The New Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor

Elphias Doge suddenly wanted another glass of whiskey.

"Albus Dumbledore, it's getting late." He straightened his wool coat. "Let's go back, back to Hogwarts."

Dumbledore glanced at his watch.

According to those strange-looking pointers, it's already past 10 a. m.

"Aberforth, let's talk again sometime." Elphias Doge stood up, pushed open the door, and walked out of the Hog's Head Pub first.

"Wait for my signal."

"Good."

After saying just one simple sentence, Dumbledore also left.

Aberforth put down his cup and sat down.

The older brother's eyes are hard to read, but the younger brother's are almost instantly recognizable.

It was as if he was regretting something, or perhaps reflecting on it.

Perhaps he has become accustomed to loneliness, as he seems unwilling to show his vulnerable side to others.

Even if they are the only family members left in the world.

Hogsmeade is on the carriage heading to Hogwarts.

"Ephias, you haven't been back to Hogwarts for almost twenty years, have you?"

"About nineteen and a half years." Elphias Doge looked at the scenery outside. "Is it really only me who needs to teach?"

If it were a position as a full professor, I wouldn't refuse it either.

Dumbledore. "If it weren't for the Ministry of Magic's prohibition, I would like to experience this curse for myself."

As long as Grindelwald is alive, he can no longer teach Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Elphias Doge withdrew his gaze from the scenery along the way and said, "Why don't you change the name of this course?"

"You know I won't."

Even changing just one letter is tantamount to admitting defeat to Voldemort.

"This can't go on."

"Actually, I have a very suitable candidate." Dumbledore's lips curled up slightly.

"He is naturally immune to attacks on the soul, so even the side effects of Dark Magic probably won't take effect."

Elphias Doge was slightly surprised, "There's actually such a talent?"

"Yes, the world of magic is vast. Just because we haven't discovered it doesn't mean it doesn't exist."

Dumbledore blue eyes looked toward the castle. "Five more years—or seven, I suppose."

Seven years from now, he should be able to take on the role of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

"That child?" Elphias Doge's surprise disappeared.

He is an advisor, and a very special one.

Although Fudge is not a very good person, he is quite efficient in certain aspects.

For example, finding a suitable scapegoat, or turning a bad thing into a good thing.

The list of next year's Britain Wizengamot Youth Representatives has been released, and it only contains one name.

"Seven years—" Elphias Doge struggled to suppress a laugh. "Albus Dumbledore, where are you planning to find seven new professors?"

Dumbledore's smile froze.

"Alastor, Newt Scamander, Tina, Queenie ..." He counted four on his fingers.

"Even if you could find one, wouldn't someone who just graduated and doesn't have the experience to become a professor be someone you could remind us of something?" Elphias Doge seemed to be reminding us of something.

Since the curse has a high probability of not taking effect, why not start as a junior assistant and run errands?

"Ephias, your idea is brilliant!"

"Albus Dumbledore, you're not serious, are you?"

Dumbledore gave a meaningful smile.

Elphias Doge knew that at least two people were going to be targeted, and he was certain that one of them was himself.

"No, I'm just here to substitute teach."

"Ephias, I knew your abilities very well back in school..."

"Stop, stop, stop!"

"Think about it, you'll definitely like that child."

After getting off the carriage, Dumbledore continued to try to persuade Elphias Doge, using emotional appeals and promises to make things easy for his assistant.

"Albus Dumbledore, I've only met him once."

"Ephias, it's only one semester, please help me out."

With errands to run and errands to do, plus the study of Alchemy and certain magic, there probably wouldn't be time for nighttime outings.

Kill two birds with one stone!

Dumbledore stepped onto the last step, the smile on his face vanished instantly.

Elphias Doge initially thought Dorjee was angry with him, until they strode towards the castle and entered the Headmaster's Office together.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven—each had a complex expression.

He glanced at the Pensieve on the table and already knew the answer in his heart.

They had seen Slughorn's memories and knew the secret of Voldemort's immortality.

Dumbledore did not blame them either, but carefully put the memories back into the original bottles.

Seven people together couldn't squeeze in, so we can be sure that only one person saw it.

"Vincent, is there something important that you need to tell me?"

"Yes, Professor." Vincent made no attempt to hide the sadness in his eyes. "Harry wasn't born Parseltongue."

Elphias Doge's pupils contracted instantly.

Dumbledore looked at Hagrid, who was wiping away tears.

Twelve years ago, there was a massacre in Godric's Hollow, right in the Potter family' cabin.

Under normal circumstances, a living person cannot become Horcrux.

But Harry has a scar on his forehead, a scar caused by the Killing Curse.

"Professor, Jormungandr —that is, the Basilisk— wasn't lying, then Harry might actually be..."

Dumbledore took a deep breath. "Thank you very much for the information."

Vincent seemed to want to say something but ultimately didn't.

"I know what you want to say." Dumbledore, spreading his hands to introduce Elphias Doge.

"He is Ephias Elphias Doge, an old friend of mine."

Elphias Doge first greeted Hagrid, then went to each of the six little ones one by one.

"We meet again, children."

He was actually present at the Order of Merlin ceremony during the summer vacation.

"Albus Dumbledore always mentions your names in front of me."

Fred and George were both like well-behaved children.

Because their parents were both members of the Order of the Order of the Phoenix, they met with Elphias Doge quite often.

"Elphias Doge, it's been a long time!"

"Haha—you two naughty little rascals!"

Vincent subtly winked at Dumbledore.

Although introducing oneself is basic courtesy, he just felt that Elphias Doge was not an ordinary guest.

The reason why a legal advisor to the Ministry of Magic and a special advisor to Wizengamot would not possibly be to reminisce about old times at Hogwarts.

Dumbledore nodded slightly again.

A new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor?

The consultant's job is still in effect; they're probably just teaching in place of others.

Vincent ignored the resentful look he then gave him.

He should blame himself for not properly storing Horace Slughorn's memories.

The Headmaster's Office was empty, with only a Pensieve and a small bottle on the table.

If you could suppress your curiosity, you wouldn't have been tricked so many times.

Dumbledore was at a loss, so he turned his attention to the portraits of the headmasters who were pretending to be asleep.

He was certain that they were all awake before he and Elphias Doge arrived.

Perhaps some of them even encouraged it.