HP: Alchemy? Nah, It's Crafting

Chapter 401 - 401: 401: The New Professor?

After returning to Black Manor, Kasenhis first drank a bucket of milk, then transformed back and emerged from the cellar, pretending that he had merely gone downstairs to refrigerate himself."Huh? Where did the Weasley twins go?"

After returning to the first floor, Kasenhis put on a show and looked around as he asked.

"They took the Galleons and went to buy a shop. Right now they might be bargaining, signing the contract, or maybe even starting renovations already."

Seeing Kasenhis return, Sirius realized that the transfer had been successful and immediately joined in the act.

"We wanted to go with them, but they absolutely refused. It's almost like they were afraid we'd tell them what to do or criticize them."

Mrs. Weasley sat on the sofa reading a book as she spoke.

Hearing this, Kasenhis awkwardly rubbed his nose.

The twins had done the right thing by refusing.

If Mr. and Mrs. Weasley discovered that the twins had piles and piles of gold in their vault yet still came to them for startup money, there was no telling how furious they would be.

This was basically the equivalent of a rich second-generation heir complaining about being poor to an impoverished student, then getting the poor student to pay for dinner.

In reality, the rich kid neither lacked money for the meal nor particularly cared for it.

What he wanted was simply the gesture.

Then after reluctantly eating it, the poor student had to survive on steamed buns for the next month...

Haah...

Suddenly, the twins' actions seemed rather unethical.

And he himself was also at fault.

They could have discussed such things privately.

Fortunately, in the afternoon, the twins returned to Black Manor.

And seeing them carrying a mountain of gifts made Kasenhis once again conclude that they were two good children with morals but no shame.

They brought Mr. Weasley an even more expensive magical watch.

They gifted Mrs. Weasley a ruby necklace capable of resisting Dark Magic.

As for everyone else, whether they had helped the twins or not, each and every person received a gift.

"Oh, this is far too expensive. I really shouldn't."

Looking at the gilded bookmark the twins handed him, Sirius instinctively tried to refuse.

Although he already had countless such bookmarks lying around at home, and one more or less made no difference to him, he still didn't approve of the twins spending money on something so valuable by their standards.

Kasenhis, however, helplessly patted Sirius on the shoulder.

"It's from the heart. Just accept it."

Sirius looked at Kasenhis in surprise.

Those words sounded oddly out of place coming from him.

But after Kasenhis spent several seconds wiggling his eyebrows and giving him meaningful looks, Sirius finally accepted the bookmark.

The Weasley twins paid no attention to the two men's strange expressions and continued distributing gifts.

Ron received a new pair of shoes.

Ginny received a dress.

All practical things that they could genuinely use.

"Mm, the two of you have put a lot of thought into this. By the way, where did you get all this money for gifts?"

Mr. Weasley asked curiously.

"There were still unsold items left inside the shop. We bought some of them cheaply and used the profits to buy gifts for everyone."

George explained.

"But those items should technically have belonged to—"

Mrs. Weasley still felt that something wasn't quite right and tried to interrupt.

But the twins quickly worked together and changed the subject.

As the only person who knew the truth, Kasenhis quietly sat on the sofa, playing with the ring the twins had given him.

Perhaps they had simply thought his hands looked a little too empty...

Soon, the twins finished distributing all their gifts, and it was time for dinner again.

Kasenhis was sitting at the table, happily shoveling food into his mouth when Dumbledore suddenly spoke up.

"Kasenhis, tomorrow I need you to accompany me somewhere."

Kasenhis raised his head helplessly.

"What is it this time? Have you found another clue?"

Dumbledore shook his head.

"This time it isn't about Horcruxes. Rather, Gellert can no longer continue serving as Hogwarts' Defence Against the Dark Arts professor."

The moment Dumbledore finished speaking, everyone at the table looked up.

Kasenhis himself wore a completely baffled expression.

"So Voldemort's curse has become that powerful? Even you, the first Dark Lord, can't withstand it anymore?"

Grindelwald shook his head.

"Such crude provocation is completely ineffective against me. Dumbledore has created a new position at Hogwarts. I'll be stationed there permanently, and whenever Hogwarts is attacked, I must arrive as quickly as possible to fight the intruders. In short, it'll be exhausting, so naturally I won't have time to teach."

Kasenhis nodded.

Given Grindelwald's combat ability, no one could question his suitability for the role.

"So the person we're visiting tomorrow is the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professor?"

Kasenhis asked.

Dumbledore shook his head again.

"No. It's the new Potions professor. As for Defence Against the Dark Arts, I intend to appoint Severus."

"WHAT?"

Harry's voice echoed throughout the entire first floor.

He stared at Dumbledore in utter disbelief.

"Why?!"

"Because in these dangerous times, we can't afford to let some incompetent fool teach you Defence Against the Dark Arts. And between protecting the castle and teaching students, I believe the former makes better use of Gellert's talents."

Dumbledore explained.

"But the curse? The curse Voldemort placed on the position?"

Kasenhis asked.

"I've already broken it."

Grindelwald answered.

"In that case, the only obstacle left to Severus becoming Defence Against the Dark Arts professor is convincing him to say fewer insults during class."

Kasenhis nodded slowly.

"Though I know there aren't many better candidates... wait, me or Remus, or even an Auror if necessary, couldn't any of us do it?"

Halfway through speaking, Sirius suddenly changed direction.

After all, weren't there plenty of experts in the Dark Arts within the Order of the Phoenix?

"Unfortunately, in matters concerning the Dark Arts, none of you are truly Severus's equal."

Dumbledore ruthlessly extinguished Sirius's enthusiasm.

And with it, Harry's final hope.

"Don't worry, Harry. I'll remind Severus to spend less time talking about things unrelated to the lesson."

Dumbledore comforted Harry, whose face had turned deathly pale.

"Defence Against the Dark Arts is my favourite subject."

Harry slumped over the table, completely dejected.

"Unfortunately, Harry, for some subjects, even if you dislike the teacher, you still need to study diligently. Learning is for your own sake, not to make the teachers you like appreciate you a little more."

Lupin corrected him gently.

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