A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 458: Dossiers and the Warning Bird

In the most secluded corner of the library sat Old Vira.

The events of the day had left an immense impact on him—The Thought Chamber! The enchanted parchments! The sheer vastness of knowledge belonging to Felix Harp weighed heavily on his mind, stirring a sense of despair within.

From day to night, he hadn't touched a morsel of food. The librarian had passed by several times, each glance filled with suspicion directed at him.

As evening approached, students trickled in. Fortunately, his spot was remote enough to evade their interruption and indulge in self-pity.

"Let's head inside," a voice chimed in, "Professor Harp stashed the books for the second project deep within the shelves. There are two tables behind the rack, well-hidden..."

Old Vira raised his head, spotting three students engaged in a rapid, hushed discussion as they approached.

"Don't fret," Hermione advised, the same voice as before, "think of it as an extracurricular club activity."

"Easy for you to say," Ron grumbled, "What if we run into Malfoy? I can't afford that."

Harry wore a similar expression of frustration.

Spotting Old Vira, Hermione exchanged a meaningful glance with Harry and Ron, taking a seat at the table in front of him.

"What's the plan then?" she asked in a hushed tone, subtly casting concealment charms around them.

"Knock him out when he's not looking, take him to our usual spot for practicing spells," Ron suggested.

"No, we'll need that room later," Harry objected.

"Then, how about the lavatory by the Honeysuckle?" Ron quickly amended, "It's less crowded. Sounds good, right?"

Hearing Harry ponder for a moment, Hermione was surprised. "He'll snitch," Harry regretfully concluded.

Hermione pulled out her textbook from her bag. By the time she turned around, Old Vira had vanished.

"He went that way," Harry whispered, pulling out his own potion assignment, "Do you two know about the Ancient Runes Society?"

"No idea," Ron said.

"Yes," Hermione replied.

Harry and Ron looked at her expectantly. She explained, "They're a semi-official group; part of the exams for wizarding levels is based on their work. Professors prefer practical runic methods, but the Ancient Runes Society opposes that."

"Sounding like stubborn old fuddy-duddies," Ron mused, "My great aunt is one of those. Stuck in her ways, always grumbling about our family having too many kids, especially after Percy."

Harry and Hermione looked amused and surprised.

"How could she say that?"

"Who knows," Ron shrugged, "Maybe because Fred and George put dungbombs under her chair... Thank heavens, she rarely visits after that."

Harry and Hermione shared a chuckle.

After a while, Hermione stood up, "I'll grab a few reference books, you need any?"

"Absolutely!"

"Thank you so much."

Hermione hummed, heading to the section with Ancient Runes books. Unexpectedly, she saw Old Vira still present. His greeting left her miffed; 'little girl'? She was almost sixteen, rarely addressed that way.

"Hello, Miss Granger," Old Vira greeted. "I've read your articles in the journals—'Flame' Runes and the Incendio spell, and 'Light' Runes and the Luminous Charm."

"Oh," Hermione glanced at him, holding her books.

"I've heard you're Mr. Harp's assistant?" Old Vira observed as Hermione nodded. "Could I inquire about a few matters?"

Hermione regarded him skeptically.

"Ahem! Please, don't misunderstand," Old Vira awkwardly interjected, "I mean no harm—"

"You didn't seem that way in the newspapers," Hermione sharply retorted.

"Oh, well," Old Vira wiped his sweat, the dim magical lights on his balding forehead reflecting, "Back then, it was a different stance. I've reconsidered these past few days, realizing my previous thoughts... might have been somewhat flawed... maybe!"

Two minutes later.

Seeing Hermione lead Old Vira to their table, Ron's eyes almost popped out. He mouthed: "Did he overhear what we said?"

Shaking her head, Hermione explained, "Mr. Vira wishes to ask us some questions. It's about the professor," she added.

Harry and Ron exchanged puzzled looks. "Don't think we're selling out Professor Harp!" Ron exclaimed loudly.

This time, Old Vira widened his eyes, "What do you take me for?" he exclaimed in frustration, "I'm the Deputy Head of the Ancient Runes Society! How could I stoop to disgraceful acts?"

"Isn't that so?"

Old Vira nodded blankly. Hogwarts seemed entirely alien to him now.

At that moment, Mrs. Pince appeared behind the bookshelves, wielding a feather duster, glaring at them.

"Oh, dear!" Hermione muttered.

Simultaneously, in the Ancient Runes office, Felix was receiving a visitor from the Ministry of Magic.

"Please, take a seat," Felix said gently.

"Not necessary," John Deirdre spoke shortly. He appeared sturdy, muscles evident under his gray-green overcoat. He stated matter-of-factly, "At the Director's behest, I've brought some dossiers on Aurors and operatives. You're allowed to read them only within my sight. Once done, I'll witness the documents' destruction."

"You haven't seen these?" Felix asked, surprised, eyeing the briefcase in Deirdre's hand.

"These are confidential files," Deirdre asserted.

Approaching, he placed the case before Felix and, pulling out his wand, silently waited. When the clock's hands struck eight, Deirdre touched the lock with his wand, causing a series of whispers before the latch sprang open.

Felix watched with interest as a verdant bird, no larger than his palm, perched within the box. It chirped loudly, standing atop a pile of documents—the personnel records.

As the bird emerged, it hopped out, spreading its wings and flying toward the window. Felix extended his hand, trapping it gently, examining it closely.

"You'd better not," Deirdre cautioned, wand in hand, "It's a Warning Bird, bred for secrecy. It'll carry 'all's clear' orders back to the Ministry. Keep it restrained for too long, and it might self-immolate."

"An alchemical creation?" Felix expressed interest, releasing the bird, which flew off smoothly.

For the following time, Deirdre stood opposite Felix like a stone statue, wordlessly watching him peruse the documents.

Felix came across familiar names—Tonks, Abbott, Kingsley, even Deirdre himself. An hour later, he finished reading.

From Deirdre's wand shot out orange flames, reducing the documents to ashes. Only then did he visibly relax.

>

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