CHAPTER 203: CHAPTER 203

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"That’s it! I knew there was a reason Albus was so fond of that starry moonlit dressing gown," Aberforth said, as if he’d cracked a case. "Turns out, that robe was a gift from Grindelwald—oh, and by the way, I recall Grindelwald gave Albus quite a few things back then. Besides the robe, he also handed him a notebook to share, one that seemed to be filled with some seriously powerful magic."

Veratia’s eyes narrowed.

Powerful magic?

"Magic involving flames, right?" she asked. "One of them creates a protective ring of magical fire around the body, which can also be combined with Legilimency to discern friend from foe, correct?"

"And another summons a wide expanse of flames, forming a pathway through the fire..."

She was describing spells she’d invented herself in moments of boredom—one being the Fire Shield Charm, the other the Blazing Path.

Dumbledore’s expression grew even more awkward. He suddenly found the patterns on the desk utterly fascinating, tracing them with his fingers as if they held the secrets of the universe.

"Exactly, that’s the one!" Aberforth nodded eagerly. "Back then, those two were like men possessed, practicing in Godric’s Hollow. They even caught the attention of the Aurors. But you know your brother’s silver tongue—he probably slipped them a few Galleons to look the other way."

Veratia’s smile grew softer, almost too sweet.

But inside, her heart was bleeding.

He used my money!

That spendthrift!

If I’d known you were such a reckless squanderer, I’d have turned you to ash with a fire spell back in Nurmengard.

Harry, of course, could tell from Veratia’s expression that she was in a foul mood.

He quickly grabbed her hand and whispered, "He’s your brother, your brother..."

His attempt at comfort only made things worse. Veratia felt her anger flare even hotter.

Oh, brilliant. So just because he’s my brother, he gets to swindle me like this?

"So, there’s no way I’m letting Grindelwald stay at Hogwarts!" Aberforth added firmly.

The atmosphere was growing increasingly tense when Newt, head lowered, tentatively raised his hand.

"I... have a suggestion," he said.

"Speak," Dumbledore replied, looking at him as if he were a lifeline.

"There’s not much time left in this term," Newt said quickly. "I think it’s best not to shake up the staff right now. Perhaps Aberforth could join me here. Since he doesn’t trust Grindelwald, he could keep an eye on him—"

"By the end of this term, Gellert will return to Nurmengard," Veratia declared with finality.

Aberforth nodded. "Fine, I can accept that. And... I’ve heard the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts is also a Saint?"

"Er," Dumbledore said, suddenly sheepish. "We’ve received a flood of complaints from parents. They’re adamant about not allowing a Dark witch to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. So... Madam Vinda Rosier is preparing to step down."

"Setting aside her status as a Saint, she’s actually quite good as a Defense professor," Newt said quietly, his head still bowed. "The students at Hogwarts love her. I can’t imagine how hard it’ll be for next term’s professor to win them over."

Everyone in the room, except Aberforth, paused to reflect. A moment of silent mourning passed for next year’s unfortunate professor.

"It’s not a bad outcome, really," Aberforth snorted. "I’ve heard Voldemort cursed that position. If I’m not mistaken, ever since he laid that curse, few Defense professors have left the post unscathed. Being sacked due to complaints isn’t the worst fate."

At that very moment, far away in Nurmengard, Vinda Rosier tripped on a staircase, her bones letting out a sharp crack.

But of course, no one in the Headmaster’s office could know that.

"And you, Newt?" Aberforth turned to him. "I seem to recall you hate working. Why’d you come to Hogwarts?"

"Because of my aunt," Newt sighed. "She’s not in the best health, so I need to stay at Hogwarts to look after her."

It was an excuse. There were things he wasn’t about to say in front of Harry and Aberforth.

Truth be told, Newt was fed up with Hogwarts. As his Boggart had revealed when Dumbledore temporarily took over Defense Against the Dark Arts, his greatest fear was a desk job.

Teaching at Hogwarts? It was worse than a death sentence.

But the problem was, his aunt’s well-being was far more important than the misery of a job. If it meant her happiness, Newt was willing to stay and teach at Hogwarts indefinitely.

That was also why he’d temporarily set aside his feud with Gellert—there were bigger priorities.

If it weren’t for this, he’d probably be off in America investigating magical creatures.

But as Tina had pointed out, why bother going to America to study magical creatures? They weren’t exactly welcoming him with open arms—he was even on their no-entry list. No need to chase trouble.

No matter how much he loved magical creatures, he wasn’t that desperate.

"Your aunt?" Aberforth asked, curious. "Since when do you have an aunt I don’t know about?"

"I’ll introduce you to her in a few days," Newt said vaguely.

"I’m coming to Hogwarts tomorrow," Aberforth declared, shooting a glance at the leisurely Gellert. "I’ll be watching him closely so he doesn’t stir up trouble or goad the students into doing things they shouldn’t."

