Chapter 135: Chapter 135 "The Truth"
"Draco deserved it?" Matthew was taken aback by the straightforward admission.
In fact, after the Dueling Club incident, he had already begun to suspect that this book might have been responsible for his attack on Draco.
But he hadn't anticipated such a clear and concise confession from the book and a seemingly "reasonable" explanation.
With a renewed interest, Matthew wrote again:
"Why did you decide he deserved such a fate?"
The ink shimmered for a moment before the green handwriting emerged once more:
"You'll soon understand."
Matthew found himself in a bizarre game of mime with the book and couldn't help but chuckle.
Honestly, based on his interactions over the past year or so...
Although Matthew still remained in the dark about the book's origin and abilities, he had gathered some clues:
Under normal circumstances, the book wouldn't harm him...
In fact, it sometimes even seemed to actively protect him...
It's worth noting that, considering its power, if the book wanted him gone, it could have achieved that at any point over the last year.
Yet, it had no intention of harming him—except for that unfortunate toad.
Rather than malevolence, it demonstrated what could be interpreted as "survival" behaviors...
For example, when Draco attempted to frame him last September, the book intervened to prevent it.
Otherwise, if Matthew had been falsely accused, his life at Hogwarts could have become exceedingly difficult.
Then, when he contemplated seeking Morgana in February of the current year, the book discouraged him.
Truth be told, Morgana posed a significant danger. It seemed that even with Professor Grindelwald's strategic consideration, her power could lead to catastrophic consequences.
This book hadn't undermined Matthew's interests (except for that one toad).
Perhaps due to this, a few months ago, in the face of Professor Grindelwald, Matthew could have easily told him about the book.
Given Professor Grindelwald's reputation, he might have been amenable to helping rid Matthew of the dark magical item on the mysterious side.
Such an endeavor could be daunting for ordinary wizards, but it might not have been insurmountable for someone like Professor Grindelwald.
Yet, in the end, Matthew had chosen silence.
Despite the strange events and the toad incident, he had developed a certain attachment to the book over the past year.
Regardless of its purpose, it had remained with him for so long without attempting to harm him. Thus, he decided to adopt a wait-and-see approach.
Furthermore, his relationship with the book could be deemed a peaceful coexistence.
If the book had genuinely hostile intentions, what would prevent it from resorting to extremes? And how could Matthew guarantee that it wouldn't push him into a corner and lead to disastrous consequences?
He had no wish to witness such an outcome.
...
Closing the book and returning it to the drawer, Matthew felt a sense of anticipation.
If the book claimed he'd know soon, then he could afford to wait.
Barely had he closed the drawer when he heard a clamor of footsteps outside his door.
Moments later, the bedroom door swung open.
Draco and the others had returned.
Draco still had a bandage wrapped around his head, traces of blood visible on the gauze.
Vincent and Gregory supported Malfoy on either side, their sturdy arms serving as makeshift crutches.
Theodore followed closely behind.
The four of them locked eyes in the doorway, with Matthew inside the room.
Matthew couldn't help but sense an odd tension emanating from them.
Notably, their eyes reflected a mix of fear and reverence, and they seemed hesitant to meet his gaze directly.
A stifling silence enveloped the room, creating an increasingly peculiar atmosphere.
"Good evening," Matthew greeted slowly.
"Matthew..." Draco's voice trembled, cutting through the silence in the room.
His words were strained, his voice quivering as though suppressing intense fear.
"Forgive us... We're sorry... We were wrong... We won't do it again... Please forgive us..."
Draco's words sounded almost incoherent, resembling a jumble of nonsensical thoughts.
Likewise, Theodore, Vincent, and Gregory lowered their heads in a mixture of fear and unease.
It was as though they were on the verge of kneeling...
Matthew blinked, his comprehension suddenly dawning.
He had finally understood the situation!
...
Why had Draco and the others been avoiding him?
Why did the book manipulate him during the Dueling Club practice, causing him to attack Draco?
Why did the book attribute such strong sentiment to Draco?
The truth seemed to become evident in an instant.
While he lacked all the details, it was evident that Draco, Theodore, Vincent, and Gregory were all from pure-blood families and returned from the summer break with no intention of allowing another term of being "dominated" by "Mudbloods" within Hogwarts.
From Malfoy's perspective, they were tired of feeling underrepresented and sought a change.
Thus, they had likely been plotting something since the start of the term.
Even the supposed "confiscation" of his broomstick by Mr. Pringle might have been an elaborate ruse; their true intention had been to strategize together.
It could have been an act of retaliation against Matthew or perhaps an attempt to embarrass him publicly...
Though the details remained shrouded, Matthew didn't need to know them.
However, although they had operated in the shadows, the book was privy to their actions.
The book had detected their activities and subsequently exhibited a "righteous rage" during the Dueling Club, manipulating Matthew to target Draco and causing him to sustain injuries.
Naturally, Draco was unaware of Matthew's side of the story, and Matthew remained ignorant of the plot Draco had hatched.
Draco, interpreting Matthew's actions as retaliation, had returned to the dormitory and felt compelled to confess everything...
...
Matthew neither confirmed nor denied; he simply gazed at the four individuals in the doorway.
It was evident that their hearts were fraught with unease and trepidation.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Scaramousse
Scaramousse Chapters will be updated daily at 23:00 GMT+7!
Don't forget to leave power stones and you can read up to 40 chapters ahead on [p][a][t][r][e][o][n].com/Scaramousse
Community Discord server: https://discord.gg/fUTE3bckdX
Chapter 136: Chapter 136 "Draco's Plan"
Matthew observed the four figures before him with a steady demeanor.
