Dumbledore: Snape Really Can't Be the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor
Dumbledore, unconcerned about being unfairly blamed, stood up, patted Lucien on the shoulder, and whispered:
"Let's go, let him get some rest."
Lucien nodded and followed Dumbledore out of the Hospital Wing.
The door to the Hospital Wing closed gently behind them.
Dumbledore adjusted his Half-moon Spectacles, a slight smile playing on his lips:
In the Hospital Wing, only Madam Pomfrey has the final say.
Lucien glanced back at the closed door of the Hospital Wing.
"It's clear that Madam Pomfrey cares a lot about the patients."
Dumbledore chuckled and said, "She once said—'If I weren't worried about what would happen to the students without me, I would resign in protest!' Madam Pomfrey was very concerned about the safety and health of her students."
As he spoke, Dumbledore handed the notebook in his hand to Lucien and casually asked:
"What question do you want to ask Snape? Perhaps I can try to answer it."
Dumbledore was also a master in potion-making.
Lucien answered directly, "It's an improved version of the Wolfsbane Potion."
Upon hearing the words "Wolfsbane Potion," Dumbledore instinctively pulled his hand back from holding the notebook.
Dumbledore has been very busy lately, but he has also been searching for a new Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts for Hogwarts.
He sought out as many wizards as possible, Daiying and in neighboring countries.
But this position is so infamous that even offering a higher salary doesn't help.
Dumbledore was even wondering whether he should go to even farther places to scam—or rather, hire foreign wizards to take up positions.
Actually, a while ago, a Britain wizard did express his intention to accept Dumbledore's offer.
But the other party kept hesitating, not because of the curse that came with the position of Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts —the wizard was living in poverty due to his status and desperately needed a good and reliable salary.
However, precisely because of his "identity," the wizard was always worried that it would affect the students.
Dumbledore had originally planned to ask Snape to help improve the Wolfsbane Potion after the wizard agreed to take the position, as a form of "protection" for him.
But Snape had been having a run of bad luck lately, getting hit by a cauldron and ending up in the Hospital Wing.
When Dumbledore heard Lucien say that he was going to improve the Wolfsbane Potion, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes.
Wolfsbane Potion, a newly discovered magic potion, is very effective against Werewolf —it can keep Werewolf sanity on the night of a full moon, reducing the likelihood of them losing their minds and harming others.
This should also allow that wizard to temporarily set aside his worries and accept the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts...
"That's wonderful," Dumbledore said, a hint of relief in his voice. "I was hoping Severus could help improve it, but he's been having some bad luck lately."
Lucien's heart skipped a beat.
Should Snape improve the Wolfsbane Potion?
This is probably also in preparation for Lupin.
So, is Dumbledore already considering having Lupin replace him as the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts?
Lucien silently pondered to himself that in the original story, Lupin did indeed come to Hogwarts as the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts when Harry was in his third year.
The haggard, tattered man was a close friend of Harry's father, and also Werewolf.
Because of his special status, he faced discrimination and exclusion, leading a life of hardship, constantly wandering and finding it difficult to find stable employment.
If the Wolfsbane Potion could be improved, becoming more effective and having fewer side effects, Lupin might not have needed to worry so much about harming others on the night of the full moon.
Tsk tsk, what would Snape's reaction be if he really helped Dumbledore concoct and improve the Wolfsbane Potion, and knew that it was all for Lupin —his arch-enemy from his youth?
Oh right, that arch-nemesis will also steal the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts that the Old Bat has always dreamed of.
"Lucien, how long will it take you to improve it?" Dumbledore asked.
Lucien thought for a moment and replied, "I have the general idea. I should be able to get it done in a month at most."
Dumbledore nodded in satisfaction, and the two walked side by side down the corridor. Sunlight streamed in through the stained-glass windows high above, casting dappled shadows on the floor.
The laughter of several young wizards drifted from afar, then quickly disappeared at the end of the corridor.
Lucien was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked:
"Was Professor Snape's unexpected injury... a curse of that position?"
Dumbledore did not answer immediately.
He slowed his pace and put his hands behind his back.
Logically speaking, this shouldn't be the case, considering he's only been an agent for a few months.
The curse was indeed sinister, but it shouldn't have taken effect so quickly...
However, no one can say for sure about curses.
It won't let you off the hook just because you're a "proxy".
Even changing the name of the course Defense Against the Dark Magic didn't help; as long as Defense Against the Dark Arts was still being taught, the teacher would be cursed and targeted.
Therefore, Dumbledore was always reluctant to let Snape become the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Dumbledore knew how much Snape desired the position, but it was precisely because he valued Snape that he dared not let him take the risk.
This incident involving the cauldron attack served as a wake-up call for Dumbledore.
A student's mistake, a flying cauldron, an unfortunate angle—and Snape ended up in the Hospital Wing.
It wasn't a fatal injury, but who knows what the next one might be?
This incident further solidified Dumbledore's resolve: until the curse was lifted, Snape must not be allowed to truly assume the position of Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts unless absolutely necessary.