Punishing students was a flexible matter. While, in theory, all violations of school rules had to be handled strictly, in practice, some cases could be adjusted.
However, William never expected Professor McGonagall to come to him specifically to discuss delaying detention for two students due to their Quidditch training.
So Adams was right. Professor McGonagall really is the most passionate about Quidditch among the professors, William thought.
With that in mind, he agreed to McGonagall's request almost without hesitation.
"Of course, Professor McGonagall. Detention is just a process for students to reflect on their mistakes. If there's something important to attend to, then it can absolutely be postponed."
"That's wonderful, Professor William. Then they can train as usual on Saturday and serve detention on Sunday. The portion they miss on Saturday can be made up during weekday evenings when they don't have classes. Does that work?"
"..."
Wait. I thought you came here to ask for leniency for your students, but those two little rascals still have to make up the missed time during their breaks? Professor McGonagall, you're being way too straightforward.
"Of course, that works. I'll prepare the books for them to copy. Should we proceed with this arrangement just for this week?"
"If possible, I'd like it to continue going forward. Oh, and Professor William, if you could, I'd prefer the History of Magic books they copy to be thicker." McGonagall said casually, but there wasn't a trace of humor in her tone, leaving William momentarily speechless as he'd been about to make a lighthearted remark.
You must be the devil, right? If I remember correctly, you came here to advocate for your players, but how did things turn into this?
"You mean to have them acquire more knowledge?"
"Well, also to help them earn a certificate. While their year doesn't take exams until next year, judging by the Weasley twins' current foundations, I doubt they'll pass History of Magic."
"Are they struggling academically?"
William phrased it delicately; some students tried hard but just couldn't grasp the material.
"If that were the case, I wouldn't be so concerned. Those two are quite clever but have never focused their energy on academics. In some subjects, they even surpass seventh-year students, but in most others, they barely scrape by on final exams."
Apparently, the twins were such a handful that McGonagall ended up venting to William for a long while before wrapping up the conversation.
***
The night passed uneventfully, and with no classes to supervise, William finally had the chance to sleep soundly.
He had completed the first week of work since arriving at the school. Although it wasn't the weekend yet and it wasn't ideal to leave the school grounds, his immediate tasks were done.
The lessons for the three years he was responsible for had gone very well, even smoother than he had anticipated.
Although there had been a minor disagreement with a colleague during the last class of the week, overall, William had no problem giving himself an 'Outstanding' for his work performance.
"Only a few days as a teacher, and I've already developed the habit of grading things?" While teasing himself, William got up and headed to the dining hall. While the house-elves were always willing to deliver breakfast to his room, he preferred not to eat alone unless he was truly pressed for time.
When he arrived at the staff table, he noticed the atmosphere was much livelier than usual.
"Hey, Adams, what's going on? Did the Headmaster decide to give us a raise?" William nudged Adams discreetly.
Naturally, Singed was absent from the table as usual.
"A raise?" Adams glanced at William with a look that said, 'Where did you even get such a ridiculous idea?'
"Hogwarts already pays quite generously. How could there possibly be an arbitrary raise? You're overthinking it. The cheerfulness today has nothing to do with that. You see Professor Taylor over there?"
Professor Taylor, who usually had a stern expression and appeared to be in his late thirties or early forties, didn't mingle with younger colleagues and taught Charms.
"Professor Taylor? What, did he make a fool of himself first thing in the morning?"
If it had been the usually stern professor causing a laugh, that might explain the good mood at the table. But clearly, the older professors wouldn't lose their composure like this.
"Make a fool of himself? No, Professor Taylor brought his kid today; his six-year-old daughter is in the staff lounge right now."
"His kid?" William was momentarily surprised. Were there children under eleven at Hogwarts?
He quickly realized it made perfect sense. Magical children didn't suddenly sprout from the ground as eleven-year-olds; they had to grow up from infancy like anyone else. A six-year-old daughter was entirely normal. After all, Hogwarts wasn't a monastic school; Surely not all the professors were unmarried?
"And he just brought her along? The school doesn't mind?"
"Mind? Professor McGonagall absolutely adores that little girl. Who else would have an issue?"
When the Deputy Headmistress herself approved, who could possibly object?
"Besides, the child stays in the staff lounge and never runs around. She's adorable, too—who would dislike such a sweet child?"
William, who had no particular fondness for rowdy children, suddenly became curious. He didn't even finish his breakfast properly before dragging Adams to the staff lounge.
"Hey! What's the rush? She's his daughter, not yours!" Adams grumbled at William, though his steps didn't slow down one bit. He hadn't seen the little girl in quite some time himself.
"Aphra!"
The moment Adams opened the door to the staff lounge, he called out softly. But there was no response, which immediately made Adams, who had been ready to show off, feel awkward.
"Aphra?"
Still no reply, but William's sharp eyes quickly spotted a small figure crouching by the fireplace. "Is that her?"
"That's her, absolutely."
Adams took a few steps forward, crouched down, and his expression softened.
"Why aren't you answering me, Aphra?"
"I'm a mushroom, so I can't speak loudly," the little girl replied in a high-pitched, delicate voice.
This child was quite adorable, but she seemed a bit… gullible.
"What are you doing?" Adams immediately noticed the small watering can on the floor and asked softly.
"Peeves told me that mushrooms only need to crouch in the corner by the fireplace and get watered to grow quickly," the little girl explained earnestly.
"And what else did Peeves say?"
Aphra's face took on a look of serious contemplation for a long moment before she furrowed her brow and fell silent.
"Uncle Adams, get out of the way. I need to water myself!"
The little girl raised the tiny watering can and started pouring water over herself. Her pretty little wizard robes were halfway soaked before William and Adams could stop her.
"All done, Uncle Adams! Now I'm going to grow, so don't bother me anymore!"
Aphra crouched down again, her expression so sincere that neither William nor Adams had the heart to tell her it was all a prank.
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