Hogwarts' John Wick

"Neville, I hope you won't keep your head down during class." 

In Transfiguration class, Neville was called out by Professor McGonagall. 

They were learning cross-species transfiguration, but Neville seemed lost in thought. When he was named, he only lowered his head even further. 

Hermione, unable to bear it, whispered, "Professor, Neville has been feeling a bit down lately." 

Professor McGonagall gave Hermione a sharp look and said sternly, "Miss Granger, feeling down is not an excuse for turning a guinea fowl into a wooden mouse in my class." 

She was as strict as ever, making the students immediately straighten up. 

But in the end, McGonagall was still a soft-hearted person. After scolding Harry and Ron, who were mock-dueling with fake wands, she cleared her throat and addressed the class before dismissal. 

"I have a few words to say to all of you." 

"The Yule Ball is approaching. This is a Triwizard Tournament tradition and a great opportunity for us to interact with our foreign guests." 

"The ball is open only to students in fourth year and above, though you may invite a younger student if you wish." 

As McGonagall spoke, Lavender Brown let out a loud, silly giggle. 

Parvati quickly elbowed her, signaling that McGonagall was still watching. 

Though in truth, Parvati herself was struggling not to burst out laughing. 

Because both of them had the same face in mind.

"You are required to wear your dress robes," Professor McGonagall continued, pretending not to notice the two girls' antics. "The ball will take place in the Great Hall on Christmas night at eight o'clock and will end at midnight." 

Hermione seemed lost in thought, staring off into space. 

"Now, the Yule Ball will give us a chance to, well, let our hair down and relax a little." 

The moment McGonagall finished speaking, Harry's eyes instinctively landed on the tight bun at the back of her head. 

It seemed that for Professor McGonagall, simply letting her hair down was already a rather scandalous act. 

"But that does not mean we will relax our expectations for Hogwarts students' behavior." McGonagall's sharp gaze swept across the students. "If any Gryffindor student disgraces the school in any way, I will be most distressed." 

The old deputy headmistress tried to phrase it as tactfully as possible, but she knew, as children raised in the current generation, the students were quite mature for their age. 

Especially the girls—while students in her generation were still busy cramming for exams, they were already discussing which boys were the most attractive. 

They thought about the Durmstrang boys with their strong, muscular builds and the Beauxbatons boys with their gentlemanly manners. 

The boys were a little slower to catch on, but they too had started discussing which girls were the prettiest. 

Harry was asked to stay behind by Professor McGonagall. 

Meanwhile, Hermione spotted Neville, who was radiating a heavy, brooding aura, and quickly ran to catch up with him. 

"Neville, are you okay?" she asked worriedly, looking at his pale expression.

Neville forced a smile and said, "Hermione, I'm fine." 

"Really?" Hermione asked skeptically. "Did something happen? I saw you with Malfoy the other day..." 

Malfoy had bullied Neville before, but after Neville joined the Constellation Society, the two of them had stopped fighting. 

But just two days ago, she had seen Neville snatch the sword from the suit of armor and furiously chase after Malfoy. 

"..Maybe I did something wrong," Neville muttered in confusion. He had no idea what was happening. He had asked others, but all he received in return was cold indifference and mockery. 

He couldn't stand it anymore. 

He had once been a timid boy, bullied by Malfoy in their first year. 

After joining the Constellation Society, he and Malfoy had let go of their past grudges, and with John's help, Neville had found confidence. 

He truly liked the Constellation Society, but now, everyone treated him with indifference. 

It was driving him to the brink of madness. 

He could have endured the darkness, but the warmth of the sunlight had made him reluctant to let it go. 

Hermione wanted to comfort Neville, but he simply lowered his head and turned away. 

As he walked off, he accidentally bumped into a suit of armor.

Armor: Ow! Can't you watch where you are going? Blind oaf. Hmph! 

... 

"The Yule Ball?"

John had also heard about the ball. 

But hearing it from Snape made it sound like he was discussing how to dissect a disgusting slug and toss it into a cauldron. 

It seemed their Head of House had been single for over thirty years. 

For some reason, Daphne was sitting a bit farther away from John today. 

She was whispering with her best friend, Pansy, probably discussing the ball. 

Malfoy teased, "John, who are you inviting?" 

"Heh~ I'm not a Champion, so I don't have to find a partner," John replied, shaking his head. He had no intention of dancing—mostly because he rarely did. 

Unless one counted a bunch of drunk men flailing around like lunatics, in which case, the last time he had danced was when he was a kid at his grandfather's house with gunshots as music. 

Malfoy's smirk stiffened. 

'Why are you making it hard for me mate!'

He glanced subtly in Pansy's direction, only to see her making a throat-slitting gesture. 

