Chapter 148: New Ideas
Dumbledore glanced at this older prospective student with surprise. He understood her mindset perfectly. Clearly, Julia felt like someone from a simpler world suddenly thrust into a dazzling, complex new one, feeling she needed to learn new knowledge to avoid falling too far behind the times.
But in reality... Hogwarts didn't teach these things either. Those strange and wondrous things were new to him as well. If it weren't for Ryan's tireless efforts to fuse magic and technology, the British wizarding world wouldn't have the Communicator or the games it hosted.
Speaking of games, the number of complaint letters sent to the Headmaster's office had been increasing lately. George and Fred's operational methods seemed a bit questionable, leading to widespread player discontent. Dumbledore made a mental note to chat with the twins when he had time, perhaps persuade them to mend their ways before some powerful wizard, filled with righteous indignation, came looking for a "chat." The combination of the Communicator and games was novel, and many wizards, especially older ones with a strong thirst for magic and knowledge, were quite interested. Unfortunately, this meant the complainers often held high social standing.
Seeing Dumbledore remain silent, Julia assumed he didn't want to accept her as a student. Her eyes darted around, and she asked, "Mr. Dumbledore, I know my age isn't quite suitable for enrollment... but could I perhaps obtain a position at Hogwarts? Not as a professor—my abilities are limited—but a professor's assistant or another non-teaching role would be fine."
Like all magical schools, Hogwarts employed many staff members besides professors. The most famous examples were the Keeper of Keys and Grounds, Rubeus Hagrid, and the caretaker, Argus Filch.
She had noticed Nava's astonishment and yearning for magic. Carefully watching Dumbledore's expression, she added, "And then there's my sister Nava... As far as I know, Hogwarts offers Muggle Studies. Understanding Muggles from a wizard's perspective versus a Muggle's perspective should be different..."
Nava nodded. "Honorable Mr. Dumbledore, I am truly curious if I could become a witch. I wonder if you would be willing to give me that opportunity? What would I need to offer in exchange?" As a sensible heiress, her education had never taught her to rely on others' kindness but rather to achieve her goals through negotiation and bartering. This time, however, she spoke with no confidence. It was she who desired something, and she had nothing that could possibly appeal to wizards. Her only option was to let them set the terms and see if she could afford their price.
Dumbledore felt a headache coming on. "Miss Wilkinson, Hogwarts currently has no plans to expand its teaching staff. And as you yourself said, as a student, you have already graduated."
"As for Miss Nava Morgan... becoming a wizard is something one is born with. If a person is born with magic, they can become a wizard. And those with magical talent typically receive an acceptance letter from a magical school during their childhood..."
Although Nava had suspected as much, hearing the words confirmed still brought a pang of disappointment. The dazzling mystery of magic was right before her eyes, yet the door would remain forever closed to her. It was a unique form of torture. To show someone the light only to plunge them back into darkness did not lead to a peaceful life as before, but to a mind forever haunted by visions of that light, turning one into a moth endlessly seeking a flame, until death.
While the two rejected ladies wallowed in self-pity, Ryan gently stroked the giant bat's metal skeleton, deep in thought. "Headmaster... perhaps we could invite the ladies to stay in Hogsmeade village for a while."
The moment he spoke, Dumbledore knew Ryan was cooking up some unconventional idea, likely related to this metal frame and its potential as a magical conductor. "I'm getting old," Dumbledore immediately declared, feigning aches and pains. "But you're a young man. You should make more friends." He essentially washed his hands of the matter, implying Ryan should handle it himself.
Gellert would be the first to disagree with that assessment, Ryan thought wryly. He turned to Julia and Nava with a formal invitation. "Ladies, would I have the honor of inviting you both to stay in Hogsmeade village for a time? You could consider it a relaxing holiday."
"Hogsmeade village?"
Like a tour guide reciting a script, Ryan began, "Hogsmeade is a village near Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It's the only all-wizarding village in Britain and one of the largest wizarding settlements. You can find a wide range of wizarding products and shops there. Students in their third year and above are allowed to visit during their free time."
Unfortunately, he lacked the natural talent of a tour guide, and simply reciting facts wasn't enough to entice real tourists. Luckily, his current targets were already hoping to get closer to Hogwarts. It was a case of willing participants, allowing his clumsy explanation to serve its purpose.
"Of course, we accept. Mr. Welles, you are an acting professor at Hogwarts?" Julia asked for confirmation.
"Due to Professor Quirrell experiencing a... small accident, I am currently teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Defense Against the Dark Arts..." Julia repeated. Ilvermorny had the same course, and during her school years, it had been a crucial core subject, usually taught by powerful and experienced wizards. Hogwarts, with the greatest white wizard of the century at its helm, was arguably the strongest of the eleven magical schools, its faculty superior to others. For someone in their teens to teach a core subject at such a school meant that Dumbledore and the other Heads of House recognized Ryan Welles's magical mastery.
Recalling the unbelievable magic she had witnessed Ryan perform today—effortlessly controlling two groups of Aurors, expanding the room without a second thought, and the subsequent aerial battle against the hundred-meter bat, a dazzling display of flashes and fire that painted the image of a powerful, calm, and genius wizard—Julia compared him to her friends and family. She concluded that her own father, the powerful official, definitely couldn't beat this teenage wizard.
"I wouldn't presume to teach," Ryan said modestly. "Perhaps we can learn together."
Nava, who had been feeling discouraged but was planning to stick close to the wizards anyway, hoping to find a path into their world, was thrilled by this unexpected turn of events. Excitement spread across her face. "Thank you for the invitation, Mr. Welles. I am deeply honored and would love the chance to live among wizards for a time."
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