Chapter Forty-Five: Rewards and Recognition

After listening to Professor Kettleburn’s account, Headmaster Dippet nodded slowly before speaking. “We understand. Mr. Rosier, do you have anything to add?”

He looked at Siwen.

Siwen shook his head, indicating there was nothing more.

“Very well.” Headmaster Dippet pondered for a moment, then turned to the four Heads of House. “So, in your opinion, why do you think at least three Dark Wizards attempted to infiltrate the school through the Forbidden Forest?”

“Professors, did you catch those Dark Wizards?” Siwen inquired.

Dumbledore wore an expression of regret as he addressed Siwen, “By the time I arrived at the location where you sent your signal, they had already vanished without a trace.”

Noticing that Siwen seemed unsatisfied, Professor Slughorn quickly added, “Siwen, Albus was the first to find you, but the most important thing was ensuring your safety. After getting you to the infirmary, of course, it was already too late to reach the scene in time.”

Only then did Siwen recall that it was Dumbledore who had rescued them. He hastily turned to Dumbledore, gratitude in his voice. “Thank you, Professor.”

“No need to thank me!” Dumbledore winked. “I was able to receive the message so quickly thanks to a certain gentleman ghost you’re acquainted with.”

“Was it Mr. Strange?” Siwen feigned a surprised expression. With all these acts, he felt his skills at pretending were steadily improving...

Dumbledore nodded. “Exactly. Mr. Strange said that, to thank you for your help, he left a spiritual mark on you so he could sense if you were ever in danger. I must say, Eastern magic truly holds many wonders!”

Siwen forced a stiff smile in response.

While young wizard Siwen was unconscious, his mind naturally shifted to his soul form, much like a body sleeps while the soul studies—a most efficient learning mode. Dumbledore and the others had already questioned ghostly Siwen the previous night, seeking to understand how he managed to learn of the happenings in the Forbidden Forest so swiftly.

Siwen had invented the story of the spiritual mark on the spot, solemnly assuring the professors that he couldn’t sense specific events, only the general location and severity of danger. Whether they believed him or not, at least he believed his own tale...

“I believe this attempted infiltration of the Forbidden Forest may be linked to the destruction of the castle’s magical nodes,” Professor Meles interjected, forcibly steering the wayward conversation back to the topic at hand. “I shudder to imagine what could have happened if a Venom Panther had been brought into the school.”

She patted her chest, still shaken.

The other professors shared her sentiment, each displaying a worried expression.

“If that’s the case, then perhaps the ghost who aided us—Strange—can be cleared of suspicion?” Dumbledore turned to Headmaster Dippet, seeking his opinion.

Headmaster Dippet shook his head, countering, “That alone cannot absolve him. There remains the possibility that he deliberately revealed certain information to divert suspicion from himself. If the Dark Wizards in the forest were his accomplices, it would make sense that he knew what was happening there.”

‘So, I’m supposedly able to hatch elaborate plans with Dark Wizards from the dungeon, coordinating from miles away?’ Siwen fumed inwardly.

Professor Birley had a similar thought. He addressed the Headmaster, “To my knowledge, Strange has been confined to the dungeon, accompanied by Lady Grey. He shouldn’t have had the opportunity to act.”

Siwen shot Professor Birley a grateful glance, though the professor didn’t notice.

Still, Headmaster Dippet shook his head and said, “It’s possible their group coordinated the plan before the start of term, intending to act on Sunday night. If the timing was prearranged, such a sequence could certainly occur.”

‘I might as well rename myself the Great Seer, since apparently I can foresee everything—even a first-year’s wand attracting a unicorn, the unicorn leading the student to witness traces of Dark Wizards, and every other detail falling precisely into place...’ Siwen was so exasperated he could only laugh, collapsing heavily onto his pillow, feeling more at a loss than he had in both his lifetimes.

“Are you feeling unwell?” asked Lady Dalael, who had been watching with amusement from the sidelines.

Siwen shook his head.

Headmaster Dippet consulted with the four Heads of House for a while longer, but it seemed they failed to reach any concrete conclusions.

Eventually, they fell quiet, deciding to first address the matters concerning Siwen and Professor Kettleburn.

Headmaster Dippet spoke, “Given that both Professor Kettleburn and Mr. Rosier uncovered a significant threat to the castle’s security, they should be commended and rewarded. However, Professor Kettleburn’s decision to involve a first-year in such a dangerous incident reflects a failure in his responsibility to protect students; in my opinion, the merits and faults cancel each other out.”

“Headmaster Dippet, Professor Kettleburn had nothing to do with it—it was my own recklessness that led me to stay!” Unable to tolerate seeing Professor Kettleburn blamed, Siwen protested. “Besides, the professor protected me throughout the ordeal in the Forbidden Forest, saving me more times than I can count.”

He recalled how, the previous night, the professor had pushed him to safety and faced both the Dark Wizards and the Venom Panther alone, and his eyes grew misty with emotion.

Headmaster Dippet hesitated at this, then turned to the four Heads of House.

“Armando, don’t be so harsh. Sylvanus certainly deserves to be rewarded!” kindly Professor Birley said earnestly.

Seeing the other three Heads express their agreement as well, Headmaster Dippet nodded and said, “Very well, then. Professor Kettleburn’s probation will end early, and his regular salary and benefits will be restored.”

Siwen looked at Professor Kettleburn in confusion. “Professor, you were still on probation?”

“Hahaha...” the professor laughed heartily. “Actually, I’ve been teaching here for several years, and not a single year has gone by without me being on probation. Now that it’s suddenly over, it feels a bit strange!”

Siwen: “...”

The four Heads of House: “...”

Headmaster Dippet: “...”

...It’s honestly astonishing you haven’t been dismissed.

“Ahem.” Headmaster Dippet cleared his throat, turning to Professor Slughorn. “Horace, this young wizard is from your House. See that he receives the reward he deserves.”

Professor Slughorn beamed as he accepted the task and stood up.

He smoothed out the robes stretched tight over his ample frame, and said to Siwen with great cheer, “Siwen, you made a tremendous contribution in eliminating the threat of the intruders in the Forbidden Forest, and your spirit in protecting both the professor and the unicorn is most commendable. I have decided to award Slytherin thirty points!”

“In addition, if there’s anything you personally need, let me know and I shall do my utmost to help!”

Siwen wasn’t particularly concerned about the House points, but having the personal assistance of a Potions Master like Professor Slughorn was an opportunity with considerable potential.

He thought for a moment, ultimately deciding against immediately asking for a potion to be brewed by the Head of House, lest it seem greedy. It seemed wiser to use this chance to request something easily granted, to win more of the Head’s favor for future assistance.

Siwen felt his cunning side emerging.

“Professor, I’d like to borrow a few books from the library,” Siwen said.

...