Chapter 3: The Interview
Chapter 3: The Interview
July 21st, 10:00 AM.
Felix was dressed formally, standing by the fireplace. He sprinkled a handful of Floo Powder and shouted, "Hogwarts Deputy Headmaster's Office." A burst of green flames enveloped him, and he vanished.
In the Hogwarts Deputy Headmaster's Office, Professor Mcgonagall was sternly organizing school documents.
The renowned Transfiguration professor, known for her strict demeanor, usually maintained an expressionless face, but today she was in a good mood. Gryffindor House had won the House Cup after a long drought, and the joy of the Gryffindor Head of House lingered.
"Whoosh!"
A flicker of emerald flames erupted from the fireplace, and a young, well-mannered man stepped out.
Felix glanced around, noting that nothing had changed. It felt like ages! He smiled warmly at Mcgonagall, "Professor Mcgonagall, hello, it's been a long time."
Professor Mcgonagall pursed her lips, a sign that her mood was either rapidly deteriorating or shifting into professional mode. "It has been a long time, Felix."
She had been one of his professors, and her feelings towards this famous student were complex, though not in the same way as Professor Snape's.
Before the long-awaited House Cup, Gryffindor had suffered a painful seven-year losing streak, and Felix had played a significant role in that.
For the first three years, Felix's academic environment was so harsh that he had to fight back, resulting in many points being deducted. In the following years, after he forced himself to mingle with the snakes, he seemed to finally realize he was a Slytherin student and should fight for his house's honor.
The subsequent years could be summed up in one phrase: "Glory to Slytherin."
...
Felix walked forward and checked his watch, "I hope I haven't missed the interview."
Professor Mcgonagall was jolted out of her reverie. She stood up and led him to the Headmaster's Office, uttering the password, "Chocolate Frog." As Felix entered, she added, "Your books are impressive. It seems these three years have been productive for you."
"Thank you, Professor Mcgonagall." He paused for a moment, then smiled and ascended the steps.
It hadn't been a wasted three years since graduation. After his first job application failed, he had reflected deeply, suspecting that his tumultuous student life might have been a factor. Following Headmaster Dumbledore's advice, he decided to "travel and explore more."
He spent a year traveling through the Wizarding World and the remaining two years working in the Muggle world, studying Muggles.
The results were significant. In three years, he had written three books: two on Muggle Studies and one on ancient runes. He had also accumulated a considerable fortune.
After climbing the long staircase, Felix entered the Headmaster's Office, which was filled with various books, alchemical artifacts, and portraits of past Hogwarts headmasters lining the walls.
On one side of the headmaster's desk, a Phoenix was dozing with its eyes closed.
Dumbledore was bent over his desk, engrossed in some research. The office was unusually quiet.
"Headmaster Dumbledore, good morning", Felix greeted. His voice brought the room to life.
The portraits opened their eyes, looking at Felix, whispering and pointing.
One of the portraits was particularly dramatic, "Ha! The best Slytherin has arrived!"
The man in the portrait had a goatee and long, thin eyebrows, wearing a Slytherin robe. He was Phineas Nigellus Black, a former Hogwarts headmaster and Slytherin alumnus, voted the least popular by students.
Felix bowed gracefully.
At that moment, Headmaster Dumbledore finally looked up. He had a distinctive appearance: silver-white beard trailing down to his chest, a slightly disheveled robe, and half-moon spectacles.
But nothing compared to his eyes, which were incredibly bright, his deep blue irises seemingly sparkling.
Felix felt a bit dazed. Time had left few marks on the headmaster, yet it seemed to have left many.
"Ah, ah! It's Felix", Dumbledore stood up and strode over, his movements agile. "I've been waiting for you."
Felix shook hands with the headmaster somewhat awkwardly. After all, he was here for a job interview, and he had been rejected three times already.
They sat down in chairs, and Dumbledore looked at him through his thin glasses while waving his wand. "Would you like something to drink? Pumpkin juice? Tea?" He then winked. "I also have fresh butterbeer."
"A cup of tea, thank you."
Dumbledore waved his wand, and a steaming cup of tea floated to Felix's side. Felix took a small sip. A bitter taste filled his mouth and nose; it was old tea. It seemed the headmaster didn't often drink tea.
"Sybill gave me this tea. I can't really tell the difference, but she says it comes from a distant Eastern land."
Liar!
Felix thought to himself, at least one of them must be a liar.
After the tea, the conversation began to get to the point.
"Felix, you've done exceptionally well these past few years. I've been reading your works, and I must say, your approach to Muggle Studies is both novel and profound... it has given this old man many ideas."
Felix smiled. "Thanks to your advice, the world of Muggles is truly fascinating, especially in recent decades, with their rapid development. As for my works... perhaps it's because I am a Muggle-born, I have a deeper understanding of them."
Dumbledore shook his head. "Your background doesn't diminish your efforts. The Wizarding World has many Muggle-borns, but few are as skilled in Muggle Studies as you. Most only have a deeper understanding of some basic knowledge, which is far from true comprehension."
Of course, in my past life, I was a pure Muggle.
Dumbledore waved his wand, and a book flew from his desk. The title was The Struggle of Muggles, one of Felix's works. He was a bit surprised; it seemed Dumbledore had been reading his book all along.
"This book has been very inspiring to me. I've read it more than once, especially your approach from the history of technology—yes, that's the term. You explain how Muggles have evolved from beings akin to wild animals over millions of years to their current state. It's a miracle, indeed."
"You also point out that Muggles' technological levels have experienced rapid advancements at regular intervals, with the time between these leaps becoming shorter. You even predict the next leap is not far off—very insightful!" Dumbledore praised his work.
Felix humbly replied, "This perspective isn't my own. In fact, many Muggle sociologists—Muggle scholars studying Muggles—have helped me a great deal with their works."
Dumbledore calmly said, "Many Muggles are equally wise, but few in the magical world acknowledge this."
"I agree, Professor Dumbledore."
Dumbledore then winked, seemingly moving past the topic. "So, you must have read a lot of Muggle works. To be honest, many of my Christmas gifts are books. They seem to think I prefer books. But I've read most of them. Compared to that, I prefer a pair of woolen socks."
"Of course, if the book is from the Muggle world, I wouldn't refuse it."
A blatant hint...
At least he knew what to get for Christmas gifts...
"Yes, even though they don't have magic, some of them spend years, even decades, writing a book to explain a single issue or theory", Felix said softly. "It's very challenging. And therefore, very precious."
Dumbledore looked pleased. "It seems you've truly gained a lot these past few years." He then suddenly asked another question, "So, why are you so determined to teach at Hogwarts?"
(End of Chapter)
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