Professor McGonagall's Doubts (Revised)

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Headmaster's Office.

Dumbledore sat in a chair, holding a mirror, and chatted gently with a child.

Every now and then, laughter could be heard coming from inside, as if they were amused by Dumbledore's dry jokes.

A moment later, a voice called out from the mirror, "Anne, dinner's ready!" The girl said "Goodbye" and quickly left.

Dumbledore put down the mirror, glanced at the time with lingering interest, and realized it was already lunchtime.

Before him was a huge, claw-shaped table, and behind the chair was a shelf on which sat a tattered, pointed wizard's hat.

"Dumbledore, how's the lyrics I just prepared?" The hat twisted, and a slit appeared in the brim.

"Pretty good, the lyrics are as excellent as ever, the students will like them!" Dumbledore commented.

"But you weren't listening at all!" the Sorting Hat shrieked.

It felt neglected and was very dissatisfied.

"You're only interested in chatting with that little girl. Is she more interesting than me?!"

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. Wasn't this obvious?

The Sorting Hat is simply asking for trouble.

The Sorting Hat, clearly lacking in awareness, muttered a couple of things and then asked, "Did you go to Nurmengard?"

Dumbledore's mood quickly sombered. After a moment of silence, he shook his head. "I didn't go."

"Why? Didn't you go to the International Confederation of Wizards Conference? The conference is being held in Austria, so close by."

Dumbledore did not speak.

"He's been writing to you, saying he's sick, not feeling well, and wants to see you," the Sorting Hat persisted with its gossip.

Dumbledore finally raised his head and asked in an aged voice, "What should I say when I see him?"

The Sorting Hat grinned and said, "Let's catch up, have a heart-to-heart, and check on each other's... health. Isn't that great?"

"These things have already been discussed in the letters." Dumbledore glanced at a locked cabinet containing a stack of letters from Nurmengard.

"Writing a letter and meeting in person are two different things," the Sorting Hat advised, speaking with the air of someone who'd been there all along.

It seems that it also had a poignant rural love story with a certain woman's hat.

Dumbledore said softly, "The time difference caused by the delay in correspondence is roughly comparable only to the minute difference in the fermentation time of natural yeast—"

The Sorting Hat interrupted, "Once communication becomes too efficient, eliminating the need for craning one's neck and looking at each other, certain sentiments will quickly depreciate without being noticed..."

Dumbledore, I've also read the book * Charing Cross Road *.

"Oh, who gave it to you?" Dumbledore.

"William, this is the Christmas present he gave me. That kid really knows what he's doing. It's the first time I've received a gift from anyone other than you."

I remember his family lived near Charing Cross Road, right?

"Yes, it's a beautiful street. I visited it once, but William isn't living there recently; he bought a house in Wizard Village."

Dumbledore was pleased to be able to steer the conversation away from Grindelwald.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

Dumbledore looked toward the doorway and said softly, "Come in."

A tall female witch dressed in a turquoise robe opened the door and walked in.

The Sorting Hat immediately shut up, realizing that discussing Dumbledore's romantic relationships in front of Professor McGonagall was not a good idea.

"Minerva, good afternoon." Dumbledore gestured for Professor McGonagall to sit down.

"Professor Dumbledore, I have something to discuss with you. Do you have a moment now?"

"Of course, all day long," Dumbledore smile.

"But no rush, how about some honey butter almonds first? It's a little gift from Anne."

Dumbledore his hand, and a plate appeared on the table.

Professor McGonagall politely declined; she was past the age of enjoying snacks, and instead handed over a document.

"This semester, a total of seventeen students applied for grants. I have already reviewed them all, and the slots are here. I need your signature."

Dumbledore took the list and looked it over carefully.

Hogwarts does not charge tuition fees at all, and even provides a scholarship fund for impoverished students to ensure their graduation.

"I think our scholarship fund should be increased; the current amount is too small," Dumbledore said.

Lockhart wanted to buy seven books at once, but the amount of the scholarship was still not enough for those students from poorer backgrounds.

"But what about the School Governor..." Professor McGonagall hesitated. "I think Malfoy would object."

"Let Professor Snape handle the talks; he'll find a way to reach an agreement," Dumbledore said confidently.

"I remember, didn't Professor Snape just persuade Malfoy to donate seven Nimbus 2001 to Slytherin House?"

Dumbledore laughed, "That's too generous. If I'd known Malfoy was so enthusiastic about education, I shouldn't have changed the brooms so soon..."

Professor McGonagall glanced at Dumbledore, her lips pursed, clearly displeased.

They failed to win the Quidditch Cup last year, and this year Slytherin House has upgraded its roster... Could the Quidditch Cup also become a once-in-a-lifetime event?

Wait a minute... Gryffindor hasn't won the House Cup in years!

Professor McGonagall pursed her lips even tighter.

"Of course, if the School Governor doesn't agree, we can send the Niffler all over the world to dig for gold. I remember Newt's family has quite a few Niffler."

Dumbledore told another lame joke, and Professor McGonagall felt a chill run down her spine, so cold that goosebumps rose on her skin.

"Principal, there's one more thing, about William's class schedule."

"What's wrong?" Dumbledore's tone remained unchanged.

"He's taken all twelve courses, which creates a lot of time conflicts. Should we help him apply for a Time-Turner?" Professor McGonagall asked.

If a student is too passionate about studying, the professor can write various letters to the Ministry of Magic, telling them that the owner is a model student and will never use it for anything other than studying.

Of course, very few students meet the criteria; they must be excellent students in both character and academics.

Dumbledore crossed his arms and shook his head. "No need. Which subject William wants to take is entirely up to him. We'll just give him an exam in the end."

Professor McGonagall hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Very well, it seems you've made up your mind. You always have your reasons."

Dumbledore adjusted his glasses, which were askew on his nose, and asked, "Is there anything else?"

"It's about... the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Everyone's asked me to ask him, especially Professor Snape."

"You went to Austria for the Wizarding Conference during this time, and we heard that Lockhart is going to be a professor?" Professor McGonagall frowned.

Lockhart was a complete nuisance; he caused all sorts of problems during his school years.

Lockhart told everyone who was willing to listen that he would create a Philosopher's Stone before graduating, then lead England team to victory in the Quidditch World Cup as captain, and finally become the youngest Minister for Magic in the United Kingdom.

Lockhart also craves attention and awards.

He asked the principal to start a school newspaper, simply so that he could see his name printed in it.

This was also Hogwarts' first newspaper, but it was filled with praise for him and was subsequently discontinued.

When he realized that these "feats" had not garnered him attention, he began to resort to even more grandiose and dramatic methods.

Professor McGonagall disliked the student at all, let alone wanted him to return to teach.

It's a complete disaster.

So why did Dumbledore want him to come back?

Could it be that, as Snape suspected, the two made some kind of special deal?

(Thanks to "LIEbe" for the generous donation)