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Chapter 64: Eve of Another Wave of Exams
When William placed the book on the table with a sense of satisfaction, his long-ignored stomach immediately protested.
Rubbing his neck, which had grown a bit stiff from reading for so long, William checked the time—half past twelve.
‘No wonder I'm so hungry. I lost track of time reading again.’
While chiding himself in resignation, William began to gather the books and his notes from the table.
After placing the notes in the paper bag with the exam papers and tucking it under his arm, William picked up a thick stack of books and left the desk near the Restricted Section.
The library was deserted now; the students had evidently rushed off to the Great Hall to eat. Madam Pince, however, had not left. She sat peacefully at her post near the doorway, engrossed in a book.
"Borrowing so many?"
Madam Pince greeted him, tapping the quill beside her. It immediately began to copy the book titles and borrower's name onto a sheet of parchment.
"By the way, Professor, the maximum borrowing period for each book is half an academic year. If you need to renew them, you must come back to register."
*Has she been burned by other professors not returning books before?*
Agreeing with a smile, William decided to just take the pile of books back to his office. Since mealtime had passed anyway, he might as well have a house-elf bring some food over.
*Endless books to read, a high salary, house-elves who are practically personal servants, and a group of students you can lecture as a matter of course.* William mused as he ate the lunch Bart the house-elf had brought him.
*If it weren't for that damned curse, wouldn't this profession be an absolute dream job?*
*Then again, if that curse didn't exist, how would a professor position at this school ever fall to me?*
…
*Why am I always dwelling on such useless things! You make up for your shortcomings with your strengths. You went through nine years of compulsory education alone, and Hogwarts only has seven years. You've spent more than double the time studying than any of these students. Your classes have gone well so far, and you'll continue to do just fine. What is there to worry about?*
William shook his head vigorously, casting aside the dark thoughts that had suddenly surfaced—the aftereffects of Azkaban again.
Those Dementors should never have existed in this world!
He had let his guard down today, and the negative emotions he had been suppressing all this time were bubbling relentlessly to the surface.
Even though some time had passed since he left Azkaban, the experience had left a profound impact on William. He had chosen to stay in a pub, hoping the large crowds would wash away the taint of Azkaban, but he still couldn't completely shake the habit of forced, sorrowful recollection that had been drilled into him day after day.
*From now on, I will never come back here to eat alone when I can go to the Great Hall. I need to be around people. Thankfully, there are enough people at Hogwarts.*
At this thought, William found he couldn't bear to stay in the room any longer. He summoned a house-elf to clear away the leftover food while impatiently stuffing a piece of chocolate into his mouth.
——
"William? Why are you so late?"
"I was in the library a little too long. I went back to drop some things off, and by the time I got here, it was already this late."
William replied to Adams's question with a smile, glancing at the Alchemy Professor beside him who was earnestly tackling a lamb chop.
"I didn't see you this morning, Professor Singeade?"
"A good night's sleep is more important than breakfast."
*You could have just said you couldn't get up—just how lax is the Alchemy timetable!*
William couldn't help but feel ashamed. Just a moment ago, having some free time in his schedule had triggered a spiral of dark thoughts. Look at Singeade, and then look at himself—his own behavior had been utterly pathetic!
"Oh, come on, Singeade," Adams complained with a look of disdain. "I was harvesting magical plants all last night and had to get up early to finish my tasks. You guys just have a lighter course load. Otherwise, let's see you try pulling this!"
After his tirade, Adams glanced around. Seeing that the other professors weren't paying much attention, he asked quietly, "William, you don't look so good. Are you feeling ill, or...?"
"I might have just been really hungry. I just had some chocolate, and I'm feeling much better now."
"That's good. If you feel anything is wrong, go see Madam Pomfrey. Professor Snape is actually better at this sort of thing—but, his feelings about your... ahem, you know."
It was an open secret among all of Hogwarts's staff and students that Professor Snape had always wanted to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Even with William now in the position, it didn't change the grudge that professor held against him—just as every professor knew that Professor McGonagall had always disdained the Divination professor.
