Chapter 381 - The Explosion (2/2)

”I know,” Malgino said oddly as he pulled Fergus after him.

Malgino was trying to get out of there as soon as possible but as they rounded up the corner they came face to face with Helena and Rowena Ravenclaw.

Rowena took one look at horrified Fergus and Malgino and ordered them to follow her. Fergus, Malgino, and Helena followed Rowena Ravenclaw silently. In between, Malgino and Helena changed a few weird looks which Fergus didn't notice. He was still seeing the dead student's face.

Fergus took a calming draught from Genevieve, who still worked under Madam Josephine, even after finishing school. Then all of them walked to the headmaster and headmistress's common office.

Four founders stared down a small group. All four of them looked furious.

”I will ask the last time what happened?” Salazar Slytherin hissed.

No one from the group met Salazar Slytherin's eyes.

”This is ridiculous!” Godric Gryffindor exclaimed glaring at the group. ”You need to answer if all of you don't want to be punished.”

”I do not think you understand the gravity of the situation,” said Rowena Ravenclaw, her anger bȧrėly contained under her calm voice. ”You have not only damaged our school but you also have harmed other students. We want to know what happened?”

”And ”harmed” might be putting it lightly,” said Helga Hufflepuff grimly. ”Genevieve, you are honest. Tell us what you saw.”

Genevieve stepped forward looking upset. Today when she was on her way to the healers' wing, she was caught in the same mysterious explosion in the West wing.

”As I said, Madam Helga, I just arrived moments before the explosion. I clearly don't know what happened. But I tried to send the injured students to the healers as soon as the accident happened,” Genevieve paused hesitating. Her eyes flickered between Helena and Malgino. Helena pointedly ignored Genevieve while Malgino looked surprised. Genevieve sighed and continued, ”I am sorry, Madams, Sir, Brother. I don't know for sure who could be behind the explosion.”

”Do you have any idea, Genevieve?” Salazar asked suspiciously.

”I –” Genevieve's glanced at Malgino, who looked shocked then pressed his lips together looking defeated. Genevieve hesitated but opened her mouth. ”I know someone who is always there. Ma —”

”It was me!” Fergus stepped forward shocking everyone in the room. ”I always hung around that place. And the explosion was caused by me.”

Malgino tried to catch Fergus's eyes but he ignored him.

”Correct me if I am wrong, Fergus but I think you, specifically you are forbidden to use magic without our supervision?” Godric Gryffindor said looking furious.

”You will be right. I broke the rules,” Fergus said looking down.

”Gus, don't!” Malgino hissed quietly.

”A student died, Fergus,” Godric Gryffindor yelled slapping his hand on the table in front of him.

”Godric, I know he is from Gryffindor but considering the students were from Slytherin and Ravenclaw house, I would like to –” Salazar Slytherin began but Helga cut him off.

”Godric will decide the punishment, Salazar,” she waved her hands dismissively.

”But Helga –”

”Salazar.”

”Fine,” Salazar grumbled but didn't say anything.

”What do you think you are doing?” Malgino slid beside Fergus. ”Gus, stop. We know it wasn't you.”

”I know,” Fergus whispered. ”It was you.”

Malgino looked at Fergus shocked.

”Do you know what that means, Fergus? About your punishment?” Gryffindor glared at his son.

”Yes, Fa–sir.” Fergus nodded without looking up.

The punishment hadn't changed in years. It was still the same. If he used magic he would not be allowed to go to Titian and see his mother. Fergus knew it all too well.

.

Malgino pulled Fergus aside as soon everyone got out of the office.

”Gus —”

”Shut up! Your experiment killed a boy, Mal. How could you let this happen?” Fergus burst out. ”I told you. I warned you that whatever you are messing with is too dangerous. You didn't listen!”

”Why did you save me, Gus? What punishment did you take? They are not going to kick you out, are they? Or are they going to lock you up again?” Malgino asked ignoring Fergus's words and looking quite frantic. ”Why did you do it, you stupid gnome-brained?”

”They are not going to do anything like that. They just don't let me visit my mama again. At least not for two years,” Fergus said looking away. ”But if they had found out it was you. They definitely would have kicked you out.”

”I know. But why not you?” Malgino asked surprised.

”They would never kick me out.”

”Why?”

”Mal, Godric Gryffindor is my father.”

⟦To be continued⟧