In the professor's chamber.
Felix Harp sat there, watching this scene unfold. He felt rather perplexed; had he really done anything terrifying? Why were the Slytherin students so afraid of him? He had been cultivating his character since his sixth year, and these young wizards were, at most, second years. This felt like a smear on his reputation!
If this got out, it would be like a mob boss infiltrating the school disguised as a new, adorable teacher.
The other professors also exchanged curious glances. Most of them had witnessed Felix's "Glorious Seventh Year," though they had graduated three years ago. To maintain such power was truly admirable!
The way they were looking at him made Felix want to punch someone! Dumbledore, on the other hand, maintained his usual cheerful demeanor, as if everything that had just transpired was perfectly normal.
Although time seemed to crawl for Felix, he continued to act as though nothing had happened, engaging in awkward small talk with Lockhart.
Bang, bang, bang!
A thunderous knocking echoed, and the grand doors swung open, revealing a giant entering the room. Behind him, a line of first-year students trailed like quails.
Professor McGonagall, who had previously left, returned. She guided the new students to small stools and placed the tattered Sorting Hat on each stool.
In the next instant, the Sorting Hat burst into song.
Felix couldn't help but smirk; it was still as eccentric as ever...
Once the annual song concluded, the Sorting Hat began its sorting, and one by one, the young wizards donned the hat, awaiting their destiny.
Oh, the memories!
Sorting complete, the entire school began to enjoy their dinner. However, Felix noticed that Professor Snape hadn't returned yet, and no professor mentioned him. Well, Professor Snape's social standing wasn't exactly impressive...
Thankfully, Snape made a midway appearance, putting Felix's worries to rest. The professor hadn't been abducted by some unknown monster, after all.
However, Snape took Professor McGonagall with him. What magical development was this?
Felix let his imagination roam. He was in high spirits, finding even the sight of the translucent Nearly Headless Nick delightful.
A while later, McGonagall and Snape returned. Felix hurried over and pulled McGonagall aside, explaining the teaching techniques he had devised for his upcoming lessons.
"A public lecture?" Professor McGonagall repeated with a hint of skepticism in her gaze.
"Yes, after all, I am a new professor. The first class is vital, and I've spent a lot of time preparing during the holidays. It's a shame to divide it into five different years."
"But if you gather all five years together, they won't learn much."
Felix explained, "My first class doesn't involve any theoretical knowledge. It's a demonstration class— they just need to watch with their eyes. My goal is to showcase the wonders of ancient magical scripts. If they're interested, the rest will be easier to teach."
McGonagall pursed her lips, not fond of breaking traditions. Still, she inquired, "On which day do you plan to hold this public lecture?"
"Thursday afternoon!"
"Very well, I agree." Professor McGonagall displayed a touch of the Deputy Headmistress in her.
"Um..." Felix felt a bit awkward.
"Any other questions, Mr. Harp?"
"Call me Felix," he quickly responded. "Thursday afternoon is a carefully chosen time, but there is a scheduling conflict with one class."
McGonagall sighed. "Whose class is it?"
"Professor Snape's."
McGonagall's eyes widened, and she gave him a stern look. "I'll speak to him about this!"
Felix breathed a sigh of relief.
And so, they dined and dined, continuing their meals...
When everyone had eaten their fill, Headmaster Dumbledore stood up and, under his guidance, everyone sang the school song together before dispersing entirely!
Felix Harp, having eaten and drunk his fill, was prepared to return to his professor's office, watch a movie, and then sleep.
In the upcoming week, all he had to do was prepare for the public lecture. Was there even much to prepare for? Tomorrow, off to the library he'd go! Oh dear Hogwarts Library, how I've missed you!
His daydream was interrupted, this time by Professor McGonagall pulling him aside.
They walked to a corner where three young wizards were already waiting—two boys and a girl, all wearing Gryffindor robes.
Upon approaching, Felix found the situation more interesting. The two boys looked exactly alike, both with furrowed brows, apparently troubled for some reason; as for the girl, he had met her during the summer.
His suspicions were forming.
Were these the assistant candidates he had discussed with Professor McGonagall? In that case, were they the Weasley twins and Hermione Granger?
Indeed, Professor McGonagall first introduced both parties, then named Felix's "assistant (tool)" requirement.
