"You underestimate me, Professor McGonagall—"
The midday sun was intense and brilliant, illuminating the pale, handsome face of Ares in Professor McGonagall's office. He was no longer the boy who couldn't control his own destiny all those years ago.
With a light smile playing on his lips, Ares softly comforted Professor McGonagall, who was not her usual stern and capable self, but rather immersed in sorrowful guilt.
"I never blamed you... nor Snape, or even Dumbledore—as for those Slytherin students who hunted me back then, they learned their lesson at the time, didn't they?"
"Yes... Pomona told me too—"
Professor McGonagall pulled out a tartan handkerchief, blew her nose loudly, and looked at Ares with great comfort.
"She said you weren't an extreme child. She said although you didn't fit in well with other students, you could always make people happy when you wanted to."
"Yeah, sense of humor... I do have a bit of that," Ares said.
Professor McGonagall pursed her lips, her gaze on Ares filled with pride.
This student before her had once "blackened" the name of Gryffindor House. After that incident, even she had faced considerable criticism.
For a time, there was even a ridiculous rumor circulating in the school that Gryffindor was about to send an unprecedentedly outstanding talent to Azkaban.
Even though all the older students involved in that incident had graduated, occasionally when she "bickered" with Severus about school affairs, he would still use it to provoke her.
However, now it had all proven to be nonsense.
Gryffindor House hadn't produced a Dark Wizard who would "go down in history." On the contrary, it had produced a genuine hero!
Over the past two days, she had discussed the Hogwarts Express incident privately with Pomona and Poppy. They unanimously agreed that if Ares hadn't been on the train, Hogwarts might as well have closed down!
Now that the past was discussed, it was time to talk about the present.
"Have you chosen your office, Ares?"
"Oh, just use Quirrell's. I have no taboos—of course, I hope you can ask the house-elves to deal with that garlic smell in there."
"Of course... What about living arrangements? Do you need any furniture? After all, we need to live at the school long-term."
"No need to worry. I brought a set with me... It's not that I'm picky, I'm just used to my own things."
"Hmm—regarding your upcoming teaching, have you decided on the textbooks for each year?"
"Oh! Can't I just use Quirrell's?"
"Your lesson plans... I must remind you, the Wizarding Examinations Authority inspects every professor's lesson plans each term, so they must be handwritten. No self-correcting quills allowed."
"Ah! Can't I just use Quirrell's?"
"For older students entering NEWT level, they need to conduct independent research on Defense Against the Dark Arts topics, but those topics are usually scoped by us professors. That means you have to set good questions for them."
"Ah! Can't I just use Quirrell's?"
"For God's sake, Ares!"
In an instant, the warm atmosphere lingering in the small office piled with student homework vanished!
Professor McGonagall reverted to the formidable Transfiguration professor. Her eyebrows raised high, almost touching her hairline, as she glared sternly at Ares.
"Please put some effort into this, Ares. Being a professor is a heavy responsibility, not being a student... skipping classes is absolutely forbidden!"
"Er... I anticipated that point."
"Also!"
Professor McGonagall's thin chest began to heave, more and more intensely.
"Besides teaching, Hogwarts professors also shoulder other responsibilities, for example—student safety!"
Professor McGonagall spoke rapidly.
"Every professor has to take turns on night patrol in the castle, working in pairs. The time is generally divided into the first half of the night and the second half, and you have been assigned to the second half."
"I protest!"
Ares looked "indignant."
"This is workplace bullying!"
"Oh, it has nothing to do with workplace bullying or seniority, Ares. We have to take care of the older professors, like Professor Kettleburn!"
"What about you?"
"I also do night patrols. Of course, my shifts are all in the first half of the night."
"That's unfair, Professor McGonagall. You look so young!"
"Oh, Ares..."
Professor McGonagall rolled her eyes, her expression softening.
Taking a few deep breaths, Professor McGonagall stared at Ares.
"Anyway, the most important duty... oh, no, the most important thing is teaching!"
Professor McGonagall said earnestly.
"Put more effort into it. Although you didn't finish your studies at Hogwarts, I believe you can shoulder the future of those children... Professor Dumbledore obviously has confidence in you too, otherwise he wouldn't have invited you back.
We all believe you can do well, Ares. You are very smart, just not very hardworking!"
Ares rolled his eyes discreetly, feeling like... he was being gaslighted.
"Alright? Stop slacking off and show some enthusiasm."
"I—"
Knock, knock, knock—
A knock on the door sounded, and Ares shut his mouth timely.
After Professor McGonagall gave permission, a Gryffindor upperclassman walked in holding a piece of parchment.
He obviously hadn't expected Ares to be there. For a moment, his awe-filled gaze was glued to Ares, and he forgot to speak.
"Professor Delfino is not a Quidditch star, Wood!"
Professor McGonagall looked at the boy sternly.
"He can't tell you how to help Gryffindor win the House Cup."
"Oh—oh, right, Professor—"
Oliver Wood quickly withdrew his gaze and hesitantly handed over the parchment.
"This is our team roster for this year, Professor McGonagall. Basically last year's formation... er, as you can see, we are missing a Seeker. Kajeef has graduated."
"Then hurry up and discover one, Mr. Wood!"
Professor McGonagall told Wood to sit down, looking very serious about the matter.
"Alright? Find an outstanding Seeker. You can't expect me to play, Wood—Oh, Ares, that's all for now."
"Okay."
Ares nodded slightly, a smile on his lips.
Quidditch, huh...
The most popular sport in the wizarding world, loved by almost everyone, let alone the energetic young wizards.
If I incorporate this sport into my lessons...
Ares's eyes flickered as he walked away.
"Ah, by the way, Ares—"
Just before he closed the door, Professor McGonagall hurriedly called him back.
"Your first night patrol is tonight, second half. Ares, remember?
Rest early after the feast... don't oversleep. Hmm, and—your partner is Severus... You two can meet up first and decide on the patrol route yourselves."
---