A certain Hogwarts professor of runes.

The so-called pure-blood family duel is a very ancient form of dueling, in which family members fight each other until one side is completely defeated or killed!

Even in the most chaotic and disorderly times, such duels were extremely rare. But it must be acknowledged that this form of dueling existed and was not abolished.

When Felix stood before the only Shafik in Slytherin, and slowly and methodically used ancient dueling etiquette to humiliate the Shafik family in front of everyone (one of the necessary steps in family duels), the sixth-year Shafik collapsed to the ground, his body trembling.

Even after Headmaster Dumbledore tried to dissuade him after the party, he didn't change his mind about the duel. He still remembered what he had said to Dumbledore at the time: "Headmaster, Shafik attacked me twice during the summer! Four people in total! One the first time, three the second time. Do you know what spell they used?"

Dumbledore had gray hair and deep, wise eyes, but he did not speak.

Felix calmly replied, "It was the Unforgivable Curse. They used both the Imperius Curse and the other two. Of course, they failed. I find it hard to imagine that someone would do such a thing four years after the fall of Mystic."

Dumbledore said wearily, “The Shafiq family are not Death Eaters—at least not entirely; they are just a family that clings to the idea of ​​pure blood…a very stubborn family.”

"But it doesn't make much difference to me, right? They sent four people during the holidays. As far as I know, the Shafik family isn't very large. Four people... Does their family even have ten members, including the elderly and minors?"

……

The Shafik family is simply not a match for them. Felix's fighting prowess had already been recognized during the summer vacation, and after the four members of the Shafik family were sent to Azkaban, their remaining fighting strength was less than four people!

They could only use their influence to resort to underhanded tactics, but with little effect, because family honor was the most important thing for pure-blood families.

This unfinished duel caused a huge uproar in the entire British wizarding world. After several months of twists and turns, it ended with the permanent withdrawal of the Shafik family from the British wizarding world. The pure-blood family duel that had lasted for nearly a thousand years was also officially abolished by law under the influence of some people.

This event, known as the August 7th Duel, had a far-reaching impact, no less significant than Voldemort's downfall for some die-hard families!

During his fifth-grade summer vacation, Felix visited some pure-blood families, and in summary, he had friendly meetings and reached a friendly consensus on certain issues.

Felix was pleased; even pure-blood families can be reasonable!

During his last two years at Hogwarts, Felix remained harmless, exploring the mysteries of magic. Upon graduation, he requested to stay on as a teacher, but Dumbledore refused, citing his young age. Otherwise, he lived a comfortable life, and the snakes were all well-behaved.

Looking back on his seven years of school life, he had a fairly pleasant time.

Of course, Professor Snape might not think that way. According to the latest gossip at Hogwarts, a certain professor's bad character is related to a bad student he taught in his early years!

Chapter 3 Interview

10:00 AM on July 21st.

Felix, dressed formally, stood in the fireplace, sprinkled a handful of Floo Powder, and called out, "Hogwarts Vice-Headmaster's Office!" After a burst of green flame, he disappeared.

In the office of the Vice-Headmaster of Hogwarts, Professor McGonagall was solemnly organizing school documents.

The Transfiguration professor, known for her strictness and always expressionless, was in a good mood at this moment. Gryffindor had won the long-awaited House Cup last academic year, keeping the Headmaster in a good mood.

"Pong!"

A cluster of eerie green light flickered in the fireplace, and a young, polite man strode out.

Felix looked around at his surroundings. Nothing had changed. It had been a long time! He smiled gently at McGonagall: "Professor McGonagall, hello, it's been a long time."

Professor McGonagall pursed her lips, a sign that her mood was rapidly souring, or that she was switching to work mode. "Long time no see, Felix."

Professor McGonagall had also taught him; she was one of his professors. Her feelings towards this renowned student were complex, though certainly not the same as Professor Snape's.

Before the long-awaited College Cup, Gryffindor suffered a painful seven-game losing streak, and this experience was largely due to Felix.

Aside from the first three years, Felix's learning environment was so harsh that he had to fight back, resulting in a significant loss of points. In the following years, after forcibly befriending the snakes, he seemed to finally realize that he was a Slytherin student and should fight for the honor of the house.

The following years can be summed up in one sentence: "Glory to Slytherin."

……

Felix stepped forward, glanced at his pocket watch, and said, "I hope I haven't missed the interview."

