Promotion to professor

The news of Harry and his friends being carried into the school hospital spread like wildfire.

But what shocked the students even more was that they were injured while trying to stop Professor Quirrell and protect the school's treasure!

In less than a day, there were no less than ten speculations about the incident, among which the version involving Professor Fawley was the most widely circulated—

It was said that Professor Quirrell was dissatisfied with Professor Fawley teaching so well and being far more popular among the students than him.

So he conceived a peculiar idea—stealing the professor's lesson plans!

And when the trio discovered Quirrell's evil plot, they bravely stepped forward, risking injury to protect the professor's lesson plans.

So for a time, the students' fondness for the trio increased dramatically, and their hospital beds were filled with gifts.

When Tewell came to visit, the gifts here were already too numerous to accommodate.

"I just met George in the corridor, holding three toilet seat rings, it seems like he's going to give them to you guys."

Tewell searched for a while but couldn't find any space, so he had to distribute his small chocolate frogs to the trio one by one.

Of course, he also gave Ron a new badge.

"What's this?" Ron exclaimed in surprise.

Tewell blinked, "This is the badge for our heroes."

Hearing this, Ron's eyes slightly moistened, and he involuntarily gripped the badge tightly, the corners digging into his flesh, yet he felt no pain inside, as if there was boundless strength within.

Harry grinned as he unwrapped the chocolate and shared half with Ron, resulting in Ron grinning foolishly as if infected.

But compared to Harry and Ron, who were carefree and nibbling on chocolate, Hermione stared blankly at the chocolate in her hand, lost in thought.

"Professor, may I ask you a question?" she suddenly said.

Tewell turned to her in surprise.

"What's wrong?"

Hermione hesitated for a while before raising her head firmly and asking, "You're the one who really wanted to steal the Philosopher's Stone, aren't you?"

Upon hearing this, Harry and Ron stopped their movements simultaneously, staring at each other in shock with chocolate-filled mouths.

Tewell chuckled lightly.

"How did you figure it out?"

Hermione immediately outlined all her guesses.

"Simply by deducing from the results, you can see many details.

First of all, when you talked to Quirrell, there was no hint of coercion, instead, it seemed like he was the one being coerced by you; he was full of fear towards you.

You just used the term 'heroes,' and in the end, you saved Harry, indicating that you could control the situation there. Maybe you've been waiting there all along, waiting for Quirrell to help you get the Philosopher's Stone.

The most crucial point is that last night, Harry and they heard two loud noises, but I only heard the second one, indicating that the sound was in their minds, much like a magic you've used, the purpose of which was to make them panic but not let them encounter other professors."

"I..."

"Don't try to deny it," Hermione interrupted, her face suddenly turning red, "I... I know every magic you've used!"

Tewell comfortingly patted her shoulder.

"Excellent. I never thought such a meticulously planned scheme would have so many flaws exposed by you. I have to say, you're the smartest little witch I've ever met, Hermione."

Hermione blushed even redder and stammered, "Please don't say that, I just like to read some books, completely unlike Ron and Harry, who are so brave."

"On the contrary, if it weren't for you saving Harry in the end, I wouldn't have thought of these things."

Harry and Ron were speechless; the two of them were being modest here, but what they wanted to see was Professor Fawley's plan!

"Why did you want to steal the Philosopher's Stone, Professor? For immortality?" Harry asked cautiously.

"Or for gold?" Ron chimed in.

"Neither," Fawley smiled and shook his head. "That's not something you should be concerned about. Just know that I did want to get my hands on the Philosopher's Stone."

"But," Harry glanced around the ward carefully before speaking softly, "with things as they are now, can you still get the Philosopher's Stone?"

"Do you need our help? I'm really good at chess!" Ron added in a hushed tone, as if conspiring.

Hermione rolled her eyes impatiently at the antics of the two.

"Since the professor has appeared openly here, it means that Headmaster Dumbledore already knows about this!" she pointed out, nodding towards Fawley.

Fawley nodded in agreement, looking relieved.

"Yes, so I appreciate your willingness to help, but I must remind you, it's best not to break the rules.

And besides, Headmaster Dumbledore has already given me the Philosopher's Stone," he said, taking out the red stone from his pocket. "No need to steal it anymore."

"What about Nicolas Flamel?"

"Are you going to make the Elixir of Life?"

"Or turn lead into gold?!"

The three of them looked at the Philosopher's Stone in surprise, jumping up from their beds with their unique questions.

"Headmaster Dumbledore will explain the situation with Nicolas Flamel to you. As for the Philosopher's Stone, I haven't learned how to use it, nor do I want immortality or gold."

According to the feedback from the badge, even if cursed, as long as he could gather the four founders, he could live for at least two hundred years.

By then, he would be an old man with no teeth, tired of living.

Harry and Ron lay back disappointedly, while Hermione lowered her head sadly.

She had already realized the fate that awaited the Flamel couple.

"Death is more like a peaceful sleep for some people. What we should give is respect," Fawley whispered in her ear.

"Alright, eat the chocolate. Both of you have been under my sleeping spell, and although I've controlled it well, forgive my arrogance, my magic seems to be a bit too powerful," he said, as Harry and Hermione yawned as if they had been cursed.

Originally, the sleeping spell was a simple spell, and waking up was as simple as undoing the spell.

But Fawley's spell was too powerful, and the two of them had weak magical resistance, leaving them with temporary drowsiness as an aftereffect.

Ironically, after all this, Ron, who was the most severely injured, didn't suffer any aftereffects. He could be discharged from the hospital after resting for just one day.

At that moment, there was suddenly a commotion outside the door.

"Let us in, Percy!"

"I know they're awake already!"

"The problem is, can you guys put down those dirty toilet seat rings?!"

Percy's angry shout drowned out the twins' defense, audible even in the ward.

After a minute, the three of them walked in playfully, with the twins' hands now empty.

"Um, Professor," Percy immediately switched to a serious tone, not even acknowledging the twins' pinching his face, "we didn't know you were here."

"No need to be formal, but it's also time for me to leave," Fawley said.

Percy suddenly stopped Fawley, "Wait, Professor—"

"What's wrong?" Fawley looked at him curiously, wondering why the young wizard had so many questions now.

"Well, our previous Defense Against the Dark Arts professors usually only taught for a year, so do you have any plans for the future?"

Different from the first-year trio who were still a bit clueless, Percy and his friends had known the characteristics of this subject for a long time. They looked at Fawley reluctantly.

"Don't worry, I don't plan to leave Hogwarts for at least a few years," Fawley smiled in response.

"Hurrah!"

The twins cheered loudly, even attracting Madam Pomfrey's attention.

"This is the hospital wing, please keep it down!" she admonished.

Percy took the opportunity to press down on his brothers' heads. "Sorry, we'll keep it down."

As soon as Madam Pomfrey left, he looked at Fawley again.

"Professor, do you know what happened to Professor Quirrell?"

"Quirrell? Well, at least he won't have the chance to teach you guys again."

The way he turned out, even Fawley couldn't find enough materials to piece him back together...

Although we joked about it being the same with or without Quirrell, not having a professor to teach was a different matter.

Percy couldn't help but sigh and said, "Alright, shall we study as usual then?"

"No, I will temporarily take over Quirrell's position and be in charge of the whole school's Defense Against the Dark Arts—"

"Hooray!" Fawley's words hadn't finished yet when Percy, just like the twins, loudly cheered.

"I'm going to tell everyone about this!" Excitedly, he cheered while quickly running towards the door.

"Wait, Percy, didn't we agree to visit little Ronnie?!" George shouted.

"Forget it—"