Birthday Gift

Chapter 37: Birthday Gift

Charles spent the night flying his broomstick in the mountains north of Hogwarts, the biting cold wind clearing his head a bit.

He had a clue, but no idea how to delve deeper. The only one who could answer that question was likely Voldemort.

But questioning him required skill and a carefully crafted atmosphere.

Charles returned to the castle, had a meal in the kitchens, took a bath in the Room of Requirement, and finally entered the common room. Most people had already retired to their dormitories. The vast hall was filled only with the crackling of the fireplace and the sound of Hermione turning pages by the fire.

Charles hadn't spoken to her since the first flying lesson; they had both been busy with their own affairs.

Hermione was engrossed in her book. Judging by the pages turned, she had likely been sitting there since dinner, forgetting the time. Naturally, she wouldn't know Charles had approached from behind and delivered a chop to the crown of her head.

"Oof!"

Hermione clutched her head, turning to see Charles. She pouted.

"Why did you disturb my reading?!" Hermione sounded furious.

Charles retorted impatiently, "Do you know what time it is? Still reading? Hurry up and go to bed. Don't you have class tomorrow?"

Hermione finally realized how late it was and said, "I'll just read two more pages and then head back to the dorm... Oof..."

"Just two more pages." The Headmaster had said something similar yesterday and was lectured by the Deputy Headmistress for a long time. So, Charles delivered another chop.

Hermione was like a child whose phone was taken away by their parents mid-game, only able to pout and glare at Charles.

Charles pulled out a beautiful feather he had traded with the Centaurs and handed it to her with a smile. "This is for you. You can use it as a bookmark. Sorry it's a few days late, happy birthday!"

Hermione's expression changed faster than a book's pages. A look of surprise and joy immediately appeared on her face. She took the feather and examined it closely, her eyes shining with excitement.

As smart as she was, she was still just a 12-year-old girl, interested in pretty trinkets like any other girl her age. Especially since it was a birthday gift from a good friend after she thought no one remembered her birthday. Even if it was two days late, it was enough to make her happy.

Charles watched Hermione quietly, a gentle smile on his face.

After Hermione's excitement subsided a little, Charles said, "Alright, it's getting late. Hurry back to bed."

Unexpectedly, Hermione smiled and said, "I'll just read one more page..."

Seeing Charles raise his hand for another chop, she instinctively cupped her hands over her head and pouted again. "I'm telling you, I've made an incredible discovery about Hogwarts' lost history... Ouch!"

Charles withdrew his hand from Hermione's head, his face stern. "Don't you know what time it is? Even if Hogwarts disappeared tomorrow, you still need to go to sleep now."

Hermione finally put away her book, pouted, and left. Charles watched her walk up the stairs to the girls' dormitory, then sat in his chair and sighed, feeling that it was getting harder to manage children as they grew older.

Time slowly passed, and the first-year newcomers settled into life at Hogwarts. After grasping the basic principles of magic, everyone began to cast spells with greater ease.

There was also a small incident during this time, not involving students, but professors.

On the fourth morning of October, as the entire school was having breakfast, about a dozen owls swooped into the Great Hall, pulling a huge package.

The students immediately started chattering, as the shape of the package clearly indicated it was a broomstick. They wondered who had bought a new one.

However, the owls didn't stop at any of the four long tables. Instead, they flew towards the staff table and landed in front of Professor McGonagall.

Professor McGonagall was bewildered. She thought she hadn't bought a second broomstick. Had it been delivered by mistake? Or was it a buy-one-get-one-free deal from when she helped Harry buy his broom?

Dumbledore, standing nearby, had a knowing smile. "Today is a very special day."

Professor McGonagall fell silent, glancing at Dumbledore. She suspected only her old confidante in all of Hogwarts knew it was her birthday today. Flitwick, who started at the same time, probably didn't even remember, let alone the other professors.

As for who sent the gift, Professor McGonagall knew without a doubt. She looked towards Charles at the Gryffindor table and sighed inwardly.

Charles had anticipated this. He was currently engrossed in conversation with Neville. "Neville, it's not a good idea for your Hedwig to keep getting lost. I suggest you learn the Accio Charm."

Ron, sitting opposite them, immediately chimed in, "I've heard of that spell. It's mentioned in The Wizard and the Jumping Toad. The son of the Jumping Toad's original owner used this spell to help his neighbor find his lost donkey."

The Wizard and the Jumping Toad was a story from The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a collection of wizarding fairy tales that children from wizarding families all knew. Neville nodded along.

Charles put on a businessman's smile and said earnestly to Neville, "When you have time, go to the open space next to the greenhouses, and I'll teach you the spell."

Neville said worriedly, "I'm afraid I won't be able to learn it."

He was still the same timid boy, worrying about everything he did.

"It's okay," Charles said. "It's normal not to be able to learn it, because the Accio Charm is taught to fourth-year students. It doesn't hurt to try, though. What if you succeed?"

Just then, Seamus, from the other side, asked him in surprise, "You know spells taught in fourth year?"

Hearing Seamus say that, Neville and Ron finally realized. If Charles could teach Neville, it meant he knew the spell.

Charles replied nonchalantly, "What's the big deal? The spell you used the other day, even seventh-years don't know it, and you managed to use it."

Seamus immediately puffed up with pride. "You're absolutely right!"

He then asked Charles, "Can I learn too?"

Charles thought that the Accio Charm wouldn't explode, so he nodded. "The Accio Charm is actually quite simple. You just need to grasp the knack of it, and you can certainly learn it."

"What about me? What about me?" Ron also asked. "Can I learn too?"

Lately, Harry had been secretly training for Quidditch whenever he had free time, leaving no one to play with him. He was bored.

Charles naturally agreed. As the saying goes, many hands make light work. Having an extra free laborer was perfect.

So, they made a plan. They would meet in the open space tomorrow afternoon when they had no classes, and Charles would teach them the Accio Charm.