Chapter 3: Muggle Studies
“Me? A professor at Hogwarts?”
Melvin was stunned for a moment.
“Professor of Muggle Studies.”
Dumbledore nodded, smiling as he explained: “Originally, this subject was taught by Professor Quirinus Quirrell, but he has changed his research direction and will take over the school’s Defence Against the Dark Arts class next term. I am looking for a new Muggle Studies professor. After seeing your play and learning about your deeds, I think you are very suitable.”
Melvin was not moved by his praise. Recalling the report about himself in the Ghost News column, his expression was subtle: “I really can’t think of where I would be suitable.”
“First, your grades are excellent.”
“You should know that I did not complete my studies.”
“No need to worry about those rigid evaluation methods, Mr. Lavent. In my view, your resume is very outstanding.”
Dumbledore spoke unhurriedly: “Since Seraphina Picquery graduated, you are the only one who has been recognized by all four houses of Ilvermorny, performed outstandingly during school, with excellent grades. Interviews show that Ilvermorny’s professors all have high hopes for you. Headmaster Aegilbert Fontana revealed that although you did not take the Ultimate Wizarding Level Examination, you obtained full-subject certificates in the Ordinary Wizarding Level Examination.
“Achieving your own success in Muggle society, skillfully combining magic with Muggle techniques, flexibly controlling the boundaries of the Secrecy Law—this is exactly what the students need.”
“…”
Nicolas Flamel remained silent, but his expression was somewhat strange.
Albus was still like this: an hour ago he was flipping through news on the Ghost News, and now he pretended to know very well.
“Headmaster Fontana is never stingy with his praise; he is like that with all students.”
Melvin neither refused nor immediately agreed: “I am honored to receive this invitation, but it is really too sudden. I need time to consider it seriously.”
Dumbledore did not press, and very tactfully suggested farewell: “I think next weekend there will still be a chance to appreciate your wonderful performance.”
“See you next week then. I will have Claire reserve the best seats for you. Good night, gentlemen.”
“Thank you for your moonstone.”
“…”
Walking out of the theater’s main door, the neon streetlights were still bright, the view opened up, a midsummer night breeze blew, and the smell of gasoline and dust lingered at the nose.
The two elders with unusual appearances walked on the street without attracting anyone’s attention; passersby seemed unable to see them but precisely avoided them when passing by.
“Let’s go.”
Dumbledore held a soda can, walking cheerfully along the roadside: vending machine, a wonderful creation of Muggle technology.
The two walked slowly, but their speed of progress was beyond imagination: one second they were at the street head, and with one step they appeared at the street tail.
Nicolas Flamel showed a thoughtful expression: “Hogwarts has never had a foreign professor. Albus, why did you suddenly invite this young Mr. Lavent?”
“A mistaken stereotype. Hogwarts has had many foreign professors, most of whom came from Beauxbatons.”
“You still haven’t answered my question.”
“Because Mr. Lavent originally has a wonderful connection with Hogwarts.”
Dumbledore took a sip, a satisfied expression appearing on his face: “Did you notice his ring?”
Nicolas Flamel paused in his steps, silver radiance floating in his light-colored pupils. He quickly recalled the details from earlier in his memory, and an image appeared before his eyes of the ring on the left ring finger of that young wizard.
It was a black matte ring, with no precious gems adorning it, no exquisite carvings, just some shallow patterns, utterly ordinary… The strange thing was here: with this alchemist’s experience of several hundred years, he surprisingly could not identify the material of the ring.
Nicolas Flamel’s eyes narrowed slightly, scrutinizing carefully, and finally he saw sporadic traces among those patterns—somewhat familiar.
“That is… Slytherin’s crest?”
“Burp…”
…
Gershwin Theatre.
The actors and staff had left.
The corridor was silent; in the office, the sound of the wall clock’s hands ticking could be heard, and the crystal chandelier cast soft lights.
Melvin looked out the window, glanced at the wall clock, his thoughts drifting with the light and shadows.
