Early the next morning, Cedric Diggory stepped out of the Hufflepuff common room with a dozen of his housemates in tow, chatting cheerfully as they made their way to breakfast.
They hadn't even reached the Great Hall when they heard a familiar voice echoing from around the corner—raspy, but full of vigor.
"Selina, careful not to take that staircase—it turns into a dead end after seven o'clock!"
"It's still early, though," the voice continued. "You can head to the Great Hall first. If you get lost later, just come ask me!"
Turning the corner, Cedric spotted the unexpected sight: Argus Filch.
But this wasn't the surly, scowling caretaker most students avoided like a cursed artifact. This Filch had brushed off his usually dusty coat, straightened his posture, and was gently stroking Mrs. Norris, who perched contentedly on his shoulder.
At his call, the first-year students obediently adjusted course like ducklings behind a mother goose.
Meanwhile, the older students... froze.
More than one seventh-year nearly dropped their books. They blinked. Rubbed their eyes. Walked three paces. Then turned around to gawk.
Merlin's beard… what happened to Filch?!
The same man who used to threaten them with chains and mops was now… giving helpful directions?
The same man who once glared at them for stepping mud on his floor… now smiling?
Had he been replaced over the summer by a doppelgänger?
"Mr. Filch!" Cedric called out with a bright grin.
The group behind him echoed the greeting in perfect chorus, "Mr. Filch!"
Filch stiffened in surprise. In all his years at Hogwarts, never—not once—had so many students addressed him with such respect at the same time.
He looked around, half-suspecting it was a prank.
But no. Their faces were genuine. Admiring.
Moved beyond words, Filch gently placed Mrs. Norris on his shoulder and strode forward, grabbing Cedric's hand with uncharacteristic emotion.
"Thank you!" he said, voice gruff but shaking. "Thank you, lad."
Had it been a quieter corridor, he might've burst into tears then and there.
Cedric simply smiled. "You deserve it."
Turning to the rest of the group, Cedric gestured toward the caretaker and said, "Everyone, this is Mr. Filch. He's responsible for patrolling the castle and knows every secret passage and story about Hogwarts. If you're ever lost or curious, he's the man to ask."
Gasps of surprise and nods of approval rippled through the group.
"Mr. Filch, I hope you'll take care of us!" said one cheerful girl.
"I'm sure I'll be asking for help a lot!" added another.
"Hi, I'm Tyne! Do you remember me from last night?" said a short, wiry boy with sharp eyes. Cedric noted him—quick on the uptake. Let's hope he uses that brain in the right ways.
Filch looked overwhelmed. No one had spoken to him this way in years. His deeply lined face creased into something remarkably close to a warm smile.
"You kids go ahead and enjoy breakfast," he said, his voice lighter than usual. "That Peking duck Cedric taught the elves to make—fantastic stuff. Eat plenty!"
Cedric chuckled and led the group forward. Slow and steady, he thought. People's minds don't change overnight—but they can change.
After breakfast, the students dispersed to their schedules, and Hogwarts classes officially began.
All first-years were required to take seven core subjects: Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, History of Magic, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Herbology, and Astronomy.
Of these, the first six were the primary courses, while Astronomy, though mandatory, was not considered a major focus.
Cedric's Monday began with a double Potions class—paired with the Ravenclaws.
The dungeon classroom, buried deep below the castle, was far colder than the upper floors. Shelves lined the walls, filled with dusty books and jars containing odd and often grotesque ingredients—pickled livers, floating eyeballs, sludgy root mixtures.
The sight made more than one Hufflepuff tremble.
"Don't be scared," Cedric said, sensing the unease. "This place might look spooky, but it's actually one of the safest places in Hogwarts."
He turned back to the group with an encouraging grin. "Besides, Professor Snape may look strict, but he's a brilliant potioneer. Probably one of the best in the entire wizarding world."
That caught their attention. Even the Ravenclaws quieted to listen.
"Really?" one asked.
Cedric nodded, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "Actually… he's always wanted to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, but Dumbledore insists he stay in Potions because no one else matches his talent. That's how good he is."
Gasps echoed softly through the crowd. Someone whispered, "No wonder he's so serious…"
Unbeknownst to them, lurking in the shadows of the dungeon entrance was the man himself.
Professor Snape had been preparing to enter dramatically—perhaps slam the door, startle a few first-years—but now his moment was gone.
And worse: this Diggory boy had spoiled his grand entrance and his backstory!
"Diggory," Snape said softly, stepping out of the darkness.
The entire class jumped.
Snape strode to the desk like a bat gliding over a frozen lake, his robes billowing.
"Next time I hear you discussing teachers behind their backs," he said in a dangerously quiet voice, "I will deduct points. Am I understood?"
Cedric grinned sheepishly. "But Professor, I only spoke the truth. You are the best in Potions."
Snape's lips twitched—whether in amusement or frustration, no one could tell.
"Silence. Take your seats," he said, opening his roll book. "Respond when your name is called."
One by one, students answered nervously. Snape's cold demeanor and sharp tone immediately brought the room to heel.
But the order didn't last long.
Snape was halfway through explaining cauldron temperatures when Cedric's hand shot up. Again. And again.
By the third time, Snape paused mid-sentence and rubbed his temple.
"Diggory," he muttered, "I am aware that you know the answers. That does not mean you must answer every single one."
"But Professor," Cedric replied, looking genuinely puzzled, "I'm a Hufflepuff now. I have to earn points for my house!"
Snape stared at him, long and hard.
"Hufflepuff, +2," he said through clenched teeth. "You may study independently—quietly—at the front. Do not disrupt the others."
He waved his wand, and with a flick, a desk near the podium separated itself from the rest of the classroom.
Out of sight, out of mind.
"Thank you, sir!" Cedric beamed and skipped cheerfully to his new seat.
The rest of the lesson passed in relative peace. But between periods, Cedric wasn't done.
"Professor Snape?" he said, approaching the desk during the short break. "You're not really going to leave me stuck at +2 for the whole year, are you?"
Snape raised an eyebrow. "You expect more?"
"Well, yeah! I mean, there are two Potions classes every week. That's over 40 sessions in a year. Two points per class is... uninspired."
Snape narrowed his eyes. "What are you suggesting?"
"I propose a deal," Cedric grinned. "An annual subscription."
Snape blinked. "A what?"
"Fifty points," Cedric said. "Flat rate. For the entire year. I participate, don't disrupt the others, and you don't get annoyed by my hand constantly in the air."
Snape regarded him with something almost like reluctant admiration.
"This isn't a Quidditch bet, Diggory," he muttered.
"But it is house points economics," Cedric replied. "In Harry Potter's first year, Gryffindor won the House Cup with 472 points. That's about 78 per subject. So if I target 50 per core class, and other students pitch in a bit, Hufflepuff has a real shot."
Snape stared at him.
This boy… is either brilliant or insufferable. Possibly both.
"Fine," Snape said slowly. "Fifty points. But no more than two per class. And no interruptions."
Cedric grinned. "Deal!"
As he turned to return to his seat, Snape called after him. "Diggory."
"Yes, Professor?"
"If I regret this arrangement," he said darkly, "you will too."
Cedric just chuckled. "Understood, sir. Thank you, Professor."
And with that, he rejoined the class—quiet, respectful, and with a secret smile on his face
.
One subject down, he thought. Five more to go.
---
------------------
Visit our Patreon for more:
patreon.com/Johnwick007