Sometimes, Snape truly wished his eyes were two eyeballs transformed from wands.
That way, he could fire Killing Curses with them and glare Lawrence to death!
"Why?" Snape asked, suppressing his anger. "No one is more suitable for this position than me. After Weasley left, who else could you find? That toad Umbridge?"
'Not like you could find her even if you wanted to,' Wayne thought to himself. 'Umbridge's flesh and soul have turned into curse power - cursing the Defence Against the Dark Arts professor to remain healthy until retirement.'
'Logically speaking, with two curses clashing, Voldemort's curse should have been nullified.'
Wayne was quite confident in his Dark Magic skills.
But he feared what unpredictable changes might occur if the two curses overlapped together.
"Severus, you do know this position was cursed by Voldemort, right?" Wayne asked, taking a seat near the door.
Snape's body trembled slightly - not because he was unaccustomed to hearing Voldemort's name.
"I know, but that curse isn't fatal. I'm confident I can emerge unscathed. Look at Lupin and Moody - aren't they both alive and well?"
"And those previous professors, very few of them... died while in office. Most lived quite well," Snape argued reasonably.
Wayne smiled rather strangely.
Though these two were currently alive and well, without his intervention, according to their original fate, both would die in the final battle.
"Let's set aside the curse issue for now." Wayne propped his head up with one hand. "You've been doing well in Potions class, though I've received many complaints about you..."
Snape's eyes suddenly turned sharp, but Wayne ignored it and continued, "But at least I recognise your teaching ability. It would be even better if you could control your temper and personal preferences."
"So I have no plans to make changes."
"I know you're anxious, but don't be." Seeing Snape about to speak again, Wayne cut him off directly. "I've already found a Defence Against the Dark Arts professor. They'll come to school after the holidays. It's too late for you to say anything now."
Hearing this, Snape could no longer control himself. He snorted angrily and left the classroom.
"How rude," Wayne muttered, also stepping out.
...
No one knew about Snape's latest failed job application. The very next day, the tense exams began.
During breakfast, Toby was reviewing spells from his Charms textbook.
After reciting them once with his eyes closed, Hannah asked curiously, "How much have you memorised?"
"Eighty percent."
"That much?" Norman sounded doubtful.
"Fifty percent now."
Norman's mouth twitched. "Let's eat first. There's still time after breakfast."
After devouring ten slices of bacon consecutively, Toby sighed contentedly. "Now I've forgotten everything."
Entering the classroom, test papers were already placed on each desk. Professor Flitwick had deliberately stacked more books to stand higher, making it easier to monitor everyone.
Wayne was kept at the podium to answer his paper, precisely to prevent anyone from copying from him.
If word got out that the Headmaster helped with cheating, Hogwarts would face tremendous humiliation.
After finishing the written exam, the practical tests began.
Professor Flitwick had prepared an exceptionally dirty and poor room, requiring young wizards to move all items to designated positions within a set time limit before cleaning the room thoroughly.
Though it seemed straightforward, the time constraint inevitably made everyone impatient. Many damaged items during the move, causing Professor Flitwick to shake his head repeatedly as he marked their performances.
The afternoon's Care of Magical Creatures exam proved much more relaxed. Newt hadn't prepared written tests; instead, having students tend to Murtlaps while collecting their tentacles and venom.
After washing the sticky residue from their hands, everyone hurried off to their other elective classes.
While exam weeks normally lasted five days, this final examination period was compressed into just four days, making time increasingly precious. Late into the night, common rooms remained filled with students burning midnight oil over their textbooks.
They took the opportunity to curse the damned Lawrence.
If not for the numerous exams he'd concocted, they would already be enjoying their holidays at home by now.
...
Far away in Russia, Dumbledore's scheme was nearing completion.
Having infiltrated for over a month, he'd initially sought only to uncover Tom's true objectives. But as his understanding deepened, Dumbledore grew increasingly alarmed.
'Dangerous. Extremely dangerous.'
Tom had used his remarkable persuasive abilities to successfully incite large numbers of half-blood and Muggle-born wizards, opposite to his approach in Britain.
This massive supporter base enabled him to rapidly consolidate control after launching his coup.
This alone made Dumbledore view his performance with newfound respect.
He proved vastly superior to the noseless Voldemort.
Dumbledore even considered that had the former Voldemort employed similar methods, he might not have intervened at all.
But this perspective soon changed as policy after policy was announced.
All domestic mining operations were claimed by the Ministry of Magic, with shop ownership following suit - shopkeepers becoming mere employees.
Tom continuously preached about pure-bloods exploiting the value created by the wider wizarding community, fueling tensions between the groups. Within just one month, numerous pure-blood wizards had been arrested and sent to work in mines.
Recently, he'd begun eyeing the magical ministries of neighbouring countries.
Though Dumbledore opposed pure-bloods' self-proclaimed superiority, this didn't mean he would condemn them entirely.
Yet Tom clearly intended exactly this - sacrificing pure-blood interests to win over other wizards, then using this consolidated power to annex other nations.
Kleshchev was one of Russia's oldest pure-blood families, with nearly a millennium of heritage.
In the drawing room of the family estate, Dumbledore conversed with the current patriarch.
"Mr Dumbledore, Katerina and Riddle's actions grow increasingly aggressive. They demand we surrender all our family's collected treasures and artefacts," a bearded man declared angrily.
"Kleshchev, we need only restore matters to their proper course rather than confront them directly, correct?"
Dumbledore spoke calmly, his presence radiating immense pressure.
