Chapter 832
New Professor, New Prefect
Chapter 832 New Professor, New Prefect
Dumbledore stared at Wade, the last trace of doubt in his eyes finally disappearing.
“Since you’ve made up your mind, I won’t stop you… but Vader, you won’t be alone.”
Before Wade could say anything, Dumbledore waved his hand and said:
"Of course, I know it will be more convenient for you to act alone. But you can rest for a few days first. When you set off, Kingsley will lead an Auror squad to America to assist the Magical Congress in investigating the Purifier assassination."
A slight smile appeared on his lips as he said, “Most Auror members won’t know you’re in America, but Kingsley, Alastor, and Tonks are people you can trust. Ask them for help if necessary.”
Wade nodded and said, "I understand, Professor. But didn't Professor Moody retire from the Ministry of Magic? Why is he involved in such a multinational operation?"
“Although Alastor has retired, his honed skills have not disappeared. In terms of experience and ability, he still surpasses most of the active Aurors in the Ministry of Magic.”
Dumbledore chuckled. “So when he asked to participate in an operation, the Ministry of Magic didn’t just foolishly refuse. More importantly… you’re not the only one angry about what happened, Wade.”
"Given Alastor's personality, he would never be willing to stay in the back after being humiliated and watch the young people risk their lives."
Wade smiled understandingly: "But this means the school will be without a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor again... It's rare to have a professor who can teach for a whole year without any major incidents."
A hint of helplessness flashed in Dumbledore's eyes:
"Given the curse Voldemort placed on this position, I had already planned to replace him with a new professor. In fact, I have already invited a suitable candidate."
Wade immediately became curious: "Do I know this new professor you invited?"
"Of course you know him."
Dumbledore seemed to brighten up at the mention of this. He tapped the table with his wand, brought over a plate of syrup fruit tarts from the kitchen, and then said with a smile:
"He is Frank Longbottom."
Vader asked in surprise, "Navi's father? Has his health...fully recovered?"
Dumbledore shook his head, shared a piece of pie with Wade, took one for himself, and then said:
"Not yet, a full recovery will take a long time. However, Frank's fighting spirit has never been destroyed. Since regaining consciousness, he has been eager to get back into the fight against the forces of darkness."
He took a bite of the pie and continued:
“I had a long talk with him… I told him that nurturing the next generation is also a crucial task, and that the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is temporarily vacant, so I need him to help me share the burden.”
"In the end, he accepted the position. Alice will also be working as a school nurse's assistant, and I think Mrs. Pomfrey's medical skills will help them recover better."
“That’s wonderful.” Wade was genuinely happy for them, and added, “Neville will be very happy.”
“Yes, he will definitely be happy…” Dumbledore looked at Wade with gentle eyes and said, “All of this is thanks to you.”
Wade shook his head and said:
"No, the credit doesn't belong to me; this miracle belongs to the Longbottom family—"
"It was Neville and his grandmother's perseverance over the past ten years, and the Longbottoms' unwavering commitment, that led to this miracle."
Dumbledore looked at Wade, exhaled softly, and said, "And this miracle was given to them by you."
He took a small object carefully wrapped in velvet from the drawer, and after untying the strap, he revealed the stone necklace that Vader had lent to Neville.
Dumbledore gently pushed the necklace toward Wade and said:
“This is what Mr. Longbottom asked me to return to you. It is a very powerful and ancient magical artifact, extremely precious… Use it well, Vader.”
"Yes."
Wade picked up the necklace and wrapped it around his wrist as usual, suddenly feeling a sense of peace. But when he looked up, he was slightly taken aback.
Dumbledore stared at the stone necklace on Wade's wrist, his gaze momentarily unfocused, and a rare, unfathomable turmoil stirred in his usually all-seeing eyes.
Wade was bewildered for a moment, then suddenly understood.
Back then... if the Dumbledore family had possessed such a device in Godric's Hollow, perhaps they could have used it to awaken Dumbledore's sister, Ariana, from the chaos.
That way... she can return to normal, no longer having to be confined at home all day; she can walk through the doors of Hogwarts in the sunlight, like other children, put on the Sorting Hat in the Great Hall, and make friends her own age...
In that case... she might still be alive now, and many people's fates would be different.
Suddenly, Wade couldn't bear to think about it—what Dumbledore was thinking when he helped Haley wake Mabel from her death throes and remove the Obscurus from the girl's body!
Wade subconsciously moved his wrist to cover the stone necklace with his sleeve.
A moment of disorientation surged in like a tide and then receded quickly. Dumbledore blinked, as if he hadn't been distracted at all.
He simply took out a brand new badge from the drawer; the silver-blue eagle emblem gleamed faintly in the candlelight.
“You know what?” Dumbledore said with a hint of regret, “I had originally planned to appoint you as a Ravenclaw prefect in the new year.”
Vader looked at the badge, paused for a moment, and then laughed:
"Professor, do you really think I'm suitable? Actually, even among the Ravenclaw students in the same year, I don't even know what courses they've taken."
Aside from a few friends, he rarely looked at other students.
Dumbledore smiled slightly: "With your abilities, if someone else were to become a prefect... whoever it is, they would probably face a lot of criticism."
Wade gently pushed the prefect badge back.
“But my battlefield is no longer in the school corridors. And a prefect needs prestige, time, and affability, which I do not possess.”
Wade said sincerely, "In comparison, Anthony Goldstein is much more suitable than I am. He has excellent grades, is fair to people, and is very enthusiastic. He is better suited to be a prefect than I am."
As for Michael, who was closer to him... that guy was used to being lazy. He would only practice his spells a few more times if he could pick up his wand. He would never be able to maintain order, worry about students who came home late, or mediate endless school disputes.
That badge was a symbol of power and honor for others, but for Michael, it was just a heavy burden.
As a friend, Wade naturally respected his temperament and wouldn't push him into a position he didn't want or that would cause him pain.
Dumbledore's eyes crinkled into a smile: "Anthony is indeed a reliable and upright student, and he will become an excellent prefect."
Seeing that the conversation had ended, Wade stood up and said goodbye: "If there's nothing else, Professor, I'll head back now."
Dumbledore nodded slightly, but just as Wade was about to leave, he suddenly heard the old man say:
“Wait, Wade.”
(End of this chapter)