The night at Hogwarts Castle was especially quiet.
Footsteps echoed on the stone steps as Snape made his way up to the eighth floor.
His expression was darker than usual.
The stone gargoyle guarding the entrance to the Headmaster's office had already stepped aside.
Snape ascended the spiral staircase without knocking and pushed open the office door.
Dumbledore was seated behind his desk, reading a hefty old tome.
When he saw Snape enter, he looked up slowly, blue eyes glinting behind his spectacles.
"Severus," Dumbledore greeted warmly.
"Coming to see me this late, it must be something important."
Snape stopped in front of the desk, leaning both hands on it.
"Quirrell has been possessed by the Dark Lord."
Dumbledore blinked. Surprise flickered across his expression.
He set the book down and leaned forward.
"What? Are you certain?"
Snape narrowed his eyes, his tone biting.
"Oh, drop the act, Dumbledore."
"You already knew, didn't you?"
Dumbledore stiffened, clearing his throat awkwardly.
"You're still as sharp as ever, Severus."
"Then why haven't you done anything?" Snape's teeth clenched.
"You let someone possessed by the Dark Lord return as a teacher. Do you understand how dangerous that is for the students?"
Dumbledore regarded him thoughtfully.
"Oh? So you're concerned about the students' safety?"
Snape's face tightened. He stepped back, voice cold.
"I'm only concerned about the school being disrupted."
"And that disruption affecting me."
Dumbledore's expression said everything.
"No need to explain, no need," he said, the corners of his mouth twitching in amusement.
"I understand."
Snape's eyes narrowed further.
That look... Why does this damn old man remind me of a certain annoying Hufflepuff brat?
Dumbledore sat upright again, his expression turning serious.
"It's not that I don't want to eliminate Voldemort, Severus."
"I can't."
"I still don't understand how he avoids death," Dumbledore continued.
"Even as a soul, he only needs certain... methods to return to physical form."
Snape frowned and began pacing the room.
The buzzing of the enchanted silver instruments was unusually sharp in the silence.
"So you hid the Philosopher's Stone in the school."
"And instead of real protection, you set up games for children. Just to lure the Dark Lord here?"
Dumbledore said nothing. His silence said everything.
Snape let out a cold laugh and pressed on.
"How do you expect to stop him from getting the Stone? With those childish traps?"
He paused. A gleam of realization flashed in his eyes.
"Oh, wait. The traps aren't for Voldemort, are they?"
Still, Dumbledore remained silent, simply watching him.
Snape paced again, thoughts rapidly clicking into place.
"The traps are meant to test someone," he said, turning around, eyes locked onto Dumbledore.
"And that someone... is your real countermeasure against the Dark Lord. Let me guess…"
His voice turned even more scathing.
"Harry, isn't it?"
Dumbledore nodded slowly.
Snape was stunned.
He opened his mouth to speak but instead gave a cold, ironic chuckle.
"Oh, you ask me to protect him, and now you throw him to the wolves. Sometimes, I really don't understand you, Dumbledore."
Dumbledore stood, walked around the desk, and looked Snape directly in the eye.
His voice was sincere and firm.
"I'm not sending him to die, Severus."
"Harry will be fine. I promise."
Snape held his gaze for a long moment.
Then he scoffed.
"For your sake, I hope so."
With that, he turned and strode toward the door.
Dumbledore sighed.
Sometimes he really understood why the students were afraid of Severus. When that man got serious, he was downright terrifying.
...
Since Charlie had graciously mediated the Gryffindor–Slytherin conflict, his reputation had only grown.
Wherever he went now, eyes followed.
Students in the corridors stopped in their tracks to whisper and point.
Even in the Great Hall, classmates now waited for Charlie to serve himself first at dinner.
That evening, after supper, Charlie returned to the Hufflepuff common room.
The warm fireplace crackled gently, its orange glow dancing along the stone walls.
Comfortable sofas were arranged around the hearth, and the thick wool rug beneath was soft underfoot.
Charlie dropped onto a couch, ready to digest dinner in peace.
Nearby, a few senior girls were chatting quietly, occasionally sneaking glances his way.
Though their voices were hushed, Charlie caught fragments.
"His skin's so nice... looks really soft…"
"He's just a first-year..."
Charlie pretended not to hear, reclining against the sofa.
Then, one of the girls, Jenny, stood up and walked over.
Her voice was soft and lilting, seasoned with that fifth-year senior girl charm.
She had lovely chestnut curls and pretty light brown eyes.
Charlie opened his eyes to look at her.
"Jenny-senpai, can I help you?"
Jenny sat beside him, leaning in slightly.
"How's your Transfiguration so good?"
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Charlie sighed like someone standing on a mountaintop, far above the world.
"Talent and sweat... that's all it is."
Jenny's eyes lit up. She reached out and gently kneaded his shoulder.
"Then could you teach me?" she asked sweetly.
Her fingers worked his shoulders delicately.
"I'll give you a massage."
Charlie felt the tension in his shoulders fade under her touch. He glanced at her.
It was... honestly, pretty relaxing. The day's weariness slowly melted away.
"Well then," he said, "I'll have to see how senpai performs."
Jenny grinned and redoubled her efforts.
Her technique was amateurish but her pressure was perfect, Charlie couldn't help but close his eyes, savoring it.
Just then, the other senior girls came over.
"I want to learn Transfiguration too!"
"Charlie, teach us as well!"
"Yeah, we all want to learn!"
The girls gathered around, assigning themselves tasks before Charlie could speak.
"I'll do your temples."
One black-haired senpai sat behind him, fingers gently massaging his temples.
"I'll do your legs!"
Another knelt at his feet, massaging his calves.
"And I'll feed you!"
The last girl brought over a plate of fruit and began feeding him grapes.
Charlie thought, If y'all are going to be this... helpful, what's there to argue about? I'll teach you, sure.
He luxuriated in the attention, absolutely guilt-free.
Four gorgeous senpais working around him, it was a sight the whole common room couldn't ignore.
Seeing their plan succeed, the girls began whispering.
"He's got such bounce..."
"Massaging him feels so nice…"
Hah, Charlie sneered internally. Superficial women. You're just after my body. Don't pretend this is about learning Transfiguration.
Still, hearing their whispering made Charlie feel good.
After a whole day of royal labor, why shouldn't I enjoy this?
Besides, bonding with this many girls, shouldn't my Tyrant Points be skyrocketing?
[Your Majesty is enjoying the service of multiple beautiful women. Tyrant Points +2]
[Also, Your Majesty, don't get ahead of yourself. You're only 11.]
Charlie: "???"
I'm suing you for defamation! What did little me ever do to you?!
Just as Charlie was about to argue with the system, Ernie rushed into the common room.
He paused, stunned by the sight of Charlie being pampered by four senior girls.
Then he bolted over.
"Filch is looking for you outside. He says it's about your detention with Professor McGonagall."
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35 Advanced Chapters on p(a)treon
p(a)treon.com/Aaltairr
200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapters
• TL/N •
Hello guys Fanfic recommendation!
Check out my other work:
> Naruto: Mind Control
If you like smart and strong MC, this fanfic is for you.
It's Peak.
Give it a chance and you won't be disappointed