Hogwarts' Greatest Curse

At ten o'clock in the morning on August 25.

Li Wei, dressed in black and carrying a black dragonhide suitcase, stood before the fireplace with his two assistants.

"Hogwarts should have opened the temporary passage by now. Let's go."

The two assistants nodded and calmly scattered Floo Powder before departing one after the other.

"Hogwarts Deputy Headmistress's Office."

With a burst of green flame, Li Wei vanished as well.

Hogwarts Deputy Headmistress's Office.

By the time Li Wei arrived, Professor McGonagall was already chatting with his two assistants.

Known for her sternness, she maintained her usual impassive expression. If not for her remarkably gentle voice, anyone unfamiliar with her might have thought she was displeased.

Unlike Jiamer, who did not care, Qiao Weili thought exactly that—but fortunately, when their teacher appeared, the corners of the stern-looking old woman's lips lifted slightly.

It was only the faintest curve, yet it made her seem much kinder at once.

"Your sense of timing is as precise as ever, Li Wei."

She had known him to be like this since his student days—never appearing early, never arriving late, always perfectly on time, mature in a way no child should have been.

"Professor McGonagall, it has been a long time."

Li Wei stepped out of the fireplace and greeted her softly.

His two assistants silently took their places behind him.

Professor McGonagall gave Li Wei a swift once-over and nodded.

In fact, despite all their years of correspondence, this was the first time she had met Li Wei in person.

It had to be said that Li Wei was far younger than she had imagined, almost no different from his two young assistants. Only his bearing had grown more profound—while Snape, who was the same age as him, already looked every bit like a middle-aged man.

Professor McGonagall had been quite surprised when she first received a letter from Li Wei—a former Slytherin student who had kept an exceptionally low profile during his years at school.

In the letter, Li Wei had used his usual formal, courteous language to politely ask her about several magical problems he had encountered.

They were all thought-provoking topics, and they piqued Professor McGonagall's interest.

Although Professor McGonagall was not particularly fond of Slytherin students, she would not refuse Li Wei merely because he came from Slytherin.

Of course, her tone in their correspondence had not been especially warm.

After several exchanges, they had completely discarded formal pleasantries and discussed only the issues themselves.

This method of communication soon became firmly established between them.

During that time, Professor McGonagall had suggested that Li Wei share some of his discoveries in Transfiguration Today, but he declined on the grounds that he did not wish to attract attention. After that, their exchanges became even more businesslike.

Meeting in person now felt rather strange, subtler even than meeting an online acquaintance for the first time.

They were like familiar strangers, yet without the complicated entanglement of lovers.

"Have a seat."

Professor McGonagall pursed her lips, uncertain how she ought to treat him, and simply switched into work mode.

She waved her wand, and the cabinet doors opened on their own. One winged document after another flew out and stacked themselves neatly before Li Wei.

"Here are the records for students from every year."

"Your office is in the dungeons, next to Professor Snape's—"

"Professor, sorry to interrupt."

"I'm not very suited to the atmosphere underground, you know—I spent seven years down there. I'm afraid that if I stay any longer, I might catch rheumatism one day."

"Then what do you mean?"

Professor McGonagall did not believe Li Wei would get rheumatism, but she was someone who readily accepted other people's views.

"I remember there is an abandoned classroom on the first floor. May I use it as my office?"

"You may, but it has not been cleaned yet."

"That is fine. I have a house-elf to help me—come to think of it, I have not introduced him to you yet."

Li Wei opened the suitcase he carried with him. Once magic flowed into its silver snake-patterned clasp, the house-elf Barton jumped straight out from within.

"An excellent Untraceable Extension Charm."

Professor McGonagall praised it without changing her expression.

Li Wei nodded in thanks and continued the introduction.

"This is my house-elf. His name is Barton."

"Barton, this is Professor McGonagall, who was once my Transfiguration professor."

"Greetings, elegant lady."

Barton wore a miniature blue suit. The moment he emerged, he respectfully bowed to Professor McGonagall.

"Hello, Barton."

Professor McGonagall nodded, realizing that this house-elf differed from those she usually saw—he had not had his freedom restricted.

Of course. Given Li Wei's character, how could he possibly treat a house-elf as a slave?

That tiny detail alone raised Professor McGonagall's opinion of Li Wei another notch.

"He may stay here and work with the house-elves in the kitchens—I am not sure whether he can adapt to this place."

"If he cannot adapt, I will find somewhere else for him."

"Mm—then let us leave it at that for now. I will notify the house-elves in the kitchens as soon as possible."

Professor McGonagall nodded and moved on to the next item.

"Given your field of research, I must make this clear in advance—you may teach students how to identify, defend against, and counter Dark Arts, but you are strictly forbidden from teaching any offensive Dark Arts spells."

When Li Wei nodded, she handed him two more sheets of parchment.

"This is your timetable. You will be responsible for teaching all seven years of the school. Your classroom will remain in its original location."

Li Wei nodded again, took the timetable and castle map, and glanced at them absentmindedly. Then his expression changed!

Li Wei suddenly realized that he had inadvertently overlooked an extremely important issue.

On the parchment before him that represented his timetable, whether morning or afternoon, Monday through Friday, every slot without exception was packed solid with classes!!!

"Besides your regular lessons, you will also need to prepare classes, mark assignments, and occasionally supervise detentions."

Professor McGonagall's voice continued, but Li Wei was beginning to lose his composure.

So many teaching hours meant that only the weekend would be free for him to focus on magical research.

He had thought he was coming here to retire in paradise, so how had he turned into a full-fledged wage slave in the blink of an eye?

Nearly thirty grueling class periods a week, with hardly any time to catch his breath.

Th-this was Hogwarts' greatest curse, wasn't it???

Damn, I was careless!

Li Wei's brows quietly furrowed.

"Professor Li Wei, I must be frank."

Professor McGonagall did not notice Li Wei's inner turmoil. Her stern expression carried sincerity.

"The position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor has displayed an unusual degree of 'turnover' over the past many years."

The school and its students need a stable, reliable professor.

We sincerely hope that you can be the one to end this period of instability.

"If you encounter any difficulties in teaching or need any assistance—whether in managing the classroom or dealing with certain troublesome students—my office door will always be open to you."

"Hogwarts is a century-old school, and we cherish every student here."

"I believe that, with your excellence, you can teach them something truly valuable."

Having said that, Professor McGonagall rose to her feet. Her expression softened slightly, and a warm smile appeared in her eyes.

"Welcome once again, Li Wei. I hope you can find a place of your own here."