Professor McGonagall, interrupted from her reverie, stood up and led him to the principal's office. "Chocolate Frog," she chanted, escorting Felix inside. Before leaving, she said, "Your book is very good. It seems you've had a very fulfilling three years."

“Thank you, Professor McGonagall.” He paused for a moment, then smiled and stepped onto the stairs.

Three years after graduation, he hadn't wasted his time. Especially after his first job search failed, he reflected on it repeatedly, wondering if his student life had been too intense. So he took Dumbledore's advice and "traveled around and saw more of the world."

He spent a year traveling through the wizarding world, and the remaining two years working in the Muggle world, well, researching Muggles.

The results are remarkable: three books in three years, two on Muggle studies and one on ancient magical script.

They also accumulated a considerable fortune.

After walking up the long steps, Felix entered the headmaster's office, which was filled with all kinds of books and alchemical artifacts, and the walls were adorned with portraits of Hogwarts headmasters throughout the ages.

On one side of the principal's desk, a phoenix rests with its eyes closed.

Dumbledore was engrossed in studying something at his desk, and the entire office was very quiet.

"Good morning, Headmaster Dumbledore," Felix greeted him. His words instantly enlivened the room.

The portraits of the principals opened their eyes, looked at Felix, pointed, and whispered among themselves.

One of the portraits was extremely exaggerated, with the caption: "Ha! The finest Slytherin has arrived!"

The man in the portrait has a goatee, long, thin eyebrows, and wears a Slytherin robe. He is Phineas Black, the most unpopular headmaster of Hogwarts, who was also from Slytherin.

Felix gave a graceful bow.

At this moment, Headmaster Dumbledore finally raised his head. He had an unusual appearance, with a long, silvery-white beard that reached his chest; his robes were not neatly worn, and he wore a pair of crescent-shaped spectacles.

But none of these compare to his eyes, which are incredibly bright, with azure pupils that seem to sparkle.

Felix was somewhat dazed. Time hadn't left many marks on the principal, yet it seemed to have left too many marks.

“Ah, ah! It’s Felix,” Dumbledore stood up and strode over with a brisk pace. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

Felix shook hands with the principal somewhat awkwardly, after all, he had come to apply for a job and had been rejected three times.

The two sat down in chairs. Dumbledore looked at him through his thin glasses and waved his wand. "Would you like something to drink? Pumpkin juice? Tea?" Then he winked. "I also have some fresh butterbeer."

"A cup of tea, please."

Dumbledore waved his wand, and a steaming cup of tea floated to him. Felix took a small sip. A bitter taste filled his nostrils—it was stale tea. It seemed the headmaster didn't drink tea often.

"The tea that Sybil gave me, although I personally cannot tell whether it is good or bad, she said it came from the far East."

fraud!

Felix thought to himself, "At least one of you is a liar."

After having tea, the conversation began to get down to business.

“Felix, you’ve done an excellent job these past few years. I’ve been reading your books, and I must say, your research on Muggles is very novel and insightful… it has given this old man a lot of ideas.”

Felix smiled. "Thanks to your advice, the Muggle world is amazing, especially in recent decades; they've developed very quickly. As for the writings... perhaps it's because I'm also a Muggle, so I have a better understanding of them."

Dumbledore shook his head. “Your background cannot erase your efforts. There are many people in the wizarding world who are Muggle-born, but they are not particularly good at Muggle studies. At most, they have a deeper understanding of some common sense, but that is far from being called understanding.”

Of course, because I was a pure Muggle in my past life.

Dumbledore waved his wand, and a book flew off the desk. The book was titled *The Story of the Muggle's Struggle: From a Million Years Ago*, one of Felix's works. He suddenly realized that Dumbledore had been reading his book the whole time.

"This book has been very inspiring to me. I've read it more than once, especially your explanation of how Muggles evolved from beast-like creatures over millions of years from the perspective of the history of technology—yes, the term?—that is a miracle."

"You also point out that Muggles make rapid leaps in technology every so often, with the intervals getting shorter and shorter, and even predict that the next leap is not far off—very insightful!" Dumbledore praised his book highly.

Felix humbly replied, "This line of thinking is not something I invented. In fact, many sociologists in the Muggle world, or rather, Muggle scholars who study Muggles, have provided me with a lot of help through their writings."

Dumbledore said calmly, "Many Muggles are just as intelligent, but few in the wizarding world acknowledge that."

“I agree with you, Professor Dumbledore.”

