Chapter 8: [ Chapter VIII (8): "REJECTED" ]
[ Volume I: "HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY YR. 1" ]
[ Chapter VIII (8): "REJECTED" ]
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[ JUNE 17, 1989 ] [ WIZARDRY WORLD, HOGWARTS GROUNDS ]
Since the interview started, Felix has answered all the questions the old Headmaster Dumbledore threw at him — basic questions, which can prove what kind of psyche the other has.
Of course, to Felix who's normal and isn't secretly a dark wizard, all of those questions were handled with practical ease. Without even breaking a sweat.
And in no time, Felix and Dumbledore could be seen chatting, like old friends that haven't met each other for a very long time.
The previous discomfort, wariness, and anxiety that he was feeling earlier had been gone and replaced instead with the will to share his ideas and aspirations. And so he did.
[ "If we add a little bit of mana here, people will be able to control it properly." ]
[ "Nonetheless, if we add too much it'll explode, destroy the circuits. I should know, I created these damn things." ]
[ "That's why controllers are very much needed, if one we're to use a doll without one. Then they'll find it very difficult." ]
It has been an hour, and they have slowly drifted away from the interview. Talking instead about the functions of dolls, and how one is made, all the while Dumbledore an avid fan of it makes suggestions from time-to-time.
The purpose of why Felix is doing this? Insight on his creation from one of, if not the smartest mind of the Wizardry World. The side-effect of talking with a fan, and a friend is also there — Alchemy interview? What Alchemy interview?
He genuinely forgot he was here for that, so he kept talking without a care in the world. Pulling out Monster Cards, or Monster Dolls from time-to-time stacking it on the table right in front of them without any care.
[ "This is an Ork, brutish. Very difficult to create, one of the most difficult if not the hardest to create. He is also the latest, merely composed of mana wires." ]
[ "This meanwhile is the Trolls, brutish also. Easy to make, they are gigantic, but very slow to change. For me it's one of the most entertaining creations I've made. They sometimes hit themselves for no reason at all." ]
[ "And finally the Ogre, brutish class. They are smarter than the Trolls, but have less power compared to the previous two." ]
Felix pointed to a half-finished product which is slowly taking shape, the Ork with green skin, tall body, axes on both hands, and slight patterned red paint in some parts of its body.
Then to another, at a slightly bigger Monster Doll. At the Troll which is holding a giant club, green skin, having an ugly appearance akin to the one the golden trio fought in the first-book.
Then finally at the last laid out Monster Doll. At the Ogre who only has one-eye, grey skinned, with no weapon at hand, and it does not need one as it appears to be cunning as compared to the other two alchemical products.
[ "All three are half-baked, I need to alter some key aspects before I could release them for next month." ]
[ "And also, I need to make each doll unique compared to the other. Add some chains here, change the tribal tattoos colors, appearances, and oh, weaponry changes for the Ork in some cases." ]
On the side are other alchemical dolls, notably some created through the minds of Felix. While some are based on modern literature, or a variation of pre-existing monsters both from folklore, and mystical; Phoenix being one, Thunderbird, Elves, House-Elves, and normal warriors that has personalities of their own.
Seeing the subtle change of expression from the old man, Felix became worried and decided to tone down his excited self. An audible gulp from his throat could be heard, as he looks confused at the hesitant expression of the white-haired Headmaster in front of him.
[ "Professor..." ]
[ "Is everything alright?" ]
In thinking about the other fictions he read in where Dumbledore was evil, manipulative, and in denial of the achievements of the protagonist in those stories made Felix worried, sweat slightly even, as his face shows all of that. Hoping to deity almighty that it isn't that type of story.
Only now remembering that he is in a middle of an job interview, for a vacant position in Hogwarts that haven't been filled for as far as he could remember, 5 years now, other than that time when Dumbledore personally taught 11 students in his younger years.
That said vacant job, as the Alchemy Professor, made Felix worry. If he doesn't get this job then he'll have to watch everything that'll go down in 2 years, on the sidelines, hopeless in not being able to change the plot of the story.
The worst case scenario here is that Felix have to go on hiding, in 6 years. His business will lose money domestically yes, but not internationally. He'll lose a couple of Galleons, he'll lose a few prominent spot, he wouldn't be a Professor, he wouldn't have to worry about anything.
That sounds boring, and Felix doesn't want that. He wants creative say in what'll happen 2 years to 9 years from now, and alter some things before it happens, not wanting the Wizardry World to go on another war — with Muggles and Wizards dying from left to right.
Felix as a pacifist doesn't want that, even though business relating to sports, fun, and entertainment is most booming at those times. Felix doesn't want that to happen again, and for the characters he grew attached too, to die.
So, hopefully I get hired so that I can help others, and the Wizardry World to not be plunge again under that Dark Lord's reign again.
[ "Mr. Harp, these are wonderful achievements really." ]
Why are you praising me suddenly?
[ "But." ]
No... Where is this going?
Why are you taking off your glasses?!
[ "Alchemy is currently unavailable due to lack of demand from sixth-years and seventh-years." ]
Fuck, that explains.
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[ WRITTEN: 01/14/2025 ]
[ POSTED: 01/15/2025 ]