Sincerity Is the Only Surefire Move (New Book, Please Vote—Thank You, Everyone!)

Sincerity Is the Only Surefire Move (New Book, Please Vote—Thank You, Everyone!)

"Wes, go on in. Headmaster Dumbledore is already waiting for you," Professor McGonagall said. "I have other important matters to attend to, so I'll be leaving first."

"Thank you for your trouble, Professor McGonagall. If you have the time, I'd also like to ask you about Transfiguration. Your papers are truly brilliant, and I've benefited greatly from them."

After Professor McGonagall left, Wes walked through the doors with an uneasy heart.

It was an incredibly spacious circular room, its walls covered with portraits of former headmasters, all of whom were dozing softly within their frames.

The room also contained all manner of exquisite silver instruments, giving off a mysterious yet captivating glow.

Wes looked around but did not see Dumbledore's much-talked-about pet—Fawkes the Phoenix.

He had never expected that, besides Headmaster Dumbledore, Professor Snape would also be waiting for him.

He hurried forward and said apologetically, "I'm terribly sorry to have kept you both waiting."

Dumbledore smiled and gestured for him to sit. "Mr. Erwin, you are right on time."

"If you are prepared, I think we can begin the interview as soon as possible. I hope you understand that, as headmaster, I have mountains of affairs to deal with every day."

As Dumbledore spoke, he gave a playful wink.

Snape, however, let out a derisive snort at that moment.

"Pay no mind to Professor Snape. He is only here to observe."

"Very well, Headmaster. I believe I am fully prepared."

"The following questions may involve some personal privacy, but I hope you will answer truthfully."

"No problem, Headmaster."

"Then, Mr. Erwin, could you tell me why you applied for this teaching position? You should know that the salary it offers is not generous. It would not even cover the cost of the fine robe you are wearing in a month."

Wes frowned slightly, thought for a moment, and decided to answer honestly.

Besides, he knew perfectly well that before the two top Legilimency Masters in front of him, none of his lies could remain hidden.

"My purpose is actually very simple. I want to return to Hogwarts."

"Oh?" Dumbledore signaled with interest for Wes to continue.

"After graduating, I went through a series of adventures."

"During that time, I came to deeply realize that the knowledge I had learned at school was pitifully limited."

"No one would ever again teach me knowledge as patiently and unreservedly as the professors did."

"I encountered a bottleneck on my path of magical exploration that was difficult to overcome, and I believed that only by returning to Hogwarts, with the largest library in all of Europe, could I possibly break free of my predicament..."

Wes candidly stated his true purpose in one breath.

"So you were willing to take enormous risks dealing with Dark Wizards, even breaking regulations to explore dangerous ruins."

Professor Snape suddenly cut in. His deep-set eyes fixed tightly on Wes, his gaze full of scrutiny.

His eyes appeared hollow and lifeless. Though he was questioning Wes, it was difficult to discern his true emotions.

"That's right," Wes answered without hesitation.

Having received the answer he wanted, Professor Snape said nothing more.

"You are very honest, Mr. Erwin." Dumbledore adjusted the spectacles on the bridge of his nose, his expression growing somewhat serious.

"I have heard some unfavorable rumors about you. To be honest, they came as quite a shock. If there were conclusive evidence, the Ministry of Magic would likely throw you into Azkaban without mercy."

"The Ministry of Magic is nothing but a pile of shit in my eyes!"

Rather than being intimidated by Dumbledore's words, Wes grew emotional. "Those people are no longer worthy of being called wizards."

Dumbledore and Professor Snape clearly had not expected Wes to be so blunt.

"It seems Mr. Erwin holds quite a grudge against the Ministry of Magic. Last year, I almost became the Minister for Magic."

Dumbledore made the joke in a slightly humorous tone.

"That would have been impossible," Wes said with absolute certainty.

"Truly intelligent wizards wisely stay away from politics, because that filthy, stupid politics stains a wizard's pure soul."

"Oh!" Dumbledore could not help but be surprised.

"That is an extraordinary perspective. You should know that it took me decades to understand this truth, yet you already understand it at such a young age, Mr. Erwin."

"Perhaps it is because I come from the Muggle world."

Wes patiently explained, "Magic is nothing short of a miracle to me. It completely changed my fate."

"Fate..." Dumbledore's expression became somewhat unfathomable.

"Then one final question, Mr. Erwin. Do you know The Dark Lord?"

"The Dark Lord? You mean Voldemort?"

Upon hearing that name, Professor Snape, who was sitting beside him, involuntarily shuddered slightly.

However, he concealed it so well that neither Dumbledore nor Wes noticed the subtle change.

"Faced with such a terrifying existence, are you not afraid?" Dumbledore looked at Wes sharply.

Wes remained perfectly calm. "Why should I fear someone who has already failed?"

A distinct change finally appeared in Professor Snape's eyes.

"Your courage truly amazes me, Mr. Erwin," Dumbledore praised generously. "Nearly eleven years have passed, and now few people in the wizarding world dare mention his name directly. Everyone merely calls him The Dark Lord."

Wes shrugged indifferently. "Perhaps it's because I come from the Muggle world."

After pondering for a moment, Dumbledore said, "You are hired, Mr. Erwin."

Wes shot to his feet in excitement and tightly grasped Dumbledore's large hand. "That's wonderful, Headmaster Dumbledore. I will work hard to become a qualified teacher."

"Don't celebrate too soon. Rune is quite a niche subject, and there may not be many students choosing it, so regarding your salary..."

"No problem, Headmaster. I do not care how much I am paid."

After the two successfully signed the contract, Wes left in high spirits.

At that moment, only Dumbledore and Snape remained in the office.

"He is dangerous," Snape said gravely.

"He is merely too pure," Dumbledore said slowly. "He needs proper guidance. Given time, he may become a powerful force against Tom."

Snape unconsciously touched the Dark Mark on his arm.

"He has no reverence whatsoever for The Dark Lord, and my Dark Mark showed no reaction at all. He is definitely not a Death Eater."

"Then we should all the more find a way to bring him to our side, Severus. I am growing old, while Tom will soon make a comeback. We need more strength."

The room instantly fell silent.

Snape rose and left, leaving behind only one sentence. "I hope your judgment is correct."

After returning to the inn, Wes was in high spirits and could not wait to begin preparing his lesson plans. He was in a state of extreme excitement.

He raced against time and finished preparing the lesson plans for the new term before school began, eagerly awaiting the coming opening day.