A magical journey that begins at Hogwarts

“I’m confident I can handle any job, including healer, pharmacist, fortune teller, photographer, or any job at the Ministry of Magic,” Aaron said after a moment of contemplation. “But I think I’ll probably become a teacher; I feel I have a lot of experience in that field.”

"At Hogwarts?"

“That’s right, this school is extremely important to me.” Aaron said seriously. He couldn’t give up Hogwarts, this blessed place, no matter what. He thought he might become the God of Magic if he stayed there for decades.

Being a professor is just a temporary measure; once he has enough qualifications, he will become the new headmaster of Hogwarts.

"I thought you would go into business."

"The small shops in Diagon Alley are just trying to earn some pocket money; otherwise, they wouldn't have remained beverage shops for several years."

To be honest, with my culinary skills, turning that place into a restaurant would increase profits at least tenfold.

Draco: ......

......

Aaron's career guidance was scheduled for Monday, and after lunch he went to Professor Snape's office.

Looking at the dimly lit walls and the densely packed glass jars and animal specimens lined up along them, Aaron couldn't help but click his tongue. "Professor, I'm not trying to be mean, but..."

"This is the style of my office when I first came here, and it's been like this for years. Can't you make it a little brighter?"

“Be serious.” Professor Snape sat down. “This is your career guidance.”

Aaron shrugged, pulled up a chair for himself, and took a bottle of juice from Abbe's pocket. "Professor, would you like some?"

I have whiskey, brandy, vodka, rum, ice wine, and all kinds of fruit wines—you name it, I have it.

“I’m telling you to be serious,” Professor Snape said in a deep voice, then looked at Abbe. “For the sake of your studies, I think it’s necessary for me to confiscate all your drinks.”

"I have no objection, as long as you can do it."

Roar!

Abe immediately roared like a holy dragon, with crimson flames flickering in its mouth.

"I was just joking," Professor Snape said sheepishly, appearing completely genuine.

He didn't think he could defeat an Abe, but this was his territory after all, and all the potions and materials were his personal belongings. If he broke any of them, he would be the one who suffered the loss.

In other words, his impression of Abe is still based on what he saw a few years ago. If he knew that Abe could now grow to more than ten meters tall, I wonder if he would still have the confidence to think that way.

Aaron patted Abe's dragon head, and it immediately withdrew its dragon might and obediently lay in Aaron's arms.

"Professor, you can continue."

"I know that with your family background you won't have to worry about finding a job, but I still want to know your thoughts on employment so that I can help you decide which subjects you should study in sixth and seventh grade."

“Defense Against the Dark Arts professor,” Aaron replied without hesitation.

Professor Snape paused for a moment, then a smile curved his lips. "To be honest, I'm quite surprised. I've always wanted to apply for this position, but Dumbledore has never agreed."

"Perhaps he's worried that you're not up to the task of handling that position."

“What a joke,” Professor Snape said dismissively. “My knowledge of the Dark Arts far surpasses that of all your previous professors.”

"Including Quirrell?" Aaron asked playfully.

Professor Snape paused, realizing that Aaron wasn't referring to Quirrell, but to Voldemort, who was possessing Quirrell. But even with his confidence, he wouldn't be foolish enough to challenge the Dark Lord to a contest of dark magic.

"Ahem, Quirrell is an exception."

Aaron smiled without saying a word, but Snape read the mockery in his smile and immediately became serious. "Are you making fun of me? Or do you also think I'm not up to the job of teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts?"

"Of course not, Professor, you may have misunderstood me. I meant that Dumbledore might be worried that you wouldn't be able to handle the curse on that location."

Since I started school, no one has ever stayed in that position for a full year.

"That's because they're not capable enough," Professor Snape said dismissively.

"I'm quite confident in my abilities," Aaron said with an embarrassed smile. "After graduation, I'll become a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."

Professor Snape: ......

"I personally think you are more suitable to be a potions professor."

"Once I become the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, the Potions professor position will become vacant, and I can then be your recommender."

"That... isn't necessarily a bad thing."

Professor Snape was very satisfied with Aaron's attitude. "You don't need too many certificates to become a professor, but you must have a thorough understanding of the subject you are going to teach, and it would be best if you could prove your ability."

"Is it that easy?" Aaron asked in surprise. Hogwarts' requirements for professors seemed to be lower than he had thought.

"Otherwise, why do you think Hagrid is able to teach the class on the protection of magical creatures?"

"Dumbledore's favoritism is one thing, but his knowledge of magical creatures is truly exceptional," Professor Snape said. "Of course, the more certificates the better, so you have a significant advantage even with competitors."

“I understand.” Aaron nodded thoughtfully. “I’m confident enough in terms of exams. Getting an O grade on all twelve certificates shouldn’t be a problem.”

