From Azkaban to Hogwarts.

Adams looked like a curious child, as if he wanted to get to the bottom of things.

"What else could I do? Smuggling. There was a problem with the potion I was giving someone, and there were no materials on the market, so I had to go to the Far East to get them myself—after all, several of the raw materials were embargoed, and if something went wrong there, I simply couldn't find the materials on the market."

“So,” Adams shook his head, “you see, I’ve always told you you’re not a very good pharmacist, and you didn’t believe me…”

'What kind of time is this to be focusing on?'

William suddenly felt like pulling out his wand and shooting this heartless guy, but then he was suddenly a little touched.

"Alright, alright, I get it now. Fine, I admit it, I admit it!" He shook his head, both laughing and crying. "But there wasn't any problem with my identity back then. What's wrong with me today? Why is the school board suddenly interested in my affairs in Azkaban?"

-

"It's been a long time, Dumbledore."

Inside the principal's office, four board members stood together, led by Lucius Malfoy—though the others all looked somewhat troubled.

"Good morning, Lucius," Dumbledore said in a friendly manner.

“I think there’s something we haven’t been communicating enough about, but it’s not too late, Dumbledore. I think it’s necessary to hold a board meeting about that professor who was hired illegally, named William.”

Lucius stood in front of the board of trustees, exuding a menacing aura.

“Sure, I can help call the deans,” Dumbledore said with a friendly smile. “However, the Board of Governors meeting only happens once a year. Isn’t it a bit inappropriate to waste time on this?”

“I have the support of eight out of the twelve board members. I think that’s enough. Whether it’s suitable or not can be discussed later, Dumbledore.”

Malfoy came on strong.

-

"Alright, let's begin the meeting now. Although I don't think this meeting is necessary, since so many board members are here, let's talk about this matter."

Dumbledore sat at the head of the long table, his face amiable.

"It's not that it's unnecessary, it's quite necessary—a professor from Azkaban is no simple matter!"

"Don't be so impulsive, Lucius. This matter has been discussed with the Board of Trustees, and we've reached a pretty good conclusion, haven't we?"

I don't think so.

Lucius spread out his thick notebook. "According to my own investigation, a serious incident occurred at Hogwarts this year that resulted in students being injured and hospitalized for more than a month. The matter was only recently resolved."

"You know, Hogwarts hasn't experienced such a serious attack in decades, and even now, we still can't give the outside world a reasonable explanation."

“Wait, Lucius,” Dumbledore interrupted Malfoy’s questioning, “The Chamber of Secrets left behind by Slytherin himself has been discovered, and the attack has been properly explained. It was only chosen not to be made public in order to protect Slytherin’s honor. After all, the fact that a founder attempted to kill his own student should not be made public.”

"Oh, is that so?"

"No wonder they covered it up—I always thought it was some kind of experimental accident..."

"..."

The board members started talking about it, which made Lucius look very unhappy.

"Then why didn't the Board of Trustees receive a report on this? I remember that such matters are usually reported collectively after they are concluded!"

"Because there are still patients receiving medical treatment, and I remember Professor Lockhart has always worked with the same publishing house and had his own dedicated editor?"

"Yes, my family's publishing house."

One of the school board members nodded. "He hasn't published many books since he came to Hogwarts, but these things are usually handled by a dedicated editor. What's wrong? Did Professor Lockhart discover the Chamber of Secrets in Slytherin? So he's still trying to write the story?"

"No, but Professor Lockhart is still receiving treatment at the university hospital. The university plans to transfer him to another hospital for further treatment at the end of the semester."

Note 1: Dumbledore's father attacked a Muggle who attacked his daughter before Dumbledore enrolled, which caused a lot of gossip when Dumbledore enrolled.

Note 2: The Sorting Hat agonized for five and a half minutes during Professor McGonagall's Sorting Ceremony—Ravenclaw or Gryffindor?

Chapter 236 Letter and Hoe

While the board meeting was in full swing, William and Adams were in their office, drinking tea.

"William, aren't you going to think of something?"

"any solution?"

William frowned as he sipped his barely sweetened black tea—he tried to avoid sugar intake elsewhere so he could eat more chocolate.

"If the board of directors wants to target me, then I have no way to resist."

'At least not now.' William sighed inwardly. 'However, there's an inappropriate saying: fortunes change every thirty years…'

"It would be good if you went over and made a statement."

“It’s not an attitude problem, Adams.” William smiled. “It was all decided when we were recruiting, but now things have suddenly changed—either I offended someone, or the principal offended someone, otherwise it wouldn’t have been delayed until now.”

"So you're just going to sit like this?"

“Otherwise, it’s tiring to stand up, and I also have to listen to the results of the board meeting—” William stretched and yawned. “Theoretically speaking, they won’t kick me out before the final exams, and at most I’ll just lose my job. I can’t go back to Azkaban, so I’ve already gotten a good deal.”

"Besides, there's still plenty of time before I'm officially laid off, so it's not too late to panic then."

“Fine,” Adams said sullenly, “I’ll go find out!”