Dumbledore blinked, seemingly skipping over the previous topic, and said playfully, "So, you must have read quite a few Muggle books? To be honest, many of my Christmas gifts are books, and they seem to think I prefer books. But actually, I've read most of them. Compared to that, I prefer a pair of wool socks."

"Of course, if it's a book from the Muggle world, I don't think I would refuse it."

A blatant hint...

At least he knows what to give as a Christmas present now...

“Yes, although they don’t have magic, some of them are willing to spend more than a decade to complete a book, dedicated to explaining a problem or a theory,” Felix said softly. “It’s difficult. And therefore, it’s precious.”

Dumbledore was somewhat pleased. "It seems you've really gained a lot these past few years." Then he suddenly asked a question, "Then why were you so determined to teach at Hogwarts?"

Chapter 4 Felix's Theory

Felix seemed puzzled and asked, "I don't understand, Headmaster?"

Dumbledore placed his hands in front of him, his gaze scrutinizing him. "I mean, you have a bright future ahead of you, but you're so fixated on returning to Hogwarts! I'd like to know why."

The principal's meaning was clear: you've already made a name for yourself; three years after graduation, you've written three books, each one quite excellent. Especially the two books on Muggle studies, although they didn't sell well—at least compared to another professor he interviewed—who was also an author, but whose sales were worlds apart.

However, it is undeniable that these two books have had a very wide influence. One is "The Muggle's Struggle: From a Million Years Ago," and the other is "How Muggles Think." They have become the guidebooks for most departments of the Ministry of Magic around the world that deal with Muggle issues.

At least Dumbledore had discussed some of the contents of the books with friends, including the head of the Department for the Prohibition of the Misuse of Muggle Articles and members of Wizengamor, who also spoke highly of the two books.

Felix thought for a moment and said, "Headmaster Dumbledore, I have a deep affection for Hogwarts; it's my home, and it makes me feel at home! Moreover, I really enjoy teaching students; it's a very fulfilling thing..."

Dumbledore interrupted him, his deep blue eyes sharp and unreadable, belying the age of a centenarian. “We all know this isn’t true. I want to know your true thoughts; it’s important, it’s about whether you get the teaching position.”

Felix broke out in a sweat. He instinctively activated his Occlumency technique, then stopped.

This is not a wise decision. Occlumency is not a panacea, especially when you are at a lower level, let alone when facing what is arguably the greatest wizard of this century.

Fortunately, he had prepared in advance and made some small preparations for the trip.

For example, a few drops of Felix Felicis.

After a brief two-second thought, he decided to follow his intuition and "tell the truth."

Felix finally spoke, saying earnestly, "In order to study the mysteries of magic more deeply."

Dumbledore nodded, appearing to be all ears.

“Headmaster, you’ve been my headmaster from the time I entered school until I graduated, so you should know something about my experience. Before fifth grade, I spent a lot of time on magical practice to deal with some troubles, neglecting some theoretical subjects.” This was the truth; he was always very anxious to avoid being beaten and bludgeoned.

"Back then, I was pursuing power, pursuing the power of individual spells, but I was wrong. It wasn't until my last two years at school, when I finally had the time to explore the mysteries of magic, that I realized what I had missed." This is true; while his cheat abilities helped him become powerful rapidly, they also led him in the wrong direction—one-sidedly pursuing the power of magic while ignoring the importance of theory.

Dumbledore nodded slightly, his tone softening again, but with a hint of curiosity, "So, your research focuses on ancient runes?"

This isn't hard to guess, considering that of Felix's three books, besides *Muggle Studies*, there's also *Ancient Rune Exploration*. And *Muggle Studies* can hardly be considered a study of magic.

“That’s right! The deeper you delve into magic, the more you can’t do without ancient runes, especially when you need to trace the origins of ancient magic. I only realized this in sixth or seventh grade, but unfortunately, I only got an A in ancient runes in my OWLs exam, so I couldn’t continue studying and had to learn it on my own.” This was the truth, a mistake Felix made in his youthful ignorance.

Felix continued, his intuition heightened by the Felix Felicis, and his speech becoming increasingly fluent. "I do have my own selfish reasons. Hogwarts has the world's largest library, filled with books about ancient runes."

"But on the market—"

“I’ve read all the books on the market, and unfortunately, they’re mostly theoretical with too little practical application—they seem to simply treat Ancient Runes as a language, merely used to translate manuscripts from the past. And while researching Muggles, I unexpectedly had a new inspiration, and I tried to combine the two! As you know, Ancient Runes are also essential knowledge for alchemy.”