He Knows How to Touch My Sensitive Spots!

If you want someone to do something, but they are unwilling, you must grasp their Achilles' heel.

Some people respond better to gentle persuasion than force, some respond better to force than gentle persuasion, and some even take advantage of others' kindness.

Once you find the weakness, you'll be invincible.

Professor Slughorn is undoubtedly difficult to deal with, otherwise Dumbledore wouldn't have been unable to handle him.

But the old man's weaknesses were also obvious: his love of pleasure and... his obsessive "collecting" of talented students.

He was like a high-level player, able to predict a wizard's future success even when the wizard was still young.

He would gather those successful wizards around him... investing in advance for high returns in the future.

Of course, these two are not in conflict at all, or rather, they complement each other.

Slughorn's stamp collecting is for a better material life;

His comfortable life and extensive social network can help those students go further.

This appears to be a matter of mutual benefit, but in Slughorn's words:

Even if you're a genius, you still need someone to guide you, right?

Don't make everything so mundane!

In short, Slughorn is a typical Slytherin, perfectly embodying that temperament.

However, at this moment, he was completely under William's control.

Whether it's the expensive dragon carcass, the Giant materials, or Akali's Mystery Shop's superior delivery service... all of these attract Slughorn.

Especially after a year of wandering, that kind of elegant and dignified life is what he longs for most at this moment.

Most importantly, it was William himself who had only one year left before graduating from Hogwarts.

His brilliance cannot be overshadowed by anyone.

Slughorn didn't want to miss out on this person, who might be the brightest star of his career.

As for his concerns about safety... there's even less to worry about.

William reminded them that Giant protected the castle.

He and Dumbledore are always on duty at Hogwarts.

Not to mention the Death Eaters, even Voldemort wouldn't dare to look them in the eye.

Of course, as a master of rhetoric, William naturally knows what it means to leave room for interpretation and what it means to stop when you've made a point.

He made no mention of becoming a professor, and after chatting for a while about the Buckingham Palace War, he finally stood up and said:

"We've been bothering you for a long time; it's time to go."

Slughorn seemed taken aback. He hesitated for a moment, then said, "You're leaving? Aren't you staying for dinner?"

"No, Anne is still at home, waiting for us to come back," Hermione said with a smile.

Goodbye, Professor. We'll come see you again at Christmas.

Harry stood up, still bewildered.

He remembered William saying he was there to recruit teachers... but now he went straight back without saying anything?

Slughorn clearly thought so too; he fiddled with his two chubby thumbs, looking quite anxious.

Slughorn finally spoke first, "You really aren't here to bring me back to Hogwarts as a professor, William?"

William smiled.

In this situation, just like when a man and woman are dating, whoever speaks first is the biggest loser.

"Really, no, sir." William straightened his clothes, looking troubled. "But there is something I would like to trouble you with."

Slughorn felt better... That's more like it!

"Tell me what it is, and if I can, I'll definitely help," he said eagerly.

William coughed and said:

"That's right, Professor Snape has become the Defence Against Dark Magic teacher."

The school is currently lacking a Potions Professor...

Slughorn's inner voice screamed:

"So you've finally shown your true colors, huh? You're here to invite me after all!"

William paused, then slowly said:

"With your extensive network and large student body, we'd like you to recommend a reliable candidate to the school."

"..."

He glanced at Slughorn, looking troubled:

"However, since you haven't been in contact with the outside world for over a year, then forget it, we'll find someone else to help."

"..."

This isn't quite what I expected!

Slughorn blushed and stared at William for a long time before suddenly bursting into hearty laughter.

"Come on, which wizard could be better than me at Potions?"

You still want me to go back... Why beat around the bush like this?

"No, really, you just need to recommend one..."

Slughorn interrupted William, muttering to himself, "I won't go back... I won't accept your invitation!"

"We really didn't intend to invite you." William nodded. "It just so happens that you weren't planning to go back to teaching either... In this respect, we're on the same page."

Slughorn stared blankly at William, seemingly getting impatient.

He grabbed the Gulugulu Firewhisky from the table and gulped down several large mouthfuls.

The old man paced back and forth in the room, his eyes red, and shouted angrily:

"Dumbledore, that cunning old bee, he's still as shrewd as ever!"

He knew how to pique my interest, how to touch my sensitive spots, and how to excite me!

That old bastard!

Okay, okay... I'll join, I'm willing to be a professor!

Are you satisfied now?!

"Professor, you are too old. You should stay here and enjoy your retirement," William said, still refusing.

Slughorn quickly grabbed William's sleeve and said urgently:

"Don't leave, William! Leave this position to me! Otherwise, I'll go to the school gate and put up banners, and cause a scene in the Headmaster's Office!"

"Alright, alright," William said, looking troubled. "I'll go back and talk to the principal, see if we can make an exception."

"William, thank you, you're such a good boy."

William grinned.

Harry stared at the two of them, dumbfounded. They had agreed to ask Slughorn to come back as a teacher, but now it was the other way around?

Now that they had agreed, the atmosphere became lively again, and Slughorn pulled William and Hermione aside to talk about his years Slytherin Head of House.

Finally, the old man saw the three of them out. Having drunk a bottle of whiskey, he slurred, putting his arm around William's shoulder, and blurted out:

"I'm not bragging, but if I went back to Hogwarts, Severus would definitely give up his position as Slytherin Head of House."

When he sees me, he has to bow respectfully and call out to me:

"Teacher, you're finally back."

That's respect!

He let out a burp and, pointing out the flaws in the landscape, said:

"And then there's Minerva, that little girl was someone I personally trained back then."

She idolized me the most; she was my biggest fan back then.

You should give me at least a five-fold raise.

And then there's Filius... who's now the headmaster of Ravenclaw House.

But he's an honest man; if I say one thing, he wouldn't dare say another.

After school started, I introduced him to a wealthy old woman who had lost her husband.

A woman thirty years older is said to bring good fortune.

This kid is going to be living the good life.

"I will convey these words to you one by one," William said with a smile.

Then, he Apparition away with Hermione and Harry.

Slughorn stood there, rubbing his chubby cheeks with a smug look on his face.

Three more exquisite wizard cards will soon be added to his smuggling.

A gust of cold wind blew by, and he suddenly sobered up, cold sweat pouring down his back.

Wait... what did William say before he left?

(Thanks to the generous donor "Jiuwei Yinmao" for the donation.)

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