Dumbledore and Nicolas Flamel: one the most powerful legendary wizard of the present, the other an alchemist who had guarded history across several centuries. Yet their first meeting with him was unexpectedly amiable and talkative. Because he understood Muggle society, they extended the invitation. Despite knowing there were many suspicious points in his past experiences, they did not press for any details, nor was there any sign of Legilimency…
At least he had not sensed it.
He glanced at the desk calendar: summer 1991, exactly when the story begins…
No matter how open-minded Ilvermorny was, having experienced the Salem witch trials of the 17th century, the Purifiers riot, and the 1926 New York disturbance, the American Ministry of Magic had always enforced the strict International Statute of Secrecy.
Last time he had fooled the Aurors and judges in the trial; in the future, he might face even stricter scrutiny…
No matter the situation in the Muggle world, Britain remained the center of wizarding culture. The British Ministry of Magic had more influence than the American Ministry of Magic; the environment there was more suitable for him to sow seeds and harvest magic power.
“Click.”
Midnight twelve o’clock; the sound of the mechanical clock’s gears meshing was most pronounced.
Melvin gathered his scattered thoughts and was about to pack up the tea set on the desk when he suddenly noticed something under one of the teacups: something golden—it was another gold coin.
He summoned it into his hand: it felt cool, substantial in weight, and exquisitely engraved.
Not Muggle currency, nor a Galleon issued by Gringotts; it was a gold coin issued before the goblin rebellion, when the goblin kingdom had a complete system, and the coins were made of solid gold, about 1.7 ounces.
Because they were out of print, the collection value of goblin gold coins far exceeded their face value. Taking this to Gringotts, even the greediest goblin would become amiable.
“Ching…”
The gold coin was tossed into the air, spinning rapidly; the light reflected off it, showing a dazzling metallic luster.
What enticing wealth.
…
One week later.
“I didn’t expect Hogwarts to compensate foreign professors with a considerable relocation fee.”
Melvin finished reading Hogwarts’ onboarding offer letter and looked up at the two old wizards, feeling a strange sensation inside.
“This is only right. Hogwarts is more like a family for teachers and students.”
Dumbledore was quite pleased with himself.
“…”
Whatever you say.
Melvin closed the few sheets of parchment; the cover bore Hogwarts’ crest: “I have no objections to these terms. Hogwarts’ compensation is very generous, but there are some personal matters I need to confirm in advance.”
“Go ahead.”
“Teaching won’t occupy all my time. At school, I will also research and develop my own career.”
Melvin noticed Dumbledore’s slightly narrowed eyes, paused briefly, and explained: “Of course, nothing to do with Dark Magic—mainly stage drama, writing stories for wizards, exploring forms of expression in magical arts.”
“Very welcome.”
Dumbledore showed a brilliant smile: “Hogwarts has its own ghost drama troupe and previously had a student drama club. I participated in a performance when I was a student, though the result was a disaster… The school very much welcomes professionals in this area. Believe me, teachers and students would be delighted to see a drama club established again.”
The headmaster was so straightforward that Melvin wanted to accept on the spot, but he restrained himself: “Additionally, I have some ideas about course content.”
“Hm?”
Dumbledore’s eyes lit up, immediately interested.
——
Slytherin’s Descendants: Gaunt Family
As the direct descendants of Salazar Slytherin, this family was selected into the Sacred Twenty-Eight in 1930. To maintain blood purity, the Gaunt Family practiced incestuous marriage for generations. Once quite wealthy, the Gaunt Family squandered their fortune through the extravagant excesses of their kin, producing many restless and mentally unstable vagrants, known for their unstable temperaments and violent behavior.
Knockturn Alley Borgin and Burkes shop once collected many silver ornaments sold by the Slytherin family, most engraved with ouroboros motifs, including Uroboros, Kundalini, Merkaba… combined with the Slytherin-exclusive S-shaped mark.
All items sold by the Gaunt Family were withdrawn from shelves after 1947; Borgin and Burkes shop assistants claimed it was due to looting by Death Eaters.
