Just a Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor: No More, No Less

Chapter 5: The original owner's diary

The first diary entry dated back five years, placing the original owner at fifteen years old – a fifth-year student at Hogwarts. So, a failed romance had triggered his decision to start journaling? Judging by the tone of his entries, he was undoubtedly a solitary individual.

Sherlock continued to sift through the diary, finding entries scattered across the following months. Every few days, he'd meticulously document minor school grievances and his unwavering admiration for Headmaster Dumbledore. 

The diary revealed a deep-seated reverence for Dumbledore. He explicitly stated his ambition to emulate the esteemed Headmaster, achieving similar levels of wizarding prowess.

His academic performance appeared exceptional. One entry mentioned topping his class, leading to an influx of female students seeking academic guidance, a situation he found overwhelming and even slightly distressing.

The failed romance seemed to have hardened his demeanor. He displayed a marked indifference towards the opposite sex, viewing their attention as a form of unwanted intrusion.

A significant portion of the diary chronicled his life at Hogwarts. However, there was a conspicuous absence of any mention of friendships. During his seven years at the school, he appeared to have cultivated few, if any, close bonds with his peers.

The initial girlfriend, as revealed in the first entry, was merely an experiment, a means to understand a concept he didn't fully grasp.

Reading and scholarly pursuits consumed the majority of his time. His daily routine revolved around the library, with little deviation.

Reading and studying were the cornerstones of his existence, the pursuit of becoming a wizard like Dumbledore his ultimate goal.

This created a distinct picture of the original owner: a tall, handsome young man with an air of aloofness, as if perpetually burdened by the weight of the world. He spoke with a stern directness, lacking in social graces, and rarely concealed his opinions, often coming across as blunt and unapproachable.

Later, Sherlock stumbled upon a magical photograph affixed to the back of the final Hogwarts diary entry – a class photo of his graduating year. Among the smiling faces, the original owner stood out. He was positioned in a corner, his expression a stark contrast to the jovial atmosphere. His lips were pressed into a thin line, his brow furrowed, as if attending the graduation ceremony was a colossal waste of his precious time.

Staring at the photo, Sherlock attempted to mirror the original owner's expression in the mirror. It wasn't difficult. He simply imagined himself being dragged before Dumbledore for "re-education," and the appropriate scowl materialized on his face.

Sherlock's knowledge of the Harry Potter universe was largely derived from movie reviews and commentaries, which often portrayed Dumbledore in a more ominous light. Some commentators even suggested that Dumbledore had orchestrated many of Harry Potter's experiences, a theory that filled Sherlock with a certain degree of apprehension.

This biased perspective instilled a subtle resistance to Dumbledore within him. The mere thought of being summoned by the Headmaster was enough to elicit a frown.

As for the tone, he reasoned, directness was key. While politeness was important, he could always be assertive and forthright.

He had a direction, but Sherlock didn't allow himself to get sidetracked. He returned to the diary, recognizing that the most crucial period for understanding the original owner lay in the years following his Hogwarts graduation.

Sure enough, the first diary entry after leaving Hogwarts presented a significant revelation:

June 28, 1989

What a frustrating day! Professor Dumbledore rejected my application for a teaching position at Hogwarts. He claimed my understanding of Defense Against the Dark Arts was still theoretical and required further practical experience.

While disappointing, the Professor acknowledged my talent, assuring me that he would consider me for the position in the future. It was heartening to receive such praise from Professor Dumbledore.

However, I believe my practical abilities surpass those of some of the recent Defense Against the Dark Arts professors.

So, what path should I pursue now? Perhaps becoming an Auror would provide valuable practical experience.

Sherlock stared at the entry in disbelief. The original owner had actually applied to Dumbledore for the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor immediately after graduation!

According to the movie commentaries, that position was notoriously cursed. Numerous professors who held the post had met with unfortunate accidents or even untimely deaths.

Fortunately, Dumbledore had rejected his application. If the original owner had accepted the position, he might not have survived to be replaced by Sherlock.

Following Dumbledore's rejection, the original owner had indeed pursued a career as an Auror, passing the rigorous recruitment process with flying colors. However, his career trajectory took an unexpected turn. Instead of being assigned to combat duties, his exceptional theoretical knowledge landed him a desk job within the Auror Department.

This demotion clearly displeased him. After several unsuccessful attempts to transfer to the combat division, he resigned from the Ministry of Magic after just over a year of service and returned home.

Since then, he had withdrawn from the world, dedicating himself to researching defense magic in seclusion. Three months ago, he had renewed his application for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position at Hogwarts, as well as submitted an application to join the Order of the Phoenix, an organization established by Dumbledore to combat the forces of darkness.

