Erwin frowned slightly. "So, what exactly are you proposing, Professor?"
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled behind his half-moon spectacles. "I'll ensure your wands are kept secure. You won't face any real danger at Hogwarts."
Erwin scoffed. "Is that right? If it weren't for these 'dangerous' wands of mine, I'd be dead in the corridors by now. And you're claiming Hogwarts is perfectly safe?"
Dumbledore paused, choosing his words carefully. "That was an unfortunate mishap."
Erwin shrugged. "Maybe. But who can promise it won't happen again? Handing over my wands? Not a chance."
"They won't return to Hogwarts. That's my condition for overlooking this," Dumbledore replied firmly.
Erwin shook his head. "Professor, I've been managing family affairs since I was six. I won't stake my life on anyone else's vigilance."
Dumbledore considered this, his fingers steepled under his chin. After a moment, he nodded. "Very well, if you insist. But you must swear not to use them unless your life truly hangs in the balance."
"Fair enough," Erwin said with a grin. "Though if my safety's on the line, all bets are off."
Dumbledore's expression softened slightly. "And no more venturing into the Forbidden Forest after Acromantulas with those wands."
Erwin raised an eyebrow. "So, the Acromantulas went crying to you?"
Dumbledore chuckled dryly. "Not quite. A large swarm migrated into other creatures' territories, and the centaurs brought it to my attention."
Erwin nodded, piecing it together. Bloody Acromantulas. Running off like that. "You didn't come here just to lecture me about forest pests, did you?"
Dumbledore's tone grew serious. "No. I have a favor to ask. I'll be away for about a week. Could you keep an eye on Potter in my absence?"
Erwin blinked in surprise. "Harry Potter? Babysit him?"
"Precisely," Dumbledore confirmed. "He's poking into something risky. I'd feel better knowing you're watching out for him and his friends."
Erwin burst out laughing. "I refuse. I've no interest in playing nanny, Professor. And if it's as dangerous as you say, why not just order him to drop it? That should be simple enough for you."
Dumbledore shook his head. "He needs to face challenges to grow."
"So you want me as his minder?" Erwin pressed. "Honestly, that's a poor plan. Unless... you extend your protection to me here at Hogwarts. Then I might consider it."
Dumbledore's eyes widened fractionally. He'd toyed with that very idea, but hearing it from Erwin made it awkward to broach.
"Potter's your classmate, after all," he said instead.
Erwin snorted. "Professor, you're missing the point. I'm a Slytherin prefect. Harry's a Gryffindor with that reckless lot. We're hardly on the same page."
Dumbledore rubbed his temples, a rare sign of frustration crossing his face. "Erwin, I only left Hogwarts because of your predicament. I'm an old man trying to help, yet you can't spare even a modicum of aid?"
Erwin froze for a beat. Moral blackmail? Clever old fox. Anyone else might have buckled under that guilt trip. But Erwin? He wasn't one for sentiment.
He rose smoothly and bowed at a precise ninety degrees. "I'll never forget your assistance, Professor. I'm eternally grateful for your kindness."
A derisive snort echoed from the covered portrait nearby. "Dumbledore, I never imagined you'd stoop this low. Well played, lad—that's how you handle his sort."
Erwin inclined his head. "Thank you, Headmaster Black."
Dumbledore's face darkened, the lines around his mouth tightening. This boy was nothing like his father—warm, approachable, beloved even in Slytherin circles. Erwin was a thorn, sharp and unyielding.
With a heavy sigh, Dumbledore relented. "Name your price, Erwin."
Erwin's lips curved into a triumphant smile. About time. Why toil for free when benefits were on the table?
"I want permission to Apparate within Hogwarts grounds."
Dumbledore's brow furrowed. "Apparition privileges here? For what purpose?"
"Escape, obviously," Erwin replied. "After today's mess, I know someone's gunning for me. If it happens again, I need a quick way out."
Dumbledore mulled it over. "Watching Harry for a week in exchange for that? It seems steep."
"Shall we haggle, then?" Erwin suggested, leaning forward.
Dumbledore nodded. "Indeed. A week's vigilance isn't worth bending school rules."
Erwin waved a hand dismissively. "Simple fix, Professor. You want Harry to grow—whatever your grand scheme, he's your whetstone. But let's be honest: Gryffindor's crew isn't sharpening him. Ron's a dead weight—Harry learns nothing from that sort. There's wisdom in choosing your influences wisely. Grant me the Apparition access, and during next week's free study periods, I'll invite Harry to the Slytherin common room. I'll tutor him myself. That's my offer."
Dumbledore fell silent, his gaze distant as he weighed the implications.
"Harry won't go for it," he said finally.
Erwin shrugged and stood. "Not my problem. If the Boy Who Lived doesn't want to better himself, that's on him. You've heard my terms—think it over. Oh, and I just remembered an errand this afternoon. Good day, Professor."
As Erwin slipped out of the office, a sly grin spread across his face. What if this so-called savior started leaning Slytherin? The chaos would be delicious. He couldn't wait to see it unfold.