NOVEL WEB Chapter 33: Gryffindor Traditions
As compensation, Tver stayed in the classroom, answering some magical questions for Cedric and the other three. It was nearing ten o'clock when they reluctantly left the classroom.
"If being hanged up for a night means getting private lessons from the professor, that doesn't sound too bad!" George said happily.
"Double delight!"
Unlocking some kind of attribute, Davies also thought of this possibility and became excited, completely ignoring the other three's chilly gazes.
"But that dummy is really powerful. I've never heard of an item that can learn autonomously," Cedric remarked.
Fred waved his hand dismissively. "Professor Fawley knows a lot of things. Did you notice his little bag? I bet it's been cast with a Traceless Extension Charm!"
George nodded, gesturing with his hands to indicate the size of the wallet. "Last year, we tried to cast an Extension Charm on a small bag, but it was too difficult. We hadn't succeeded before Mum found out and gave us a good scolding."
He patted his own buttocks as if the pain still lingered.
"But, isn't it illegal to use the Extension Charm on personal items?" Davies looked at the two in surprise.
"Why do you think we got spanked?"
"So, Professor Fawley is just as mischievous as us!"
The twins rubbed their hands excitedly as if they had found validation for their mischief.
As for the mischievous Professor Fawley, he was still in the classroom studying the dummy.
By searching through its memories, Tver saw tonight's training session with the students.
The Weasley twins had the most mischievous ideas but the weakest spellcasting skills. Together, their combat effectiveness was not as strong as Cedric's alone.
Of course, the attack plans of the four were provided by the twins, which was their greatest advantage—flexibility of mind.
Davies was more well-rounded, with greater versatility than Cedric and stronger combat abilities than the twins.
His overall skill level was more balanced, resulting in steady progress. If he continued to improve, he would become a decently strong wizard, but his talent limited his potential.
As for Cedric, he was a promising young wizard whom Tver greatly admired.
His foundational knowledge was solid, his spellcasting skills were proficient, and he was upright in character. Several times, he had risked himself to rescue his teammates.
The only problem was that he was too upright.
In Tver's eyes, this was not an advantage. The wizarding world was full of twists and turns, especially in the years to come. People like Cedric often didn't live long!
Even if Tver saved him four years later, it would be difficult to ensure that he wouldn't encounter other dangers.
Rubbing his chin, Tver stood in the classroom, deep in thought until late into the night. Suddenly, he heard a loud crash.
"Quirrell? Why so impatient? And causing such a commotion?"
Out of curiosity, Tver cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself and slowly made his way to the corridor on the third floor. But the sight that greeted him was somewhat unexpected.
Filch and Peeves.
As the castle's caretaker, Filch conducted routine patrols at night, with a focus on the third floor. Someone had informed him that tonight, students would be wandering around the third floor at midnight.
The students in the castle were anything but well-behaved, especially the Gryffindor twins. Filch had to patrol every night to curb their nocturnal activities. But tonight, not only were those students wandering around, they were even making loud noises in the castle!
It was a provocation! A blatant provocation!
Burning with anger, Filch tracked the source of the noise, and the cries of Peeves guided him.
"Tell me, where are they now?" Filch asked through gritted teeth, restraining his anger.
"Say 'please', or I won't tell you anything," Peeves teased, flipping over in the air mischievously.
"Fine—please tell me, where are they now?"
Known for his mischief, Peeves wasn't about to make things easy. He cackled and flew off into the distance.
"I told you, I won't tell you anything!"
As Peeves's mischievous laughter faded into the distance, the corridor was filled only with Filch's angry curses.
"Damn it, don't let me find a way to deal with you!"
But he was merely muttering to himself. Peeves had existed in the castle longer than anyone else, even outlasting the various headmasters, who had no choice but to tolerate his mischief.
After a fruitless search, Filch continued with his lantern, heading to other parts of the castle, hoping that his cat, Mrs. Norris, would help him find the students.
As soon as Filch left, a door that he thought was impossible to open suddenly swung open, and four panicked first-year students dashed out. They wanted to keep running, but a figure stood in their way.
"Prof... Professor Fawley!"
Harry's eyes widened in fear, unsure which was more terrifying: the three-headed dog or the panic caused by the professor.
With his hands behind his back, Tver scanned each of the four students, his expression unreadable.
"Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Neville Longbottom."
Each of them, named, hung their heads in shame, all silent.
"I didn't graduate from Hogwarts, so I'm not very familiar with the school's traditions. I have a question that I need you to answer. Is causing trouble a tradition of Gryffindor?"
Harry wanted to retort, but when he saw Tver's calm expression, he couldn't speak. He could only whimper like a guilty puppy. He felt the joy of joining the Quidditch team during the day instantly dissipate.
"Hmm?" Tver walked up to Hermione. "Intelligent Miss Granger, can you tell me the answer?"
Named, Hermione fought back tears, struggling to hold them back. It was the first time she found herself unable to answer the professor's question. But what Tver said next made them all disbelieve their ears.
"Alright," Tver patted Harry on the shoulder, "it's very late now, hurry back to sleep. Children who sleep too little won't grow tall."
Hermione immediately looked up, tears flowing.
"But, Professor, we shouldn't—"
"Ah, you're right," Tver pulled out a handkerchief and smiled as he handed it to her, "but as I said, I'm not a student at Hogwarts, and I'm not familiar with certain rules. That's perfectly normal, isn't it?"
Seeing Hermione standing there, Tver had to stuff the handkerchief into her hand before he left with his hands behind his back.
"Remember, just this once, it won't happen again!"
Hermione stared blankly at the handkerchief in her hand, only coming to her senses after Harry nudged her.
"Go, or you won't be as lucky if Filch catches you."