I'm re-editing the story, I invite you to read it again from chapter #1, we changed some aspects of grammar, improved expressions and dialogues, I hope you like it, I will be uploading the rest of the improved and edited chapters to Patreon during the week, thanks to all who read on Patreon and here.
Chapter 33: Professors' Group Activity
Sunday morning.
The forest was wrapped in mist as the sun rose over the eastern hills.
Melvin stood by the window, chewing on a piece of bread while gazing out at the courtyard.
Hogwarts, nestled deep within the Scottish Highlands, had a climate completely different from Ilvermorny's. At this time of year, the temperature atop Mount Greylock would already be near freezing, and the students there would have donned thick winter coats. Here, though, the lingering warmth of summer still remained perfectly balanced between hot and cool.
Mr. Filch, ever the early riser, hurried across the courtyard.
Mrs. Norris lazily descended the hall steps into the morning light. Cats, whether magical or mundane, were known for their aversion to cold and love of sunshine.
Even the Horned Water Serpent was no exception.
Melvin had reviewed his memories before going to bed the night before, and it had affected his dreams. He dreamt of his days at Ilvermorny of the Horned Water Serpent and Headmaster Fontana. Later, Dumbledore appeared, and the two headmasters began playing chess together, sharing sweets and snacks. The dream was so absurd that, even after waking, it still felt surreal.
"Swish…"
The end of a hangman's rope slithered from the corner and wrapped around his leg.
Melvin looked down, waved his hand, and held up the remaining piece of bread. Instantly, the rope recoiled, folding itself neatly into a circle.
He gestured at the other cursed objects scattered around the room, and a pulse of magic rippled outward.
Five or six cursed items trembled briefly before lining up neatly and flying into the suitcase. The hangman's rope was the last one in its tip snapped the lid shut.
The curses on these objects were weak; under normal circumstances, they looked like ordinary furniture. A simple levitation spell was enough to pack them away with ease.
After breakfast, Melvin gathered the dishes and placed them carefully on the trays, thinking he'd spare the elves another cleanup just as he used to with Pukki at Ilvermorny.
But the elf who came to collect them clearly didn't appreciate his kindness. As he left, his expression was mournful, almost tearful as if Melvin had somehow hurt his feelings.
Something was off about these elves.
Melvin got dressed, picked up his suitcase, and headed out.
At the end of the restricted corridor on the fourth floor outside the room where Fluffy, the three-headed dog, was kept.
Dumbledore and several professors were already waiting.
The plan was for each professor to set up their designated defenses, with Dumbledore supervising ensuring both the safety of the Sorcerer's Stone and the professors themselves, since only the Headmaster and Hagrid could handle Fluffy.
There was no magical contract binding anyone to secrecy.
If anyone grew too curious and insisted on sneaking in for a peek, they could try. Fluffy would deal with them fairly, and wouldn't report it afterward. After all, the dog couldn't speak human languages and no one at the school spoke "dog."
Quirinus Quirrell was curious, but unfortunately hadn't found an opportunity. The vicious dog was challenge enough not to mention the constant presence of a bat keeping watch.
To avoid suspicion, he had been dutifully teaching since the start of term, occasionally dropping by Snape's classroom during free periods. But that was all he could do. Two weeks had passed, and there had been no progress toward stealing the Stone.
Today was the final day of setup. His original plan to steal the Stone while the rooms were unfinished and the defenses incomplete had failed. Now, his short-term scheme had turned into a long game.
Technically, Quirrell wasn't supposed to be there at all. He had already stationed a mountain troll in his room, so there was little else to prepare. But to gather information, he came anyway, pretending he was just checking on the troll's condition.
There was more bad news for him. He had thought only the main subject professors would be involved, but Dumbledore had announced the addition of a new participant the newly arrived Professor Lewynter.
He touched his turban nervously, feeling the Dark Lord's agitation pressing against his mind. A wave of urgency filled him.
Melvin hurried down the corridor, suitcase in hand. He greeted the professors first, then turned to the white-bearded headmaster.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I was so absorbed in my research last night that I stayed up late. I made sure to hurry this morning, but then I ended up wrestling with a house-elf over the dishes for ten minutes."
"Sometimes their enthusiasm can be… overwhelming," Dumbledore replied with a smile.
"So you've experienced it too."
"When all this is done, I'll have to tell you about my own first year as a professor…" Dumbledore said, turning the doorknob. From inside came the thunderous barks of Fluffy. He looked back at the others, slightly helpless. "Please wait a moment. I'll go calm this naughty dog."
Professor McGonagall nodded.
Melvin stepped aside, standing near Professor Flitwick. Half-kneeling, he whispered, "Professor, when did you get here?"
"..." Flitwick met his new colleague's eyes, amused. Melvin's youthful energy sometimes made one forget his age his lively manner was infectious.
Fresh and spirited.
Flitwick smiled. "Don't worry, Melvin. You only arrived three minutes after me."
"Ah, that's a relief…"
Melvin relaxed a bit. Hearing the soft hums coming from inside and seeing how calm the professors looked, his curiosity grew.
"Professor, don't you think the layout of these rooms seems a bit simple? Could they really stop a ruthless dark wizard?"
Quirrell rolled his eyes. He glanced sideways at Snape, then pretended not to care while listening intently.
"Hehe…"
Professor Flitwick chuckled. "I wouldn't say the arrangements are simple. At least my charms are quite sophisticated. I'm sure Dumbledore has his reasons. We just need to trust him."
Professor Sprout nodded. "Filius is right."
Professor McGonagall remained silent.
Only Snape shot a cold glance at Quirrell.
Observing their reactions, Melvin fell silent. It seemed that even if the Heads of House didn't know everything, they at least had some idea.
He didn't ask further.
Soon, the barking inside died down and silence returned. Dumbledore opened the door and beckoned them in.
There were four Heads of House, one core subject professor, one elective professor, and the Headmaster seven in total. Melvin walked in beside Professor Flitwick, following closely behind.
When Melvin entered, he saw Fluffy sprawled in the corner, its three heads nestled together, fast asleep, drool dripping from its fangs.
Then they descended through the trapdoor.
The first chamber contained Professor Sprout's Devil's Snare. The vines had already matured thick, tough, and writhing violently, almost as strong as the Whomping Willow near the greenhouse.
Seeing this, the Herbology professor sprayed a special fertilizer that accelerated the plant's growth cycle. The Devil's Snare immediately relaxed, like a fierce beast soothed, even swaying playfully toward its caretaker.
(End of Chapter)