“Last year, we had a Christmas ball because of the Triwizards... but there won’t be one this year, right...?”
"Stop talking and start studying. Don't you know how much time is left until the exam?"
I'm working my ass off, solving exam questions like crazy, while the students are just comfortably studying for their grades and going to prom, seemingly dissatisfied. What in the world is easier than studying? I clicked my tongue and stared at their foolish behavior. If I just endured another seven years, no, six and a half years, this tedious life would be over.
"Oh, I don't know. George said these tests aren't important at all. You just need to do well on the 'O.W.L.' and 'N.E.W.T.'! So, I won't study."
"Ungh, no matter what, if you don't pass this exam, you won't be able to advance to the next grade. Then you'll have to retake first-year classes with the students entering next year, and you won't be able to take the 'O.W.L.' or 'N.E.W.T.' you mention. Right? What I'm saying is, you need to start studying right now."
“Still, I studied hard in class and still don’t know?”
It was Jeon Woong, who refused to study, and Kim Dong-hyun, who told him to stop worrying about useless things and just study. From what I've seen, Jeon Woong wasn't paying attention in class. Early in the semester, he'd pretend to listen intently, but lately, he'd openly doodling and killing time, then leave when class was over. I couldn't stand to hear Woong proudly admitting he was "attending class" intently.
"You say you listen diligently yourself. As your teacher, I don't understand. Fine, it's fine to not know. But isn't it problematic that you don't have the will to do it like you? Isn't it problematic that you tell such outrageous lies like you? If you have any objections, then state them now. If what I say is true enough for you to admit, then I think you deserve five points."
“...”
Upon hearing my words, Woong bit his lip hard and his eyes were fixed on his hands. "All Gryffindors are the same, huh?" I mentally counted to five, and of course, Woong couldn't answer. With a look of obviousness, I said, "Gryffindor, five points." Naturally, the three Gryffindors' expressions rotted, as if they'd just swallowed shit.
“...I’m sleepy.”
I wanted to sleep, but even if I just opened my eyes slightly, there were piles of assignments from students, so I couldn't sleep today. Did I give them homework for nothing? It was something I could have just ignored. According to Guinness World Records, the longest sleepless night in the Muggle world lasted eleven days. To exaggerate a bit, I was destined to break that record. I figured I couldn't do it, so I thought, "Just for a moment, just for a moment, I should go out and get some fresh air."
When I went outside, I realized I wasn't the only one sleepy. Someone was standing there. From a distance, I could tell someone was there, but I couldn't tell who it was. Given that they were out at this hour, I knew it had to be a professor. As the youngest, I didn't want to get even more tired after leaving, so I was planning on going somewhere else. But then, as if he'd noticed me, he was walking towards me. I tried to pretend not to see me, but he called out to me urgently, telling me to come over. It was Professor Dumbledore. "Oh, I should've just been doing my job." I sighed deeply and slowly walked away.
“I guess you’re still awake at this late hour.”
“There is still a lot of work to be done.”
“Is that so? You must be very busy.”
There was silence for a while. Of course. I had no reason to speak first, and it seemed like Professor Dumbledore had simply called me. I came out for nothing. I have so much to do, and I'm wasting my time...
“...Remember Remus? Why, he always hung out with Autumn.”
"yes,"
“Do you know what I’m up to these days?”
“I don’t know, I’m not even curious.”
“I asked around and it seemed like he was having a hard time because he couldn’t find a job.”
I looked at the professor, as if he couldn't understand what was going on. But he didn't seem to care and just kept talking about things like how Remus was living. I was getting tired of it and didn't want to hear any more.
"What the hell does that mean? You know I wasn't close with that kid."
“Find Remus for me, it would be a burden for me to go looking for him.”
"So, you're telling me to find that crazy guy who I don't even know where he is? I'm dying from all the school work."
I was openly complaining. Were Remus and I close? No, what kind of relationship did that bastard have? Were we in the same house? No, he was Gryffindor and I was Slytherin. We were enemies. The scars he inflicted on me are still vivid. But why should I be looking for him? Why me?
“Then should Professor McGonagall, who is over seventy, look for it? Or should I, who is well over a hundred years old, look for it?”
"This can't be happening... There are quite a few professors my age, but does it have to be me? Should I just understand that you think I'm the most trustworthy person? No, but I'm looking for Remus... I'm already stressed out about a lot of things, and you're making it even more stressful. Senior, you're really amazing. Really."
Oh, come to think of it, if you change the final consonant of the word "really," it becomes a word that perfectly expresses my feelings of "despair." I'm really going crazy...
“I hope you can find it as soon as possible.”
“...May I ask what you are looking for and what you are trying to do with it?”
"That's a secret. If you found out right now, you'd probably faint."
The mere thought of finding Remus was enough to make me faint, but what's more? It's shocking. I'm already starting to worry. Seriously, are you actually planning to put me in Azkaban? If that's the case, I welcome it.