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Chapter 41: A Difficult Choice
Author: I'm Just a Pigeon
William was now calm, his anger completely gone.
Although silencing someone isn't an effective method of education and is more likely to provoke a rebellious attitude in the punished—it's so satisfying!
The Ministry of Magic official over there took less than five minutes to read the letter, then hurried over and handed it to William.
“Professor, I think I've found the whereabouts of those two students.”
Found their whereabouts? A letter from the Ministry of Magic?
A bad feeling welled up inside William. He unfolded the letter and began to read it quickly.
Soon, he found the relevant message in the letter.
‘—The two students appear to have followed the Hogwarts Express in a flying car. Several Muggles have reported witnessing this. In light of this situation, please seal Platform Nine and Three-Quarters immediately and proceed to the Muggles' homes to erase their memories—’
His previously calm state of mind instantly shattered. William felt a headache coming on.
“Thank you. Knowing where they are now is a great relief.”
William replied, feigning calmness.
“That's good. I'm glad I could help.”
This young man from the Ministry of Magic looked delighted; it was clear that the title of 'Hogwarts Professor' was very important to him.
“Professor, the Ministry has given me a new mission, so I must be going. I'm sorry I can't be of more help.”
“You've helped enough already, thank you.”
The official, who never gave his name, left with a proud look on his face via Apparition. William could almost see the laughter on his face.
“What a good student—”
William sighed to himself.
The other man's attentiveness obviously wasn't because of him; it was entirely a return on the reputation Hogwarts Professors had built up over the years.
If it weren't for the pitfalls associated with the course he taught, it would have been absolutely impossible for someone like him, who had been in Azkaban, to become a professor—William was very self-aware about this.
I need to work even harder to teach the students... Otherwise, how could I justify the trust of these graduates who still believe in their professors so much?
As William thought this, the corner of his eye caught sight of the silenced Gryffindor.
…
Can I take back what I just thought?
Having a few more students like this would probably shorten my lifespan!
An idiom couldn't help but float through his mind—birds of a feather flock together.
As expected, the friends of a young person who dares to skip the train wouldn't be well-behaved children.
Chasing the Hogwarts Express in a flying car?
The way this scene was unfolding, you'd think he was watching a Hollywood action movie. Why don't they just fly the car over a skyscraper while they're at it!
That doesn't seem right, either. The car can already fly.
【You have gained the recognition (disgust) of a magical creature, obtaining Treasure Chest x1】
William intuitively felt that this Treasure Chest came from the little Gryffindor behind him.
【Conspirator Hermione (Rare); Professor Snape's private warehouse was robbed. He was furious but couldn't find the culprit. I think it will be very difficult for him to ever find out.
Skill—Precise Pilfering: Tear this card, designate an item, and formulate a plan for its theft. The more you know about the item, the more detailed the plan that appears in your mind will be. —There's theft, and then there's *theft*—the difference is greater than that between people.】
It's probably an effect similar to Felix Felicis, a feeling of 'I think this is the best way to do it'—William made this judgment instantly.
But what interrupted him from looking at the next card wasn't a skill, but the endless sarcastic commentary that surfaced in his mind.
This girl in front of him had almost nothing in common with the one in the only movie he had ever seen!
Her front teeth would need to be shrunk, her hair properly styled, her face would need to mature, and she'd have to grow a lot taller—it would be like she was a completely different person.
As for her temperament, they were like two different characters. This brat in front of him wasn't the least bit similar.
Also, if he remembered correctly, the Professor Snape mentioned on the card also had things stolen from him in the movie he saw—couldn't you guys find a different sheep to fleece?
As for the 'conspirator' part, he didn't care much. For someone who could ambush a Ministry of Magic employee, plotting against a professor's inventory wasn't something unacceptable.
After finally reigning in his sarcastic thoughts, William began to look at the next card.
【Forbidden Potion Brewer Hermione (SR): Polyjuice Potion, a potion explicitly banned by the Ministry of Magic, is extremely difficult to brew. Yet, a second-year student successfully brewed this forbidden potion. Unfortunately, very few people know of this great feat.
Skill—Prodigy: Tear this card, decide on a potion, prepare the ingredients, and begin brewing. You will then discover that Potions are actually so simple. Unless you deliberately fail, this potion-making attempt is guaranteed to succeed—no one would have thought that success and failure are separated by such a fine line.】
Of course I know—William resisted the urge to tap on it.
