"Me? A professor at Hogwarts?"
Melvin was stunned.
"Professor of Muggle Studies."
Dumbledore nodded and explained with a smile: "Originally, this subject was taught by Professor Quirinus Quirrell, but he changed his research direction and will take over the school's Defense Against the Dark Arts course next semester. I am looking for a new professor of Muggle Studies. I have seen your play and learned about your deeds. I think you are very suitable."
Melvin was not moved by his praise. Recalling the report about himself in the Ghost column, his expression was subtle: "I really can't think of where it is suitable."
"First of all, you have excellent grades."
"You should know that I haven't completed my studies."
"Don't worry about those rigid evaluation methods, Mr. Lewyn. In my opinion, your resume is very outstanding."
Dumbledore said slowly: "Since Ms. Seraphina Picquery graduated, you are the only one who has been recognized by the four colleges of Ilvermorny at the same time. You have performed well and achieved excellent results during your school years. Interviews show that the professors of Ilvermorny are very optimistic about you. Headmaster Agilbert Fontana revealed that although you did not take the Ultimate Wizarding Level Examination, you obtained a full certificate in the Ordinary Wizarding Level Examination.
"To have achieved success in Muggle society, to have skillfully combined magic and Muggle skills, and to have flexibly controlled the boundaries of the Statute of Secrecy, this is exactly what students need."
"..."
Nicolas Flamel remained silent, but his expression was a little strange.
Albus was still the same. He was still looking for news in the Ghost News an hour ago, but now he pretended to be very knowledgeable.
"Principal Fontana never hesitates to praise all students."
Melvin did not refuse, nor did he agree immediately: "I am honored to receive this invitation, but it is really too sudden. I need time to think about it seriously."
Dumbledore did not ask any further questions, and said goodbye very tactfully: "I think I will still have the opportunity to enjoy your wonderful performance next weekend."
"See you next week, I will ask Claire to reserve the best seat for you, and I wish you a good sleep tonight, gentlemen."
"Thank you for the moonstone. "
"…"
Walking out of the theater door, the neon street lights were still bright, the view became wider, the midsummer night breeze blew, and the smell of gasoline and dust lingered at the tip of the nose.
Two old men with strange looks walked on the street without attracting anyone's attention. Passersby seemed to see them, but they could accurately bypass them when passing by.
"Let's go."
Dumbledore was holding a can of soda and walking happily on the side of the road. Vending machines are wonderful creations of Muggle technology.
The two of them walked slowly, but their speed was beyond imagination. They were still on the street a second ago, and appeared at the end of the street in one step.
Nicolas Flamel showed a thoughtful expression: "Hogwarts has never had a foreign professor, Albus, why did you suddenly invite this young Mr. Lewinter?" "
Wrong stereotype, Hogwarts has had many foreign professors, most of whom are from Beauxbatons. "
"You still haven't answered my question. "
"Because Mr. Lewinter and Hogwarts already had a wonderful fate. "
Dumbledore took a sip, a satisfied expression on his face: "Did you notice his ring?"
Nicolas Flamel paused, a silver light floating in his light-colored pupils. He quickly searched for the details in his memory, and the image of the young wizard wearing a ring on the ring finger of his left hand appeared before his eyes.
It was a matte black ring, without any precious gems, no exquisite carvings, only some shallow lines, ordinary... The strange thing was that with the alchemist's hundreds of years of experience, he couldn't tell the material of the ring.
Nicolas Flamel narrowed his eyes slightly, and carefully identified it. Finally, he saw some scattered traces from those lines, which seemed familiar.
"Is that... the Slytherin emblem?"
"Burp..."
...
Gershwin Theater.
The actors and staff had left.
The corridor was silent, and the sound of the clock hands shaking could be heard in the office, and the crystal chandelier cast a soft light.
Melvin glanced out the window, glancing at the clock, his thoughts drifting with the light and shadows.
Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel, one the most powerful living legendary wizard, the other an alchemist who had guarded history for centuries, were unexpectedly affable and talkative on their first meeting. He had invited him because he understood Muggle society. He knew there were many doubts about his past, but he didn't press for details, nor did he see any signs of Legilimency...
at least, he hadn't sensed any. He
glanced at the commemorative calendar on his desk. It was the summer of 1991, exactly when the story began...
No matter how open-minded and tolerant Ilvermorny was, after experiencing the Salem witch trials of the 17th century, the Scourers riots, and the 1926 New York riots, the Magical Congress of the United States of America had always enforced the strict International Statute of Magical Secrecy.
Having fooled the Aurors and the Inquisitor in the last trial, he might face even stricter scrutiny in the future...
Regardless of the situation in the No-Maj world, Britain remains the center of wizarding culture. The British Ministry of Magic is more influential than MACUSA, and the environment there is more suitable for him to sow seeds and harvest magic.
"Click."
At midnight, the sound of the meshing gears of a mechanical clock became most distinct.
Melvin gathered his scattered thoughts and prepared to clear the tea set on the table when he suddenly noticed something gleaming beneath one of the teacups. It was another gold coin.
He took it in his hand, feeling cool, thick, and beautifully carved.
It wasn't No-Maj currency, nor was it a Gringotts-issued gold Galleon. It was a coin issued before the Goblin Rebellion, when the Goblin Kingdom was fully established. The coin was struck from genuine gold, weighing approximately 1.7 ounces.
Because it was no longer in print, the collectible value of the Goblin Gold Coin far exceeded its face value. Taking this to Gringotts would make even the most coveted goblin become amiable.
"Clang..."
The gold coin flipped rapidly in the air, reflecting the light and revealing a dazzling metallic luster.
What a tempting fortune!
...
A week later.
"I didn't expect Hogwarts to provide such a generous relocation fee to foreign professors."
Melvin, after reading the Hogwarts offer letter, looked up at the two old wizards, feeling a strange feeling within him.
"This is the right thing to do. Hogwarts is more like a family to its teachers and students,"
Dumbledore said, quite pleased with himself.
"..." So,
if you say so, then so be it.
Melvin closed a few pages of parchment, and on the cover was the Hogwarts emblem: "I have no objection to these terms. The treatment at Hogwarts is very generous. There are just some personal matters that I need to confirm in advance."
"You say."
"Teaching will not take up all of my time. I will also study and develop my own career at school."
Melvin noticed Dumbledore's slightly narrowed eyes, paused, and explained: "Of course, it has nothing to do with the dark arts. It is mainly stage drama, writing stories for wizards and exploring the expressive forms of magical art." "
You are very welcome."
Dumbledore smiled brightly: "Hogwarts has its own ghost theater, and it used to have a student theater. I participated in a performance when I was in school, although the result was a disaster... The school very much welcomes professionals in this field. Believe me, teachers and students will be happy to see the drama club established again."
The principal was so straightforward that Melvin wanted to agree on the spot, but he restrained himself: "In addition, I also have some ideas about the course content."
"Huh?"
Dumbledore's eyes lit up, and he suddenly became interested.
——
"Descendants of Slytherin: House Gaunt"
As direct descendants of Salazar Slytherin, the family was selected into the Sacred Twenty-Eight in 1930. In order to maintain the purity of their bloodline, the Gaunt family has practiced close-kin marriage for generations. The once wealthy Gaunt family lost all their wealth due to the extravagant and wasteful spending of their members, and once gave rise to many restless and mentally ill vagrants who were famous for their unstable personalities and violent behavior.
Borgin and Burke's shop in Knockturn Alley once collected many silver jewelry sold by the Slytherin family. Most of them were engraved with Ouroboros patterns, including Ouroboros, Kundalini, Merkaba... and combined with Slytherin's unique [S] mark.
All the collections sold by the Gaunt
family were removed from the shelves after 1947. Borgin and Burke's staff claimed that they were looted by Death Eaters.
(End of this chapter)