PS: Thanks to Meow Meow Wu, Lu Renyihao, Apocalypse Sonata, and Trooper1770 for their generous rewards. I have no way to repay you, so here's an extra chapter!
May all you wonderful readers stay warm through the winter and enjoy a spring without a chill!
Body text:
Although Ilona fell silent, she still didn't clear the way for Dumbledore and Wentworth. After quite a while, she finally spoke again:
"Headmaster Dumbledore, as Wentworth's Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, I still insist that this is beyond what Wentworth can handle. It won't teach him anything useful!"
"If you insist on taking him, then I hope you'll take me, too. I'll stay by Wentworth's side and protect him from harm."
At Ilona's words, Dumbledore narrowed his eyes slightly and said gently:
"Professor Ilona, I disagree. Some battles, even if a young wizard only watches from the sidelines, can be an invaluable experience. There's a great deal to learn from them—unless the wizard plans to work a desk job at the Ministry of Magic."
"Besides, Professor Ilona, as Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, it's my responsibility to protect every student. I can assure you that I'll keep Wentworth safe. Do I need to make an Unbreakable Vow?"
At Dumbledore's words, Ilona seemed somewhat persuaded, but Professor Sprout spoke up from the side:
"All right, Headmaster Dumbledore, we trust you completely. Professor Ilona is just worried about Wentworth. He really is a very likable boy. As for making an Unbreakable Vow, I don't think that's necessary, do you?"
Professor Sprout was trying to smooth things over. After all, in the Wizarding World, forcing someone to make an Unbreakable Vow was a sign of distrust.
Professor Sprout didn't think that Dumbledore, as Headmaster of Hogwarts, would fail to do everything in