A certain Hogwarts professor of runes.

Did something interesting happen?

Another new professor has arrived? That's normal, isn't it? Aren't professors for a certain subject used and discarded every year?

Marcus Flint looked toward the professors' table, his gaze sweeping around, searching for unfamiliar figures.

Hmm, a handsome-looking wizard, is this their new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor?

It's nothing...

and many more!

Who did he see?!

Marcus Flint suddenly let out a short scream, as if he had been bitten by a rat, and his expression turned terrified, almost in sync with his companion beside him.

It's that person!

How did he end up here?

For a moment, my already slow-witted mind became even more sluggish.

With a scream from Marcus Flint, the other Slytherin students followed his gaze toward the professor's seat and gasped in shock.

Almost instantly, most of the Slytherin table fell into a deathly silence.

The remaining small group of lower-grade students quickly noticed the older students' bewildered silence and also stopped talking, staring blankly at them.

Malfoy, bewildered by the strange scene unfolding in his school, tugged at the clerk beside him, "What's going on?"

"Shut up, keep your voice down!" the senior scolded in a low voice, lowering his head and not daring to look at the man's figure. Instead, he pretended to be very interested in examining a silver plate.

Then he whispered, "Draco, keep your voice down, that gentleman is back."

"That gentleman? Sir?" Malfoy asked, somewhat puzzled. It sounded like a title of respect for a nobleman.

The senior student whispered a few words, "The 1987 duel incident."

"Hiss!" Malfoy also took a deep breath and couldn't help but secretly look up at the young professor on the professor's seat.

Is it that person?

As the Slytherins suddenly fell silent, the other houses noticed their unusual behavior.

Hermione had noticed Felix much earlier, and with her exceptional memory, she immediately recognized him as the strange guest she had met during the summer holidays.

So he's a wizard too? No wonder his requirements are so strange!

I wonder what courses he will be teaching?

Lockhart already knew the two unfamiliar faces this year; they were the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, and Lockhart had read all of his works.

His experience is truly amazing!

The other professor looked very young, probably not that old... Wait, why is everyone so quiet?

Hermione looked around. The Slytherin students were as quiet as quails, while the other three houses were silent for a moment before starting to discuss in even louder voices, and the Great Hall was in complete chaos.

The upperclassmen were explaining something, with expressions that said, "I have a big secret."

She was initially worried about Harry and Ron's safety, but since she had already told Professor McGonagall, she figured there shouldn't be any major problems.

Hermione listened intently, craning her neck without making a sound.

Chapter 15 Making Empty Promises

On the professor's chair.

Felix watched this scene and felt strange. He didn't think he had done anything terrible, so why were the Slytherin students so afraid of him?

He started to settle down in sixth grade, while the oldest of these young wizards was only in second grade at the time.

This is tarnishing my reputation!

If this gets out, it will sound like a mob boss impersonating a novice teacher at a school.

The other professors also looked at them with a slightly strange expression. Most of them were witnesses to Felix's "glorious seven years." They were truly impressed that he still had such influence after only three years away from the university.

That look in his eyes made Felix want to punch someone!

Dumbledore remained all smiles throughout, as if everything that had just happened was perfectly normal.

Felix felt like each day was an eternity, but he still pretended nothing had happened and awkwardly chatted with Lockhart.

Bang bang bang!

A loud knock sounded, then the door was pushed open, and a giant walked in. Behind him was a row of first-year students who looked like quails.

Professor McGonagall, who had left earlier, returned. She led the new student to a small stool and placed her tattered Sorting Hat on it.

The next second, the Sorting Hat started singing.

Felix grinned. Still so unconventional...

After the annual concert, the Sorting Hat begins the sorting process, and the young wizards put on the hat one by one, waiting for their turn.

I really miss those days!

After the Sorting Ceremony, the entire faculty and student body began to enjoy dinner. However, Felix noticed that Snape still hadn't returned, and none of the professors mentioned him. Hmm, Professor, you're not very popular...

Fortunately, Professor Snape returned once halfway through, which put Felix at ease, and his worries did not come true—the professor was not captured by the unknown monster.

But Snape took Professor McGonagall away—what a strange turn of events!

Felix let his imagination run wild; he was quite pleased with himself, even finding the sight of the transparent, blood-soaked Barrow pleasing to the eye.

A little while later, McGonagall and Snape returned. Felix quickly went up to Professor McGonagall, pulled her aside, and explained the little tricks he had come up with for teaching (and being lazy).

"An open course?" Professor McGonagall repeated, her eyes filled with deep distrust.

