"Jericho got caught. Looks like we'll have to talk to Professor Snape sometime," Moriarty muttered to Lilith, arms crossed.
"It's all because of love," Lilith said coldly, a look of disdain flashing in her eyes.
To her, it was utterly foolish—Jericho sneaking off for a tryst with Helena in the Transfiguration classroom was foolish, getting caught while covering for her was even more foolish, and above all, the so-called love between them was the most foolish of all.
The next morning, the young wizards entered the Great Hall as usual and quickly noticed something different—the emeralds in the Slytherin hourglass were fewer.
About thirty gems were missing. Everyone knew each gem equaled a House point. Thirty points gone overnight!
Students from the other three Houses whispered excitedly.
Though thirty points weren't enough to topple Slytherin's lead—their hourglass was still overflowing with emeralds—it was enough to make others see the faint hope of catching up.
Under Leon's organization, the Slytherin students began investigating who had cost them those points.
"In just two months, Mr. Moriarty, Piliwick, and Blanche have earned us one hundred and eighty points!" Leon shouted passionately. "And in the Quidditch match this Thursday morning, they're going to win even more for us!"
Leon rose from his seat beside the Slytherin table, his voice sharp with frustration.
"Yet despite all the hard work our top students put in, some people just don't care and squander our hard-earned points!
Thirty points, gone in a single night! Jericho's duel with Professor Snape—his narrow victory—wasn't even worth thirty points. If I find out who's responsible, I swear, every seventh-year Slytherin will put them through every curse the professors have taught us!"
Leon's fury colored his face red as he stormed across the Slytherin table, glaring into the eyes of every student.
He paced from end to end multiple times, his agitation echoing through the House.
The seventh-year Slytherins mirrored his sentiment. This was their final year at Hogwarts. The House Cup meant everything—seven consecutive wins were on the line!
Last year, William Romot led them to that sixth victory. This year, Leon wanted that same glory.
A valet hurried to Leon's side, whispering softly, "Sir, Moriarty, Piliwick, and Blanche weren't present. We've checked. Everyone else was in their dormitories last night."
"Were they out on a night tour?" Leon frowned, remembering what Lilith and Moriarty had said about roaming the halls the previous evening.
The valet hesitated before replying, "Are you suggesting Mr. Moriarty got caught? That's impossible. If he'd been found by a professor or Filch, he'd never let it happen. Piliwick and Blanche wouldn't get caught either—not when following Mr. Moriarty."
"True," Leon murmured. "Still... it's strange."
At that moment, a Ravenclaw girl stood from her table—Helena Monique, flanked by Penelope Clearwater and other Ravenclaw girls. They made a beeline for the Slytherin table.
"Helena Monique," Leon muttered under his breath. "Jericho's new girlfriend."
As Helena neared, Leon's stomach twisted. Could Jericho really be the one responsible for the lost points?
The Ravenclaw girl stopped before them. "Jericho—" Her voice cracked, and then she burst into tears.
Penelope sighed. "They went to the Transfiguration classroom on the second floor last night. Jericho stayed behind to distract Professor Snape so Helena could escape. Unfortunately, Filch was there too."
The Slytherins groaned. Getting caught by Snape and Filch at the same time? That was just cruel luck.
Leon's face stiffened—he'd just used Jericho as an example of loyalty and excellence.
Helena wailed. "Don't blame Jericho! Everything was fine until someone started shouting outside the classroom. Filch started chasing a group, and they ran past us. The noise drew out Professor Snape from the Potions storage room."
Leon exchanged a glance with several seventh-years. "So Filch was led to your hiding spot...?"
He narrowed his eyes. "Do you know who Filch was chasing?"
Helena sniffled. "He shouted out names... George, Fred, and Lee Jordan, I think."
"Oh?"
So Gryffindor was behind it.
Slytherin heads turned toward the Gryffindor table. The Weasley twins sat beside Charlie and Percy, their expressions suspiciously blank. They focused hard on their food, trying to seem invisible.
