https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1632-A-War-Without-Victors-Eighty-Two-/12529392/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1634-A-War-with-No-Victors-Eighty-Four-/12529397/
Chapter 1633: A War Without Victors (Eighty-Three)
Chapter 1633: A War Without Victors (Eighty-Three)
Albert truly had no interest in fame, and as Hagrid had said, he was already quite well-known. However, the notoriety he had gained from killing Voldemort was not something he relished, as he was not one who enjoyed violence and bloodshed. He would much rather have achieved worldwide fame like Miranda Goshawk, but without the association of taking lives.
"You're writing a textbook on Defense Against the Dark Arts?" Hermione blinked in curiosity. This was the first she had heard of it.
"It was something Dumbledore requested of me before he passed away."
Albert glanced at Sprout and Hagrid, who were listening intently, and calmly explained to the three of them, "You must have heard some of the rumors about the Defense Against the Dark Arts position, right?"
"You mean the rumors about the position being cursed?" Professor Sprout was indeed aware of some of the whispers.
"I heard about it from Harry," Hermione shared what she knew. "Apparently, about fifty years ago, Voldemort applied to become the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, but Dumbledore rejected him outright. This angered Voldemort, and he placed a curse on the position, ensuring that no Defense Against the Dark Arts professor could hold the post at Hogwarts for more than a single term."
"That's more or less what happened," Albert nodded in agreement with Hermione's summary, then added, "The curse lost its power and faded away after Voldemort's death, just like the lightning-bolt scar on Harry Potter's forehead. I believe Harry's scar stopped hurting after Voldemort perished."
"Now that you mention it, I'm not sure about that," Hermione furrowed her brows in thought. "But lately, Harry hasn't mentioned anything about his scar acting up."
"So, the rumor was true," Professor Sprout sighed. "Who would have thought that a wizard's curse could be so powerful?"
"It depends on the wizard's proficiency in dark magic, and most curses do weaken over time after the caster's death," Albert had studied curses and understood their nature. "Voldemort was an exception, and most wizards couldn't achieve that level of curse."
"How come you know so much? Is divination really that amazing?" Hagrid mumbled.
"It has nothing to do with divination," Albert chuckled. "The more people you know, the more information you gather. Now, thanks to me, you know the reason behind the curse on the Defense Against the Dark Arts position."
"Is that how it is?"
"Yes, Dumbledore believed that after Voldemort's death, the position would return to normal, but it still needed someone to steer it back on course."
Albert's agreement to take on this task wasn't out of any sense of greatness, but rather a mutual exchange of benefits with Dumbledore.
"Dumbledore really was something else," Hagrid said, full of admiration for the late headmaster's foresight, even if he didn't fully understand it all.
Ignoring Hagrid, Albert turned to Hermione and said, "If you're interested in helping with the Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook, you can join me next semester."
"Me?" Hermione was taken aback.
"Of course," Albert replied. "I started helping with the 'Introduction to Basic Runes' textbook back in my first year." There was some showing off in his words, but they were nonetheless true.
"You can work on revising the lower-grade textbooks. Cedric has been helping with that, but I expect he'll be busy once school starts. You can share the workload with him. It won't interfere with your studies, and it will be a nice addition to your resume."
"I'd be happy to help," Hermione said, smiling brightly. She understood that this was one of the perks of being Albert's partner—he was helping her build her resume, and it provided a convenient excuse for their secret meetings.
"As for royalties, you'll only get a token amount," Albert said after a moment's thought. "I promised Cedric twenty percent, and if you truly are of assistance, I can give you five percent."
"You're quite generous," Professor Sprout said, impressed. She knew that the opportunity to contribute to a Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook was an enticing prospect that many would envy.
"Not really," Albert shook his head. "The truth is, it's a lot of work, and if I were to do it alone, it would take at least two or three years, leaving me no time for anything else. The best solution is to get a group of people to help." He was being honest. "Isobel was a huge help in getting the upper-grade sections done so quickly."
"Actually, I also invited Professor Moody, but he refused, saying he didn't want to go through that ordeal again. However, he did offer me a lot of advice in his reply, as did Dumbledore's portrait. If Dumbledore were still alive, he would have been the ideal person to lead this project, given how long he served as a professor and his profound understanding of what students need to know about Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Were you serious about what you said earlier?"
When they were alone, Hermione brought up Albert's earlier suggestion.
"About you helping with the Defense Against the Dark Arts textbook?" Albert raised an eyebrow. "I can't think of a better cover, and you'll get to build your resume and earn some Galleons along the way. It won't be a huge amount, but over time, it will add up. I'm confident that the 'Guide to Defense Against the Dark Arts' won't pale in comparison to Miranda Goshawk's 'Book of Spells'."
"Then I should really thank you for your consideration."
Hermione bit her lip lightly. She didn't need these perks, but she happily accepted Albert's offer, finding it heartwarming.
"I heard about what happened last time," Albert suddenly brought up another matter.
"To be honest, I was angry," Hermione admitted, making a face.
"That's understandable," Albert said, knowing girls tended to be sensitive about such matters. "But you don't have to pay too much attention to what they say. If you opened a beauty shop, for example, you'd be a beautiful owner, and customers would be more inclined to believe in your products. That's why owners like that tend to spend a lot of time on their appearance, as it brings in more business."
Hermione's mood brightened considerably. Yes, she didn't have as much time to devote to her appearance.
And she had never considered herself ugly, a sentiment Albert shared, which made her feel comforted.
(End of Chapter)
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