Grindelwald and Wayne's conflict had indirectly aided Dumbledore significantly, making previously dismissive pure-bloods suddenly become much more compliant.
Many who had been wavering also made up their minds, deciding to follow Dumbledore and overthrow Riddle and Katerina.
"Understood, understood." Kleshchev forced a smile, but still harboured thoughts of revenge in his heart. Even if he could let others go, these two chief culprits – he would never let them off without tormenting them to the point of utter agony.
Kleshchev lowered his head, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.
Suddenly, a loud bang came from outside the dark house. Kleshchev's expression changed slightly, and he rushed out warily with his wand drawn. Someone had forcibly Apparated inside.
After stepping outside, Kleshchev relaxed upon recognising the newcomer but still asked, "Peter, why are you so panicked? I almost thought it was an intruder."
"Quick! Kleshchev, where's Dumbledore? Katerina has made her move – they've arrested the entire Roman family!"
"What?!" Kleshchev exclaimed as Dumbledore also emerged.
Before he could ask for more details, whooshing sounds already came from outside the manor, followed by chaotic flashes of light as the estate's protective enchantments were violently dismantled.
Katerina stormed in, leading dozens of Aurors.
She didn't even glance at Kleshchev or Peter, her gaze fixed on Dumbledore from start to finish, a smile playing on her lips. "Professor Dumbledore? You've come to Mother Russia without telling me, so I could properly receive you."
"Professor Katerina – no, Minister Katerina."
Dumbledore looked at her calmly. "I have now left Hogwarts, so there's no need to call me professor."
Their last meeting had been at Hogwarts, when the atmosphere was still cordial. But now, they stood on opposing sides.
"Oh, speaking of which, Mr Lawrence did quite well..." Katerina gently twisted the knife in the old man's heart.
"Mr Dumbledore, Kleshchev and Peter are suspected of conspiracy and rebellion. Here is evidence of their collusion with various pure-blood families in an attempt to storm the Ministry of Magic."
Katerina flung a stack of parchment that flew directly before the three men. "You are a highly respected elder in the magical community. Surely you wouldn't interfere in another nation's internal affairs?"
As she spoke, some of the Aurors behind her had already split off to arrest others within the manor.
Truth be told, Katerina was feeling apprehensive herself.
Before coming, Tom had told her to proceed strictly according to the law, using reputation and justice to pressure Dumbledore so he wouldn't obstruct tonight's operation.
The facts proved Tom understood Dumbledore's weaknesses perfectly.
He had built himself a cage, beyond which lay tempting power. Rules and regulations formed fragile barriers.
With just a slight push, one could break these constraints and do as they pleased through sheer strength.
But this was precisely what Dumbledore least wanted to see. He had confined himself to Hogwarts precisely to avoid touching power, to avoid becoming his younger self – and Grindelwald – once more.
"Sorry, Katerina, but Tom has bewitched you."
Katerina's heart tightened as she saw the old man grip his wand.
Dozens of Aurors raised their wands in unison.
"Dumbledore, I know what I'm doing." Katerina's voice turned cold. "Mr Riddle grants everyone equal status – a feat no one has accomplished in over a thousand years."
"In Britain, aren't you also constantly suppressing the pure-bloods?"
"I haven't been suppressing them," Dumbledore explained. "I merely haven't granted them the privileges they desire, yet Tom treats them as... resources."
"This is atonement for their past atrocities!" Katerina flared up angrily. "Seize them, but don't target Dumbledore!"
Dozens of spells shot towards them in an instant, cutting through the air with sharp whistles. Dumbledore raised a protective shield, enveloping both of them within it, then grasped their shoulders and Apparated, vanishing from everyone's sight.
Katerina watched the scene with a dark expression, only departing for the Ministry of Magic after everyone in the manor had been captured.
The next day, Russian newspapers issued wanted notices for Dumbledore, Kleshchev, and Peter.
The public was astounded. They never imagined that Dumbledore, who had been sought worldwide, had been hiding in their country all along and had colluded with the pure-bloods.
Seizing this opportunity, Tom launched yet another round of mass purges.
...
At Hogwarts, Wayne had just finished his morning Transfiguration exam when he received the news, promptly passing the intelligence to Professor McGonagall, who had just finished organising the exam papers.
After reading it, Professor McGonagall was utterly stunned.
"Wayne, where did this information come from?"
"Cho's father."
Professor McGonagall no longer doubted it then. She knew Mr Chang now headed the Department of International Magical Cooperation, so the information was certainly accurate.
She wasn't the least bit worried about Dumbledore's safety. If he wished to leave, nobody could detain him.
Professor McGonagall was merely puzzled about why, no matter where he went, the reason for Dumbledore's wanted status was always conspiracy and rebellion.
Wayne was similarly curious.
It seemed Old Dumbles had suffered a major setback at Tom's hands.
Soon, he got an opportunity to have his doubts answered.
On the evening after exams ended, Wayne hosted the annual Kitchen King Competition as usual, with Hannah claiming first place by an overwhelming margin.
This year, students from other houses besides Hufflepuff also participated, though their skills still fell considerably short.
The only surprise for Wayne was Ron - his cooking skills were actually quite decent, landing him in the top ten. He ultimately ranked eighth and won a ten-Galleon prize.
Just as Wayne prepared to return to his dormitory for a proper sleep before leaving school tomorrow, a house-elf appeared before him, announcing that Dumbledore had arrived and was waiting for him outside the Headmaster's office.