"Prefects, please hand out the papers. Remember to submit your essays next week. Alright, class dismissed!"
William put down his lesson plans and papers, feeling content—it was a truly practical magic to let the chalk write on its own, and that alone was enough to make him happy.
But today, the classroom was a bit strange. The prefects didn't take the papers as usual, and not a single student stood up.
'This shouldn't be happening. It's only been a month. Are they already itching to rebel?'
"Hmm," William drawled, scanning the students with his eyes, "What's wrong? Why are you all just standing there like dummies today? If I'm not mistaken, your next class is with Professor McGonagall, isn't it?"
The students below became a little flustered, their hands restless under their desks, pushing each other as if trying to find a spokesperson.
Finally, Nancy from Ravenclaw was pushed forward by someone next to her. "Professor, um, we just wanted to ask, that is, that is—"
Her voice grew softer and softer, almost inaudible.
What is it? Am I that scary?
"What is it, Nancy?"
William adopted a gentle tone—although theoretically, he should treat all students equally, this one was the best in terms of grades.
"It's about the Ravenclaw Diadem, Professor. They're all saying you obtained that diadem—"
Perhaps William's gentle attitude emboldened her, and she blurted out the question in one breath, "There are all sorts of rumors. We want to know if you really obtained that diadem."
'Is the castle's security on par with a sieve? How did this spread everywhere overnight?'
William covered his forehead and chuckled helplessly—he hadn't even touched the diadem, yet rumors of him obtaining it had already spread throughout the castle.
Presumably, it would slowly spread to the entire wizarding world through these students' parents. That was Ravenclaw's relic, something even a scholar like Professor Flitwick would be dying to take back to his office!
"Alright," he sighed helplessly—although theoretically, it wasn't good to take up the fifth-year students' time like this, having been a student himself, he knew very well that these overly curious children would definitely not be stingy with their time at this moment.
Instead of letting them waste time, it was better to give them an answer. Once they had their fill of gossip, these students would lose interest.
"Due to some peculiar circumstances, that diadem appeared, and I briefly had the right to use it—"
The students below began to gasp softly, but William ignored them.
"But—please note, to protect this precious diadem from Ravenclaw." William fabricated a lie with wide eyes, "Various ancient and magical protective spells have been cast on the diadem—and those spells are so old that even Dumbledore has to decipher them slowly."
He certainly couldn't say that Dumbledore intended to destroy the diadem—Ravenclaws who had graduated would rush to the school and duel Dumbledore if they heard that.
"The deciphering might take a year or even longer, and during this time, it will be in Dumbledore's hands." William first shifted the blame, then started making promises, "Of course, if it's returned to my hands after deciphering, I promise that the first place in this year's OWLs exam can wear it for an entire day."
"This promise is permanently effective. Don't think just an O is enough. I can pull scores from the Ministry of Magic."
William smiled as he put the finishing touch on his promise—anyway, if the diadem was destroyed, it wasn't his fault; it was Dumbledore's. It's not that I won't let you wear it!
"Hey, still not leaving? Want to hear the story of the diadem? I don't think I'm a very good storyteller, but maybe it'll be on the History of Magic exam. Why don't you research it and write an essay? Professor Binns and I are on good terms, I'm sure he'd be willing to help grade it."
"Goodbye, Professor!"
The lingering students immediately swarmed towards the exit, grabbing the papers William had placed on the table by the door and leaving, not even waiting for the prefects to hand them out.
—
"Ha, William's here!"
William, who had just stepped into the staff room, was spotted by the cluster of professors inside.
When William sat down with them, he realized that the professors were discussing the diadem.
'What's going on today—why is everyone talking about that diadem?'
"Ravenclaw's Diadem—I was inquiring about it when I was in school!"
"Who wasn't? Especially during the OWLs, it was incredible. I even dreamed I found this magical diadem in a cabinet in the storeroom, and then passed the damned exam with a string of Os!"
"And then what?"
"In the end, I just had to study my heart out and finished with seven Os."
…
Why is there dog barking while chatting?
William was a bit surprised. Students aside, were these professors, who had been adults for who knows how long, so obsessed with this diadem now?
"Professor William? Why aren't you speaking? Tell us, what does that diadem look like—when I was in school, the top Ravenclaw in my year used to boast that he got such good grades with the diadem's help. I'll write him a letter later and ask him what the diadem looks like."
"Exactly, I heard that too, but it was a Gryffindor lad."
'Did your classmates back then brag about the diadem? Was Hogwarts' extracurricular life too dull—I used to brag about my hypnotic glasses in Azkaban.'
"That diadem is a bit hard to describe, but isn't it in Dumbledore's office? You can go see it—just find any excuse."
There were too many curious professors, and William really couldn't bring himself to personally destroy their childhood dreams, so he simply pushed the responsibility onto Dumbledore.
"We've already tried, Professor Dumbledore declined all visits—" The professor speaking now was familiar to William, it was Professor Kettleburn.
'Your children are already so grown up, don't be so childish, Professor.'
William grumbled inwardly.
Just then, the office door was pushed open again, and the newcomer loudly exclaimed before anyone could turn around, "Albus is going too far!"
'Who is that, so arrogant?'
William turned his head with the crowd—oh, Professor Kettleburn.
The old professor, nearing retirement, protested to the sky with his wooden arm, "Albus wouldn't even open the door for me!"
"What dangers haven't I seen—the magic on the diadem is too dangerous, what kind of excuse is that!"
"Tell me," the old professor clattered on his wooden leg into the crowd, "What dangers haven't I experienced! I even have plans to raise dragons when I retire, and he tells me it's too dangerous!"
"Hey, little William!"
The old professor exclaimed in surprise, "Take me to Albus, let's go reason with him!"
"It's no use dragging Professor William, those rumors are just student talk. Professor Flitwick is over there," a professor nearby offered advice, as the old professor was genuinely well-liked, "It's just that Professor Flitwick seems to be in a bad mood…"
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