HP: Professor From Azkaban

If it had been any other wizard, most people would have found the house in front of them shabby and small, with nothing worth mentioning.

It was a simple structure, built from ordinary wood, so cramped that there wasn't even a second room.

The interior wasn't luxurious either. The bed was tucked in a corner, with no separate kitchen; just a hearth that doubled as a source of warmth and a place for cooking. Smoked foods like ham and wild chicken hung from the walls, giving the place the feel of a hunter's cabin.

Had it not been for William's previous occupation, which made him sensitive to magical materials, he would have assumed that the décor and Hagrid's clothing were relatively cheap.

But the bundle of silver hair hanging from the roof left him stunned.

A whole bundle, at least a few hundred strands. William's wand core was made from the same material.

Even with the fluctuating market, this bundle alone could easily trade for a standalone house on most streets in the wizarding world, even at its lowest value.

Yet here it hung, like a piece of rope or some other random item, clearly not given any importance by its owner.

William swallowed hard, carefully examining the room with newfound seriousness.

It didn't take long before he found more surprises. The seemingly crudely made bows and arrows on the wall had arrowheads gleaming with the unmistakable luster of goblin-forged metals, commonly used for magical artifacts. The arrow fletching? It was made from the finest materials for magical quick-note quills.

While William wasn't an expert appraiser, he knew enough to recognize that a single arrow here, just in raw materials, was worth more than a wand.

Using a wand to shoot arrows; what was the difference between that and using gold for slingshot pebbles?

William instinctively tightened his grip on his own wand.

Even though he had shared a few drinks with Hagrid at the Leaky Cauldron and exchanged some boasts when tipsy, he had never imagined that the Hogwarts gamekeeper was, in fact, a hidden connoisseur and a genuine tycoon.

While William was taking in the room's furnishings, Hagrid hurried over to the window, reaching into a nearby bag for owl treats and anxiously checking the owl's leg for a letter.

But his hopes were soon dashed. The owl hooted contentedly as it ate, lifting its leg to indicate it carried no message.

"A whole month," Hagrid said to William, visibly disappointed.

"A month?"

"Yes, it's been a month. Harry hasn't responded. I sent him some rock cakes for his birthday, hoping for a reply, but there's been nothing." Hagrid's voice was filled with sadness.

William could feel it. Judging by how Hagrid spoke about Harry, his friendship was genuine and heartfelt. Being ignored in such a way would be crushing.

"Come on, Hagrid, don't be upset. Maybe something's happened on Harry's end," William quickly thought of a way to comfort the man, who, even crouched down, towered over him. After hearing Hagrid's story, it was hard not to feel sympathy for the gentle giant.

At the same time, William silently berated the Harry he'd never met.

A whole month, and after someone went out of their way to send you a birthday gift, you couldn't even say thank you? How hard is that?

"I suppose so. Those Muggles mistreat him. I gave them a stern warning, but I can't just use magic freely--"

Hagrid held back his emotions, wiping the corner of his eyes as he poured tea. He then brought over the tea and a plate of sweets.

"Have some rock cakes first. We still need to head to the castle later. I need to speak with Professor McGonagall. Maybe those Muggles really are mistreating Harry and preventing him from replying to me."

William absentmindedly picked up a rock cake, recalling the memories of the boy named Harry.

There weren't many relevant memories, but if his recollection wasn't faulty, Harry and Hagrid seemed to have had a good relationship later on.

Maybe the Muggles really were keeping him under control?

Well, that was a relief. It was far better than coldly ignoring a friend. With that thought, William bit into the sweet.

It didn't budge.

Determined, William bit harder. His teeth began to protest.

Admitting defeat, he soaked the cake in tea and barely managed to chew through it.

Hah; if he remembered correctly, Hagrid had given Harry these rock cakes as a birthday gift.

William glanced at the ceiling, speechless. If someone gave him something like this for his birthday, he'd seriously consider ending the friendship.

"Should we get going? I have an appointment with Professor McGonagall at ten o'clock. If we take our time, we might not make it in time." William asked cautiously, hoping to escape the remaining sweets.

"Good idea," Hagrid rumbled in agreement.

They left Hagrid's hut together, heading straight for the castle.

***

Perhaps driven by concern for Harry, Hagrid picked up the pace significantly. The near-jog left little room for conversation, and though Hagrid wasn't moving at full speed out of consideration, William barely had the energy to take in his surroundings.

Forget it. I'll ask Hagrid for a proper tour later. Right now, his mind's clearly preoccupied with Harry, William thought.

They passed through the greenhouses, the castle gates, the floating staircases, and the moving portraits, covering the distance at twice the normal walking speed. Soon, they arrived outside Professor McGonagall's office.

Just as William feared Hagrid might barge in without giving him a moment to catch his breath, the large man hesitated at the door.

William, catching his breath, realized Hagrid wasn't waiting for him but was lost in his own thoughts. He couldn't help but chuckle.

He's probably scared of getting bad news and just froze at the door.

Without a word, William patted Hagrid's side, gave him a reassuring look, and stepped forward to knock on the door.

Though they were a bit early, with Hagrid present, it wouldn't be considered rude.

"Come in," Professor McGonagall's voice called from inside.

Hagrid hesitated but followed William into the office. Before William could explain their early arrival, another voice, tinged with surprise and delight, greeted them.

"Ah, Professor William! I didn't expect you to visit early as well. It seems our discussion this morning will be quite pleasant!"

Who is this guy? And why are his teeth so white?

...

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