Legend has it that Voldemort desperately desired the position of Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, but Dumbledore firmly refused.
Therefore, he cursed every wizard who became Hogwarts' Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor equally.
Since then, no Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor has ever been able to teach safely into the following year.
Every year, Hogwarts has to find a new wizard to fill the position.
Faced with Dumbledore's suggestion, Levi quickly considered the matter.
Voldemort's curse was indeed terrible, but with caution, it shouldn't be life-threatening.
Like Lupin the werewolf, who later held the position and left Hogwarts unharmed.
If Lupin could do it, there was no reason he couldn't.
Moreover, he had Camille, who carried a powerful curse, accompanying him. Camille was naturally exceptionally sensitive to curses, and the two might be able to discover something from Voldemort's curse.
The short-term danger was resolved, but what about the rest?
It was now 1992; it seemed like the time for the Harry Potter storyline to begin?
Having lived in the wizarding world for over thirty years, he had forgotten many details from the original stories.
It was foreseeable that as long as he taught at Hogwarts, he would inevitably become involved in the main plot.
Although the number of deaths in the books wasn't large, even a powerful figure like Professor McGonagall was seriously injured in the war, and Snape was killed by Voldemort in a single blow.
Even though the number of deaths in the war wasn't high, theoretically, this matter still carried considerable risk.
But did he have any other choice?
Getting Dumbledore to accept his continued research into dark magic was already an unimaginable concession.
After that, he could only take it one step at a time.
Now, he had no other choice but to teach at Hogwarts.
Therefore, showing corresponding sincerity was the most important thing at present.
"I'm sorry, Professor, I was just too surprised—this news is truly overwhelming."
As he spoke, Levi had already made up his mind.
Dumbledore simply gazed at him calmly, without even a smile.
"It would be an honor to teach at Hogwarts, and I am delighted to accept your invitation, however…"
Levi downed his tea in one gulp, his calm gaze hardening with seriousness.
Dumbledore sensed his earnestness and frowned slightly—it seemed this matter wouldn't be so easily resolved. Could
Levi's request be related to the Dark Arts?
Hopefully, he wouldn't make any unreasonable demands.
"I consider myself an educator, and I have my own principles and pursuits regarding how to teach students."
Being forced into a professorship and then wasting the entire year like Quirrell did, squandering the time of all seven years of students, was not Levi's style.
He wouldn't be responsible for other people's lives, but he also wouldn't deliberately waste them.
"Of course, I can sense that your students are all very talented."
Precisely because of this, if this negotiation didn't go well, Dumbledore wouldn't allow Levi to continue his activities.
Voldemort's shadow was returning, and he needed to minimize all other threats.
"If I were to become the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, I would like to teach in my own way, and the school needs to respect and cooperate with my philosophy."
"Philosophy? You're not going to teach students dark magic in class, are you?"
"No, Professor, you misunderstand me."
Levi snapped his fingers, and Barton silently brought out two plates of Basque cakes and replaced their drinks.
"As far as the students at Hogwarts are concerned, they are far from worthy of learning dark magic from me."
Dumbledore gave Levi a deep look, not rushing to speak.
But this time, he had no desire to thank Barton—his beloved, proud student had been insulted, and as headmaster, he couldn't ignore Levi's words.
"I'd like to know—what are your teaching plans after you become a professor?"
"First, I hope to change the teaching model for Defense Against the Dark Arts, abolishing the small-class teaching method of two houses at a time, and instead gathering students from all four houses together for two more classes each week."
Dumbledore thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"Levi, if we gather students from all four houses together, there will be over forty people. I don't think this teaching method will help students' development—you can't possibly attend to every student."
"Of course I can. Through quizzes and monthly exams, I can easily monitor each student's learning progress."
"Quick quizzes and monthly exams?"
Although Dumbledore was hearing this concept for the first time, he roughly understood what Levi meant.
"Indeed, this has been implemented in Muggle education in China for a long time and has shown amazing results. Through the 'sea of questions' approach, they are able to continuously cultivate top students with excellent grades."
"Muggle education in China? You're also involved in this? Oh, right, you're Chinese, and your Muggle research grade is O (Outstanding)."
Dumbledore was intrigued when he first heard about the concept of Muggle education.
He considered himself an educator, and serving as the headmaster of Hogwarts was something he was always proud of.
Faced with Levi's new ideas, he quickly forgot his previous displeasure and engaged in a deep conversation with him.
The more they talked, the more amazed he became at the novelty of Levi's educational philosophy—no, it should be said that it was professional!
Every idea Levi proposed was supported by practical teaching experience.
Dumbledore also learned through in-depth conversation that since graduating and taking on Jowellie, Levi had been consciously seeking out and teaching gifted students.
He proposed the concept of 'teaching according to aptitude,' guiding different students to understand magic through various methods, and had even obtained the content of the Ministry of Magic's annual OWL exams.
After internal assessments, all students who reached the required years of study achieved excellent results.
"You mean every student who reached the required years achieved at least six O grades?
Levi, if that's true, it's a truly remarkable educational achievement."
"Personalized instruction, huh? A novel and excellent concept, but precisely because of this, I must refuse your previous request to merge classes—I don't believe you can simultaneously provide individualized instruction to forty students." "Won't
a heavy workload suppress the students' natural instincts? They're at their most mischievous age; things might not go as you expect."
"I only provide the correct instruction; whether they choose to learn is their own business."
"Isn't that a bit irresponsible?" "
As far as I know, the Defense Against the Dark Arts class at Hogwarts has always been a major problem. I believe I at least provided help to those students who wanted to improve." "
..."
The two engaged in a series of discussions about teaching methods, continuing until dark—the students who had previously escaped, out of fear, all risked being caught and returned, making Dumbledore realize they had been discussing for a full six hours.
These returning students revealed to Dumbledore the warmth inherent in Levi's teaching—their respect for Levi was genuine and impossible to fake.
Reluctantly ending the conversation, Dumbledore finally stood up and extended his hand to Levi.
"I'm already looking forward to what you'll bring."
"I believe that even if you can only teach for a year, you will have a profound impact on the children of Hogwarts."
"Thank you for your trust, Professor. I promise I will do my utmost."
Despite this expected outcome, Levi's face showed no excitement; he simply extended his hand calml.
Their hands clasped firmly together.
Suddenly, a dark cloud drifted over Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
(End of Chapter)