HPS 113

Chapter 113: The Untouchable Hand

Saturday night was exceptionally noisy.

This was because the wizards who had gone to Hogsmeade village had returned to Hogwarts with a lingering excitement.

This was always the busiest time for Mr. Filch. He constantly had to watch out for the mischievous young wizards, especially those two incredibly audacious red-headed wizards. These two particular wizards had caused him to intensely dislike all red-headed wizards.

Just as Mr. Filch finished his day’s work and was preparing to return to his dim Caretaker’s office, Sean passed by, having just finished brewing a 'Expert' level Swelling Solution.

In his notebook, above the potion entry, was a note detailing his recent progress in charms. The Non-Verbal Charm had reached 'Expert' status, and the Counter-Charm had reached 'Expert'. Now, Sean could effortlessly terminate Justin's Floating Charm without saying a word.

Professor Flitwick had used some minor jinxes to train Sean in practical defense, and without exception, all of them had been neutralized. The professor then used some weak hexes, which Sean barely managed to block. However, if he spoke the incantation, Sean’s Counter-Charm could block almost all hexes, and even some weaker curses couldn't break through his defense.

He could now confidently say that no one among the first-year students could breach his defenses. Coupled with his combined Transfiguration and Charms techniques, he felt he could easily outmaneuver the lower-year wizards.

But facing the older wizards, the outcome would be hard to predict.

Therefore, Sean never stopped. Once his Non-Verbal Charm reached 'Expert,' he could unlock a new charm title and enhance his Charms talent. He would then continue to integrate his charm combinations to strengthen his combat power.

The corridor was deserted. Sean once again did not see Mrs. Norris.

Senior Bruce had arranged a time with Sean, two full hours later than the return of most wizards.

Senior Bruce had explained, “It’s two hours of life-or-death speed.”

Leon had tried to turn back to Hogwarts before Bruce even finished speaking, as if Senior Bruce was about to sprinkle Hickleburp Powder in the pocket of the Zonko's Joke Shop owner's hat, but Bruce had snorted and dragged him away.

It was still a while before the agreed time. Sean once again heard the cheerful laughter of young wizards coming from the Caretaker’s office.

He sighed slightly—'No young wizard hates Mr. Filch forever, but there will always be young wizards who hate Mr. Filch.'

After cleaning the office, Sean skillfully put away his wand. Thanks to the wide use of the Scouring Charm, Sean’s Scouring Charm was already 'Expert'. He figured it wouldn't be long before, like the professors, he could simply wave his wand and have the floor spotless.

Looking at the wooden cabinet that had collapsed again, Sean used the Repairing Charm he had recently learned:

“Reparo!”

The wooden cabinet seemed to reverse time. All the cracks, from top to bottom, were completely restored, and the sawdust on the floor flew back into the cabinet.

A fantastical sight…

The corners of Sean’s mouth lifted; he was always excited by magic.

Quietly leaving the office, Sean heard a loud meow. He knelt down, waiting for Mrs. Norris to leap onto him.

Perhaps it was because Sean often helped Mr. Filch clean the office, giving Mrs. Norris less to worry about; or perhaps it was because Justin’s fish jerky was so nutritious…

In any case, Mrs. Norris had gotten fat. Sean distinctly felt her weight increase slightly as she padded across his shoulder.

[You have earned the familiarity of the Magical Creature Cat (Mrs. Norris) with Experienced Level Skill. Proficiency +10]

[Magical Creature Cat (Mrs. Norris): Unfamiliar (80/90)]

[Apprentice-level Magical Creature Familiarity can unlock the Apprentice-level title in the Magical Creatures domain]

He was just a hair’s breadth away from unlocking the Magical Creatures talent. Sean quietly took out the new fish jerky Justin had made from his bag, this one was apple flavored…

'Magic is just too comprehensive,' he thought.

While Mrs. Norris was purring, Filch’s usually malicious face relaxed for a long time in the light of the office lamp. He looked down the corridor for a long time, unable to take even a single step out of the shadows.

He was holding a scarf he had chosen for a long time, and Mrs. Norris had been purring for a while.

Ah, but he was a Squib. And Squibs were extremely rare in the wizarding world and faced severe discrimination. Pure-blood families often disowned them (like Marius Black of the Black family), and the Ministry of Magic didn’t even record their birth information.

They were, just as their name 'Squib' implied, a firework that could only make a 'pop' sound, commonly expressed as meaning insignificant.

Most Squibs were forced to live a life of poverty and obscurity on the margins of magic.

Their anger seemed to come from the depths of their hearts because their voices would never be heard by anyone.

Except for… Headmaster Dumbledore.

He had generously given this man, who longed for magic, a humble position.

This was why Filch cherished it so much. He loathed the young wizards who broke the rules, loathed the destruction they caused that filled him with anxiety and constant worry about being fired.

These young wizards, who possessed the ability to cast magic, ran wild daily, breaking rules, completely unaware of how much those without magical abilities envied them.

Except for… Green.

Sean stroked Mrs. Norris’s head. As the time for Senior Bruce's return drew nearer, he placed Mrs. Norris back on the floor and headed toward the Great Hall.

Mr. Filch silently watched him walk further and further away, then tucked the scarf back into the cupboard. 'He has a new sweater… that’s enough.'

The gaze lurking in the shadows gradually faded. Perhaps some things were best kept buried deep inside.

Too many lonely people in the world are afraid to take the first step,

So, when Sean appeared before Filch with a Biting Doorknob, his expression was as startled as if he had seen a Troll.

“Mr. Filch, this is something I asked the Hufflepuff upperclassmen to help me buy.”

Sean fixed it to the door of the Caretaker's office, then cast a Disillusionment Charm on the original doorknob and handed Mr. Filch an anti-bite glove.

This way, the mischievous young wizards wouldn't be able to get inside and cause trouble.

Filch stared blankly at the young wizard—who fiddled with it for a while, then clapped his hands in satisfaction, nodded to himself, and politely said goodbye before leaving.

Even then, Filch hadn’t fully reacted.

Sean felt it was just a small favor. The low-grade version of the Biting Doorknob wasn't very aggressive; at most, it would sting the young wizards for a moment. This way, the young wizards wouldn’t lose house points, and Mr. Filch wouldn't have to constantly clean the office.

The cold wind still howled.

At the entrance of the Caretaker's office, Filch held a brand-new scarf, his outstretched hand ultimately touching nothing.