Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to JK Rowling. I own nothing but the original characters I make.
Chapter 84: Professor Binns
Dudley, Hermione, and Harry kept the disappearance of Professor Binns a secret. No... it was their act to delete the professor who had teach the students at Hogwarts for decades.
The next day, the 4th-year Gryffindor and Hufflepuff students came to their History of Magic class, expecting to see the usual translucent figure of Professor Binns drifting lazily through the blackboard and teach them... no actually Binns just sang lullaby lol... so they could fall asleep. But there was no sign of him. The classroom was eerily empty. The chairs were arranged, the board untouched, and the air had the cold stillness of a place that had been left alone for some time.
Seeing no professor and no instructions, the students did what any sensible magical teenagers would do, they pulled out their Exploding Snap cards, chatted about the latest gossip—including a particularly ridiculous story about a Cornelius Fudge might lose in the next election and after an hour they finally treated the class as a free period.
They are wondering where the goes went, because there is no teacher they are not asleep. The lullaby(professor binns) is not here to help them fall asleep.
The time's up and they all left cheerfully. No homework, no lecture. Just a blank space in their academic schedule.
The same scenario repeated itself in the following class: 7th-year Gryffindor and Hufflepuff students, including Fred and George Weasley, arrived only to find the classroom still empty. The absence of Professor Binns turned into an opportunity. The Weasley twins immediately declared an impromptu celebration, complete with charmed fireworks and a floating snack table.
But by the third day, whispers began to spread. People started noticing. Questions were raised in hallways, in common rooms, and at dinner tables.
"Where is Professor Binns?"
"Have you seen him anywhere?"
Even the ghosts, who never speak about Binns, began murmuring amongst one another. The Grey Lady claimed she hadn't seen him near the staff quarters. The Fat Friar speculated that perhaps Professor Binns had finally realized he was dead and moved on.
Soon, conspiracy theories blossomed like Puffapods in spring. Some believed he had been exorcised by Peeves in a rare act of spiritual rebellion. Others thought he had stumbled upon a forbidden spell and accidentally banished himself. A few romantics believed Professor Binns had reunited with a long-lost ghostly lover and finally left Hogwarts.
The matter grew so ridiculous that it inevitably reached Professor Dumbledore.
"Minerva," Dumbledore said one evening, seated in his office with a troubled look, "even the ghosts don't know where Professor Binns has gone."
Professor McGonagall pressed her lips tightly. "What should we do, Dumbledore?"
"We will continue searching," Dumbledore replied. "It could be temporary."
Minerva frowned. "I don't agree. We need a replacement. The students cannot afford to lose an entire term's worth of History of Magic."
Dumbledore sighed. "I know, but let's give it a few more days. Perhaps he will return."
Minerva was clearly frustrated. If she were Headmistress, Professor Binns would have been replaced years ago. She had long believed that a ghost—however intelligent—was not the most effective way to teach young minds about the complexities of magical history.
---Transfiguration Classroom---
"I want a four-foot-long essay, and the standard of writing is normal," said Professor McGonagall at the end of her Transfiguration lesson. "You may return to your dormitories."
The Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw 5th-year students began walked out of the classroom, but five students remained Dudley, Susan Bones, Justin Finch-Fletchley, Ernie Macmillan, and Hannah Abbott.
Professor McGonagall raised her head from her desk. "Yes? Do you need something?"
Susan stepped forward. "Professor, we wanted to ask about Professor Binns."
McGonagall's expression stiffened immediately. "Yes, well… he is not available at the moment."
"Professor," Dudley interjected, "we all know he's gone. The whole school knows. We think it's time we find a new History of Magic teacher. If Professor Dumbledore is worried Binns might return, maybe we can choose someone who wouldn't be upset if that happened."
His words caused McGonagall to pause.
"Who are you suggesting, Mr. Dursley?"
"Sirius Black," replied Dudley.
McGonagall blinked, caught completely off guard. "Sirius Black?"
The name still echoed with a mixture of awe and horror. Once a troublemaker of legendary group of prankster—alongside James Potter, Remus Lupin, and Peter Pettigrew—Sirius had carved his name into Hogwarts professor.
Now Dudley, suggesting that he should teach as a professor?
"Yes, Professor," said Dudley earnestly. "Didn't he get Outstanding in his O.W.L and N.E.W.T? He knows magical history, and more importantly, he knows how to keep students awake."
"You don't understand, Mr. Dursley," McGonagall replied, her tone suddenly sharp. "You weren't here to see the mayhem he caused."
"But that was when he was a student and I know about his Marauder group but," said Dudley. "People grow. Change. And we need someone who can make History of Magic come alive. Right now, it puts everyone to sleep."
Susan added, "And you have to admit, Professor, that even if Binns returns, he can't be upset. He's a ghost."
McGonagall pursed her lips. "This is not a matter to be taken lightly. Appointing a new professor requires careful consideration, and it is not within your power to make that choice."
"Of course not," said Dudley quickly. "But you can suggest it to the Headmaster. He trusts your judgment. And Sirius would be more than willing especially if it help him to stay close with his nephew."
McGonagall stared at the group for a moment. Then she nodded slightly, though her eyes remained skeptical.
"I will bring it up with Professor Dumbledore. That's all I can promise."
The students thanked her and left, leaving McGonagall alone with a thousand thoughts racing through her mind. Could Sirius Black, the boy who once turned her teacup into a singing frog, now be responsible enough to teach?
Meanwhile, Dudley was feeling rather pleased with himself. He had not only removed a ghostly relic of Hogwarts' stagnant past but possibly opened the door for a more exciting and relevant future. He didn't regret what he'd done to Professor Binns. It hadn't hurt him. It had released him.And the students—they deserved better.
Later he meet Hermione and Harry.
"If Sirius gets the job," she said, sitting opposite to Harry and Dudley in the library, "I'll be very surprised. But at least History of Magic might finally become a class worth attending."
Dudley grinned. "Hahahaha, I don't know if he fit to teach the student but I think he might be better than Binns."
Harry just smiled. "Let's just hope Sirius doesn't prank the whole school on his first day back."
"Knowing him," Hermione said dryly, "maybe he won't do that foolish thing."
Author Notes: To read advanced chapter you can go to my patreon.
Chapter 112: Dudley VS Voldemort
Chapter 113: Kreacher VS Nagini
Chapter 114: Avada Kedavra
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