Chapter 382 - Deadly Pt1 (1/2)

For years, Fergus had imagined what would happen when he would tell someone about his parents. They would be shocked, surprised, and probably see him differently after that, treat him differently. However, Fergus wasn't ready for the reaction Malgino gave him. He was furious. He was furious at the fact that Fergus was Godric Gryffindor's son. Why? Fergus couldn't understand. At least not at that moment.

”Why?” That's all Malgino said before he stormed off leaving Fergus alone, again.

For the next month, nobody saw Malgino that much. He was bȧrėly attending any classes and completely avoiding Fergus. Fergus didn't bother him either. He thought he should let Malgino take his time.

But now, Fergus was almost alone again. Since the news broke about his involvement in that explosion, students were avoiding him. Even his new friends were uneasy around him. And one day, when they all planned a study session before exams and specifically didn't invite Fergus, he stopped bothering them as well.

Salazar Slytherin and Rowena Ravenclaw weren't making things easier for Fergus either. They both indirectly reproached him in different ways. In their classes, Fergus either felt left out or was insulted repeatedly. Gryffindor said nothing at this, he had stopped talking to his son since that day. And of course, he couldn't visit his mother for two years.

Fergus thought, he deserved it or deserved more punishment than this. Somehow, he also had a part in killing that student. Someone lost his life because of something he knew about but couldn't do anything.

The only people who didn't treat him badly were Genevieve Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, and Emory.

Genevieve was upset about the whole thing but tried to support Fergus so that he didn't end up isolating himself entirely. Emory was uncomfortable too but she tried her best to talk to Fergus in classes, she gave him notes and helped him. She never asked about the incident or Fergus's condition. Fergus was grateful to her for this. And Helga Hufflepuff,

She called Fergus to her office almost one week later from the incident. Her worried look didn't surprise Fergus until she started talking.

”Fergus, I know you never used magic without our supervision,” Helga said calmly and Fergus's eyes widened. Helga continued, ”Yes, I do, and regardless of what your father believes or wants to believe, I think there is more to the story. What are you not telling us?”

”Madam Helga, I'm sorry,” Fergus's answer was ready. He was going to say the same thing. ”I lose control and —”

Helga stopped him.

”You were practicing magic behind our back and lost control, I have heard that, Fergus. Maybe everyone believed it because it's a very convincing story and considering, you are capable of doing that, it's not a surprise. I am aware that your magic is quite strong but I know you, son. I have seen you since the day your father brought you here,” Helga soften her voice and spoke in a motherly way. ”There was a reason only I knew about you. When your father brought you here, he only told me, not because he trusted me more than the others. It's because, he thought, somehow I will be a better caretaker of you than Salazar, Rowena, and him.”

Hearing her soothing, affectionate voice, Fergus felt like crying. He remembered when he came to Hogwarts first and how foreign the place felt until he met Helga and how much she treated him like her own kid. How sometimes Helga took him to stroll outside, even when his father disapproved, and how sometimes Helga came to his room to check if he was okay. Wilma, his mother had no idea about what he went through here because Fergus didn't want to ruin her and his father's relationship. Wilma looked so happy to see Fergus and Gryffindor that Fergus never dared to break her mother's illusion. But what now? At the thought of his mother, Fergus felt cold. Will his mama hate him too?

”Have father told anything to mama?” Fergus asked quietly.

”I don't think so,” Helga sighed. ”Your father is a proud man, Fergus. I don't think he would accept, not even in front of your mother, that his methods to keep you safe did not work. You don't have to worry about that. I want to know what actually happened that day?”

Fergus lowered his head. Anyone could see the turmoil inside him. It was a war between his best friend and the mother figure. One side was Malgino, the only person who understood him, trusted him, made him the way he was today. Without Malgino Fergus would have been dead countless times. Then there was Helga, who loved him and fought with Gryffindor for his freedom. How could he choose between them?

”Fergus?” Helga stared at Fergus.

”I'm sorry, Madam Helga, but . . . I can't . . . I can't tell you,” Fergus choked in his words as his heart got heavier. He couldn't meet Helga's eyes.

There was a long pause. Fergus didn't say anything else and let the silence stretch. Finally, Helga let out a deep breath.

”You may go, Fergus. I got my answer.”