Chapter 5: Decision Finalized
Chapter 5: Decision Finalized
Chapter 5: Decision Finalized
The Headmaster's Office fell silent once again.
After a long moment, Dumbledore seemed to regain his composure and had made his decision.
Dumbledore chose his words carefully, "I'm sorry, Felix, but Professor Burbage has no intention of retiring..."
Felix's face showed his disappointment.
"However", Dumbledore quickly added, "it's clear that you excel in Ancient Runes."
"Yes, Headmaster", Felix replied, a glimmer of hope rising in his eyes as he fixed his gaze on Dumbledore.
The elderly man didn't prolong the suspense and got straight to the point, "I would like you to teach Ancient Runes. Are you willing to do so?"
"Of course, I am!" Felix blurted out, then slowed his speech, "Yes, I am willing. But what about Professor Babbling..."
"Aha, Bathsheda", Dumbledore seemed to sigh, then explained, "She has served Hogwarts for over fifty years. In recent years, she has been hoping for a break to see how the world has changed."
"A break? You mean I would be a temporary replacement for Ancient Runes? For a year? Or a semester?" Felix frowned slightly. This wasn't what he had in mind.
Hogwarts' library was incredibly rich, and becoming a professor would offer many advantages. He wanted more than just a year or two; at least five to ten years, if possible.
Dumbledore chuckled, his silver beard trembling, and he pointed out earnestly, "Felix, Professor Babbling isn't a pure wizard. She has a magical lineage, which means—she perceives time differently from us."
Other bloodlines? Felix recalled Professor Babbling's appearance; she hadn't changed much from the day he entered Hogwarts to the day he graduated.
Was she a half-breed? A mix with another humanoid race?
It was a possibility. The wizarding world had no shortage of such beings. The most common were half-human, half-giant, mermaid, dwarf, or goblin. As far as he knew, there were several at the school.
Before he could reach a conclusion, Dumbledore continued, "To Professor Babbling, taking a break for ten or twenty years is quite normal. In fact, when she complained to me about not having a break, she recommended several people to replace her, and you, Felix, were one of them."
Felix was enlightened. He and Professor Babbling had a good relationship. Although he couldn't choose Ancient Runes in his sixth and seventh years, he had continued to learn on his own and often sought her advice, even after graduation.
In fact, apart from Dumbledore, Professor Babbling was the only professor who had maintained regular contact with him after he graduated.
Dumbledore added, "Your arrival will make Professor Babbling very happy. She has accumulated many wishes to fulfill, enough to fill a whole parchment."
Seeing such a good opportunity, Felix nodded eagerly in agreement.
As he walked out of the Headmaster's Office, Felix let out a long sigh of relief. The interview had its ups and downs, but the outcome was positive. He was finally back in this place.
The heart of the British wizarding world—Hogwarts. This time, as a professor.
He calmed his mind and returned to Professor Mcgonagall's office, just in time to see a Phoenix Patronus dissipate. It dawned on him that Dumbledore must have informed Professor Mcgonagall of the decision through the Patronus.
Sure enough, Professor Mcgonagall adjusted her glasses, "I've received Dumbledore's message, Felix. No, I should call you Professor Hup now."
"You can still call me Felix. I will always be your student."
Professor Mcgonagall sniffed slightly, "Professor Snape might not be too pleased."
Felix scratched his head, remembering how he had often infuriated Snape in the past. However, Mcgonagall quickly moved on from the topic. She waved her wand, and a dozen or so parchments flew out from a large cabinet, neatly stacked, reflecting her serious and meticulous nature.
"These are your schedule, student list, duties and privileges, and a list of items to purchase. Of course, the most urgent matter is whether you need to make any changes to the textbooks?"
"Textbooks?" Felix asked, somewhat puzzled.
"Exactly, textbooks", Mcgonagall repeated. "Many professors have their own teaching philosophies, and in principle, Hogwarts encourages this. Therefore, they can decide their own teaching methods, the ratio of theory to practice, and, of course, the selection of textbooks."
She glanced at him. "I know you also wrote a book on Ancient Runes."
Felix understood and, after a moment's consideration, decided not to make any changes. "Professor Babbling's textbook is excellent. I benefited greatly from it when I was a student."
"Alright", Mcgonagall seemed indifferent to his decision, but Felix heard her murmur something under her breath. Her voice was too low for him to catch, but it seemed to involve another professor.
"If only... Professor so-and-so were like that..."
Felix didn't press the issue. As a new professor, he didn't want to stir up trouble before officially starting his job.
Being a Slytherin, he had a strong sense of purpose in everything he did.
After a moment, Professor Mcgonagall looked up at Felix, who remained still. "Professor Hup, you can go. We will send you the formal contract and start date. Any additional information will be included in the letter."
Felix smiled. "Professor Mcgonagall, I would like to do more preparation. You know, while I have made some achievements in magic, I am still young and lack teaching experience. Your guidance would be invaluable to me."
Felix thought he saw a smile from Mcgonagall, or perhaps it was a twitch of her lips. He had heard that people who often wore stern expressions were prone to facial paralysis.
Felix's mind wandered with whimsical thoughts.
"Felix, you are always so polite", Mcgonagall remarked, seemingly touched, but she stopped her work to address him. "What do you want to know?"
"I would like to review the student information, such as their academic performance, the number of students in each year and house, and any notable or famous young wizards. It would be even better if there were evaluations for each student."
Mcgonagall glanced at him, silently waved her wand, and the door of a large cabinet creaked open. Scrolls of parchment flew out. Felix quickly drew his wand and gently waved it, transforming a quill on the table into a long desk.
Mcgonagall understood and stacked the scrolls on the desk. "Very good Transfiguration."
"It's all thanks to your teaching", Felix replied humbly.
"I remember your Transfiguration grades weren't particularly high in the first three years."
Felix blushed. Back then, he was busy challenging the seventh-year Slytherins and didn't have much time to practice Transfiguration. He only did the bare minimum.
It wasn't until later that he picked it up again.
Mcgonagall didn't dwell on his grades, understanding Felix's situation at the time. Honestly, she had always had reservations about the Sorting Hat's decision, often thinking Felix should have been placed in Gryffindor.
Just for that reckless, cough, brave spirit, who would believe he wasn't a Gryffindor?
Even among the Gryffindor Lions, he was the most reckless!
"These are the materials you requested, though they don't include evaluations. As for notable young wizards, I can only provide names from Gryffindor House."
"That's very helpful", Felix said, not being picky.
"Sixth-year Oliver Wood and Percy Weasley, fourth-year Alicia Spinnet and Angelina Johnson, and second-year Hermione Granger", Mcgonagall added, pursing her lips. "And of course, the Weasley twins, Fred and George Weasley. Goodness, if they put half the energy they spend on pranks into their studies..."
"Only these? I remember Harry Potter, the famous one, started here, right? Isn't he in Gryffindor?" Felix asked, curious. The name was well-known to him from both his past and present lives.
"Harry..." Mcgonagall seemed even more conflicted at the mention of the name.
(End of Chapter)
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