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Chapter 103 - Professor

Gandalf was here to apply for the position of Flying Professor and Luke was surprised.

As far as he knew, Gandalf had always been a wanderer, constantly roaming the western lands of Middle-earth, never staying in one place.

Why would he be interested in becoming a professor now, and a Flying Professor at that?

After all, if the application was successful, it would mean Gandalf would stay long-term at Hogwarts Castle.

This didn't match Gandalf's title as the "Grey Wanderer."

Faced with Luke's confusion, Gandalf said with a chuckle:

"It's all thanks to you. The Ministry of Magic you established has set up many Floo Network fireplaces all over the western continent. This old man no longer has to trek long distances like before to contact and organize the free peoples everywhere. Just by using the fireplaces, I can instantly reach any corner of the land."

"So now I have some free time. Coincidentally, I think my flying skills are pretty good, so I thought I'd just come here and apply for the position of Flying Professor. Are you welcome to that?"

"Welcome, of course, welcome!" How could Luke refuse such a good thing? But he still couldn't help saying, "Gandalf, the position of Flying Professor is somewhat beneath your talents. Would you consider other positions? Like History of Magic, perhaps? Or any other position is yours for the choosing!"

Gandalf shook his head, still chuckling. "Forget about other positions. Flying class is leisurely and interesting, just right for me."

Seeing Gandalf's insistence, Luke could only reluctantly give up persuading him and hired him as the Flying Professor of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

As Gandalf said, the Flying class was very leisurely, with only one lesson per week, and it was only a compulsory subject for first-years.

It was just as easygoing as the PE teachers in schools from his previous life, perhaps even more so.

Of course, besides the Flying lessons, the Flying Professor was also responsible for organizing Quidditch matches.

But overall, compared to professors of other subjects, it was definitely very relaxed.

After all, other subjects had three or four classes per week per subject, and in the future, they would have to teach all seven years, with schedules packed almost every day, leaving no free time at all.

With all eight first-year subject professors hired, Luke had the professors officially start their posts and begin preparing teaching materials for their respective subjects.

At the same time, Luke appointed the Transfiguration professor and concurrently the chief steward of Hogwarts Castle, Edward, as the Vice-Principal of the magic school, responsible for managing the school's opening and various affairs.

Luke himself did not take charge of any specific subject but became the Principal.

Hogwarts Castle was large. Luke designated the Amon Sul tower and gardens as his private area, closed to the public, while the other parts of the castle became the school areas.

Luke also divided the school directly into four houses, named Phoenix, Thunderbird, Dragon, and Basilisk, corresponding to Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin.

They also embodied the qualities of courage, wisdom, loyalty, and cunning.

Also, during these ten years, Luke hadn't been holed up in the castle doing nothing.

Over the decade, he had also gone out for check-ins, from the unsigned cities in the south to the ruins of the Kingdom of Angmar in the north. He traveled everywhere, gaining many useful things.

He also created a Sorting Hat made of dragon hide. He infused the thoughts and wills of himself, Gandalf, Elrond, and Galadriel into the Sorting Hat, giving it a unique personality with its own thoughts and will.

Perhaps because Luke was thinking of the personality of the Sorting Hat from another magical world during its creation, the resulting Sorting Hat, besides being wise, humorous, and insightful, was also somewhat talkative and very fond of music and composition.

It often hummed songs to itself for amusement and frequently pulled Luke and Arwen to appreciate his newly created songs.

After all preparations were made, Edward, as Vice-Principal, went to the secret room where the Quill of Acceptance and the Book of Admittance were kept. After checking the list of new students for enrollment in September, he began preparing to send out acceptance letters according to the list.

Mid-July, Hogsmeade City, a wizard residential community.

Here, wizards and Muggles weren't completely separated, but as the saying goes, tigers don't associate with dogs, nor dragons with snakes.

Since the appearance of wizards, Muggles viewed them with both awe and envy. In the eyes of Muggles, these people who could use magic were different from them, lofty Wizard Lords.

So naturally, a distance formed between wizards and Muggles. Muggles kept wizards at a respectful distance, and wizards preferred to interact with other wizards.

Thus, wizard communities formed where wizards and Muggles lived together but remained relatively independent and undisturbed by each other.

On this day, in an ordinary wizard family.

Mr. Bailey was one of the first students from the initial magic crash course. Among the 540 people at that time, his performance was average, in the lower-middle range.

After graduation, he joined the Ministry of Magic and became a staff member in the Department of Magical Transportation.

He was mainly responsible for setting up the Floo Network and ensuring the fireplace connections worked properly.

Over the years, Mr. Bailey had always felt grateful that he successfully passed the assessment and luckily became a wizard, even though his abilities were mediocre among his classmates.

But since becoming a wizard, it was like a fish leaping over the dragon gate; his life underwent earth-shaking changes.

Magic became the most important part of his life. With a wave of his wand, the broom at home would automatically sweep, the dishes would clatter into the sink to be washed, and then fly into the cupboard.

The fireplace at home was connected to the Floo Network. To go anywhere, he just needed to step into the fireplace, throw a pinch of Floo Powder at his feet, and arrive in an instant.

Mr. Bailey also married the woman he loved and had two sons and a daughter. His life was happy and fulfilling.

The whole family gathered together. The magic cake had magic candles burning with multi-colored sparks, and a group of chocolate figurines jumped and danced on the cake, cheerfully singing "Happy Birthday."

As a Ministry of Magic employee, Mr. Bailey had more insider information than others. He knew the Lord was planning to open a magic school and enroll students.

So, while celebrating his eldest son's birthday, he was somewhat distracted, his eyes constantly drifting towards the window.

As one of the graduates of the magic crash course, Mr. Bailey had seen the vast collection of books in Hogwarts Castle and its countless magical wonders.

He had regretted countless times why he didn't study harder during the crash course to learn more magical knowledge.

Although he knew that given his aptitude, he had already done his best at the time, he still felt it wasn't enough.

After leaving the castle, he knew he would no longer have the chance to return and access so many amazing magics.

Now, hearing that the Lord was going to open a magic school and enroll students, Mr. Bailey thought of his son and silently prayed that his son would be selected for enrollment.

But he was uncertain about this matter and couldn't guarantee his son would be chosen, so he had never mentioned it to his family, especially not to his eldest son.

He was deeply afraid his son, Adam, would be disappointed.

"Dad, what's wrong?" Adam, noticing his father frequently looking out the window, asked curiously.

Mr. Bailey, hearing his eldest son's question, snapped back to attention. Just as he was about to say something, a crisp tapping sound came from the window.

The whole family was drawn to the sound.

When they saw it was a pure white snowy owl, the others showed surprise and confusion.

Only Mr. Bailey's face was full of delight and excitement.

He immediately left his chair, hurried to the window, and eagerly opened it.

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Will update more tommorow

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