Chapter 254: Kate at Castle Smith
The encounters between people are full of magic, and various events are filled with mysteries. I am really lucky to have met you.
Today's story begins with a fierce fight that suddenly broke out in the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts.
The only one who has seen through the truth is the famous young detective Alexander Smith, who looks like a child but is far more perceptive than most adults.
"Fate's flow remains the same."
Soft music from the Far East echoed through Castle Smith.
"Alexander, what song is this?"
"And also, what was that weird narration just now?"
Kate's round eyes widened as she playfully rested her delicate white feet on Alexander's stomach.
"It just fit the moment," Alexander replied with a grin, lying lazily on the other corner of the sofa.
Alexander's index finger gently brushed against Kate's foot, and a faint silver rune flashed in the air.
"It tickles—what are you doing?" she laughed, half annoyed and half curious.
"This," Alexander said, tracing the glowing symbol, "means link. It's a rune I invented. Focus your attention on it."
"Hasn't our dear reporter Kate always wanted to know who the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor will be next semester?"
"Now you can find out for yourself," he added with a mischievous smile.
Kate frowned but leaned in, trusting him completely. After all, she knew Alexander well.
Her eyes soon glowed silver, matching Alexander's.
An image appeared before her — the Headmaster's Office at Hogwarts.
Or at least, what was left of it.
Shattered fragments of silver instruments littered the floor, and the once-elegant chair was scarred by deep cuts and burn marks.
It looked like a battle had just taken place.
Kate held her breath. She knew she wasn't really there, but the realism of Alexander's magic always astonished her.
Who could have dared to attack Dumbledore's office?
Could the latest issue of The Quibbler be true?
Were there really assassins secretly working under Minister Fudge's nose?
Kate tried to turn her head to see more, forgetting this was Alexander's vision, not hers.
Two figures soon came into view.
One was, of course, Professor Dumbledore — his half-moon glasses resting on his crooked nose, his calm eyes regarding the intruder as if this destruction was nothing unusual.
The other was Sirius Black — the man hailed as a hero across the wizarding world.
But what shocked Kate most was not Sirius's presence… it was what he said.
"Dumbledore, why would you let Voldemort become the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor next semester?!
Lupin and I both applied!" Sirius exclaimed, his wand trembling slightly in his hand.
"First of all," Dumbledore said calmly, "you should call him Tom Riddle."
"I had expected that Tom—or rather, Voldemort's servants—might appear. But I didn't expect it would be you confronting me, Sirius."
Fawkes, the phoenix, circled above, singing softly, its light illuminating the wrecked office.
"Just to lure out Voldemort's followers?" Sirius demanded. "This is a school, Dumbledore!"
"That's not like you, Sirius," Dumbledore said gently. "You're acting out of fear—for Harry."
"I can assure you, Tom will only serve as a professor. Hogwarts has lacked stability in that position for too long. He's bound to me by contract."
Sirius took a slow, uneasy breath. "Then why reject Lupin and me, if you're letting Tom in? I wanted to be near Harry—to protect him."
Dumbledore's blue eyes softened. "Because you're not ready yet, Sirius. You still carry the scars of Azkaban. You hate Severus, but you also trust him in your own way."
Sirius gave a bitter smile. "You always see through everything. I'm no hero. I just want to be there for Harry. Let Lupin take the job—he deserves it."
"Indeed," Dumbledore said, adjusting his glasses. "But is that guilt speaking, Sirius? Because you once doubted him?"
Sirius sighed. "Perhaps."
"Then Lupin shall serve as assistant professor," Dumbledore said. "After all, I already gave another position today—I mustn't play favorites."
"Dobby?" Sirius raised a brow. "You hired that strange little elf?"
"Perhaps Tom could use some lessons in humility," Dumbledore replied with a faint smile. "And a good assistant will do him some good."
With that, the vision faded before Kate's eyes.
"Alexander Smith!" she shouted, lightly punching his chest.
"What? I satisfied your curiosity, didn't I?" Alexander said, laughing.
He knew exactly why Kate was upset—but with Penelope still away traveling with her parents, teasing Kate was too tempting.
"I—want—to—know—what—lessons—Voldemort—needs—to—take!" Kate said, emphasizing each word.
Alexander chuckled. "All right then, here's a riddle: What does Voldemort hate the most?"
Kate paused, thinking. Then her eyes lit up. "Muggles? Wait—don't tell me—Muggle Studies?"
"Bingo! Top marks for my clever Kate," Alexander said with a mock bow.
"I checked once," Kate muttered. "Tom Riddle never took Muggle Studies when he was a student at Hogwarts."
"Exactly," Alexander said, grinning. "Even the Dark Lord has homework to finish."
Meanwhile, at the Burrow outside the village of Ottery St. Catchpole, Harry Potter had no idea what his godfather was doing at Hogwarts.
He was far too busy trying to figure out how to balance his friendship with Ron and Draco.
"Harry, you should come to the tent with me," Draco said loudly.
"You and Ron are always together at Hogwarts. This time, you're staying with me."
His tone made even bystanders blush, while Harry groaned in embarrassment.
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(End of Chapter 254)
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