I'll Keep an Eye on Him for You

For one morning, Li Wei taught classes to students from two houses in the third and fourth grades, assigning them a large amount of homework.

The homework included copying the key points of spellcasting for the spell "Obstacles" twenty times, previewing the spell "Speedy Restraint," and copying information on ten common dark creatures, also twenty times, which they had to memorize (to be checked randomly in the second week).

Furthermore, due to the poor performance of the Gryffindor and Slytherin students, Li Wei had to consider postponing the announcement of the mid-term exam schedule, lest it overwhelm the students' fragile nerves.

However, unlike the lackluster lions and snakes, one student from the fourth grade gave Li Wei a big surprise.

Cedric Diggory, from Hufflepuff House.

This young man had handsome features, a sturdy build, and black hair the same color as Li Wei's.

In the test Li Wei gave, he immediately guessed Li Wei's intentions and subdued all the house-elves present with the Freezing Charm, without causing any disturbance.

Li Wei immediately awarded Hufflepuff five points and hired Cedric as the Study Committee Member for the fourth grade, after which he proceeded with the same teaching content.

The position of Study Committee Member was part of Li Wei's liberation plan.

Grading students' homework was of no help to him; it was merely monotonous, repetitive labor. He felt it was a waste of time even to hand it over to his two assistants, so assigning it to the Study Committee Member was the most suitable option.

After finishing the morning's classes, Li Wei returned to his office, preparing to take his two assistants to the Great Hall for a meal.

Along the way, many young wizards ran past, curiously observing Li Wei without speaking.

"I've already spoken with Madam Pince, the librarian. You can borrow any book in the library on the spot. Hogwarts' library is a treasure trove, and you can visit it often in the future. There's no rush with your research. From now on, our pace should slow down."

Qiao Weili nodded and glanced at Jiamer beside him. Jiamer's face showed no expression, and he seemed uninterested in the library. Thinking of this, his own expectant mood faded. Jiamer always prioritized the Professor's goals and never considered anything else. Since that was the case, he naturally wouldn't fall behind.

Snape's expression was grim. After confirming Dumbledore had finished his meal, he followed him into the Headmaster's office.

"I really don't understand what you're thinking!"

"About what, Severus?"

Dumbledore sat in the main seat, looking at him calmly.

Snape made no move to sit, standing stiffly near the door, his face displeased.

"Why did you reject my application to teach part-time, and then hire a Slytherin to teach at the school? Do you even know what kind of person Li Wei is? He's completely incapable of doing this job!"

"I'm afraid I don't agree, Severus."

Dumbledore rolled his eyes up at Snape.

"I've discussed educational policies with Li Wei. Both his theories and the students he's personally taught prove he is an excellent scholar."

"Students?"

Snape's brow furrowed tightly. He suddenly remembered the two unfamiliar faces following Li Wei.

"Someone like him actually takes students?"

"I'm afraid the number will exceed your imagination."

"How is that possible? How could such a self-centered person agree to teach? He wouldn't waste his time on useless things. Could that be an imposter?"

"Severus, you seem to know him quite well?"

Dumbledore was somewhat surprised by Snape's attitude. Although they were both Slytherins, they seemed to belong to different worlds. How could they appear to have such a connection?

"He was my classmate. Even though I dislike him, I still know something about him."

Snape's expression was a little unnatural, but he finally admitted it.

"That's wonderful." Dumbledore nodded. "Personally, I am very interested in Professor Li Wei, and I do have some doubts about him teaching at Hogwarts—"

"Then why did you—!"

"—Severus, since we both have doubts, why don't you sit down, and we can clarify all the issues?"

Snape still didn't sit down, as if discussing Li Wei seriously with Dumbledore was a very difficult matter. His face was stiffer than his body, and his voice sounded as if it were squeezed out from between his lips.

"I just want to understand one thing: where did you find Li Wei, why did you invite him to teach, and why did he agree?"

Dumbledore shook his head and waved his hand, conjuring two iced cups out of thin air.

"How about trying some iced lemon black tea? Li Wei recommended it to me. After trying it once, I found it quite good. However, I am getting old, and drinking cold things often might not be good for my health."

As he spoke, he added five sugar cubes to his own lemon black tea.

Snape strode quickly to Dumbledore's side and sat down, saying nothing, just staring at him.

Dumbledore was unconcerned. He slowly stirred his drink with a silver spoon and said gently, "First, let me answer your first question. However, I hope that our conversation today will remain confidential."

"When I found Li Wei, he was leading a group of students in studying Dark Arts and had already defeated nine Auror squads who came to apprehend him."

"..." Snape opened his mouth, his eyes showing a strange surprise, but he desperately swallowed his words back.

"Neither the Ministry of Magic nor I can allow such a master, proficient in magic, to continue to delve down a dangerous path."

"It's just studying Dark Arts, what danger could there be?

Are you going to arrest every wizard who has studied Dark Arts? If so, the Ministry of Magic should arrest themselves first."

You're speaking up for him again at a time like this?

Dumbledore glanced at Snape. Just as he was about to say something more, the portrait of Headmaster Black on the wall suddenly came to life and spoke in agreement:

"Ah--indeed--, it's just studying Dark Arts. This is a step every great wizard must take. Li Wei--although I have no impression of this Slytherin, he is undoubtedly on the right path."

"Shut up!"

The other portraits were busy gossiping. Seeing him break the atmosphere, they worked together to push Black back into his frame.

Dumbledore's stirring motion paused for a moment, and he stopped stirring.

"In short, Professor Li Wei and I have reached an agreement. I believe this is for the best for both of us."

"Alright, I understand completely now."

Snape got the answer he wanted and stood up to leave.

When he reached the doorway, he suddenly turned back--Dumbledore was looking up to take a sip of tea at that moment.

"Li Wei is a fool with misplaced mercy, Dumbledore. I can guarantee that his research into Dark Arts has absolutely nothing to do with any evil intentions."

"As for the rest, I'll keep an eye on him for you!"

Dumbledore finished the black tea in front of him in one gulp. He looked in the direction Snape had left and murmured:

"I don't think I asked him to do that?"