Hogwarts' Niffler: All I Need Is Galleons

"Ron!"

"Weasley!"

"Keep it down in the library."

Hoare's voice was almost squeezed out through gritted teeth.

"Tell me, what part of your Charms class did you listen to? The Levitation Charm was covered in the first lesson! How could you forget it?"

Hoare's red hair stood on end with anger.

"And this, most of the ingredients needed for these two potions are the same. How can you know what one requires but not the other?"

"Hoare, Hoare, don't be mad." Ron cautiously fanned Hoare with his parchment, fearing he might burst into flames.

Hermione, sitting nearby, couldn't help but let out a giggle, which made Ron turn and glare at her.

"Bang!"

"Ouch!" Ron cried out, clutching his forehead.

"Quiet! If there's any more noise, you'll have to leave!" Madam Pince shouted at their table.

Ron didn't dare make another sound. "I just don't get it, okay? Maybe all the nutrition in my brain has been eaten by Hoare," he said, giving Hoare a pitiful look.

Hoare tossed the book he'd just used to smack Ron's head aside and sighed, holding his own head.

Forget it, it might be easier for him to work hard and become the man behind Hogwarts.

Hoare sighed and highlighted the key points in the book. "Copy."

A good memory is no match for a poor pen. If you can't remember, just copy it several times, at least enough to muddle through the end-of-term exams.

Ron obediently lowered his head and began copying.

Hoare picked up a book and started reading.

"Hoare, Ron, Hermione." Harry came running in, panting with his backpack.

"Quiet!!!" Madam Pince shouted.

Harry quickly covered his mouth and sat down.

He took out his textbooks and joined the study group.

"Where's Sirius?" Ron asked Harry, using his textbook to shield his face.

Hoare thought, Ron can't seriously think that would hide him.

Harry glanced at Hoare, then raised his textbook to cover himself, whispering to Ron, "Sirius is in his office organizing his things. He said to meet in the Great Hall later."

"Ahem." Hermione, sitting next to Hoare and across from Ron and Harry, desperately tried to signal her two clueless friends.

"Hermione, are you catching a cold? Madam Pomfrey has potions for that, very effective, though a bit peculiar," Harry said, grimacing at the thought of the potion that made your ears smoke after drinking it, which felt very strange.

Ron nodded vigorously, complaining to Hoare, "And it tastes awful, like thick coffee. Hoare, can't you improve it?"

Hermione covered her face, feeling these two were hopeless.

Hoare smiled gently, "Sure, if you get an average grade of B at the end of the term."

As soon as Hoare said this, the library fell silent.

Not just their table, but the entire library, filled with students in different colored uniforms, stopped what they were doing and looked at Hoare.

A third-year Hufflepuff student, who had taken Hoare's class before, softly asked, "Really? Professor Weasley?"

Hoare looked around, seeing eyes filled with longing.

The infirmary had a potion called "Pepperup Potion," used to treat common colds, relieve symptoms, and make you feel warm. However, it had a side effect of causing steam to come out of your ears for hours.

The infirmary's potions were fast-acting but notoriously unpleasant to drink, with various harmless side effects, meant to teach sick students a lesson.

Hoare, always healthy, rarely got sick, and had never even sneezed, so he never had the chance to try the infirmary's potions.

But he was quite familiar with the Pepperup Potion.

In winter, the demand for Pepperup Potion in the infirmary was particularly high. Sometimes, Snape would bring Hoare along to brew it overtime to meet the demand.

Improving the Pepperup Potion was possible, but why bother?

As it was, unpleasant and smoky, there were already students deliberately catching colds to drink it. If it tasted good, it would be exhausting for him.

That's what Snape said. Of course, not in such polite terms.

Sitting across from Hoare, Ron saw nearly twenty students in the library looking at him differently.

Catching a cold in winter was quite normal. If Professor Weasley could really improve it, they could roll in the snow every day without worry!

As long as the Gryffindor Weasley averaged above a B!

Oh, Professor Weasley was so kind, he must have intentionally set such a simple requirement.

Most of the students were tempted, while a few were just joining in for fun.

Some even thought, if Professor Weasley criticized my homework as if slugs had crawled over it, I could bully his brother outside of class!

Those eyes glowed green as they looked at Ron, casting dark shadows behind him.

It was terrifying, making one want to hide.

Ron shivered, clutching his textbook tightly.

After studying for a while, it was time for dinner, and most of the students in the library began packing up to head to the Great Hall.

Harry, carrying his books, walked over to Hoare. "Hoare, has anyone given you trouble since your identity was revealed? If so, you should tell us, we can help."

It can be hard to make great work when its stolen from bit.ly/3iBfjkV.

Harry was worried that someone in Slytherin might be unhappy with Hoare.

In his few months in the wizarding world, Harry had already noticed that sometimes a surname could mean everything here.

Though Hoare never cared about such things, as his friend, Harry was concerned for him.

When Hoare's secret was revealed, Slytherin was in an uproar. Harry had never seen them so agitated, as if they were about to tear Hoare apart.

Dumbledore had simply introduced him as Henry William, also known as Hoare Weasley, without further explanation.

That was Hoare's idea. Those close to him knew the details, and he felt no need to explain to others.

Even if he explained, they'd continue to speculate, thinking it was just an excuse.

So he said nothing, letting them make up stories.

It wouldn't harm him, and it added to his mystery, keeping people at a distance.

Hoare was quite satisfied with this outcome.

"Nope." Hoare shrugged, if those little pranks could even be considered trouble.

Ron and Harry exchanged a glance. They had heard some rumors, and Ron, speaking like an older brother, said, "Hoare, if there's any problem, you must tell us, especially me. Your brother will beat them up for you."

With that, Ron waved his fist.

"There is." Hoare stared at Ron. "I have a problem right now."

"What! What!?" Ron asked anxiously.

Harry and Hermione had already guessed, covering their faces.

"Your grades," Hoare said seriously.

Ron's cheeks turned red, and he stammered, clutching his textbook, "I'm trying hard, don't worry, don't worry."

Hoare ruffled Ron's red hair. "No worries, I have a way to make sure you graduate."

By the time Ron graduated, Hoare would almost be the man behind Hogwarts!

A mere diploma would be no problem at all.

Hoare's mind conjured an evil smile as he thought about it.