"With Mr. Grindelwald's skill and magical knowledge, it would be no trouble at all for him to teach first- and second-year wizards."
"Compared to new professors from outside, they would also be easier for the young wizards at Hogwarts to accept."
Dumbledore seemed to be talking to himself, or perhaps explaining to Snape.
"A hospital director who has been retired for who knows how many years, and a twelve-year-old child."
"Oh!"
Snape sneered, showing his disdain for Dumbledore's choice.
But he also understood that this was the best option at the moment.
Horace Slughorn had many years of teaching experience and had once been the Head of Slytherin, which could minimize the resistance of young Hogwarts wizards to a new professor.
This would also give the British wizarding community an explanation.
Argus, needless to say, had become an idol for many young wizards, and even adult wizards admired him greatly.
As Argus's Shop expanded, the British wizards grew increasingly respectful of Argus.
If he were to team up with Horace Slughorn, even if it didn't fill Lockhart's vacancy, at least they could get through this term.
It was impossible that after a year of Defense Against the Dark Arts classes, they hadn't even learned a single spell to counter dark magic.
"Alright, Severus, I'll go talk to Mr. Slughorn and Mr. Grindelwald first. Harry and Ron will be in your care for a while."
Snape remained silent, pre occpied with checking on Harry's condition.
Dumbledore understood that the other party had agreed, and immediately pushed open the door and left.
Little did they know, a message brewing by the Ministry of Magic, one that would overturn the wizarding world's perception of him, was already in the works.
...
The next day.
An elderly man with white hair and a beard arrived at the door of a wooden house in a valley.
"Albus? What brings you here?"
An elderly man with a large belly and a receding hairline opened the door in surprise.
"Hogwarts has been quite turbulent lately. Instead of keeping an eye on things at school, you have time to come looking for me?"
"Aren't you going to let me in first, Horace?"
Dumbledore was only slightly older than Horace Slughorn.
They could be considered peers, albeit in a lesser sense.
He spoke more casually than usual.
Slughorn tucked in his large belly and stepped aside to let Dumbledore in.
There was no Undetectable Extension Charm cast in the room, and everything looked no different from the Muggle world.
The interior decoration was much more exquisite.
It exuded an aristocratic air in every aspect.
"Try it, the freshest batch of Siberian black tea."
"It was sent by one of my former students."
The two sat at a beautiful little wooden table.
Various exquisite pastries were laid out on the table.
With a flick of his wrist, Slughorn conjured two steaming cups of black tea and placed them on the table.
"Horace, you know my habits." Dumbledore took only a small sip and then stopped touching it.
What Siberian black tea! It wasn't sweet at all!
That was pointless!
Slughorn didn't care at all; he had known Dumbledore for countless years.
How could he not know his habits?
The Siberian black tea was served merely to show off; there was no expectation that the other party could appreciate its flavor.
"Horace, I've come here to ask you to return to Hogwarts as a teacher."
Dumbledore casually picked up a pastry from the table and put it in his mouth.
A look of enjoyment appeared on his face.
"Go back to teaching? Albus, how many years have I been retired?"
"Besides, I taught Snape how to make potions, and he's quite good. There's no need for me to go to all that trouble, is there?"
Slughorn looked puzzled.
Dumbledore swallowed the chocolate cheese cookie in his mouth, his eyes filled with helplessness.
"Not a Potions professor, but Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."
"You know what happened at Hogwarts. If I had a choice, I wouldn't want to bother you."
Slughorn lowered his head and fell into deep thought.
He was one of the Sacred Twenty-Eight and the former Head of Slytherin. Voldemort, Snape, Lily, and others were among his most accomplished students.
It could also help him evade Voldemort's pursuit.
If Dumbledore hadn't found him, Voldemort probably wouldn't have been able to find him even in his next life.
His intellect and sense of smell were absolutely top-notch in the wizarding world.
Even just reading the newspaper, one could sense that something was wrong.
Content with his life, he naturally had no desire to get involved in this mess.
In the original story, his return to Hogwarts to teach was largely due to the pressure of being hunted down by Voldemort.
Left with no other choice, he entered Hogwarts to seek Dumbledore's protection.
But things were different now. Slughorn had food and drink in his hut, and wizarding celebrities came to visit from time to time.
He was living a very comfortable life! Why should he go to Hogwarts to suffer?
"Albus, I'm so sorry, I've been retired for too long."
"I simply don't have the energy to manage so many students anymore."
Dumbledore had long anticipated that this operation would not succeed easily.
Therefore, he did not show any disappointment.
"Horace, I have found you a perfect assistant."
"Believe me, if you really pass on working with him, you will regret it for the rest of your life."
Having spent decades with Slughorn, Dumbledore knew his weaknesses all too well.
He craved material enjoyment and enjoyed associating with celebrities.
More importantly... talent was valued!
He ignored ordinary students and didn't even know their names.
But when faced with exceptionally talented students, he couldn't help but dote on them and give them all sorts of preferential treatment.
Coincidentally, Hogwarts had admitted a student with perfect talent last year.
He was the perfect bait to lure Slughorn into his trap.
Slughorn frowned, immediately guessing who Dumbledore was referring to.
"You mean Grindelwald?"
"Excuse my bluntness, but even you might not be able to match his talent..."
"You know who I'm talking about."
Slughorn suddenly felt a little guilty.
Although Voldemort had been brought by Dumbledore, he had personally guided him.
He had even told him about the Horcruxes!
It was fair to say that Voldemort's rise to his current level owed much to him...
"Horace! You should be able to guess some things about the Chamber of Secrets in Slytherin."
Dumbledore didn't continue talking about the inauguration; instead, he changed the subject
Slughorn hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "There are indeed a few suspicious points."
Dumbledore continued, "The most controversial one must be the fact that Mr. Grindelwald killed the Basilisk all by himself, right?"
"That's right."
"What if I told you it's true?"
Slughorn's pupils contracted, then he smiled: "Albus, although I've retired, it doesn't mean I'm senile."
"He's only twelve years old, right? How could he be..."
Slughorn stared at Dumbledore's calm eyes for a long time before finally losing his composure.
"Are you telling the truth? He killed the basilisk monster all by himself, while protecting his classmates?"
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Even if he is the reincarnation of Merlin, he's only in his second year. Where would he get so much magic!"
After saying so much, Dumbledore felt a little thirsty and patiently took a sip of Siberian black tea.
"It wasn't just the Basilisk; he almost became the Head of Slytherin in his first year. If the fifth-year head hadn't been absent, he probably would have become the first freshman in Slytherin's history to become the Head of the house."
"Moreover, his talent for potions should be quite good. Severus has had him go to the office every afternoon to help process potions since he was a firs-year student."
"You should know Severus's temper. If Mr. Grindelwald wasn't talented enough, he would have kicked him out long ago."
…
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