HP: Professor From Azkaban

William was calm and at peace at the moment, with no trace of anger.

Though silencing someone wasn't an effective educational method and was more likely to provoke rebellion in the punished party, it was immensely satisfying!

The Ministry of Magic staff member on the side took less than five minutes to finish reading the letter. He hurried over and handed it to William.

"Professor, I think I've found the whereabouts of those two students."

Found them? With a letter from the Ministry of Magic?

A sense of foreboding surged within William as he quickly unfolded the letter and began to read.

It didn't take long for him to find the relevant information.

'…The two students appear to have followed the Hogwarts Express in a flying car. Several Muggles have reported witnessing the incident. In light of this situation, please immediately seal off Platform 9¾ and proceed to the Muggles' homes to perform memory-erasing work...'

His previously calm state of mind exploded in an instant, and William felt a headache coming on.

"Thank you. Knowing where they are now puts my mind at ease." William forced himself to respond calmly.

"That's good. I'm glad I could help you."

The young Ministry worker beamed with happiness. It was evident that the title of Hogwarts Professor carried significant weight in his eyes.

"Professor, I've been given a new assignment by the Ministry, so I must hurry off. My apologies for not being able to assist you further."

"You've already been more than helpful. Thank you."

The worker, who never even left his name, departed with a proud smile, Apparating away. William could almost hear the laughter radiating from his expression.

"What a fine student," William sighed quietly.

It was obvious that this young man's enthusiasm wasn't due to William himself but rather the reputation accumulated by Hogwarts professors over the years.

If it weren't for the fact that his subject was so problematic, there was no way someone like him; who had spent time in Azkaban, would ever have been allowed to teach. William was very aware of it.

He needed to work harder to teach his students… Otherwise, how could he live up to the trust of those who continued to hold professors in such high regard even after graduation?

As this thought crossed his mind, his peripheral vision caught sight of the silenced Gryffindor student.

"…"

Could I take back what I'd just said?

If he had to deal with a few more students like this, he might very well shorten his lifespan!

A phrase unconsciously drifted through his mind; Birds of a feather flock together.

Indeed, the kind of friend who dared to jump off a train wouldn't be a well-behaved child.

Driving a flying car to tail the Hogwarts Express?

This kind of scenario felt straight out of a Hollywood action movie. Why didn't they just drive the car over skyscrapers?

Wait, that didn't seem right; the car could already fly.

[You have gained the recognition (disgust) of a magical creature, reward: x1 Treasure Chest.]

William instinctively felt this treasure chest must have come from the young Gryffindor behind him.

[Conspirator Hermione (R): Snape's personal storage has been stolen from, and he is furious but unable to identify the culprit. I suppose he'll have a hard time figuring it out.

Skill: Precision Theft--Destroy this card and designate an item to plan a theft for. The more you know about the item, the more detailed the plan will appear in your mind. Theft and theft are two entirely different matters, as distinct as the differences between people.]

It seemed to be something akin to Felix Felicis, offering the feeling of 'this is the best course of action' effect. William immediately came to that conclusion.

But what interrupted his study of the next card wasn't a skill but the flood of complaints surfacing in his mind.

The girl before him had almost no resemblance to the one he had seen in the movie!

She'd need her buck teeth reduced, her hair neatly tamed, her face matured, and her height increased; essentially an entirely different person.

As for her personality, that was an entirely different matter as well.

The brat in front of him bore no resemblance whatsoever.

And, if he remembered correctly, the card mentioned Professor Snape. Wasn't he also a victim of theft in the movie he'd seen? Couldn't they at least target something different?

As for the so-called conspirator, William didn't care much. Someone capable of ambushing Ministry employees wouldn't have much trouble calculating a professor's inventory; it was hardly surprising.

Finally suppressing his complaints, William moved on to the next card.

[Illegal Potion Maker Hermione (SR): Polyjuice Potion, a highly advanced and Ministry-banned potion. Despite its immense brewing difficulty, a second-year student successfully created this forbidden concoction. Unfortunately, very few are aware of this remarkable feat.

Skill: Prodigy; Destroy this card and designate a potion. You will find brewing it astoundingly simple; success and failure often hinge on the smallest details.]

Of course, I know that. William barely resisted the urge to tap on the card.

He couldn't help but feel a bit impressed by the Gryffindor behind him. As someone who made a living through potioneering, he was acutely aware of what a monumental task brewing Polyjuice Potion was.

The prolonged brewing time, precise techniques, and rare materials; all indispensable.

A second-year student? If William shared this with his peers, they'd likely think he was telling a hilarious joke and burst into laughter.

As for the card's effects, there was no need to even mention them. William could name at least a dozen potions beyond his current capabilities.

Among them was Felix Felicis, also known as the 'Liquid Luck.' If he could crack its brewing process, William felt he'd have a trump card in his hands.

Even though the slightest error in brewing Felix Felicis could lead to catastrophic results, even though it required six months to brew, and even though it had a strong addictive nature, none of these downsides could diminish the allure of this magical potion.

Drinking Felix Felicis meant basking in the smile of the goddess of luck; some would even joke, catching a glimpse beneath her skirt. This was the common belief among potion enthusiasts.

It had only one effect; to make you lucky, luckier, and so lucky that even devils would be envious.

Stay calm, William.

Telling himself this, William turned his attention to the third card.

[Professor Attacker Hermione (SR): You cannot imagine; nor would you dare to imagine; a third-year student having the courage to attack a professor. Even with the help of companions, Professor Snape still collapsed before the students.

Skill: Ambush-Destroy this card, consuming all your magical energy. Your next magical attack will guarantee the first strike, silent casting, wandless casting, and a perfect hit; an all-or-nothing gamble with consequences too severe to bear if it fails.]

Good grief, what did Professor Snape ever do to deserve this? Couldn't you target someone else for once?

Having only seen the movies, William wasn't particularly familiar with Professor Snape. But at this moment, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for him.

That said; did this Gryffindor even attack professors?

Thinking this, William took two steps forward.

Judging by the treasure chest he'd drawn earlier, there was a high likelihood he might also get ambushed.

Noticing that the person behind him had no intention of following, William once again found himself in a dilemma.