Year-End Agreement

The reason the Unforgivable Curses are unforgivable is because the emotions required to cast them are so extreme.

The unwavering desire to kill someone, torture someone, control someone – having such thoughts and putting them into practice is the real reason for going to Azkaban for casting an Unforgivable Curse.

So, normally, it's impossible to cast the Cruciatus Curse on a stone, unless someone develops a firm desire to torture it.

Adam looked at Bernard, who had suddenly become embarrassed, and said calmly:

"If you'd just found a cockroach or a Flobberworm, I wouldn't be so relieved."

He wouldn't even look for a living creature to generate the desire to torture, and instead used a stone…

"I... I was leaving myself an out!"

Bernard retorted, stiffening his neck:

"If you had reported me then, the Flashback Charm would have shown that I never used the Cruciatus Curse!"

The Flashback Charm recreates the target of the curse, and a stone is obviously not included.

"Then why didn't you leave yourself an out this time?"

Looking at Bernard, who was speechless, Adam smiled slightly:

"Wanting to do this kind of test, in the end, it's because you yourself first had such pure emotions, right? Otherwise, you wouldn't care so much, testing our friendship in such a costly way. You could have used a method that wouldn't affect you..."

Seeing that Bernard was about to become angry out of embarrassment, Adam immediately changed the subject:

"Your 'leaving an out' methods are actually still stuck in the legal system of ordinary people. Muggle police have limited ways of collecting evidence. But Wizards not only have Veritaserum, but also a Pensieve that can recreate memories – our headmaster has one in their office – so don't think about using similar methods in the future, or you might screw yourself over."

Bernard was stunned, then nodded:

"Speaking of which, what are Dementors and the Wizengamot that you mentioned earlier?"

"Dementors are the guards of Azkaban, they are a kind of..."

Because they were chatting so engrossingly, both of them were embarrassed when they saw their fingers wrinkled from being in the water for so long while getting dressed.

Back in the dormitory, as their roommates wondered why they had been washing for so long, Bernard took the initiative to tell everyone about what happened during the day.

The roommates all showed expressions similar to Adam's when they first heard the reason.

They didn't quite understand, but...

They wanted to say it could be forgiven, but Bernard using the Cruciatus Curse to protect them in battle during the day didn't seem like something that needed to be forgiven.

"Don't do such stimulating things next time."

Uther sighed helplessly:

"Unforgivable Curses and such, don't use them unless it's a matter of life and death."

Adam's gaze towards Uther changed slightly. Good kid, how come you sound like you're a little bit arrestable?

After that day, no one mentioned the matter again. In the blink of an eye, it was the day of the end-of-year feast. During this time, the only news about Harry was that he had missed the final Quidditch match, which resulted in Slytherin winning the Quidditch Cup after all.

Adding in the house points that Harry and the others had caused Gryffindor to lose before, this year's House Cup would undoubtedly fall into Slytherin's hands... or would it?

"Don't be in a hurry to be sad, how about a Taro Pie?"

Professor Dumbledore was announcing the current scores of the four houses from the teacher's table, but Adam was handing out snacks, giving them to their roommates. After handing them out to their roommates, Adam also stuffed one into Cedric's hand, who had a regretful expression. It looked freshly baked and piping hot.

Food was not to be trifled with. Cedric took a bite while it was hot. The dense taro filling and the crispy crust complemented each other, making him feel much happier.

Delicious, I suggest putting it on the shelves.

Before Cedric had time to give Adam feedback, he saw Professor Dumbledore's performance.

"Yes, yes, well done, Slytherin."

After applauding a few times for Slytherin, who was currently in first place in house points, Professor Dumbledore continued with a kind smile, as the Slytherins gradually felt a bad premonition:

"However, several recent events must also be taken into account..."

"...Gryffindor, 50 points!"

"...Gryffindor, 50 points!"

"...Gryffindor, 60 points!"

"...Gryffindor, another 10 points!"

During the dinner, the Slytherins were a little dazed, especially the gold and red decorations all around, which were too dazzling in the candlelight.

"What exactly happened?"

One Slytherin couldn't help but ask.

"Damn Dumbledore, they're blatantly biased!"

Their classmate angrily stabbed the ribs in front of them with a fork.

"Shut up, didn't you see that Professor Snape didn't say anything?"

That classmate's words did not elicit agreement from the crowd, but instead drew a round of eye-rolls.

If Professor Dumbledore was really just adding points to those Gryffindors out of personal bias, how could Professor Snape allow it?

"But... he didn't explain anything clearly at all!"

This was what angered the Slytherins the most. A way to add one hundred and seventy points, if it had been explained clearly, maybe they could have too...

To this, Adam thought that the children shouldn't even think about such a good thing, otherwise, their parents might not be safe when Voldemort was resurrected.

Although Gryffindor had obtained the final victory in the House Cup competition, the only ones unhappy in the entire Great Hall were Slytherins—no way, who told them to be so hateful when they had won the House Cup for so many consecutive years?

"Cheers~"

For example, Adam and his friends clinked glasses of colorful soda to celebrate Slytherin's loss of the House Cup.

After the end-of-year banquet, there was really nothing to do. The entire Hogwarts was already immersed in the holiday atmosphere. The only small episode was probably on the last day at Hogwarts, when the report cards were handed out.

"Oh my god, Adam, you really are a monster—"

Klon hopped over to Adam and took a look, then let out a wail:

"We were all sleeping in class! How come you got an O in History of Magic!"

Eugene originally patted Klon on the shoulder in comfort, but after hearing this, he looked down at the O on his own History of Magic report card and silently withdrew his hand.

Better not to keep provoking him...

Even though none of the five people in the dormitory had any failing grades, it was still a bit outrageous that Adam had all Os, so the other four ganged up on him and demanded that he make a delicious meal to soothe their feelings.

So that night, they ate hot pot at the round table in their dormitory.

Although the four of them complained that Adam was being lazy, this way of eating whatever they wanted was surprisingly popular.

"Then we're agreed."

After putting the shrimp paste into the hot pot, Uther looked at the other four:

"Come to Egypt to play with me this holiday~"

"We'll try our best."

Although everyone nodded, they still couldn't decide on their own about going abroad.

It wasn't about the money. None of the five of them were short on cash, but their parents couldn't get away, and a group of minors couldn't just fly to Egypt on their own.

"If it really doesn't work, I'll have my dad negotiate with the British Ministry of Magic..."

"Let's not trouble your dad."

Adam reached out and stopped Uther from continuing to think about it. His dad was the Minister of Magic in Egypt. There was no need to take a children's trip abroad to the diplomatic level.

"Let's go back and talk to our parents more—at least one of my parents should be able to take time off. If that doesn't work, I can ask my grandparents to take me. If that really doesn't work, everyone can meet up first and then have my parents take us together."