After leaving the Hog's Head, Astoria still clung to Roy's arm happily, humming softly as they walked down the quiet Hogsmeade road. The sky was clear, the wind cold, and their footsteps echoed.
Roy suddenly stopped.
"We're visiting Professor Slughorn," he said casually.
Astoria blinked. "The one who sends you letters about rare potions?"
Roy nodded. "Yes. And he's also the man I want to hire for the lower-year potions classes."
They walked a few streets over until they reached a cozy cottage.
Or rather—what used to be a cozy cottage.
Now it looked like a tornado had gone through it.
The walls were cracked.Furniture overturned.Clothes scattered.Portraits hanging sideways.A chandelier lay crushed on the floor.
Astoria gasped. "W-What happened here?!"
Roy's expression sharpened. "Someone searched for something. Thoroughly."
Then he smirked slightly and turned to her.
"Tell you what, Astoria. If you can find who's hiding in this house, I'll take you for good food tonight."
Astoria's eyes lit up instantly. "Really?!"
"Really."
She rolled up her sleeves, ready to prove herself.
Astoria's Hunt
She walked through the destroyed sitting room, carefully analyzing burn marks, magic traces, crushed footprints, and the slight shimmer of a concealment spell near a sofa.
Roy folded his arms, watching with a proud, teacher-like smile.
Astoria raised her hand and summoned a tiny spark of controlled lightning—barely enough to stun a hedgehog.
She flicked it under the sofa.
ZAP.
A loud "OUCH!" echoed, followed by a brilliant burst of transformation magic.
The sofa shook as a round, mustached man rolled out from underneath—wearing an old dressing gown and clutching his chest dramatically.
"Merciful Merlin—A-Astoria Greengrass?!""Professor Slughorn," she said proudly. "Found you."
Roy clapped once. "Good job."
Slughorn coughed and stood, still trembling. "My boy—Roy! Thank heavens it's you. I thought Death Eaters came back for me!"
Roy looked around at the wreckage. "You did all this mess yourself."
Slughorn sighed. "Yes… a dramatic escape plan. Not my finest work."
Roy Fixes the House
"Professor," Roy said gently, "can you restore the house if I reset the structure?"
Slughorn blinked. "Of course. I kept backups of everything—my décor is precious."
Roy snapped his fingers.
BOOM—WOOSH—FWOOM.
The house repaired itself instantly:
Walls straightened.
Furniture stood up.
Cracks sealed.
Chandeliers floated back to the ceiling.
Books re-shelved in perfect order.
Slughorn's jaw dropped. "By Merlin's beard… this magic… this is beyond Master-Level…"
Roy only smirked. "Shall we sit?"
They moved to the dining table, now fully restored.
The Offer
Roy didn't waste time.
"Professor Horace Slughorn," he said, tone official, "I want to hire you as Potions Professor for first through fourth years."
Slughorn immediately shook his head. "No, no—this year is far too dangerous! Especially with that pink demon Umbridge prowling! I refuse—"
Roy slid a small wooden box across the table.
Inside were vials.
Three potions.
Made by Hermione, Daphne, and Cassandra.
Slughorn picked one up… sniffed… swirled…
His eyes widened.
"What… what refinement… what precision… what stabilizing runes did they use?! This… This is NEW technique!"
Roy smiled. "They're 15. They learned from me."
Slughorn nearly fell from his chair."This—this level! This will change the standards of potioncraft! These girls—are geniuses!"
Roy shrugged. "They're my students. If you join Hogwarts, you'll get a whole generation like them."
Slughorn swallowed, cheeks trembling with excitement.
"I accept."
Astoria grinned.Roy nodded calmly.The deal was sealed.
Leaving the Cottage
As they stepped outside, Astoria held Roy's arm again.
"So… about the food you promised?"
Roy gave her a playful look. "You earned it. Pick any restaurant."
Astoria's eyes sparkled like Christmas lights.
And just like that, they headed back toward Hogsmeade—one new professor secured, one mystery uncovered, and one girl already imagining dessert.