HP: Alchemy? Nah, It's Crafting

"You're such a kind person… I almost feel like coming back to life just to take your class," Myrtle said as she slowly sank into the toilet, leaving only her head visible above the water. 

"I really appreciate the trust, truly." 

"And you're very polite, too. Speaking of which, why did you come here to see me? I don't believe anyone would visit a ghost just for fun," she said, her twin braids floating around like strands of seaweed in the water. 

"My question might be a bit offensive. You might get angry when you hear it." 

"Seeing as you're so polite, I'll forgive you just this once. Ask away." 

Kasenhis nodded. "How did you die?" 

Myrtle let out a long, drawn-out sigh, as if she was relieved to hear the question. Kasenhis only caught the tail end of it. 

"That question isn't offensive at all. To me, death was like a second life. It was like a birthday—something worth celebrating." 

"Then I guess my luck isn't bad. I picked the right question to ask." 

"Mm… When I died... how I died.. hmm.. there was this insufferable girl who laughed at me. I don't know where she is now. Maybe she married a troll, or maybe she choked on a clam that day and died. Either way, I send her my magical blessings that she's not doing well in life." 

"Well, to answer your question- I was crying that day, right here in this bathroom, until I suddenly heard a boy's voice. It was actually quite nice—deep and magnetic. I figured someone with a voice like that must be pretty handsome."

"It's just a shame the timing was all wrong. After all, this is the girls' bathroom. I turned around to remind him… and then I died." 

Kasenhis rubbed his chin thoughtfully. 

"That's it?" 

Myrtle nodded. "That's it… well, not entirely. I also saw these two big yellow-orange eyes. They looked like they belonged to some kind of huge creature." 

"That's a very useful clue. Also, how exactly did you die? What was your body like when they found you?" 

"Just like that—unnervingly peaceful. Like I had just fallen asleep. I almost wish I had died looking uglier." Myrtle huffed. "If I had, I could have scared that awful girl a bit more! If I had looked like the Bloody Baron or Sir Nicholas when I died, she definitely wouldn't have been able to handle it!" 

"That awful girl?" 

"The one I mentioned before—the one who laughed at me and drove me into this bathroom in the first place." 

"And she was…?" Kasenhis asked curiously. 

"I'm not telling you her name. For all I know, she's already dead in some forgotten corner of the world. I just want her name to disappear from existence forever," Myrtle said fiercely. 

"Hmm… I can understand that." 

"Can I ask why you're asking about all this?" Myrtle added.

"For the truth behind your death, to find the culprit, and to protect the current students," Kasenhis explained.

"Hmm… You're a good person. Hehehe.. Your actions suit that face of yours…" Myrtle smiled, her eyes fixed on Kasenhis.

"Oh… thanks for the compliment."

"You're welcome. Just like how you complimented me. If you ever want to hear this kind of honest praise, feel free to come here anytime."

"Thanks. If I ever need to, I will."

After getting his answers, Kasenhis bid Myrtle a polite and enthusiastic farewell—one that could only be described as a step away, three glances back. Of course, besides saying goodbye, he made sure not to look too closely at any part of the bathroom.

After all, the sign outside clearly said "Girls." Coming in was already questionable; standing there and scrutinizing every inch of the place like some creep? That would be downright suspicious.

Back in his office, Kasenhis dragged over a small portable chalkboard from the classroom downstairs and set it up in the corner of the office space. Using a piece of chalk, he wrote down two key points: one, the massive yellow eyes, and two, the perfectly intact body.

With these two confirmed clues marked on the board, he planned to add any new information later, fitting them into place like puzzle pieces. It wasn't the most sophisticated method, but at least it was straightforward—though his old Muggle neighbor had always sneered at his "primitive" approach.

"…If that guy were a wizard, things would be so much easier. I wouldn't have to be here staring at this damned chalkboard…" Kasenhis muttered as he leaned back into his armchair.

...

The next day…

"Class dismissed."

After saying that, Kasenhis picked up the stack of draft papers on the podium, neatly tapped the corners together, then casually folded them into a thick paper airplane before tossing it into the trash bin.

With a flicker of Ender Blink, he appeared right at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, outside Hagrid's hut.

If someone at Hogwarts needed an expert on magical creatures, the first name that would come to mind was undoubtedly Professor Kettleburn, the Care of Magical Creatures professor.

However, this particular professor possessed a rather… admirable trait: in a seven-day week, he would teach all five years' worth of lessons in just one day, then spend the remaining six days wandering off to who-knows-where.

Which meant… he was nowhere to be found.

No problem. If Professor Kettleburn was unavailable, there was always the second-best expert on magical creatures.

Knock, knock, knock!

Moments later, the door swung open, revealing Hagrid in a flour-dusted apron.

"I'm bakin' some rock cakes! Come in 'n' have a taste. O' course, if ya manage to take some wit' ya, I'd be even happier," Hagrid said enthusiastically, ushering Kasenhis inside.

Seated on Hagrid's sofa, Kasenhis stared down at the alleged rock cake in his hands.

Chew, chew, chew…

"...Hagrid, have you ever heard of tires?"

"I do, why?"

"Which would you choose: a tire that tastes like cake or a cake that tastes like a tire?" Kasenhis asked.

"........"

"Are you seriously thinking about this?"

At that, Hagrid's face turned a bit red. He discreetly began clearing away the rock cakes from the table.

"Maybe somethin' else then. How 'bout some bark biscuits?"

"I'll need milk with that."

"O' course, wouldn't forget the milk."

Soon enough, after swapping out the "refreshments," Kasenhis exhaled in relief.

He couldn't help but recall last year's three-headed dog—perhaps that big fella's chew toys were actually made from Hagrid's baking.

Say what you will about the texture, at least the flavor wasn't bad.

"Another year's begun again… I swear, even Black Lake's lookin' sunnier than usual," Hagrid mused from the sofa, gazing out the window at the distant lake.

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(づ￣ 3￣)づRead two weeks ahead of WN-

P@treon: Dragonel