[Current Mission: Become a Professor of Pokémon Studies at Hogwarts (Completed).Reward: Pokémon Day Care (can breed Pokémon already registered in the Pokédex).]
[Note: Before claiming, please ensure there is at least a twenty-square-meter plot of open land available.]
[New Mission: Develop a Suitable First-Year Pokémon Studies Curriculum (Incomplete).Reward: Unlock the entire Kanto Region Pokédex (excluding Legendary and Mythical Pokémon).]
Charles hadn't claimed his Day Care reward yet.He was still thinking about where to build it — by the Forbidden Forest, or in Hogsmeade.
After a moment of consideration, he decided that placing it near the Forbidden Forest would be more convenient.Of course, the land use rights for the forest would still need Dumbledore's approval.
But that wasn't urgent. The system's rewards weren't going anywhere.
He'd visit Dumbledore tomorrow.Today, he planned to spend the rest of his time visiting some old acquaintances.
He started by calling on the other Heads of House and a few professors.Professor Flitwick had always liked him back in his student days — Charles had been a natural at Charms.
"I can hardly believe you've returned to Hogwarts as a professor," said Flitwick excitedly when he saw him. The tiny half-goblin barely reached Charles's waist, with features that set him apart from ordinary humans.
But no one ever made an issue of his heritage; students at Hogwarts adored him.
"It's been a while, Professor Flitwick," Charles said with a smile. "It's a new course, and really, there's no one who knows more about Pokémon than I do. Maybe Dumbledore just wanted to keep me close in case I decided to become the next Dark Lord."
"Don't joke about that, Charles," Flitwick chided with genuine concern. "We all know you'd never do such a thing. You were cornered back then — and it wasn't even your fault. Anyway, since we'll be colleagues now, I suppose you could call me Filius."
"Alright then, Filius."
"Splendid! If you ever need any help, come straight to me. I imagine you're a bit rusty with post–third-year spells, after all — they did expel you and snap your wand, didn't they? But I suppose you've got a new one now."
Charles chuckled. "Yes, I made it myself. Don't worry about me — I've traveled quite a bit these past few years. Dumbledore's been quietly helping me all along."
After chatting a bit longer, Charles took his leave.
Next, he visited Professor McGonagall. They'd already met earlier, but that had been an informal encounter. In truth, she'd always been fond of him as well.
She often said that, had Charles not been expelled, Hogwarts would have gained a true master of Transfiguration. Even now, she encouraged him to continue his research in that field.
Then there was Professor Pomona Sprout, the kindly but rather unnoticed Head of Hufflepuff House. With her earth-stained robes and friendly face, she looked more like a farmer than a witch.
As for Snape…
Charles decided not to seek out trouble.
He didn't consider Snape a bad person — not exactly — but "good" wasn't quite the word either. Even after all that had happened, Snape still favored pure-bloods, though he bore no prejudice toward Muggle-borns.
Still, his tongue was sharper than a Seviper's fang, and Charles had no desire to make his day worse.
Finally, he went to see Hagrid — Hogwarts' Keeper of Keys and Grounds, and Dumbledore's most loyal admirer.
The half-giant's face lit up the moment he saw Charles.
"Blimey, Charles! I've been waitin' for you ever since I heard you were comin' back to Hogwarts!" Hagrid's booming voice filled the hut. His huge hand, each finger thick as a sausage, pressed his Fang—the boarhound—down when the dog tried to jump up.
"I'm glad to see you too, Hagrid," Charles said with a grin.
"I was wonderin' when you'd stop by," Hagrid continued eagerly. "Hold on—Fang doesn't seem to recognize you!"
Charles noticed the faint envy in Hagrid's eyes. The man was trying to hide it, but not very successfully.
"I only arrived today," Charles explained.
"Ah, so you must be real busy, eh?" Hagrid asked hesitantly, his shaggy eyebrows furrowing together.
"I still need to write the first-year curriculum and plan out the lessons. Why do you ask? Need a hand with something?"
"Oh, nothin' like that," Hagrid said quickly, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's just—I've been dyin' to talk to you about yer Pokémon! You don't know how excited I was when I saw those pictures you sent me — especially yer Charizard! They look so different from the usual dragons, yeh know?"
By now, Fang had caught Charles's scent and calmed down, resting his head obediently on Hagrid's boot.
"And I heard," Hagrid added in a conspiratorial whisper, "that you showed those Ministry folks and the pure-blood snobs a thing or two with yer Pokémon!"
He'd never liked that crowd, and it was clear he considered Charles a kindred spirit — both of them expelled in their third year, both with broken wands.
"There'll be plenty of time for that, Hagrid," Charles said, smiling. "I'm planning to build a Day Care not far from here. You're welcome to visit anytime."
Truthfully, he was already thinking Hagrid would make the perfect unpaid helper. Pokémon were hardy enough to withstand his enthusiasm.
"That's wonderful!" Hagrid said, eyes gleaming.
"But that's not the only reason you came to see me, is it?" Charles asked knowingly.
Hagrid froze, then sighed sheepishly. He'd never been good at keeping secrets. As Professor McGonagall often said, he was kindhearted—but careless and far too talkative.
"Well… you're right," Hagrid admitted. "Didn't wanna bother yeh if you were too busy, but… Dumbledore trusts me with all sorts of important tasks, yeh know.
"It's about—well, about Harry Potter. You know he's startin' at Hogwarts this year, right? Poor lad… it's been eleven years since that awful night…"
Hagrid's eyes began to water, and Charles hurriedly cut in before the conversation derailed into tears.
"What exactly happened?"
"The owls deliverin' his letters keep gettin' blocked! Those horrible Muggles he's livin' with—they're somethin' else, I tell yeh!" Hagrid huffed indignantly. "So Dumbledore's sendin' me to fetch him myself. Problem is, I don't know my way 'round the Muggle world too well…"
"You'd like me to come with you, then?"
"Exactly! We could talk about magical creatures on the way. I heard you spent some time studyin' under Mr. Newt Scamander, didn't yeh? But if yer busy, I can go alone—"
"It's fine," Charles interrupted. "It won't take much time. Writing the textbook isn't difficult".
The system already has the Pokédex data—I just need to make a magical version of it, charles tought to himself.
"Brilliant! Tomorrow's the thirtieth—how 'bout we leave then? I wanna give Harry a bit of a surprise. After all, his birthday's right at midnight!"
Hagrid could be surprisingly thoughtful at times.
After sharing a bit of rock cakes, Charles excused himself.The treats were hard enough to chip teeth, but tolerable—maybe something a Rock-type or Ground-type Pokémon would actually enjoy.
(End of Chapter)