From Azkaban to Hogwarts.

"We still have to run?"

"Has Professor William taught you any particularly powerful spells these past few days?"

"No incantation?"

"Then, was a spell cast?"

"I applied and it was approved, but I didn't get any magic training because of changes to the training plan?"

As the conversation progressed, Harry sensed that Ron's gaze towards him was becoming increasingly pitying...

"You did learn something, Ron..."

"So what did you learn?"

"See? I'll still put in a good word for him—well, actually Professor William is quite excellent at improving grades, but he doesn't teach a single spell during the special training..."

The two imagined the self-defense course for the new school year and came up with all sorts of amazing classroom ideas.

"By the way, Harry, would you like to stay at my place for a few days?"

As they parted, Ron asked.

-

A little earlier in time, Percy was being scolded while they were discussing the fire bolts.

"What were you thinking..." Mrs. Weasley looked at her son with a helpless expression, "You dare to interfere in a wizarding duel, especially one where a smuggling caravan is fighting over goods with a legitimate one!"

"Anyway, he did a good job, Molly."

Mr. Weasley tried to ease the tension, but was met with a stare from Mrs. Weasley.

"Okay, okay, please continue."

Mrs. Weasley then let him go and turned to look at Percy.

"But, Mom—those Gringotts people tried to swindle those precious items with just a few shicos, and they even told the surrounding teams not to bid! We only acted because we couldn't stand by and watch!"

“That won’t do either,” Mrs. Weasley’s tone softened. “If your father’s friend hadn’t found out, I don’t know what would have happened… You should know, son, that it’s about cracking down on bad people who have infiltrated your ranks…”

-

"Summer vacation is almost over, and we haven't even finished a quarter of the translation."

William flipped through the book in front of him and couldn't help but sigh at how difficult Russian was to learn.

He wasn't particularly gifted in languages ​​to begin with, and if these things weren't so similar to his existing knowledge, his translation speed would have been even slower.

"However, the results are encouraging. We can add some more challenging material to the sixth and seventh grade classes. The advanced classes should live up to their name—we can't say that all the students who graduate rely on self-study, can we?"

"I just don't know how many students will choose to continue—after all, after fifth grade it's all up to them..."

"But worrying about that is useless. Although a new professor came this year, at least I got my first-year degree..."

This made William very happy, because he could now start training a new class of his students from scratch…

From enrollment to graduation, teaching in his own way, helping these students learn and improve, and then become qualified wizards—that thought alone was fulfilling.

"That new colleague is strange... he didn't even come to say hello... Logically speaking, a place like the Leaky Cauldron, located at the entrance of Diagon Alley, should be easily visible..."

"See you at the opening ceremony... I'll use this week to get myself ready for the diagnostic test..."

"Also, the research on that Dark Lord... almost no results after a summer of research... To be honest, these spellbooks are good, but they are too energy-consuming."

"However, increasing his strength isn't a complete loss. After all, he's the Dark Lord, and to truly understand his past, we need to know his trump cards..."

"Let's wait until the end of next semester. By then, his strength should have improved even further, and we can then properly explore his past."

"All things considered, the biggest boost I got this holiday was actually from the Patronus Charm, but unfortunately it's pretty useless—I'd rather die than go back to that wretched place, Azkaban."

"The only good news is... rainy days shouldn't be so bad anymore..."

He meticulously crafted new plans, arranging his upcoming tasks before leisurely leaving the room to relax with a drink.

"Professor William!"

"Hello."

"Professor William, a glass of vodka, please! It's from Russia, their homemade brew!"

"Thank you, but I can't handle such strong liquor."

William was in a particularly good mood as he greeted several drinking buddies he knew along the way. After his first year at the university, his status as a professor was now firmly established, and even with his Azkaban background, he would not be ostracized.

His OWL performance, especially after it became public, has earned him even more respect.

"Very popular, William. A glass of mead? Or a large glass of beer?"

Old Tom smiled broadly.

“Why not have one of each?” William asked, sitting at the bar. “School’s starting soon, and there are more and more wizards coming to Diagon Alley.”

"Yes, but it gets even more exciting afterward—they'll be celebrating for days after the kids leave."

Old Tom's words drew cheers from the crowd.

