"It's me."
Even though he knew this was supposed to be a serious moment, Avada could barely suppress the upward twitch of his lips. The corners of his eyes kept betraying him anyway, thoroughly exposing his mood.
Back then, Mr. Shafiq had meant well—covering up his identity and casually pulling off a dramatic reveal in the process. But in third year, that very speech had nearly turned Avada's life upside down.
If Tom Riddle hadn't been so desperate to kill him that he exposed a flaw—allowing Avada to uncover the truth in time—and if Baron, Harry, and Luna hadn't delivered perfectly timed support, then by the time Dumbledore finished dealing with matters on his end, Hogwarts might have been practically wiped out.
So now, hearing those same words come out of his own mouth and returning them to their original speaker—while watching Mr. Shafiq stare at him in stunned disbelief—
The feeling was indescribably satisfying.
"How are you here?"
Mr. Shafiq still stared at him as though he were seeing a ghost. "Shouldn't you be… be…"
"Wonderful magic, Mr. Shafiq."
Avada fought down a grin. "Don't worry. I'm not neglecting either side."
"You… you're Ken?!"
Professor Benjamin Baker suddenly stumbled backward several steps, staring at him as though he were a monster. Doubt in his eyes rapidly gave way to certainty.
"You know about my Horcrux. You know Baron. You're familiar with my combat style. You predicted my spells perfectly in battle. A taboo name. And 'not neglecting either side'… Merlin's beard, it really is you?"
"…It's been a while, Professor."
Avada instantly felt awkward. He hadn't expected Professor Baker to react so quickly—he had been putting on an act for quite a while just now.
"You can stand here like this… How did you manage it? A Horcrux with independent consciousness? Or—"
"It was the technique you taught me."
He remembered that Professor Baker had once said "dual casting" was his signature move, so he didn't state it outright in front of Mr. Shafiq. "I made a few improvements to it, Professor."
"…Merlin above."
Professor Baker stared at him blankly for a long moment. "It's only been a few years, and you've already progressed this far… I was right about you."
"It's thanks to you, Professor. If you hadn't entrusted me with that book, I wouldn't have advanced so quickly."
"You opened that book?"
Professor Baker smiled. "When?"
"Right at the start of second year."
"…"
The smile vanished from Professor Baker's face.
"Good heavens… that's hard to imagine…"
Mr. Shafiq even had to steady himself against the doorframe. "How's Baron doing lately?"
"Not too well, Mr. Shafiq."
Avada deliberately adopted a grave expression, startling him. "Gryffindor's Seeker, Harry, somehow got hold of a Firebolt. Baron's been furious about it. He's practically thrown all his free time into Quidditch training—he doesn't want to lose too badly on the pitch."
"…"
"Ahem—by the way, I mentioned to him recently about the large-scale recruitment for installing Anti-Apparition Wards. He said he'd write to you. Did you receive the letter?"
"I received it a few days ago, but I haven't had time to reply. I've been rather busy."
Mr. Shafiq visibly relaxed, the last trace of mental vigilance fading away. "Meeting like this is coincidence upon coincidence… What are you planning to do this time?"
"Investigate the pure-blood families, sir."
Avada answered honestly. "They suffered a major setback last year. They won't let it go. And Dumbledore publicly revealed what I did—so they all remember me now. Even for my own sake, I need to find out their next moves. Besides… I want to do something for magical society."
"That sounds like him."
Mr. Shafiq snorted lightly. "Dumbledore probably doesn't know you can come out like this, does he?"
"He doesn't. This is my own private operation."
"Good."
Mr. Shafiq turned to Professor Baker. "I believe your old idea can be advanced ahead of schedule. He's already outstanding enough, isn't he?"
Professor Baker nodded silently.
"So, Mr. Shafiq, Professor Baker…"
Now that his identity had been revealed and the atmosphere had eased, Avada finally gave voice to the question that had been burning in his mind.
"What exactly is this place? Who are you people? That Tuft earlier—he's the former Minister for Magic, isn't he? And Belby, Trimb… Those powerful Dark wizards recorded in that book—were they all killed through your joint efforts?"
"So many powerful witches and wizards gathered together… What are you trying to accomplish?"
"That," Mr. Shafiq said with a pleased smile, "is precisely what we're about to tell you."
"You explain it to him, Benjamin. The Headmistress should be at home right now, but it's rather late—you can visit her tomorrow. I still have matters to attend to, as you know."
"Very well, Mr. Shafiq—we'll take our leave."
Professor Baker watched as Mr. Shafiq stepped back into the archive room and closed the door once more. Then he turned to Avada with a faint smile.
"Let's go to my office. It's just along this corridor. We can talk as we walk. Ken… no, I suppose I should call you Nathan now."
"With pleasure, Professor."
"Then let me answer your first question—what is this place?"
As they walked, Professor Baker wore his familiar enigmatic smile once more.
"This is a university. A place that offers young witches and wizards—those who are already seventeen and have graduated from magical school—the opportunity to continue systematic study. As far as we know, it may well be the first magical university in the world."
"Nobby Leach University."
"Nobby Leach?"
Avada's solid knowledge of wizarding history allowed him to recall the name immediately. "Britain's first Muggle-born Minister for Magic? The one who resigned in 1968 due to illness?"
"That's him."
There was unmistakable admiration in Professor Baker's eyes. "He founded this school and served as its first headmaster. After his passing, we unanimously decided to name the university after him in his memory."
"At first, he simply witnessed superior teaching models in Muggle society and resolved to bring that approach into the magical world. But in the process, he gained a much deeper understanding of this society. As a result, the purpose of the school he founded went far beyond education alone. Before becoming Minister for Magic—and afterward as well—he did many things to realize that goal… We'll discuss those later. For now, you need to understand the present situation."
"Clearly, I'm a professor here. The Trimb, Belby, and Tuft you heard about—yes, he truly is a former Minister for Magic—are my colleagues. Mr. Shafiq sits on the Board of Governors. And as for the current headmistress… you should know her as well."
"Who is it?"
Avada urged him impatiently.
"Miranda Goshawk."
(End of Chapter)