Madam Hooch finished demonstrating Lift-Off and Landing to the class.
"That will be all for today. Practice your control, and remember—safe landings are more important than fancy lifts."
The students headed off as the lesson ended.
---
Soren walked into the courtyard, where students of different years were talking.
A first-year Gryffindor nervously asked a second-year, "Is sneaking out after curfew really that bad?"
The second-year sighed, "Yes. Unless you enjoy detention."
Nearby, a sixth-year Gryffindor spoke to a third-year, "When I was a first-year, our Prefect made sure everyone in Gryffindor earned House Points."
Soren continued through the courtyard and approached Professor McGonagall, who was clearly busy watching the students.
"Excuse me, Professor McGonagall?"
Without looking away from the courtyard, she said, "Not now, Mr. Whitlock. I'm supervising to ensure no one uses magic outside of class."
"This won't take long. I wanted to invite you to Hagrid's birthday party."
McGonagall finally looked at him, "I would love to go… but I haven't prepared a present for him."
Soren nodded quickly, "I can supervise the courtyard for you while you prepare a gift."
McGonagall considered it, then gave him a small approving nod, "Very well. I will return shortly."
She walked away, leaving Soren temporarily in charge of the courtyard.
---
Soren noticed a tense exchange nearby.
A sixth-year Slytherin was towering over a first-year Slytherin, clearly intimidating him.
"How many points did you earn today?"
First-Year replied back, "I—I earned a few. Enough to help the House…"
The older student stepped closer.
"Watch your mouth, first-year. If we don't win the House Cup, I'll dunk your head in that fountain myself."
The first-year glared back with a surprising attitude, "Does threatening someone smaller make you feel better about being stupid?"
Students gasped.
Before it escalated, Soren stepped between them. "Stop. You can't fight here. And you", he glared at the sixth-year, "can't threaten him."
The sixth-year rounded on Soren, "Shut up, cursed kid. This is none of your business."
Soren didn't move, "It is my business. Professor McGonagall told me to supervise the courtyard."
The sixth-year scoffed, "And what are you going to do about it?"
Soren met his eyes without backing down, "I'm going to ask you to leave before someone gets hurt."
Silence fell around them.
The sixth-year clenched his jaw, clearly irritated, "Too late."
He pulled out his wand and shouted, "Depulso!"
The spell hit Soren, knocking him backward onto the ground.
Jacqueline gasped. The first-year stumbled back. Students turned to watch.
But Soren pushed himself up immediately, "You know… the first-year was right. You are stupid."
The sixth-year raised his wand again—
But Soren was faster, "Expelliarmus!"
The older boy's wand flew out of his hand and clattered on the stones.
Before he could react, Soren flicked his wand again, "Rictusempra!"
The tickling charm hit the sixth-year, and he doubled over laughing uncontrollably, kicking his feet, completely humiliated.
The moment the spell wore off, he grabbed his wand from the ground and ran away as fast as he could, red-faced and furious.
Students burst into shocked laughter.
The first-year Slytherin ran up to Soren, "Thanks, Soren! You really gave a beating to that sixth-year!"
Before Soren could reply, Professor McGonagall walked up behind him. She had witnessed everything, "You did indeed."
Soren stiffened, "Professor McGonagall?"
He quickly explained, "He was bullying the first-year… I stepped in to stop him."
McGonagall studied him carefully, "And did you give the first-year a chance to defend himself?"
Soren blinked, "…No."
McGonagall nodded thoughtfully, "If you had, you might have discovered he is more capable than you think."
The first-year looked surprised—and proud.
Then McGonagall continued, "Still… your intentions were good.
Five points to Slytherin."
Soren smiled gratefully, "Thank you, Professor. And… about Hagrid's birthday party—"
McGonagall's expression softened, "I am excited to attend. I met the Headmaster on my way back—he's planning something quite unique for the celebration."
Soren's eyes widened. "What exactly is he—"
McGonagall raised a hand to stop him. "You'll find out soon enough. For now, you should invite Mr. Flitwick as well."
She turned and walked away, leaving Soren both relieved and curious.
Jacqueline joined his side, "So… what now?"
Soren exhaled, "Now… let's go find Professor Flitwick."
---
Soren was heading toward Professor Flitwick's classroom when Penny and Cassie caught up to him.
"Soren! Everyone's talking about you."
Cassie also nodded, "Standing up to Merula… defeating a sixth-year… you're practically famous already."
Soren felt his ears warm, "Please don't say it like that."
Cassie smirked, "Too late. You're a topic all over Hogwarts."
Soren sighed, embarrassed.
But then he suddenly slowed down, because Snape and Filch were standing around the corner, talking in low voices.
Soren pulled Penny and Cassie back behind a pillar.
"Quiet. Snape's talking to someone."
They crouched slightly and listened.
---
Snape asked Filch, "What happened with the vaults again, Filch?"
Penny's eyes widened, she whispered, "They must be talking about the Cursed Vaults."
