"HP: Too Late, System!"Chapter 298: An Unexpected Reunion
As soon as the bus came to a halt, Sirius shot Harry a meaningful glance before striding off toward Douglas.
"I said everything you asked—didn't change a word. Where's Moony?" he said, reaching to throw an arm around Douglas's shoulder.
Douglas dodged, face twisted in mock disgust. "Didn't I tell you to wear something formal? We're visiting University College London as the Hogwarts Secondary School today. Dressed like that, people will think we're some kind of dodgy outfit. Lupin's gone ahead to Newbury—there's a good factory there, and he's handling the arrangements."
Sirius blinked, then grinned. "Formal? To Muggles, are we ever going to look like a proper school? Harry, get a move on!"
Once off the bus, Harry pulled out the little flag and held it high. The young witches and wizards, spotting Douglas, quickly fell in line behind him. The group looked just like a pack of middle schoolers, with a handful of older students mixed in. Thankfully, their prior training paid off—they even managed to line up by height.
(Note: British secondary school is five years, ages 11–16; Sixth Form is 16–18, much like high school.)
Douglas addressed the group: "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the first stop of our journey: University College London…"
As he spoke, he quietly cast a Murmuring Charm, his voice slipping into the students' ears alone: "Remember, we're from Hogwarts Secondary School in the Scottish Highlands. Today's visit is an official school trip for outstanding students to University College London—which, by the way, is a great target for your future studies…"
Suddenly, Sirius piped up: "Doug, didn't you once say you went to a Muggle university after Hogwarts? Was it this one?"
At the mention of their Defense Against the Dark Arts professor attending a Muggle university, every young wizard's ears perked up.
Percy's eyes gleamed. He mentally filed away a reminder to ask his boss for more details—after all, Douglas had given him some fascinating Muggle management books, and he'd heard Muggles even had entire courses dedicated to management.
Douglas rolled his eyes, but didn't dodge the question: "Of course, if I was going to pick, I'd choose a good school. But I actually studied at the University of London School of Pharmacy, just over there… They're all part of the University of London alliance. But don't worry about the complicated details. Today, you're just here to see what life is like for Muggle university students."
Hermione raised her hand. "Professor, why are we visiting a university?"
Douglas explained: "First, not all of you will stay in the wizarding world after graduation. It's important to pick up some non-magical skills. In this fast-changing Muggle world, understanding their history, culture, and science will help you fit in—or complete your future jobs.
Second, the Muggle world is vast. Sometimes, you'll need to hide who you are. Studying at a Muggle university can give you a legitimate identity for moving through their society.
Third, Hogwarts might be the best magic school in the world, but it still has its limits. You need to know the latest Muggle science, technology, and medicine to compare with your magic—sometimes, looking at things from a Muggle perspective can broaden your mind and sharpen your thinking.
Fourth, and most importantly, only by understanding the Muggle world can you spot potential threats—and better protect the magical world's secrets.
That's about it. Any questions? No? Oh, right—one more thing. Since Muggle universities admit students at eighteen, they're a perfect next step for Hogwarts graduates looking to keep learning."
"Hey, Douglas?"
A voice called out. Douglas turned to see a young man in a leather jacket, with a blonde girl in glasses at his side, waving at him.
He rifled through his memory—of course, his old roommate from the School of Pharmacy.
"Uh, Carlisle! Long time no see."
The guy in the jacket rushed over, beaming. "It really is you! You just disappeared back then—no one knew where you went. Hey, mister, you look awesome!" he added, giving Sirius a big thumbs-up.
Sirius's mouth twitched. He was only ten years older—how did he get called "mister"?
Douglas quietly used the Murmuring Charm again, whispering to the young wizards: "Remember, first rule of blending in—don't say 'Muggle' out loud."
The students nodded vigorously, leaving Carlisle looking baffled.
Douglas smiled at his old friend: "So, you're still here? I thought you'd have graduated by now?"
Carlisle grinned, "I've been accepted straight into grad school! Thanks to those wild ideas you gave me, the professor said they were practically revolutionary for pharmaceutical history.
By the way, what are you up to these days? Got a girlfriend yet? Back then, you had loads of admirers, but you never dated anyone. Still single?
If you're unattached, want my girlfriend to introduce you to someone? She's a second-year at University College London—her classmates are all young and gorgeous!"
The young wizards seemed to collectively realize for the first time that their Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was, in fact, single. Surrounded by older staff all day, it had never crossed their minds.
Penelope leaned over to Percy, whispering with a giggle: "Just so you know, plenty of girls from both our year and the last have written the professor love letters. Last year, a senior even sent him a love potion. None of them ever succeeded, though."
Percy whispered back tales he'd heard from Bill and Charlie—apparently, girls had tried such tricks when the professor was a student, too. The new generation just repeated the old tactics, so of course, they never worked.
Douglas chuckled, "I'm teaching at a secondary school in the Scottish Highlands now. The school asked me to bring my students here—to inspire them to aim higher."
Carlisle gaped, "You're teaching? I always figured you'd be snapped up by some pharmaceutical company's lab. With your talent, being a secondary school teacher is a waste!"
Sirius couldn't resist, "Pharmaceutical genius? If Snivellus heard that, he'd kick himself for not letting you into the advanced—er, I mean, the advanced class."
Carlisle looked puzzled, "Advanced class? You went to another school for pharmacy? The School of Pharmacy here is supposed to be the best in the world!"
At that, a student below piped up, "Our professor's the best! He knows everything, and Hogwarts is the world's most—mmph—"
A quick-thinking classmate clapped a hand over their mouth.
Douglas thought, Best not let this go any further, or his Muggle friend might start thinking he'd gone mad.
"Carlisle, sorry, I've got things to do. Let's catch up another time?"
Carlisle rolled his eyes, "'Professor'? Doesn't sound very official, does it? Never mind. Are you free tonight? Let's have dinner—I'll bring my professor along too. I've told him about you. Maybe he'll let you come back for postgrad work. That's got to be more promising than teaching at a secondary school. Here's my number—call me when you're done."
He tore a sheet from his pocket notebook, scribbled his number, and handed it to Douglas.
Then, making a face at the young wizards, he added: "Kids, if you really adore your 'professor'—you've got to learn to let go. Don't let his pharmaceutical gifts go to waste because of you. Ha!"
With that, he pulled his girlfriend away, turning back after a few steps to mime a phone call to Douglas.
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