Hogwarts…
"What the hell was that?"
Is that supposed to be the magic level of this world? Kasenhis gulped down his green tea, looking utterly baffled.
"Could your glasses see what that figure was?" Dumbledore asked calmly.
"…Two people. One's a wizard, the other… also a wizard. But their essence was obscured somehow. No idea how they pulled that off."
Boom!
A burst of golden-red phoenix flames flared up again, and Lupin appeared in the office—clutching what could only be described as an oversized roast turkey… or, well, a very irritated phoenix.
"Look at this." He pulled out a photograph—a snapshot of the valley from earlier.
The once picturesque landscape had been obliterated into what now looked like a massive crater.
Kasenhis stared at the photo, completely convinced that the unknown wizard was single-handedly contributing to England's geographical diversity—because if it rained a few times, that crater could very well become a lake.
Honestly, ever since coming to this world—now his world, meeting Sherlock Holmes, stepping into Hogwarts, and now seeing those two figures atop the valley…
That sky-covering magic array…
He was genuinely starting to fear that any day now, a Kamar-Taj might just pop up out of nowhere.
Ugh...
"Why did they suddenly attack us?" Lupin rubbed his chin, completely baffled.
"Maybe it was just a coincidence? The valley was high up, after all. I only saw those two figures clearly because of my monocle, and we were standing under a tree. It's possible they just didn't see us properly." Kasenhis offered tentatively.
"That first laser was aimed directly at your head. Could you please start taking your own survival a little more seriously, Kasenhis?" Lupin grabbed his shoulders and shook him in exasperation.
"Mm… You really don't seem to value your own life much." Dumbledore added, his tone dry.
"Alright, fine. Even if that's the case… what could I do about it? That level of destructive power… Sure, I could pull it off too, but that guy did it instantly. Compared to him, Voldemort is nothing." Kasenhis abruptly veered off-topic.
Dumbledore and Lupin exchanged glances. It was clear Kasenhis didn't want to linger on this conversation.
Both of them sighed in perfect sync.
"Before the holidays, you mentioned that you were looking for clues about the Basilisk," Dumbledore smoothly changed the subject, following Kasenhis' lead.
"Yeah, I figured it out," Kasenhis said, removing his monocle.
Although this one looked identical to his previous one, it just didn't feel as comfortable to wear.
"You guys wait here. I need to step out for a bit. I'll be back soon, and then we can figure out that chamber together."
With that, he instantly Ender-teleported out of the office.
At this moment, only Dumbledore and Lupin remained in the office. The two exchanged a glance before Dumbledore casually pulled out a magical contract.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for the next school year." Dumbledore stated.
"I… Do I even have the qualifications for that?" Lupin hesitated.
"Compared to Quirrell and Lockhart, you are more than qualified for this position." Dumbledore reassured him.
"...So you just want me to keep being Kasenhis' bodyguard?" Lupin asked, raising an eyebrow.
"He's at Hogwarts. What kind of bodyguard would he need?"
Dumbledore sighed helplessly, shrugging. "If Kasenhis had been sorted as a kid, which house do you think he would belong to?"
"Uh… Hufflepuff… Ravenclaw? Though, I'd like to think he'd be a Gryffindor…" Lupin mused.
"Although the hat sorted him into Hufflepuff, many things change when we transition from kids to adults. He does have some Gryffindor traits aswell, I'll give you that. Do you know what that special teleportation technique of his is?"
"Hmm… He mentioned something about it before—something to do with an Enchanting Table, I think?" Lupin recalled their past conversation back in Brazil and nodded.
"From the moment he enchanted Ender Pearl magic directly into his own body, I realized what kind of person Kasenhis truly is," Dumbledore said solemnly. "He values life… but only the lives of others, not his own."
"…Does he, though?" Lupin frowned.
"The first time he used the Enchanting Table to enchant himself, he told me the success rate was only twenty-four percent. Do you remember when he used the Enchanting Table to cure your lycanthropy? He specifically asked for my supervision that time."
"But since his first human enchantment, he's done everything on himself. And if Neville hadn't told me about his latest attempt, I wouldn't have even known."
Lupin nodded. "Oh… so you want me to keep an eye on him, to stop him from using himself as a test subject for every dangerous experiment? But… can I even stop him?"
Dumbledore shrugged. "Why not? What was your final grade in Alchemy when you graduated?"
"O." Lupin replied instinctively.
"Then that settles it. Kasenhis needs someone like-minded—a… partner in alchemy! And I believe you're the perfect candidate for the job."
"Me?" Lupin blinked, pointing at himself. "But compared to Kasenhis' alchemy… Have you seen the stuff he's made? His entire lab is filled with things I don't understand at all. Compared to him, I know absolutely nothing about alchemy!"
Lupin sighed, rubbing his temple. "Honestly, I think you should do it. Since becoming Headmaster, you don't really have much to do anymore—just napping in your office and drinking milkshakes all day. I'd say you're the best fit for the job."
It was a rare moment where Lupin openly teased Dumbledore.
Dumbledore pursed his lips. "He dislikes me. He once said… 'What the hell does Dumbledore know about alchemy?!' He even wrote that in one of his research papers."
Lupin blinked. "And I'd be any different? Kasenhis would say the same thing about me—'What the hell does Lupin know about alchemy?!'"
"No, no, it's different, Remus. You're still young."
Lupin narrowed his eyes. "Oh, so you're saying I'm young enough to still learn, but you're too old, your ability to absorb knowledge isn't what it used to be? And that's why you're pushing this onto me?"
Ack! He got me!
Dumbledore shook his head. "Not at all. What I mean is—you're young, you have a thick skin. If he insults you, you can take it. But me? I'm old. I have my dignity to consider. Can't afford to ruin my reputation at this age."
"......"
"......"
Lupin slowly raised his thumb. "Professor, truly… a masterclass in shamelessness."
"Thank you for the compliment."
A long silence followed. Then, after what felt like forever, Lupin finally spoke again.
"Professor… about Harry. How is he doing now?"
"He should be at Hogwarts… but I believe he was invited to spend Christmas at the Longbottom estate. Want to go check on him?"
Lupin quickly shook his head. "N-no, Professor. I… not now. I don't have the face for it."
"It was never your fault to begin with." Dumbledore sighed, shaking his head.
BZZT!
Kasenhis reappeared in the office, holding his Magical Guidebook once more. His original monocle was perched on his face again.
"Alright, gentlemen—er… we're about to head somewhere that, technically speaking, we really shouldn't be going… but we have to."
"Where?"
"The girls' bathroom."
"....."
"....."
_________
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