Truthfully, they deeply regretted the whole affair. They had no idea Jericho and Helena had chosen that classroom. If they had known, they would have gone another route.
And Snape—why was he still working after eleven at night?
Though they felt bad for Jericho, none of them stepped forward to confess. If Jericho hadn't acted, they might have been caught.
It was a messy coincidence, and the twins silently vowed to create a perfect prank next time.
Charlie glared at them, clearly planning to lecture them later.
Lee Jordan twitched uncomfortably under the intense Slytherin stares.
Cedric Diggory, sitting quietly, felt lucky his name was too long for Filch to remember.
Tension in the Great Hall thickened. Slytherin and Gryffindor were on the verge of conflict, while Hufflepuff—supportive of Helena—sided with Slytherin.
The badgers munched away, sipping tea and watching the drama unfold with interest.
Tonks kept glancing toward the main staircase. She knew only one person could settle this—Moriarty.
Leon, though Boys' Chair, had no choice but to escort Helena back to Ravenclaw.
All eyes waited.
Ten minutes later, a commotion stirred atop the marble stairs.
Professor Snape stormed in, his black robes billowing behind him. His face looked like someone had stolen a million Galleons from him.
Filch scrambled behind, activating the speed enchantment on his alchemical shoes just to keep up.
"Professor Snape! Blanche broke more than twenty rules! Thirty points isn't enough—there needs to be further punishment!" Filch raged, eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep.
Last night, four Gryffindor troublemakers had trampled Filch's territory, scaring Mrs. Norris and causing chaos.
He ran all night chasing them. By some stroke of luck, Jericho had been caught—though technically, it was Snape who caught him.
But Filch insisted it was his pursuit that caused Jericho to flee the classroom, thereby enabling Snape to catch him.
Thus, Filch claimed all the credit.
Yet Snape had refused to let Filch administer punishment, declaring it a matter for the Slytherin Head alone.
Furious but helpless, Filch had returned to find the Gryffindors had left his office in a disgraceful mess.
Grumbling about needing enchanted cleaning tools from Nicolas Flamel, Filch was lost in memory when—
"Listen carefully. I'll say this once," Snape said sharply.
Filch jumped as Snape stopped abruptly. The professor glared, his voice full of venom.
"Jericho Blanche was sorted into Slytherin by the Sorting Hat. Though his impulsive nature and flair for drama make me question that decision every day—still...
For his idiotic behavior and the disgrace he's brought to our House, I will punish him accordingly. You have no right to interfere in how the Slytherin Head disciplines his own!"
Filch stammered. "But—but I caught him—he—"
"No buts." Snape turned away, cutting off the conversation, and stalked toward the professor's table. He cast a scathing glare at his students, especially the Quidditch team.
As he sat and began calmly eating his breakfast, the students gaped. Was that it?
Thirty points lost? No fight? No punishment?
At that moment, Moriarty entered the Hall. Lilith walked on his right, and Jericho trailed behind with a gloomy face.
"Jericho!" Helena dashed across the hall, collapsing into his arms.
Everyone stared.
Moriarty watched Jericho's face light up. The boy grinned as he welcomed Helena into his embrace.
Helena sobbed into his shoulder. "Why are you so stupid?"
"Because of love," Jericho replied with a wide smile.
Moriarty and Lilith exchanged a look, then moved toward the Slytherin table, leaving the couple alone.
"Leon. Marcus," Moriarty said calmly. "After class this afternoon, gather the Quidditch team."
He added, voice steady but firm, "Our first match on Thursday morning—we're not just going to win. We're going to crush Gryffindor."
He didn't shout. Yet the entire Great Hall heard him.
It had begun.
The little badgers…
JOIN MY PATREON TO READ 150+ CHAPTERS BEFORE PUBLIC RELEASE OR PURCHASE FOR LIFETIME ACCESS! WE ARE CURRENTLY ON VOL 3 CHAPTER 79
👉 Patreon.com/HACKDWORLD