Career Guidance, Potential as a Robber

As the Easter holidays came to an end, Professor Snape handed a notice to Aaron, the Prefect.

Following the instructions of the Slytherin Head of House, he posted the notice on the bulletin board in the Slytherin common room so that all Slytherin could see it.

Employment guidance

During the first week of the summer semester, all first-year students must have an interview with their dean to discuss future employment. The interview schedule for each student is shown in the table below.

Draco glanced at the notice, a hint of contempt and amusement flashing in his eyes.

Employment? But a rich second-generation like him still needs employment. Wouldn't it be a complete humiliation to look for a job?

"Aaron, what are you thinking?"

"There are twelve required and elective courses in total. Getting excellent grades in all of them shouldn't be a problem," Aaron said confidently. Although he had hardly attended any of the Arithmancy classes, he had all the relevant textbooks in his mind. With this knowledge, he had no problem with not only the theory but also the practical application.

Draco looked at him strangely. "I was asking about career guidance."

"The better your grades and the more certificates you get, the easier it is to find a job."

"You're really planning to look for a job?" Draco asked in surprise. "With our family's wealth, we could just sit back and wait to inherit the fortune!"

Upon hearing this, Aaron chuckled to himself.

"That's true, but if someone inherits the family fortune without knowing anything, they'll just be a spendthrift. It's easy to live off past achievements, but it's too boring."

Wealth earned through our own hard work is the kind of wealth we can enjoy with a clear conscience.

Besides, I don't want to inherit the family business so early. I don't even know how much the Gaius family owns; managing it would be too exhausting.

Draco blinked blankly. "I probably don't have your level of awareness."

"That's normal," Aaron said with a sigh. "Uncle Lucius has probably already made arrangements for you. After graduation, he will familiarize you with the Malfoy family's operating model and help you create greater value from the wealth accumulated over the years."

But the Gaius Family's attitude towards their heirs can be summed up in two words: laissez-faire.

The family business must be inherited, but I have more autonomy in it.

Draco nodded, seemingly understanding, "So what kind of job do you want to pursue in the future?"

"I'm confident I can handle any job, including healer, pharmacist, Divination, photographer, and any job at the Ministry of Magic," Aaron said after a moment of contemplation. "But I think I'll probably become a teacher; I feel I have a lot of experience in that area."

"Hogwarts?"

"That's right, this school is extremely important to me." Aaron said seriously. He couldn't give up Hogwarts, this blessed place, no matter what. He thought he might become a magic god if he stayed there for decades.

Being a professor is just a temporary measure; once he has enough qualifications, he will become the new headmaster of Hogwarts.

"I thought you would go into business."

"The Small Shop in Diagon Alley are just trying to earn some pocket money; otherwise, they wouldn't have remained beverage shops for several years."

To be honest, with my culinary skills, turning that place into a restaurant would increase profits at least tenfold.

Draco:...

Aaron's career guidance was scheduled for Monday, and after lunch he went to Professor Snape's office.

Looking at the dim walls and the densely packed glass jars and animal specimens along them, Aaron couldn't help but click his tongue. "Professor, I'm not trying to be mean, but..."

"This is the style of my office when I first came here, and it's been like this for years. Can't you make it a little brighter?"

"Be serious." Professor Snape sat down. "This is your career guidance."

Aaron shrugged, pulled up a chair for himself, and then took a bottle of juice from Abei's pocket. "Professor, would you like some?"

I have whiskey, brandy, vodka, rum, ice wine, and all sorts of spirits—you name it, I have it.

"I'm telling you to be serious," Professor Snape said in a deep voice, then looked at Abei. "For the sake of your studies, I think it's necessary for me to confiscate all your drinks."

"I have no objection, as long as you do it well."

Abei immediately Holy Dragon Roar, crimson flames flickering in and out of its mouth.

"I was just joking," Professor Snape said sheepishly, appearing completely genuine.

He didn't think he couldn't beat an Abei, but this was his territory after all, and all the Potions and materials were his personal belongings. If he broke any of them, he would be the one who suffered the loss.