He was starting to admire the Gryffindor behind him. As someone who made a living through Potions, he knew very well what a big deal Polyjuice Potion was.
A long brewing time, precise techniques, and precious ingredients—not one could be missing.
A second-year student? If William told his peers about this, they would probably think he was telling a good joke and burst into laughter.
Not to mention the card's effect. William knew of at least a dozen potions that were completely beyond his skill level to create.
Among them was Felix Felicis, also known as the favor of the Goddess of Fortune. Even if the card couldn't let him master the brewing method for Felix Felicis, being able to succeed just once, ignoring countless details, was still worth it.
One had to know, even a slight mistake in the brewing of Felix Felicis could lead to disastrous consequences. Even though it takes up to six months to make and is highly addictive, none of that could diminish the effects of this miraculous potion.
Drink Felix Felicis, and you will see the smile of the Goddess of Fortune and what's under her skirt—this was the common understanding among those in the Potions circle.
It has only one effect—to make you lucky, to make you lucky, and to give you luck that would make even the devil jealous.
Calm down, William.
He told himself silently as he looked at the third card.
【Hermione, Attacker of Professors (SR); You can't imagine, nor would you dare to, that a third-year student would have the courage to attack a professor. Although she had help from her companions, Professor Snape still fainted in front of the students.
Skill—Ambush; Tear this card to consume all your magic. Your next magical attack is guaranteed to strike first, gain the effects of a nonverbal spell and wandless magic, and is guaranteed to hit—an all-or-nothing gamble. The loser will bear unacceptable consequences.】
Good grief, what on earth did Professor Snape do to provoke you people? Can't you find a different sheep to fleece?
Having only seen the movies, William wasn't very familiar with this Professor Snape, but right now, he offered him a moment of silence.
Speaking of which—this Gryffindor even attacks professors?
Thinking of this, William directly took two steps forward.
Judging from the Treasure Chest he had just drawn, there was a high probability that he, too, would get knocked out from behind.
After realizing the person behind him had no desire to follow, William was once again lost in a dilemma.
(end of chapter)
Author: I'm Just a Pigeon
William was now calm, his anger completely gone.
Although silencing someone isn't an effective method of education and is more likely to provoke a rebellious attitude in the punished—it's so satisfying!
The Ministry of Magic official over there took less than five minutes to read the letter, then hurried over and handed it to William.
“Professor, I think I've found the whereabouts of those two students.”
Found their whereabouts? A letter from the Ministry of Magic?
A bad feeling welled up inside William. He unfolded the letter and began to read it quickly.
Soon, he found the relevant message in the letter.
‘—The two students appear to have followed the Hogwarts Express in a flying car. Several Muggles have reported witnessing this. In light of this situation, please seal Platform Nine and Three-Quarters immediately and proceed to the Muggles' homes to erase their memories—’
His previously calm state of mind instantly shattered. William felt a headache coming on.
“Thank you. Knowing where they are now is a great relief.”
William replied, feigning calmness.
“That's good. I'm glad I could help.”
This young man from the Ministry of Magic looked delighted; it was clear that the title of 'Hogwarts Professor' was very important to him.
“Professor, the Ministry has given me a new mission, so I must be going. I'm sorry I can't be of more help.”
“You've helped enough already, thank you.”
The official, who never gave his name, left with a proud look on his face via Apparition. William could almost see the laughter on his face.
“What a good student—”
William sighed to himself.
The other man's attentiveness obviously wasn't because of him; it was entirely a return on the reputation Hogwarts Professors had built up over the years.
If it weren't for the pitfalls associated with the course he taught, it would have been absolutely impossible for someone like him, who had been in Azkaban, to become a professor—William was very self-aware about this.
I need to work even harder to teach the students... Otherwise, how could I justify the trust of these graduates who still believe in their professors so much?
As William thought this, the corner of his eye caught sight of the silenced Gryffindor.
…
Can I take back what I just thought?
Having a few more students like this would probably shorten my lifespan!
An idiom couldn't help but float through his mind—birds of a feather flock together.
As expected, the friends of a young person who dares to skip the train wouldn't be well-behaved children.
Chasing the Hogwarts Express in a flying car?