Soren nodded quietly.
"Only me and Mrs Norris saw that ice, sir.
I was going to report the incident to the Headmaster."
Soren, Penny, and Cassie looked at each other,
ice? In Hogwarts?
Snape folded his arms, "I will inform Professor Dumbledore. This must have happened because of Soren arriving in Hogwarts."
Soren's heart skipped.
Filch asked, "The brother of Elara Whitlock?"
Snape nodded, "Yes. Today I caught him duelling on school grounds. Expulsion would be a logical punishment."
He sounded disappointed, as if he wanted to expel Soren personally.
"Unfortunately, our Headmaster insists expulsion is unfair. So Whitlock is merely arranging a birthday party for Hagrid."
Filch agreed, "Oh, I know. The Headmaster invited me as well."
Soren, Penny, and Cassie exchanged horrified looks.
Filch leaned closer and asked, "Is it true the vaults are filled with gold and powerful artifacts from before Hogwarts existed? And that's why Elara Whitlock lost her mind searching for them?"
Soren nearly stood up, but Penny pull him back.
Snape's voice dropped lower, "Do not concern yourself with what is inside the vaults. Concern yourself with keeping everyone out."
He pointed toward a door at the far end of the hall. "Watch that door. Keep it guarded."
Filch nodded sternly.
---
Snape walked away. Filch followed soon after.
Penny turned to Soren immediately, "That has to be a clue to the Cursed Vaults. Ice… artifacts… a door Snape wants guarded…"
"Yes. It's connected to Elara. I'm sure of it." Soren agreed with her.
Cassie added softly, "But before we do anything… you still need to invite Professor Flitwick."
Soren exhaled, refocusing, "You're right. Let's go."
And together they headed to the Charms Classroom.
---
Before Soren could speak to Professor Flitwick about Hagrid's birthday.
Professor Flitwick climbed onto his stack of books at the front of the classroom, clearing his throat with excitement.
The class fell silent.
"Wands out, everyone. Today we will learn the counter-charm to Lumos. The spell is simple, Nox."
The class grew quiet.
"As many of you know, Lumos allows you to light your wand like a small torch. But what happens when you no longer need that light? What if you must hide? Sneak? Or quickly extinguish your wand during an emergency?"
He paced across the table.
"In such situations, you must never wave your wand wildly or smother it with your hands, that would be dangerous and unreliable. Instead, the founders of Charms perfected a clean, immediate counter-spell."
He tapped the blackboard with his wand.
A glowing word appeared: NOX
"Nox is one of the earliest counter-charms taught at Hogwarts. It is believed to have been invented sometime after Lumos, during the early Middle Ages. When travelling wizards needed to extinguish their wandlight instantly to avoid Muggles, Nox became essential."
He smiled at the class, "Simple, elegant, and extremely practical."
Professor Flitwick raised his wand.
"Let us review the source spell."
He flicked his wand once, "Lumos."
Light bloomed at the tip of his wand, bright and steady.
Students leaned forward.
Flitwick then held the wand perfectly still, "To extinguish this light, there is no flick, no swish. A calm, controlled downward motion… And the incantation."
He moved his wand gently and spoke, "Nox."
Instantly, the wandlight vanished. The class murmured in approval.
---
Flitwick warned them, "Remember, Nox does not work unless Lumos is already active. It is not a general darkening charm, nor is it meant to blind, hide objects, or extinguish torches. It affects only the light created by your wand."
He looked around proudly, "And now, it is your turn."
---
Jacqueline whispered, "Alright… wand steady… here goes."
"Lumos."
Her wand lit beautifully.
She followed with, "Nox."
The light vanished smoothly. She grinned.
Penny tried next—confident and methodical. "Lumos… Nox." Perfect on the first attempt.
Cassie followed, elegant and calm.
"Lumos."
"Nox."
Her wand obeyed instantly.
Then Soren raised his wand with practiced confidence, "Lumos."
Bright light appeared on tip of his wand.
"Nox."
Clean, flawless extinguishing.
Professor Flitwick beamed.
Flitwick looked delighted.
"Marvelous! Simply marvelous! Excellent technique from all four of you! Especially you, Mr. Whitlock, your control is superb."
Soren smiled modestly.
When class ended and the students began packing up, Soren stepped forward.
"Professor Flitwick? I wanted to invite you to Hagrid's birthday party."
Flitwick's eyes twinkled in surprise, "Hagrid is a dear friend of mine. I would be honoured to attend."
Soren's face lit up, "Thank you, Professor."
Flitwick nodded warmly, "And thank you for the invitation, Mr. Whitlock. It shows kindness, something Hogwarts always needs."
With that, he waddled off toward his office, humming cheerfully.
Penny nudged Soren, "That's another guest confirmed!"
Cassie smiled too, "Hagrid's party is going to be amazing."
Soren felt the same, but somewhere deep in his mind, the words Cursed Vault still echoed.