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chapter 171 part 2
The dirt paths at Hogwarts have turned into a swamp!
I can't believe there's weather more miserable than the rainy season in the south. You live and learn!
Another test was conducted today, with no new findings. The professor using the Diadem for the third time reported that the inspiration received was about the same as the second time. That's probably the only good news.
The Diadem isn't going well, and neither am I—(A series of heavily crossed-out black lines, stained over again with ink.)
…
October 18th—Rain!!!!
Damn this rain! Why does it rain so much at Hogwarts?
I'm running out of chocolate!
The owls are extremely reluctant to work overtime. The fireplaces are in full use, but it's still incredibly frustrating. This drizzling rain is so much worse than the monsoon. Waking up every morning to a gray sky outside my window feels like being back in that place again.
The only good news is that the students in all three years are progressing faster than expected. A Fifth Year student even managed to get an Outstanding from me, and that was without me going easy on them!
That Miss Nancy is truly gifted at summarizing and identifying problems. I'll probably have to change my approach to writing exams.
Also—those twenty points Miss Nancy earned from me forced me to write a report for approval from above, to be reviewed by the four Heads of House. This is what happens when you award too many points…
The Galleons are no big deal. I get my salary tomorrow.
—
After writing the entry for the 18th, William threw himself onto his bed. A thick stack of papers waiting for his approval sat nearby, but he had no desire to even look at them.
The aftereffects of Azkaban had fully erupted during this dreary, rainy October. The gray, sunless sky made him constantly think about all the terrible things that had happened there.
‘I didn't check them yesterday. I have to make an effort today, no matter what!’
William forced himself to pop a piece of chocolate into his mouth, using its sweetness to regain some strength.
‘No more. Any more chocolate and it'll become an addiction!’
Resisting the desire to eat more, William climbed out of bed. It was still raining outside, as if it would never stop.
‘How many days has it been since I saw the sun? Isn't Britain supposed to be a temperate country?’
William tried to lighten his mood with sarcastic comments, but it was no use. Scenes of the Dementors from Azkaban feeding on happiness would pop into his mind from time to time, asserting their presence, impossible to erase or escape.
‘There’s no one I can even ask about this. This school only ever sends people to Azkaban. I’m probably the only one who has ever come back from there.’
‘I wish a dragon would attack. At least my wand would be of some use. What is this now? Are Dementors more terrifying than dragons?’
William took out his wand and raised it towards the empty ground beside him.
"Expecto Patronum!"
There was no reaction. Although the spell, posture, technique, and pronunciation were all perfectly correct, it just wouldn't work.
The Patronus Charm was not Dark Magic. Although it was clearly a form of emotional magic, it was one of the few exceptions among such spells. William's usual rapid learning rate was completely ineffective against this powerful spell.
‘I’m such an idiot. I should have taken more time to practice this spell back in September when the weather was nice, instead of being unable to even meet the basic casting conditions in weather like this.’
Although he knew it wouldn't have worked even if he'd tried in September and would have just disrupted his other study plans, William couldn't help but complain about himself.
‘Thankfully, I have enough exam papers prepared. Even if I can't write any this week, it won't be a major issue. Planning ahead is a good thing.’
When William's hand touched the thick stack of reserve exam papers in his drawer, his mood finally improved. Although his current state was affected, his basic theory hadn't faltered, and the students were genuinely improving.
'I'll let the students relax a bit next. I'll just test their combat skills in an extreme environment. Dueling each other in the rain on muddy ground will surely be a fine experience. And it should also be a great help in improving their strength.'
Looking at the rain outside, William made his decision during the brief period of improvement after eating the chocolate.
—
"Congratulations, Nancy!"
"Nancy, congratulations!"
Though students from other years looked on strangely, the Fifth Year students collectively threw a celebration for Nancy in an empty classroom. Even some Slytherin students came over.
The Fifth Year students gathered together, raising their cups to their victory today.