However, Adams's interruption reminded William of his old profession—if it weren't so unseemly to smack his own forehead in front of a group of professors, he certainly would have done so right then.
Potions! Of course!
The aftereffects that had been troubling him for so long could be managed with an Elixir to Induce Euphoria. Although the side effects were not insignificant, the consequences wouldn't be too severe as long as he didn't take it daily.
However, he could forget about using the school's equipment. Professor Snape was a Head of House, so the idea of getting his hands on school-owned tools was a lost cause.
*This weekend, I'll go to Gringotts and open my vault. I'll take out my equipment. The school office can serve as a residence of sorts; keeping the tools at school might prove useful someday.*
William silently added another item to his plan of action.
But just as he was making his plans, Adams's voice piped up again.
"Alright then, it's settled. None of us have class on Wednesday afternoon, so it's the perfect time to go to the Hog's Head Inn for a drink. Being a professor is great, except for this annoying bit where you can't go to the more popular pubs."
Wait a minute!
*I was lost in thought just now, just making noncommittal noises. How did you turn that into an agreement?*
"Wednesday is a workday. Isn't it a bit inappropriate to be drinking?"
"It's fine. It's to welcome a new colleague. Professor McGonagall will turn a blind eye. Besides, two-thirds of the students I taught last year passed their O.W.L.s."
And just like that, William's Wednesday afternoon was scheduled. Adams didn't even dwell on the topic, immediately switching to this year's Quidditch matches.
This topic was clearly much more public than the last. Before long, several other professors nearby had joined in, earnestly discussing which house would become this year's Quidditch champion.
Because they were getting too loud, Professor McGonagall, seated at the high table, even shot several sharp glances in their direction.
"Don't worry, William."
In the midst of discussing the match, Adams didn't forget to drop a little tidbit.
"Don't be fooled by Professor McGonagall's disinterested look. She used to be a Quidditch player for the school. When it comes to Quidditch knowledge, no one at this table knows more than she does."
(end of chapter)
When William placed the book on the table with a sense of satisfaction, his long-ignored stomach immediately protested.
Rubbing his neck, which had grown a bit stiff from reading for so long, William checked the time—half past twelve.
‘No wonder I'm so hungry. I lost track of time reading again.’
While chiding himself in resignation, William began to gather the books and his notes from the table.
After placing the notes in the paper bag with the exam papers and tucking it under his arm, William picked up a thick stack of books and left the desk near the Restricted Section.
The library was deserted now; the students had evidently rushed off to the Great Hall to eat. Madam Pince, however, had not left. She sat peacefully at her post near the doorway, engrossed in a book.
"Borrowing so many?"
Madam Pince greeted him, tapping the quill beside her. It immediately began to copy the book titles and borrower's name onto a sheet of parchment.
"By the way, Professor, the maximum borrowing period for each book is half an academic year. If you need to renew them, you must come back to register."
*Has she been burned by other professors not returning books before?*
Agreeing with a smile, William decided to just take the pile of books back to his office. Since mealtime had passed anyway, he might as well have a house-elf bring some food over.
*Endless books to read, a high salary, house-elves who are practically personal servants, and a group of students you can lecture as a matter of course.* William mused as he ate the lunch Bart the house-elf had brought him.
*If it weren't for that damned curse, wouldn't this profession be an absolute dream job?*
*Then again, if that curse didn't exist, how would a professor position at this school ever fall to me?*
…
*Why am I always dwelling on such useless things! You make up for your shortcomings with your strengths. You went through nine years of compulsory education alone, and Hogwarts only has seven years. You've spent more than double the time studying than any of these students. Your classes have gone well so far, and you'll continue to do just fine. What is there to worry about?*
William shook his head vigorously, casting aside the dark thoughts that had suddenly surfaced—the aftereffects of Azkaban again.
Those Dementors should never have existed in this world!
He had let his guard down today, and the negative emotions he had been suppressing all this time were bubbling relentlessly to the surface.