In truth, Draco, Theodore, Vincent, and Gregory were never truly his "friends" in this world.
Unlike Hermione and Neville, who had accepted Matthew as a friend from the moment they met on the Hogwarts Express, Draco and the others had treated him as an outsider since he joined Slytherin a year ago.
Their attitude towards him had improved only until the incident involving the book's attack on them.
Their connection wasn't driven by friendship but rather by fear or some form of vested interest.
Thus, when Draco confessed his wrongdoing, Matthew felt a mild surprise but wasn't shocked.
What truly astonished him was not Draco's actions but rather the book's earlier revelation.
Draco, Theodore, Vincent, and Gregory stared back at Matthew in a mix of terror and uncertainty, their expressions echoing a chaotic mess of emotions.
Matthew's mood remained unswayed as he coldly instructed, "Come in and close the door."
...
Matthew was uncertain how he was perceived by his four roommates.
He might appear terrifying to them.
But he wasn't concerned; he didn't mind leaving a more profound impression on them.
"Let's get to the point," he stated impassively. "Tell me about that plan of yours."
He withdrew his wand and idly toyed with it as he spoke, maintaining an air of nonchalance.
Draco and Theodore exchanged a glance, their eyes betraying their intense fear.
"It was Draco who proposed the idea!" After a brief hesitation, Theodore opted to disclose the truth.
"At the end of the summer break, Draco devised the plan. He suggested that, as noble pure-blood wizards, we couldn't allow someone... someone... to hold authority over us within the dormitory. It was a disgrace."
Theodore refrained from uttering the term outright.
"Let's stick to the details of your plan," Matthew said casually. "I'm not interested in your justifications or discussions."
"We..." Theodore hesitated momentarily.
Draco, however, jumped in to provide an answer, "We planned to break into Professor Slughorn's office and steal the Draught of Living Death Potion..."
Draught of Living Death was a potent sleeping potion. It was an advanced potion usually reserved for sixth-year students and above.
Matthew's brow furrowed slightly, but he remained silent.
"...We would then choose a night, originally tonight," Draco continued, "during dinner when you weren't paying attention, we'd spike your pumpkin juice with the Draught of Living Death. While the potion took effect, we'd convince you to enter the prize room. After the potion rendered you unconscious, we'd hide you in a corner of the prize room."
Draco's voice grew increasingly shaky.
"Based on the dosage of the Draught of Living Death, you'd sleep until the lights were out, at which point we would proceed," he went on. "We'd inform Mr. Pringle in secret. He'd rush over to the prize room after lights out, discovering you violating school rules—roaming the castle after curfew. And then..."
He trailed off, unable to continue.
Vincent followed up, "This week, Draco has been trying to gain Mr. Pringle's favor. He brought him a few exquisite gifts from home and even his 2001 broomstick as a present. Mr. Pringle is a Quidditch enthusiast."
"Quite the generous gesture, Draco," Matthew quipped with a sneer.
Vincent, too frightened to speak further, remained silent.
Gregory glanced around timidly. "After concealing you in the prize room, we'd notify Mr. Pringle. He'd arrive after lights out, catch you, breaking school rules by wandering the castle in the dark... and then..."
He paused before continuing, "...we'd use that as evidence that you frequently remain outside the dormitory past curfew."
"Mr. Pringle could petition Professor Rosier to expel you from Hogwarts on those grounds... or, at the very least, impose a lengthy confinement."
Gregory's voice wavered as he finished, and he gasped for breath.
The quartet lowered their heads, occasionally darting cautious glances at Matthew.
...
The plan was overly simplistic, with a touch of naivety in the execution, clearly the concoction of twelve-year-old "youngsters."
Even if the book hadn't interfered and thwarted their scheme, they might not have been successful in their initial objective.
Matthew didn't believe that Mr. Pringle alone could expel him from Hogwarts.
He still held onto a sliver of confidence.
However, should he be caught blatantly violating school rules, he'd undoubtedly face severe consequences.
"Draco!" Matthew ignored the others, his gaze fixed on Draco.
It was clear that Draco was the instigator, with the rest serving as accomplices.
"You deem my actions worthy of such retaliation? I fail to see how I've wronged you to such an extent," Matthew's voice carried a biting edge.
With a casual flick of his left hand, his wand assumed a poised position, almost as if ready to cast a spell.
"After all, care to explain?" Matthew prodded.
Draco's complexion turned pallid and unsightly, his expression a mixture of guilt and apprehension.
"It was foolish of me... Matthew... my mistake... Forgive me..." he stammered.
Matthew then pointed his wand at Draco, asking, "Tell me, who suggested this idea?"
Draco hesitated momentarily before replying softly, "It was my father. He gave me the idea..."
...
A heavy silence settled in.
The other four awaited Matthew's response, their anxiety palpable.
Finally, Matthew broke the silence. "Where's the Draught of Living Death you stole? Hand it over. It's far too dangerous to carry something like that."
After a brief hesitation, Draco retrieved a small glass bottle from his pocket...
CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Scaramousse
Scaramousse
Chapters will be updated daily at 23:00 GMT+7!
Don't forget to leave power stones and you can read up to 40 chapters ahead on [p][a][t][r][e][o][n].com/Scaramousse
Community Discord server: https://discord.gg/fUTE3bckdX
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
0 Power
stone 
Paragraph comment