Slughorn's Heart, Known to All

"The maximum lifespan of wizards has increased to the terrifying number of a thousand years, and this number will continue to increase. Under such circumstances, many policies will need to be changed accordingly." Dumbledore adjusted his glasses.

He glanced enviously at Aberforth, who was with Ariana not far away, then composed himself and spoke slowly.

"Alastor would rather be an Auror. If we consider the millennium, he is still young and can still contribute to the Ministry of Ministry of Magic."

"The same goes for Horace; he also wants to return to his old position before some rejuvenated old wizards set their sights on Hogwarts teaching positions."

"His old position?" Ginny caught the key point. "He was the Potions Class professor?"

Dumbledore nodded. "Severus will serve as the professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"No!" Ron shouted sharply.

He attracted the attention of almost everyone in the locker room, and even Horace Slughorn, who had been keeping his eyes fixed on the Champion, looked him over with interest several times.

Unlike Ron, Ginny didn't react.

She wasn't surprised; everyone knew that Professor Snape had always wanted to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"Didn't you always refuse him because you didn't believe he was capable of the job?" Ron added when Dumbledore didn't react. "Everyone has known that all these years."

Dumbledore coughed awkwardly, "Everyone knows this job is cursed. No one has ever lasted more than a year. Quirrell even lost his life. I personally sincerely hope that the murder will not happen to Severus."

"Just because that curse is gone, Snape can go?" Ron panted, looking at Dumbledore with the eyes of someone looking at a traitor.

In Ron's simple, black-and-white value system, Dumbledore, who comes from Gryffindor, would naturally be irreconcilably opposed to Snape, the evil leader of Slytherin targets Gryffindor.

But now he realizes he was wrong, that he has been betrayed.

Ginny sneered, "Ron, don't forget, Snape was Harry's biggest investor, the most steadfast one."

"That's because he's obsessed with Harry's mother. He practically glues his eyes to Mrs. Potter. Mrs. Potter, and he'd love to lick every inch of her feet with his sticky snake tongue!" Ron rudely gestured to Ginny. "As Harry's friend, I'm on his side!"

"You—" Ginny was speechless.

Just as everyone knows Snape wanted to be the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, everyone also knows he wanted to be Harry's stepfather.

Therefore, he was also known among the people as the most affectionate Slytherin.

Ginny looked around; Ron's words and gestures were just in time to be heard and seen by no one.

Dumbledore had already reached his sister's side and was arguing with her brother. Presumably, when Ron questioned Ron and they were about to start arguing, he quietly left.

Dumbledore, however, wasn't entirely preoccupied with jealousy and rivalry in front of his sister.

In fact, he was a bit strange.

Why would Horace strike up a conversation with Cedric so casually?

It's important to know that Cedric's contractor was Tom Riddle, the younger version of Voldemort when he was Horace's student.

Horace considered it a disgrace to have misjudged Riddle, and was unwilling to mention it or get close to him.

When he was the headmaster and Voldemort came to apply for a job, Horace happened to be having an episode and hiding in his office. He even refused an invitation from a powerful student, which was unusual for Horace.

When Voldemort was rampaging, Horace practically disbanded the Slug Club and stayed at the school.

After Voldemort's defeat, Horace was unusually happy and immediately made a teaching plan for the next few years.

At that time, he also sensed from past events that Horace and Tom Riddle might share some dark secrets, but a few days after he asked Horace about this matter, Horace immediately resigned.

But now, Horace...

Dumbledore didn't understand and decided to continue observing from the shadows.

Aside from Horace Slughorn himself, only Basil knew the reason behind Dumbledore's question.

All of this was because of what Cedric said to Riddle and the others from the Rune Card World in the Staff Room.

This led Slughorn to believe that he hadn't actually misjudged Riddle, but rather that it was because of the Horcrux.

It was the Horcrux that destroyed Riddle, turning Riddle into a cruel and misguided individual.

His only mistake was telling Riddle that multiple Horcrux could be created and then distancing himself from him, no longer guiding him.

Thus, he freed himself from his guilt.

Slughorn's only goal now is to return to his teaching position and make up for the loss of those rising stars of the Hogwarts Wizarding World that he missed during the ten years he retired from teaching, by getting to know the Champion.

For this reason, he even approached Ron, whose innocent aura, untainted by knowledge, could be sensed without him even needing to get close.

"You must be Ron Weasley, here you go." He handed him a cup of delicious coronation soup (a soup drunk by ancient British monarchs during their coronation, made by mixing almond milk, chicken jelly, sugar and spices, and chopped semi-cooked chicken and other ingredients), because his discerning eye had immediately recognized what kind of person Ron was.

"Mmm, it smells delicious." Ron smiled.

The food offensive was indeed very effective on him. He, who had just been somewhat angry with Slughorn because of his argument with Snape over Ginny, immediately beamed with joy.

And she regained an emotional intelligence that she didn't usually have. "You're looking for Harry, right? He hasn't come back from that world yet."

"Of course, we all know that." Slughorn was very patient.

As he said, any wizard could see through the black screen in their mind that Harry was still in the Rune Card World, training in the bathroom or doing things that couldn't be broadcast.

But Slughorn was actually more pleased with Ron's nonsense and the empty-headedness of his mind.

Firstly, this proves that his insightful judgment was still correct.

Secondly, this would make it easier for him to get information about Harry from Ron.

Sure enough, ten minutes later.

Even before participating in the Goblet of Fire, Harry's image was already clearly etched in Slughorn's mind.

Slughorn handed a fried chicken leg, which made Ron grin foolishly again. After politely leaving, Slughorn fell into self-doubt.

Is this really Harry Potter?

Not another Ron Weasley, the typical impulsive and irritable Gryffindor student?

