So.
Professor McGonagall used Prior Incantato to analyze the spells Devero had cast over the past day.
She gave her wand a gentle wave.
Then she spoke the incantation.
"Prior Incantato!"
A faint blue light shimmered in the air.
It spread like a thin mist around Devero.
The blue light slowly swirled.
Forming one transparent image after another.
Each image recorded a spell Devero had used that day.
The first image showed Devero in his dormitory.
He gently waved his wand.
And said, "Accio Eld!"
Then.
His toad hopped out from a corner under the bed.
And leaped into his hands.
Professor McGonagall nodded.
That spell had clearly been used to summon his toad.
The second image showed what had just happened.
Devero stood at the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
His Flying Broom suddenly went out of control.
And hurtled toward a large tree.
He hurriedly raised his wand.
And shouted.
"Wingardium Leviosa!"
A force lifted him into the air.
Then he came to a steady stop on the ground.
"That's the spell! He definitely used it to make me fly, too!"
Malfoy pointed at the apparition and shouted.
His eyes turned urgently toward the final image.
He desperately hoped this last one would show Devero casting a spell on him.
But.
The final image showed Devero trying to repair the Flying Broom.
He crouched beneath a tree.
And touched the broom that was stuck there.
He murmured an incantation.
"Oculus Reparo!"
However.
The broom did not react at all.
A huge crack still remained.
Devero stood quietly to one side.
Watching each image appear in turn.
He felt perfectly calm, almost bored.
After Professor McGonagall had viewed all the images.
She gently lowered her wand.
And turned to Devero.
"Devero."
Professor McGonagall's voice was calm and stern.
"These spells were all used in emergencies. I can see that you didn't misuse them."
Devero nodded.
And gave the professor a slight smile.
"Yes, Professor. I only wanted to make sure my toad and I were safe."
"It seems Alexander's spells did not violate any rules."
Professor McGonagall's words clearly settled the matter.
They carried an unquestionable authority.
When Malfoy heard this.
His face turned deathly pale.
Even though he'd had a bad feeling from the moment he began accusing Devero.
Things had still spiraled far beyond his control.
Professor McGonagall turned around.
And gave Malfoy a cold look.
Her gaze seemed capable of freezing the heart.
"Draco Malfoy."
Professor McGonagall's voice was icy.
"Your behavior just now was extremely irresponsible. You made baseless accusations against a fellow student and tried to disrupt the harmony of the class."
Malfoy tried to defend himself.
But Professor McGonagall cut him off.
"I will not tolerate such behavior. I'm taking fifty points from Slytherin. I hope you'll remember this and learn to respect your classmates!"
As soon as she said this.
A deathly silence fell over the entire lawn.
All the Slytherin students except Malfoy's cronies turned to look at him.
Their eyes were full of anger and blame.
Malfoy's face grew even uglier.
He lowered his head.
And didn't dare meet Professor McGonagall's gaze.
Devero suddenly stepped forward with remarkable grace.
He held out his hand and said.
"Malfoy, why don't we shake hands and make peace?"
When Professor McGonagall saw this.
A hint of admiration appeared in her eyes.
The Slytherins nearby exchanged glances, too.
"That's what I call grace."
"Yeah, Alexander's so magnanimous. He's even willing to forgive Malfoy."
"I'm telling you, Alexander's the one who'll make something of himself. He doesn't rely on his family, just his own ability and good character!"
"Exactly! He even knows the Summoning Charm. That must be a spell for older students! We can't even use the Levitation Charm!"
The Slytherins had completely taken Devero's side.
They couldn't help but speak up for him.
They were utterly won over by Devero's skill and charisma.
In just one week.
Devero had relied on his own abilities and conduct, with a certain rich kid serving as a foil.
He was already starting to look like the leader of Slytherin's first-years.
And Malfoy, who should have held that position, had become a laughingstock in everyone's eyes.
Malfoy froze for a moment.
He clearly hadn't expected Devero to do that.
He looked at Devero's outstretched hand.
A trace of hesitation crossed his face.
But the gazes surrounding him.
The pressure of the moment.
In the end.
He reached out his hand.
Ready to shake Devero's and make peace.
Just as their hands were about to meet.
Devero suddenly did something no one expected—he pulled Malfoy into a hug.
Everyone there was stunned.
Malfoy looked just as bewildered.
Devero hugged Malfoy tightly.
"Not bad. You almost saw through me."
He whispered in Malfoy's ear, so softly that no one else could hear.
Malfoy's pupils contracted sharply.
"But did you really think I hadn't prepared for this?"
After saying that.
Devero released Malfoy.
He stepped back.
And smiled at him.
Malfoy looked as if he'd been struck by lightning.
He stood frozen in place.
His arm rose to point at Devero.
But for a long moment, he couldn't say a word.
"You..."
Malfoy's voice trembled.
But in the end, he couldn't manage a complete sentence.
Devero looked at Malfoy's expression.
The corner of his mouth curled into a cold sneer.
He smiled at him like a poisonous snake.
Malfoy's eyes were filled with deep fear.
He realized he couldn't win against this person.
"I'll tell my dad! I'll get you expelled!"
Malfoy once again lost his composure in front of everyone, shouting through tears.
His voice was filled with anger and despair.
His face flushed red with agitation.
His eyes were already brimming with tears.
His hands clenched into fists.
He was worked up beyond measure.
Devero's mouth tilted slightly.
He chuckled to himself.
Hogwarts' number-one daddy's-boy had finally played his trump card.
But.
Devero had Professor Snape's promise backing him up.
And Dumbledore had stamped him as a super-genius.
He wasn't afraid of threats from any School Governor.
He looked at Malfoy with perfect calm.
A hint of mockery in his eyes.
"Malfoy, you always seem to like solving problems this way."
After saying this.
Devero slowly rolled his neck.
It made a faint crack.
The smile vanished from his lips.
He fixed Malfoy with a cold stare.
As if he meant to see straight through his soul.
"Then you'd better have your father get ready. I'm not so easy to deal with."
Malfoy heard Devero's words.
His body trembled involuntarily.
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