The way this scene was unfolding, you'd think he was watching a Hollywood action movie. Why don't they just fly the car over a skyscraper while they're at it!
That doesn't seem right, either. The car can already fly.
【You have gained the recognition (disgust) of a magical creature, obtaining Treasure Chest x1】
William intuitively felt that this Treasure Chest came from the little Gryffindor behind him.
【Conspirator Hermione (Rare); Professor Snape's private warehouse was robbed. He was furious but couldn't find the culprit. I think it will be very difficult for him to ever find out.
Skill—Precise Pilfering: Tear this card, designate an item, and formulate a plan for its theft. The more you know about the item, the more detailed the plan that appears in your mind will be. —There's theft, and then there's *theft*—the difference is greater than that between people.】
It's probably an effect similar to Felix Felicis, a feeling of 'I think this is the best way to do it'—William made this judgment instantly.
But what interrupted him from looking at the next card wasn't a skill, but the endless sarcastic commentary that surfaced in his mind.
This girl in front of him had almost nothing in common with the one in the only movie he had ever seen!
Her front teeth would need to be shrunk, her hair properly styled, her face would need to mature, and she'd have to grow a lot taller—it would be like she was a completely different person.
As for her temperament, they were like two different characters. This brat in front of him wasn't the least bit similar.
Also, if he remembered correctly, the Professor Snape mentioned on the card also had things stolen from him in the movie he saw—couldn't you guys find a different sheep to fleece?
As for the 'conspirator' part, he didn't care much. For someone who could ambush a Ministry of Magic employee, plotting against a professor's inventory wasn't something unacceptable.
After finally reigning in his sarcastic thoughts, William began to look at the next card.
【Forbidden Potion Brewer Hermione (SR): Polyjuice Potion, a potion explicitly banned by the Ministry of Magic, is extremely difficult to brew. Yet, a second-year student successfully brewed this forbidden potion. Unfortunately, very few people know of this great feat.
Skill—Prodigy: Tear this card, decide on a potion, prepare the ingredients, and begin brewing. You will then discover that Potions are actually so simple. Unless you deliberately fail, this potion-making attempt is guaranteed to succeed—no one would have thought that success and failure are separated by such a fine line.】
Of course I know—William resisted the urge to tap on it.
He was starting to admire the Gryffindor behind him. As someone who made a living through Potions, he knew very well what a big deal Polyjuice Potion was.
A long brewing time, precise techniques, and precious ingredients—not one could be missing.
A second-year student? If William told his peers about this, they would probably think he was telling a good joke and burst into laughter.
Not to mention the card's effect. William knew of at least a dozen potions that were completely beyond his skill level to create.
Among them was Felix Felicis, also known as the favor of the Goddess of Fortune. Even if the card couldn't let him master the brewing method for Felix Felicis, being able to succeed just once, ignoring countless details, was still worth it.
One had to know, even a slight mistake in the brewing of Felix Felicis could lead to disastrous consequences. Even though it takes up to six months to make and is highly addictive, none of that could diminish the effects of this miraculous potion.
Drink Felix Felicis, and you will see the smile of the Goddess of Fortune and what's under her skirt—this was the common understanding among those in the Potions circle.
It has only one effect—to make you lucky, to make you lucky, and to give you luck that would make even the devil jealous.
Calm down, William.
He told himself silently as he looked at the third card.
【Hermione, Attacker of Professors (SR); You can't imagine, nor would you dare to, that a third-year student would have the courage to attack a professor. Although she had help from her companions, Professor Snape still fainted in front of the students.
Skill—Ambush; Tear this card to consume all your magic. Your next magical attack is guaranteed to strike first, gain the effects of a nonverbal spell and wandless magic, and is guaranteed to hit—an all-or-nothing gamble. The loser will bear unacceptable consequences.】
Good grief, what on earth did Professor Snape do to provoke you people? Can't you find a different sheep to fleece?
Having only seen the movies, William wasn't very familiar with this Professor Snape, but right now, he offered him a moment of silence.
Speaking of which—this Gryffindor even attacks professors?
Thinking of this, William directly took two steps forward.
Judging from the Treasure Chest he had just drawn, there was a high probability that he, too, would get knocked out from behind.
After realizing the person behind him had no desire to follow, William was once again lost in a dilemma.
(end of chapter)
