"Alright."
Hagrid finally finished treating Fluffy's injuries, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and finally had a moment to speak to Archer. "Of course, I can't rule out the possibility that someone broke in. I already told Dumbledore this morning, and he just told me not to worry and to take good care of Fluffy."
"Is there anything I can help with?" Archer couldn't help but ask, seeing Hagrid finish treating Fluffy.
"Of course," Hagrid nodded, then patted Fluffy's massive head. "Music can soothe Fluffy. Come on, Archer, can you sing?"
"?"
And so, the two of them howled together, like ghosts wailing in the night, their singing echoing eerily through the small room.
Someone once said Archer's singing sounded like a cat having its tail stepped on. Still, Fluffy wasn't picky—he soon dozed off to the cacophony.
"You sing well, Professor Archer."
"You too, Hagrid."
…
Days passed quietly, and Fluffy quickly regained his liveliness. His injuries didn't lead to further trouble.
Meanwhile, Harry officially joined the Gryffindor Quidditch team and received a broomstick from Professor McGonagall. Practices were held three times a week.
As for Archer, besides teaching and tending to his plants, he had added a new routine—frequent visits to the Hogwarts library.
Archer had always been a seeker of knowledge. Just as he once said:
The most important thing for a wizard is to keep learning.
Ever since discovering the Philosopher's Stone had a unique connection to the Tree of Wisdom, he had been searching for related material on Alchemy and the Stone within Hogwarts' vast library.
Alchemy was a deeply mysterious magical discipline, widely used to craft various magical artifacts—potions, enchanted tools, even creatures. The most famous of all these was the Philosopher's Stone.
Archer had taken an Alchemy course at Hogwarts in his student years, but it was notoriously difficult. Back then, he had only grasped a few theoretical concepts.
Now, after days of searching, he found little beyond the standard classroom textbooks. That wasn't enough.
So, he set his sights on the Restricted Section.
Luckily, as a professor, Archer didn't need special permission to enter. As long as he didn't irritate Madam Pince, he was free to roam.
Almost all of Archer's spare time now went into studying Alchemy.
…
Halloween Eve arrived quietly.
Archer nearly forgot about it—until Madam Pince placed a hideous pumpkin head on the front desk of the library. That was his reminder.
In the afternoon, when he entered the Great Hall, he saw Professor McGonagall busily organizing the decorating efforts. Several professors helped hang floating decorations and arrange the tables.
Seeing Archer, Professor McGonagall hurried over. "Ah, Professor Archer, just in time. We still need more help—quickly! I want to be finished before the students arrive for dinner."
"Of course."
Archer's job was to assist Hagrid with turning a massive pile of pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns.
Hagrid, wielding a huge machete, was hacking at the pumpkins, but his heavy-handedness often resulted in the pumpkins splitting in half.
Archer stepped in, using magic to speed things up.
First, he hollowed out the inside of each pumpkin, removed the seeds, then carved ghostly faces using his wand, and finally placed a lit candle inside. Quick and efficient.
In mere minutes, Archer completed a towering stack of jack-o'-lanterns.
After arranging them all along the dining tables, Hagrid exhaled, wiping his brow. "I'm really not cut out for delicate work."
"If you used magic..." Archer flicked his wand, conjuring a glass of water for Hagrid, "...none of this would be a problem."
"No, no, no…" Hagrid waved his hand quickly. "You know I don't use magic. You know that, right?"
Archer shrugged, saying nothing.
He knew Hagrid often claimed he couldn't use magic—but who could say for sure?
He remembered the pink umbrella Hagrid always carried. Inside the handle was clearly the hidden remains of a wand.
Hagrid, it seemed, wasn't quite as honest as he appeared.
When the dinner preparations were finally complete, Professor McGonagall let out a relieved sigh, her stern face softening.
She surveyed the Great Hall with satisfaction.
It had been completely transformed: floating jack-o'-lanterns hovered near the ceiling, casting orange light through carved grins across the floor. Swarms of bats and spectral figures circled overhead, releasing eerie laughter.
The Hogwarts ghosts were especially lively tonight.
Archer spotted Nearly Headless Nick cheerfully fussing with his nearly severed head.
"Thank you, everyone," Professor McGonagall called out. "Now, if there's nothing else, you may take your seats. The students will be here soon."
…
At the professors' table, Archer sat lost in thought.
He was reviewing the original storyline in his mind.
Tonight, Quirrell would release a Troll. Then, under the chaos, he would attempt to steal the Philosopher's Stone.
"Archer?"
Professor Flitwick's voice pulled him back.
Looking up, Archer saw the Charms professor watching him with curiosity.
"What's wrong?" Flitwick asked with concern. "You seem distracted."
"It's nothing," Archer replied, shaking off the thoughts. "I was just thinking about Professor Quirrell... I heard he's having some difficulties lately with his classes."
Flitwick nodded. "Ah yes, Quirrell... I've heard a few things from students as well. Though recently, it seems he's trying to innovate. A few days ago, he actually brought a Troll into class—imagine! A Troll, for a demonstration!"
"…"
Archer fell silent. It seemed Quirrell had a particular fondness for Trolls.
"That sounds dangerous," Archer finally said, raising his eyebrows.
"Maybe," Flitwick smiled. "But it's still a refreshing change. The students dislike professors who stick too closely to the books. I actually approve of Quirrell's courage."
Archer now understood—the original plotline remained intact.
Quirrell was still planning to use a Troll.
But that plan was doomed to fail.
Causing chaos by releasing a Troll only guaranteed one thing—drawing attention. Dumbledore's attention, especially.
After all, it was Quirrell himself who introduced the Troll.
Could he really escape Dumbledore's notice?
Absolutely not.
…
The Great Hall soon filled with excited students in festive attire. The Halloween feast began with glowing lanterns, cheerful music, and mountains of magical food.
But Archer's thoughts remained on the darker possibilities—what Quirrell had planned, and what came next.
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