Chapter 316: Different Choices
Chapter 316: Different Choices
Harry never imagined that he would hear the name of the company "Future World" multiple times over the next two days.
On the third morning, Harry, Ron, and Hermione hurried to the Rune Club. With only a week left, every member of the club felt a sense of urgency. Even Harry and Ron, who had previously been restrained, decided to skip the last Hogsmeade trip of the term.
Of course, this was also due to a real concern that Hermione had pointed out. "Opportunities like this don't come around often. If we don't meet the professor's expectations, not only will the professor send a letter home, but we might even lose the chance to join next year. You don't want to see Malfoy gloating, do you?"
Harry had to admit that Hermione's last sentence had successfully swayed him, and Ron felt the same way.
"Look at his arrogant attitude. He completely forgot about Buckbeak!" Ron fumed.
Yesterday, Draco Malfoy had boasted about his progress in class. Ron had chosen to counter with the news of Buckbeak's case victory, but Malfoy had no memory of the name and mockingly said, "Is this a doll you made up, little Ronnie?"
Several Slytherin students laughed, and because of George's mistake, everyone in the club now knew Ron's nickname.
...
They arrived at the Rune Club's meeting place. Hermione traced a Runic Script in the air and stuck it on the door, which opened silently. As they entered the room, the door closed automatically behind them.
Professor Heup was sitting on the sofa, chatting with Neville. Hermione, who had sharp eyes, noticed Neville hand the professor an invitation with golden and red patterns intertwined.
"I've received it, Neville", the professor said.
Neville smiled shyly at Harry and the others, then dipped his hand into the stone basin and was sucked in. Harry began to imagine the scene where Neville would land, with Professor Heup suddenly appearing.
Harry and Ron followed Neville into the space within the stone basin. Hermione stayed behind, looking at Felix with something on her mind.
"Please sit, Granger."
Hermione sat next to him. "Can I talk to you, Professor?"
"Of course. You've already completed the path they're on, and I designed the course based on your progress", Felix said with a smile. He leaned forward and let his hand sweep over the stone basin, sprinkling shimmering light from his fingertips. "Now, no one will hear our conversation."
Hermione pulled out the Time-Turner hidden under her clothes and hesitated. "Professor, do you think I should turn it in?"
"Why do you say that?"
"I broke my agreement with Professor Mcgonagall by using it for more than just studies. She trusted me so much, and if she found out—"
"Hermione Granger", Felix said more seriously, "do you think only you and I know about this? Perhaps your two good friends also know?"
Hermione's eyes widened. "Professor, you mean others know, know—?" Her hands and feet turned cold. On the day of the bridge battle, she had violated at least a hundred Ministry of Magic laws.
"Let's review what happened that day: we did deceive time, or more accurately, we filled in a piece of history."
Felix said calmly, "To wait for the scene you described, I never appeared even when they faced several crises. I observed from a distance, sometimes being less than a foot away from Harry... until your experience became everyone's experience, I then guided Harry, and he successfully cast a powerful Patronus. After that, things unfolded as they did."
Hermione nodded; the professor had explained this to her, and she agreed.
Felix continued, "But there's a loophole—my sudden appearance. Those who know you have the Time-Turner can easily deduce a lot from this small detail, such as Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor Mcgonagall..."
"What about the Ministry of Magic?" Hermione held her breath.
"Aurors probably don't know about such a confidential matter, and they can't connect it to you. But Fudge... I don't know if his power-hungry mind can figure it out, but he can't verify it", Felix said, spreading his hands.
Hermione breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
"I'm not trying to scare you, but to point out something you may have overlooked. So, if Professor Mcgonagall pretends not to know, you don't have to reveal everything, which would only make things awkward... However, I do suggest you drop some electives. You've had a tough year."
Hermione bit her lip, looking very conflicted. She began to weigh her options. She had already dropped Divination, and if she dropped one more class, she could have a normal schedule. She had already made up her mind.
She had chosen Muggle Studies because she found it fascinating to view ordinary people from a magical perspective. But after a year, the novelty had worn off, and she realized that the professor's knowledge in certain areas was no greater than hers. The textbook's views were outdated and conservative, and she had gained more from Professor Heup's books.
