NOVEL WEB Chapter 4: Benevolent Deception
After two years, Tver finally tasted his father's cooking again. It was somewhat ironic that his father, head of one of the 28 pure-blood families, ran a French restaurant in the Muggle world. Fortunately, the Fawley family's discretion and minimal interactions with other wizards had kept this a secret.
"So, now that you've graduated, have you thought about what you want to do?" Belinda suddenly asked.
"Why not help out at my restaurant? Or maybe open a Chinese cuisine place next door?" suggested Miles.
"I've already applied for an assistant position at Hogwarts," Tver cautiously mentioned, careful not to disclose that it was for the Defense Against the Dark Arts.
"Why the sudden interest in Hogwarts?" Belinda paused, her fork mid-air, "Originally, it was you who insisted on going to Durmstrang."
"Durmstrang was a bit too extreme. I want to take this opportunity to learn a variety of different magics," Tver offered the explanation he had prepared beforehand.
Miles pondered for a moment, not recalling any assistant positions, "That's not bad, but an assistant? When did Hogwarts add that position?"
Miles and Belinda, both Hogwarts graduates, had been puzzled when Tver had strongly requested not to attend Hogwarts. "I specifically applied for it; otherwise, Hogwarts wouldn't let a fresh graduate teach young wizards."
In reality, Tver suspected that Hogwarts agreed to his application from Durmstrang to dilute the curse associated with the Defense Against the Dark Arts position.
"Hogwarts definitely needs another assistant; otherwise, the professors will be worked to death," Miles nodded in satisfaction with his son's decision, "Which subject will you assist?"
Caught off guard, Tver swallowed hard, his voice speeding up almost to incomprehensibility, "Defenagainsthedarts."
"What?!" Belinda stood up abruptly, pushing her chair back so forcefully it clattered to the ground, "I forbid you to involve yourself with Defense Against the Dark Arts!"
"Seriously, you could make that out?" Tver's jaw dropped in astonishment.
"Of course, I'm your mother. You're only vague when it's something problematic!" Belinda was visibly upset, her hands on her hips, her eyes fiery red. "I absolutely will not allow you to touch that subject. In my seven years at school, we had seven different Defense Against the Dark Arts professors. The worst of them lost a hand!"
Miles hurriedly interjected, "Tver knows about the curse better than anyone; there must be a reason he chose this subject. Let's hear him out."
Under different circumstances, Tver might not bother explaining or even evading the topic. But these were the parents who had supported him all these years; he owed them a well-prepared reason.
"Do you remember what happened when I was eleven?" Tver decided to use a kind lie to placate his parents. "I was actually afflicted by a similar curse back then. But don't worry, after so many years at school, the teacher already removed it. You know, the headmaster Dumbledore has some untold stories, so he asked me to try and break the course's curse. Even if I can't break it, it's fine. I'm just an assistant, after all; the curse won't stick to me."
Tver had mentioned the teachers to his parents before, and their worries were somewhat alleviated until he managed to conjure a Patronus charm. They didn't know that as long as a wizard strongly believes in their conviction, even if it's rooted in darker beliefs, they can still produce a Patronus...
However, Belinda was more concerned about the events of seven years ago. "So you mean to say that you were so weak back then because you were nearing death? Why wouldn't you tell us something so important? I'm your mother!"
Belinda grew more distressed as she spoke. For a mother, her child's safety is paramount, and the intricacies of Grindelwald and Dumbledore's affairs were far less significant to her—though she admittedly had a keen interest in them, more as gossip.
"I didn't want to worry you," Tver quickly stepped forward, embracing his mother. "Besides, I'm fine now, aren't I? Perfectly healthy."
Miles joined them, gently prying Tver's hands away to hug his wife and whisper comfortingly, "Tver isn't reckless. Even if there's danger, Dumbledore is at Hogwarts, and he wouldn't just watch Tver get hurt. And the Fawley family isn't without connections. We could get knowledgeable wizards to help if needed."
The couple stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, discussing which renowned wizards were experts in curse-breaking, oblivious to Tver and Jeff exchanging awkward glances.
"If you need, I can offer a hug, but please hurry; I still need to clear the table," Jeff joked.
"…Thank you," Tver managed to say.
Eventually, Belinda and Miles agreed to Tver's decision.
"But only as an assistant. If I ever hear you want to be the professor of that course, I'll lock you in the cupboard for life!" Belinda stressed.
This reassurance was a relief for Tver. His parents were his greatest comfort, and gaining their approval was the primary reason he had rushed home. Sometimes, he considered how, unlike other solitary transmigrators navigating unfamiliar worlds, having parents who cared deeply for him was indeed a blessing.
Before heading to Hogwarts for his interview, Tver stayed at the estate. Despite his two-year absence, nothing inside had changed. Jeff diligently cleaned his room every day, so it remained spotless. However, the bedding had been changed—according to Belinda, "After graduation, it's time to start a new chapter."
Life at the Fawley estate was straightforward. When free, Tver's father would head to his restaurant in London to cook, or he would spend time with Belinda.
As for Belinda, her days were even simpler. Shopping and watching movies were her main activities, hardly the pursuits one might expect from a witch; she resembled more a lady of leisure.
Tver spent most of his days at home, finding the relaxed pace of manor life a welcome change from Durmstrang's militaristic rigor. He was well-adjusted to this tranquility—preferring it, in fact, as it spared him the annoyance of other wizards challenging him to duels. Not one for wandering, Tver was happiest in his room, immersed in books, which was his greatest passion.
He spent several days organizing his personal library. Assuming he would become an assistant at Hogwarts, he had no doubt that he would need to reside within the castle. That, however, was a matter for September 1st, the start of the academic year. He would pack up when the time came.
But if Aurors ever stumbled upon his collection, he would likely arrest Tver without a second thought. The titles of his books were hardly innocuous. Works like "Principles of Dark Magic—How to Properly Cast Dark Spells," "Control of Beliefs—Enhancing the Power of Your Dark Magic," and "Origins of Curse Magic" were enough to earn Tver a permanent room in Azkaban, and not just any room, but a VIP one at that.