Due to time and homework constraints, the celebration was extremely simple. There were only drinks and some small pull-string ribbons they had gotten from somewhere. The classroom lacked even basic decorations, but every student's face was beaming with a genuine smile.
"Let's raise a cup to Nancy!"
"To Nancy!"
Every student offered their enthusiastic congratulations. Just today, after careful review, their professor had spent five minutes longer than usual grading her exam paper but in the end had to reluctantly announce the student's victory.
Although Nancy was still a bit stunned by the sudden Outstanding, the other students didn't see it that way.
That ridiculously obscure knowledge, the kind you could only grasp by reading the textbook thoroughly, had finally been conquered by a student.
For this, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor had paid the price of twenty House Points and a prize of thirty Galleons.
"Cheers, to the twenty points!"
Even though the points weren't added to their own House, these children were happier than if they had scored them themselves.
"Cheers!"
"Cheers, to the thirty Galleon prize money!"
"Cheers!"
The place was shabby, without a single decent dish, and the drinks were a random assortment, some not even containing alcohol, but no one complained. Everyone's spirits were higher than they had been at the Opening Ceremony.
"Nancy, want to trade Galleons? Three for one! I want one of your prize coins for an amulet!" some child proposed while Nancy herself was still in a daze.
The students began to vie for them. As if to vent all their frustrations, the Galleons were quickly traded away at prices of three or even four times their value. The children carefully preserved them, hiding them in the deepest parts of their pockets.
"What are you all doing!"
Just as the students were at their most boisterous, the classroom door opened, and Filch's head poked in.
"We're celebrating," a Prefect emerged from the crowd—more than one, in fact.
"Celebrating?"
"Yes, Nancy received an O."
"Fine, celebrate. But if there are any items left behind in this classroom that shouldn't be, you'd better watch out."
Filch glanced around, then left in a huff. With Prefects present, it was basically impossible for him to catch any rule-breaking.
"He's gone! Filch is gone!"
A child near the doorway shouted, and the entire classroom erupted in cheers once more.
(end of chapter)
The dirt paths at Hogwarts have turned into a swamp!
I can't believe there's weather more miserable than the rainy season in the south. You live and learn!
Another test was conducted today, with no new findings. The professor using the Diadem for the third time reported that the inspiration received was about the same as the second time. That's probably the only good news.
The Diadem isn't going well, and neither am I—(A series of heavily crossed-out black lines, stained over again with ink.)
…
October 18th—Rain!!!!
Damn this rain! Why does it rain so much at Hogwarts?
I'm running out of chocolate!
The owls are extremely reluctant to work overtime. The fireplaces are in full use, but it's still incredibly frustrating. This drizzling rain is so much worse than the monsoon. Waking up every morning to a gray sky outside my window feels like being back in that place again.
The only good news is that the students in all three years are progressing faster than expected. A Fifth Year student even managed to get an Outstanding from me, and that was without me going easy on them!
That Miss Nancy is truly gifted at summarizing and identifying problems. I'll probably have to change my approach to writing exams.
Also—those twenty points Miss Nancy earned from me forced me to write a report for approval from above, to be reviewed by the four Heads of House. This is what happens when you award too many points…
The Galleons are no big deal. I get my salary tomorrow.
—
After writing the entry for the 18th, William threw himself onto his bed. A thick stack of papers waiting for his approval sat nearby, but he had no desire to even look at them.
The aftereffects of Azkaban had fully erupted during this dreary, rainy October. The gray, sunless sky made him constantly think about all the terrible things that had happened there.
‘I didn't check them yesterday. I have to make an effort today, no matter what!’
William forced himself to pop a piece of chocolate into his mouth, using its sweetness to regain some strength.
‘No more. Any more chocolate and it'll become an addiction!’
Resisting the desire to eat more, William climbed out of bed. It was still raining outside, as if it would never stop.
‘How many days has it been since I saw the sun? Isn't Britain supposed to be a temperate country?’
