The Evil Thoughts of Hogwarts and the Genie

Chapter 183 "The Right Thing"

"Besides, wouldn't it be too late to start questioning them after they've become like that?"

This is almost an unsolvable question, and it could even be said that it is attacking them using the logic of pure-blood supporters.

However, this did not stump Professor McGonagall.

"I thought you really liked your friend, Sirius Black."

Professor McGonagall said softly.

"I didn't mean to criticize the Black family, James. But according to you, the ones you should hate the most..."

Isn't he your best friend?

James opened his mouth, but was momentarily speechless.

But he was just a kid, and he asked such a difficult question simply because he couldn't think of an answer either.

Despite Professor McGonagall's advice, he remained unconvinced, but for a moment, he didn't know how to refute it.

So he said:

"Sirius is different." The stubborn Gryffindor gritted his teeth. "Well, perhaps his brother is alright, but—"

"But?" Professor McGonagall raised her voice.

"From what I remember, you've had your fair share of playful banter with Mr. Soman from Slytherin. Do you think he has something going on too?"

James proved it, as if he were considering this question for the first time.

"He...he's a foreigner," James said, trying to cover it up. "He doesn't count—doesn't he?"

Professor McGonagall sensed his wavering and pressed her advantage:

"As far as I know, Potter, you and Black were carrying out indiscriminate attacks."

"If Soman were at school today, are you planning to prank him too?"

"Just because he was sorted into Slytherin, he has to suffer your pranks? Potter, do you really think this is okay?"

James is truly speechless this time.

He wanted to argue one more time: Edmund wouldn't care.

Because he would definitely find a way to get back at them, that's their way of getting along.

But he himself knew that what he said sounded rather unreasonable.

In desperation, James finally revealed a bit of his true feelings:

"Well, if he were here too, he'd be in trouble—but Professor, don't you know about the fight at the Quidditch pitch last weekend?"

After James finished speaking, he became angry again. McGonagall, though still keeping a straight face, sighed inwardly.

As the head of Gryffindor, how could she not be aware of the conflict between the two houses last week?

"As the social atmosphere becomes increasingly tense, the conflict between pure-blood wizards and Muggle-born wizards is becoming more and more difficult to resolve."

Hogwarts may seem isolated from the world, but it's not a true ivory tower. Children are indeed influenced by their parents—which is very bad.

Because families that believe in pure blood will very naturally lead their children to believe in that theory as well:

However, the young wizards from Muggle families knew nothing about any of this!

Even the vast majority of them had similar anxieties before coming to school:

I don't know anything about witchcraft, and no one in my family is a witch doctor. Will I be ostracized or disliked because of this?

The answer is: Yes, sweetheart, yes.

The conflict last weekend is a prime example.

Mary McDonald is one of three girls in the first year of Gryffindor, and like Lily Evans, she is Muggle-born.

However, unlike the exceptionally talented, intelligent, and lively Lily, this girl has not yet shown any outstanding talent.

This is actually quite normal. Most wizards are like this; they don't have any particular strengths in any subject, but they're not particularly bad at anything either.

As people age, they become more skilled at using magic, and their experience and confidence also increase, making them capable of becoming experts.

McDonald was comforted by his roommate Alice and stopped worrying. This round-faced girl was an optimist and didn't intend to make things too difficult for herself.

But just because she's easygoing doesn't mean others will let her off the hook.

On the Quidditch pitch over the weekend, several second-year students dressed in Slytherin robes pointed and laughed at McDonald.

The noise was so loud that the little witch turned her head several times.

Instead of shutting up, they said even more offensive things, making McDonald hear that word for the first time.

"Mud Seed".

After figuring out what this meant, the blonde girl almost begged her parents to let her drop out of school.

Clearly, no one wants to be a second-class citizen: and James, who only learned of this afterward, was obviously enraged.

"They're all the same. Avery used that word too, professor. That's why I'm so sure: they deserve it."

The more James talked, the more convinced he became of his point, and the more determined he became.

Minerva McGonagall gave him a deep look and spoke:

"You should have reported this to the professor immediately upon hearing it," she said calmly. "I hope you're not implying that all first-year students in Slytherin used this word, are you?"

James paused for a moment.

McGonagall's expression became even more serious.

"In the end, Potter, you still haven't realized your problem."

"You shouldn't generalize individual behavior to the entire group; nor should you punish your classmates for things they didn't do wrong."

"Most importantly, even if they have done something wrong, you should trust the professor to give them the punishment they deserve."

Upon hearing this, James lowered his head somewhat reluctantly.

These words still failed to resonate with him, and the reason behind that is quite simple.

McDonald being bullied was just the trigger; the real explosive was actually from the Black family.

In fact, James and Sirius did have a falling out during the first few days of school reopening.

But the reason behind this is not as simple as "Why don't you reply to my letters or send me Christmas presents?" Clearly, James was also aware of Sirius's situation.

His anger stemmed from Sirius's refusal to tell him what had happened in that awful house.

James Porter was a child born late in life and was doted on by his parents. Logically speaking, he should not have lacked a sense of security. However, he noticed his parents' aging earlier than most people thought and felt uneasy about it.

Contrary to his intuition, in his parents' eyes, he was actually a very considerate "good boy".

James loved his parents very much and developed an excessive protective instinct towards his family at a young age, which was beyond his capabilities. He also extended this protective instinct to his friends.

Sirius Black was so vulnerable to this sincere friendship that after only a few days of cold war, he reluctantly told James what had happened at Christmas.

Even though Sirius repeatedly emphasized that "staying home" was a rather mild form of punishment in the Black family; according to his uncle, his mother would even use curses on her younger brothers when she was young, but this was still shocking enough for James, who had a harmonious family.

The Black family's distorted parent-child relationship deepened James's loathing for Slytherin, and as the fuse was lit, this Gryffindor became completely convinced:

As long as you're going against these scumbags, you're doing the right thing.

The reason why they chose to "solve it themselves" instead of seeking help from professors is quite simple:

Deducting a few points from Slytherin was not enough to appease his anger.

To be fair, this lion, whose teeth have just grown in, is almost as extreme as the object of his hatred.