Gellert, one hand propped behind his head, gave Aberforth a casual wave with the other, like Jerry’s big cousin from the cartoons.

"Relax, goat boy," Gellert said lazily. "I’ve got no interest in stirring up Hogwarts students—they’ve already been thoroughly ruined by this place. If it weren’t for Vinda, their Defense Against the Dark Arts skills would be even more pathetic."

Aberforth opened his mouth to retort but stopped himself, remembering the British wizarding world’s Aurors, who could barely cast a decent Protego. He swallowed his words.

He had to admit, Hogwarts had its flaws.

"What about the Hog’s Head, Aberforth?" Dumbledore asked.

"I’ll head back in the evenings to keep it running. And I can hire someone temporarily to help out," Aberforth said gruffly. "You remember that lad from your Order of the Phoenix? The werewolf... the one always sneaking off to the Shrieking Shack? Remus Lupin?"

"Of course I remember," Dumbledore nodded.

"I’m hiring him to work at the Hog’s Head for now. He’s got no job at the moment."

Aberforth’s tone turned sharp. "I don’t think you’re much of a leader, Albus. Remus has been running himself ragged for you, and you can’t even ensure he has basic stability."

"His situation is... unique, Aberforth," Dumbledore said with a sigh. "You know as well as I do that people like him struggle to find work in the wizarding world."

But then...

Dumbledore’s mind sparked with an idea. Perhaps Remus Lupin could replace Vinda Rosier as next term’s Defense Against the Dark Arts professor?

The more he thought about it, the more it made sense. Lupin was in financial straits; he likely wouldn’t care much about Voldemort’s curse.

"That’s no excuse, Albus," Aberforth growled. "And those potions? I expect you to cover them!"

"Very well," Dumbledore said with a nod. "After all, I am a major shareholder in Honeydukes."

At that, everyone’s faces darkened.

Really? It’s been half a year, and you’re still bringing that up?

Dumbledore, unfazed by their looks, continued, "Oh, and one more thing. I think we should hire Remus for Hogwarts next year. We’ll need a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, after all."

He gave Harry a cryptic wink.

Harry wasn’t sure what Dumbledore meant—he assumed it was just the headmaster’s playful jest toward a student.

Dumbledore, however, thought Harry would recognize Lupin’s name, given he’d seen his mother’s memories.

But there was a snag. In those memories, James Potter and Sirius Black only ever called Lupin "Moony," never Remus or Lupin.

Perhaps they used his proper name elsewhere, but not in the memories Harry had seen.

"Maybe the Hog’s Head should get a new name," Dumbledore said with a meaningful tone. "What do you think of ’Wolf’s Head,’ Aberforth?"

"That’s not funny, Albus," Aberforth shot him a glare.

Though Lupin was a werewolf, Wolfsbane Potion ensured he posed no threat. The potion, a recent invention, allowed werewolves to retain their sanity even when transformed, if taken a week before the full moon.

Dumbledore knew Severus was skilled at brewing it.

The catch? Wolfsbane Potion was expensive. Dumbledore did a quick mental calculation—Lupin would need at least six vials before starting at Hogwarts, which meant footing the bill for all six.

He didn’t mind the cost—Lupin was, after all, a member of the Order of the Phoenix.

But if Lupin joined the staff, the school board could cover the potion’s expenses.

Saving a few Galleons was always a bonus, and Dumbledore wasn’t above nudging the board to loosen their purse strings.

The matter was settled, and Aberforth didn’t argue further.

Gellert, on the other hand, seemed positively delighted, privately praising Aberforth’s contributions multiple times.

He had no desire to remain a teaching assistant at Hogwarts. A man like him belonged somewhere quieter, not surrounded by a gaggle of foolish students.

Though, he did like Ron. The boy was guileless and got along with him well.

What started as a calculated friendship with Ron had turned genuine.

Ron, of course, had no clue about Gellert’s true identity. If he did, he’d probably faint from shock.

Gellert Grindelwald’s mate? That’s a one-way ticket to being the right-hand man of the wizarding supremacists.

At the very least, Azkaban wouldn’t have room for him.

Meanwhile, Gellert was growing anxious.

If he was leaving Hogwarts next term, the matter of breaking up his sister and Scarhead needed urgent attention.

But how to do it?

Gellert mulled it over, determined to find a foolproof plan.

That Malfoy girl?

She was too far away, trapped Merlin-knows-where. A distant solution wouldn’t quench an immediate thirst.

That unicorn, Miss Sweeting?

She didn’t seem up to the task either. That unicorn... she wasn’t cut out for big things.

Gellert racked his brain for days until, finally, a brilliant idea struck.

"That’s it!" he thought gleefully, standing to go find Newt to discuss it.

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