Judging by their reactions, the twins seemed somewhat uninterested, while Hermione Granger appeared to be a bit intrigued but still somewhat reserved.
Surely, being a temporary worker didn't hold much allure?
No, that wouldn't do...
Felix decided he needed to say something; he believed that after he was done speaking, they'd have a complete change of attitude.
Time for my next move!
Felix shot a glance at Professor McGonagall, then cleared his throat a couple of times. He looked at the three young wizards and gently began, "Greetings, I am your newly appointed Professor of Ancient Runes," with a quick glance at Hermione, "possibly your future professor."
Hermione seemed a bit reserved, but the twins were bolder. One of them asked enthusiastically, "Professor, did you really conquer the entire Slytherin House during your time as a student? And did you drive away the Shafiq family?"
Well, Felix was a full seven years older than the twins. He graduated and they began, a seamless transition, a perfect missed connection.
Quite audacious... Felix was rather surprised.
He chose not to address that directly and instead brushed it off lightly, "Hogwarts is known for its bizarre rumors. During my time, I also heard a rumor about a teleportation gate on the eighth floor that connects to Hogmorts!"
Unexpectedly, the twins were visibly disappointed. Professor McGonagall rolled her eyes subtly to the side.
"Let's continue the previous topic. For an extended period— at least until you graduate— I will be teaching Ancient Runes at Hogwarts. Therefore, I plan to mentor an assistant. This assistant would help me with some miscellaneous tasks, like grading papers."
Seeing the twins' lack of enthusiasm, Felix quickly skipped over this uncomfortable part.
"Of course, there are gains to be had. By becoming my assistant, you'll enjoy certain hidden benefits. For instance: extra guidance from me. Apart from Ancient Runes, I'm also skilled in spellcasting, as Professor McGonagall can attest."
"Secondly, extra house points. Being an assistant does take up some of your free time, so I've discussed it with Professor McGonagall, and each semester you'll earn fifty points."
The twins exchanged a glance— one hundred points for a year!
And Hermione's eyes sparkled just as much. In fact, she had been intrigued from the moment she heard the first point.
"Thirdly, the opportunity to be involved in my research. You'll encounter a lot of advanced magical knowledge, things that won't be covered in class."
"Fourth, priority access to my Ancient Runes Club next year."
"Fifth, you'll gain my personal friendship. If you become my assistant, I won't refuse a little help now and then," Felix winked, speaking in a tantalizing tone, "like accessing restricted books in the library, embarking on Forbidden Forest trips on weekends, roaming the castle after lights-out..."
"Cough, cough, cough!" Professor McGonagall suddenly erupted in a violent fit of coughing, as if she were about to cough up her lungs.
"Alright, the last two don't count," Felix lamented, a bit disappointed. During his time as a student, he had strongly wished to do these things openly instead of sneakily—two entirely different experiences.
However, with the preceding benefits, the three young wizards were thoroughly excited.
Indeed, as Felix predicted, after he finished speaking, the twins and Hermione looked expectant, as if they were about to say "I'm in" in the next second.
"Of course, becoming my assistant won't be that easy. All three of you are among the most exceptional in the Hogwarts under fifth year, which is why Professor McGonagall recommended you to me."
"However, there will be necessary assessments," Felix said calmly, like a cunning and seasoned hunter. He withdrew his wand and turned two hairs into parchment and a quill. The quill started writing on the parchment seemingly on its own.
The three young wizards sneakily glanced at it; it seemed to be a very long reading list...
The twins' faces immediately turned bitter, even more so than before.
After the quill finished writing, it silently transformed into flames. Felix then pointed his wand at the parchment, dividing it into three parts that floated toward each of them.
"Here, this is a reference reading list. You can read as much as you can, but by next Monday at the latest, you need to hand in a paper about the history of the development of Ancient Runes."
Felix looked at them with a mischievous glint, "No word limit, but the more, the better; no set structure, but the more, the better; no limit to the number of reference books, and again, the more, the better."
"You have a week."
The three "the more, the better" phrases left them somewhat bewildered, but that wasn't his concern. His expectation was that they would produce at least two pages of parchment, not just extracts, but with their own reflections as well. And they should read through at least half of the suggested books.
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