HP: Professor From Azkaban

Books weren't cheap, especially textbooks. More specialized ones could make you question whether their pages were plated in silver when it came time to pay.

William could understand why the merchant would come knocking. However, in his current situation, sticking to the standard was already challenging enough. Choosing new materials would only create unnecessary trouble.

He was prepared to explain clearly to the shopkeeper that he had no intention of using newly published books as course materials. Even without the current crisis, he wouldn't agree to it.

But when he opened the door, ready to put on a stern face, the person on the other side gave him quite a shock.

A deep voice spoke from behind Tom.

"Good afternoon, Mr. William. I apologize for visiting unannounced, but the matter is rather urgent, and I felt it necessary to discuss it in person."

Despite his words, the visitor's tone was anything but hurried. His tall, thin frame loomed behind Tom, and his kind smile made it hard to imagine that this gentle old man was the most powerful wizard in the magical world.

"Good afternoon, Professor Dumbledore. To be honest, I didn't expect you at all before opening the door."

William forced himself to suppress any signs of excitement; understandably so, given how generous the man before him was known to be.

Up to this point, William had drawn over twenty chests from the system. Compared to the others, a single recognition chest from Albus Dumbledore outshone them all.

While others' chests were like standard card draws, Dumbledore's was akin to choosing a top reward after unlocking the entire pool.

Based on his previous experience with Mundungus yielding a second chest, William was confident he could get at least one more from Dumbledore; essentially like printing another rare card.

This was why he had resolutely chosen to spend half a year at Hogwarts. Though it now seemed like that decision had backfired, he couldn't just abandon the benefits of his original choice.

"Maybe it's just my old man's stubbornness. We tend to follow our whims. Speaking of which, won't you offer me a cup of hot chocolate?"

Professor, unfortunately, Tom doesn't welcome sweets in his bar. Just as William was about to say that, Tom enthusiastically responded:

"Of course, we do! Finest hot chocolate, mixed with a dash of white wine. It's my specialty."

Tom gestured warmly toward the room. "Please, have a seat, Professor. The hot chocolate will be ready shortly."

I thought this bar didn't serve chocolate?

William sighed softly and called downstairs, "I'll have a cup too!"

After that, he walked back inside, sat on the bed, and left the only chair for Dumbledore.

"Lovely lighting," Dumbledore commented as he glanced around the room before his gaze settled on the pile of books on the table.

Beside the books lay a thick stack of notes. Considering the stakes, William had approached his studies with the same intensity as cramming for a university exam.

"Impressive preparation. It seems we've made the right choice. I wager even Minerva would be impressed by these notes," Dumbledore said, his expression growing warmer. Clearly, he appreciated a professor who took their duties seriously.

"I haven't had any formal training in these subjects. Although it's a bit late, some preparation is better than none," William admitted, offering a half-truth.

Aside from his self-study in Azkaban, he had virtually no magical education. His diligent study now wasn't reviewing; it was self-teaching.

Still, his response pleased Dumbledore immensely.

Defense Against the Dark Arts; now called 'Wizard Self-Defense Magic Studies', was a course that, if considered seriously, wasn't too far removed from Azkaban. After all, anyone who didn't understand Dark Magic simply couldn't hold the position.

For a wizard who had already reached adulthood and could support themselves in the wizarding world, their abilities; though not exceptional, would at least allow them to scrape by in this course. Especially given the curse that inexplicably caused professors to leave, which had lowered the requirements for those applying for the position.

In such circumstances, a professor who was willing to take teaching seriously and remained humble and not arrogant was exactly what Dumbledore desired; especially in comparison to the newly hired professor.

***

"This is the situation. Regarding Dark Magic--oh, I mean Wizard Self-Defense Magic Studies, we've received a job application from a new wizard. Considering that one person teaching all seven years might be a bit excessive, we've decided to accept his application."

"A newcomer?" William was taken aback.

Perhaps the school had underestimated the curse due to the previous professors' injuries, or maybe the curse's power had been reduced with the failure of the Dark Lord's resurrection. However, William was very clear that this course was a pitfall; whoever took it on would be in trouble.

"I believe I can handle it, Professor Dumbledore," William said sincerely.

Had the curse's power diminished, he might have hesitated before rejecting the offer, but in the current situation, there was no need to drag anyone into this mess.

"I trust you, of course, especially after seeing the materials on your desk. However, I discussed it with Professor McGonagall, and if other wizards are willing to try, we won't refuse their application, for the sake of the students. Teaching seven years' worth of coursework would overwhelm a young professor," Dumbledore explained kindly.

"But what about the curse? This isn't an ordinary position. Every year's professor has been harmed by the curse."

"In the past, we've tried every method to deal with the curse. Although we couldn't completely erase it, we've done our best to reduce the danger. The new professor is fully aware of this, and the curse is not an issue anymore."

[The curse you've suffered has encountered a shared burden, and you've received a blessing chest.]

There were no excuses left, nor was there a need for any. If he wasn't mistaken, while Dumbledore had come to inform him, Professor McGonagall should have already signed a contract with another applicant.

***

Note: Based on widely accepted course schedules, it's generally considered that the Defense Against the Dark Arts course meets at least once a week for a half-day. When classes are in session, each year's group is taught together with two houses, meaning that each year requires an entire day for class. Even though the seventh years have internships and the sixth years take advanced electives without house divisions, the schedule still takes up five and a half days. This doesn't even account for prep time.

In other words, considering prep time, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor would need a Time-Turner to teach properly; it's more demanding than a '9 to 9, 6 days a week' work schedule.