Chapter 50: Tonight's Bill Is Paid by Professor Holmes
"Even if you keep insisting that those things are just fiction," Professor Flitwick said with a smile, "fantasy always grows out of reality."
He studied Douglas thoughtfully.
"Based on your fighting style alone, I doubt anyone would question your ability to serve as Hogwarts' Defence Against the Dark Arts professor."
"If anyone writes to complain again, I'll simply suggest they read your books first."
Douglas laughed.
"If that happens, Professor, I'll be sure to give you a commission."
He handed the freshly signed book to Madam Rosmerta and winked.
"These are the only signed copies that exist before my identity becomes public."
Rosmerta beamed as she accepted the book.
The other professors were not particularly envious of the signed collection. While the novels themselves were entertaining, what truly interested them were the magical ideas hidden within the stories.
After Douglas finished signing, Rosmerta stood up and left the private booth.
Moments later her voice rang out across the entire Three Broomsticks.
"I have an announcement for everyone here tonight!"
The tavern grew quiet.
"With great pleasure, I inform all of you that every drink tonight has been paid for by Professor Holmes."
A murmur swept through the room.
"As for the reason?" she continued with a mysterious smile. "You'll want to read tomorrow's Daily Prophet."
The tavern was crowded that evening, many of the patrons being Hogwarts students enjoying a weekend in Hogsmeade.
The moment they understood what she meant, the entire room erupted.
"Thank you, Professor Holmes!"
Douglas could hear the cheers even inside the booth as the students began speculating wildly about what the mysterious news might be.
When Rosmerta returned, Douglas simply shook his head with a wry smile.
"Fortunately you didn't explain the reason," he said. "Otherwise I might not be able to leave the tavern tonight."
He sighed.
"Just calculate the total later and send me the bill."
Rosmerta waved her hand immediately.
"No, no. I'll cover it myself."
"And please don't refuse a reader's gratitude to her favorite author."
Privately, Rosmerta was already picturing tomorrow's newspaper.
Anyone who read the announcement would surely remember tonight's celebration.
And when they did, they would realize that she possessed a complete set of rare, signed first editions.
The thought alone made her grin with satisfaction.
Perfect.
Absolutely perfect.
Monday morning.
The Great Hall of Hogwarts buzzed with conversation as students gathered for breakfast.
At the Gryffindor table, Percy Weasley sat upright with a copy of A History of Magic propped beside his plate.
He was reading while eating—an impressive feat even by Percy's standards.
Suddenly several Ravenclaw girls approached the table.
Leading them was Ravenclaw's Head Girl, Penelope Clearwater.
She cleared her throat politely.
"Ahem… good morning, Percy."
Percy looked up—and immediately turned bright red when he saw who it was.
He glanced around quickly for his siblings, but none of them were nearby.
"G-good morning, Penelope," he said nervously. "What can I help you with?"
The other girls did not bother hiding their curiosity.
They leaned closer and fired questions all at once.
"Is Professor Holmes getting married?"
"Does Professor Holmes have a girlfriend?"
"Who is she?"
Percy blinked in complete confusion.
Penelope hurried to explain.
"Last night everyone in the castle was talking about Professor Holmes having some kind of good news."
"They say he treated everyone in the Three Broomsticks to drinks."
"We thought you might know something."
"You once said you and Professor Holmes have a very good relationship."
Percy stared at them.
He had spent the entire previous day in the library.
Later that evening he had visited Professor McGonagall to ask questions about an assignment.
By the time he returned to Gryffindor Tower it had been very late.
He had heard absolutely nothing about any of this.
Still, Percy suddenly remembered something Charlie had mentioned years ago—that Douglas Holmes had always been unusually close to the owner of the Three Broomsticks.
Charlie had once joked that the landlady often insisted on buying Douglas a drink whenever he visited Hogsmeade.
Could it be…
Percy's eyes widened.
Was his former mentor about to marry Madam Rosmerta?
If that were true…
There had to be at least a twenty-year age difference!
The Ravenclaw girls saw Percy's shocked expression and immediately grew excited.
Clearly he knew something.
But Percy composed himself quickly.
"Could you explain exactly what happened last night?" he asked carefully. "I want to be sure my guess is correct."
The girls eagerly repeated everything they had heard.
"The owner of the Three Broomsticks carried a stack of books into a private booth."
"Then after a while she came out and announced that Professor Holmes was buying drinks for everyone."
"And she said the reason would be revealed in today's Daily Prophet."
Percy fell silent.
"So that's what happened…"
He lowered his voice thoughtfully.
"It's very possible that Professor Holmes's other identity is about to be revealed."
"But why now? He's been hiding it for years…"
"What?!" one of the girls gasped.
"You mean he has another identity?"
"Is he secretly a Dark wizard?"
Percy frowned.
"You'll understand when the newspaper arrives."
Then he suddenly stood up.
"Penelope, I'm sorry. I need to find Professor Holmes immediately."
Without waiting for a reply, Percy rushed out of the Great Hall toward the third floor.
The Ravenclaw girls immediately scattered to spread the gossip across their house table.
Only Penelope remained behind, watching Percy leave with concern.
She had rarely seen him look so anxious.
At the Gryffindor table, Ron watched Percy disappear up the staircase and snorted.
"Look at that," he said. "Even Percy can't resist a bit of gossip."
"The Daily Prophet will arrive soon anyway, but he still had to run upstairs to ask the professor."
Beside him, Ginny leaned closer and lowered her voice conspiratorially.
"I have something even stranger to tell you."
"This morning—around six—I went to the common room to grab something."
"And guess what I saw?"
Ron looked up.
"What?"
"George and Fred," Ginny whispered dramatically, "reciting from Intermediate Transfiguration."
Ron nearly dropped his fork.
"What inspired them to do that?"
Hermione, who had been calmly sipping pumpkin juice, set down her cup and answered sharply.
"Didn't you already explain it the other night, Ron?"
"They cheated during detention."
"Professor Holmes was generous enough not to deduct points, but unfortunately Professor McGonagall caught them afterward."
"She ordered them to earn two hundred points back during the semester."
Hermione's voice rose with growing irritation.
"Just one week into the school year and Gryffindor has already lost two hundred points!"
"And let's not forget that the whole thing started before classes even began—thanks to you and Harry breaking school rules."
She turned on them with a glare.
"Even George and Fred are trying to study now so they can earn points back in class."
"Why do you two still wake up later than I do?"
"You're not even as hardworking as Neville!"
Neville, who had been half-asleep over his breakfast plate, suddenly jerked upright.
"W-what happened?"
Ron sighed.
"Nothing. Just hurry up and eat."
"Or you'll fall asleep during Herbology again."
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