From Azkaban to Hogwarts.

Professor McGonagall quickly filled out the forms for the two of them. William noticed that Lockhart looked a little unhappy, but Lockhart did not object to the decision.

"Then, I will inform the students to purchase the textbooks they ordered themselves. The schedules for the two of you and the arrangements for the lounge will be delivered by owl within the next week."

After the professor finished speaking, he checked the time; it was time to see the guests off.

William and Lockhart stood up to say goodbye, but just after William finished speaking, Professor McGonagall suddenly added something.

“Professor William, please wait a moment. I suddenly remembered that the elective courses for sixth-grade students have not yet been discussed. This needs to be divided according to the OWLs’ grades.”

Actually, this isn't a complicated matter.

After fifth-grade students pass the OWLs exams, the courses in sixth and seventh grade become electives. Only students who are interested in continuing their studies or whose future careers require these courses will continue to take them—but the number of places for continuing education is allocated according to the previous exams.

But whether Professor McGonagall did it intentionally or unintentionally, William saw the list of textbooks Lockhart had selected.

Gilderoy Lockhart's *Wandering with Ghouls*, *A Vacation with a She-Devil*, ... *A Year with the Yeti*

A long list of books, including those by Lohart.

Is this professor really here to give a lecture? Or are you sure he's not here to sell books?

Considering that sixth and seventh graders had to go through two rounds of selection by the professors and exams, William had reason to suspect that Lockhart had abandoned these two grades simply because there were fewer students.

"Students with an E grade (good, second level) can also take this course. Maybe they didn't perform well on the exam, and if their future career plans require a higher level certificate, they will have the opportunity to work hard for it."

William took a good look at the transcript and generously released a batch of registration qualifications—normally only those with the highest grade of O could apply.

"Okay, I will inform those students. The number of students who have registered will be sent to you when school starts, and the class schedule and classroom assignments will also be sent at the same time."

After saying this to William, Professor McGonagall looked up and noticed Hagrid, who had been standing at the office door the whole time.

"Oh, Hagrid, I'm sorry, I just forgot about you. Is there something you need?"

Note: Lockhart graduated from Ravenclaw, almost went to Slytherin during the sorting process, had excellent grades, asked the headmaster to start a school newspaper, had his name engraved in capital letters on the Quidditch pitch, projected his portrait into the Hogwarts sky, and his greatest act was sending himself 800 Valentine's Day cards (when he was studying at Hogwarts).

I entered Hogwarts Ravenclaw in 1975. At that time, Dumbledore had already become the headmaster, and Professor McGonagall was the Transfiguration professor, but it is uncertain whether Professor McGonagall actually taught the classes.

Chapter Thirty-Six: Drunkenness

"Professor, I'd like to know what happened to Harry?"

It's hard to imagine that this giant, who is four meters tall, would speak in such an almost awkward tone.

Professor McGonagall looked up at Hagrid with a surprised expression.

She hesitated for a moment before answering:

“Okay, Hagrid, Albus told me not to talk nonsense. Potter broke the secrecy law, was warned, and then he was put under house arrest by his relatives. We’re trying to figure something out.”

Almost as soon as Professor McGonagall finished speaking, William felt something terrifying was happening before his eyes. The giant in front of him seemed to have been awakened like a tiger, becoming full of aggression, which made him involuntarily put his hand on his wand.

"Let me handle it, Professor."

William could hear the suppressed anger in her voice.

“No, Hagrid, trust Albus, he has a better way to handle it.”

The name Dumbledore calmed the giant down.

He nodded heavily, walked dejectedly toward the door, and only remembered William when he was about to leave.

"Professor William, thank you."

"Want to grab a drink together?"

William was starting to like this big, goofy guy. Although he was impulsive and straightforward, his simple personality made him impossible to dislike.

"I have another bottle in my room, if you don't mind."

The two bid farewell to Professor McGonagall.

Not long after, William reappeared in Hagrid's cabin.

A barrel-sized bottle of wine was opened and poured into two glasses. Hagrid muttered as he emptied the barrel and then pushed the smaller glass toward William.

"Wishing you success in your job search!"

The two raised their glasses and took a big gulp.

"The school's black magic—cough, well, I've never understood it. Wizards learning self-defense magic, it's like this: the professor of this course is very dangerous."

“Dumbledore told me this before I joined, but there was nothing I could do. I was still in Azkaban at the time, and even the most dangerous place was better than that hellhole.”

William told a lie against his will.

Azkaban?

“Azkaban, I’m in the black market selling potions, but I messed up two deals. There’s a shortage in the market, so I have to go to the Far East with a smuggling crew to make up for the losses and find the materials I destroyed.”

