Although the conversation with Dumbledore had not been entirely pleasant, it was still a happy day nonetheless. After all, Vinson had successfully obtained a position as a Professor at Hogwarts.
After completing the formalities, he stepped out of the Headmaster's Office, where Professor McGonagall was already waiting for him.
"Congratulations, Professor Vinson," Professor McGonagall said as she approached him quickly. "I'm sorry I'm only just arriving now. I just ran into Professor Kettleburn, and he said you passed the Headmaster's test. Is that right?"
Vinson nodded. "Yes, Professor McGonagall."
Hearing this, Professor McGonagall looked genuinely pleased. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly, and her usually stern expression softened in a rare display of warmth.
"Very good, Professor Vinson."
She pushed up the square-framed glasses on her nose, her gaze carrying a hint of admiration.
Professor McGonagall had not seen Vinson for a long time, but in her memory, he had always been an excellent student—humble, eager to learn, and exceptionally talented in Transfiguration and other subjects.
Who wouldn't like such an outstanding, obedient, and never troublesome student?
Well, perhaps the "never troublesome" part should be reconsidered. The incident where Vinson had hung a large group of people on the castle wall was still vivid in her memory.
All in all, she was very much in favor of Vinson teaching Care of Magical Creatures.
Vinson followed Professor McGonagall down the familiar corridor. The walls were still decorated with old portraits, and from time to time, figures within the paintings cast curious glances in their direction.
Professor McGonagall tilted her head slightly as she looked at him, as though recalling something from the past.
"Speaking of which, Vinson," she said casually, "do you remember the first time you came running to me to ask about becoming an Animagus?"
Hearing her mention the past, Vinson raised his eyebrows slightly.
"Of course I remember," he replied. "I pestered you for a long time before you reluctantly agreed to teach me. Back then, I ran to your office almost every week, and the reasons for my application alone filled an entire roll of parchment."
Professor McGonagall's mouth twitched slightly at his words. A trace of amusement flashed in her eyes, and she looked at him with a faint, knowing smile.
"So, Vinson," she asked casually, "did you succeed?"
Vinson showed a meaningful smile and replied in a relaxed tone, "If I had succeeded, you would probably know by now. After all, every Animagus has to register with the Ministry of Magic, right?"
At this, Professor McGonagall's gaze paused on him for a moment, as if trying to read something hidden in his expression. She narrowed her eyes slightly before speaking again.
"Yes, according to regulations, all legal Animagi must register with the Ministry of Magic."
Then she paused briefly, and her tone shifted.
"So, Professor Vinson… is your name on the Ministry of Magic's registry?"
"Uh…"
Vinson coughed lightly and shrugged. "Of course not. You know, Professor, Animagus magic is extremely complicated and difficult. Not everyone can learn it so easily."
"Let's assume that's the case," Professor McGonagall said with a soft chuckle.
She stopped in front of a door and gestured toward it.
"All right, this is the last room. Have you decided on your office yet?"
Vinson did not have any particular requirements for his office, as long as it was not underground.
"This one will do," he said, nodding as he pushed the door open and walked inside.
Professor McGonagall glanced at the nameplate, nodded slightly, and said, "This used to be the office of the previous Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
"The previous one?" Vinson asked, glancing sideways.
"That's right," Professor McGonagall replied with a helpless sigh. "As you know, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professors change far too frequently. I hope the new one that Headmaster Dumbledore just hired can last a bit longer."
Vinson had almost forgotten about this. In his memory, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor had indeed changed every year when he was a student.
It could only be said that Lord Voldemort's curse was truly powerful. After so many years, it was still in effect.
The office itself was very ordinary: a table and chairs, a bookcase, and two bookshelves. Aside from these, there were no other furnishings.
Vinson scanned the room. There were a few leftover textbooks and notes on the shelves, and one corner of the desk was blackened, as if scarred by the residue of some kind of magical explosion.
The bookcase placed in the corner was mostly empty, except for a single yellowed parchment scroll, stained here and there with black ink.
Vinson walked over, picked up the parchment, and casually unrolled it.
A few words were scrawled across it in messy handwriting:
Run, don't look back.
Vinson stared at the words.
"…"
Professor McGonagall noticed his expression and gave a light cough. An almost imperceptible trace of awkwardness crossed her face.
"Don't worry, Professor Vinson," she said. "Aside from the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, all the other professors here are very safe."
Vinson stared at the parchment for a moment longer. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly before he casually placed it back into the empty bookcase.
"After so many years, has no one been able to break Lord Voldemort's curse?" he asked in an offhand tone.
"Don't say that person's name!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed quickly, startled by his words.
Then she furrowed her brow slightly.
"Many excellent wizards at Hogwarts have tried, including Dumbledore himself, but this curse is not ordinary magic. It seems to have taken root within Hogwarts itself. To break it, one would have to undo it from its source, reversing the very method by which it was cast."
Vinson nodded slightly and did not continue the discussion.
After all, he was not the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
As for the curse, let the next person who took over worry about it.
That person seemed to be Quirrell, if he remembered correctly.
Speaking of which, at this point in time, the back of Quirrell's head should already be occupied by Lord Voldemort.
After Professor McGonagall confirmed that nothing had been overlooked, she turned back to Vinson.
"All right, Professor Vinson, the rest of the time is yours. This office now belongs to you, and you may arrange it however you like."
She paused, then added, "Also, professors at Hogwarts may choose to live in the castle or return home."
Vinson nodded.
Now that he thought about it, most professors at Hogwarts seemed to live within the castle rather than returning to their own homes.
Of course, perhaps some professors did not have a so-called "home" to return to.
"Thank you for the reminder, Professor McGonagall," Vinson said. "I'll tidy up first, and then I'll head back."
"If you need to go home via the Floo Network, you can use the fireplace in the Headmaster's Office," Professor McGonagall added with a nod.
After that, she turned and walked away, leaving Vinson alone in the quiet, empty office.