Willy pushed open the gleaming Oak door, and a spacious, beautiful circular room came into view.
This place almost overlapped with Willy's memories of his student days; it seemed as if nothing had changed in over a decade.
The walls were covered with portraits of past headmasters and headmistresses, most of whom were snoring softly in their frames. On spindly-legged tables sat many curious silver instruments, whirring and emitting puffs of smoke.
A Phoenix with brilliant plumage perched on a gilded roost behind the door, tilting its head to examine the new visitor.
Behind the massive claw-footed desk in the center of the room, Albus Dumbledore stood up.
He wore a purple robe patterned with stars. His long silver hair and beard reached almost to his waist, and behind his half-moon spectacles, his bright blue eyes sparkled with wisdom.
"Welcome back, Willy." Dumbledore walked around the desk and extended a warm hand. "Though your status has changed, I believe you will like it here just as much as you did when you were a student."
"I hope so too, Headmaster Dumbledore."
Willy shook the slender hand and then, at Dumbledore's gesture, sat in the soft chair across from the desk.
"Would you like something to drink?" Dumbledore waved his wand, and several exquisite teacups and a teapot floated over. "Mead? Pumpkin juice? Butterbeer?"
"Lemon black tea would be fine, thank you. Just a little sugar."
Willy replied politely; he felt that his and Dumbledore's standards for sweetness were likely quite different.
The teapot automatically filled his cup with black tea. Willy took the steaming cup, but instead of drinking immediately, he lightly tapped the side of the cup with his wand.
As a thin layer of white frost appeared, the hot tea instantly turned into Iced lemon tea. He took a sip, feeling the cold, sweet-and-sour liquid slide down his throat, and showed a satisfied expression.
"A very creative way to drink it; perhaps I should try it as well." Dumbledore praised with a smile, then set down his teacup, his tone becoming slightly apologetic. "Sorry to disturb your pleasant summer break, Willy. You weren't supposed to receive your official employment notice for a few days, but because there are some extra matters to discuss with you, I had to call you to the school early."
"It's fine, Headmaster." Willy waved his hand, his posture relaxed. "As you know, I've just honorably retired from the Ministry of Magic and am currently a man of leisure. If there's anything, just say it."
Dumbledore sighed, interlacing his fingers on the desk, his gaze fixed on Willy through his half-moon spectacles.
"Actually, some time ago, I wanted to visit and invite you personally, but it just so happened that besides Alchemy, the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor also became vacant."
Dumbledore appeared somewhat helpless. "You know the situation with that course, so I had to personally search for a Wizard willing to take on the role. That's why I had Severus pass on the message for me."
"So..." Willy set down his teacup, suddenly feeling an ominous premonition. "Is there a candidate?"
At this question, Dumbledore immediately put on a distressed expression.
"Regrettably, no." The old Principal shook his head, his white beard swaying gently with the movement. "I've traveled across most of Britain, visiting many Wizards with achievements in this field, even some old friends living in seclusion, but the results were discouraging."
"As soon as they hear it's the Hogwarts Defense Against the Dark Arts position, they either suddenly fall gravely ill or claim they've sworn never to use a wand again."
Willy fell silent. It seemed the rumor about the 'Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor position being cursed by Lord Voldemort' was even more damaging in the wizarding world than he had imagined.
"When I returned and learned from Professor McGonagall that you were willing to serve as the Professor of Alchemy, I was truly delighted." Dumbledore continued, his tone suddenly becoming lighthearted, like finding a surprise candy hidden in a wrapper. "To arrange your teaching duties, I specifically looked over the new semester's timetable, and then... I suddenly discovered something very interesting."
At this point, Dumbledore paused.
Those bright blue eyes gazed deeply at Willy, with a hint of expectation and a touch of slyness.
This single look made Willy completely certain of his earlier premonition.
He took a deep breath and said slowly, "So what you mean is, besides the Professor of Alchemy position..."
"It seems we are thinking along the same lines." Dumbledore immediately took over the conversation cordially, giving Willy no chance to refuse. "I was pleasantly surprised to find that Alchemy, as an advanced elective, is usually only taken by sixth and seventh-year students, which means you only have four classes a week in total."
"What an abundance of time! This means that the Professor of Alchemy has the energy and the capability to take on another Professor's role."
The hidden motive was revealed.
Willy rubbed his temples. "Headmaster, this could be very tiring. As far as I know, Defense Against the Dark Arts is a mandatory course for first through seventh years."
"Perhaps it will be just a tiny bit more tiring than for other Professors." Dumbledore used his thumb and forefinger to gesture an infinitesimal distance, his tone sincere. "But with the holidays nearly over, I still haven't found a suitable candidate. If this course remains vacant, it would be too unfair to the children."
"This is truly a move born of necessity, Willy."
To prevent Willy from refusing, Dumbledore quickly threw out the bargaining chips he had already prepared.
"Of course, since you are taking on two roles, your treatment compared to other staff will naturally be different. Your salary and benefits will all be doubled; you deserve it." Dumbledore waved his hand. "Furthermore, in addition to the Alchemy office, the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor's office and two accompanying staff dormitories will all be yours."
"I imagine that as the Professor of Alchemy, you must need a place for experiments? One office might be a bit small. No problem—how you want to renovate those rooms is entirely up to you. The school will give you full support."
At this, Dumbledore leaned forward and gave his final promise: "Beyond that, if you have any other requests, whether regarding teaching or living arrangements, you can discuss them with me. As long as it's within reason, I will do my best to satisfy them."
After hearing this, Willy fell into silence.
In his original impression, being a Hogwarts Professor was not an easy job—grading assignments, handling student disputes, preparing lessons... Now he had to take on two hardcore courses simultaneously, one of which was mandatory for the whole school.
If it were just for teaching, he didn't need to tire himself out for the so-called double salary; his family vault was not short on Galleons.
But... Willy's mind raced.
Precisely because of the system's existence, his goal was not just to be a Professor. To earn points, he needed to carry out drastic 'construction' at Hogwarts and interfere in the teaching affairs of the Young Witches and Wizards.
Before coming, he had devised countless plans, thinking about how to ask Dumbledore for the power to intervene in Hogwarts' affairs. After all, the likelihood of a new Professor being allowed to meddle with the entire school was not small.
But now, the situation had changed.
Now it was Dumbledore who needed something from him.
This 'Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor' position delivered to his door, though a massive burden, was also a massive bargaining chip.
If he took on this mess, he would have the capital to bargain with Dumbledore. Those plans that originally wouldn't have been approved now had room for negotiation.
Truly, the system brought both benefits and drawbacks.
Looking at Willy, who sat silently across from him, seemingly weighing the pros and cons, Dumbledore waited patiently.
Just as he was about to ask what Willy had decided, Willy suddenly spoke.