"Ehm.." Swallowing nervously, Malfoy forced himself to casually ask, "But this is a tradition that hasn't happened in a century. Wouldn't it be a shame not to dance?" 

"Good point." John stroked his chin thoughtfully. 

Just as Malfoy breathed a sigh of relief, John asked with complete seriousness, "So, you're going to dance?" 

"Uh… no… I mean… fine, I'll go." Malfoy had wanted to deny it, but when he turned his head, he saw that Daphne—who had been chatting with Pansy—was now staring straight at them.

He didn't know Legilimency, but he could read the message in those eyes.

"Do you want to die?"

No, I don't!

Malfoy struggled internally.

John asked in genuine surprise, "So, who are you inviting?"

He figured Malfoy would most likely ask Pansy.

"A-Astoria." Malfoy's voice grew quieter.

"What the..?!" John's eyes widened in shock. "Aren't you supposed to invite Pansy?"

Perhaps his surprise was too obvious, because Malfoy looked even more guilty, his expression unnatural as he muttered, "I'm gonna invite Astoria Greengrass. Why do I have to invite Pansy?"

"Aren't you childhood friends?" John said matter-of-factly. "You even got jealous over her in second year."

"I did NOT!" Malfoy reacted like a cat that had its tail stepped on. Seeing John's calm expression, he finally admitted in frustration, "Fine! I did have a crush on her at first, but then I realized—she just sees me as a tool!"

Malfoy huffed angrily. "She spends money like crazy and always makes me carry her stuff. Since when has this young master ever been treated like a servant?!"

"…I remember," John murmured, lost in thought. "Astoria is only a second-year right now." 

As he spoke, the way he looked at Malfoy completely changed. 

"No, it's not like that! I just thought she wouldn't have a chance to go, so I—" Malfoy panicked. He could clearly feel that John was now looking at him like he was absolute scum. 

"Alright, no need to explain." John straightened up and said seriously, "I'm not an unreasonable person. Oh, by the way, you're adding three more laps to your training today." 

Malfoy nearly collapsed to his knees. He had already run double the laps two days ago—why was it another three today?! 

Yeah.. not unreasonable my arse..

With that interruption, Malfoy lost all interest in asking John who he was planning to invite. 

When he looked up, he saw Neville standing there. Out of instinct, he immediately put on his usual punchable expression. 

Unfortunately, Neville wasn't here for him. 

Walking up to John, Neville hesitated for a moment before pursing his lips and saying, "John, I'd like to talk to you." 

"Talk about what? Talk about how much money your two parents lying in the hospital have cost?" Malfoy was an expert at provoking people. 

John saw Neville's fists clench tightly. Without a word, he nodded and got up to leave. 

Neville quickly followed behind him, while Malfoy—realizing this wasn't the right time to keep taunting—stayed in the Great Hall. 

When he turned around, he saw that his previous seat had already been taken by two girls. 

With great difficulty, he opened his mouth, "…Uh…"

Daphne smiled gently. "You don't need to say anything, I understand."

...

That afternoon, Malfoy was struggling through his training run, clutching his stomach as he ran.

Durian, mango, and scrambled eggs—what a terrifying combination.

...

Covered Bridge.

John stopped in his tracks and looked at Neville.

Thinking about everything he had been through recently, Neville still held onto a sliver of hope as he asked, "John, did I do something wrong?"

"No." John shook his head.

Then he lifted his gaze. The coldness and disgust in his eyes pierced straight into Neville's heart.

"It's just that your dullness, which doesn't fit in with the Constellation Society at all, has become unbearable to me."

Neville's face turned pale. John stepped closer, a dangerous glint in his eyes as he whispered, "You'd better know what's good for you and disappear from this school. You know, Neville, I know your weakness."

The threatening tone left Neville in shock. He gasped for air, sweat dripping down his forehead.

Disgust flickered across John's face once more as he sneered, "Your parents… I really don't understand why you'd believe any random lie. Did you really think I would save them?"

Neville's head snapped up, his eyes locked onto John with an intense, unwavering stare.

John let out a soft laugh, leaned in closer, and said coldly, "I was just fooling you. But if you ever make me unhappy, I wouldn't mind making your parents disappear. I know they were Aurors, but there are still Death Eaters around, aren't there?"

"No! You can't!"

"I can," John said indifferently. "You know nothing about me, Neville. I have never been a good person—you should have realized that by now."

Neville seemed to lose all strength. He gripped the railing tightly just to keep himself from collapsing.

John walked past him without a backward glance.

No one knew how long Neville stood there, but eventually, a dangerous darkness flickered in his eyes.

He couldn't let anyone harm his parents.

Even if that person was John Wick!

___________

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