Gryffindor was swept up in a wave of celebration. Not only had they triumphed over Ravenclaw in the Quidditch match, but Slytherin had also been penalized 100 points. Despite Augustus's efforts in earning countless points for Slytherin throughout the year, this significant deduction had narrowed the gap between the four houses. Gryffindor now glimpsed a real chance at winning the House Cup this year.
"Mr. Augustus, this is my fault for dragging down the house and everyone else," Malfoy followed behind Augustus and his group, hesitating several times before finally speaking. His gray-blue eyes were filled with guilt. "I never expected things to escalate this far. I just wanted to curb Gryffindor's momentum a little. I had no idea Harry had a way to counter Dementors. If only..."
Augustus shook his head slightly. "Draco, don't you understand yet? There are no 'ifs.' Even if you had succeeded in disrupting Harry, causing him to fall, sure, Gryffindor would have lost their shot at the Quidditch Cup, and perhaps even the House Cup. But what would you have gained? No Slytherin student would feel honored by such an act. On the contrary, the entire school—students and staff alike—would look down on you as a person. Worse still, it would tarnish the reputation of Slytherin as a whole. Schemes and trickery are nothing but foolish, short-sighted tactics. If you think these petty tricks can help you achieve greatness, I'm afraid you've disappointed me, Draco. You need some serious self-reflection."
Malfoy's face flushed red with shame. Augustus rarely voiced objections to their actions publicly, typically allowing them to grow and learn from experience. For him to offer such heartfelt criticism now showed genuine anger. Malfoy hadn't anticipated such severe consequences from his impulsive decision. While he feared Dumbledore only slightly, he held deep respect for Augustus, almost as a mentor. This rebuke left Malfoy feeling truly chastened.
"Mr. Augustus, I promise I'll reflect deeply. This time, I was blinded by jealousy over Harry getting a Firebolt, and that clouded my judgment, leading to such disgraceful actions. I swear, there won't be a next time—this will never happen again!" Malfoy declared earnestly, his tone full of sincerity and remorse.
"There's no need for grand promises," Augustus replied with a wave of his hand. "When you return, I want you to understand the root of this incident, not just assure me it won't happen again. Jealousy is indeed a deadly sin, but true success comes to those who can conquer their darker impulses and act in alignment with righteous principles. If you can grasp the essence of self-restraint and integrity, perhaps you'll experience genuine growth."
Not only Malfoy, but even Loki, Thor, and Lilian showed a glimmer of understanding in their eyes. As Augustus's protégés, they had gained immense power beyond the reach of others. However, Augustus had consistently emphasized the importance of morality and ethics. A truly formidable individual must understand and embody righteousness. Without a moral compass, even the strongest could become nothing more than a tool for destruction. This philosophy echoed the wisdom of the Shaolin monks, who paired martial arts training with the study of Buddhist scriptures.
The night passed without further incident.
The following day, Hogwarts buzzed with news: Sirius Black had once again infiltrated the castle. This time, he hadn't just lingered around its periphery—he'd broken into the dormitories, successfully entering Gryffindor Tower. Allegedly, Neville played a significant role in this breach. Reports claimed that he'd written down an entire week's worth of passwords for the Gryffindor common room on a scrap of paper, which Black found. Thus, Black had strolled right into their dormitories.
The school was now on high alert. Everywhere students went, they saw heightened security measures: Professor Flitwick holding up a large photo of Black, teaching everyone at the gates to identify him; Filch hammering boards over every crack and hole in the castle walls. Sir Cadogan was dismissed from his post, his portrait relegated to a lonely stairwell on the eighth floor. The Fat Lady, now restored but still skittish, returned to her duties under one condition: extra protection. This came in the form of a squad of surly gnomes, who patrolled the hallways wielding menacing clubs, muttering gruffly to one another, and comparing the size of their weapons.
Walking out of the Slytherin common room, Augustus and his group couldn't help but notice the signs of heightened vigilance. It was clear that Dumbledore was taking this incident very seriously.
"It seems Sirius Black must have a deep grudge against something—or someone—within the school," Loki speculated. "Otherwise, he wouldn't risk infiltrating the castle twice under such intense scrutiny. His entry into Gryffindor Tower confirms his interest lies with the lions."
"Those Dementors have been utterly useless since Mr. Augustus dealt with them last time," Lilian remarked. "Given their pitiful state now, Sirius Black could probably stroll right past them without issue."
As Augustus led the group forward, they overheard whispers among Gryffindor students and noticed a few lingering near statues, engaged in serious discussion.
"Apparently, someone in Gryffindor actually saw Black last night," one student said. "I heard it was Ron Weasley. But strangely, Black didn't harm him—just fled. Odd, isn't it? With his track record of blowing up an entire street, why would he let a defenseless student go?"
"You don't know?" another chimed in. "Black's after the rumored treasure that can resurrect the Dark Lord. It's said to be hidden somewhere in the school. That's why he keeps sneaking into the castle. Killing someone would just spark a huge uproar and make things harder for him, so he's avoiding it for now."
The warm sunlight streaming through the patterned windows cast long shadows of Augustus's tall figure on the floor. Spring seemed to be approaching, with the scent of fresh grass already wafting through the air.
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