"That's a splendid Levitation Charm!"
Chubby Ernie Macmillan stared, wide-eyed, at the feather hovering in the air. As someone from a pure-blood wizarding family, he knew the skill it required—especially for a wizard who'd never touched magic before.
"If it was that Green fellow… wait, no? It's Finch-Fletchley?!"
Ernie only realized it was Justin when Hannah, with her braided hair, shifted aside, letting him follow Professor Flitwick's voice to spot the Hufflepuff.
"Merlin's beard, didn't Justin completely fail at levitating a feather last class?"
It wasn't just Ernie's confusion—every young wizard nearby shared the same baffled look. For the Hufflepuffs who knew Justin, it was like finding out their perpetually broke mate was secretly a rich heir.
"Looks like you lot haven't been wasting that classroom, have you?"
Professor Flitwick stepped down from his stack of books, approaching Justin with a pleased smile as he tucked away his wand. "I'll have to come take a look… but not now—three points to Hufflepuff!"
---
The moment class ended, Justin was swarmed by enthusiastic Hufflepuffs.
"Blimey, how'd you do it, Finch-Fletchley?" asked Hannah, her freckled face shy but curious.
"Honestly, Justin, making such huge progress and keeping it from us!" Ernie crossed his arms, chin tilted high. "I say we punish this traitor to the 'Never Go Hungry' club unless you spill how you pulled it off."
His words sparked a chorus of nods from at least six Hufflepuffs, all glaring at Justin with mock menace.
Sean glanced at the noisy crowd, then tucked his copy of Standard Book of Spells: Grade 1 under his arm and slipped out of the classroom. If Professor Flitwick was planning to visit their secret classroom, Sean wondered, could this be his chance to ask about learning the Smokescreen Spell or the Repelling Charm?
He knew professors were busy, and private lessons or pointers weren't common. Only their star pupils—like Hermione later on—got special attention, like exam tips or exclusive insights from Flitwick. Sean wasn't sure he qualified yet.
The Charms classroom was packed with Hufflepuffs, while outside, a lazy evening breeze stirred the air. Fridays always felt like a warm spell enveloping the ancient castle. In the corridor, a few Hufflepuff students leaned against the windowsills, watching golden ripples dance across the Black Lake in the sunset.
Their laughter floated softly, like dandelion seeds on the wind. A suit of armor in the corner quivered, kicking up a faint clatter of dust and metal.
Unlike Justin's popularity, few dared approach Sean—except one.
"That Levitation Charm was wicked! I bet you had something to do with it, didn't you, Sean?"
Michael Corner popped out from behind an unexpected portrait, revealing a shadowy passage behind it. "Oh, but don't tell me—I reckon this'll be a fun mystery to unravel! Even more exciting than the castle's secret passages or weird magical gadgets!"
With a gleam in his eye and a spring in his step, he vanished in seconds, leaving Sean blinking.
Was someone just talking?
Sean closed Standard Book of Spells: Grade 1, then reopened it.
---
Climbing the spiral staircase, Sean tapped a specific rhythm to wake the slumbering owl portrait. It seemed unusually chipper today.
"Young wizard! Clever young wizard, answer my question!"
Sean waited patiently.
"Simple questions, tricky questions… I've observed a trickster who craves adoration, attention, the spotlight—and his cunning made it happen. I've seen a rogue who stirs up trouble and chaos with her words—and her wit made it so. Their cleverness always bends to their heart's desires…"
The owl clutched a parchment, circling in its frame. "Tell me, is that wisdom or madness?"
Sean thought for a moment. "It's folly."
The owl froze, stubbornly flipping through its parchment before stiffening, muttering nonstop. "Young wizard, greedy young wizard! Ambitious young wizard! Truly a Ravenclaw…"
Its last words faded as a sky-blue door materialized.
Sean stepped through, mulling over the owl's words. Ambitious? Not really. Greedy? That was just plain bias.
Inside the classroom, three magical lanterns cast a warm glow, and three chairs were cushioned with soft black-and-yellow pads. In the center, a cream-colored loveseat sat beside a small wooden table strewn with sweets—gummies, biscuits, and an absurd variety of puddings: Yorkshire pudding, strawberry mochi pudding, mint pudding, even a dubious spicy sauce pudding.
On the sofa, Justin handed Hermione a glass of pumpkin fizz. She took it absently, looking a bit dazed.
In just a few days, one industrious Hufflepuff had turned this place into a proper secret hideout. That Hufflepuff? Justin, of course.
Justin?! Sean was stunned. Wasn't he just mobbed by his housemates?
"Oh, Sean, we need to talk…"
Justin hurried over as soon as Sean reached the sofa, Hermione not even noticing his absence. "Did you see that? I mean Hermione—she's definitely hiding something from us…"
Just then, a knock echoed from the sky-blue door. A paper airplane slipped through the crack, unfolding into glowing words:
Are you there, children?
"Oh! It's Professor Flitwick!"
"—Professor Flitwick!"
Hermione's sudden outburst startled Justin. Seeing his hesitant expression, Sean quietly opened the door.
Meanwhile, Justin sat beside Hermione, his voice soft with concern. "If you want to talk, we're here. Always. My mum says that's what friends are for."
Hermione looked up, meeting his earnest, perfectly caring gray eyes for a few seconds. "Alright, I'm such an idiot. How could I forget I've got you two…"
Her voice regained its usual spark.
"Oh, children?"
Professor Flitwick's voice rang out, though he was nowhere to be seen.
Justin, who'd just started to smile, looked puzzled again. Not daring to speak, he shot a pleading glance at Sean.
Suddenly, several books materialized out of thin air, landing on the floor and growing larger. Professor Flitwick's tiny figure emerged from behind the sofa.
"Mr. Finch-Fletchley, excellent progress. And Mr. Green, Miss Granger?"