Around fifteen minutes later, illuminated by the setting sun, Professor McGonagall led Lorin down a third-floor corridor to a locked oak door.
“Albus mentioned that you come from an aristocratic family, Lorin, so an ordinary room might not suit your tastes…”
Professor McGonagall pulled out a ring of keys and searched through them carefully.
“Ah, here it is.
Let’s see how you like this room.”
Lorin stepped inside and took a close look around.
It wasn’t particularly grand, but it wasn’t small either—around sixty square meters.
One section held an office desk and a bookcase filled with neatly categorized parchment rolls.
The rest was a living area containing a bed, a washroom, and other comforts.
The overall decor was oak, but it didn’t feel dark or heavy; the room was bright and airy.
“Please pass my thanks to Headmaster Dumbledore.
I like it very much,” Lorin said, offering a polite lie despite his inner reservations.
“I’m glad you like it.” Professor McGonagall smiled slightly, handed Lorin the key, and prepared to leave.
“I have a few matters to attend to shortly, so I won’t stay.”
“Allow me to see you out, Minerva.
It was a pleasure.” Lorin held a polite smile on his face and waved to Professor McGonagall.
“To tell you the truth, Lorin…
has anyone ever told you before?” Professor McGonagall paused in her steps and suddenly turned back to ask.
“You’re much easier to talk to than most aristocrats, whether Muggles or Pure-bloods.”
“Perhaps.
Such praise might make me vain.” Lorin leaned half his body out the door, tipping his hat to Professor McGonagall in a small bow.
“Haha, very well.
See you tomorrow, Caretaker Lorin.”
“See you tomorrow, Minerva!”
Once Professor McGonagall had walked away, Lorin looked around the oak-styled office-bedroom and sighed softly.
“Ah, my kitchen back home is bigger than this…”
“Still, no matter.
It’s the same anywhere.”
Lorin set Silas Castle down on the desk and cast a few protective charms around it for good measure.
“Mother’s concern is truly appreciated…”
In no rush to move into Silas Castle right away, Lorin pulled several spellbooks from his wedding ring and placed them on the empty shelves, totaling a few hundred volumes.
Then, glancing at the neatly stacked rolls of parchment on the bookcase, he picked them up and began browsing through them.
Rule of Nobility #1: Always be organized, so you don’t panic when work begins.
“Student files for Hogwarts, hm?
Looks like being a caretaker has its perks after all.”
“The wizarding world is far too stale; a grand reform is long overdue.
Let’s see which students are fit to become reformers…”
“Percy Weasley, fifth-year Gryffindor, Prefect…”
“Cedric Diggory, fourth-year Hufflepuff…”
“Fred Weasley, George Weasley, third-year Gryffindors—oh, they even noted down ‘troublemakers’?”
“Evans Newman, second-year Ravenclaw…”
“Ah, are these the first-year files?
The names are certainly much more familiar.”
Unrolling the bottommost scroll, memories long dormant flooded his mind.
“Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger…”
“Hannah Abbott…”
“Dean Thomas, Seamus Finnigan, Neville Longbottom…”
“Hmm?
‘Dragon Malfoy’?
What kind of family names their kid with such grandiosity?”
“Oh, Draco…”
At the very bottom, Filch had thoughtfully attached a map of the castle for Lorin.
“An explored map of Hogwarts?
Sure enough, Argus’s range of motion isn’t quite comprehensive…”
Passages like the One-Eyed Witch statue and the Whomping Willow hadn’t been discovered by Filch yet.
“Still, Filch is quite meticulous in his work.
I owe the old caretaker a favor.”
“Now that I’ve taken over caretaker duties, Argus will probably be left with nothing but sweeping…”
Just as Lorin placed the parchment back, a knock sounded at the oak office door.
“Mr.
Montmorency, are you in?”
Lorin walked to the door and pulled it open, revealing a hunched figure.
“Argus, what’s wrong?”
“I…
it’s nothing.
Just…
wanted to see if you were adjusting well to the job, sir.”
Seeing the immaculately tidy office, Filch realized his worries were unfounded.
“I like the job very much, Argus.
Care to join me for dinner?”
Checking the time inside his office, Lorin realized it was nearly six o’clock.
“Oh, I’m not hungry, sir.
