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Chapter 49: Am I That Detestable?
With the excitement over, William had no choice but to let Dumbledore pull him back into the Start-of-Term Feast.
By now, the Sorting Ceremony was mostly finished. The first-years had all found their seats, and the remaining seven or eight students were anxiously waiting for Professor Flitwick to call their names.
"Young William, did something happen?"
As William sat down, a professor with a graying beard asked in a low voice.
But even though he tried to keep his voice down, his question still made the nearby professors prick up their ears.
Even Dumbledore couldn't help but glance over before quickly turning back, pretending as if nothing had happened—the one who asked was Professor Kettleburn.
This old man, who had dedicated his life to Hogwarts and never married, had been at the school even longer than Dumbledore.
Aside from Professor Binns, who was absent today, he was the professor with the longest tenure and also the one who had received the most punishments.
Sensing Dumbledore's gaze, this childish old man even made a face at the Headmaster. When Dumbledore didn't respond for a long moment, he finally spoke with disappointment.
"Tsk, Albus is getting less and less fun. He was very enthusiastic about participating in school play rehearsals before he became Headmaster. After that, he never got involved in drama research again."
As he spoke, he stood up from his chair in a rather comical posture, fully revealing his appearance. He was missing a leg and a half, and two wooden prosthetics along with a cane helped maintain his balance. As for the hand that should have been holding the cane, it had vanished just like his leg. The cane that supported his body was attached to his missing left arm with a mechanical apparatus.
With a rhythmic tapping sound, he brought his chair next to William's.
"Hey, young William, I heard that two students missed the train today and even used a flying car. Is that right?"
If even Dumbledore was helpless against this old professor, what could William do?
"That's right. Two students from Gryffindor. The barrier was tampered with, and they ended up taking a flying car to catch up with the Hogwarts Express."
William tried to reveal as little information as possible—though he knew the truth of the matter would probably spread throughout Hogwarts by that evening.
"Brilliant!" the old professor exclaimed in admiration, but he quickly realized his mistake—encouraging students to take such risks was not something a professor should do.
"I mean, that was truly a bit reckless. But it's a pity. I probably won't get to meet those two. I'm retiring next year."
"I hope you'll keep that firmly in mind, Professor Kettleburn."
Professor McGonagall's voice suddenly came from behind them, but William could hear the helplessness in her tone.
"You've been suspended sixty-two times. Do you know what that means?"
"That I've been teaching for sixty-two years?"
William, sitting to the side, was stunned by the number.
"To be precise, this year is still your probationary period, even though you're retiring next year," Professor McGonagall said in a helpless tone.
"Alright, Minerva, I was just concerned about the students. I'm not planning to do anything," the old professor said dismissively.
Professor McGonagall helplessly returned to her seat, and as she turned around, Professor Kettleburn made another face.
"Go on, young William. Is the trouble all taken care of?"
The old professor asked cheerfully, while Dumbledore chose to turn a blind eye.
After being pestered for details countless times, the old professor, who had more seniority than the Headmaster himself, cheerfully dragged his stool back to its original spot.
The surrounding professors had already begun to enthusiastically regale William with tales of Professor Kettleburn's exploits at Hogwarts. As they chatted, the group began to quietly complain about how strictly Professor McGonagall was handling this year's funding requests.
While Lockhart was boasting to the professor next to him, William was pulled, chair and all, into the middle of the younger professors. He began to listen as his seniors told him where to go on weekends to have fun without being spotted in high spirits by his shocked students.
"Let me tell you, Professor William, you'd best stay far away from Professor Snape. Although Professor Snape's skill and knowledge of Potions are both top-notch, he can't stand the professors who teach Defense Against the Dark— well, Defense Against the Dark Arts. Ever since I've known him, he's been trying to persuade Dumbledore to give him the post. For over a decade now, he's resented every professor who's held the position."
[You have earned the recognition (dislike) of a magical creature and received Treasure Chest x1.]
Speak of the devil. What timing.
But William could understand. Presumably, every Defense Against the Dark Arts professor started off on the wrong foot with Snape. Just now, Snape had been in a hurry to punish Harry, with whom he had a rivalry (this information was provided by a helpful professor), so it was only natural for Snape to dislike William after their conflict.
However, William was in the middle of a lively chat with a few newly acquainted professors and had no time to choose a Card. He could only set the Chest aside for now and check what kind of Card it contained when he had a moment to spare.
But soon, a series of notifications left him stunned.
[You have earned the recognition (dislike) of a magical creature and received Treasure Chest x1.]
[You have earned the recognition (dislike) of a magical creature and received Treasure Chest x1.]
[You have unlocked an achievement: Got a Problem? Fight Me.]
[You have unlocked an achievement: The Beginning of a Villain.]
???
What happened?
I had just exchanged a few words with the other professors. I hadn't broken any laws or offended anyone, let alone told any sarcastic jokes or off-color gags. Why was I suddenly disliked by a bunch of people for no reason?
However, the other professors were deep in conversation, and William didn't want to waste the opportunity the old professor had given him to integrate with the group. He could only suppress his curiosity and let the chests wait.
"Welcome!"
Dumbledore rose from his seat, and the conversations at the staff table instantly ceased.
Following that, the murmur of voices throughout the Great Hall also fell silent.
"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Though I know you are all hungry, I must give you a most serious warning in these few moments before the feast begins. I hope you will all take this to heart before the delicious food captures your attention.
"I have noticed that many students have already begun spreading word of what happened today. The Evening Prophet even published a special report on the matter.
"I do not wish for any student to attempt anything similar. Such behavior is not to be encouraged, and the students involved have already received severe punishment. To that end, I expect the prefects, as well as our newly appointed Head Boy and Head Girl, to ensure that no student undertakes such high-risk actions."
