As compensation, Professor Fawley stayed in the classroom to answer some magical questions for the four Cedric members. It was close to ten o'clock when they reluctantly left the classroom.
"If you're suspended for a night, exchanging it for a private lesson from a professor doesn't sound too bad!" George said cheerfully.
"Double delight!" Fred added.
Davis, who had unlocked some kind of attribute, also thought of this possibility, instantly excited, disregarding the chilly glances from the other three.
"But that dummy is really impressive. I've never heard of an item capable of autonomous learning," Cedric remarked with a sigh.
Fred waved his hand, "The perks from Professor Fawley are abundant. Have you noticed his pouch? I bet it's been enchanted with an undetectable extension charm!"
George nodded and gestured with his hands to indicate the size of the pouch. "We tried casting an undetectable extension charm on a small pouch last year, but it was too difficult. We hadn't succeeded before Mum found out and gave us a good scolding."
He patted his bottom, as if the pain from that scolding still lingered.
"But, isn't it illegal to use the undetectable extension charm on personal items?" Davis looked surprised.
"Why else do you think we got spanked?" Fred retorted.
"So, Professor Fawley is also someone as mischievous as us!" the twins exclaimed excitedly, as if they had found validation for their antics.
As for the mischievous Professor Fawley, he was still in the classroom, studying the dummy.
Through memory retrieval, Professor Fawley observed the students' training tonight.
The Weasley twins had the most mischief, but their spellcasting skills were the weakest. Together, they didn't match Cedric's combat prowess alone. However, their greatest advantage was providing the strategic plans for the four of them—quick thinking.
Davis, on the other hand, was more well-rounded, with a sharper mind than Cedric's and stronger combat abilities than the twins.
The level of competence is quite average, and the progress of such students is rather moderate. If they continue to improve steadily, they could become decently strong, but their talent restricts their potential.
As for Cedric, he is a promising student admired by Professor Fawley. He has a solid foundation of knowledge, adept spellcasting skills, and a righteous character, often risking himself to rescue teammates. The only issue is his excessive righteousness, which in Professor Fawley's eyes is not an advantage.
The wizarding world is full of uncertainties, especially in the years to come. Individuals like Cedric often do not survive long. Even if Professor Fawley were to save him four years later, it would be challenging to ensure his safety from other dangers.
Rubbing his chin, Professor Fawley stood in the classroom, pondering late into the night. Suddenly, he heard a loud clatter.
"Quirrell? Are you in such a hurry? What's with all this commotion?"
Out of curiosity, Professor Fawley, under the Disillusionment Charm, slowly made his way to the fourth-floor corridor. However, the people he encountered surprised him a bit—Filch and Peeves.
As the caretaker of the castle, Filch routinely patrolled the corridors at night, with a particular focus on the third floor. Someone had informed him that students would be wandering around the third floor at midnight. The students in the castle were not always well-behaved, especially the Gryffindor twins. Filch had to patrol every night to curb their nocturnal activities.
However, tonight, not only were those students wandering around, but they also dared to make a huge noise! It was a provocation—a blatant challenge! Furious, Filch tracked them down, despite his old age slowing him down. Fortunately, Peeves's shouts guided him along the way.
"Tell me, where are they now?" Filch asked through gritted teeth, suppressing his anger.
"Say 'please,' or I won't tell you anything," Peeves mischievously flipped in the air.
"Fine—please tell me, where are they now?"
Peeves, notorious for his mischief, wasn't going to be so obliging. He cackled and flew off into the distance.
"I told you, I won't tell you anything!"
As Peeves's laughter faded away, the corridor was filled only with Filch's curses.
"You rascal, don't make me find a way to deal with you!"
However, it was just empty threats. Peeves had been around the castle longer than anyone else, even the past headmasters, and they all had to tolerate his mischief.
After the search turned up nothing, Filch continued on with his lantern, heading to other parts of the castle, hoping his cat, Mrs. Norris, could help him find the students. As for the door at the end of the corridor, he had already tried—it wouldn't budge.
Shortly after Filch left, the door he deemed impossible suddenly swung open, and four panicked first-year students ran out in a frenzy.
They wanted to keep running, but a figure blocked their path.
"Professor... Professor Fawley!"
Harry's eyes widened in fear, unsure if the terror came from the three-headed dog or from the professor.
Professor Fawley stood with his hands behind his back, his expression unreadable as he scanned each of the four students.
"Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, and Neville Longbottom."
Each named student shamefully lowered their heads, all silent and remorseful.
"I didn't graduate from Hogwarts, so I'm not too familiar with the school's traditions. There's a question I need you to answer," Professor Fawley continued.
"Is it a tradition of Gryffindor to cause trouble?"
Harry wanted to argue, but when he looked up at Professor Fawley's calm expression, he found himself unable to speak. Instead, he could only whimper like a regretful puppy.
He felt the joy of joining the Quidditch team during the day instantly dissipate.
"Hmm?" Professor Fawley walked up to Hermione. "Miss Clever Granger, could you tell me the answer?"
When her name was called, Hermione sniffled sadly, holding back tears. It was the first time she found herself unable to answer the professor's question.
However, what Professor Fawley said next made them unable to believe their ears.
"All right," Fawley patted Harry's shoulder. "It's quite late now, hurry back and get some sleep, children need their rest to grow tall."
Hermione immediately looked up, tears streaming down her face. She sobbed, "But Professor, we shouldn't—"
"Ah, you're right," Fawley pulled out a handkerchief and smiled as he handed it to her. "But as I said, I'm not a Hogwarts student, so I'm not familiar with some rules, it's normal, isn't it?"
Seeing Hermione standing still, Fawley had to stuff the handkerchief into her hand before leaving with his hands behind his back.
"Remember, just this once, it's not a precedent!"
Hermione stared blankly at the handkerchief in her hand, only snapping out of it when Harry nudged her a couple of times.
"Come on, let's go, otherwise we won't be so lucky if Filch catches us!"