Go ahead without me.”
Filch didn’t seem inclined to say much.
After brushing Lorin off, he hurried away.
“Tsk, guess I’ll go by myself.”
Lorin shook his head and set off for the Great Hall alone.
Before long, however, Lorin encountered an embarrassing problem.
He didn’t know the way!
After twisting and turning up and down several staircases, Lorin found himself inexplicably walking in circles on the third floor.
“Mr.
Montmorency?”
“Ah, Professor Flitwick, good evening!”
A short figure stepped out from the other end of the stairs.
Judging by height alone, Lorin could guess who it was.
“Good evening, Mr.
Montmorency.
I heard Hogwarts hired a new caretaker, but I didn’t expect it to really be you.”
Professor Flitwick looked cheerful, though his tone carried a hint of curiosity.
“Though, Mr.
Montmorency, what are you doing in this part of the castle?
There are no classrooms or libraries around here.”
“At the risk of sounding silly, Professor Flitwick, I’m lost.”
Lorin held out his hands, clearly at a loss for words regarding Hogwarts’ design.
Merlin’s hat, Beauxbatons had clear, explicit signs pointing to every section of the castle!
“Oh, haha!
That reminds me of when I first arrived at Hogwarts.
I couldn’t even find my own classrooms…”
Professor Flitwick walked toward Lorin on his short legs.
“As it happens, I haven’t eaten either.
If it’s convenient for you, Mr.
Montmorency, we can walk together.”
“I’d be delighted, Professor Flitwick.
Though please, feel free to call me Lorin.”
Lorin.
But why did you come to Hogwarts, of all places?
Your reputation spread all the way here when you were studying at Beauxbatons…”
“That’s a bit of a story, Filius.” Lorin shook his head helplessly.
“I’m afflicted with a strange curse that keeps me in a constant state of blood deficiency.
I can only hope that the oldest and most mysterious castle, Hogwarts, might offer a cure…”
“Oh, my apologies, Lorin.
I didn’t mean to bring up such a sad topic.” Professor Flitwick paused, quickly changing the subject.
“Still, Mr.
Lorin, starting tomorrow, you’ll have your hands full.”
Under Professor Flitwick’s guidance, Lorin finally made it to the Great Hall and prepared to dine.
“How so, Filius?”
“Just mentally picture what you want to eat, and the food will appear right on your plate, Lorin.”
After teaching Lorin how to order food, Flitwick addressed his question: “The caretaker’s duties, of course.
Mr.
Filch has long been worn out, mind and body, by the Weasley twins…”
“Oh, right.
That Lee Jordan is a mischievous rascal, too.
I hope you’re prepared, Mr.
Lorin.”
“Merlin’s beard…
but since I’m here, I certainly believe I’m up to the task.”
Lorin rubbed his chin.
He possessed at least that much confidence.
He then quickly dug into the food prepared by the house-elves.
Hmm, far inferior to Mother’s cooking, though considerably better than what standard British cooks made.
“Is there anything else I should look out for, Filius?”
“Hooly Horter!”
“What?”
Professor Flitwick swallowed his mouthful of mashed potatoes, took a sip of pumpkin juice, and rephrased: “Forgive my clumsy tongue—Harry Potter, of course, Mr.
Lorin.”
“The Savior?”
“A savior he may be, but you had better pray his temperament resembles his mother’s.”
“Ah, she was quite simply the most perfect student I’ve ever taught.
A pity she was in Gryffindor…”
“And if he takes after his father?” Lorin sliced into a new steak.
This medium-well cut actually had some juice left in it.
“Then you might just end up with…”
“Mm…”
“…a very fulfilling work routine.”
“Well, in that case, I look forward all the more to meeting these vibrant young witches and wizards.”
“As long as you know what to expect, Lorin.”
Professor Flitwick patted his small belly in satisfaction and hopped off his chair.
“I’ll be taking my leave, Lorin.
You truly are as entertaining as the rumors say.”
“Really?”
“Mm…”
“Except your appetite doesn’t match the rumors.”
“Hahaha.
I’ll head back after a few more fruit pies.”
“See you tomorrow, Filius.”
“See you tomorrow, Lorin.”
Professor Flitwick waved and ambled back toward the Ravenclaw Head of House office.