Sherlock vaguely remembered this organization from the Harry Potter series.

Dumbledore had not responded to his application, neither approving nor denying it. This left the original owner deeply disappointed, believing he had failed to gain Dumbledore's true approval. He fell into a period of depression, which lasted for over a month.

A week ago, in a fit of frustration, he had attempted an experimental, high-risk magic spell. The diary abruptly ended, leaving the outcome to the reader's imagination.

Sherlock could easily deduce what had happened next. The experiment had likely gone awry, causing him to lose his balance and fall from the second floor, the impact to his head resulting in his unfortunate demise.

After reading the entire diary, Sherlock had a much clearer picture of the original owner. He was a complex individual, driven by ambition and a desire for recognition, yet socially awkward and somewhat arrogant.

He wasn't necessarily a bad person, simply misguided and perhaps a bit too focused on achieving greatness.

Sherlock leaned back in the chair, contemplating the situation.

If his assumption was correct, Professor McGonagall's visit likely pertained to the original owner's application to the Order of the Phoenix.

This was a relief. Joining the Order was far less dangerous than becoming the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

He wouldn't have to worry about facing the infamous "curse" associated with the position.

Furthermore, he wouldn't be eligible for the position this year. The current academic year had already begun, and the position would have already been filled.

According to his vague recollection, the current Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was a renowned wizard, a far cry from the original owner's qualifications.

Sherlock felt a wave of relief wash over him.

For now, his primary focus remained on navigating the impending meeting with Professor McGonagall. He needed to master the persona of the original owner, to ensure his own survival in this magical world.

So, what kind of job should I look for next?

""Well... if it's to gain practical experience, maybe becoming an Auror is a very good choice.

"Sherlock stared at this diary entry, a chilling realization dawning upon him. The original owner, upon graduating from Hogwarts, had applied for the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor – a role notorious for its deadly curse.

According to the movie commentaries he'd consumed, this position was a veritable death trap. Voldemort, the ultimate evil, seemed to have cursed it, leading to a string of unfortunate accidents and even fatalities amongst its occupants.

Fortunately, Dumbledore had wisely rejected his application. Had the original owner accepted the position, he might not have survived to be replaced by Sherlock.

Rebuffed by Dumbledore, the original owner sought employment as an Auror, excelling in the rigorous recruitment process with his exceptional NEWT scores and years of dedicated study. However, his ambition to become a frontline combatant was thwarted. His theoretical knowledge was deemed invaluable, and he was assigned to a desk job within the Auror Department.This demotion deeply dissatisfied him. Despite repeated attempts to transfer to the combat division, he remained stuck in the bureaucratic quagmire. After over a year of frustration, he resigned from the Ministry of Magic and retreated into seclusion, dedicating himself to the solitary pursuit of defense magic.

Three months ago, he had renewed his application for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position at Hogwarts, a testament to his unwavering ambition. He also applied to join the Order of the Phoenix, the resistance organization founded by Dumbledore to combat the rising darkness.Sherlock vaguely remembered this organization from the Harry Potter series.Dumbledore, however, remained enigmatic, neither approving nor denying his application. This left the original owner deeply disappointed, feeling as though he hadn't truly earned Dumbledore's approval. He fell into a period of depression, lasting for over a month.

A week ago, in a desperate attempt to regain his sense of purpose, he had embarked on an experimental, high-risk magic spell. The diary abruptly ended, leaving the tragic outcome to Sherlock's imagination.The accident, likely triggered by the failed spell, had resulted in a fatal fall, creating the opportunity for Sherlock's arrival.Reading the diary, Sherlock formed a clearer picture of the original owner. He was a driven individual, academically brilliant but socially awkward, with a tendency towards arrogance and an unwavering ambition to emulate Dumbledore.It was no wonder Dumbledore had initially rejected his application for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position.Sherlock leaned back in the chair, pondering the implications.If his deduction was correct, Professor McGonagall's visit likely pertained to the original owner's application to join the Order of the Phoenix.This was a relief. Joining the Order was far less perilous than becoming a target for Voldemort's curse.He wouldn't have to worry about the infamous "curse" associated with the Defense Against the Dark Arts position.Furthermore, he wouldn't be eligible for the position this year. The current academic year had already begun, and the position would have already been filled.According to his recollection, the current Defense Against the Dark Arts professor was a renowned wizard, a far cry from the original owner's qualifications.Sherlock felt a wave of relief wash over him.For now, his primary focus remained on navigating the imminent meeting with Professor McGonagall. He needed to master the persona of the original owner, to ensure his own survival in this magical world.