Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts?

Inside the abandoned factory, the surging Magic Power gradually subsided, leaving only wreckage strewn across the floor and a faint scent of ozone in the air.

Lin Du and Dumbledore stood several meters apart, their wands lowered after a brief yet fierce exchange.

Lin Du let out a soft breath and broke the silence first. "Professor Dumbledore, it seemed you did not go all out just now. It appears your purpose in coming here was not simply to bring me 'to justice,' was it?"

Dumbledore smiled noncommittally, the expression on his wrinkled face unfathomable.

With a wave of the Elder Wand, two relatively intact chairs and a small table flew over from the ruins.

"Standing while we talk is hardly proper hospitality, Mr. Lin. Perhaps we could sit down and have something? Pumpkin Juice? Or perhaps a glass of mead?"

At the mention of "Pumpkin Juice," Lin Du's mouth twitched.

"No need, Professor." He refused bluntly, taking an antique Tea Canister and a simple tea set from his Magic Pouch. "I have little taste for English cuisine. The sweet things are cloying enough to kill, while the sour ones are far too sharp."

He began brewing tea with practiced ease, and the refined oriental tea aroma quickly dispersed the smell of gunpowder lingering around them.

Dumbledore watched his movements with interest. At that, he blinked his blue eyes. "Oh? I have always found the food at Hogwarts rather delicious."

Lin Du pushed a cup of freshly brewed green tea toward Dumbledore, then raised his eyes and added coldly, "Provided it was made by House-elves, rather than by any British chef."

Dumbledore chuckled, seemingly amused by the cutting remark.

He picked up the cup Lin Du had pushed over, gently inhaled its fragrance, and took a sip. "A very distinctive flavor. Thank you."

Setting the cup down, he looked deeply at Lin Du. "Your magic is quite distinctive, Mr. Lin. It is neither purely of the Western system nor any Eastern school I recognize."

"Some inspiration from my homeland, combined with an understanding of the nature of Magic Power." Lin Du glossed over it simply, unwilling to discuss his trump cards in depth. He was more concerned with Dumbledore's purpose.

"Professor, you did not come here in person merely to verify the nature of my magic, did you?"

"Of course not." Dumbledore leaned forward slightly, his expression turning serious.

"Let us discuss the core of your research—Dark Magic. In particular, your understanding of the Unforgivable Curses."

Lin Du met his gaze, the corner of his mouth lifting almost imperceptibly. "Professor, do you want the Ministry of Magic's standard answer, or my personal conclusions based on historical research?"

"In a setting such as this," Dumbledore said with a gentle smile, lightly tapping the tabletop with his fingertips, "I imagine neither of us has much interest in official rhetoric."

"Very well." Lin Du leaned forward slightly as well, taking on a posture that felt almost confrontational. "Then take Avada Kedavra as an example. Did you know that this curse, now a symbol of death, was originally invented to save lives from disease?"

Dumbledore's eyes flickered behind his half-moon spectacles. Rather than answer, he made a gesture for Lin Du to continue.

"Ancient Aramaic texts record that its original meaning was 'let that thing be destroyed,' and that 'thing' originally referred to illness."

Lin Du's voice was low. "A Roman Healer in the third century used it to write disease-banishing spells. More thought-provoking still, if its original nature was 'release' and 'separation,' does that mean there is theoretically a way to reverse its final form? After all, every spell should follow some internal logic and balance."

Dumbledore lightly tapped the rim of his teacup with one finger. "That is a rather dangerous inference, Mr. Lin."

His voice carried an unmistakable warning. "Pursuing such a possibility is often more dangerous than mastering the curse itself."

"But understanding how it was twisted is the first step toward finding a way to counter it." Lin Du met his gaze without fear. "I am not pursuing killing. I am seeking the possibility of protection."

"A very interesting perspective." Dumbledore appeared thoughtful. "Then what about the Cruciatus Curse? Its origins do not seem to possess such 'good intentions.'"

"Entirely different." Lin Du immediately took up the point, as if he had anticipated the question.

"Its Latin root points directly to the cross. From its birth, it has been bound to torture and interrogation. It requires the caster to truly 'enjoy' inflicting pain. From its very first syllable, this curse is carved with malice."

"And the Imperius Curse," Dumbledore continued as naturally as if he had merely picked up the thread, "comes from 'domination.' It was born to control."

"Precisely." Lin Du nodded, his gaze sharp.

"So the key to researching them is not fearing their power, but understanding why they became what they are today. Avada's fall reveals how magic can be twisted by desire; the Cruciatus Curse's stability proves that certain malice has existed since ancient times, deeply rooted and enduring. These three curses are like three mirrors reflecting the history of Dark Magic."

Dumbledore listened quietly, his face giving no indication of approval or disagreement.

He did not press for specific theoretical details, as though he only wished to confirm Lin Du's line of thought.

A long silence flowed between them, broken only by the curling fragrance of tea.

At last, Dumbledore gently set down his teacup, producing a clear clink.

He raised his head, his expression utterly different from the one he had worn during their serious discussion—somewhat humorous, yet formal.

"Mr. Lin, after our exchange just now," he said with a smile, "I believe your understanding of Dark Magic, while dangerous, has indeed reached a rather profound level. More importantly, I have seen the line you refuse to cross, as well as your pure pursuit of magical truth rather than a thirst for power."

He paused, as if announcing an important decision.

"Therefore, on behalf of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, I formally extend an invitation to you."

Lin Du froze, not reacting for a moment.

Dumbledore continued, "We would like to invite you to serve as next school year's Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts."

"What?" Lin Du nearly thought he had misheard.

One minute they were discussing whether the Killing Curse could be broken; the next, he had received an offer from Hogwarts? The turn was far too abrupt.

"As you can see, this position... has always had a rather noticeable turnover rate."

Dumbledore smiled with a hint of helplessness. "You know how it is. We are always searching for suitable candidates."

"We believe that what we need right now is a professor who truly understands the nature of Dark Magic and can teach students how to defend against it from its roots. Within the framework of Hogwarts, and under a certain degree of supervision, you may continue your magical research—though the Unforgivable Curses are absolutely forbidden. At the same time, you can pass your knowledge and insights on to the next generation of wizards."

Seeing the disbelief on Lin Du's face, he added with a smile, "Well, Mr. Lin? Would you be willing to accept this invitation and return to the place where you once studied briefly, continuing your... exploration in a different way?"