Chapter 52: The Professor Arrives
"That was a beautiful Levitation Charm." Ernie Macmillan, the stout Hufflepuff, stared intently at Justin's perfectly spinning feather. Coming from a pure-blood family, he understood the level of skill required, especially for a student supposedly new to magic. "If it were Mr. Green… wait? Is that Finch-Fletchley?!"
Only when Hannah Abbott, the girl sitting in front of him, shifted her braided head did Ernie realize, following Professor Flitwick's praise, that the impressive display had come from the quiet Hufflepuff boy.
"Merlin's beard," Ernie muttered, bewildered. "Didn't Finch-Fletchley struggle to even lift the feather last class?"
He wasn't the only one perplexed. A wave of murmurs spread through the classroom, particularly among the Hufflepuffs who knew Justin. It felt like discovering their unassuming friend was secretly the heir to a vast fortune.
"It seems you haven't been wasting your time in that classroom, have you?" Professor Flitwick chirped, hopping down from his stack of books to stand before Justin. He beamed, tucking his wand away. "I must come and see it for myself… but not right now. Three points to Hufflepuff!"
The moment class ended, Justin was mobbed by his fellow Hufflepuffs.
"Oh, how did you do that, Mr. Finch-Fletchley?" asked Hannah, her freckled face alight with curiosity.
"Honestly, Finch-Fletchley! Keeping such incredible progress a secret from us!" Ernie declared, arms crossed, chin held high. "I think we'll have to punish this traitor to the 'Never Go Hungry' club… unless you tell us your secret."
A chorus of agreement rose from the surrounding badgers. At least six of them were now staring intently at Justin, mock-threateningly.
Sean glanced at the boisterous crowd, then slipped out of the classroom, clutching his copy of The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1. If Professor Flitwick was planning to visit their hidden room, perhaps Sean could find an opportunity to ask about learning the Smokescreen Spell and the Knockback Jinx?
He knew, however, that professors were busy, and private tutoring was rare. It was typically reserved for star pupils – like Hermione would eventually become, often receiving hints and exclusive information about exams from Professor Flitwick. Sean wasn't sure if he qualified for such special attention yet.
Outside the crowded doorway, the lazy afternoon breeze whispered through the corridor. The relaxed Friday atmosphere seemed to cast a warm spell over the ancient castle. A few Hufflepuffs leaned against a windowsill, watching the Black Lake glitter like golden scales in the setting sun, their laughter soft as dandelion fluff. A suit of armour in a shadowy corner shifted slightly, letting out a faint metallic groan.
Compared to the popular Justin, few students dared approach the quiet, intense Sean. Except…
"That Levitation Charm was wicked! I bet you had something to do with it, right, Sean?"
Michael popped out from behind an unexpectedly located portrait, revealing a dark, hidden passage behind it. "Oh, but don't tell me! Discovering the secret will be an adventure! Even more fun than finding secret passages or weird magical artifacts!" With a final, conspiratorial grin, he dashed off, disappearing down the corridor in seconds.
Sean blinked, having barely registered the whirlwind of words. Was someone just talking? He had just closed his spellbook; now he opened it again with a sigh.
He climbed the familiar spiral staircase, his rhythmic knocks summoning the sleepy owl portrait. Today, the owl seemed unusually agitated.
"Little wizard! Clever little wizard! Answer my question!"
Sean waited patiently.
"A simple question, a difficult question…" the owl muttered, pacing back and forth within its frame, parchment clutched in its talons. "I observed a fraud once. Adored, admired, the centre of attention – that was his heart's desire. His cleverness achieved it. I observed a scoundrel. Stirring up trouble with her words, sowing discord – that was her heart's desire. Her cleverness achieved it. Their intellect served only their own ends…"
The owl spun around, fixing Sean with its painted gaze. "Oh, tell me, little wizard – is that wisdom, or madness?"
Sean thought for a few seconds. "It's foolishness."
The owl froze mid-pace. It frantically consulted its parchment, then slowly stiffened, though its beak kept moving. "Little wizard, greedy little wizard! Ambitious little wizard! Just like Lady Ravenclaw…" Its final words faded as the sky-blue door materialized beside it.
Sean opened the door, pondering the owl's words. Ambitious? Not really. Greedy? That seemed like a rather unfair assessment.
Inside the hidden room, three magical lanterns cast a warm, inviting glow. Three comfortable armchairs were now arranged around a low wooden table, adorned with soft, yellow-and-black cushions. The table itself was laden with an impressive array of sweets and biscuits, alongside several varieties of pudding – Yorkshire, strawberry mochi, peppermint, and even… chilli sauce pudding?
On a small, cream-coloured sofa nearby, Justin was handing Hermione a glass of fizzy pumpkin juice. The girl took it automatically, looking somewhat dazed. In just a few days, the industrious badger had transformed the dusty, forgotten room into a proper secret hideout.
Wait, Sean thought, surprised. Justin? Wasn't he just surrounded by Hufflepuffs?
"Oh, Sean, we need to talk…" Justin hurried over the moment Sean entered, leaving Hermione staring blankly ahead. "Did you see? I mean, Hermione. She's definitely hiding something…"
Just then, a soft tapping came from the other side of the blue door. A paper aeroplane slipped through the crack and unfolded in mid-air, forming glowing words: [Are you in, children?]
"Oh! It's Professor Flitwick!" Justin whispered excitedly.
"—Professor Flitwick!" Hermione suddenly shrieked, jolting Justin.
Seeing Justin's hesitant, questioning look, Sean silently went to open the door. Justin sat down beside Hermione again, his voice gentle but concerned. "If you want to talk, we're always here to listen. Anytime. Mother says… that's what friends are for."
Hermione slowly looked up, meeting his sincere, kind grey eyes. After a moment, she let out a shaky breath. "Alright. I'm being silly. How could I forget I have you two…" Her voice regained some of its usual strength.
"Oh, children?" came Professor Flitwick's squeaky voice from the doorway. He wasn't visible.
Justin, who had just started to smile, looked utterly bewildered again. He shot Sean a helpless, pleading glance.
Suddenly, several books appeared out of thin air, landing softly on the floor and expanding to form a small staircase. Professor Flitwick's tiny form emerged from behind the sofa.
"Mr. Finch-Fletchley, impressive progress indeed. And Mr. Green? Miss Granger?"