William tried to lighten his mood with sarcastic comments, but it was no use. Scenes of the Dementors from Azkaban feeding on happiness would pop into his mind from time to time, asserting their presence, impossible to erase or escape.
‘There’s no one I can even ask about this. This school only ever sends people to Azkaban. I’m probably the only one who has ever come back from there.’
‘I wish a dragon would attack. At least my wand would be of some use. What is this now? Are Dementors more terrifying than dragons?’
William took out his wand and raised it towards the empty ground beside him.
"Expecto Patronum!"
There was no reaction. Although the spell, posture, technique, and pronunciation were all perfectly correct, it just wouldn't work.
The Patronus Charm was not Dark Magic. Although it was clearly a form of emotional magic, it was one of the few exceptions among such spells. William's usual rapid learning rate was completely ineffective against this powerful spell.
‘I’m such an idiot. I should have taken more time to practice this spell back in September when the weather was nice, instead of being unable to even meet the basic casting conditions in weather like this.’
Although he knew it wouldn't have worked even if he'd tried in September and would have just disrupted his other study plans, William couldn't help but complain about himself.
‘Thankfully, I have enough exam papers prepared. Even if I can't write any this week, it won't be a major issue. Planning ahead is a good thing.’
When William's hand touched the thick stack of reserve exam papers in his drawer, his mood finally improved. Although his current state was affected, his basic theory hadn't faltered, and the students were genuinely improving.
'I'll let the students relax a bit next. I'll just test their combat skills in an extreme environment. Dueling each other in the rain on muddy ground will surely be a fine experience. And it should also be a great help in improving their strength.'
Looking at the rain outside, William made his decision during the brief period of improvement after eating the chocolate.
—
"Congratulations, Nancy!"
"Nancy, congratulations!"
Though students from other years looked on strangely, the Fifth Year students collectively threw a celebration for Nancy in an empty classroom. Even some Slytherin students came over.
The Fifth Year students gathered together, raising their cups to their victory today.
Due to time and homework constraints, the celebration was extremely simple. There were only drinks and some small pull-string ribbons they had gotten from somewhere. The classroom lacked even basic decorations, but every student's face was beaming with a genuine smile.
"Let's raise a cup to Nancy!"
"To Nancy!"
Every student offered their enthusiastic congratulations. Just today, after careful review, their professor had spent five minutes longer than usual grading her exam paper but in the end had to reluctantly announce the student's victory.
Although Nancy was still a bit stunned by the sudden Outstanding, the other students didn't see it that way.
That ridiculously obscure knowledge, the kind you could only grasp by reading the textbook thoroughly, had finally been conquered by a student.
For this, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor had paid the price of twenty House Points and a prize of thirty Galleons.
"Cheers, to the twenty points!"
Even though the points weren't added to their own House, these children were happier than if they had scored them themselves.
"Cheers!"
"Cheers, to the thirty Galleon prize money!"
"Cheers!"
The place was shabby, without a single decent dish, and the drinks were a random assortment, some not even containing alcohol, but no one complained. Everyone's spirits were higher than they had been at the Opening Ceremony.
"Nancy, want to trade Galleons? Three for one! I want one of your prize coins for an amulet!" some child proposed while Nancy herself was still in a daze.
The students began to vie for them. As if to vent all their frustrations, the Galleons were quickly traded away at prices of three or even four times their value. The children carefully preserved them, hiding them in the deepest parts of their pockets.
"What are you all doing!"
Just as the students were at their most boisterous, the classroom door opened, and Filch's head poked in.
"We're celebrating," a Prefect emerged from the crowd—more than one, in fact.
"Celebrating?"
"Yes, Nancy received an O."
"Fine, celebrate. But if there are any items left behind in this classroom that shouldn't be, you'd better watch out."
Filch glanced around, then left in a huff. With Prefects present, it was basically impossible for him to catch any rule-breaking.
"He's gone! Filch is gone!"
A child near the doorway shouted, and the entire classroom erupted in cheers once more.
(end of chapter)
