41: I Was Waiting For You To Say That

Many thanks to Ruben Gene Dangpilen and Devor for joining the tier!!

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After completely renovating—or rather, rebuilding—Hagrid's hut, Kasenhis returned to his relaxed, laid-back lifestyle.

Previously, Longbottom Manor had praised Neville... but it wasn't really a boast. He had indeed helped Hagrid expand the house and wrapped gifts for his students.

I did return gifts to my friends in the Muggle world, so theoretically I didn't deceive him.

Yes, flawless logic. 

The Christmas holiday passed so quickly, even Kasen hadn't had a good rest yet, although he rested for four days out of seven days a week...

In any case, the students soon returned to Hogwarts aboard the wailing train, and Kasenhis found himself seated in Professor McGonagall's office. 

At the moment, McGonagall was holding a form in her hand—a request for Kasenhis to take the fourth-year students out of school to attend the European Alchemy Exchange Association's event. 

When he applied for the seventh-years to leave earlier, McGonagall had approved it almost instantly. However, now with the fourth-years, she glanced at the form, then at Kasenhis. 

Then back at the form, and back at Kasenhis again.

"Honestly, you don't need to go this far, Professor Kasenhis. You don't have to let these students share the credit for your achievements or give away the honor that rightfully belongs to you. You're their professor, not their parent. This isn't your responsibility."

Kasenhis stared at McGonagall with a peculiar expression. 

Because the way she looked at him was equally strange—indescribable, but definitely odd. 

The emotions in Professor McGonagall's gaze were complex—sympathy, perhaps, Feeling distressed, or...well...helpless, but also a little pride on him.

Kasenhis had no idea what kind of strange narrative McGonagall had concocted in her mind, but he knew one thing for certain: he needed this form approved today. 

Afterward, he planned to deliver the exciting news to the students and, starting tomorrow, personally guide their attire selection. After all, they weren't seventh-years; fourth-years, in his eyes, were still immature little fledglings. 

In fact, a fair number of them were practically still at the stage of playing in the mud and drawing stick figures on parchment.

Letting them handle their own outfits? Forget about them becoming elegant ladies and gentlemen—he was more worried about them showing up with pumpkin juice stains from breakfast still smeared on their collars.

It was a very real concern.

"I still don't agree with what you're doing," McGonagall finally said, her tone firm. "I understand you're trying to add a shining highlight to their resumes, but it's essentially piggybacking off your own achievements. It's not reflective of their actual accomplishments, and, frankly, it's unfair—to you."

"I don't think it's that bad," Kasenhis replied with a shrug, entirely nonchalant. "I give them the finished product, have them analyze the principles behind it, and write it into papers. They're helping me out, not stealing my glory. To be honest, I can't be bothered to write all those papers myself."

McGonagall nodded, a faint smile playing at her lips. "I wish I could say I had a hand in teaching you."

With that, she signed her name on the form.

"I'll take that as a compliment," Kasenhis said, grinning ear to ear. 

Taking the signed form, he left McGonagall's office in high spirits and made a beeline for the alchemy classroom, his mind already buzzing with plans for what lay ahead.

After arriving at the classroom, Kasenhis stepped up to the podium, only to be greeted by the sight of a group of lifeless, dejected students.

"Eh?... What's with the gloomy atmosphere? Can someone tell me what's going on?"

Cedric, the designated fourth-year alchemy class representative, reached into his pocket and pulled out a copy of the Daily Prophet. Under the watchful eyes of the entire class, he placed it on the podium.

"What's with all the mystery?" Kasenhis muttered as he picked up the paper and glanced at it. A moment later, he let out a disappointed sigh.

"I thought they might've cooked up something exciting, but this?"

He jabbed a finger at the headline on the front page, his tone dripping with sarcasm. The article was straightforward: it accused Dumbledore, painted as a senile old man, of forcing the new alchemy professor to share his achievements with students just so Hogwarts could maintain its prestige.

Ordinarily, scandals involved unscrupulous professors stealing their students' work and taking credit for it. But this time, the narrative had flipped: the supposedly unscrupulous headmaster and the students had collectively "stolen" the poor professor's achievements.

"You guys..." Kasenhis looked out at the students below the podium. "Honestly, do you think this article is useful in any way?"

"Anyone with half a brain can see it's not about me or you—it's about someone with an agenda taking a swing at Dumbledore. If Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs can't see through it, I get it. But Ravenclaws and Slytherins? Why do you all look like you actually believe the nonsense this rag is spouting?"

To his surprise, the Slytherin and Ravenclaw students, instead of looking chastened, inexplicably straightened their postures with an air of pride.

Kasenhis stood on the podium, momentarily stunned. He couldn't help but wonder if his students were all imbued with some kind of strange charm that erased the "aesthetic of intelligence."

Below the podium, the students also seemed to realize something, and one by one, their previously proud postures deflated.

"All right, this is a matter between Dumbledore and the Ministry of Magic. No need for me to get involved. The main reason I called you here, even though there's no class today, is to make an announcement. Your paper on the Enchantment Table has officially passed the European Alchemy Association's review. Tomorrow night, get yourselves ready, dress properly, and come find me for a final check on your attire."

"We'll be leaving this weekend. Any issues?"

The students shook their heads in perfect unison.

"No issues? Great. You're dismissed. I won't take up any more of your free time."

With that, Kasenhis left the classroom without another glance at the students.

He had more pressing matters to attend to.

On his way back to his office, he happened to run into Dumbledore.

(=_=)Stare.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Dumbledore tilted his head, a bit puzzled.

"Weren't you just slandered by that shameless journalist? How are you still strolling around so leisurely?" Kasenhis asked.

"Oh, how does the saying go? Idle chatter abounds; pay it no mind, and it fades away. I simply don't have the energy to worry about such trivial matters."

"You're that magnanimous?"

"What else could I be?"

(눈_눈) More Staring…

"Oh... fine. After all, I'm a renowned and seasoned wizard. Any reaction I make will ripple outward, so when faced with situations like this, all I can do is swallow my grievances and keep moving forward," Dumbledore admitted frankly.

"Oh...how pathetic."

The old man with the silver beard smiled, gently placing a hand on Kasenhis' shoulder.

"I was just waiting for you to say that."

???

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