By the time Tver emerged from the headmaster's office, the night had fully settled, and torches were already lit along the corridors.
However, compared to previous sessions, this seminar had been considerably shorter, as the usual analysis of Muggles had been skipped. If not for that, Tver would not have crossed paths with Harry, Ron, and Neville.
"Ha ha ha! Potter, it's been ages since I last saw you sneaking around the castle at night. Where's your adventure taking you tonight?" Peeves, holding some chalk he had found who knows where, began tossing it at Harry and his friends, sending them scattering in panic.
Ron suddenly stood tall, facing Peeves with such confidence that he managed to intimidate the poltergeist for a moment.
"Peeves, don't think just because the Bloody Baron isn't around that no one can stop you!"
Harry, holding his Firebolt, looked at Ron, confused.
"Then who?" Peeves blinked his big eyes in confusion.
"The professors!" Ron lifted his chin. "I'm going to find Professor Fawley right now!"
Peeves immediately grinned, leaving behind a trail of gleeful laughter.
"Ha ha! The professors have been busy lately, especially Professor Fawley—he's nowhere to be seen!"
Neville quickly tugged at Ron's sleeve.
"The professors really have been busy. He hasn't taught me a single lesson since Christmas."
"Hear that? Even dimwitted Longbottom knows that! Looks like that Weasley kid's got less sense than him!" Peeves taunted, gleefully twirling the chalk in his hands.
Ever since last year, when the Bloody Baron stopped restraining him, Peeves had been able to run wild throughout the castle, causing mischief without consequence. But recently, due to the increased patrols by professors watching for Sirius Black, Peeves had toned it down slightly. Tonight, however, the professors had let their guard down, giving him the perfect chance to cause trouble!
He had just been darting around the castle, scaring off several couples and even a fat rat! Now the rat was gone, but here were three students standing right in front of him!
Peeves gripped the chalk tightly again.
He hadn't hit their heads earlier, but this time—he absolutely had to.
"I just heard my name. Is there something you need?" Tver stepped around the corner.
"Professor!" *3
Harry and the others exclaimed in surprise.
"Ahem, so it's our dashing Professor Fawley. Roaming the castle this late—has a cute little witch got you all tangled up?" Peeves was a bit stiff, but his recent streak of lawlessness had made him bolder than ever.
"Professor Perks, Peeves—this isn't quite proper," Tver smiled at him.
"I was just making a reasonable assumption, right?" Peeves spun in the air, winking mischievously.
"Then may I conduct a reasonable test on you?" Tver raised his right hand.
Even without a wand, Peeves's face paled at the sight of Tver's raised hand.
"I'm not—"
"Riddikulus!"
With a loud boom, a cloud of black mist exploded from Peeves, quickly dissipating into thin air. His figure was now fully exposed before everyone.
"Pfft—"
"Ahahahaha!"
"Pfft."
Harry and the others burst into laughter.
At that moment, Peeves was wearing a thick, brightly patterned red-and-green outfit. If there had been anyone from China present, they would have recognized it instantly—an iconic Northeastern padded jacket!
Tver couldn't have been more pleased with the result of his spell.
Although the Riddikulus Curse involved complex principles, ones beyond the skill of most ordinary wizards, it was proof that he was beginning to forge his own path in creating magic.
The only thing left to wonder was whether this magic could be used for harm. Like what Bulstrode had mentioned—conjuring a knife to pierce someone's heart...
But Peeves, utterly embarrassed, couldn't stand it any longer. He frantically tugged at his clothes, then bolted away, disappearing down the corridor.
"That's awesome, Professor!" Ron exclaimed, rushing excitedly to Tver.
"This is the Riddikulus spell, right? George and the others mentioned it. We've practiced it too—could we cast it on others like you did?"
Harry and Neville also looked at the professor with admiration.
"Obviously not. You can practice on dummies like George does, but the principles behind it are far too complicated for you at your level."
In a good mood, Tver patted Neville's head affectionately.
Now that he thought about it, Neville had the most perfectly round head—the best one to pat!
Seeing the trio's excitement fade, Tver shifted the conversation. "So, what are you all doing here? I believe curfew is almost upon us?"
"Uh... I lost the note with the password," Neville said, scratching his head sheepishly.
Tver gave him a helpless look.
He had already worked on Neville's talent issues, but his memory problems remained severe. Some crucial things he could remember clearly, but more mundane, non-urgent matters seemed to slip his mind.
"What about you two?" Tver turned his gaze to Harry and the Firebolt in his hands.
"So, this is the Firebolt. You finally got it?"
He knew Harry had been pestering Professor McGonagall for some time, trying to get the broom back. Even after Tver and Lupin had inspected it carefully, McGonagall insisted that Professor Flitwick also check the white magic on it.
It wasn't unreasonable—after all, Tver excelled in dark magic, but when it came to obscure white magic, there were professors more experienced than him.
Harry excitedly held up the broom, completely unaware that Tver and Lupin had taken it apart and inspected it thoroughly.
"Yes! Starting tomorrow, I can use it for training!"
"We're going to win the next tournament for sure!"
But then, a thought crossed his mind, and his excitement faded.
"Uh, Professor, could you teach me the Patronus Charm?"
Tver frowned.
Wasn't Lupin teaching him that?
"I won't take up much of your time! Just a bit of guidance—even if it means locking me in a room with a Dementor!" Harry seemed to misunderstand Tver's hesitation and quickly explained.
"You've seen it yourself—Professor Lupin's teaching skills are just as good as mine. Why insist on me?" Tver asked, curious.
"Well, if even George and Fred could learn it, I thought you must be the better teacher," Ron said, offering a small compliment.
But Harry's expression darkened with concern.
"The thing is... Professor Lupin isn't... in the best health."
Tver gave Harry a peculiar look as he stared at the floor.
It was Harry practicing the magic, not Lupin—what did his health matter?
Besides, Lupin was in far better shape now than before. How could he possibly be unable to teach a simple Patronus Charm?
"Regardless, Professor Lupin is a very competent teacher."
— "Would've been better if he didn't give us exams," Ron muttered under his breath.
"So, it's not that I don't want to teach you, but Professor Lupin is simply a better fit for you."
Seeing that the professor had spoken, Harry silently nodded in agreement.
Sensing the awkward shift in the atmosphere, Ron quickly stepped forward, greeting Tver before pulling his friend back toward the common room.
For the first time, Tver felt he couldn't quite figure out the protagonist.
And the events of this year seemed different from the plot he remembered. It seemed like he'd need to keep a closer eye on his good students...
...
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