The mastermind behind Hogwarts

Chapter 32 Jericho's Apology

On Monday morning, Moriarty went to the Room of Requirement as usual, hoping to get a pot of sardines today if nothing unexpected happened.

"Nymph, bring me a cup. There's one for you too." Moriarty pointed to the potion being brewed in the golden cauldron, which was a large pot.

"Oh, that's quite a surprise," Tonks said, turning his hair a bubblegum pink and looking very happy. "Actually, I'm more interested in the ice magic you mentioned than potions. When can you let me see it? You promised."

Moriarty was about to say something when Tonks stuck a finger to her lips and smiled like a little bear stealing honey. "I know what you're going to say, but I've already learned the Patronus Charm, hehe."

With that, she pulled out her wand, "Patriot!"

A large cloud of white smoke billowed from the tip of the staff, quickly forming a faintly white light emanating from it—a white rabbit.

"Look how cute she is. I call her Michelle," Tonks said, picking up the white rabbit and smiling contentedly with his eyes narrowed. "I can feel her protecting me. I feel like no dark magic can harm me now."

"It's obvious that's your imagination," Moriarty said without hesitation, pouring cold water on the idea. He licked his lips and gave a mocking smile. "Don't touch me again unless you want a snake's tongue to lick your face."

Tonks's face changed, as if he had eaten a Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Bean that tasted like booger.

She thought of some bad things, but because of her guardian angel, she became happy again in an instant.

"With Michelle protecting me, I'm not afraid of your ghostly serpent at all!"

Moriarty reached out and touched Michelle. The Patronus Charm was one of the most powerful defensive spells available today, and he was curious about the clash between ice magic and the Patronus Charm.

Moriarty agreed to fight Tonks, but it would be tomorrow.

After the Buffet Brain-Boosting Potion was ready, Moriarty separated them, keeping some for himself, giving some to Stokes, and giving some to William.

She gulped down Tonks's portion as soon as she got it.

"I happen to have a potions class this morning, so I'll try it out and see how effective it is," Tonks said with a confident smile.

As Moriarty tidied up his tools, he said, "Don't underestimate my potions. You'll definitely be able to brew a perfect potion, and Professor Snape might even give you extra points."

"Oh, Moriarty," Tonks cried, clutching his stomach. "I think it's best not to drink it on an empty stomach. It's obviously waking up my stomach as well as my brain. Damn it, I need to get something to eat."

Moriarty accompanied her to the auditorium, only to find that the students had all stood up, looking shocked, while the professors looked very serious.

"What happened?" Moriarty walked towards the Slytherin table. Lilith, seeing him arrive, quickly said, "You're finally here! Look who's over there?"

Moriarty looked in the direction she pointed out, and there stood Jericho in front of Professor Snape, who was loudly reprimanding him!

"Just now, Jericho apologized to Keith in front of the entire school!" Lilith said to Moriarty. "He admitted that Keith flew into the sky because he cast a spell on Keith's broom. It was horrible..."

Moriarty didn't hear a word Lilith said next; he only heard Slytherin angrily shout, "Solitary confinement! Blanche! You show-off idiot! How dare you do that? Do you think this is America? You've tarnished Slytherin's honor; you should go back to your American home!"

Jericho showed no sadness or guilt. He smiled and said, "Yes, Professor, you are absolutely right. That's why I'm standing here!"

I will accept whatever punishment the school gives me, and I will hold no resentment! Because I know I cannot continue making mistakes.

Jericho then looked at the Gryffindor table, his gaze fixed on Percy: "I'm sorry, I took advantage of your conflict with Keith and damaged your reputation."

Percy was momentarily at a loss when he received an apology from someone for the first time.

Jericho quickly turned his head away, as if he knew he was about to be fired and was saying goodbye to everyone.

The moment he saw Moriarty, he bowed deeply: "You have saved my soul, Mr. Moriarty."

Professor Snape, as if unable to contain himself any longer, stormed up to Dumbledore: "Slytherin House will not accept a student like this! He should be expelled!"

"Quiet, Severus." Dumbledore stood up and looked sternly at Jericho through his half-moon spectacles. "Given Mr. Blanche's dangerous conduct toward Keith that could have caused him harm, Slytherin is deducted fifty points, and of course, placed in solitary confinement."

As for expulsion? I don't think it's necessary.

Dumbledore smiled gently at Jericho and said, "I am glad to see your apology, and to see a genuine smile on your face. Before, your smile was like a mask, but now I see sincerity and courage in it."

"Hogwarts welcomes every child who has strayed from the right path, and this is one of the four great masters' principles in running the school." At this point, Dumbledore glanced at Moriarty and received a nod of approval from Moriarty.

