to get him!

With a flick of his wand, William transformed George's stick into a harmless cup. Then, before Professor McGonagall could notice, they all bolted from the scene.

As they scattered from the Great Hall, Hermione headed alone to the library.

The first class of the day was Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall, so William and Cho made their way to the classroom, Boba tea following leisurely behind.

For Boba tea, being Professor McGonagall's "designated classroom cat" had its perks. 

It enjoyed the same treatment as Hogwarts' assistant teachers, receiving food during holidays, even special cat food.

It had grown accustomed to its "working life" at Hogwarts.

But with Boba tea's increasing age, William was beginning to think it was time to have him neutered before he started acting up.

Especially since the only other cat at Hogwarts was Mrs. Norris.

The two of them were often seen sneaking into the bushes together, and William wouldn't be surprised if rumors started circulating.

If anything scandalous did happen, Filch would probably kill him.

And not gently, either.

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