Jericho's Apology

Early Monday morning, Moriarty went to the Room of Requirement as usual. If nothing went wrong, he would have a cauldron of Skele-Gro by today.

"Nymph, bring over a cup. There's a share for you too." Moriarty pointed at the potion brewing in the golden cauldron. There was a whole large batch.

"Oh, this counts as a little surprise." Tonks turned her hair bubblegum pink, looking delighted. "Actually, compared to potions, I'm more interested in the Ice Magic you mentioned. When will you let me see it? You promised."

Moriarty was about to say something when Tonks pressed a finger to his lips. She smiled like a little bear that had stolen some honey. "I know what you're going to say, but I've already learned the Patronus Charm. Hehe."

As she spoke, she pulled out her Wand. "Expecto Patronum!"

A huge cloud of white mist surged from the tip of her wand, quickly taking the form of a solid creature that glowed faintly white—a rabbit.

"Look, isn't she adorable? I call her Michelle." Tonks picked up the white rabbit and smiled blissfully with narrowed eyes. "I can feel her protecting me. Right now, I feel like no Dark Magic could hurt me."

"Obviously, that's just an illusion." Moriarty poured cold water over her without hesitation. He licked his lips and gave a teasing smile. "Don't touch me so casually in the future, unless you want a snake's tongue licking your face."

Tonks's expression changed, as though she had eaten a Poo-Poo Pepper Puking Pastille.

She thought of some unpleasant things, but with her Patronus present, she became cheerful again in an instant.

"With Michelle protecting me, I'm not afraid of your ghost snake!"

Moriarty reached out and touched Michelle. The Patronus Charm was one of the most powerful defensive spells of the present age, and he was also curious about what would happen when Ice Magic collided with the Patronus Charm.

So Moriarty agreed to Tonks's request for a duel, though it would be tomorrow.

Once the Skele-Gro was ready, Moriarty divided it into separate portions—one for himself, one for Severus Snape, and one for William.

As for Tonks's portion, she gulped it down the moment she got it.

"I happen to have Potions class this morning. I'll see how effective it is." Tonks wore a determined smile.

As Moriarty sorted out the tools, he said, "Don't underestimate my potion. You'll definitely brew a perfect potion, and Professor Snape might even give you extra points."

"Oh, Moriarty," Tonks cried, clutching her stomach. "I think it's best not to drink this on an empty stomach. Clearly, while it wakes up my brain, it wakes up my stomach too. Damn it, I need to go eat something."

Moriarty accompanied her to the Great Hall, only to find that all the students were standing, their faces shocked, while the professors looked extremely solemn.

"What happened?" Moriarty walked toward the Slytherin House table. When Lilith saw him arrive, she hurriedly said, "You're finally here. Look, who's that?"

Moriarty looked in the direction she pointed and saw Jericho standing before Professor Snape, who was loudly berating him!

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

Moriarty did not hear anything else Lilith said. He heard Severus Snape roar angrily, "Detention! Blanche! You glory-seeking idiot! How dare you do that? Do you think this is the United States? You have disgraced Slytherin House's honor. You ought to crawl back to your American home!"

Jericho showed neither sadness nor guilt. Smiling, he said, "Yes, Professor, you couldn't be more right. That is why I am standing here!

"No matter what punishment the school gives me, I will accept it without resentment! Because I know I cannot keep making mistakes."

Jericho looked toward the Gryffindor table again, his gaze settling on Percy. "I'm truly sorry. I used the conflict between you and Keith, damaging your reputation."

It was the first time Percy had ever received an apology from someone, and he was at a complete loss for a moment.

Jericho quickly turned away, as though he knew he was about to be expelled and was saying farewell to everyone.

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

Professor Snape seemed unable to endure it any longer and rushed toward Dumbledore. "Slytherin House will not accept a student like this. He should be expelled!"

"Quiet, Severus." Dumbledore rose to his feet and looked sternly at Jericho through his half-moon spectacles. "In light of Mr. Blanche's dangerous act toward Keith, which could have caused harm, Slytherin House will lose fifty points. And, of course, detention.

"As for expulsion? I don't think that will be necessary."

Dumbledore smiled gently at Jericho. "I am very glad to see your apology, and also the genuine smile on your face. Your smile used to be like a mask, but now I see sincerity and courage within it."

"Hogwarts welcomes every child who finds their way back after going astray. That was also one of the Four Founders' principles in establishing this school." As he said this, Dumbledore glanced at Moriarty and received a nod of approval.

