Man of Archives

Chapter 9

The confrontation with the Slytherin students quickly became the subject of rumors and speculation, most of which worked in my favor. Students saw and talked about how I returned to the common room with hardly any injuries, while nearly all the Slytherins who had set a trap for me ended up in the hospital wing. That must mean something, they thought, and they weren't wrong.

As a result, I earned respect from all the houses, even Slytherin. Students from aristocratic families, or those close to such circles, knew well that if they clashed with me, they'd be in for a rough time. I thought so too, but I wasn't going to become an arrogant jerk who could be taken down with a few clever curses. So, I remained vigilant, expecting some sort of retaliation from Matthew Travers.

Matthew Travers, after taking a beating and spending time in the hospital wing, held a deep grudge against me. I could feel it whenever we crossed paths in class, during meals, or even in the corridors. He wasn't the only one, of course, since many had felt my wrath. But another fifth-year student stood out, radiating pure hatred.

"Timothy Jody," called a familiar seventh-year student, the last one who had managed to stay on his feet during the fight. Waving his hand, he gestured for me to come over.

It wasn't a problem, so I approached.

"Kid," he began. "I hope you're not holding a grudge against me for what happened in the corridor."

Was I surprised? Yes, I was.

"Matthew just wanted to scare you, not start a fight," he continued. "He asked me to help, and I did. So, I hope there won't be any bad blood between us."

"And how much did your help cost?" I asked.

"Two Galleons for the evening," he replied immediately.

"So, you're a mercenary?" I inquired.

"Not a mercenary, just someone with a bit of extra responsibility," he corrected me.

"Sounds interesting," I nodded. "Alright, I get it."

"Good," he said, extending his hand. I shook it without hesitation. "By the way, my name's Albert Fifequid."

"Timothy Jody," I nodded back. "But you already knew that."

We parted ways after that. The exchange of contacts was successful. Do I hold a grudge against him? No. That would be the right answer. Why be angry at a mercenary? No matter what he calls himself, in this situation, Albert played the role of a mercenary.

Aside from personal reputation, another consequence was that everyone now thought Isolda was my girlfriend. Somehow, people had come to the conclusion that the conflict was probably over a girl, rather than because I reacted to the guy's aggression. This led to her having to stick close to me much more often; otherwise, most of the school would look at her with disapproval. It's surprising how the attitudes of teenagers can be influenced, especially when supported by teachers.

"Timothy," Isolda addressed me. "Did you sign up for Apparition lessons?"

"Yes," I replied. "I can't not sign up for such an important class. By the way, do you still need help with your Transfiguration essay?"

"Dorsani does," she said, shaking her hair.

Dorsani mostly stayed silent during our conversations, only answering when directly asked. Her studies were going well, but there were subjects she struggled with, one of which was Transfiguration. So, I occasionally helped her find answers and literature. Isolda also joined in and got some additional information.

"Then after the Apparition lesson, we'll see what needs to be done," I said, leaning back into the soft chair.

The Apparition lessons were held in the Great Hall. At the entrance, each student was checked before being let in. The presence of several Ministry wizards, Headmaster Dumbledore casting spells, the heads of houses, and Madam Pomfrey, ready to assist in any situation, caught my attention.