103: Strange Atmosphere

o(*￣▽￣*)ブMany Thanks to Benji, Angelo Mags, and Daemon Crux for their Patronage!♥♥

_________

"Alright, class dismissed. Remember to turn in your essays later… Oh, right, do you all still want to… Never mind, we'll discuss that matter about the Wither another time. Maybe when Dumbledore isn't at Hogwarts."

"Oh, and one more piece of news—your Professor Lockhart probably won't have time to teach you for a while. For at least the next two weeks, he'll be holed up in his office researching his paper. So, for the next two weeks, your Defense Against the Dark Arts classes will still be covered by Snape."

"The school hasn't officially announced this yet—I just happened to find out and figured I'd give you a heads-up. So don't be late for the next Defense Against the Dark Arts class."

After saying this, Kasenhis gathered up the books on the podium and headed straight for the staircase hidden behind the blackboard, returning to his office.

After changing into a different outfit, he apparated outside and walked towards the Great Hall.

Word had it that the house-elves in the kitchen had roasted over a dozen whole sheep today—there was no way he was missing out on that…

Upon arriving at the Great Hall, he saw a group of professors huddled together, whispering about something. It wasn't until Hagrid looked up and saw Kasenhis that he instinctively started walking towards him.

"Hey, Kasenhis, I wanted to ask—"

Before Hagrid could finish his sentence, Professor Flitwick, with lightning-fast reflexes, hit him with a Silencing Charm.

"Mmmph… Mmm?"

Professor Snape walked over with a resigned expression, dragging Hagrid away.

Kasenhis stood there, blinking in confusion.

"What… exactly are you all doing?"

"Oh, nothing, nothing. Hagrid mixed alcohol into a potion earlier and, uh… accidentally drank himself silly. Nothing to worry about, come on, sit down and eat." Professor Sprout quickly pulled Kasenhis over to the staff table, while the other professors simultaneously fell into an eerie silence.

"Uh… this atmosphere feels weird."

Kasenhis picked up a lamb chop and glanced curiously at Snape…

Stone-faced. No need to ask—he wasn't going to get any answers from him.

Professor Sprout… offered an awkward but polite smile.

Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick were doing their best to bury their faces in their plates.

"Hagrid… Hagrid?"

Hagrid lifted his head to look at Kasenhis.

"What were you all talking about?"

Hagrid scratched his head awkwardly. "Oh, nothing. I can only tell you that it's something very—ow!"

Professor Flitwick swiftly picked up a fork, then casually acted as if absolutely nothing had happened.

"Ugh, all this secrecy… I really don't get you guys." Kasenhis rubbed his chin, then quickly immersed himself in the glorious world of food.

At the entrance of the Great Hall, Madam Hooch strode in with her usual urgency—not because anything was actually urgent, but simply because that was just the way she was.

She walked up to the staff table and waved at Kasenhis. "Kasenhis, I was flying past your office window just now and didn't see you inside. I was wondering where you'd run off to."

Madam Hooch plopped into her seat, yanked off her gloves, and immediately started devouring her meal.

"Hmm… What's got you in such a rush today?"

Kasenhis asked as he chewed.

"Isn't there a Quidditch match tomorrow? I wanted you to check the Quidditch balls for me—I brought them all here." Madam Hooch said.

"Ah, perfect timing. I just finished eating."

Wiping his hands, he picked up the large trunk containing the Quidditch balls and placed it on the chair.

"Let me see… All within normal wear and tear, nothing seems off."

As he spoke, he took out an Enchanting Table and casually enchanted the entire set of balls again.

"Thank you so much, Kasenhis! I promise that after this, I'll—ow!"

Madam Hooch suddenly cut herself off mid-sentence, while Professor Flitwick casually picked up his knife and fork and started eating as if nothing had happened.

"Seriously, you all have been acting really weird today. Hagrid was the same earlier."

"Uh… I just… accidentally stubbed my toe. That's all."

"Alright then…"

Still utterly confused, Kasenhis scratched his head and headed back to his office.

The next day arrived.

By noon, almost the entire school had gathered at the Quidditch pitch.

"Has it never occurred to you lot to just use a Weather-Modifying Charm to fix this weather? I mean, all of you wear glasses. If it starts raining, you better pray your broomsticks don't end up stabbing you right through the ribcage."

Kasenhis grumbled while casually enchanting the Quidditch players' broomsticks.

"Don't worry, Professor! Gryffindor fears no challenge! A lion's claws and fangs will rip those slimy, slippery snakes apart in any weather!"

Oliver Wood, who was helping Harry check his Quidditch gear, quickly responded to Kasenhis's complaint.

"Apologies… but only if you can keep up," Flint sneered.

"Alright, everyone, exchange a couple more insults and call it even. This is the Quidditch pitch, not the UFC. Let's not turn this into a pre-match brawl."

"Uh? What's UFC?"

"Never mind. Carry on with your trash talk."

After finishing the broom inspections, Kasenhis apparated back to the Quidditch stands. From his ring, he pulled out a massive stash of snacks and started handing them out to the professors around him, munching away as he watched the match.

"Hmm… this candy has a really nice flavor…" Dumbledore casually reached into Kasenhis's lap, grabbed a bag of sweets, ripped it open, and started eating as he spoke.

Kasenhis rolled his eyes and quickly gathered all the snacks on his knees into his arms.

"Oh, Kasenhis, let me have some more—consider it a humble request from this old man." Dumbledore smiled.

"You ate too fast, and now it's my problem? Besides, I bought these from a Muggle supermarket. You won't find them in the wizarding world."

"Alright… In that case, next time you go to a supermarket, would you mind bringing me along?" Dumbledore asked.

"Do you even have money?"

"Well… While a headmaster's salary isn't exactly luxurious, I can still afford some snacks."

"I mean muggle money."

"Yes, I do have—"

Kasenhis snapped his fingers. "Fantastic. In that case, I just won't bring any money next time. Let's go together, headmaster!"

"Hold on… That doesn't sound like you at all." Dumbledore looked puzzled. Was this the same Kasenhis who normally threw Galleons around like confetti? Why was he suddenly being… thrifty?

"I can transmute as much gold as I want, but every single pound I have is my hard-earned blood, sweat, and tears from working construction jobs. Of course, they're different."

"You know, you could just exchange wizarding money for Muggle money at Gringotts," Hagrid helpfully pointed out.

"I've exchanged it before, and then I found out that the goblins used the damn copying spell to copy the pounds. The supermarket cashier almost called the police when he saw the stack of unmarked pounds I had." Kasenhis said through gritted teeth.

"That's a joke, right?"

_________

(～￣▽￣)～Read two weeks ahead:

P@treon: Dragonel