"That was amazing, Professor William! That Disarming Charm of yours was fantastic!"
On the way out of the kitchen, the caretaker, who William didn't recognize, showered him with praise as though William had just defeated a long-time enemy, not Peeves the Poltergeist.
Professor Taylor, who hadn't been able to take direct action, seemed a bit down. Though he expressed his thanks with sincerity, he didn't speak much on the way back, as if he were plotting some form of revenge; something William could easily understand.
If it had been him, he would probably have wanted to petrify Peeves and keep him as a decoration in his office for the week.
But no matter how Professor Taylor planned to get his revenge, the mission to deal with Peeves had been a success.
As a spirit that had been around longer than most of the castle's inhabitants, there was no special reason for Peeves to be expelled; especially given that there was no precedent for successfully doing so.
The caretaker, Filch, parted ways with them midway and returned to his office.
"William, you're back? Did you find Peeves?"
"Yes, Professor Taylor successfully knocked Peeves in the head with a Disarming Charm. After he recovered, he just cursed and rolled out of the kitchen. Of course, I played a big part… I barely managed to subdue that guy."
William lied without hesitation, his expression exaggerated, much like a drunken customer at the Leaky Cauldron.
Adams didn't have the desire to burst his bubble, but the sound of suppressed laughter came from under the table.
William instinctively looked in the direction of the laughter, and saw little Aphra, her robes dried by magic, crouching in the corner, trying to hide from everyone's gaze. She had only made the noise because she couldn't hold back her laughter any longer.
When their gazes landed on her, Aphra shifted uncomfortably and tightly closed her eyes.
Professor Taylor shot her a glare and angrily walked back to his desk, leaving behind a confused William and a barely-contained Adams.
"What's going on? Is she mad at Professor Taylor?" William lowered his voice.
"No, she's just casting a spell. That's what makes her invisible."
"Invisible?"
William took a second look, and then realized he didn't have his "X-ray vision" on. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "Invisible?"
"Well, not right now. Aphra has excellent magical talent. It's like the Polyjuice Potion; she's naturally gifted with the Disillusionment Charm. Last time we played hide-and-seek with her, we didn't find her until she got hungry."
So that's why she showed herself earlier!
"To prevent us from losing her, a special spell was cast on her robe—but she doesn't know about it yet."
"So?"
"Today, Professor Taylor didn't go hard enough. She still thinks she's a mushroom, but she's afraid of being spanked, so she's hiding."
"..."
You're bullying a little girl like this? That's too much.
***
In an effort to show his high moral standing, William took a reference book from his usual desk and began reading seriously.
As he read, he became engrossed, and Adams, who had found a partner for a game of wizard's chess, didn't disturb him.
Just as William solved a difficult problem, he suddenly felt something poke at his leg.
"You've been reading for too long, are your feet numb?"
William changed his position, and then he felt something lightly poke at the other leg.
This made him look down and see a timid little face.
"Chocolate Uncle, you can't see me." Aphra said seriously.
William suppressed his laughter, pretending to look around and then acting as though he hadn't noticed anything.
"Don't look anymore, Chocolate Uncle. It's me, Aphra."
She gently poked his leg again.
"Chocolate Uncle?"
The little head nodded heavily, then, as if suddenly realizing something, Aphra made a 'I'm such a fool' expression.
"That's right, it's me, Aphra. I'm invisible!" The last sentence carried a bit of pride, as if she had just gotten a perfect score on a test.
"Invisible, huh? What happened? Are you mad at your dad?"
She quickly shook her head and, in a very soft voice, said, "I want to grow up quickly!"
"Want some chocolate?" William habitually pulled out his stash; since coming out of Azkaban, his pockets were never without chocolate.
At that moment, he remembered how the little girl had called him. Sure enough, just as Adams had said, the child was hungry.
She carefully peeled the wrapper and, as if remembering something, quietly said thank you to William before taking a small bite of chocolate. Then, like a squirrel, she cupped the remaining chocolate in both hands.
"Hey, wait, weren't you a mushroom?"
"Yes, I'm a mushroom, but Dad won't let me water myself."
"But mushrooms can get poisoned by chocolate." William said this with a completely serious expression.
Aphra froze for a moment, glanced at the chocolate, then at herself, her expression turning fearful.
"Poisoned? But it can be saved. The school hospital will give you an injection, just one of those long, thin needles, along with some bitter potion."
The school hospital in the magical world should have injections, right?
William gradually settled into his role. He reached out, ruffled Aphra's hair, and then pulled out another piece of chocolate. "Anyway, you're going to get an injection and drink some potion, so one more piece won't hurt."
The six-year-old girl looked at the chocolate, her face showing a contemplative expression, as if pondering the meaning of life.
With determination, she quickly ate two pieces of chocolate and then squatted silently next to the table.
"Go on, or you'll have to get more injections." William gathered his books, rubbed her little head, and quickly walked toward the door of the rest room.
"Help me, Dad! I don't want an injection; I don't want to drink the potion!"
Even through the door of the rest room, William could still hear the sounds of crying inside. He thought, I hope she won't really get punished, right?
William wasn't quite sure.
***
Diary,
[On the fifth day at Hogwarts, I've resumed the habit of keeping a diary.
Today can be considered my first day, I suppose.
If I must find some lofty reason, maybe it's because I want to remind myself that I'm still human, while here to record the joys of life?
Professor Taylor was unexpectedly gentle. He simply asked me not to give Aphra too much chocolate, since it's not good for such a small child to eat so much of it.]
Should I have the owl deliver me an order, or should I take some time to go buy some in the neighboring village?
[Many professors unexpectedly appeared in the lounge today. Even Professor McGonagall was unusually gentle. The only one missing was the Headmaster.
Well, today was a day full of hope.
Also, hopefully I won't get drunk tomorrow and forget to write in my diary.]
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