106: Something Is Sus!

"Alright, class, that's it for today's lesson on Redstone applications. These two components work together just like one plus one equals two—they're just basic rules. But if you get creative, you can use these rules to create some really cool stuff. Class dismissed."

After announcing the end of the lesson, Kasenhis stretched lazily before heading out of the classroom, planning to grab some French fries in the Great Hall.

"Professor, how come we haven't seen you around the castle much these past two days?" Angelina jogged up next to Kasenhis and asked.

"I've been investigating that so-called Chamber of Secrets. You all know about it—the whole Hogwarts legend thing."

"Then, Professor, will you be leaving the castle today? Maybe heading to the Black Lake or the Quidditch Pitch?" Angelina continued.

"Nope. Lately, I've been piecing together a lot of… hmm… useful clues from various historical records."

"So, you'll be spending the rest of the day in your office?"

"After I finish eating, yes."

"Alright, Professor! Hope you have a wonderful day!" Angelina said before dashing off toward where the Weasley twins and Cedric were waiting for her.

When Kasenhis arrived at the Great Hall, he sat down and mechanically munched on his fries.

"Why's the Great Hall so empty today? Did half the students just decide not to show up? What is this, a Hogwarts weight-loss trend?"

Kasenhis turned to Professor Sprout, who was sitting nearby, and asked.

As one of the friendliest professors at Hogwarts, Professor Sprout was usually the go-to source for any Hogwarts gossip.

"There has been a bit of a weight-loss trend going around. Haven't you noticed how the food today is much lighter than usual?" Professor Sprout nodded.

"Ugh… Professor, does the kitchen still do special orders? I need something more filling… How do people not get sick of eating fish and chips every single day?" Kasenhis groaned.

"Sorry, Kasenhis. Thanks to this bizarre diet craze, the Hogwarts kitchen has cut back on nearly all meat, except for fish and chips." Professor Sprout said, her usual warm smile carrying a hint of amusement.

"Alright, fine… In that case, I might head out to find some proper food later. Do any of you want me to bring anything back? I don't mind grabbing something extra." Kasenhis offered.

"Uh? Umm.."

Professor Sprout suddenly looked a little awkward, her gaze flickering toward Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick beside her.

Meanwhile, both McGonagall and Flitwick started coughing a little too forcefully.

"What? You're planning to leave? No, no, no—uh…"

Professor McGonagall stumbled over her words, looking as if she was trying to come up with a convincing excuse on the spot.

"Ah, Kasenhis, Hogwarts is in a rather unstable situation right now. Both the students and the professors are constantly living under the shadow of the Basilisk. At this moment, Hogwarts simply cannot do without you."

Professor Flitwick, quick-witted as ever, instantly came up with a grand-sounding excuse.

"It's fine, I can just Ender Pearl teleport back and forth super quickly."

Professor Flitwick wiped his forehead with a napkin. "Uh… Kasenhis, do you have any other reasons for wanting to leave the school?"

"Apart from grabbing a decent meal… nope, nothing else. But if any of you need me to bring something back, just let me know." Kasenhis replied casually.

"Oh…"

Professor Flitwick nodded, subtly glancing toward Dumbledore. The latter immediately caught on, quickly pulling out his wand and giving it a light tap.

A series of phoenix-shaped Patronuses suddenly soared in all directions.

"Whoa, Dumbledore, that was pretty slick. Gotta admit, that looked really cool." Kasenhis turned to him with admiration.

"Ah, well… if you're interested, I can teach you. To be honest, I think you'd pick it up quite fast." Dumbledore gave a slightly awkward but polite smile.

"Eh, I'm not sure I'd be able to learn it. Honestly, I don't have much talent for these traditional spells. But if you really want to teach me, I'd be happy to learn—after I get back." Kasenhis said.

"No, no, no, Kasenhis!"

"You won't be getting that meal today, I'm afraid! You probably don't know this yet, but The Leaky Cauldron is closed today. A whole bunch of wizards who can't Apparate are stuck outside Diagon Alley!" Professor Flitwick hurriedly said.

"Yes, yes, and don't even think about The Hog's Head. I won't even mention what that old goat has going on in there—let's just say the food is NOT for human consumption. Even if you could purify it with your milk, I wouldn't recommend it. The mere thought of you having put something so revolting in your mouth might just give you nightmares." Dumbledore added, nodding in agreement.

"Oh, and The Three Broomsticks?"

"Madam Rosmerta is in France visiting her niece."

Professor McGonagall quickly chimed in.

"…She has a niece?"

"Uh… yes! And she's very beautiful. I'll introduce you next time."

"No, no, no, that won't be necessary. Love would only hinder my dedication to alchemy." Kasenhis quickly shook his head.

"Anyway, just stay in Hogwarts tonight and don't go out. As for the food situation, everything will be back to normal by tomorrow morning." Dumbledore reassured him.

"Ugh… Severus, how are you handling this?"

Kasenhis fully understood that Dumbledore, McGonagall, and the others had a strong preference for light and healthy eating, so he had no choice but to turn his gaze to Snape.

Even though Snape always wore a stern expression, making him seem like a seventy-year-old scholar, in reality, he was only a few years older than Kasenhis.

Which meant—he should be able to relate to the pain of craving meat but not getting any.

"An occasional light meal is beneficial. Also, I do not recommend eating those unhealthy Muggle fast foods and junk meals…"

Snape sat up slightly straighter, launching into a serious lecture about the benefits of vegetarian meals and how eating too much at night was bad for one's health.

Meanwhile, two Slytherins, clearly up to something, took an unnecessarily long detour behind the professors' table.

One of them had a whole roasted lamb floating behind him.

The other had a twenty-layer cake levitating in tow.

Professor Flitwick sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose before pulling out his wand and giving it a wave. In an instant, two Bubble-Head Charms enveloped the floating food behind the two young wizards.

Then, he noticed something even worse—more students, dozens of them, all trailing mountains of delicious food behind them, staring at him with pitiful eyes.

"Oh…"

Professor Flitwick quickly glanced around, making sure Kasenhis wasn't paying attention, before quietly hopping off his chair and scurrying over to the group of students, his tiny legs moving at record speed.

At this moment, he began to question his own teaching abilities.

These students not only didn't know how to use the Bubble-Head Charm, but they couldn't even cast a Disillusionment Charm for a minute or two?

How on earth had they managed to sneak around at night without getting caught all this time?

_________

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P@treon: Dragonel