Another James Potter?

But he didn't even fancy James Potter.

After a moment's hesitation, Slughorn still picked up his professional ethics.

When did he become so picky? As long as the people around him Winky and he can bask in their glow, that's enough for him.

He should pursue any celebrity, regardless of how they became famous or whether they are good-for-nothings or not, and include them in his club.

Seeing Harry finally appear in the crowd not far away, next to the square-faced girl Ginny Weasley, Slughorn regained his smile and slowly approached.

He wasn't worried about failing; when everyone else was choosing Phoebe Investment, he chose Harry Potter.

This was just a belated meeting. As Harry's biggest investor, the reason he hadn't met before was simply because he felt guilty and didn't dare to see Lily and his son.

"You must be Harry," Slughorn greeted with a smile, then casually turned his head, "Ah, long time no see, Lily."

"Professor Slughorn!" Lily exclaimed with great enthusiasm.

Harry noticed this, and his face, which had cooled due to being disturbed, broke into a smile. "Oh, it's you."

His smile wasn't entirely due to his mother's enthusiasm.

Also, because he was indeed familiar with the name.

They were the ones who supported him from behind, unlike the names of other investors who tried to appear in front of him.

So he roughly understood his purpose, "The Slug Club?"

Slughorn's smile became even more genuine; he began to regret believing Ron's description.

Didn't he see Harry's performance live with his own eyes?

The liberation of the Magic Immortal Artifact was no less than that of Cedric Diggory, the winner of the second trial, and Peverell, Malfoy, the Weasley family son-in-law.

"I'm not inviting you to join it," Slughorn shook his head. "I just want to get to know Lily's son."

That's a lie. He only said that because Harry is too famous and too good; the Slug Club is no longer presentable.

He might as well put his heart into it.

In fact, he did the same thing to every Champion he met.

Lily noticed, but she didn't say anything to undermine him.

Professor Slughorn was indeed very kind to her and favored her greatly. Apart from his frequent, inappropriate remarks about her needing to go to his college, he had no flaws.

She believed that Harry didn't have any bad intentions towards her.

This is also a test for Harry.

Harry is not only her son, but also the heir of the Peverell Malfoy family, a warrior who needs to participate in trials in another universe, not some fragile porcelain.

Snape rolled his eyes inwardly. He didn't believe Slughorn's words, but they were certainly well said.

It's at least useful for Harry Potter, who has a brain as simple as James Potter's.

Under his seemingly indifferent gaze, Harry's smile became even more genuine.

Harry grasped Slughorn's outstretched hand. "Thank you so much. Snape told me you provided us with access to many precious medicinal herbs. Back then, everyone favored Phoebe."

"You are, after all, the son of my favorite student. Lily, uh, and James." Slughorn exchanged pleasantries for a moment before turning to Ginny. "You must be Ginny Weasley. I held you when you were born, and you've grown up so much."

This is not a lie. Before Dumbledore rose to prominence, the Weasley family were indeed impoverished, but they still had many children and relatives.

Every child except Ron is excellent.

"Hello." Ginny nodded curtly.

During adolescence, most people react this way when they hear something like, "I held you when you were born."

Slughorn had anticipated this, and using this as an excuse, he shifted his focus. "Severus, you know I've been retired for over ten years. I've never given up on Potions, but as for my understanding of the students... would you mind telling me—"

"Potions?" Harry realized what he meant, and immediately looked at Snape, grinning with his bright white teeth. "You retired early?"

Snape's thin lips trembled. "If you could use your brain, which is full of reeds, you would understand that the probability of me retiring is not as high as the probability of you marrying the Dark Lord."

Then he forced a smile, "Next, I will take up the position of Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Harry gave Ron the same look, "No!"

Not far away, Dumbledore, who was laughing so hard his sister's Delia were showing, remained silent for a moment.

"What's wrong?" Ariana asked curiously.

"Nothing?" Dumbledore shook his head. "Harry must know about Snape."

He wasn't surprised by Harry's reaction, just as he wasn't surprised that Harry and Roan fell in love.

Meanwhile, Slughorn wisely left Harry and began collecting targets again.

It's worth mentioning that Draco Malfoy, whom he had previously ignored in his timeline, has become his target.

"Is that Malfoy?" Hermione wrinkled her nose slightly. "Why would he come? Why did Professor Slughorn choose him?"

During Slughorn's 'parade' in the common room, almost everyone learned that he was the next Potions Class professor and that he had Slug Club.

After all, besides his own promotion, there are already many celebrities here who are members of the Slug Club.

They were also generous in sharing information about this private club, since in their view, any student who could attend Harry Potter's birthday party was entitled to it.

Hermione was one of the students approached by Slughorn, and now that Draco Malfoy was getting attention, she felt somewhat insulted.

"Don't forget," Basil reminded him, "That he is also Draco Malfoy's alternate universe counterpart."

"The lifespan of fairies is infinite, and so will the lifespan of wizards in the future. This title is more valuable than any achievement."

"An endless lifespan," Hermione blinked. "That would be wonderful. I'd have endless time to read books, learn new spells, and... be with you."

She spoke the last two words very softly, almost like a mosquito's buzz.

Even so, her ears were still bright red.

Basil grasped Hermione's hand. "I want to see what the world will be like a hundred years from now with someone."

"I haven't agreed yet." Hermione stamped her foot and turned her head, but her hand 'forgot' to pull out.

"By then, humanity will have entered the Star Era. I want to buy a huge piece of land on the moon, build a library inside a crater, fill it with all the books I've ever read, and hire countless House-elf to look after it, giving them salaries, holidays, health insurance, and two days off a week."

Basil's lips twitched, but he still added this inexplicable library to the world that was about to take shape.