Inside the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore listened to Leo's evaluation, gently nodding, a trace of imperceptible regret in his eyes.
"Quirinus's theoretical research is excellent. He was previously an outstanding Ravenclaw graduate—your senior, actually. It's just that personality-wise, he's indeed not quite suited for teaching students."
Leonardo made no further comment, nor did he mention the accident during the final practice duel with Quirrell. Otherwise, what could he say? That he, a young wizard, had brought a professor to his knees?
Moreover, strictly speaking, it wasn't him who did it—it was his wand!
"By the way, Headmaster, does the school have any available classrooms? Right now I'm studying Potions with classmates, and when I work on alchemy projects, I use Hagrid's hut. I don't want to keep imposing on him, so..."
Actually, Leo also considered that teaching Harry Potions alone was fine for now. But if Ron started learning alchemical mechanics later, there would be even more people. Perhaps his tutoring sessions could expand further in the future.
He didn't know if Ron's family had replied yet or if he could borrow magic books to read. Anyway, once there were more people, they couldn't all keep running to Hagrid's place.
Although he could also try finding an inconspicuous corner and creating an Undetectable Extension Charm space to use as a private classroom, Leo had actually thought of a place—a ready-made one in Hogwarts Castle.
"An available classroom? Well, the school does have a very magical place. It can transform itself to match exactly what its user needs."
Dumbledore looked at Leo with a smile. He understood what this child meant—wanting to find a convenient, undisturbed place. Besides tutoring Harry, he could also use it to practice magic or alchemy.
Hearing Dumbledore's description, Leo's suspicions were confirmed. The Room of Requirement!
It could change according to the intentions of those who entered, satisfying many needs. For example, if someone urgently needing a bathroom stumbled into this room, they'd probably find it filled with various toilets.
"Headmaster, may I use that place?"
"Of course. The school exists to help children learn. Come on, I happen to be free—I'll take you to familiarize yourself with it."
With that, the tall old man stood up, indicating for Leo to follow him.
Leonardo was somewhat surprised that Dumbledore was so leisurely. He'd thought the headmaster would commission Professor McGonagall or Professor Flitwick to take him, or simply have a house-elf lead the way.
Standing up to follow Dumbledore, just as they reached the room's center, a voice called out.
"Hey, good afternoon, Leo."
Leonardo looked toward the voice's source—the Sorting Hat in the glass display case.
"Good afternoon."
"Could you do me a favor?"
A favor? What could he help the Sorting Hat with? Leo was somewhat puzzled, looking at Dumbledore. But the old man just spread his hands.
"I told you, the Sorting Hat has become increasingly active, occasionally making some strange requests."
"Hey, Albus, what do you mean by 'strange requests'? I've served this school for over a thousand years! Can't I enjoy myself a little?"
Faced with the Sorting Hat's protests, Dumbledore could only smile helplessly. He was already used to it.
"Leo, could you wear me again? I feel like after you wore me at the start of the term, I became smarter somehow!"
These words left Leonardo speechless. Wasn't this hat created by the Hogwarts founders? It was quite a magical alchemical artifact. Though it had those four's thoughts injected into it and could communicate with people, could a hat become smarter?
Had sorting him at the start of the term been too difficult, thereby improving its processing power? Wait, no—where would a magical hat get processing power...?
Leo looked at Dumbledore again. The old headmaster smiled. "What did I tell you?"
Dumbledore waved his hand and made the glass cover disappear.
"Quickly, just consider it helping future students. Once I become a bit smarter, I'll definitely be better at sorting them into suitable houses. I'll mention your name then and have them thank you!"
Leonardo's expression was strange. The Sorting Hat's behavior was becoming less and less hat-like.
"Um, actually, that's not necessary."
Leo reached out and placed the Sorting Hat on his head. After a few seconds, the hat didn't smoke or catch fire.
"Though I can't see clearly, I can tell you've learned a lot. Truly worthy of Ravenclaw. My sorting back then was definitely correct!"
Regarding the Sorting Hat's self-praise, Leonardo really wanted to complain. Hadn't it been him who decided on Ravenclaw back then?
Putting the Sorting Hat back, it was still clamoring, "Come play again next time!"
Dumbledore and Leo left the Headmaster's office. Passing the gargoyle, Leonardo suddenly thought of something. He needed to ask Dumbledore for the password. He couldn't have Fawkes pick him up every time, though judging by that phoenix's behavior, it seemed quite willing.
"Headmaster, the gargoyle..."
"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Please forgive an old man's memory. This week's password is Mead. Next week's will be Lemon Sherbet."
Worthy of being Dumbledore—using sweets as expected.
"Alright, Headmaster, I'll remember."
"Well, speaking of which, would you like a Lemon Sherbet?"
Dumbledore pulled a candy from his pocket and handed it to Leo.
Looking at that candy, then thinking of that pile of sweets in the office, Leonardo couldn't help thinking: fortunately this world had magic; fortunately this world had potions. Otherwise, this greatest wizard would have long since succumbed to diabetes.
Accepting the candy and thanking him, Leo unwrapped it and popped the yellow lemon candy coated in frosting into his mouth. Sweet, but not too sweet, with a bit of sourness—a surprisingly normal sweet.
Dumbledore also ate a Lemon Sherbet, crunching it loudly. "It's nice communicating with you young people—none of you refuse the sweets I share."
Leonardo glanced at the tall, thin old wizard before him. Besides children liking sweets, it was more that people didn't dare refuse Dumbledore's courtesy.
The two eventually arrived at the eighth floor of the castle, standing before a tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy being clubbed by trolls.
"Leo, you can concentrate and imagine the venue you need."
Dumbledore then led Leonardo back and forth three times in front of that section of wall.
Leo looked at the wall again—a very smooth door had appeared quite abruptly. This was the Room of Requirement.
Pushing open the door, Dumbledore saw the scene before him and couldn't help a light exclamation. "Quite unique?"
The entire room was clean and tidy, with a large sliding blackboard at the front. A black and white clock hung on the wall, ticking away steadily. About thirty or forty wooden desks and chairs were neatly arranged, each spaced half a meter apart.
Most interesting were various banners hanging on the walls:
Work hard, and OWLs with all O's are beckoning you!
Life can be redone, but NEWT exams come only once!
Only magic and your wand will never let you down...
Leonardo looked at this familiar yet hazy classroom, as if dreaming back to high school. Well, there were a few too many desks and chairs. But that was fine. Perhaps they'd all be filled in the future, maybe even needing expansion.
"Very interesting arrangement, but those banners are?"
Dumbledore asked curiously.
Leo looked up at those slogans with magical flavor, his mouth twitching slightly.
"Perhaps in this kind of environment, studying has more atmosphere."