September 1st.
After packing his belongings into his wallet, Tver accepted the dark red robes Jeff handed to him.
On the surface, the robes appeared black, but when placed next to true black, one could see a dark red undertone, like coagulated blood.
“Master has also reached the age to go to work,” Jeff said with a smile, a hint of tears glistening in his eyes.
In his memory, the boy was still a little tot; now he had grown into a professor who would teach and nurture others.
“Don’t make it sound like I’ve done something extraordinary,” Tver said, kneeling on one knee to give the house-elf a hug.
“In my eyes, Master Tver is always extraordinary,” Jeff said softly.
…
Arriving once more at the gates of Hogwarts, Tver noticed that the area had become cleaner, as if it had undergone a thorough scrubbing.
Moreover, the great gates stood wide open.
Was this the confidence of Hogwarts, completely unconcerned about malicious wizards breaking in?
“It seems you are ready to be a professor, Tver—no, I should call you Professor Welfare.”
Professor McGonagall swept her eyes over him, highly satisfied with Tver’s proper attire and grooming.
His appearance alone was enough to make him the most eye-catching professor in the school.
Professor McGonagall was still the one guiding Tver, but the expression on her face was more relaxed and at ease.
“In your presence, I am still a student,” Tver replied with a smile.
He had been corresponding with Professor McGonagall during this period, mainly to understand the teaching responsibilities at Hogwarts.
To be honest, it surprised Tver slightly.
The class schedule at Hogwarts wasn’t particularly harsh for the students, but it was far more grueling for the professors.
There were seven compulsory subjects in the school, which meant seven core professors—though now there was an assistant teacher.
These professors were responsible for the teaching work of the entire school.
But there were seven years and four houses!
Except for the sixth and seventh-year students, who had classes together as a whole year group, the remaining five years all shared classes between two houses.
Add to that the fact that each subject required at least two consecutive periods a week, with each period lasting an hour and a half.
This meant that a compulsory course professor had to work at least thirty-six hours over five days!
And that didn’t even include grading homework, lesson planning, and other tedious chores.
To put it irreverently, Professor Binns, who taught History of Magic, might very well have died of overwork…
And the Defense Against the Dark Arts position becoming a revolving door could also be because they couldn’t handle the high-intensity workload year-round…
Fortunately, Tver had applied for the assistant position, only needing to teach years one through three.
He wouldn’t have to drag things out until the end of the school year, and Quirrell would also have free time to steal the Philosopher’s Stone. Read this novel at novelping(.)com for the best experience.
How nice!
How thoughtful!
“But why don’t I see your luggage?” Professor McGonagall asked, looking at the empty-handed Tver with puzzlement.
“Professors live in the castle because there really isn’t that much time to travel back and forth.”
“I have a special little pouch.”
Tver patted his pocket and winked at Professor McGonagall.
“Alright, then let me show you around the place where you will be working in the future.”
As Professor McGonagall entered Hogwarts Castle, she enthusiastically dusted the castle’s statues and armor while introducing Tver to Hogwarts’ situation.
“There aren’t many professors in the school, so things are quite busy.
Especially Albus—I’m usually the one in charge of the school’s administrative work, so you can come to me if you need anything.”
There was a touch of complaint in Professor McGonagall’s voice, which Tver didn’t dare echo.
“It shows that your administrative work highly satisfies Headmaster Dumbledore, letting him entrust the school to you with peace of mind.”
“Speaking of which, you are quite different from my image of Durmstrang.”
Professor McGonagall looked at Tver curiously.
“Your image of Durmstrang?”
Tver made a gorilla-like gesture.
“It couldn’t be a rugged face full of beard, speaking in a booming voice, covered in bulging muscles, and radiating the aura of the Dark Arts, could it?”
Professor McGonagall laughed softly and shook her head.
“My mistake, but at least you are far more humorous than I imagined.
You will be very popular with the students.”
“I hope so.”
Professor McGonagall led Tver to a room on the third floor, situated between Quirrell’s Defense Against the Dark Arts office and the trophy room.
“This is your office.
You may arrange it however you like, but try not to be too…
peculiar.”
Having partnered with quite a few Defense Against the Dark Arts professors, Professor McGonagall seemed to have witnessed many peculiar things.
“It shouldn’t be worse than arranging pickled specimens in the classroom.”
Tver recalled the scene he had witnessed in the dungeons, in the Potions classroom.
Even at Durmstrang, they wouldn’t display those things so blatantly.
It was practically writing “I am not a good guy” on one’s forehead.
The office was very spacious, containing only a desk and a few bookshelves, requiring Tver to furnish it himself.
However, the bedroom wasn’t as bare as the outer office; it was fully furnished, and curtains bearing the Hogwarts crest were thoughtfully hung up.
“Since I didn’t know what kind of office you would prefer, I didn’t take the liberty of decorating it for you.
If there is anything you want to add, you can always come to me.”
“I am highly satisfied—it couldn’t be more perfect, really.
I can clearly feel your care for me.”
Tver nodded in satisfaction.
It couldn’t compare to his chambers back at the manor, but it was already very decent.
Compared to the cramped Durmstrang, Hogwarts Castle was noticeably more spacious.
Although there were more students, there were fewer professors!
Thus, the professors’ living quarters were quite generous.
Professor McGonagall then proceeded to lead Tver to the ground floor.
“This is Classroom Eleven.
It is where you will be teaching the students from now on.”
Tver looked at the classroom in surprise.
His office was already very spacious, but this classroom was at least twice as large!
“This is the largest classroom in the school.
Dumbledore prepared it specifically for you, saying that you would need sufficient space for your teaching.”
Professor McGonagall explained.
This classroom was rarely used nowadays; a space of this size was practically large enough to accommodate a whole meadow.
So she was also quite curious about the curriculum Tver would teach in here.
Everyone would find out once formal classes started anyway, so Tver didn’t offer an explanation, though he was very pleased with Dumbledore’s thoughtfulness.
Under Professor McGonagall’s guidance, Tver had roughly toured most of the castle, gaining an initial understanding of the ancient fortress.
The finer details would have to wait for him to explore slowly.
As night fell, Professor McGonagall brought Tver to the Great Hall.
As Tver stepped into the Great Hall, the dark clouds on the ceiling rolled and flashed, and the floating candles overhead lit up under Professor McGonagall’s spell.
“The magic up there is rather peculiar.
It’s been like that ever since I was a student at Hogwarts, occasionally displaying subtle changes,” Professor McGonagall explained.
“Fascinating.
The mystery of Hogwarts makes me look forward to my life here all the more,” Tver said, a smile playing on his lips.