“Thank you for your trouble, Adams,” William waved his hand. “I don’t expect to have anything nice to say when I get there. I’ve seen plenty of pureblood arrogance in Azkaban. I’ll just pack my things quickly so that I won’t be too late if something unexpected happens.”

"Can't you just order something nice for yourself?"

Adams rolled his eyes and walked away, leaving William deep in thought.

Although Adams' composure in front of him just now wasn't feigned, he was still a little curious—why was he being targeted? Logically speaking, Lockhart, who was lying in the hospital, would also be a great breakthrough point.

-

"Yes, Dumbledore, we understand what you're saying, but what about the students?"

Malfoy, with the air of an elite democrat, said, “Yes, the board of trustees knows, the professors know, that Professor William is from Azkaban, but the students don’t know. I think that’s wrong. We have to guarantee their right to know and then let the parents choose.”

These words were impeccable, but everyone present was smart enough to know what the consequences would be for the school if this matter were leaked.

Regardless of whether their children were taught by William, or how many more years their children would be attending Hogwarts, those parents would send their own owls to express their dissent to the school administration—even Death Eaters were unhappy that their children were being taught by professors from Azkaban.

"But Professor William is an excellent professor, and he has some unique insights into defensive techniques."

The Hufflepuff professor tried to say something in William's favor, but was interrupted by Malfoy.

“But that’s not an explanation for the parents. That won’t convince them,” another school board member shook his head. “Think about it. The longer we keep this a secret, the angrier the parents will be. A year can be explained as a temporary transition, but we can’t explain it to them if they are appointed for two years or even longer.”

"Just think about it, what will those domestic and foreign newspapers say?"

"The Hogwarts administration was fooled for years by a guy from Azkaban before it was discovered?" He feigned a horrified expression. "We will all be disgraced, the biggest joke in Hogwarts' thousand-year history! A board of trustees plus the entire Hogwarts administration, and after a whole year, still couldn't find anyone to replace a prisoner from Azkaban!"

Although he couldn't find it, that didn't stop the school board from criticizing him—he provided ample funding every year.

"So I think we should try letting the students choose for themselves. Who knows, they might accept the professor because of his performance this year."

Malfoy laughed. "I've already had Draco conduct a small-scale investigation. I don't think you'll mind too much, Albus."

This is the most fatal flaw – as long as even one person can't hide it, the matter can't be kept secret.

Hogwarts students disregard all prohibitions when passing messages among themselves; the more something is forbidden, the faster it spreads.

"Then it's settled. I've already contacted the newspapers. Our board of directors will take responsibility for this accident and will also give Professor William a substantial sum of money to help him leave early."

Malfoy smiled and took on all the expenses—but judging from his expression, he was quite happy with the money he spent.

-

“Lucius Malfoy did it on purpose, Albus.”

“I know, but the best we can do now is to minimize the pressure this incident puts on Professor William,” Dumbledore replied calmly. “I need to have a serious talk with the Board of Trustees…”

"By the way, Minerva, have Filch intercept the owls on campus during this time, and don't let any random letters get to Professor William. Also, you need to have a talk with Professor William so he can be mentally prepared."

Dumbledore paused. "Things can't be confirmed yet. Don't give Professor William unwarranted confidence."

“Ah, Professor Adams?” Dumbledore suddenly turned to look at the door. “What do you need?”

Adams stood at the doorway, his face calm, as if he had been passing by by chance and had been stopped by Dumbledore.

"It's nothing, I just asked the elves to make some black tea," he said, trying to remain calm. "It's just finished and right at the door. Shall I bring it over now?"

-

"What kind of time is this to be packing your bags—are you really planning to quit?"

In William's office, Adams complained to William as he tidied up.

“I didn’t think I was that nervous, but now it seems,” William shook his head, “the school is unlikely to be able to save me.”

As he spoke, he handed Adams a letter. “This is a letter from an owl that I just received. You’ll see what it is when you take a look.”

"letter?"

Adams asked curiously, then opened his eyes.

Dear Professor William:

Although I wanted to send my greetings, from what I've gathered so far, your situation doesn't seem to be very good.

"Who is this, so wicked?"

Adams muttered something and continued reading without waiting for William's response.

【…

Based on the information I've gathered so far, it will be very difficult for you to continue working at Hogwarts. This would be a huge loss to the education of the wizarding world.

'That makes more sense—but who's so arrogant?'

Adams then reluctantly improved his impression of the sender and patiently read on.

Due to regulations, I cannot disclose the content of the exams, but both the examiners who accompanied you to Hogwarts and the staff who graded the papers later highly praised your teaching. As for the exam papers you created, although some of them used shortcuts, they represented a commendable new approach.

Such talent being left outside the education system is a huge loss to the magical world, and the Wizarding Examination Authority is happy to receive new blood.

...]

Having read this far, Adams lost interest in reading the rest of the letter and flipped directly to the signature.

[Grossda Marchban, Head of the Wizarding Examinations Authority (female)]

Turning the page further down, you'll find the application forms and related lists from the Wizarding Examinations Authority.

"Gudu."