"Yes, I am a new professor after all, and the first class is very important. I have been preparing for a long time during the holidays. It would be a waste to divide it into five grades."

"But if you put five grades together, they won't learn anything at all."

Felix explained, “My first lesson doesn’t contain any theoretical knowledge; it’s a demonstration lesson. They just need to bring their eyes and watch. My goal is to show them the magic of ancient runes. Once they’re interested, it’s easy for me to teach the rest.”

Professor McGonagall pursed her lips. She didn't like breaking with convention, but she still asked, "On which day do you plan to hold the open class?"

Thursday afternoon!

“Okay, I agree.” Professor McGonagall spoke with the air of a vice-principal.

"Uh..." Felix was a little embarrassed.

"Any other questions, Mr. Hyp?"

“Call me Felix,” he replied quickly. “Thursday afternoon is my carefully chosen time, but there is still a class clash.”

Professor McGonagall sighed. "Which professor's class was it?"

"Professor Snape."

McGonagall's eyes widened, and she glared at him fiercely. "I'll go talk to him!"

Felix breathed a sigh of relief.

Let's eat, let's keep eating...

When everyone had almost finished eating, Headmaster Dumbledore stood up, and under his direction, everyone sang the school song together before dispersing completely!

After eating and drinking his fill, Felix prepared to return to his professor's office, watch a movie, and then go to sleep.

For the next week, all he needs to do is prepare for the open class. What's there to prepare? Off to the library tomorrow!

Dear Hogwarts Library, I've missed you so much!

His reverie was interrupted; this time, it was Professor McGonagall who pulled him back.

The two walked to a corner where three young wizards were already standing—two boys and one girl, all of whom looked like members of the Gryphon Academy.

Upon closer inspection, Felix found it even more interesting. The two boys looked exactly alike and were frowning, for reasons unknown; as for the girl, he had met her during the summer.

He had a guess in his mind.

Are the assistants he mentioned to Professor McGonagall the three of them? So, are they the Weasley twins and Hermione Granger?

As expected, Professor McGonagall first introduced both parties, and then specifically mentioned Felix's need for an "assistant (tool)".

Judging from their reactions, the twins seemed somewhat uninterested, while Hermione and Granger were somewhat intrigued, though they also didn't appear to be very interested.

Indeed, what's so appealing about being a temporary worker?

This won't do...

Felix decided to say something, believing that once he finished speaking, they would completely change their attitude.

Now watch my moves!

Felix gave Professor McGonagall a look, then coughed lightly twice. He looked at the three young wizards and said gently, "Hello, I am your new Professor of Ancient Runes," then glanced at Hermione, "and may be your future professor."

Hermione seemed a little reserved, while the twins were much bolder. One of them asked excitedly, "Professor, did you really subdue the entire Slytherin House when you were in school? And drive away the Shafiq family?"

Well, Felix was a full seven years older than the twins. He graduated and they enrolled right after him, a seamless transition, a perfect missed opportunity.

"You're quite bold..." Felix was somewhat surprised.

However, he did not respond directly, glossing over the matter lightly: "Hogwarts is often the site of some bizarre rumors. When I was in school, I even heard that there was a portal on the eighth floor of the castle that connected to Hogsmeade!"

Surprisingly, the twins were visibly disappointed, while Professor McGonagall rolled her eyes discreetly.

"Let's continue our previous topic. For a long time to come—at least until you graduate—I will be teaching Ancient Runes at Hogwarts. Therefore, I plan to train an assistant who will help me with some trivial matters, such as grading papers."

Seeing that the twins showed little interest, he quickly skipped over this uncomfortable part.

"Of course, there are gains and losses. Becoming my assistant will also bring you some hidden benefits. For example, I will provide you with extra guidance. In addition to ancient runes, I am also very good at spells. Professor McGonagall can vouch for me."

"Secondly, extra points. After all, assistant work takes up some of my free time, so Professor McGonagall and I discussed it and agreed to add fifty points each semester."

The twins looked at each other, and they got a perfect score for the whole school year!

Hermione's eyes also lit up; in fact, she was already interested when she heard the first one.

"Third, you will have the opportunity to participate in my research. You will be exposed to a lot of advanced magical knowledge, which is not taught in the classroom."

"Fourth, give priority to joining my Ancient Runes Club next year."

“Fifth, I’ll gain your personal friendship. If you become my assistant, I won’t refuse to help you with small favors,” Felix winked and whispered in a tempting tone, “like finding forbidden books in the library, weekend trips to the Forbidden Forest, or strolling around the castle after lights out…”