In the middle of March, with the Easter holidays just one whole week away, Professor McGonagall had already informed the second-year students that they would have to choose a new elective for their third year after the holidays. Hestia Jones was now too preoccupied with figuring out which class she should take to remember about the Defense Against the Dark Arts practical class. She spent all of Saturday night poring over her new timetable and didn't want to give up any of the classes on offer.
Even the usual activity of helping Professor Lothar write letters on weekends, she carried the new timetable with her, hoping to receive some guidance from Professor Brenn.
"Interest is the best teacher, Hestia--"
Amosasta said with a smile, "
"People have limited energy, and you must make choices... If you're asking for my advice, I believe the course on protective magic against beasts and the study of Ancient Runes may be more practical."
"She has already decided to sign for all subjects--"
Harry said cautiously.
This time, Professor Brenn did not ask for anyone else to help Lothar write replies, but Harry still accompanied him to Professor Brenn's office. The reason for this was likely that Harry hoped to find some clues about dealing with the Wraith from their conversation with Professor Brenn.
"All of them?"
Looking at the determined little witch with brown eyes flashing, Amosasta said helplessly, "
"It might be a problem in terms of time, Hestia. There are many courses that have completely overlapping schedules, so you can't be in two places at once."
"This is not a problem, Professor Brenn. Professor McGonagall gave me a good suggestion--"
Hermione is now very proficient at writing replies; she writes swiftly across the letter paper, looking as if Professor Brenn's persuasion has not shaken her resolve.
"And you, Potter?"
Amosasta gave up the attempt to persuade, looking at Harry.
"Divination and the Care of Magical Creatures, Professor. Ron and I both chose these two classes," Harry answered quickly to the question, his mind racing to find a way to steer the conversation toward the hint Professor Brenn had mentioned at the hospital.
Amosasta nodded in denial, muttering quietly.
"I heard that Professor Kettleburn, who teaches the Care of Magical Creatures class, might retire in the second half of the year... It looks like Dumbledore headmaster will have a headache, he has to find two professors to fill the gaps--"
Harry's mouth dropped in surprise, and even Hermione paused her feather pen, looking up at Professor Brenn with a dazed expression. After exchanging a glance with Harry, Hermione asked with a hint of reluctance,
"Do you have no intention of continuing to teach, Professor?"
"Haha--"
Amosasta softly chuckled, picking up the photograph on the table and carefully wiping the dust from the frame.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Hestia, Harry, and Ron. Being a professor at Hogwarts might be a good job. Perhaps one day I will make this decision, but at least in the short term, I have no such plans."
Professor Brenn's reply brought Hermione's spirits down.
Even Harry, momentarily lost his thoughts about dealing with the Wraith, as he gazed at the overly youthful face and the deep purple eyes that were darker than when he first met them under the flickering candlelight. Suddenly, he remembered what they had learned about Professor Brenn from Hagrid at the beginning of this term.
"-- Professor,"
Harry hesitated for a moment, but he couldn't resist his curiosity. He stammered and asked,
"We've heard some things about you from Hagrid... When you were in fifth year, the dark witch you encountered in the Forbidden Forest, did you ever figure out who she was?"
Amosasta's cleaning motion paused, and he looked at Harry, his smile becoming elusive.
"It's a good question, Potter. To be honest, all these years I've been thinking about this event, always wanting to figure out the purpose behind the woman breaking into Hogwarts and trying to kill me when I was still a student... But until a few days ago, I only had a vague understanding of what was going on."
"Who was she?!"
Harry and Hermione both opened their eyes wide in shock, making simultaneous screams.
"It's too early to tell you--"
Amosasta looked down and smiled as he put the frame back in place. Seeing the two young witches' faces clearly showing disappointment, he pursed his lips in thought and then smiled again, saying,
"Mm... alright, as compensation, you can ask me any other questions you want, I will try my best to answer them... Of course, Harry, if you want to know how to pass the 'Practical Class', forget it!"
With Professor Brenn's realization of his intentions, Harry blushed and smiled awkwardly. He sighed disappointedly, his eyes strayed over to the photograph that Professor Brenn had put down. Suddenly, he raised his eyebrow and looked back at Professor Brenn's eyes.
The first time Harry walked into this office, he was very curious about why Professor Brenn's eyes had changed so much since he was a student. It was a rare opportunity for Professor Brenn to answer their questions, and it was a chance not to be missed to clear up this matter.
Professor Brenn probably knew what Harry was thinking through his eyes. He blinked and laughed softly.
"All right... If you're really curious..."
"Are you willing to tell us?"
Harry asked shyly.
"Well, there's nothing really to hide, Potter--"
Amosasta leaned back in his chair, smiling gently, "Actually, this is related to something that happened on the night before Christmas when I was in fifth grade..."
Hermione decisively dropped her quill and sat upright, her serious posture resembling that of a classroom setting.
"That night, there were two things that made me uneasy. The first was the dark witch who suddenly broke into Hogwarts, and the second was Dumbledore Headmaster--"
Amosasta stopped Harry from interjecting a defense of Dumbledore with gestures, and looked up at the cold, rocky ceiling with a smile, his eyes lost in memory.
"That night, Dumbledore Headmaster simply used a simple disarming spell to show me what it is like to stand at the top of contemporary magic, what it is like to be a truly powerful wizard..."
For some time after that night, I kept pondering a question: if in the future, for some reason, I have to engage in combat with a powerful wizard like Dumbledore Headmaster, how would I ensure that I could survive and even win in such a situation?
Harry and Hermione exchanged uneasy glances for a while, and then Harry whispered,
"It was just a misunderstanding, Professor. Under normal circumstances, Dumbledore Headmaster would never harm you--"
"Professor Dumbledore is the greatest white wizard of our time. I believe, to lose to such a wizard..."
Under Professor Brenn's piercing gaze, Hermione was a bit speechless, but she still expressed her thoughts. In the contemporary magical world, no one would think it shameful to lose to Dumbledore.
"Mine differs from yours, Miss Granger."
Amosasta stroked his fingers calmly and said,
"The first step to surpassing someone is to have the conviction in your heart that you can achieve this... In this world, nothing is invincible. No matter how powerful a wizard may be, he will eventually be surpassed by a successor. Therefore, I never consider Dumbledore Headmaster or Dark Lord Voldemort to be utterly unbeatable---"
