"Don't rush; take your time to find it."
Naville was once more on the verge of crying.
"By the way, based on the dangerous things you've done before, I've realized you're not exactly trouble-free. So, take this." Kasenhis said as he summoned an Ender Pearl, handing it to Neville while offering some reassurance.
"If you encounter danger that you can't handle, just smash this, and I'll appear by your side. It works even within Hogwarts, and it's not part of Apparition magic."
Neville blushed as he accepted the Ender Pearl but then remembered once again how he had forgotten to bring the gift he had intended to give.
Harry noticed Neville's predicament and quickly changed the subject. "By the way, Professor, are you planning to attend tonight's Halloween feast?"
Kasenhis glanced at the calendar propped in the corner of his desk and suddenly understood. "Time really flies! That explains why Professor Sprout asked me earlier about my 'makeup.' She must've thought I was testing a costume."
"So, will you go, Professor?" Neville asked as he carefully tucked away the Ender Pearl.
"Of course, I'll be there, but you'll need to give me some time to clean myself up. I haven't left my office in nearly a day and a half." Kasenhis spread his hands, and with that, Harry and Neville hurriedly left the office.
Finally alone, Kasenhis collected the notes detailing the Ender Pearl's enchantment patterns and stored them away. He then headed into his private quarters, enjoying a long, refreshing bath before standing in front of his wardrobe to pick something suitable.
Before long, Kasenhis emerged wearing a deep purple robe, taking his place at the professors' table in the Great Hall.
Originally, the robe had been black, but after witnessing the three-headed dog easily pierce Snape's defensive spell, Kasenhis had been struck by Hogwarts' dangers. He had spent the night enchanting the robe into a battle-ready wizard's garment, which now also served as a stylish formal ensemble.
"I must say, that robe suits you," Dumbledore commented, his eyes twinkling as he admired the shimmering brilliance of Kasenhis's attire.
"Hmm, not bad at all," Kasenhis replied with a smirk.
"Perhaps you could make me some socks… You know, as one ages, the cold becomes harder to bear," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling. "I hope for a new pair of socks."
"Ah, well." Dumbledore looked a bit disappointed but let it go.
Just as the calm atmosphere seemed to settle over the Great Hall, Professor Quirrell burst in, panting heavily.
"Troll—in the dungeons—thought you ought to know..." Quirrell stammered out before promptly collapsing on the floor.
"Well, it seems the Halloween feast will have to be postponed," Dumbledore muttered under his breath before standing and addressing the hall. "Students of the four houses, follow your prefects back to your common rooms immediately. Do not stray from the group!"
"All professors, begin searching the castle inside and out to locate the troll."
"I bet Quirrell let it in—yelling 'catch the thief' to cover his tracks," Kasenhis whispered to Dumbledore as he rose.
"I'm delighted to inform you," Dumbledore murmured back with a sly grin, "that you're absolutely correct."
"Merlin's beard!" Kasenhis muttered under his breath, pulling out his wand and leaving the professor's table. He headed in the direction Quirrell had come from, though at a leisurely pace.
Hogwarts was enormous; finding a single troll in the castle was no simple task. Realistically, it might take the entire night.
And with the students already being herded back to their respective common rooms, a rampaging troll could only damage property. If that happened, it would be his time to shine—showcasing his extraordinary building skills.
He was already imagining it: in front of the entire school, he'd perform a grand construction miracle, rebuilding whatever was broken.
Hogwarts would be amazed by his alchemical craftsmanship. What a spectacle it would be!
But then, he felt it—a shard of an Ender Pearl shattered. The next moment, he was in a crumbling corridor, face-to-face with two terrified students.
Harry was slumped against a wall in a corner, pale and panting. Neville's leg was clearly broken, but his face lit up with relief at the sight of Kasenhis appearing out of nowhere. He hastily pointed behind him.
Kasenhis turned around just in time to see Ron clinging desperately to the back of a troll. He was attempting to choke it, but unfortunately... trolls don't have necks.
Hermione was crumpled in a corner, seemingly unconscious.
"Professor, look out!"
It was unclear who shouted, but the troll noticed the wizard who had suddenly appeared in front of it. Its small brain couldn't comprehend how this person had materialized, but instinctively, it raised its club and swung it down.
Kasenhis stood his ground, taking the blow head-on.
It wasn't because he was posturing as some untouchable wizard—he simply didn't have time to react.
Luckily, his shameless decision to over-enchant his robes multiple times paid off. What should have been a skull-crushing blow felt more like someone knocking on his head with a heavy stick.
The robes didn't even rip!
"Wow.. ehm! P-Professor, are you okay?"
Kasenhis shook his head to clear it. "Ron, get out of here, now!"
Ron, seeing that Kasenhis had arrived, exhaled in relief. With surprising agility, he leapt off the troll's back, scooped up Hermione in his arms, and ran behind Kasenhis.
Satisfied that the students were safely out of harm's way, Kasenhis lured the troll toward the far corner of the corridor. The source of this content ɪs 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵~𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖~𝙣𝙚𝙩
Once he deemed it far enough to prevent any collateral damage, he summoned a block emitting a radiant white light.
Slamming it directly into the troll's chest, he quickly called forth an Ender Pearl and teleported himself out.
Kasenhis reappeared in front of Ron and Neville, summoning an obsidian wall that shielded them from the gruesome aftermath of the explosion.
"Hah~ Still," he muttered, wrinkling his nose, "that thing stinks to high heaven."
Carrying Neville in one arm and Hermione in the other, with Harry slung over his back, Kasenhis marched toward the hospital wing. Ron followed close behind, his steps uneven but determined.
Once he handed all four students over to Madam Pomfrey, Kasenhis went straight to find Dumbledore.
"You should just give Quirrell a whole bottle of Veritaserum," Kasenhis said bluntly. "One troll almost killed four students. Who's to say he hasn't let in more?"
Dumbledore placed a calming hand on Kasenhis's shoulder. "Relax, relax. I've already confirmed there was only one troll, and it's no longer an issue—thanks to your quick thinking. You can breathe easy now."
"It better be the only one."
Kasenhis folded his arms. "Still, I think you should have Quirrell restrained. If you're too soft to do it, I'm happy to handle it. Give me a sack, and I'll make sure he's glued to a wheelchair until the Christmas holidays."
Dumbledore gave Kasenhis an amused yet puzzled look. "I wasn't aware you had such... aggressive tendencies. You've always struck me as rather laid-back..."
"Quirrell just threw a troll into Hogwarts! What wouldn't he dare to do at this point? Do you expect me to sit back, act calm, and say, 'Oh, Quirrell's just a misunderstood good guy'?"
Kasenhis said with some exaggerated hand movements.
"I understand, I understand, but you can rest assured, really."