In other words, his impression of Abei is still based on what he thought was a few years ago. If he knew that Abei could now grow to more than ten meters tall, I wonder if he would still have the confidence to think that way.

Aaron patted Abei's dragon head, and it immediately withdrew its dragon might and obediently lay in Aaron's arms.

"Professor, you can continue."

"I know that with your family background you won't have to worry about finding a job, but I still want to know your thoughts on employment so that I can help you decide which subjects you should study in sixth and seventh grade."

"Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor," Aaron replied without hesitation.

Professor Snape paused for a moment, then a smile curved his lips. "To be honest, I'm quite surprised. I've always wanted to apply for this position, but Dumbledore has never been interested."

"Perhaps he's worried that you're not up to the task of handling the position."

"What a joke," Professor Snape said dismissively. "My knowledge of the Dark Magic far surpasses that of all your previous professors."

"Including Quirrell?" Aaron asked playfully.

Professor Snape paused, realizing that Aaron wasn't referring to Quirrell, but to Voldemort, who was possessing Quirrell. But even with his confidence, he wouldn't be foolish enough to challenge the Dark Lord to a contest of Dark Magic.

"Ahem, Quirrell is an exception."

Aaron smiled but remained silent. Snape read the mockery in his smile and immediately became serious. "Are you making fun of me? Or do you also think I'm not up to the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor?"

"Of course not, Professor, you may have misunderstood me. I meant that Dumbledore might be worried that you wouldn't be able to handle the curse on that location."

Since I started school, no one has been able to stay in that position for a full year.

"That's because they're not capable enough," Professor Snape said dismissively.

"I'm quite confident in my abilities," Aaron said with a sheepish smile. "After graduation, I'll become Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor."

Professor Snape:...

"I personally think you are more suitable to be Potions Class professor."

"Once I become the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor, the Potions Class professor position will become vacant, and I can then act as your sponsor."

"That... isn't necessarily a bad thing."

Professor Snape was very satisfied with Aaron's attitude. "You don't need too many certificates to become a professor, but you must have a thorough understanding of the subject you are going to teach and be able to prove your ability."

"Is it that easy?" Aaron asked in surprise. Hogwarts ' requirements for professors seemed to be lower than he had thought.

"Otherwise, why do you think Hagrid is able to teach the Care of Magical Creatures?"

"Dumbledore's favoritism is one thing, but his knowledge of Fantastic Beasts is truly exceptional," Professor Snape said. "Of course, the more certificates the better, so you have a significant advantage even with competitors."

"I understand." Aaron nodded thoughtfully. "I'm confident enough in the exams. Getting all twelve certificates with an O rating shouldn't be a problem."

"I don't really doubt that."

"Thank you, Professor. I'll head back now."

"Wait a minute," Snape said suddenly, "There's one more thing."

"Please speak."

Snape remained silent for several seconds before hesitantly speaking, "After the Christmas holidays, Dumbledore asked me to teach Harry Potter Cerebral Sealing Technique..."

"I know that, Abei told me." Aaron stroked the Holy Dragon in his arms. "Wait, Professor, don't tell me Harry is still stubbornly refusing to back down!"

"Hmph! I thought he would shamelessly come and beg me, but I didn't expect him to still have some self-respect."

"So what exactly happened between you two?" Aaron asked, his face full of curiosity.

"It's none of your business."

"Fine! I can't be bothered with it anyway."

"No, you have to take care of it," Professor Snape said hesitantly. "You should also know Cerebral Sealing Technique, right? Go and teach Potter for me."

"I'm not going," Aaron refused bluntly. "I'm not exactly bored myself, why should I teach him?"

"Just consider it a favor to me."

"That won't do either." Aaron remained unmoved. "Professor, I have great respect for you, and I will do my best to help you with your matter."

But this is clearly not your business, and I have no obligation to help Harry Potter.

Furthermore, if I may be frank, teaching him wouldn't do me any good.

Snape took a deep breath. "Slytherin's interests come first. Tell me! How much do you want?"

"This..." Aaron hesitated, then swallowed hard as he looked at the various glass bottles in the office. "That depends on how many you have, Professor."

