The Headmaster Intended to Teach Personally

The students who had just been discussing Little Barty and Lucretia now had a new source of entertainment.

The Gryffindor Long Table immediately erupted.

Students from the other houses also turned to look their way, some egging them on, others screaming.

A group of older students gathered around, and some even started placing bets.

Even the students at the Slytherin Long Table stopped eating breakfast and turned to watch this unexpected spectacle.

"Two silver Sickles says Potter wins!"

"No, I'll bet five! Black is definitely fiercer! He looks like he's about to kill someone!"

At the staff table, Professor McGonagall had already risen to her feet and was striding toward the Gryffindor Long Table with a grim expression.

Her expression alone was enough to make students step aside and clear a path for her.

The students who had just been shouting about bets and cheering immediately clamped their mouths shut.

"Mr. Potter! Mr. Black!"

Professor McGonagall's voice cut through the din of the Great Hall.

She did not need to raise her voice, yet everyone heard her perfectly clearly.

"Stop at once!"

The two of them froze.

Sirius still had a fist twisted in James's collar, but all the strength had gone out of his grip.

The entire Great Hall was watching them. Some people were still whispering, while others openly pointed at them.

James wore the expression of someone caught red-handed, wavering between regret and smug satisfaction.

He clearly still thought his taunt had been a success, even if he now had to accept the punishment.

Professor McGonagall's lips pressed into a stern line. "This is utterly unbelievable! Twenty points from Gryffindor! Mr. Potter and Mr. Black, report to my office at eight o'clock Saturday morning! You are sixth-years, yet you brawl in the Great Hall like first-year students! You have brought shame upon Gryffindor!"

Sirius let go of James's collar.

His face looked terrible, not merely because points had been deducted, but because he realized how humiliating he must have looked just now.

Losing control in front of everyone, attacking his best friend out of jealousy.

James straightened his rumpled collar. "Sorry, Professor McGonagall. It was just a misunderstanding."

Sirius said nothing. His gaze swept across the Great Hall for an instant before landing somewhere at the Slytherin Long Table.

Lupin rubbed his waist as he sat back down and silently began clearing up the mess on the table.

Once Professor McGonagall had quelled the disturbance, she looked around the Great Hall, her gaze settling on the Slytherin Long Table as well.

She headed straight over, and the students she passed all lowered their heads and pretended to focus intently on breakfast.

Professor McGonagall's voice was much gentler than before. The surrounding students exchanged glances. "Miss Crouch. Could you and Mr. Crouch come with me to the side door for a few words?"

Regulus glanced at Little Barty, who nodded.

The two rose and followed Professor McGonagall toward the side door of the Great Hall.

Regulus remained seated, his eyes following them before he thoughtfully glanced toward the Gryffindor Long Table.

In a quiet corner near the side door, Professor McGonagall turned to Lucretia.

"Miss Crouch, there has been a change to this afternoon's Transfiguration Class tutoring."

Lucretia was somewhat surprised, but she quietly nodded.

Little Barty stood beside her, looking wary. "What change?"

There was a note of pride in Professor McGonagall's voice. "Headmaster Dumbledore wishes to personally tutor her today. It is quite a rare honor. The Headmaster seldom tutors students himself."

Little Barty's posture changed at once.

He stepped forward, almost shielding Lucretia from view. "Why the sudden change? Is there some special reason?"

Professor McGonagall noticed Little Barty's reaction, and her expression softened slightly. "There is nothing for you to worry about, Mr. Crouch. On the contrary, the Headmaster is very interested in the unique talent Miss Crouch has shown in Transfiguration, especially her method of transforming objects while preserving their Life characteristics. That is extremely rare in Modern Transfiguration."

Lucretia looked down at her hands, remembering the objects that had continued to retain their Life rhythm during transformation.

Professor McGonagall asked, "What classes do you have this afternoon, Miss Crouch?"

"Flying class is my last class, Professor."

Professor McGonagall nodded. "I will explain the situation to Madam Hooch and excuse you from Flying class. The Headmaster will personally take you to the lesson location."

Little Barty's stance was resolute. "I'm going too. I can skip Potions class this afternoon. Until now, I've always participated in her Transfiguration tutoring."

Professor McGonagall scrutinized him for a moment. "That is rather unusual... but considering you have always been involved, I suppose the Headmaster will not mind. Besides, your grades in Transfiguration are indeed excellent."

Little Barty nodded slightly, relaxing a little.

Professor McGonagall said at last, "Then that is settled. Four o'clock, outside the Headmaster's office. You may return to breakfast now. The bell will ring soon."

After saying goodbye, they returned to the Great Hall.

Regulus gave them an inquiring look. Little Barty gestured for him to wait, and the two quickly finished breakfast before preparing for class.

As she packed her bag to leave, Lucretia looked toward the other side of the Great Hall.

More than half of the Gryffindor Long Table was already empty, leaving only a few late students and Sirius.

He stood alone beside the long table with a textbook in his hand, as though he had forgotten he was supposed to go to class.

He was simply standing there, looking in this direction.

Their gazes met across the Great Hall.

Sirius's expression was complicated.

It was not the anger he had shown that morning, nor was it his usual careless indifference.

It was more like an urge to explain something, to apologize for something, yet he did not know where to begin.

He raised his hand slightly as if to make a gesture, then lowered it again.

Lucretia bit her lip, unsure how to respond to this unexpected meeting of eyes.

She could tell he was in a bad mood.

They looked at each other, neither of them speaking.

Behind her, Little Barty was discussing something with Regulus, but the corner of his eye remained fixed on Lucretia.

Just then, Lupin walked over to Sirius and followed his gaze.

Little Barty noticed the change as well.

Lupin patted his friend on the shoulder and whispered something in his ear.

Sirius looked away, picked up his books, and headed for the door with Lupin.

Lucretia withdrew her gaze as well, feeling someone touch her arm.

Little Barty stood beside her.

His expression was calm, but he glanced toward the Gryffindor Long Table.

He had seen that exchange of looks, what was in Sirius's eyes, and the reaction on Lucretia's face.

"What is it?"

She grabbed her schoolbag. "Nothing. I almost forgot my Transfiguration Class homework."

Little Barty looked at her without pressing further. He merely nodded. "Let's go. Regulus and I will walk you to class first."

Along the way, Regulus walked beside them, but his voice was low. "Why is Dumbledore suddenly interested in teaching her himself?"

The question slowed Little Barty's steps slightly. He looked at Lucretia ahead of them before answering.

"I don't know. But I don't think it's simply because there's something wrong with her Transfiguration. I've read the notes from the tutoring sessions Professor McGonagall gave her before."

Regulus nodded, then asked in an even quieter voice, "Could he know about the Forbidden Forest?"

Little Barty gave a cold snort. "So what if he does? Is there a school rule against coming into contact with unicorns? Besides, it was for... What could he possibly make of it?"

Yet despite saying that, he felt somewhat uneasy.

Lucretia walked beside them, listening only to their conversation while her thoughts drifted elsewhere.

At the entrance to the Transfiguration Class classroom, Regulus waited on the Shifting stairs. He and Little Barty would be heading to Defense Against the Dark Arts Class soon.

Little Barty stopped before she entered the classroom. "Do you need me to come get you early? Four o'clock, Headmaster's office."

Lucretia smiled and shook her head. "No. I know the way."

He gave her one last look, his gaze falling on the Transfiguration Class notes in her hand.

"Don't worry about your Transfiguration. Whether it's Dumbledore or McGonagall, they must have seen something we haven't understood yet. I'm here for you."