"Is that the mechanism you've set up?" Adrian asked.
"Yes," Professor Flitwick nodded. "It's quite interesting, isn't it? Imagine someone coming in and facing a group of flying keys, fumbling around trying to catch the right one. That scene must be quite comical."
"If it were me, I might prefer to use an unlocking charm," Adrian reminded him after taking a sip of butterbeer.
"Of course, that's another method," Professor Flitwick chuckled, then said, "So I also plan to put a spell on the door. Unless they're a wizard of considerable power, no one will be able to open it."
Adrian raised an eyebrow, asking somewhat puzzled, "Aren't you planning to set up some more lethal mechanisms?"
Professor Flitwick shook his head and explained, "Of course not, Adrian. Professor Dumbledore specifically instructed that the item would be placed in a room on the fourth floor. That place might attract some mischief-makers who want to try breaking in. We can't let those curious students get hurt."
Hearing Professor Flitwick's words, Adrian pondered for a moment.
That was indeed the case.
In the original storyline, it seemed that all the obstacles set by the professors could be passed through using certain methods, rather than being completely "dead ends."
Judging from the final result, those obstacles were entirely tailored for Harry Potter.
"Headmaster Dumbledore has certainly made thorough preparations to protect that object," Professor Flitwick drank the last sip of his drink, put the empty glass aside, and continued explaining, "I think what we should do is prevent students from getting near there."
"You're right, Professor Flitwick," Adrian nodded in agreement.
Now it seemed he should train his Chomping Cabbages well too.
If other students really did break into the Chomping Cabbages' territory...
At least... they should leave a complete corpse, shouldn't they?
...
After chatting with Professor Flitwick for a while, Adrian discovered that Professor Flitwick wasn't exaggerating—he really was a regular at the Three Broomsticks.
Many passing customers greeted him warmly, clearly showing that he had quite a good reputation in Hogsmeade.
So, Adrian stopped discussing how to protect the Philosopher's Stone. After all, it wouldn't be good if outsiders overheard.
Just then, a familiar voice came from the entrance.
"Ed? And Professor Flitwick?"
Kettleburn entered through the main door and immediately noticed the two in the corner. He strode over right away. "I didn't expect to see you here. Good afternoon to both of you."
Adrian was a bit surprised, he hadn't expected to encounter Professor Kettleburn here.
"Please sit down, Professor Kettleburn," Professor Flitwick showed a surprised expression and quickly waved his hand, gesturing for Kettleburn to sit beside him.
"I'm not a professor anymore."
Kettleburn waved to Madam Rosmerta at the bar and called out loudly, "Rosmerta, a mead!"
Then, he walked over to Adrian and Professor Flitwick's table with a smile and sat down.
Adrian curiously looked at Kettleburn and asked, "Professor, what brings you here?"
Kettleburn laughed heartily, patting his leg. "Didn't I mention it to you? I've been living in Hogsmeade. After retiring, I moved to Hogsmeade."
Then, he looked at Adrian and asked, "By the way, how is Torch doing?"
"Same as always. Recently, he's been getting bigger and his appetite has grown," Adrian casually replied. "If you don't come to take over soon, my little place might not be able to contain him anymore."
Hearing Adrian's words, Kettleburn laughed, "Soon, soon! I've already contacted a former student of mine who works abroad in a related field, specializing in taking in and caring for animals like Torch. Torch will be very comfortable there, and I can also visit him often."
"I don't mind either way," Adrian shrugged. "It's not like I'm the one feeding him anymore."
Professor Flitwick, who had been unable to join the conversation, finally found an opportunity to interject, "Who is Torch?"
Kettleburn and Adrian exchanged glances.
"A cute little dog."
"A big dog."
They both said simultaneously.
Professor Flitwick raised an eyebrow, clearly dubious about their answers, but he didn't pursue the matter further.
At this moment, Adrian seemed to notice something and focused his gaze on Kettleburn.
A fuzzy little creature peeked out from Kettleburn's robe.
The small creature had beady black eyes and a flat mouth. Its nose twitched slightly as if searching for something.
"You brought a Niffler with you?" Professor Flitwick asked in surprise.
The Niffler's movements were impressively quick.
As soon as Professor Flitwick finished speaking, it darted out of Kettleburn's robe like a bolt of lightning, heading straight for Adrian's pocket.
Before Adrian could react, the Niffler's little paws had already reached into his pocket, skillfully pulling out a silver pocket watch.
"Hey! You can't have that, little fellow!" Adrian, quick-witted, grabbed the chain of the pocket watch and reclaimed it.
Seeing this, Kettleburn stood up, grabbed the Niffler by its tail, and confined it in his hand.
"Ah, sorry about that," he apologized with a smile. "This little one just became an adult recently and is still quite mischievous."
While Kettleburn was scolding the Niffler, Madam Rosmerta brought over the mead he had ordered.
After thanking her with a smile, he picked up his glass, glanced toward the bar as if noticing something, then turned back and lowered his voice to tell Adrian, "By the way, Adrian, has Quirrell become the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor this term?"
"Yes, Professor. Your information seems quite outdated," Adrian waved his hand dismissively. "Has something happened?"
Kettleburn shook his head, then gestured toward the bar. "Isn't that Quirrell?"
Adrian and Professor Flitwick both looked toward the bar and indeed saw Professor Quirrell. He was sitting on a high stool at the bar, clasping a drink of unknown origin, looking rather nervous.
"Professor Quirrell! Over here!" Professor Flitwick called out.
Quirrell, hearing his name, turned his head abruptly, and a flash of panic appeared in his eyes.
When he saw Professor Flitwick, Kettleburn, and Adrian, he seemed to relax a bit. He forced a smile and hurriedly slid off the high stool, and walked over to them.
________________
You can get more chapters on:
patreon.com/IamLuis