Harry Potter and the Great Old Ones

Chapter 509 Professor Slughorn's Desire to Obtain Server-Wide Exclusive Cards
"Heaven?" Ron stared at Hermione strangely and exclaimed, "Heaven? You call this heaven?"

“Yes,” Hermione said. “Isn’t it true? We finally have the chance to learn more advanced magic.”

“Not everyone is you, Hermione!” Ron said angrily. “If Tyella really did that, believe me, at least half the wizarding world would hate him. I know I certainly couldn’t accomplish that much, just the OWLs alone—”

"Oh, come on Ron," Hermione interrupted, rolling her eyes. "You just don't want to study. If you were willing, you could easily get an O in every subject."

"And think about it from another angle," Hermione said. "The knowledge that Tierra imparted during her Master of Magic and Doctor of Magic degrees is something many wizards dream of, and are even willing to pay the price of their lives for." "And after Tierra founded the magic university, the price for acquiring this knowledge is merely a few exams. It's simply unbelievable, isn't it heaven?"

"Hmm," Dumbledore interrupted at the opportune moment, "To be precise, it's very likely that it's more than just an exam."

“First of all, I fully agree with Tierra’s plan to establish a magic university, but I don’t quite agree with his subsequent strategy.” Dumbledore paused and then continued, “Tierra said that in addition to special examinations, magic graduate students and magic doctors will also need to undergo political vetting before entering the magic university.”

"Political vetting?" Hermione asked nervously. "What's that?"

"It's about whether there's a record of malicious assault or theft of significant property at Hogwarts before you went to Hogwarts," Dumbledore said.

"Oh, that's good, it's not too strict." Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. "I thought I had to have some kind of talent."

“Tierra has always believed that hard work and a thirst for knowledge are the greatest gifts,” Dumbledore said. “But if you want to apply for a Master of Magic or Doctor of Magic, they will examine whether any of your immediate family members within three generations have committed serious crimes, such as serious assault, or extremely serious crimes of hooliganism, theft, embezzlement, gambling, fraud, or drug abuse. You will not pass the background check.”

"It's as if Tyella never committed any of those illegal acts," Dumbledore muttered helplessly.

“That’s great!” Hermione said. “This will prevent powerful forces from falling into the hands of bad guys and creating a second Voldemort.”

“I’m not against political vetting,” Dumbledore explained. “What I’m against is why we have to trace back three generations of direct relatives. I think that’s unfair. The mistakes of our parents’ and grandparents’ generations shouldn’t be borne by our descendants.”

“I think Tyrell probably considered the influence of their family backgrounds. If someone like Draco Malfoy were to truly master extremely powerful magic, then Muggle-born wizards like Tyrell and I probably wouldn’t even be qualified to attend Hogwarts. And,” Hermione paused, “Tyrell didn’t prevent Malfoy from attending Hogwarts, or even from attending Hogwarts University. As long as he doesn’t commit any particularly serious acts of violence or theft, he is still eligible to apply to Hogwarts University.”

"Heh." Dumbledore chuckled faintly. "I wonder who made it so that Draco, Malfoy, and the others couldn't even get into Hogwarts."

“It’s different. During their time at Hogwarts—” Hermione wanted to continue arguing, but Dumbledore gently waved her hand to interrupt her—

“Alright, alright, I know,” Dumbledore said kindly. “This is where the difference between me and Tyrell lies. He believes that if someone does something wrong, regardless of age, they should pay the price, while I believe that children should be given enough care and opportunities when they are young, and guided onto the right path.”

“That’s exactly how I guided Tierra,” Dumbledore muttered again, “and the child still left looking like a ghost.”

“Tierra is different from them!” Hermione exclaimed. “Tierra—” “Hey! Albus! Long time no see!”

Just as Hermione was about to say something in defense of Tyrell, a sudden, energetic voice interrupted their conversation—

Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Dumbledore all turned to look in the direction of the sound—

The owner of the voice was a short, fat, and somewhat bald old man.

The old man had a ruddy complexion and a round, bulbous nose. His joy at seeing Dumbledore was almost palpable. He opened his arms wide and rushed towards Dumbledore.

“Oh, Mr. Slughorn.” Dumbledore reached out his hand with surprise but also some expectation, only to be met with a solid bear hug from Slughorn.

"Such rare enthusiasm, Mr. Slughorn," Dumbledore said curiously after breaking free from Slughorn's bear hug.

“Classmates, you must be very curious about who this is.” Dumbledore turned around and introduced, “Horace Slughorn, former Professor of Potions at Hogwarts, former Head of Slytherin House, who is now retired and enjoying a wonderful retirement.”

"Hello, Mr. Slughorn." Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged glances and then greeted him in unison.

“Don’t be so quick to greet me, students,” Slughorn said. “And don’t be so quick to call me Mr. Slughorn.”

"This must be Harry, Harry Potter, right?" Slughorn smiled at Harry and nodded in greeting.

“Oh yes, look at me, how rude of me.” Dumbledore patted his head lightly and said, “This is Harry, Harry Potter, I probably don’t need to introduce him, and Hermione Granger, Harry’s good friend, and Ron Weasley, Arthur Weasley’s youngest son, that troublesome Arthur Weasley’s youngest son, do you remember Arthur?”

“Oh? I remember, I still remember you, Mr. Potter.” Slughorn grabbed Harry’s hand tightly and shook it.

Harry wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he felt that Slughorn's gaze was lingering on him. However, just like a beast giving up a piece of tender and delicious lamb, Professor Slughorn's gaze was quickly and reluctantly pulled away from Harry.

“Headmaster Dumbledore, I’m so sorry, but my darn house-elf missed the re-employment invitation you sent me two years ago. He only found it recently when he was cleaning the room, rummaging through the bottom of his mailbox,” Slughorn said apologetically. “Honestly, retirement life has been so boring it’s driving me crazy. If it weren’t for that little unpleasant misunderstanding we had years ago, I would have contacted you long ago to see if I could find a way to go back to teaching.”

"Huh?" Dumbledore seemed stunned, not understanding what Slughorn meant by saying that.

"By the way, I remember the news reports said that the little wizard Tyella would continue to study at Hogwarts, right?" Slughorn said expectantly and excitedly.

(End of this chapter)