Everyday Life of a Top Student at Hogwarts

Chapter 39 The Noise in the Auditorium

By the time Cullen left the Headmaster's office, it was completely dark. Torches in the castle corridors lit up automatically, casting flickering shadows on the stone walls. He slowly descended the spiral staircase, Dumbledore's words still echoing in his mind—about Castor Grindelwald's past, about the blood oath, about those fates bound by surnames.

However, now was not the time to think about such things. His stomach was already growling, reminding him that it was time to go to the auditorium for dinner.

When Karen pushed open the doors of the Great Hall, it was already filled with students. Four long tables were laden with food, candlelight flickering on silver platters and glasses, illuminating joyful faces. The Ravenclaw table was near the center of the Great Hall, and Karen immediately spotted her roommates: Wesley was waving a chicken leg, excitedly talking to Fabian, while Ernesto elegantly cut a steak, occasionally interjecting a word or two.

"Hey, Karen!" Wesley spotted him first and waved immediately. "Why are you only coming back now? What new task did Professor Victor assign you?"

Karen smiled and sat down next to them. "Sorry, something came up."

"What could make you disappear for an entire day?" Fabian pushed up his glasses and asked curiously. "George and Fred were just here bragging about their new prank product, saying they're going to sell it to younger students."

"Oh, Merlin..." Cullen shook her head, picking up a piece of bread. "I just went to see Professor Victor to report on the results of the last experiment, and then... well, I ran into Headmaster Dumbledore again."

"Dumbledore?!" Wesley's eyes lit up instantly, forgetting even to eat his chicken leg. "You saw the Headmaster? He remembers you?"

Ernesto looked up, a hint of interest flashing in his gray eyes: "What does the headmaster want with you?"

Karen shrugged, trying to sound casual, and said, "Nothing special, just chatted with me. He treated me to some weird-flavored candies that changed patterns, and then took me to his office."

"The principal's office?!" Fabian nearly choked on his pumpkin juice. "You went in? What's in there?"

"Portraits, lots of portraits and a bunch of weird silverware, some of which were smoking," Karen recalled. "Portraits of the headmasters, all of them sleeping, though they'd occasionally turn over or snore. And the Sorting Hat, it sneezed, which was pretty funny."

"The Sorting Hat sneezes?" Wesley's eyes widened. "Does it catch a cold too?"

"How could a hat catch a cold?" Ernesto rolled his eyes, but a slight smile played on his lips. "But... is there really a phoenix in the principal's office?"

"Yes, Fawkes." Cullen nodded. "It was standing on the perch, its feathers as red as flames. Dumbledore said it's usually reserved around strangers, but it seemed to like me quite a bit, and even pecked my ear. Its feathers were very warm."

"Wow..." Fabian looked envious. "I've only read about phoenixes in 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,' I never thought you'd actually see one."

"What else did the headmaster talk to you about?" Wesley pressed. "Was he, like the rumors say, always saying things that are hard to understand?"

Karen chuckled. "Pretty much. He told me some funny stories from his school days, like how he and his friends were chased up seven floors by the building manager while out at night, and they ended up hiding inside armor, only to be discovered because of... well, some kind of accident."

"What happened?" Fabian keenly noticed Karen's pause.

"The armor said he farted," Karen replied seriously.

The three of them paused for a second, then burst into laughter. Wesley slammed his hand on the table, nearly knocking over the plates; Fabian clutched his stomach, his glasses askew; even the usually reserved Ernesto couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Merlin's beard!" Wesley wiped away tears of laughter. "Even the great Albus Dumbledore got caught for farting!"

"That just means he's an ordinary person too." Karen shrugged and popped a pie into her mouth.

After dinner, the four of them left the Great Hall together and walked up the spiral staircase toward the Ravenclaw Tower. The castle was much quieter at night, with only the occasional ghost drifting by and the eerie laughter of Peeves in the distance.

"Seriously, Karen," Fabian asked as they walked, "why did the headmaster suddenly want to chat with you? It couldn't just be because he wanted to share embarrassing stories from his youth, could it?"

Karen had anticipated this question and had already prepared his answer: "It was probably just a coincidence. He happened to pass by and saw me talking to Professor Victor, so he invited me for tea."

"What luck..." Wesley sighed enviously. "I wish I could chat with the headmaster too."

Soon, they arrived at the entrance to the Ravenclaw common room. The bronze eagle-shaped door knocker emitted a deep voice: "What becomes more yours the more you share it?"

"Knowledge," Karen answered without hesitation.

The door slowly opened, revealing warm light and the glow of the fireplace. Several older students were still in the lounge reading or playing wizard chess; they glanced up at them as they entered, then continued with their tasks.

"Alright, I'm going to take a shower." Wesley stretched. "I have Potions class tomorrow, and I don't want to get Snape's attention again."

"A wise choice." Fabian nodded, then turned to Karen. "What about you? Want to do your homework together?"

"I'll wait a bit, I want to rest for a bit first." Karen walked towards her dormitory.

Ernesto followed behind him and suddenly asked in a low voice, "Karen, are you really just going to the principal's office for tea?"

Karen paused, turning to look at him. Ernesto's grey eyes stared directly at him, as if trying to glean something from his expression.

"Otherwise what?" Karen chuckled. "Did you think the headmaster wanted to discuss with me how to deal with the trolls?"

Ernesto stared at him for a few seconds, then finally snorted, "Fine, if you don't want to talk about it, then don't."

Karen patted him on the shoulder: "Don't overthink it, it was just a normal chat."

Ernesto didn't press further, but Karen knew he wasn't entirely convinced. But that didn't matter; as long as it didn't involve Castor's true identity, this curiosity was harmless.

In the lounge, Karen quickly and skillfully finished the Potions class assignment given by Snape.

Pushing open the dormitory door, Karen collapsed wearily onto the bed. Today had been overwhelming—Dumbledore's invitation, Castor's past, the blood pact… He needed time to process it all.

But right now, all he wants is to get a good night's sleep.