Halloween Feast

Charlie had been living quite comfortably these days, sneaking out at night and going on adventures.

The only problem was that he had not done a single assignment.

Every time he had to copy Ernie's homework, which left Ernie baffled.

"Charlie, homework is a piece of cake for you. Why do you still copy mine?"

Ernie asked, puzzled, as he handed over his Potions assignment.

Charlie answered righteously.

"Why waste precious time on homework?"

[Your Majesty neglects state affairs and indulges in pleasure. Tyrant Points +1]

The key was the Tyrant Points. Not studying = Tyrant Points, Tyrant Points = magical ability, magical ability = studying.

Therefore, not studying = studying.

Fortunately, Charlie was in Hufflepuff. If he had said that in the Gryffindor Common Room, some little professor would have nagged him to death.

Ernie sighed.

"How about this? I'll do your homework for you, but I hope you can give me some guidance with Charms and Transfiguration."

Charlie's eyes lit up.

"Deal!"

This was an incredibly profitable trade.

The spells provided by the system could not only be cast directly; all the relevant knowledge was also firmly lodged in his mind. Guiding Ernie was well within his abilities.

Over the next few days, Charlie lived an even more comfortable life.

Every morning, he woke to a sumptuous breakfast prepared by Billy. Ernie handled his homework, he continued sleeping in class, and after lessons he went exploring everywhere with the Twins.

The only thing that troubled him was the place guarded by the Three-headed dog. He simply could not get inside.

Even the Weasley brothers did not know whether there was a secret passage leading in.

"That place must have been protected by a special Protective Charm from Dumbledore," Fred analyzed.

"Otherwise, he wouldn't have had a Three-headed dog guarding the door," George added.

Harry also told him that what was hidden underground was something Hagrid had brought back from Gringotts.

"Someone even broke into Gringotts to try to steal it. Luckily, Hagrid and I got there first, so we stopped him."

Harry said this mysteriously.

Until the eve of Halloween, Charlie was organizing ingredients in Snape's office.

Don't ask why. He had merely tricked Seamus from Gryffindor into blowing up the Potions classroom during class.

The result was that Snape had been covered in boils, and in a fit of rage, Snape had given Charlie two months of detention.

Now Charlie served detention with Professor McGonagall on Wednesdays and Fridays, and with Snape on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Charlie was helpless. His detention schedule was fuller than a concert tour.

All that remained was to see whose turn Monday would be, and he would have a full sweep.

Snape stood before a pile of scattered ingredients, watching Charlie coldly.

"Sort and organize all these ingredients," he said in his trademark icy tone.

"Silver Unicorn horn powder, viper fangs, Mandrake Root. Each must be stored separately according to age and quality."

Charlie glanced at the mountain of ingredients and cursed inwardly.

How long is this going to take?

"Professor, tonight is the Halloween Feast," Charlie tried to bargain. "Could I—"

"Then you had better work faster," Snape said with a cold smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"If you don't finish, don't even think about eating."

With that, he elegantly walked behind his desk and sat down, picking up a copy of the Daily Prophet to read.

His dark eyes occasionally flicked toward Charlie to make sure the boy was not slacking off.

Charlie gritted his teeth and began sorting the ingredients.

Ever since he had drawn various Potions recipes, he had always been able to brew perfect potions in Snape's class.

That left Snape unable to find any reason to deduct points from him, so he could only torment him this way.

Time passed second by second, and the sky outside gradually darkened.

Charlie's stomach began to rumble. He secretly glanced at Snape.

The old bat was still pretending to read the newspaper, when in fact he had been watching Charlie the whole time.

Just then, Snape's stomach also betrayed him with a rumble.

The office fell awkwardly silent.

A trace of discomfort flashed across Snape's face. He lowered the newspaper and cleared his throat.

"I'm going to the feast." He rose, his black robes billowing.

"If I come back and find that you haven't finished sorting—"

"I'll turn you into a toad, then brew you into a potion."

Charlie curled his lip. Who was he trying to fool? A little kid?

Snape narrowed his eyes and gave Charlie a dangerous look before striding out of the office.

The moment the door closed, Charlie immediately stood up and clapped his hands.

"Sort this, my ass!"

He stretched his limbs, preparing to slip away.

But the feast was probably nearly over by now. There would be no point in going.

"Billy!" Charlie called softly.

With a bang, a House-elf appeared in the office.

"Mr. White, what do you require?"

Billy asked respectfully.

"Bring me something delicious. I'm starving."

Charlie rubbed his stomach.

Billy vanished at once and returned with a large platter of food in less than a minute.

There were roasted chicken legs, pumpkin pie, Butterbeer, and everything else one could want.

Charlie carried the food to the window and sat on the broad windowsill.

Countless stars glittered outside, while moonlight spilled over the towers of Hogwarts. It was breathtakingly beautiful.

"Now this is the life."

Charlie bit into a chicken leg, his mood brightening.

[Your Majesty neglects state affairs and indulges in pleasure. Tyrant Points +1]

Meanwhile, Snape hurried to the Great Hall.

The Halloween Feast was already halfway over, and the long tables were covered with all kinds of delicious food.

Huge pumpkins floated in the air, while bats flew back and forth across the ceiling.

"Severus, why are you so late?" Professor McGonagall asked, somewhat surprised to see him.

"Researching Potions," Snape answered curtly as he walked over to the High Table and sat down.

Professor Flitwick chuckled. "Severus is always so dedicated."

"Such a workaholic." Professor Sprout shook her head. "He should relax once in a while."

Snape did not respond. He merely ate the food on his plate in silence.

The professors paid no attention. Snape was always like this, as though his wife had died.

The Great Hall was bustling, and the students were excitedly enjoying the festive atmosphere.

Peals of laughter came from Gryffindor, while the Hufflepuff students competed to see who could eat the most.

Snape was soon full. He set down his utensils and prepared to leave.

Just then, the doors of the Great Hall were suddenly thrown open.

Quirrell staggered inside, his face deathly pale and his purple turban askew.

"Troll!" he shouted at Dumbledore, his voice filled with fear.

"There's a Troll in the dungeons!"

"I thought you knew."

With that, he toppled stiffly to the floor and fainted.

The Great Hall instantly erupted, and the students began screaming in terror.

"Is that true? How could a Troll get into the school?"

"But a professor said it."

"It's only Quirrell. Maybe he mistook a House-elf for a Troll."

"Silence!"

Dumbledore rose and tapped his goblet with his Wand.

Purple fireworks shot from the tip and blossomed in the air.

The Great Hall gradually fell silent.

"Prefects, immediately lead the students from your respective houses back to the dormitories." Dumbledore's voice was calm, but carried an unquestionable authority.

"Teachers, come with me."

Led by the Prefects, the students left in an orderly fashion, but the tense atmosphere still lingered in the air.

Snape frowned.

How could a Troll suddenly appear at Hogwarts? Who let it in?

"Severus, go check the Fourth Floor," Dumbledore said in a lowered voice as he approached.

"Make sure everything there is secure."

Snape nodded, understanding Dumbledore's meaning.

The Chamber of Secrets on the Fourth Floor contained the Philosopher's Stone. Its safety had to be ensured.

He hurried out of the Great Hall, his black robes billowing behind him.