"I don't really doubt that."

"Thank you, Professor. I'll head back now."

“Wait a minute,” Snape said suddenly, “there’s one more thing.”

"You say."

Snape remained silent for several seconds before hesitantly speaking, "After the Christmas holidays, Dumbledore asked me to teach Harry Potter Occlumency..."

“I know that, Abe told me.” Aaron stroked the holy dragon in his arms. “Wait, Professor, don’t tell me Harry is still stubbornly refusing to back down!”

"Hmph! I originally thought he would shamelessly come and beg me, but I didn't expect him to still have some self-respect."

"So what exactly happened between you two?" Aaron asked, his face full of curiosity.

"none of your business."

"Fine! I can't be bothered with it anyway."

“No, you have to take care of it,” Professor Snape said hesitantly. “You should also know Occlumency, right? Go and teach Potter for me.”

"I'm not going," Aaron refused bluntly. "I'm not exactly bored myself, why should I teach him?"

"Just consider it a favor to me."

“That won’t do either.” Aaron remained unmoved. “Professor, I have great respect for you, and I will do my best to help you with your matter.”

But this is clearly not your business, and I have no obligation to help Harry Potter.

Furthermore, if I may be frank, teaching him wouldn't do me any good.

call!

Snape took a deep breath. "Slytherin's interests come first. Tell me! How much do you want?"

"This..." Aaron hesitated, then swallowed hard as he looked at the various glass bottles in the office. "That depends on how many you have, Professor."

"Truth serum, euphoria serum, tranquilizer, blood tonic, love potion, aphrodisiac, beauty potion, potion of life and death, enhancement agent, intelligence booster, hair growth agent..."

Professor Snape rattled off more than twenty potions before finally stopping, gritting his teeth. "Is that enough?"

Aaron shook his head slightly, then held up two fingers. "Double it again."

"Why don't you just rob it?"

“Robbing is nowhere near as fast as getting them here!” Aaron said embarrassedly. “Actually, I could make these potions myself, but it would be a waste of time. Luckily, you have them ready-made here.”

"What do you need so many for?" Snape asked, puzzled.

"I put them on the shelf not for any other reason than to make myself happy."

"In a good mood?" Snape paused for a moment, then sneered, "Mr. Gaius, you have the potential to be a robber!"

"Just kidding, just kidding."

I need these potions just to prepare for the future; not needing them now doesn't mean I won't need them later.

"But don't worry, Professor, I won't take advantage of you. Consider these potions as if I bought them from you, and I'll give you enough Galleons at market price."

Upon hearing this, Professor Snape's expression softened slightly. "At least you know how to respect your teachers."

"However, I've spent too much money lately, so I can only pay part of it. I'll probably have to write an IOU for the rest."

Snape looked at him suspiciously. "You're short of money?"

"Nonsense, the money I give you is all money I earned myself. I don't easily touch the money my family gives me."

Professor Snape nodded slightly, reluctantly acknowledging the statement.

He then took dozens of glass bottles of different colors and sizes from a row of shelves along the wall and placed them all on his desk.

Aaron checked them one by one and put them into a box.

"The goods are fine, pay up!"

Abe reluctantly opened his pocket, then flew into the air, leaving a stack of Galleons on the desk.

"That's all we have," Abe said, looking aggrieved.

"I estimate it's still a little over two hundred short. I'll take the loss and give you two hundred," Snape said calmly, inexplicably feeling much better.

Aaron never imagined he would one day be in debt. He took a hundred coins from the pile and stuffed them into Abe's pocket. "I should keep some in, otherwise I won't feel safe."

"Now we're 300 short."

"Don't be so petty, I'll make it up to you when I get back from my vacation."

Snape rolled his eyes. If you hadn't been so clear about the score first, I wouldn't have acted so rudely.

"Speaking of which, Professor, you've really been good to Harry Potter." Aaron looked at him with a half-smile. "It's just that I'm kind enough; if it were someone else, you would have definitely spent a fortune."

"Get out."

"okay!"

Because career guidance took up a lot of time, Aaron completely missed the afternoon divination class and simply went straight to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

Umbridge wasn't in a good mood today. Her face was almost completely swollen, but she was still wrapped in a scarf, which looked particularly awkward.

Umbridge's teaching methods remained unchanged; she still handed out a book on Defense Against the Dark Arts for everyone to study on their own, but she would occasionally cast angry glances at Harry.

Aaron turned the textbook into a cushion, placed Abe on it, and then began practicing the ultimate elemental magic circle.

He's only half a step away from achieving instantaneous casting. With diligent practice, he can do it before the holidays, giving him an extra trump card.

In class, Harry stared absentmindedly at his textbook, his eyes vacant. Hermione was beside him, whispering something to him, looking very worried.