Dumbledore walked over to Jericho and said softly, "So, child, no one will expel you. In fact, I will award you fifty-one points—for your courage and honesty, and even more because you defeated a filthy soul and let us see an upright wizard."

"Clap, clap, clap..." Moriarty took the lead in applauding, and the students soon followed. They nodded approvingly, expressing their recognition of Jericho's willingness to admit and correct his mistakes.

But they quickly realized that, after offsetting the points Severus Snape had deducted from Slytherin, Dumbledore had only given Slytherin one point!

"Haha, that old man sure loves jokes!"

The students all said so. Even William and the other Slytherins were satisfied with Dumbledore's handling of the matter.

At that moment, Moriarty raised his hand and said loudly, "Professor, all this began because Jericho and I wanted to practice our Quidditch skills. Although we became players, we did indeed break school rules. I think I should be punished as well. I request to serve detention with Jericho."

Before Severus Snape could get angry, Dumbledore interrupted him. "Very good, young Mr. Moriarty. I respect your request."

The Great Hall immediately erupted into noise. Jericho's eyes reddened again. "I am moved by your noble character, sir!" he shouted.

As Moriarty's follower, Marcus naturally had to follow Moriarty's lead. So he stepped forward and shouted, "I want to apologize too! It was me—I slandered Mr. Moriarty, encouraged Larpo to steal his boots, and even wanted to use a Bludger to injure him."

The students gasped sharply, making Marcus extremely nervous. He had never spoken in front of so many people before, and his face reddened. "But sir did not blame me. He treated me very well... I mean, if Mr. Moriarty is to be punished, then please punish me first."

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

His voice was quiet, but his words were clear. Students from the other Houses stared at him and Marcus in disbelief. What was going on today? Why were the little snakes apologizing one after another?

Professor Snape looked both shocked and furious. His roar echoed through the Great Hall. "I never knew that you two actually... Fifty points deducted! Detention! If there is a next time, I guarantee I'll give you a memory you will never forget for the rest of your lives!"

The students looked fearfully at Severus Snape. At that moment, he looked like a Dark Wizard, but Moriarty understood how he felt.

Severus Snape deeply despised school bullying. Even more, he did not want his students to bully others or be bullied themselves.

"Please don't be so hasty, Professor Snape. What they did has not reached the point of being unforgivable." Moriarty gave Severus Snape a faint smile, then spoke to Larpo and Marcus.

"I have already forgiven you. I hope you understand that when you make a mistake, something more frightening than others being unable to forgive you is being unable to forgive yourself!

"And the most frightening thing is believing that you have nothing to be forgiven for—that is, believing that you did nothing wrong."

Moriarty's gentle voice seemed to have a calming effect. The Great Hall fell silent, and everyone looked deep in thought.

"Clap clap clap..." This time, Professor Dumbledore applauded. He kept nodding. "That was wonderfully said. Even I could not have put it better. For that, Slytherin House is awarded fifty points!"

The students laughed again. Severus Snape kept deducting points, while Professor Dumbledore kept adding them. So who exactly was the head of Slytherin House?

Amid the 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 the spell, right?"

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

He stammered, "I... should be the one apologizing to you. Oh, I should apologize first. It wasn't your fault. Uh, I was showing off a little that day. After all, our family just has a lot of brothers, you know."

The Great Hall instantly erupted in laughter. Charlie did not look embarrassed in the least as he vigorously patted Percy on the shoulder. "You've grown up, Percy."

The smile on Professor Dumbledore's face grew even brighter. He looked approvingly at the students' smiling faces. Everyone was so happy that he had to tap his goblet before they would listen to him.

"Since you have made your own decision, then all of you will serve detention!

"Our gamekeeper, Rubeus Hagrid, told me that he has been short-handed lately. You will need to go to the Forbidden Forest and help him.

"But don't worry. I imagine that with young Mr. Moriarty there, the trip to the Forbidden Forest will be as easy as an outing—and as enjoyable as today."

Professor Dumbledore winked at Moriarty, then raised his voice several notches. "Now, go eat! Quickly! If you're late, the professor for your first class will deduct points! Hahaha..."

The students quickly took their seats and began wolfing down breakfast. Whenever they accidentally brushed against someone beside them, they would exchange knowing smiles. Everyone was reflecting inwardly, wondering whether they had any mistakes they needed to correct.

Several pairs of usual rivals sat together, quietly discussing things no one else could understand—for example, William and Leon.