Chapter 86: The Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor Recruitment Fair
Facing two wands trained squarely on him, Lucius Malfoy's expression darkened.
"Very well. Very well," he said slowly, drawing in a deep breath. He extended his hand toward Russell.
"Return my wand. We'll consider today's matter settled."
He glanced at Draco, still lying unconscious on the ground. Clearly, he had no mood left for empty threats—his priority now was getting his son to St. Mungo's.
But if Draco turned out to be injured in any way…
Lucius's gaze flicked briefly toward Wednesday, venom simmering beneath the surface.
These two Mud—
No. He swallowed the word.
They will pay.
"What's going on here?"
A familiar voice cut through the tension.
Russell turned his head and saw Professor McGonagall approaching. Behind her stood a pair of Muggle parents with a young girl between them. The girl had thick, bushy brown curls and slightly prominent front teeth—she looked rather like a small beaver.
Bringing a Muggle-born student to Diagon Alley, Russell realized at once.
"Professor McGonagall, your timing is impeccable," Lucius said smoothly, seizing the initiative.
"These two Mud—young witches attacked my son and stole my wand."
McGonagall pressed her lips together.
"Is that so, Russell?" she asked coolly.
Russell immediately recognized that expression.
She's angry.
"How could that be, Professor?" he replied with an innocent, almost angelic smile.
"You know me—I've always been a model student. I never break school rules."
"Oh, really, Russell?" McGonagall said dryly, clearly amused despite herself.
"Then kindly return Mr. Malfoy's wand."
"Well… if you insist."
Russell shrugged and casually tossed the wand back toward Lucius.
Lucius wiped his wand with visible distaste before sliding it back into his cane, already deciding that Dobby would give it a thorough cleaning once they returned home.
"Russell, the young lady beside you is from the Addams family…?"
Professor McGonagall's curious gaze shifted to Wednesday.
"Wednesday, Professor," Russell replied.
Lucius's carefully maintained smile froze in place.
Addams?
No. Impossible.
He quickly reassured himself—there were plenty of Muggles with that surname. It meant nothing. Surely nothing.
"This Mr. Malfoy just called us Mudbloods," Russell continued lightly. "I don't really mind, but Wednesday does. Accusing the Addams family of being Mudbloods—now that's impressive."
Lucius's heart sank.
He forced a stiff smile and stepped forward.
"My apologies. A misunderstanding—nothing more."
He wasted no time, grabbing the now-conscious Draco and retreating at once. Faintly, Draco's confused voice could still be heard.
"Father, why are we leaving? Aren't you going to get revenge?"
"Be quiet," Lucius snapped. "You've caused serious trouble."
A rather decent performance. Almost theatrical.
Professor McGonagall then introduced the young witch accompanying the Muggle couple. Her name was Hermione Granger.
This was Wednesday's first meeting with Hermione.
"Professor McGonagall," Russell asked casually, "may I ask who'll be teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts this year?"
He already suspected the answer, but wanted confirmation. McGonagall's response, however, surprised him.
"This year is… unusual," she said, brows knitting together.
"In most years, we're lucky to get even one applicant—often Albus has to personally invite someone. This time, however, there were two."
"Two?"
---
"Master… why must I apply for the Defense Against the Dark Arts post at Hogwarts?"
Quirinus Quirrell whispered nervously to the empty air.
"Wouldn't that place you in danger?"
A distinguished Ravenclaw graduate, Quirrell was neatly dressed and almost looked like a proper academic—if not for the enormous turban wrapped around his head.
Gazing at the towering castle before him, he suddenly felt nostalgic for his student days at Hogwarts.
"I have already told you," a hoarse voice echoed in his mind.
"A precious artifact was removed from the vault and hidden at Hogwarts by Dumbledore. You are to retrieve it."
"But… Master," Quirrell stammered, "I need to know what I'm looking for to search properly…"
After a long pause, the voice finally answered:
"Have you heard of the Philosopher's Stone?"
Quirrell's breath caught.
As a Ravenclaw, he knew exactly what that meant—a legendary treasure capable of turning metal into gold and brewing the Elixir of Life.
"But Master," he said cautiously, "wasn't it always in Nicolas Flamel's possession? Why would Dumbledore have it? Could this be a trap?"
"A trap?" The voice scoffed.
"Who would dare use such a treasure as bait? Even if Dumbledore would—would Flamel?"
"That… makes sense," Quirrell conceded.
"But Master," he added bitterly, "do you really think I can succeed in applying, given my current… condition?"
"Relax," the voice replied coldly.
"That position is cursed. It changes professors every year. Its reputation ensures no real competition. I'm tired—do not disturb me unless necessary."
The voice faded into silence.
Yet when Quirrell entered the Headmaster's office, his heart sank.
Wasn't I supposed to be the only applicant?
Across from him, the other candidate was thinking the exact same thing.
"Master… this isn't what you promised," Mimiron muttered grimly.
After pretending to be a student for an entire year, he truly didn't want to stay any longer.
Unfortunately, Voldemort was now attached to his chest. Disobedience wasn't an option.
"It's fine," Voldemort said calmly.
"If you fail, kill the other applicant once you leave."
"If you fail," the voice snarled in Quirrell's mind, "lure him somewhere secluded and dispose of him. Let him understand the price of competing with me."
Typical Voldemort. Different bodies—same solution.
"Please tell us about your experiences," Dumbledore said cheerfully.
He was delighted—two applicants meant far less work for him.
"I'll go first," Quirrell said quickly, seizing the opportunity.
"I traveled alone across the European continent," he began.
"During my journeys, I encountered vampires, werewolves, and many dangerous magical creatures. These experiences broadened my horizons, and I hope to share my knowledge with the students."
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