"Absolutely! My kids are still young. If they were older and sent to Hogwarts, I think I could come to the pub to celebrate for a whole week!"

“A month! You have no idea how tedious it is to teach them basic literacy and arithmetic... I'd rather take a Cruciatus Curse!”

“That’s right…” another person chimed in, “My kid went to Muggle school for elementary school, and I originally thought that kind of early education wouldn’t be too tiring… but they actually have homework! And my wife won’t let me use an automatic quill pen to tutor him…”

"Yeah yeah…"

"Alright, let's have a drink to celebrate the summer vacation finally being over and the kids going back to Hogwarts!"

"cheers!"

The group of people happily drank a glass.

"And let's celebrate another group of little rascals being sent to Hogwarts this year!"

"cheers!"

"Another toast to Professor William! May everyone pass the Self-Defense Magic event at this year's OWLs!"

William watched the group of people drinking and having a good time, and he couldn't control his urge to complain.

Everyone else is fine, but what's up with that male wizard who looks like he just graduated?

And hey you over there, uncle, your kids have graduated by now, right?

But no matter what, the atmosphere in the tavern was exceptionally good today, and by the time everyone dispersed, it was already late at night.

-

Harry is still running today, while Ron didn't stay in Diagon Alley yesterday and went straight home.

Although Harry really wanted to go back with Ron, he held back—he was in danger right now, and it was better for him to face it himself than to bring that danger to the Weasleys.

Moreover, his own training was not over yet—although his training throughout the summer consisted of dodging, dodging, and more dodging, without even a single attack spell, he could clearly feel his progress.

Even the professor himself could try to dodge spells with tricky angles.

"Professor, I'm here for today's training."

Harry carefully knocked on the door, and just as he was about to say something, he saw his own house prefect sitting at the professor's desk.

"Sit down, Harry."

William said, "Percy and I have some things to discuss."

"Yes, Professor."

"Hello, Harry."

Percy greeted him with a smile—but this smile felt completely different to Harry than usual. It seemed that Percy's usual arrogance had been toned down, and he appeared more human.

"Hmm... Professor, I still don't understand why those Gringotts wizards would want to do that."

“That’s normal, that’s Gringotts, Percy.”

William smiled. "But that's too far removed from your needs. That's not the problem you need to solve this holiday."

"But now it seems you've solved the most pressing problem. Hmm, you look like a normal wizard now, instead of the way you seemed to never refuse before."

"Professor, if you put it that way..."

"Alright, alright, don't think about it so much. I can't actually answer the questions you asked. You'll have to find them yourself. Whether it's the purebloods' investments in Gringotts, the smuggling involving Ministry of Magic personnel, or the chaos within the Strikers, these are not topics I study."

"So, Professor, what are you researching?"

“Me?” William smiled. “I’m researching how to help you children understand the essence of magic, so that you can study magic more deeply and learn to study magic or other things.”

"Magic itself is enough to study a lot, let alone how to master it better. As for other things—you guys are here. You can't expect a professor who's working on exams until midnight to be responsible for too many things."

"Yes, Professor..."

“Don’t overthink it. Learn to find the answers yourself,” William shook his head. “And you need to make sure you finish your studies first, Percy.”

After Percy left, Harry couldn't help but ask a question.

"What's wrong with him, Professor?"

"He's fine."

"Don't worry about Percy, Harry. He seems lost, but I can't give him any answers—I can only teach him magic and how to study. The rest is up to him."

Chapter 259 Sirius Black King Theory

Good afternoon, Professor William.

At the Three Broomsticks bar, William met Professor McGonagall.

She sat at the same table with a strange male wizard, who, according to the letter before their meeting, should be her new colleague, Professor Lupin.

Good afternoon, Professor McGonagall.

William sat down, subtly observing his new colleague out of the corner of his eye.

'His clothes were old, but very clean—it seems this new colleague isn't in a very good financial situation…'

'That's strange. Logically, they should give you a stipend after you start working. Given this professor's habit of keeping his old clothes so clean, he shouldn't be neglecting to buy a new robe to make himself look presentable…'

"I hope you had a pleasant holiday, Professor William. The new school year is about to begin, and the school will be welcoming a new batch of children."