Hogwarts: A Chinese-Style Professor

Chapter 286 Changing Professors?

Dumbledore was relieved to have obtained Slughorn's memories without lifting a finger.

Although there are still things to worry about afterward—such as the Hogwarts professorship, which is currently not available.

If Slughorn really wants to teach at Hogwarts, then a place will have to be made for him—just thinking about it makes Dumbledore feel awkward.

Perhaps he can hand it over to Minerva with peace of mind?

Dumbledore felt uneasy, thinking about Professor McGonagall's increasingly cold attitude towards him lately.
Thinking of this, he subconsciously looked at Li Wei beside him.

Rather than telling Minerva and letting her blame him, perhaps it would be better for him to use his own influence to ask Levi.
"Thank you for your cooperation, Horace—would you like to come back to Hogwarts with us? It's safe there."

Dumbledore felt he was going against his conscience.
"No—I need some time to process this—I'll write to you when I'm ready, Dumbledore."

Slughorn gave Levi one last look, then began to wave his wand—a pale purple smoke emanated from the tip of the wand, completely enveloping his body—and the next moment, he vanished from the spot.

After he left, Dumbledore secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Why do you seem so nervous?

Li Wei examined the memory bottle in his hand and suddenly spoke.

“No—” Dumbledore instinctively denied.

But the next moment, he spoke again:
"Okay, because I'm having a headache over something else."

Tell me, if I can help you.

Li Wei's voice sounded somewhat absent-minded, but Dumbledore still felt a warmth begin to spread through his heart.

"I'm thinking about Horace's position—as far as I know, no professor in the castle currently has any plans to retire, so it would be good if he were to take the position."

"Oh—you're worried about your job?"

"Yes, do you have any good ideas?"

Even though they had obtained the memory bottle, the two were in no hurry to leave and continued to talk while sitting in their original seats.

"There are only two options—either create a new elective course or open up a professorship—I think both are suitable."

Dumbledore's mind raced, and he asked:

"If a professorship becomes available, who would you choose?"

"Professor Binns, who teaches the history of magic."

"May I ask for the specific reason?"

Dumbledore was somewhat surprised by this answer.

Professor Binns was already teaching when Hogwarts was first established.

It is said that he died unexpectedly while napping in the faculty lounge in his old age, but continued to teach without realizing his death, thus becoming the only teacher at Hogwarts to teach in ghost form.

Successive principals accepted his presence and no one ever thought of replacing him.

Unexpectedly, things turned out differently when he took office.
"It's very simple—because I think that Professor Binns' current monotonous and tedious teaching style, which focuses solely on rote memorization, is simply killing students' time."

"Isn't this too serious?" Dumbledore said, unable to bear it.

He was familiar with Professor Binns' teaching style—even he himself had almost fallen asleep during Binns' classes and had to do other things during class.

Even if the other party's teaching didn't contribute much, they at least dedicated themselves to Hogwarts for so long.
"I just felt this was an opportunity."

Li Wei looked directly at Dumbledore and said firmly:

"Although it may be a bit blunt, I think what Professor Binns teaches is worthless—if young wizards want to understand the history of magic, they can just memorize it; there's no need to waste time in class."

As for Slughorn—if entrusted with the task, I believe he would excel in modern history, setting aside ancient history. Furthermore, I think it's necessary for senior wizards to learn some analytical and judgmental skills regarding current events, lest they graduate like headless flies without a harbor.

You know—with their current grades, they'll gradually become mid-level managers in various important hubs of the magical world after graduation. I think it's necessary to teach them about ability and responsibility before that happens.”

"."

Dumbledore took some time to process Livy's words.

It must be admitted that Li Wei had considered things very far ahead—while he was preoccupied with Voldemort and had no interest in these matters.

Or rather, these concepts simply didn't exist in his mind; Dumbledore had long since stopped fantasizing about the future many years from now.
"I think—you're right."

Dumbledore pondered and thought.

"From the perspective of the pure effectiveness of education, your analysis is impeccable, except for Professor Binns. I believe his very existence is part of Hogwarts history."

A hint of melancholy flashed in Dumbledore's blue eyes.

"Moreover, Professor Binns—it is very likely that he did not know he was dead, or rather, he refused to acknowledge his death."
Perhaps in his memory, he is still the professor who was known for his extensive knowledge and quick thinking.

"It would be too cruel to wake him from this illusion. Li Wei, I can't do it."

"I didn't force you."

Li Wei gave Dumbledore a strange look—given his age and experience, he truly couldn't understand Dumbledore's sentimentality.

What Dumbledore said was presented in a completely different way from his perspective:
Professor Binns has certainly become a living history of Hogwarts, but this also means that Hogwarts has had a ghost working continuously for a thousand years! Without stopping!
What kind of sweatshop and black-hearted factory?
"All right--"

Dumbledore said something dryly.

Li Wei was right; the reason he seriously discussed this possibility was undoubtedly because he felt it was the more correct one.

After the classes were combined, the students were already under a lot of academic pressure. If an elective course were added, it would undoubtedly place a huge burden on students in their third year and above.

Moreover, it would be a better choice if Horace's talent could be spread to every grade.

"I think I need to ask Minerva for her opinion."

"That's why I said I didn't force you—why are you giving me that look that I'm bullying an old person?"

Li Wei looked at Dumbledore, who was somewhat hunched over, with a puzzled expression.

"Li Wei, the very proposal you're making is already challenging an old man's sensibilities."

"I've never heard of a person over a hundred years old in the magical world."

"."

Dumbledore did not respond.

But Li Wei, observing his current dejected state, was not satisfied and offered a suggestion:

"Dumbledore, I think you should probably take some time to change your hair color."

"Change your hair color?"

Dumbledore was stunned—he had never imagined that this topic would be related to him.

"Yeah—how about getting black hair? Stop pretending to be a centenarian with your white hair every day."

"."

Dumbledore fell silent again.

(End of this chapter)