Dumbledore stood in the Headmaster's office with a toothbrush still in his mouth, foam flecking the corners of his lips. The figure hovering just outside the window froze in shock. Fortunately, it was early morning—no students around to witness the Headmaster's dignity crumbling. Though, truth be told, he never had much of one to begin with. Without his sheer power, he'd be little more than a court jester.
He tried Apparating inside. The spell worked, but it bounced him right back out. A quick check of his permissions revealed the issue: he'd been stripped of his Headmaster status. And only one person could have done that—Erwin.
Even Dumbledore's unflappable demeanor cracked, his expression darkening.
Meanwhile, Erwin, fresh from issuing the dismissal, noticed no immediate changes. No fanfare, no catastrophe. Just then, a sharp rap echoed from the dormitory window.
Erwin startled, spinning toward the sound. There floated Dumbledore, face like thunder.
After a beat, Erwin cracked the window open. "Headmaster? What's got you looking like that?"
The title only fueled Dumbledore's irritation. "Don't call me that. I'm not the Headmaster anymore, Erwin. What exactly are you playing at?"
Erwin cleared his throat awkwardly. "Just testing things out, sir. Come in—it's brisk out there. I'll sort you back in shortly."
Dumbledore slipped through the window and touched down on the dormitory floor. "You've inherited the legacies of Founder Rowena Ravenclaw and Founder Salazar Slytherin. Your authority outstrips mine now, but the Headmaster's role isn't a toy."
Erwin had to concede his curiosity had gotten the better of him this time—a reckless impulse. Still, he figured it was harmless. He had no idea Dumbledore had been summarily evicted from the office.
"Sorry, Headmaster," Erwin said. "I'll fix it right now."
He invoked his new privileges to reinstate Dumbledore's access. But nothing happened. The system flagged a cooldown: a full month before the position could be reassigned.
Erwin coughed again. "Er, sir... you might be stuck like this for a bit. A month's wait, apparently."
Dumbledore's mood soured further as Erwin explained. He'd claimed the role after inheriting Gryffindor's legacy and never stepped down. Who knew about this built-in safeguard? Worse, with Erwin holding superior authority, Dumbledore couldn't bypass it himself—he'd have to rely on the boy.
"Could we just wait it out?" Erwin ventured.
Dumbledore exhaled wearily. "No matter. I need to step away from Hogwarts anyway to handle a few matters. We'll sort it when I return."
Erwin nodded vigorously, the picture of contrition. He might skirt morals now and then, but his meddling had landed him in hot water, leaving him feeling like a scolded schoolboy. Above all, he knew he couldn't take Dumbledore in a fight. A thrashing from the old wizard would be his undoing.
"Need me to unlock the office door for you, sir?" Erwin offered.
"No," Dumbledore replied. "A password will do. How do you think past Headmasters managed? Over the years, only you and I have claimed the founders' legacies."
With that, he vanished.
Erwin scratched his chin. So, the Headmaster's chair sat empty. His eyes gleamed. Why not give it a whirl himself—just for kicks?
Before he could act, a swirl of starlight filled the room. The familiar animation signaled Founder Rowena Ravenclaw's return.
"Your Majesty," Erwin greeted. "Back so soon?"
"Do you intend to claim the Headmaster's position yourself?" she asked.
"Just curious about its powers," Erwin admitted.
"I'd advise against it," she warned. "You risk being blacklisted from Hogwarts entirely."
Erwin's brow furrowed. "How's that?"
Ravenclaw explained, "Hogwarts is a living castle, dedicated to safeguarding young witches and wizards and fostering their education. Think of it as a vigilant guardian, ever watchful. Appointing yourself without qualifications would strike it as irresponsible. You haven't sat your final exams or graduated—Hogwarts would deem you unfit and revoke your administrative rights."
Erwin blinked in surprise. "Seriously?"
She nodded. "Absolutely. The bond between the castle's overseers and Hogwarts itself is symbiotic. It grants power to worthy leaders, who in turn manage its affairs. You've already sensed this through artifacts like your Headmaster's ring and the diadem—gifts from the castle itself."
Erwin had never heard it put quite like that. It sounded like a sentient relic from some epic tale, binding wielder and tool in mutual reliance.
"What's this formal test you mentioned?" he asked.
"The seventh-year finals," Ravenclaw said simply. "Passing them earns you graduate status."
"That's all?"
"Of course. What did you envision—some epic trial of fire and fury? Hogwarts is a school, after all. Exams are its lifeblood."
Erwin deflated a touch. He'd imagined a grueling saga, not a stack of O.W.L.s. Still, he let it drop.
"Your Majesty," he said, shifting gears, "what happened with Founder Slytherin after I left yesterday?"
"Don't pry into matters beyond you," she chided gently. "Now, I'm off to rest. Tonight, take me to see Helena."
Erwin's face tightened. "You're... prepared for that?"
Ravenclaw inclined her head. "Some knots must be untied, sooner or later."
"As you command, Your Majesty," Erwin replied with a slight bow.
...
With that said, guys—today's chapters have been published! I'm holding up my end of the bargain because you guys are amazing.
If you love these mass releases, make sure to SMASH THAT POWERSTONE!
NEXT TARGET: RANK #10!
— MrGrim