A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

"Lighting spells are among the simplest and safest ancient magic," he said.

"Perhaps not for that reason," Clémence remarked oddly. "The Anti-Dark Arts League recently revealed some effective spells against dark magic. Besides the Bright Flames spell, Lumos is also well-regarded. It's recommended for effectively repelling Inferi."

"Huh—is that the reason? I thought it was due to a love of ancient magical texts," Felix joked.

"Professor," Clémence said sternly, "Inferi might not trouble you, but during the First War, mysterious individuals created hordes of Inferi, spreading terror. They were the nightmares of countless wizards."

Scratching his chin, Felix, who had never considered Inferi a threat, began to reconsider. After all, they weren't easy to deal with—swift, painless, and resistant to standard spells.

For wizards unable to Apparate or with families, they were indeed a nightmare.

Pair them with a legion of Dementors, and it's even more terrifying.

...

That day, he visited the Ministry to discuss collaborating on safeguarding the Thieves' Waterfall. Madam Bones readily agreed, "I've had enough of those pesky creatures' attitudes." The entire process was uneventful, except for Felix witnessing a squabble between Sirius and Bones.

The recent recruitment of aspiring Aurors and combatants by the Ministry resulted in a decline in average combat skills. Bones was fretting over the dire need for an experienced Auror squad leader.

"Phoenix merely absorbed two crucial fighting forces," Madam Bones grumbled discontentedly.

Sirius staunchly denied it.

"Is that so? I didn't notice. I've been too busy these days, hanging around here... and you haven't even paid me yet!" His hand slipped into his pocket, eyes askew, teasingly, "And are you sure Frank and Alice are with the Phoenix?"

"Sirius Black! My brother was among the first members of the Phoenix! Do you think I don't know?" Bones roared at him.

Sirius immediately fell silent, a rare moment of no retort. He looked at Bones with a complex expression. "Edgar... He was a brave man, a reliable comrade. I'm sorry for what happened to him."

It took Bones a long time to calm down.

"Sorry, I got carried away... Felix, let's discuss the arrangements for the honorary ceremony. Dumbledore fears Death Eaters might strike that day. We have to make a grand display... many people are already aware of this."

If even the Ministry's janitors knew, Death Eaters were unlikely to be ignorant.

"On the day of the ceremony, we'll have vigilant Aurors throughout. With Dumbledore and you present, the risk is minimal. I even think..." She hesitated, "We could take the initiative and lure a group of Death Eaters."

"Absolutely not!" Sirius opposed, "I won't let Harry and them be bait."

"Not them."

"What?"

"Not them as bait. It's our people," Bones stated, "I am one of them."

Sirius looked at her in astonishment.

"What? You think I became Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement during your years in Azkaban by chance?" Bones said calmly.

Sirius was stunned by her confident words.

"The crybaby turned into a tough woman..." Felix sat flipping through a comic book, saying casually. Both of them glared at him. Felix closed the book, nonchalantly saying, "Bones, I'm intrigued by that bait part; we should talk."

...

When Felix returned to 12 Grimmauld Place again, it was mealtime. A bunch of people sat around the table: Sirius, Tonks, Moody, the Weasleys, Bill, Fred, George, Ron, Ginny, Harry, Hermione, and—

"Hello, Professor," Neville greeted shyly. The Lumbatons sitting on either side smiled in acknowledgment. "Mr. Harp, the last time we met was at Neville's birthday, almost a year ago."

"Yeah," Harry said, unable to resist, "I just found out today that Neville and I share a birthday, a day apart."

"It looks like we'll have to prepare two birthday parties in a row," Mrs. Weasley said with a smile, "Felix, I've prepared your favorite soup."

"Oh—"

"Molly, Felix has only had your cooking once," Mr. Weasley reminded his wife.

"There'll be more in the future." Mrs. Weasley patted her husband discreetly, then said to everyone, "Hurry and eat; the kids are exhausted."

"Thanks, Mum," Fred and George chimed in unison.

"I wasn't talking about you two." Mrs. Weasley shot them a glance, then turned to Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville, "You've been cooped up in the basement these days; it's not healthy. Spend some time in the Burrow. It's good for you; being indoors for too long can lead to depression."

"Yeah," Mr. Weasley added, "You can't expect a summer to match adults'. With us around, maybe the war will end even before you graduate. You can play Quidditch with Cedric; they've moved nearby... look out for each other."

"Is that so?" Sirius asked.

"Yeah, we also tried convincing the Lovegoods, but they refused—"

"No," Sirius frowned, looking at Harry and the others, "You've been indoors this whole time? Practicing magic all day? What do you want to do?"

Harry silently pushed around the greens in his soup bowl, Hermione glanced around, then lowered her head.

Ron muttered, "You don't let us join the Order meetings, so we have to find something to do."

"Dear, they're not old enough—" Mrs. Weasley began.

"About that, we might be able to help a little..." Fred and George exchanged a glance, mischievously saying, "There's this thing called Extendable Ears—"

"Shut it, both of you. I haven't mentioned you yet!" Mrs. Weasley snapped.

Ron shrugged, telling the others, "You saw it; even Fred and George were forced out of the house. They're adults, nearly as old as Tonks—"

Tonks across the table pulled a real grimace, a proper one.

"They want to deal with the mysterious folks and Death Eaters!" Ginny exclaimed, her flaming red hair whipping back, "I want to train too, but they don't want me, they just shoo me away."

"Oh, shut it, Ginny," Ron said.

"I hope this is a long-term goal, kids." Mr. Weasley set down his utensils, slightly stern, "Otherwise, we'll need to have a serious talk."

>

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