A Letter from Hogwarts

High in the vast Scottish Highlands stood the majestic, mysterious, ancient Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

This thousand-year-old school was like a silent witness, bearing witness to the turbulent rise and fall of the magical world in Britain and across Europe.

Its current headmaster was Albus Dumbledore—a recipient of the First Class Order of Merlin, founder and Secret-Keeper of the Order of the Phoenix.

At the same time, he was also the Chairman of the International Confederation of Wizards and Chief Wizard of the Wizengamot.

His attainments in alchemy and Transfiguration were profound, reaching heights ordinary people could scarcely hope to achieve.

In the vast field of magical theory, he had likewise made major and immensely significant contributions through his wisdom and effort.

However, if one were to speak of his most brilliant accomplishments, it was undoubtedly his successive defeats of two terrifying Dark Lords—Gellert Grindelwald and Voldemort.

For that very reason, he was universally acknowledged throughout the wizarding world as the greatest and most powerful wizard of the age.

And yet, at this moment, the old man, now nearly 110 years old, was obediently accepting a scolding like a child who had carelessly done something wrong.

"Is your head full of honey, Dumbledore!"

"If it were, Severus, that would make me very happy."

"Call me Professor Snape!"

"Very well, Snape."

Smiling, Dumbledore offered Snape a tempting-looking Lemon Sherbet and said kindly:

"Would you like one? Muggles make these with great care, and they are quite delicious."

Snape answered him with a sharp, murderous glare.

Helplessly, Dumbledore put the sweet away and muttered softly, "What a pity."

"Severus, why are you so firmly opposed to Mr. Erwin coming to teach at Hogwarts? Back then, you took quite good care of him."

"Don't tell me you don't know what he has done since graduating."

"Of course I know. Mr. Erwin is a wizard filled with a fearless spirit of adventure..."

"He frequently deals with those evil Dark Wizards. To him, breaking the law is as commonplace as drinking water."

"But we have no concrete evidence to prove any of this..."

"That only proves how exceedingly cunning he is. He is practically exactly like that man."

Dumbledore looked at Snape with earnest sincerity.

"You are overthinking it."

Snape pressed his lips tightly together and said nothing.

"It seems neither of us can persuade the other. Why don't I invite Mr. Erwin here so we can ask him face-to-face?"

Moving swiftly, Dumbledore wrote a letter with an exquisite quill.

"I will supervise the entire process."

"No problem."

Dumbledore promptly handed the envelope to an owl and gently opened the window.

The owl firmly gripped the envelope in its beak, spread its wings, and flew away, vanishing into the distant sky.

Wes was completely absorbed in studying a paper.

It was a paper Professor Minerva McGonagall had recently published, offering an in-depth analysis of Transfiguration.

After all, as one of the few registered Animagi in the wizarding world, Professor Minerva McGonagall was undoubtedly a true master of Transfiguration.

At that moment, Wes was utterly immersed in the paper, as though he had fallen into a wondrous magical world from which he could not pull himself free.

So much so that he failed to hear the repeated thumping at the window.

In the end, Jandi hurriedly opened the window and carefully let the owl inside.

The owl, having just entered, angrily flapped its wings and hooted incessantly, expressing its intense displeasure.

"Oh, keep it down, little one. It would be bad if you disturbed Master."

Jandi took out a handful of premium pet food.

The moment the owl caught its enticing scent, it eagerly moved closer and began eating.

Once it had eaten and drunk its fill, it affectionately rubbed against Jandi, dropped the envelope, flapped its wings, and flew away.

Jandi hurriedly picked up the envelope, carefully checked the signature, and immediately presented it to Wes with utmost respect.

"Master, it is a letter from Hogwarts."

Wes, who had been rather annoyed at being interrupted, instantly lit up when he heard that the letter was from Hogwarts. Without hesitation, he tossed aside the paper in his hand and swiftly opened the envelope.

"Mr. Wes Erwin,

I am pleased that you have applied once more for the position of Professor of Runes. After careful consideration, we invite you to attend an interview at the Headmaster's Office at 10:00 tomorrow morning.

Wishing you all the best,

Albus Dumbledore"

"Oh! That's wonderful!" Wes danced with excitement, unable to suppress the joy on his face. "Three years... I finally got a reply."

"Congratulations, Master."

As a highly competent House-elf, Jandi offered his master heartfelt congratulations.

"It has to be foolproof."

Wes's gaze was resolute. This time, he was determined to succeed.

At eight o'clock the next morning, Wes stood before the mirror early, examining himself with great care.

The mirror reflected a spirited young man with sharply defined features. His hair was impeccably combed, neat and sleek.

A well-tailored robe perfectly accentuated his tall, slender frame, while his exceptionally handsome face made him all the more charming.

"How do I look?" Wes asked expectantly.

"Absolutely perfect, my master!"

A handsome smile curved across Wes's lips as he picked up the suitcase beside him.

"Wait here properly."

"Yes, Master."

When Wes arrived at Hogwarts at half past nine, the person who came to receive him was unexpectedly Professor McGonagall.

Wes was immediately flattered. He quickly gave her a deep bow. "It has been a long time, Professor McGonagall."

"Mr. Erwin, you have grown into an outstanding young man." Professor McGonagall smiled and praised him warmly. "I never expected that one day, you and I might become colleagues."

"That will ultimately depend on Headmaster Dumbledore's decision." Wes seemed a little embarrassed.

"You were a clever child, and you were already exceptionally outstanding at school. If Albus still has his wits about him and has not lost his mind, he ought to accept your application."

"I hope everything turns out as you say."

"Mr. Erwin."

"Please call me Wes, Professor McGonagall."

"Very well, Wes. How does it feel to return to school?"

A trace of nostalgia appeared on Wes's face. "Both familiar and unfamiliar. As a student, I never properly explored this mysterious castle. I spent every day immersed in the library's books and my study of magic."

"Yes, that left a very deep impression." Professor McGonagall spoke slowly. "Never has there been a student as studious as you. Even for someone from Ravenclaw House, that was rather excessive."

Wes touched his nose somewhat sheepishly.

"We professors were quite frequently 'harassed' by you back then."

Though she said that, Professor McGonagall had always taken especially good care of such a diligent student as Wes, often giving him private extra lessons.

The other professors were the same. Even the ever-strict Professor Snape regarded Wes more favorably than most.

"By the way, does Filius know about this?"

"Not yet. I want to tell him after everything has been settled."

As they talked, they had unknowingly reached the eighth floor.

The enormous, exceptionally ugly stone beast guarding the Headmaster's Office suddenly spoke. "Password!"

"Butterscotch." Professor McGonagall answered calmly.

The stone beast obediently moved aside.

Behind it was a slowly turning spiral staircase, with the door to the Headmaster's Office at its top.

It was a gleaming oak door, set with a uniquely shaped brass door knocker in the form of a Gryphon.

As the two drew near, the door slowly opened on its own.

As Wes looked at the open door, he felt a trace of nervousness in his heart.

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