Chapter 107. End of Term and What Quirrell Left Behind
Defence Against the Dark Arts had changed professors again.
The students were surprised, but they could accept it.
After all, this had already happened once before Christmas.
Back then, Adrian Wesson had taken over Defence Against the Dark Arts, and the results were unexpectedly good.
This time, however, the change had come especially suddenly, without the slightest hint beforehand.
Everyone started guessing where the mysteriously missing Professor Quirrell had gone.
Judging by the fate of past Defence Against the Dark Arts professors,
some guessed that Quirrell had accidentally triggered a Dark curse and turned into a statue.
Some guessed that he had botched an Apparition and sent the lower half of his body to the other side of the earth.
In short, there were all sorts of rumours.
There was one more thing: Gryffindor's House points had suddenly jumped by a chunk, and everyone was guessing who was responsible.
At present, Gryffindor led Slytherin in second place by nearly forty points.
That was not an easy gap to close.
Ravenclaw were third, and Hufflepuff fourth—though Wesson was slightly partial to Hufflepuff and usually awarded them more points.
Even so, the youngsters didn't have much desire to fight for first place.
Perhaps that was Hufflepuff for you.
Wesson did not care much about the numbers, either.
The date rolled round to the first of June.
Tomorrow would be Hogwarts' end-of-year examinations.
From Wesson's observation, the students were distinctly more agitated.
There were even a few with ulterior motives who came to Wesson's office, hoping he would reveal something about the content of the Care of Magical Creatures and Defence Against the Dark Arts final exams.
Of course, Wesson kept his mouth shut.
Over breakfast, Wesson received another message from Professor McGonagall, asking him to come to the Headmaster's Office.
This time, Wesson finally remembered to ask Professor McGonagall for the password to the Headmaster's Office.
"Sugar Mice."
Wesson spoke the correct password, and the stone gargoyle slowly rotated, revealing the spiral staircase leading up.
"Sorry to disturb you."
When he entered the Headmaster's Office, Wesson found Albus Dumbledore sitting behind his desk, looking at an old newspaper.
"I'm sorry to call you at such a time, Professor Wesson," Dumbledore said, setting the paper down. "There's a matter on which I'd like your opinion."
Wesson frowned.
He sat down opposite Dumbledore, puzzled.
He had thought this summons was about the Philosopher's Stone—after all, Dumbledore had said earlier that he would take him to meet Nicolas Flamel.
"It's about next year's Defence Against the Dark Arts professor," Dumbledore said, pushing up his half-moon spectacles. "I would like to formally invite you to take the post—after all, the students think very highly of your classes."
Wesson blinked.
He wanted him to officially take the Defence Against the Dark Arts position?
That wasn't a joke!
And if he became Defence Against the Dark Arts professor, what about Lockhart?
Oh—at this point in time, Lockhart shouldn't have appeared in the story yet. That was fine, then.
"I'm afraid that wouldn't be very suitable, Professor," Wesson declined tactfully. "I'm the Care of Magical Creatures professor, and that post really doesn't suit me."
On hearing the reply, Dumbledore nodded and said regretfully, "Very well, Professor Wesson; if you're unwilling, that's quite all right."
In truth, this was within his expectations; he had only asked in passing.
If Wesson agreed, all the better; if not, it was no matter.
Just then, Wesson noticed the headline on the newspaper lying on the desk: Gilderoy Lockhart Announces a Book Signing Tour in Britain.
Wesson nodded inwardly. It looked like Dumbledore already had his eye on Lockhart at this point.
Seeing Wesson's gaze fall on the paper, Dumbledore followed up, "Do you remember Gilderoy Lockhart?"
"Vividly," Wesson replied dryly.
Lockhart was only a year older than Wesson, which meant that at school Lockhart had been Wesson's senior.
Of course, Wesson's impressions of that Ravenclaw senior were almost entirely bad.
This included, but was not limited to: sending himself hundreds of Valentine's cards; forging a crowd of non-existent admirers to write him letters; and covering the dormitory walls with photographs of himself…
Wesson could only describe that senior in two words.
Surreal.
In any case, Wesson had not had much to do with him while at school.
"How about letting him teach Defence Against the Dark Arts?" Dumbledore said suddenly. "He's quite the celebrity now."
Wesson hadn't expected Dumbledore to discuss this with him.
"I think it should be fine," Wesson said casually. "I've read his books, including Gadding with Ghouls and Holidays with Hags—they're very good stories."
In fact, Wesson really had read Lockhart's books out of curiosity.
One could only say the stories were very well written.
If only they contained a little less self-flattery, they'd be better still.
After that, Dumbledore asked Wesson about some exam arrangements—Wesson was responsible for quite a few of the tests, after all.
Before he left, Dumbledore seemed to remember something and said to Wesson, "Ah, one more thing—please keep a few days free just before the summer holidays begin."
"All right."
Wesson left the Headmaster's Office and walked along the corridor.
Students passed by every so often, most of them hurrying along with thick books in their arms, evidently making a final sprint for tomorrow's exams.
At a turning, Wesson suddenly saw Argus Filch struggling to drag a large trunk.
The trunk scraped along the floor with an ear-piercing squeal.
It seemed to be stuffed with odds and ends.
"Need a hand, Filch?" Wesson stopped and couldn't help asking.
Filch started as if frightened, letting go of the trunk so suddenly that several sheets of parchment fell out.
Seeing that it was Wesson, Filch breathed out and said, "No need, Professor. I… I'm sorting the things in Professor Quirrell's office."
"Leave them here, Filch," Wesson said kindly. "I'll help you."
"But—"
Filch still wanted to say more, but Wesson flicked his wand; a silver gleam flashed, and the trunk rose lightly into the air.
Even the parchments that had fallen fluttered back into the trunk.
At that, Filch had no choice but to let go.
"Much obliged, Professor Wesson," he said dryly.
After Filch left, Wesson brought the pile of things back into Quirrell's office.
Quirrell's office was empty, save for a locked cabinet.
All the other things had likely been packed by Filch into the trunk before him.
Wesson rummaged through the trunk first; it was full of miscellaneous items.
Then he turned to the locked cabinet.
"Alohomora!"
Wesson cast the Unlocking Charm on the cabinet, but nothing happened.
It seemed the cabinet's lock had been reinforced.
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