"But I think you've misunderstood," Dumbledore said reassuringly. "I have no intention of punishing you or any other student."
"On the contrary, I owe all of you a sincere apology."
Dumbledore spoke with great sincerity. "It was my own oversight that caused a delay in your magical education."
"I brought you here because I wanted to hear your opinion."
"My opinion?" Wayne was surprised. "Professor, I've already written everything I think in the letter."
"Either Professor Quirrell teaches something actually useful in class, or you should replace the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
"But…" Dumbledore frowned slightly, clearly troubled. "The school year has already begun. Replacing a teacher abruptly would be… difficult."
"Professor," Wayne said steadily, "I've heard about the curse on the Defense Against the Dark Arts position. You brought someone in just to—well, I mean, it's a hard class to teach."
"But since the academic year has already started, if you change the teacher after Christmas, just hire a substitute for the rest of the year. Surely the curse won't take effect then, right?"
Seeing Dumbledore's uncertain expression, Wayne pressed on, striking while the iron was hot. "If it's really impossible, you could find someone already in the school to cover the class."
"I recommend Professor Snape. He—"
"Stop, stop, stop."
Dumbledore hurriedly waved him off. "Professor Snape already has enough on his plate. Asking him to take over would be unreasonable."
Internally, Dumbledore wiped away a cold sweat.
This boy really wanted to ship off his most trusted aide.
At this point in the British wizarding world, there's even a popular saying:
If you hate someone, recommend them to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts.
"All right, Mr. Lawrence," Dumbledore said softly. "Thank you for your suggestions—they've given me a lot to think about."
"However, firing a teacher isn't that simple. It requires approval from the Board of Governors."
"Usually, teachers in that position leave on their own."
Wayne twitched the corner of his mouth.
Leave on their own… well, that's a creative way of putting it.
"I'll have a proper conversation with Professor Quirrell before I decide what to do."
"And for your unity and courage, I'm awarding Hufflepuff fifty points."
After comforting Wayne a bit, Dumbledore dismissed him.
Just as Wayne stepped out of the Headmaster's office, Snape stepped out from behind a hidden door, his face thunderously dark.
He had overheard the entire conversation.
And while he himself desperately wanted the Defense Against the Dark Arts post, it was obvious Wayne wasn't suggesting it to help him realize that dream.
That little brat...
Snape racked his brain to think of a word worse than "born wretched."
He finally muttered to himself, "Absolute devil!"
Leaving the office, Wayne practically skipped down the stairs. He moved quickly—Cho was still waiting for news in the Great Hall.
The hall was still packed with students.
Everyone had already heard the news that Wayne had been taken away by the phoenix and was anxiously waiting for an update.
As he pushed open the doors, all eyes turned to him at once.
The hall went silent—even the professors couldn't hide their curiosity.
Wayne didn't hold back. He smiled broadly and delivered the news everyone was waiting for:
"Professor Dumbledore said he'll seriously consider our opinions—and he awarded Hufflepuff fifty points!"
Boom!
Thunderous applause and joyful cheers exploded across the Great Hall, shaking the ceiling as if even the stars above were trembling.
Students jumped up, hugging the friends around them.
Cho finally relaxed, her smile blooming like a flower.
Hermione let out a soft hmpf, slammed her thick book shut, and spun around to leave—completely unaware that the book had been upside down the whole time.
"That was so cool!" Ron clapped until his hands turned red. Watching Wayne being surrounded by Hufflepuffs, he shouted excitedly:
"So reporting really works!"
"Harry, let's go complain about Snape too!"
"Once we get rid of the old bat, things will be much easier for us!"
The surrounding little lions' eyes lit up at Ron's words.
That's right!
If complaining about Quirrell worked, wouldn't complaining about Snape be the same idea?
Always favoring Slytherin, constantly docking points from Gryffindor...
If Snape were gone, wouldn't they finally have a real chance at winning the House Cup?
Now it wasn't just Harry who was tempted — the other Gryffindors were eager too.
They were already planning to follow Hufflepuff's example and flood the gargoyle outside the Headmaster's office with letters first thing tomorrow morning.
Because there were simply too many people around, Wayne couldn't slip away easily.
He only managed to say a few quick words to Cho, arranging to meet by the Black Lake after class tomorrow, before his two roommates dragged him back to the common room.
Today's operation not only didn't get Wayne punished, but even earned fifty points for Hufflepuff — that called for a proper celebration.
And for a Hufflepuff, celebrating was delightfully easy.
The kitchens were right outside the entrance, after all.
Several older students went in and ordered a mountain of snacks and cakes, and even asked the house-elves to bring back some Butterbeer from the Three Broomsticks.
"To Wayne — cheers!"
Cedric raised his mug and clinked it with Wayne's.
"If you hadn't been so brave, Professor Dumbledore wouldn't have said what he did."
"Finally, we're rid of Quirrell — that fake professor!"
Cedric's face was flushed with excitement. Wayne smiled and echoed him with a few polite words, though in truth, he wasn't very optimistic about Quirrell being removed.
Sacrifice an entire year of Defence Against the Dark Arts lessons... or keep a close eye on Voldemort, right under his nose.
Dumbledore's choice was obvious.
It was exactly like that line he often quoted:
"For the greater good."
Still, Wayne wasn't going to bring down the mood by saying that out loud.
At the very least, Quirrell would now have to make some changes — or even Dumbledore wouldn't be able to keep protecting him.
The celebration lasted until nearly eleven o'clock, before everyone gradually trickled away.
Wayne returned to his dormitory.
Toby and Norman pestered him non-stop, eager to hear what Dumbledore had said. Wayne didn't hide anything.
But the moment he mentioned recommending Snape for Defence Against the Dark Arts, the two of them immediately changed their tune.
Toby said seriously, "Wayne, how could you do that?"
"Exactly," Norman added, clearly displeased. "How could Professor Snape be just a substitute? He should teach the whole year!"
"I propose that next term, we all write a joint letter again — to recommend Professor Snape as the permanent Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher!"
Wayne: "..."
You guys really are ruthless...
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