Potter's "Help"

On the Slytherin table, Little Barty's expression shifted from gloomy to stormy.

Regulus, not even having time to put down his cutlery, stood up and grabbed his arm, afraid he would really charge over.

"Shut up, you idiot whose brain is full of dung!"

Sirius abruptly stood up and grabbed James's robe collar. The two scuffled, rolling on the bench.

Lupin turned his face away, wearing an expression that said, "I don't know these two lunatics."

Professor McGonagall's voice came sternly from the staff table: "Mr. Potter and Mr. Black! Stop this behavior immediately! Gryffindor loses twenty points! Don't you understand? Stop fighting during the opening ceremony! Detention, all of you!"

This sudden farce instantly became the focus of the entire hall.

Rosier and her friends turned to mock Gryffindor's idiotic behavior, temporarily forgetting to stare at Lucretia.

A senior Ravenclaw student explained to the new students: "That's Sirius Black and James Potter. The school's most famous troublemaking duo. They call themselves the Marauders?"

Lucretia took the opportunity to explain: "I had no idea why Mr. Potter would say that..."

A girl wearing a Prefect badge comforted her: "Don't worry. Potter and Black are always like this. They like to cause a commotion. They did something similar last year."

Another senior student chimed in: "Exactly, it's too much. They just want to have fun, don't take it too seriously. We'll help you."

Gradually, people's attention shifted away from Lucretia and began discussing the Marauders' past pranks and Professor McGonagall's strict punishments.

Taking advantage of the farce, Lucretia was finally able to eat in peace.

Seeing this, Little Barty's tense shoulders finally relaxed, but his gaze towards the Gryffindor table remained icy.

Although Potter's shout unexpectedly helped Lucretia out of a bind, the phrase "his eyes went straight when he saw Miss Crouch" made him involuntarily recall the way Black looked at her during that friendly match, leaving him feeling choked up.

Regulus whispered, "It seems things have taken a turn. I have to say, my brother can sometimes be helpful even when causing trouble. Though he definitely didn't do it on purpose, it was all thanks to that idiot Potter having a brain fart."

Little Barty snorted, his gaze still fixed on Lucretia.

"I've thought for a long time that Black's look at her was problematic... it was too obvious."

Regulus raised an eyebrow and followed his gaze.

"Sirius, he's always been meddlesome. But don't worry, I don't think he'd dare to tease my sister. After all, you're watching her so closely, I bet your curse would be out before he even finished speaking."

Little Barty glared at him: "I mean I don't trust them. Look at Potter's loose mouth. What if she... that day..."

Regulus nodded, his expression also becoming serious: "I understand. Don't worry, we'll watch her. Besides, she's in Ravenclaw now, which is much safer than Gryffindor."

Little Barty finally shifted his gaze away from Lucretia and gave Regulus a cold look.

"Eat your dinner, Reg."

Regulus shrugged and wisely shut his mouth.

Someone probably didn't realize their current expression could pickle vegetables, but it was best to keep quiet for now. Otherwise, Potter's fate might soon befall him.

At the Gryffindor table.

After Professor McGonagall had to personally get off the staff table, pull them apart with her wand, give them a stern lecture, and assign them three days of detention, Sirius and James finally quieted down on the surface, but they were still exchanging glares and muttering curses.

James lowered his voice painfully, rubbing his arm where Sirius had left a bruise. "You really got me, Padfoot. I was trying to help distract them, and you went so hard."

Sirius glared at him, his voice even lower. "Help? You call that helping? The whole hall heard you say I was interested in Lucretia!"

James waved his hand dismissively and nodded towards the Ravenclaw table. "Oh, come on. In a couple of days, when we stir up a few more messes, they'll forget about it. At least Miss Lucretia can eat in peace now, with no one staring at her. And look at Crouch's face; it's worse than losing a Quidditch match. Isn't that exactly the result you wanted?"

Sirius secretly glanced at the Ravenclaw table, confirming that Lucretia could indeed eat in peace. His expression softened slightly. "Half right, half wrong. But next time you're going to 'help' in the wrong way, give me a heads-up first."

James grinned and lowered his voice. "And then what? Let you sneak away early? No way! Honestly, every time I see you and Crouch glaring at each other over a girl, I can laugh about it for a whole year just thinking about it."

Lupin cleared his throat, giving James and Sirius a warning look, then tilted his head slightly towards Peter.

Peter was eating pudding, seemingly oblivious to their conversation.

James nodded in understanding, lowering his voice even further. "Right. About that thing we talked about on the train, Moony, are you free? After lights out?"

Lupin replied briefly, "Yes, I think we really do need to talk."

Sirius rolled his eyes and kicked James. "Before that, if you say one more word, I'll smear pumpkin pie on your face."

Lupin sighed again. "Maybe you two could calm down for a bit? Professor McGonagall is still watching."

James and Sirius looked up simultaneously. Professor McGonagall was staring at them intently.

The two immediately lowered their heads and ate obediently, putting on innocent expressions.

After Dumbledore's final speech and the singing of the school song, the students began to prepare to return to their respective dormitories.

The Ravenclaw prefects stood up, calling for the first-year students to follow.

As Lucretia stood up, she saw Little Barty and Regulus walking towards the Ravenclaw table.

Emma whispered excitedly, "It's your brothers! They're coming over here."

Regulus walked ahead, naturally greeting people he knew along the way and clearing a path for them.

Little Barty followed closely behind, his expression serious, his gaze fixed directly on Lucretia.

Their arrival together drew the attention of many students.

Regulus, with a gentle smile, spoke first, tidying the collar of her robe. "Sister, congratulations on being sorted into Ravenclaw. I knew the Sorting Hat would recognize how smart you are."

Little Barty stood to the side, though gentler than usual, he still maintained his usual public restraint. "The sorting went well. Go back to your dormitory and unpack first. Regulus and I will come find you later. We'll talk then."

Lucretia nodded, the corners of her mouth lifting unconsciously. "I understand."

Little Barty lowered his voice slightly. "If you have any problems, like if someone bothers you on the way back to the common room, write down their name and tell us later."

Regulus interjected cheerfully, ruffling Lucretia's hair. "Don't worry, Barty. Sister will be fine in Ravenclaw. She'll make friends, excel in her studies, and surprise everyone in the end."

"That's right!"

Emma mustered her courage to speak, but when Little Barty turned to her, she instinctively flinched. Still, she bravely continued.

"I... I, we will all take good care of her!"

Little Barty raised an eyebrow and studied Emma for a moment before nodding, his expression softening slightly.

Only after the two boys had left did Emma let out a long sigh of relief.

"Merlin, your brother's gaze just now scared me so much I couldn't speak, but he's really good to you."

Lucretia smiled and replied, "That's just his outward appearance. Barty is actually very thoughtful."

She gently touched her collar, which had been tidied, a faint warmth still lingering there.

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