Click.
With a heavy sound, the oak door bearing the griffin knocker slowly swung open.
Carrying his suitcase, William descended the spiral staircase. As soon as he rounded the corner, he found two people already waiting in the corridor.
They were speaking quietly—Professor Flitwick, small in stature, and the stern-faced Professor McGonagall.
"Oh, it seems our new colleague has finished," McGonagall said, adjusting her glasses as she looked at William. "You had barely entered the Headmaster's office when Filius rushed to find me and asked whether you had arrived."
William immediately quickened his pace and approached the wizard who barely reached an average person's waist in height.
Without the slightest air of formality, he crouched down naturally and gave him a warm, friendly hug.
"Long time no see, Professor Flitwick."
As Head of Ravenclaw, Flitwick had always regarded William as one of the finest students of his teaching career. Seeing his former pupil return filled the part-goblin professor with delight; his face flushed red as he laughed in a high voice.
"Haha, Minerva was right—it truly has been a long time, William!"
After the embrace, Flitwick continued smiling as he looked him up and down.
"I must say, your performance at the 1983 All-England Wizarding Duelling Championship was absolutely brilliant. A champion in your early twenties—that's nearly unprecedented! It's a pity I couldn't attend in person."
"It was just luck, Professor," William replied modestly. "The war had ended only a few years earlier. Many true veterans didn't compete. If we're talking prestige, your duelling championship in your youth is far more convincing."
The compliment made Flitwick beam with delight; even his little moustache seemed to perk up.
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, William suddenly changed the subject.
"By the way, Professors—could you tell me where Mr. Filch's office is? I need to speak with him."
"Argus?" McGonagall and Flitwick both blinked in surprise. New professors usually visited the staffroom or the Great Hall first—who would look for the caretaker right away?
"William has just shown me some very interesting inventions."
Dumbledore's voice drifted down from the staircase as he approached, blue eyes gleaming.
"I believe these will help us address some long-standing disciplinary issues—and they further confirm that inviting William to teach Alchemy was a wise decision."
McGonagall and Flitwick exchanged curious glances.
---
A short while later, on the castle's ground floor.
Inside the dim caretaker's office, Argus Filch sat in a creaking wooden chair. He held a stack of yellowed disciplinary records while stroking the bony cat on the desk.
"…Dungbombs in the corridor, detention for a week… I can tell already, Mrs. Norris, this year's first-years will be just as dreadful…"
The door suddenly swung open.
Filch whipped around, cloudy eyes glaring—then froze when he saw the tall, handsome wizard leading the group inside.
Instinct told him he recognized that face. A face tied to unpleasant memories. But this person shouldn't be here—not now.
Filch hesitated, raising a thin finger.
"William… Shafiq?"
"Your memory is excellent, Mr. Filch." William smiled and stepped inside without minding the faint smell of fried fish. "But from today onward, I think 'Professor Shafiq' would be more appropriate."
"Pro… Professor?" Filch gaped, eyes nearly popping out.
"Yes, Argus," Dumbledore explained warmly. "William is our new Professor of Alchemy, and he will also be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts."
"He has brought some alchemical items to help you enforce the school rules more effectively."
At the mention of enforcing rules, color instantly returned to Filch's pale face.
---
Back in the corridor, William raised his left hand and brushed the antique silver ring on his index finger.
A flash of light burst out.
A finely carved stone bust appeared in his hand.
"An Undetectable Extension Charm… fixed into such a small object?" McGonagall's eyes lit up. "An alchemical storage ring? Those are quite rare."
"It took some effort," William replied casually.
With a flick of his wand, the stone bust flew upward and fixed itself high on the corridor wall. With a faint click, it fused seamlessly into the architecture, looking like an original castle ornament.
Next, William produced a thick book engraved with complex alchemical runes. Opening it, he showed the first page.
Instead of text, a moving image appeared.
It displayed the corridor in real time—showing the very group gathered there. As they looked up at the statue, their counterparts in the book did the same.
"Merlin's beard…" Flitwick whispered, standing on tiptoe to see better. "Portraits can monitor the castle, of course, but this is far clearer—and the viewing angles are much better."
"Portraits have minds of their own," William explained with a smile. "They visit each other, sleep, drink, and sometimes lie to protect students from their own House."
"They usually report only major incidents. Small matters like sneaking out or casting spells in corridors often go ignored."
He turned to Filch.
"But these alchemical statues are different. They have no emotions, need no rest, and cannot be bribed. They will faithfully monitor the castle twenty-four hours a day."
"From today onward, Mr. Filch, you won't need to roam the corridors with a lantern. This book will allow you to sit in your office, drink tea, and observe every corridor in the castle. If someone breaks the rules—you strike precisely."
Filch stared at the book as if it were priceless treasure, his eyes shining with fanatic excitement at the thought of endless detentions.
"Professor Shafiq," McGonagall said, impressed but practical, "Hogwarts is enormous. Covering all corridors with these statues would require an immense number."
"No need to worry."
William smiled confidently and motioned everyone back.
He brushed the silver ring again.
Rumble—!
A landslide of grey shapes poured out of the ring. Within seconds, a small mountain of stone statues filled half the corridor, nearly burying the diminutive Flitwick.
Facing their stunned expressions, William dusted off imaginary dirt and turned to the frozen Filch with a cheerful smile.
"Mr. Filch, you may begin work. Please hang a statue every twenty metres throughout all corridors. Place extras in blind spots and corners to ensure no gaps."
"Oh, and only in public areas like corridors and staircases. Avoid bathrooms and dormitories. The students would protest."
He paused, then added thoughtfully.