The last day of January coincides with the weekend. The weather is fine today, and the bright sunshine at eight or nine o'clock in the morning falls on the shimmering lake. The newly sprouted leaves and emerald green lawn along the lakeshore sway gracefully in the brisk breeze filled with spring. The air is filled with a sense of quiet good times.
On the playground, four university teams dressed in different style and color ball uniforms appeared on the Quidditch field simultaneously. After a difficult and even fierce negotiation, they each occupied a corner of the field to practice their team tactics.
However, in order not to disclose the core secrets, except for Gryffindor, no one else from the other three schools brought their real level to be tasted by the opponent.
After two days of adjustment, Amortha, who has finally adjusted his biological clock, stands by the window. He looks out at the vibrant Hogwarts, letting the gentle breeze ruffle his soft gray hair. His mood is uncommonly cheerful.
He made up his mind that in the future, if he encountered any client who needed to work night shifts consecutively, the fee must be 20% higher than the market price.
As he walked through the castle, he encountered little wizards who looked at him with surprised eyes along the way. Because almost everyone knew that the investigators sent by the board of directors were people with habits similar to bats. They never appeared during the day and only liked to move around at night.
The probability of seeing him during the day is lower than finding a giant monster in the castle.
The hall was sparsely filled with students who had overslept, and on the staff table, Professor Flitwick, Professor Sprout, and Professor Snape were sitting together in low voices. When they saw Amortha approaching, Professor Flitwick immediately stood up from his chair and congratulated him.
"We're discussing you,"
"Flitwick lowered his shrill voice and said, 'We've heard this exciting news from Minerva, Amortha. We all believe that you can definitely handle this job.'"
"Provided you show your true abilities, Amortha."
Professor Sprout adjusted the hat on his head, which was tarnished and dusty, and joked with a smile, "Of course, as long as you are willing to show only one-tenth of your strength, you will definitely be much better than some people who just want to attract attention."
The three professors in front of him are all esteemed mentors who impart knowledge, and Amortha still maintains a very warm attitude towards them. He smiled to express his thanks and then modestly said,
"Education is a vast and profound subject. Having knowledge oneself is one thing, but teaching it to little wizards is another. Professor Flitwick, Professor Sprout, I am definitely not as capable as you two experienced mentors."
Amortha's clever compliment made the two of them very happy. Flitwick turned his head and looked at Snape, pretending to be unfamiliar with Amortha, and laughed.
"Severus must be disappointed, wouldn't you say? I can't remember how many times you've lost in this competition for the teaching position, and now, you've lost to your own favorite student!"
"Perhaps Severus has long since become accustomed to this defeat?" Professor Sprout's sarcastic comment made Amortha couldn't help but burst into laughter while eating his toast.
Snape's face turned dark, and he hummed lightly,
"Becoming a professor of this subject is nothing to be proud of, Amortha. It's only a real feat if you can retire from this job safely."
"What you can't do doesn't mean I can't do it, Professor," Amortha's smiling response made Snape's face turn even blacker.
After a relaxed and pleasant breakfast, they went their separate ways, and agreed to go to The Three Broomsticks pub for a drink when they have time.
Amortha did not return to his own quarters but instead went to Professor McGonagall's office. The meeting was clearly pre-arranged, and when Amortha knocked on Professor McGonagall's office door, she showed no sign of surprise.
"Oh, thank goodness you've finally come!" Professor McGonagall scolded with a slight curl of her lips.
Perhaps it was because the Heir of the Slytherin Chamber hadn't caused any trouble, and everything was running smoothly, that Professor McGonagall looked in better spirits and with a better complexion than during the Christmas holiday.
"Anyway, Amortha, I must thank you. There are a few students in the upper years who have always dreamed of becoming a Death Eater... "
"As you know, at least five N.E.W.T.S certificates, including Black Magic Defense, are required to become an Auror. If they continue to follow Gideon's teachings, these children will have to face the shattered dreams of their youth!"
"I'll do my best, Professor McGonagall,"
Amortha assented with a wry smile.
"But please don't have such high expectations of me. As you know, I'm not particularly good at exams, and it's even harder for me to help little wizards pass them. And if there are any clues about the Chamber incident, I will definitely prioritize... "
"Oh, we've all seen your abilities, Amortha," Professor McGonagall raised her chin unhappily. "I think you really need to change your excessive modesty... As for that Chamber, well, I can't do anything about it anymore. Amortha, let Dumbledore headmaster worry about it... He should do something worthwhile..."
What could Amortha say? He could only continue to smile wryly.
"As for your work assignment with Gideon, I have an idea."
When it comes to work, Professor McGonagall's attitude changes completely. She said in a very serious expression,
"At present, the most urgent need for your assistance is with the fifth and seventh-year students. They are about to face the two most important exams in their lives, which concern their destiny. Amortha, I hope you can divide the work with Gideon; he will be responsible for teaching the fifth year and below, while you will take charge of the fifth to seventh years."
Amortha sighed without speaking. Professor McGonagall's plan was indeed reasonable, but it was at odds with his original intention for accepting this position. If he couldn't interact with the main characters, then what was the point of all this effort?
"About this issue, Professor McGonagall, I think it would be best to discuss it with Professor Lupin first..."
In the end, Amortha did not give a clear response.
After leaving Professor McGonagall's office, Amortha went to see Professor Lupin without delay. Tomorrow is the beginning of a new week, and he must settle this matter before the morning. Then, he can use the afternoon and evening time to make some preparations, even though his motive for being a professor is impure, he doesn't want to sit on the job and ruin his reputation like Professor Lupin.
Speaking of Professor Lupin, Amortha felt very strange.
How could such an teaching method win the 'high praise' of all the professors and most of the little wizards at Hogwarts, even making Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore Principal apologize for him to come out of retirement?