William took a sip of his drink and added:

"As a result, Fudge took office and implemented new policies, cracking down hard on smuggling, so I went to jail."

"That's unfortunate, but it's good that you're out."

Hagrid said nonchalantly—clearly, smuggling was nothing to him.

"Yeah, that godforsaken place. They do all sorts of things, but the worst part is the group of Dementors who stare at you with a sinister look, like they're looking at food."

William shivered and grabbed the wand instead of the wine glass.

That experience was bad enough, so he studied books and magic desperately to avoid such a helpless situation from happening again—next time, he would never let himself fall into that helpless situation again.

"Dementors are the least lovable magical creatures! There's no way to communicate with those guys properly!"

Hagrid slammed his fist on the table, his eyes flashing with anger and—or perhaps William’s imagination—fear.

“I tried to raise Dementors, but it was almost a disaster.”

Hagrid impressed William with just one sentence: "Those rotten creatures, there are actually people who dare to keep them as pets?"

"I salute you, and I'll take care of that guy for you!"

Hagrid picked up the glass and took a big gulp, saying with frustration and lingering fear;

"If Albus hadn't come, I don't know what would have happened. That half-grown Dementor attacked me and turned half of the Forbidden Forest into a deathly still place. I almost thought I was going to die there. It even tried to give me a Dementor kiss—"

……

William was filled with admiration.

The Forbidden Forest was truly a fitting name; he didn't think it would be strange at all for Hagrid to keep a dragon there.

Keeping Dementors is more disgusting than keeping mosquitoes. If such creatures can be kept, then there's probably nothing that's impossible in the Forbidden Forest.

"That bastard reminded me of all the unpleasant things that happened to me in one day. I can hardly imagine what kind of hell Azkaban is."

The two then drank another cup together.

"I wonder how Harry is doing now, and how Dumbledore is going to rescue him."

Hagrid asked in a low voice, but he quickly answered himself.

"Dumbledore will definitely be fine; there's no difficulty that can stump him."

“Those Muggles, they abuse Harry all the time. You have no idea how skinny Harry was when I saw him a year ago!”

Hagrid took a big gulp of his drink, then put the glass on the table and turned to look for something.

William paused for a moment, then took out his wand and gently tapped it on the wine glass.

The "Continuation Spell" is simple and practical, a favorite among alcoholics—although it has various limitations, these limitations are not a problem when it comes to heavy drinking.

"Oh, thank you."

Hagrid put the umbrella he had just found back, then picked up his cup and took another big gulp.

One spoke, the other listened, and the story of Hagrid and Harry, accompanied by wine, quickly made an hour pass.

At this point, William was also a little drunk.

Fortunately, the person on the other side was even more drunk.

“I’m telling you, Hagrid, the moment I opened my eyes, I was in Azkaban. Do you understand that kind of despair?”

"I understand." Hagrid's tongue lolled out.

"The cell is full of scum, and those Dementors outside are more annoying than mosquitoes. They look at you like they want to eat you, and they make you relive all the unhappy things in your head every day."

"Uh-huh."

"And even then, you still have to rack your brains to make up stories, otherwise you'll have to sleep next to the toilet, never seeing a ray of sunlight all day long. You'll be piled on to do all the dirty and tiring work, like washing floors, cleaning toilets, and doing laundry."

"I used to be able to just coast along and wait to die, but now I'm taking the civil service exam—burp."

William managed to keep his mouth shut, and Hagrid across from him could only hum in response, unable to utter any other words.

You can't even tell a drunkard.

William chuckled at himself, then downed another large glass, simultaneously refilling Hagrid's glass with magic.

If I get thoroughly drunk today, will it last for about three months?

Afterwards, I need to continue studying magic to improve myself—otherwise, I won't even dare to get drunk easily.

With that thought in mind, William slumped onto the table.

……

When Hagrid woke up again, it was almost dusk. He was awake, but not much better off than William—his glass was bigger, and he had drunk at least seven or eight times more wine.

Rubbing his face, William said goodbye to Hagrid—Hagrid escorted William back to Hogsmeade before waving goodbye and returning to Hogwarts, still tipsy.

"Ah—" William stretched, preparing to get rid of the last trace of alcohol before going back.

The system finally sent its belated notification.

Chapter Thirty-Seven: When the New Professor Has Insomnia

[You have gained the approval of a magical creature and received a treasure chest x1]

[You have gained a deeper recognition from a magical creature, and have received a treasure chest x1]

William casually opened the first box.