At breakfast.
Neither Uncle Snape nor Professor Dumbledore was present at the High Table.
I wasn't particularly surprised.
Snape had probably not found an opportunity to discuss my request with the other professors yesterday evening.
With nothing else to do, I attended my morning classes as usual.
The first lesson was Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Professor continued introducing practical defensive theory, though I found it difficult to focus. My thoughts kept drifting back to the stack of blueprints waiting in my dormitory.
The projector was so close to becoming reality that every minute spent away from it felt painfully slow.
After Defense came Potions.
Professor Snape behaved as though nothing unusual had happened. He criticized cauldrons, deducted points as always, and delivered the lesson with his usual cold efficiency.
Only after everyone had packed up did he finally speak.
"Mr. Salvius."
"I'd like a word."
The rest of the class quickly disappeared, leaving only the two of us inside the dungeon classroom.
Snape remained silent for a moment before speaking.
"Your request for temporary exemption from classes has been declined."
I frowned.
"The Headmaster rejected it."
For a few seconds, I simply stared at him.
"That is totally out of line."
Then I slowly let out a breath.
"I understood his previous resistance."
"But even a one-week exemption?"
"I would have understood if he questioned my intentions or wanted proof of my progress."
I shook my head.
"But refusing to even consider a short period of independent research..."
"That seems unnecessarily rigid."
Snape's expression remained unchanged.
"That may be, but he is the headmaster."
"He believes Hogwarts is a school."
"And classes are not optional."
I couldn't help letting out a dry laugh.
"Convenient."
I rubbed my temples.
"So there's nothing that can be done?"
"No."
"Even Professor McGonagall spoke in your favor."
"And?"
"The Headmaster overruled her."
Silence settled between us.
I wasn't angry.
Disappointed, certainly.
Frustrated.
But not surprised.
"There is one thing that may reduce your disappointment a bit." Snape said.
I looked up.
"For the theory behind memory magic."
"You may come to my office on weekends."
I smiled faintly.
"Thank you."
Snape gave a small nod.
"Alright I'll get back now. Need to check in on the study club."
I picked up my bag.
"I suppose the projector will have to wait until evenings."
A resigned sigh escaped me.
"Very well."
As I left the dungeon classroom, I tried push the frustration to the back of my mind.
There was no point dwelling on a decision I couldn't change.
My next lesson wasn't until Astronomy that evening, leaving me with several free hours.
Instead of returning to the dormitory, I headed toward the dueling hall.
Only a handful of students were present. It was lunchtime, and most still had classes to attend. Among those training were several first-year Slytherins, while the absent Slytherins were probably in the Study Club library catching up on holiday assignments or preparing for the week's lessons.
I spent the next half hour walking between the practice circles, correcting wand movements, adjusting footwork, and answering questions whenever someone called me over.
Adrian was working on his Shield Charm.
Selene had nearly mastered the precision required for Lumos Projectura.
Nyx was helping one of the younger students with pronunciation while occasionally demonstrating the spell herself.
Watching everyone's progress usually improved my mood.
Today...
It barely distracted me.
"Your wrist is too stiff," I said to one student. "Relax it before casting. You're forcing the magic instead of guiding it."
The student tried again.
"Better."
I nodded before moving on.
After making another round through the hall, I leaned against one of the walls, quietly watching everyone practice.
Apparently, I wasn't as good at hiding my emotions as I thought.
Selene was the first to notice.
She walked over with Nyx following close behind, while Adrian also drifted toward us after finishing their practice.
"Alastair..."
Selene hesitated for a moment.
"Is something wrong?"
I looked at her in surprise.
"What makes you ask?"
"You've been different all day," Nyx answered before Selene could.
"This morning you were smiling more than usual."
Adrian nodded.
"And now you've hardly said a word unless it was about training."
"You look..." Montague searched for the right word.
"...upset."
For a brief moment, I considered telling them.
Then I dismissed the thought.
There was nothing they could do about it.
Besides, burdening the entire club with my own frustrations would accomplish nothing.
"It's nothing."
The words sounded far less convincing than I intended.
Selene simply looked at me.
She clearly didn't believe me.
I let out a quiet sigh.
"...Just a setback."
Their expressions immediately became more serious.
"Is it serious?" Adrian asked.
"No."
"Does it involve the Study Club?"
"No."
Nyx folded her arms.
"Then?"
I couldn't help giving a faint smile.
"You'll know when the time is right."
Seeing that I had no intention of explaining further, they didn't press the matter.
One of the reasons our group worked so well was because everyone respected each other's boundaries.
I glanced toward the windows.
"You should all go get lunch before the house-elves stop serving."
"What about you?" Selene asked.
"I've lost my appetite."
Before anyone could object, I gave them a reassuring nod.
"Don't worry."
"I'll be fine."
With that, I turned and left the dueling hall, making my way toward the Study Club library.
I was looking for Blake, I had come her hoping she'd be here. I had yet to tell her about the breakthrough and she was the only one I could share with right now. Hopefully she'll be in the library.
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