Even though some time had passed since he left Azkaban, the experience had left a profound impact on William. He had chosen to stay in a pub, hoping the large crowds would wash away the taint of Azkaban, but he still couldn't completely shake the habit of forced, sorrowful recollection that had been drilled into him day after day.
*From now on, I will never come back here to eat alone when I can go to the Great Hall. I need to be around people. Thankfully, there are enough people at Hogwarts.*
At this thought, William found he couldn't bear to stay in the room any longer. He summoned a house-elf to clear away the leftover food while impatiently stuffing a piece of chocolate into his mouth.
——
"William? Why are you so late?"
"I was in the library a little too long. I went back to drop some things off, and by the time I got here, it was already this late."
William replied to Adams's question with a smile, glancing at the Alchemy Professor beside him who was earnestly tackling a lamb chop.
"I didn't see you this morning, Professor Singeade?"
"A good night's sleep is more important than breakfast."
*You could have just said you couldn't get up—just how lax is the Alchemy timetable!*
William couldn't help but feel ashamed. Just a moment ago, having some free time in his schedule had triggered a spiral of dark thoughts. Look at Singeade, and then look at himself—his own behavior had been utterly pathetic!
"Oh, come on, Singeade," Adams complained with a look of disdain. "I was harvesting magical plants all last night and had to get up early to finish my tasks. You guys just have a lighter course load. Otherwise, let's see you try pulling this!"
After his tirade, Adams glanced around. Seeing that the other professors weren't paying much attention, he asked quietly, "William, you don't look so good. Are you feeling ill, or...?"
"I might have just been really hungry. I just had some chocolate, and I'm feeling much better now."
"That's good. If you feel anything is wrong, go see Madam Pomfrey. Professor Snape is actually better at this sort of thing—but, his feelings about your... ahem, you know."
It was an open secret among all of Hogwarts's staff and students that Professor Snape had always wanted to be the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Even with William now in the position, it didn't change the grudge that professor held against him—just as every professor knew that Professor McGonagall had always disdained the Divination professor.
However, Adams's interruption reminded William of his old profession—if it weren't so unseemly to smack his own forehead in front of a group of professors, he certainly would have done so right then.
Potions! Of course!
The aftereffects that had been troubling him for so long could be managed with an Elixir to Induce Euphoria. Although the side effects were not insignificant, the consequences wouldn't be too severe as long as he didn't take it daily.
However, he could forget about using the school's equipment. Professor Snape was a Head of House, so the idea of getting his hands on school-owned tools was a lost cause.
*This weekend, I'll go to Gringotts and open my vault. I'll take out my equipment. The school office can serve as a residence of sorts; keeping the tools at school might prove useful someday.*
William silently added another item to his plan of action.
But just as he was making his plans, Adams's voice piped up again.
"Alright then, it's settled. None of us have class on Wednesday afternoon, so it's the perfect time to go to the Hog's Head Inn for a drink. Being a professor is great, except for this annoying bit where you can't go to the more popular pubs."
Wait a minute!
*I was lost in thought just now, just making noncommittal noises. How did you turn that into an agreement?*
"Wednesday is a workday. Isn't it a bit inappropriate to be drinking?"
"It's fine. It's to welcome a new colleague. Professor McGonagall will turn a blind eye. Besides, two-thirds of the students I taught last year passed their O.W.L.s."
And just like that, William's Wednesday afternoon was scheduled. Adams didn't even dwell on the topic, immediately switching to this year's Quidditch matches.
This topic was clearly much more public than the last. Before long, several other professors nearby had joined in, earnestly discussing which house would become this year's Quidditch champion.
Because they were getting too loud, Professor McGonagall, seated at the high table, even shot several sharp glances in their direction.
"Don't worry, William."
In the midst of discussing the match, Adams didn't forget to drop a little tidbit.
"Don't be fooled by Professor McGonagall's disinterested look. She used to be a Quidditch player for the school. When it comes to Quidditch knowledge, no one at this table knows more than she does."
(end of chapter)
