"Once you're done, you can leave. Don't you still need to tutor Thomas?" Kasenhis said, waving a hand to signal that the two of them could go.
Then he sat back in his chair and looked at Clay, who was still in the office.
What had he called Clay here for in the first place?
"Professor... do you still need me for something?" Clay asked.
"There was supposed to be something, but not anymore. You can go back."
Kasenhis waved him off as well.
Then he tidied up the liquor cabinet and glanced at the time.
In short, it was mealtime.
The moment Kasenhis sat down in the Great Hall, Dumbledore raised an eyebrow at him.
"You're not too late. You've arrived just in time to witness Harry and Thomas sign their duelling contract."
"This thing needs a contract?" Kasenhis asked in confusion.
"Of course. Blood may be shed, so a contract is necessary. And you'll be the witness," Dumbledore said with a raised eyebrow. "After all, you're their referee."
Kasenhis frowned and lowered his voice.
"You know I can't use ordinary magic."
"An Unbreakable Vow is a form of rule-based mysticism. Strictly speaking, it doesn't count as ordinary magic. Just go ahead," Dumbledore explained.
"Mm-hm... alright."
Kasenhis shrugged and slowly stood up.
Dumbledore followed him down from the staff table and brought Harry and Thomas onto the raised platform, placing one on either side of Kasenhis.
"We will use an Unbreakable Vow to bind you to the rules before the duel. If either of you believes that this duel is unnecessary, or that there is no need to establish this contract, you may leave now," Dumbledore announced loudly.
Neither Harry nor Thomas objected.
Dumbledore gave Kasenhis a look.
"Please grasp each other's forearms," Kasenhis said.
Harry and Thomas did as instructed.
Seeing this, Kasenhis drew his wand.
"As your witness and the referee of this duel, I will be the one to formulate the terms of your vow. Any objections?"
Harry and Thomas answered in unison.
"No."
A stream of glowing blue-green experience orbs instantly burst from the tip of Kasenhis's wand and slowly wound themselves around their arms.
Kasenhis looked at Thomas.
"Dean Thomas, do you voluntarily invite Harry James Potter to take part in a magical duel in the centre of the Great Hall this Friday, and enter into this Unbreakable Vow to bind both parties?"
Thomas nodded.
Kasenhis then turned to Harry, swapped their names, and repeated the same wording once again.
The moment both sides agreed, another stream of experience orbs poured from the tip of Kasenhis's wand and wrapped around their arms.
"As the referee, I will now establish the following rules for the duel.
"First, neither party may be absent from the duel for any reason.
"Second, this will be a fair duel. Both sides may only use their own magic, spells, and wands. No other alchemical items, magical creatures, pre-arranged traps, or assistance from anyone else are permitted.
"Third, the duel will consist of three rounds. Once all three rounds are complete, the duel must end.
"Fourth, a round will be considered over under any of the following conditions: one party is successfully disarmed and remains without their wand for more than three seconds; one party is successfully knocked down and unable to resist for more than ten seconds; or one party voluntarily surrenders by clearly and loudly saying, 'I surrender.'
"Fifth, both parties must preserve each other's dignity. No objectively or subjectively humiliating actions are permitted during the duel. Both sides must ensure the other's personal dignity and self-respect are respected."
More and more experience orbs wrapped tightly around their arms until they gradually seemed to sink into their flesh.
Finally, Kasenhis lowered his wand.
The Unbreakable Vow was complete.
"So? That wasn't too difficult, was it?" Dumbledore asked with a raised eyebrow as Kasenhis sat back down.
"Not bad. I've actually got quite a talent for being a referee," Kasenhis said happily, clearly very satisfied with the rules he had just laid out.
"Very good. Truly very good." Dumbledore nodded. "It would be even better if you returned the alcohol you stole from me."
"One thing at a time."
Kasenhis turned his head away.
...
Not long after he returned to his office, Orlant and Thomas came over.
Previously, they could have simply found an empty classroom. Hogwarts had no shortage of blackboards, desks, chairs, or enough chalk to fill sacks.
But lately, Hogwarts' curfew had become increasingly strict.
And every night, Grindelwald could randomly spawn anywhere in the castle.
It was, quite frankly, extremely dangerous.
So with nowhere else to go, a lightbulb practically appeared over Orlant's head.
I have an idea.
And he brought Thomas to Kasenhis's office.
Kasenhis generously left a lamp on for them through the long night, lent them a blackboard and some chalk, then went upstairs to sleep.
...
"...Look! Even at this hour, Professor Kasenhis still remembered to leave a light on for us. Professor really does care about us!"
Harry and Ron, hidden beneath an invisibility cloak, quietly made their way toward the Alchemy office.
Harry spoke excitedly to Ron.
"Oh, why don't you take another look?" Ron sighed helplessly and pointed toward Orlant in the distance, who was currently teaching Thomas.
"...So?" Harry froze for a moment. "What happened?"
Ron pursed his lips.
"This means... emmm... maybe the reason Professor Kasenhis left the office lights on has absolutely nothing to do with you. Perhaps he was simply providing some light for two lost young wizards so they could study magic."
Ron rubbed his chin and gave this extremely objective analysis.
"But I was here first..." Harry said, looking like he was about to cry.
"Come on, Harry. Judging by this, they probably got here more than an hour before us."
Ron helplessly patted Harry on the shoulder to comfort him.
...
(～￣▽￣)～Read 12 Chapters ahead:
Patreon: Dragonel