socalfunplaces Chapter 62 Darendall's Apology
Chapter 62 Darendall's Apology
Chapter 62 Darendall's Apology
Karen gently poked at the fried egg on his plate with his silver fork, the golden yolk flowing out and forming a small lake on the pristine white porcelain. He was still lost in thought about the Selwyn family.
"Why were you so distracted during breakfast today, Karen?" Fabian adjusted his round-framed glasses, his face showing genuine concern. His fingers tapped lightly on the rim of his pumpkin juice glass, producing a crisp sound. "So, Professor McGonagall didn't actually make you stay up all night working on files, did she?"
"Maybe it'll be worse," Wesley mumbled, his mouth full of sausage, his reddish-brown curls bouncing dramatically with his movements. "Make Karen copy the school rules a hundred times? Or double the amount of Transfiguration homework she'll ever have?"
Ernesto elegantly sliced a piece of smoked fish, glanced warily at Wesley, then stared at the entrance to the Great Hall like a vigilant owl: "You think Karen is you? But more than that, I'm curious whether Selwyn dares to show his face today. I heard someone saw him returning to the Slytherin common room on crutches last night."
Just then, the noise in the Great Hall suddenly subsided. Ernesto's knife froze in mid-air, Wesley even forgot to chew, and Fabian's glasses slipped down to his nose. Karen felt a jolt of premonition run down her spine. She slowly looked up as Darendall Selwyn, leaning on his snake-headed cane, trudged into the Great Hall. His pale face was flushed with an unnatural blush, and the outline of bandages was faintly visible beneath his expensive robes. The three lackeys following behind him were equally wretched; the once arrogant Slytherins now resembled defeated roosters.
"Merlin's stinky socks—" Wesley exclaimed, a sausage falling back onto his plate from his gaping mouth. "They look worse than I imagined!"
The entire Great Hall fell silent. Everyone held their breath, watching as the Slytherins walked towards their long table.
Instead, she walked straight through the central aisle toward Ravenclaw. Cullen noticed that Cedric at the Hufflepuff table had a slight frown, while Snape at the teachers' table had a terribly grim expression, Professor McGonagall had a frown, and Professor Flitwick was also watching closely.
Karen felt his heart pounding in his chest. Although Castor had informed him of the outcome beforehand, seeing the arrogant pure-blooded young master walking towards him in such a disheveled state still gave him a sense of unreality. Karen then calmed his heartbeat and quietly tightened his grip on his wand, ready to deal with any possible surprise attack.
Selwyn stopped three steps away from the Ravenclaw table. Karen noticed his fingers were gripping his cane tightly.
His knuckles were white, and his lips trembled uncontrollably. The contempt he once held in his eyes was gone, replaced by a deep-seated fear and humiliation.
"Hawthorne—" Selwyn began, his voice hoarse as if he had swallowed a handful of shards of glass. He took a deep breath, then suddenly pulled a roll of parchment with silver edges from his robes, presenting it to Karen with both hands. "On behalf of the Selwyn family—I extend my greetings to you."
These words were like a bomb dropped into the Great Hall. A few gasps came from the Gryffindor table, a student spilled pumpkin juice at Hufflepuff, and even Snape at the teachers' table abruptly put down his glass, a dangerous glint in his dark eyes.
Karen didn't immediately take the parchment. He calmly gazed into Selwyn's bloodshot eyes, eyes in which he saw no genuine remorse, only the pain of forced submission. In that moment, he suddenly understood the true meaning of Castor's words, "Fear is more useful than respect."
"Why?" Karen asked calmly, his voice just loud enough for everyone around to hear. He deliberately slowed his speech, making each word echo clearly in the silent auditorium.
Selwyn's Adam's apple bobbed, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He looked around and saw countless eyes fixed on him, their gazes like countless sharp swords piercing his pride. "Because of our improper behavior—my father said—said—" his voice trailed off, almost a whisper, "that we must obtain your forgiveness."
Karen took the parchment and slowly unfolded it. The parchment listed the compensation in ornate calligraphy, each item followed by exaggerated praise. But when his gaze fell on the specific contents, his pupils involuntarily contracted slightly—1. Black Forest Alchemy Workshop, Germany (including complete equipment and three years' worth of raw materials).
2. Two thousand Galleons in cash compensation. 3. The complete twelve-volume set of the Ancient Runic Codex. 4. Any thirty books from the Selwyn family collection. 5. Valuable magical materials such as unicorn horns and dragon blood (Swedish short-nosed dragons). Is this the compensation from a pure-blooded family? They're certainly rich! Karen thought to himself, looking up at the teachers' table.
Professor Flitwick was giving him a thumbs up, while Professor McGonagall's expression was complex and hard to decipher.
"Why not just go directly to Professor Eisenberg?" Karen suddenly asked.
Selwyn's face turned deathly pale, as if he'd been punched in the chest. His lips trembled, and a flash of humiliated anger crossed his eyes, quickly replaced by fear. "We—my father has contacted him," he said, his voice strained through clenched teeth, "He said—he'll only stop when he receives your personal forgiveness."
The whispers in the auditorium instantly rose. Karen could feel countless gazes burning down his back, some filled with shock...
There were those who admired him, and of course, those who were hostile. Especially at the Slytherin table, several upperclassmen had already stood up, their faces terribly grim.
"I need time to consider." Karen tucked the parchment into the inner pocket of her robe, her voice calm but firm. "I will give you an answer this afternoon."
Selwin nodded as if he had been saved, and nearly tripped over his cane as he turned. His followers scrambled to catch him, and the group fled towards the Slytherin table, with students automatically making way for them as if they had been infected with some kind of plague.
Once the Slytherins were seated, the murmurs in the Great Hall erupted, the sound almost lifting the dome.
"Merlin's beard!" Wesley exclaimed excitedly, grabbing Karen's shoulders and shaking her. His blue eyes gleamed with excitement. "Did you see Selwyn's expression? Like he'd just swallowed a live, wriggling toad!"
Fabian pushed up his glasses with concern, his brown eyes behind the lenses filled with worry: "Isn't this pushing too far? The Selwyn family is, after all, one of the Twenty-Eight Holy Families. My father always said that a cornered snake is the most dangerous."
"Past?" Ernesto sneered, his gray eyes flashing with a sharp light. "The Selwyn family is no good. During the time of Mystic, they persecuted many half-bloods and Muggle-born wizards." His voice suddenly lowered, carrying the cold sarcasm unique to nobles. "An eye for an eye, that's the law that pure-blood families understand. Now they've just encountered someone stronger than themselves."
Karen silently stirred the pumpkin juice in his glass. The orange liquid swirled, forming a vortex, much like his chaotic thoughts; he was unsure whether he should accept the apology so readily.
"I need to speak with Professor Eisenberg." He suddenly stood up, his robes billowing in the breeze. "See you in the History of Magic class this afternoon."