"Truth Serum, Cheering Charm, Calming Draught, Blood-Replenishing Potion, Love Potion, Amortentia, Beauty Potion, Draught of Living Death, Enhancement Potion, Intelligence Potion, Hair Growth Potion..."

Professor Snape rattled off more than twenty Potions before finally stopping, gritting his teeth. "Is that enough?"

Aaron shook his head slightly, then held up two fingers. "Double it again."

"Why don't you just rob it?"

"Robbing is nowhere near as fast as getting them here!" Aaron said embarrassedly. "Actually, I could make these Potions myself, but it would be a waste of time. Luckily, you have them ready-made here."

"What do you need so many for?" Snape asked, puzzled.

"I put it on the shelf not for any other reason than to make myself happy."

"In a good mood?" Snape paused for a moment, then sneered, "Gaius, you have the potential to be a robber!"

"Just kidding, just kidding."

I need these Potions just to prepare for the future; not using them now doesn't mean I won't use them in the future.

"But don't worry, Professor, I won't take advantage of you. Consider these Potions as if I bought them from you, and I'll give you enough Gold Galleons at market price."

Upon hearing this, Professor Snape's expression softened slightly. "At least you know about the teachings of the Master."

"However, I've recently accumulated too much money. I can only afford one car, and I'm afraid I'll have to pay for the rest."

Snape looked at him suspiciously. "You're short of money?"

"Nonsense, the money I give you is all money I earned myself. I don't easily touch the money my family gives me."

Professor Snape nodded slightly, reluctantly acknowledging the statement.

He then took dozens of glass bottles of different colors and sizes from a shelf along the wall and placed them all on the desk.

Aaron checked them one by one and put them into a box.

"The goods are fine, pay up!"

Abei reluctantly opened his pocket, then flew into the air, leaving a stack of Gold Galleons on the office table.

"That's all we have," Abei said, looking aggrieved.

"I estimate it's still a little over two hundred short. I'll take the loss and give you two hundred," Snape said calmly, inexplicably feeling much better.

Aaron never imagined he would one day be in debt. He took out a hundred coins from the pile and stuffed them into Abei's pocket. "I should keep some in, otherwise I won't feel safe."

"Now we're 300 short."

"Don't be so petty, I'll make it up to you when I get back from my vacation."

Snape rolled his eyes. If you hadn't been so clear about the score first, I wouldn't have acted so rudely.

"Speaking of which, Professor, you've really been good to Harry Potter." Aaron looked at him with a half-smile. "It's just that I'm kind enough; if it were someone else, you would have definitely spent a fortune."

"Get out."

"Okay!"

Because the career guidance session took up a lot of time, Aaron completely missed the afternoon Divination and simply went straight to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

Umbridge wasn't in a good mood that day. Her face was almost no longer swollen, but she was still wrapped in a scarf, which looked particularly awkward.

Umbridge's teaching methods remained unchanged; she still handed out a Defensive Magical Theory for everyone to study on their own, but she would occasionally cast angry glances at Harry.

Aaron turned the classroom into a cushion, placed Abei on it, and then began practicing the Ultimate Elemental Magic Array.

He is now only half a step away from mastering the instant-cast skill. As long as he practices diligently, he can master it before the holiday, at which time he will have an extra trump card.

In class, Harry stared blankly at the textbook, his eyes vacant. Hermione stood beside him, whispering something to him, looking very worried.

The school bell rang, Hermione looked increasingly distressed, clearly having failed to convince Harry.

At that moment, a loud noise came from outside, and screams and shouts echoed from the fourth floor.

Umbridge, with her short legs, ran up the stairs in the direction of the sound. The students who had just left the classroom stared nervously at the ceiling above them, afraid that it might fall down at any moment.

Only Harry shouldered his backpack and ran wildly in the completely opposite direction.

"What did he do?" Aaron asked curiously. "It seems like he planned it all along, and he had a very clear purpose."

And someone was covering for him— George and Fred?

"You can figure this out?" Ron asked incredulously.

Aaron rolled his eyes and pointed at the students who were all moving towards the east side of the tower. "Is this what you call analysis? He's being way too damn obvious."