Catching Up

Professor McGonagall paused, then continued, "As a professor, you naturally have the authority to deduct and add points for your respective house. Of course,"

Her tone suddenly carried a trace of subtle teasing, her gaze sweeping over Lin Du's composed face, "I trust that, given Professor Lin's consistent rigor and fairness, you won't abuse this power and make the hourglasses in the castle... too turbulent."

Lin Du met her gaze and nodded solemnly: "Rest assured, Professor McGonagall. Points should reflect students' conduct and knowledge, not a professor's personal preferences."

"Good." Professor McGonagall was clearly satisfied with this answer.

Just as she was about to say something more, footsteps echoed from the other end of the corridor—silent as a bat's glide yet carrying a strong presence.

Both turned to look.

Severus Snape emerged from the dim corridor's end, his black robes billowing behind him like a trail of viscous shadow.

His sallow face bore no expression, his pitch-black eyes first sweeping over Professor McGonagall, then locking onto Lin Du like a searchlight, with undisguised scrutiny and a hint of his usual gloom.

"Severus." Professor McGonagall greeted him in a matter-of-fact tone. "Perfect timing. You're here. I assume you know that Mr. Lin Du will be our new Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts this school year."

She turned to Lin Du and introduced succinctly: "Professor Lin, Severus Snape, our Potions Professor and Head of Slytherin House. Your time at school seems to have overlapped, so you might not be strangers."

Snape's lips pressed together slightly, his voice low and even: "Mr. Lin."

His tone was neither warm nor cold, as if addressing any new colleague.

"I remember you. Among the students at Hogwarts, you were one of the few who maintained Outstanding marks in Potions."

Lin Du's expression remained calm as he gave a slight nod: "Professor Snape. It's a pleasure to see you again. Your Potions lessons taught me a great deal back then."

Professor McGonagall keenly sensed the subtle distance between them. She adjusted her glasses and said:

"Since you've already met, I won't intrude further. Professor Lin, your office is at the end of this corridor, the door on the right. It's already been mostly tidied up; you can go settle in first. If you need anything, feel free to come find me."

She glanced at Snape again, her tone businesslike: "Severus, regarding the potion ingredient stock list for next semester, I'd like it on my desk by this afternoon."

With that, without waiting for a response, Professor McGonagall turned and strode away briskly, leaving the two colleagues to get acquainted.

Her figure soon disappeared around the corridor's corner, her footsteps fading.

The corridor fell silent, leaving only the occasional crackle of torches burning on the walls.

Snape's gaze lingered on Lin Du's face for a moment, his voice still even: "Ten years, Mr. Lin. Time seems to have been unusually kind to you."

Lin Du gave a slight nod, his tone modest: "It's a matter of Eastern bloodlines, Professor Snape. As for you, you haven't changed much compared to back then."

This made Snape's mouth twitch involuntarily.

He recalled this Eastern exchange student's performance during his school days—

Always sitting quietly in the corner of the Potions classroom, his technique so precise he didn't seem like a reckless Gryffindor.

If not for the distinct house crest, he would have almost thought this was a Ravenclaw.

"I remember when you were at school," Snape drawled, "you always managed to avoid every situation that could cost you points."

Lin Du revealed a faint, almost imperceptible smile: "During my brief time at Hogwarts, I did learn to act cautiously. After all, everyone knows the Head of Slytherin never shows mercy when it comes to deducting points."

If you find this book enjoyable, to avoid losing track next time, please remember to add it to your bookshelf.

The atmosphere between them maintained a proper distance, like an ordinary reunion of teacher and student, with polite detachment.

In Lin Du's memory, this Potions professor had always been a mentor so rigorous as to be nearly harsh, aside from occasionally pointing out minor flaws in his potion-making during class, with no further interaction.

Silence stretched through the corridor for a moment, then Snape suddenly shifted the topic: "But recently, Mr. Lin, you've made quite a name for yourself in the British wizarding world. A wizard who can single-handedly handle several Aurors is rare."

His gaze sharpened: "I'm just curious, though—why would a man who chose exile suddenly decide to come to Hogwarts... to teach?"

Lin Du met his eyes, his expression still calm: "Everyone seeks change at the right time, Professor Snape. Perhaps I simply thought it was time to pass on what I've learned over the years to the next generation."

The torchlight cast flickering shadows between them, the darkness deeper in the corridor seeming to watch this meaningful reunion in silence.

After a brief pause, Snape seemed to decide the necessary pleasantries were over.

"Well then," his robes stirred slightly, "I won't delay your settling in."

Watching Snape disappear around the corridor's corner, Lin Du picked up his dragonskin trunk and walked toward the direction Professor McGonagall had indicated.

The office was on the west side of the castle. Pushing open the heavy oak door, the familiar scent of Hogwarts washed over him—

Aged parchment, polished wood, and a faint hint of potion fragrance.

Morning sunlight streamed through the tall arched windows, casting bright patches on the stone floor.

Lin Du set down the trunk and walked to the window.

Outside, the Black Lake shimmered with golden ripples under the morning sun, while the distant outline of the Forbidden Forest appeared mysterious and serene in the mist.

This vibrant scene overlapped with the image in his memory, leaving him momentarily dazed.

"What, stunned?" Chao Feng slid out from the shadows, landing on the windowsill, tilting his head to study him. "You seemed pretty composed talking to that gloomy guy just now."

Lin Du didn't answer immediately, his gaze still lingering on the familiar view outside.

"I just didn't expect," he said softly, "to return here in this way."

"From the sound of it, you missed this place?" Chao Feng ruffled his feathers, bronze patterns glinting faintly in the sunlight. "I heard you left quite decisively back then."

Lin Du's fingertips lightly traced the sun-warmed windowsill, silent for a moment.

"People change," he finally spoke, his voice very soft. "Back then, I only wanted to move forward, thinking this castle was just a stop on the journey. Now, after wandering outside for so long, I've come to realize..."

He paused, as if weighing his words. "Some places, once you've stayed in them, leave a mark on your life."

His gaze swept across the shimmering Black Lake, toward the Quidditch Pitch bathed in the morning light. Fragments of memories from his years of study here surfaced quietly—

Though most of his time had been spent buried in the library and empty classrooms, the running through corridors, the clamor in the Great Hall, and the chance glimpse of a view outside a window on some afternoon—these seemingly trivial moments now became silent threads connecting him to this castle.

Chao Feng, rare in not offering a teasing remark, swiveled its amber eyes to watch its contractor.

It sensed the unusual, almost relaxed calm radiating from Lin Du.

"So," Chao Feng's voice lowered as well, "coming back this time—not so bad?"

The corner of Lin Du's lips lifted, barely perceptibly.

"Perhaps... better than I imagined."

Hogwarts Castle in the morning light, as always solemn and warm, silently welcomed this wanderer returning in a new identity.