"Professor, I've made up my mind. I'll return the Time-Turner to Professor Mcgonagall."
Later that day, she would have the perfect opportunity—during Professor Lupin's farewell party.
...
When the day's lessons ended, Harry heard Percy and Penelope discussing something quietly as they walked out of the classroom.
"Penelope, what do you think?"
Penelope hesitated. "I want to do something meaningful. The Future World you mentioned is just a newly established company, maybe just a small shop?"
"The advertisements are quite appealing, aren't they?"
"Maybe it's just exaggeration..."
"No, look at the pay—fifty Galleons a month. That's a lot more than most Ministry of Magic employees earn. I don't even make that much—"
"I'm not choosing a job just for the money!" Penelope said, irritated.
"I know, I know, but it shows that the company is sincere and really needs people", Percy tried to persuade his girlfriend. "Don't rush into a decision, Penelope. Let's go check it out together during the holidays, in Diagon Alley..."
In the evening, Harry arrived at Professor Lupin's office.
The Defense Against the Dark Arts professor's office had moved to the third floor. Harry suspected that the original room had been destroyed during a duel between Professor Lupin and Snape. He had seen a brief glimpse of the two facing off through Professor Heup's eyes on the day of the dueling competition.
However, neither Professor Lupin nor Professor Heup would confirm it, and Harry lacked the courage to ask Snape—predictably, he would lose fifty points and face a week of detention.
Professor Lupin's office door was open. Most of his belongings were already packed. The empty tank that once housed the Grindylows stood next to his old trunk, which was almost full.
"I see you've arrived", Lupin said with a smile, pointing to a piece of parchment on the desk. Harry leaned in and realized it was the Marauder's Map. The map had come full circle, returning to its creators.
Lupin said, "Professor Heup gave it to me a few days ago. He had already cracked its secrets. Sirius Black and I both agree that it should belong to you."
"Me?" Harry said, surprised.
"You and James are both restless souls. I'm sure you, Ron, and Hermione will find good use for this map. If James's son never discovered any secret passages in the castle, James would be terribly disappointed."
"But the secret passages have been sealed off..."
"Only the ones leading to Hogsmeade", Lupin added. "The castle has many more secret passages."
Harry smiled and picked up the map, examining it closely. He couldn't find Professor Heup's name, and he grinned—Professor Heup had indeed cracked the map's secrets.
He slipped the map into his pocket and noticed a newspaper with a corner folded over. The job listing on that page caught his attention, and he read it carefully—
'Future World Welcomes Your Joining!
We are recruiting from all walks of life, regardless of background, based solely on ability. Those who excel far beyond the ordinary in any three of the following fields—Ancient Runic Script, Alchemy, Charms, Transfiguration, Magical Theory, or Muggle Studies—are invited to apply. If selected, you will receive a generous salary of fifty Galleons per month.
Our company is dedicated to practical magical research to create a better life for all wizards.
Join Future World, join the future. We look forward to your application.
Note: Due to our extensive work with Muggle items, candidates with relevant life experience will be given priority.'
Harry put down the newspaper and hesitated. "Professor Lupin, are you planning to..."
"Oh, you mean this", Lupin tied up his old trunk and looked up. "After leaving Hogwarts, I'm not sure what to do. I happened to see this information... I thought that if I could get the job, even if I only work for a few months before being dismissed, it would still be a considerable income."
Harry felt a pang of sadness for Professor Lupin. It wasn't a sudden, intense emotion, but a deep, quiet sorrow that tugged at his heart.
Professor Lupin had borne the burden of being a werewolf all his life, moving from place to place, rarely staying in one location for more than half a year. And after leaving Hogwarts, he would lose his steady supply of Wolfsbane Potion.
"You'll definitely get the job!" Harry encouraged him loudly.
Lupin was surprised for a moment, then smiled. "Don't worry about me, Harry." But he didn't offer any reasons, perhaps because there were none to give. He placed the trunk in the corner and straightened his robes. "Let's go."
(End of Chapter)
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