"I'm here to invite you back to teach at Hogwarts, Horace," Dumbledore said, getting straight to the point.
"I knew it." Slughorn shook his head. "I knew it the moment you showed up with them."
"So you'll accept?" Dumbledore sounded pleased, even a little surprised.
"Oh... I, I don't want to go." Slughorn shook his head. He had already thought of several ways to get out of this—all of them involving a quick escape.
"Horace, old friend, we need you to teach Potions Class."
"Doesn't Hogwarts still have Severus?" Slughorn took a sip of tea. "Don't tell me you've sacked him?"
"He'll be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts next term, so I—"
"What?!" Harry's cry cut Dumbledore off.
The other three looked at Harry. He felt awkward, but he couldn't help asking, "Professor, what do you mean? Don't we still have Professor Lupin for Defence Against the Dark Arts?"
Harry couldn't imagine what he would do if Snape taught his Defence Against the Dark Arts class. He couldn't bear the thought of Snape ruining a subject he loved.
"Harry, please," Dumbledore said. "Lupin has other matters to attend to. They're important, and if we're to stand against Voldemort, we have no choice."
At the mention of Voldemort, Slughorn's expression changed almost imperceptibly. He hurriedly raised his teacup.
"But, Professor—"
"Harry, this is for the greater good," Dumbledore said. "We'll talk about it later, all right?"
Harry nodded in silence, then glanced at Will. Will had been quietly reading the whole time, still holding The Secrets of Felix Felicis.
Dumbledore turned to Slughorn. "Horace, we really do need you. Without you, we may have to put Will in front of the class."
Harry shot Will a surprised look. If Dumbledore could say that, did it mean Will was already qualified