Chapter 54: Working as Headmaster
As Headmaster of Hogwarts, Dumbledore hesitated for a moment before accepting. Although he stayed at the school all year, he had been a frequent visitor to The Three Broomsticks and had received mead from Madam Rosmerta over the years.
However, Dumbledore only accepted verbally; he did not want to work. He wanted to take advantage of the good weather to return to his room and catch up on sleep. He had stayed up very late the previous night, so he planned to go to the abandoned classrooms that evening and perhaps run into Harry.
During breakfast in the Great Hall, the Headmaster hinted that the Deputy Headmaster would attend in his place while he remained at the school to deal with matters related to the Board of Governors.
Professor McGonagall was not surprised at all, slowly swallowing her omelet and expressing her satisfaction that the Headmaster was handling the heavy paperwork, even though it was his primary responsibility.
The Headmaster probed further, discovering that the paperwork involved auditing the finances of the first half of the school year and calculating and presenting the budget for the second. He reconsidered, but ultimately decided to let the Deputy Headmaster stay at the school while he personally visited The Three Broomsticks to thank them for their contribution to the development of school Quidditch.
"..."
Professor McGonagall looked calm and continued enjoying her breakfast.
Snape had to look after Quirrell, who had a cold; Professor Sprout was busy in the greenhouse; and Professor McGonagall had to handle the Headmaster's tasks. After careful discussion, Hogwarts finally decided to send Professors Melvin and Flitwick, led by the Headmaster himself, to help the villagers build houses.
After leaving the castle, the Hogwarts delegation applied a layer of wind- and ice-proof magic. Melvin covered himself with a modified swaying charm, while a warm breeze surrounded Professor Flitwick, which seemed to be derived from the purifying charm. Dumbledore appeared to have no magic shielding his face. His silver hair and beard were tousled by the wind, and snowflakes still clung to his beard, but he did not fear the cold at all.
"Your application of the Bubble-Head Charm is very clever. It also has some elements of a Shield Charm. It serves more than just keeping out the cold, doesn't it?"
"Professor Flitwick is a true expert in spells. I've had some difficulties refining it. The Bubble-Head Charm is only an intermediate spell. It seems its structure doesn't hold up against the Shield Charm. Forcing magical power makes the bubble membrane burst."
"There are two reasons for this. First, there's a conflict in the underlying principles of the spells. The Shield Charm is a rigid barrier that repels all spells. The Bubble-Head Charm is a selective barrier that both repels and accepts. This requires precise control of magical power, and for now, there is no good solution."
"Really...?"
Dumbledore listened silently, speaking only when they encountered difficulties. "The Shield Charm can be set aside for now. Have you tested it for resistance to fire and water? Then add it to the Hollow-Head Charm."
"The Headmaster has a lot of experience..."
The three of them chatted about magic as they walked side by side, when suddenly they saw a familiar figure standing at the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
His cold protection was rudimentary and simple: wrapped in a long mole-fur coat, rabbit-fur gloves, and huge beaver-fur boots. He stood by the road, looking taller than a beech tree.
"Hagrid?" shouted Melvin.
The three around him turned their heads to look. The half-giant standing by the road in the field, enjoying the cold wind, turned toward the voice. His gaze fell first on Dumbledore, then on Melvin, who had called out. He looked a little surprised and trotted over.
"Dumbledore, Professors Lewynter and Flitwick, are you going out to do something?" The half-giant's voice was deep, but his tone was very sincere. "Madam Rosmerta is expanding the tavern today, and I offered to help."
"The Three Broomsticks."
Hagrid's eyes lit up. "Then can I go with you? I can help move things."
"Come along, we can even eat at noon."
"Let's go, let's go..."
With the arrival of the half-giant, the conversation extended beyond spells. Hagrid spoke his mind, starting with a conversation about centaurs celebrating Christmas, then moving on to the magical creatures of the Forbidden Forest. Speaking of magical creatures, he couldn't help but mention dragons:
"Speaking of dragons, I think of Ron's brother, Charlie. Arthur and Molly went to Romania to visit him this year. The Weasley children are all at school, so they'll have Harry to play with over the holidays. Truth is, I'd like to talk to Harry, but he keeps asking me about the Philosopher's Stone and Fluffy, and I can't keep secrets..."
Hagrid said wistfully: "Sir, I shouldn't have told him those things."
"I trust you'll make the right choice," smiled Dumbledore, noticing his furrowed brow of worry.
"I don't trust myself..."
Throughout the conversation, Melvin and Flitwick walked silently beside him, listening. From time to time, their eyes met in a knowing glance. They too trusted Hagrid to make the right decision.
The streets of Hogsmeade were still adorned with Christmas streamers. Only Honeydukes was still taking mail orders. Owls constantly took off, laden with packages. Many shops were closed, and even The Three Broomsticks had put up renovation signs.
"Madam Rosmerta, we're here to help."
"Oh, Dumbledore, you're here! I thought Professor Lewynter was joking!"
The tavernkeeper warmly invited them inside.
The interior construction wasn't a mess; tables and chairs were stacked, the wine from the counter had been stored away, and the empty space was filled with building materials. The roof had already been demolished.
Magical methods for building extensions were more efficient than the Muggle way. There were no tedious demolitions or constructions; they simply prepared the materials, and magic handled the rest. Other delicate, minor tasks were handled by house-elves.
Four or five house-elves were busy in the tavern, all dressed in clothes that weren't worn out. They were healthy and lively, working in teams.
Madam Rosmerta sat the Hogwarts delegation at the bar, served them steaming mugs of butterbeer, and began reminiscing with Dumbledore about Hogsmeade's past, decades ago, the merrymaking at the end of the First Wizarding War, and the goblin rebellion.
In a corner, a professional was casting a Trace-Free Extension Charm.
After determining the direction and distance, he passed his wand along the baseboard, and the space suddenly divided. Originally only a few meters from the corner, it now seemed as if a gap had appeared in between. If someone carefully counted the floorboards, they would find the same number of planks. This was called a Trace-Free Extension.
Melvin stood nearby, watching with bright eyes.
Wright did not turn around, only glanced at him sideways. "This time it's legal. A written request was submitted to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in advance, and the spatial expansion has been reported."
"..."
The Stanley Monk family is a line of craftsmen with a good reputation in the wizarding world. They have participated in many renowned projects, such as the construction of the Ministry of Magic building, the expansion of St. Mungo's Hospital, and they also help build the venue for every Quidditch World Cup. It could be said this is Wright's main business. The repair workshop is only a hobby. Melvin was not surprised that Rosmerta had asked him for help.
There was much to reflect on in the Trace-Free Extension Charm he had cast. Melvin put his hands in his pockets, finding it very inspiring.