Dumbledore walked up to Jericho and said softly, "So, child, no one will expel you. I would even add fifty-one points for you, because of your courage and honesty, and even more so because you defeated a filthy soul and showed us an upright wizard."

"Clap clap clap clap..." Moriarty led the applause, and the students followed suit, nodding approvingly to show their approval of Jericho's willingness to admit his mistake and correct it.

However, they quickly realized that after deducting the points that Slytherin had lost, Dumbledore only added one point to Slytherin's score!

"Haha, what a funny old man!"

The students all said so, and even William and other Slytherins were very satisfied with Dumbledore's handling of the situation.

At this moment, Moriarty raised his hand and said loudly, "Professor, this all started because Jericho and I wanted to practice Quidditch. Although we became players, we did break the school rules, and I think I should be punished. I request to be put in solitary confinement with Jericho."

Before Spellblade could even get angry, Dumbledore interrupted him: "Very well, young Moriarty, I respect your request."

The auditorium was immediately filled with noise, and Jericho's eyes reddened again. "I am impressed by your noble character, sir!" he shouted.

As Moriarty's henchman, Marcus naturally followed Moriarty, so he went out and shouted, "I also want to apologize! It was I who slandered Mr. Moriarty, and even encouraged Larpo to steal his boots, and even tried to injure him with a ball."

The students gasped, which made Marcus extremely nervous. He also had no experience speaking in front of so many people. His face flushed red. "But the master didn't blame me. He treated me very well... I think, I mean, if you're going to punish the master, please punish me first."

At that moment, Larpo appeared out of nowhere. As he walked toward Moriarty, he said softly, "Jellico's actions have deeply moved me. I want to apologize to you, Mr. Moriarty. I'm sorry, I stole your boots. I'm willing to accept the punishment for it."

His voice was soft, but his words were clear. The students from the other colleges looked at him in disbelief, at him and Marcus, wondering what was going on today, with the little snakes apologizing one after another.

Professor Snape looked both shocked and furious, his roar echoing through the Great Hall: "I have no idea that you two would... Deduct fifty points! Solitary confinement! If there's a next time, I promise I'll give you a memory you'll never forget!"

The students looked at the current Spellcaster with fear; he now resembled a dark wizard, but Moriarty understood his feelings.

Professor Stanton strongly abhors school bullying and does not want his students to bully others or be bullied.

"Please don't be hasty, Professor Snape. What they've done isn't unforgivable yet," Moriarty smiled slightly at Professor Snape, then addressed Larbo and Marcus.

"I have forgiven you. I want you to know that if you make a mistake, what is more terrible than others being unable to forgive you is that you yourself cannot forgive yourself!"

The most terrifying thing is that you believe you have nothing to be forgiven for, that is, you believe you have done nothing wrong.

Moriarty's gentle voice seemed to have a calming effect, quieting the auditorium down, and everyone looked thoughtful.

"Clap clap clap clap..." This time, Dumbledore clapped his hands, nodding repeatedly. "That was so well said, even I couldn't have said it better. For that, Slytherin House gets fifty points!"

The students laughed again. Slytherin kept losing points, while Professor Dumbledore kept adding them. Who was the true Head of Slytherin House?

Amidst laughter, Keith cautiously said, "Perhaps I should apologize too? To Weasley? After all, if we hadn't clashed, Jericho wouldn't have had the chance to cast his spell, would he?"

Everyone looked at him, then at Percy, whose face was as red as his hair.

He stammered, "It's me... I should apologize to you. Oh, I should apologize first. It wasn't your fault. Um, I was showing off a bit that day, after all, we have a lot of older brothers in our family, you know that."

The room erupted in laughter. Charlie wasn't embarrassed at all. He patted Percy's shoulder hard and said, "You've grown up, Percy."

Dumbledore's smile grew even brighter as he looked at his students' smiling faces with satisfaction. They were all so happy that he had to tap his wine glass to get them to listen to him.

"Since you've made your own decision, then you're all going to be put in solitary confinement!"

Our game ranger, Rupert Hagrid, told me that he's short-handed lately and that we need to go to the Forbidden Forest to help him.

But don't worry, with Mr. Moriarty around, I think the Forbidden Forest trip will be as relaxing as a picnic, and as enjoyable as today.

Dumbledore winked at Moriarty, then raised his voice a few octaves: "Now, you guys go eat! Hurry! If you're late, the professor will deduct points from your first class! Hahaha..."

The students quickly sat down and began to eat their breakfast heartily. Occasionally, they would exchange knowing smiles when they made physical contact with the people around them. Everyone was reflecting on themselves, wondering if there were any mistakes they needed to correct.

Several pairs of sworn enemies sat together, whispering in a way that others couldn't understand, such as William and Leon.

(End of this chapter)