(end of chapter)
With the excitement over, William had no choice but to let Dumbledore pull him back into the Start-of-Term Feast.
By now, the Sorting Ceremony was mostly finished. The first-years had all found their seats, and the remaining seven or eight students were anxiously waiting for Professor Flitwick to call their names.
"Young William, did something happen?"
As William sat down, a professor with a graying beard asked in a low voice.
But even though he tried to keep his voice down, his question still made the nearby professors prick up their ears.
Even Dumbledore couldn't help but glance over before quickly turning back, pretending as if nothing had happened—the one who asked was Professor Kettleburn.
This old man, who had dedicated his life to Hogwarts and never married, had been at the school even longer than Dumbledore.
Aside from Professor Binns, who was absent today, he was the professor with the longest tenure and also the one who had received the most punishments.
Sensing Dumbledore's gaze, this childish old man even made a face at the Headmaster. When Dumbledore didn't respond for a long moment, he finally spoke with disappointment.
"Tsk, Albus is getting less and less fun. He was very enthusiastic about participating in school play rehearsals before he became Headmaster. After that, he never got involved in drama research again."
As he spoke, he stood up from his chair in a rather comical posture, fully revealing his appearance. He was missing a leg and a half, and two wooden prosthetics along with a cane helped maintain his balance. As for the hand that should have been holding the cane, it had vanished just like his leg. The cane that supported his body was attached to his missing left arm with a mechanical apparatus.
With a rhythmic tapping sound, he brought his chair next to William's.
"Hey, young William, I heard that two students missed the train today and even used a flying car. Is that right?"
If even Dumbledore was helpless against this old professor, what could William do?
"That's right. Two students from Gryffindor. The barrier was tampered with, and they ended up taking a flying car to catch up with the Hogwarts Express."
William tried to reveal as little information as possible—though he knew the truth of the matter would probably spread throughout Hogwarts by that evening.
"Brilliant!" the old professor exclaimed in admiration, but he quickly realized his mistake—encouraging students to take such risks was not something a professor should do.
"I mean, that was truly a bit reckless. But it's a pity. I probably won't get to meet those two. I'm retiring next year."
"I hope you'll keep that firmly in mind, Professor Kettleburn."
Professor McGonagall's voice suddenly came from behind them, but William could hear the helplessness in her tone.
"You've been suspended sixty-two times. Do you know what that means?"
"That I've been teaching for sixty-two years?"
William, sitting to the side, was stunned by the number.
"To be precise, this year is still your probationary period, even though you're retiring next year," Professor McGonagall said in a helpless tone.
"Alright, Minerva, I was just concerned about the students. I'm not planning to do anything," the old professor said dismissively.
Professor McGonagall helplessly returned to her seat, and as she turned around, Professor Kettleburn made another face.
"Go on, young William. Is the trouble all taken care of?"
The old professor asked cheerfully, while Dumbledore chose to turn a blind eye.
After being pestered for details countless times, the old professor, who had more seniority than the Headmaster himself, cheerfully dragged his stool back to its original spot.
The surrounding professors had already begun to enthusiastically regale William with tales of Professor Kettleburn's exploits at Hogwarts. As they chatted, the group began to quietly complain about how strictly Professor McGonagall was handling this year's funding requests.
While Lockhart was boasting to the professor next to him, William was pulled, chair and all, into the middle of the younger professors. He began to listen as his seniors told him where to go on weekends to have fun without being spotted in high spirits by his shocked students.
"Let me tell you, Professor William, you'd best stay far away from Professor Snape. Although Professor Snape's skill and knowledge of Potions are both top-notch, he can't stand the professors who teach Defense Against the Dark— well, Defense Against the Dark Arts. Ever since I've known him, he's been trying to persuade Dumbledore to give him the post. For over a decade now, he's resented every professor who's held the position."
[You have earned the recognition (dislike) of a magical creature and received Treasure Chest x1.]
Speak of the devil. What timing.
But William could understand. Presumably, every Defense Against the Dark Arts professor started off on the wrong foot with Snape. Just now, Snape had been in a hurry to punish Harry, with whom he had a rivalry (this information was provided by a helpful professor), so it was only natural for Snape to dislike William after their conflict.
However, William was in the middle of a lively chat with a few newly acquainted professors and had no time to choose a Card. He could only set the Chest aside for now and check what kind of Card it contained when he had a moment to spare.
But soon, a series of notifications left him stunned.
[You have earned the recognition (dislike) of a magical creature and received Treasure Chest x1.]
[You have earned the recognition (dislike) of a magical creature and received Treasure Chest x1.]
[You have unlocked an achievement: Got a Problem? Fight Me.]
[You have unlocked an achievement: The Beginning of a Villain.]
???
What happened?
I had just exchanged a few words with the other professors. I hadn't broken any laws or offended anyone, let alone told any sarcastic jokes or off-color gags. Why was I suddenly disliked by a bunch of people for no reason?
However, the other professors were deep in conversation, and William didn't want to waste the opportunity the old professor had given him to integrate with the group. He could only suppress his curiosity and let the chests wait.
"Welcome!"
Dumbledore rose from his seat, and the conversations at the staff table instantly ceased.
Following that, the murmur of voices throughout the Great Hall also fell silent.
"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Though I know you are all hungry, I must give you a most serious warning in these few moments before the feast begins. I hope you will all take this to heart before the delicious food captures your attention.
"I have noticed that many students have already begun spreading word of what happened today. The Evening Prophet even published a special report on the matter.
"I do not wish for any student to attempt anything similar. Such behavior is not to be encouraged, and the students involved have already received severe punishment. To that end, I expect the prefects, as well as our newly appointed Head Boy and Head Girl, to ensure that no student undertakes such high-risk actions."
(end of chapter)
