Chapter 1104

"Work your life for Voldemort!" These words were very harsh, at least in Slughorn's ears.

Voldemort, a name that cannot even be mentioned, let alone...

In fact, Harry had been convinced that Slughorn, like other wizards, could not bear to say Voldemort's name out loud, and sure enough: Slughorn shuddered, and Harry ignored his cries of protest.

"I imagine that if Dumbledore was Headmaster, the staff would be safer than most; wasn't he the only one Voldemort was afraid of?" Harry continued.

Slughorn stared at the sky for a moment: he seemed to be thinking about what Harry had said.

This had to make Fan Lin look at Harry with admiration. When did Harry become so... eloquent?

I don't know if it counts. At least, for Slughorn, Harry's words were still very harsh. According to his idea, he should continue to avoid them.

"Well, yes, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named never tried to take on Dumbledore," he muttered reluctantly. "Since I have not joined the team of Death Eaters, the devil who must not even be named cannot count me as a friend... In this case, it is safer for me to get closer to Albus... I I can't pretend that Amelia Bones' death didn't shock me...if even she, with all her connections and protections from the Ministry of Magic..."

"I can't believe it, Mr. Slughorn, I think you haven't contacted anyone for a long time." Fan Lin said a little funny, but after speaking, he corrected his attitude.

"Contact?" Slughorn was in a daze, "I'm sorry, but I think this may bring me..."

"Danger? Oh, of course, based on your experience as the dean of Slytherin College...or, you are still remembered by many people." Fan Lin said, looking at old Slughorn with a smile.

Although Fanlin did not agree with Dumbledore's goal, in fact, Fanlin would never object to an excellent Potions professor. At least, Hogwarts needs someone to replace Professor Snape. , and examples like Quirrell, Barty Jr. and Tafur are still very bad in terms of the current Hogwarts.

When being invaded by Death Eaters, one Severus Snape is enough. Too many people will be bad.

In fact, Fanlin felt that there was really no need to continue Professor Snape's mission. However, Voldemort could not figure out the details of Hogwarts, and this status quo would at least continue to be maintained until a solution was found.

"What do you mean?" Slughorn paused, then turned to Fan Lin. This time he took a good look at the boy who had been silent since entering the room.

As big as Harry.

"I seem to have seen you before..." Slughorn felt inexplicably familiar, "You are..."

"Hogwarts student, oh, of course, you might be more interested in another identity."

"Another identity?" Slughorn was a little confused, "What is it?"

"A member of the Order of the Phoenix, sir." Fan Lin said lightly, which made Harry a little jealous. Until now, he was not considered a formal member of the Order of the Phoenix, and Fan Lin had become the decision-maker. This was still Harry's jealousy. As Min and Sirius occasionally revealed in their letters, there was a world of difference between them.

Fortunately, the dreams that troubled him were relieved now, and Dumbledore came to pick him up. Wouldn't that be...

"This is impossible. How could Dumbledore drag a child of your age into the Order of the Phoenix, except for Harry Potter..."

"Actually, sir, I didn't join the Order of the Phoenix..." Harry said with some embarrassment, "Actually, I wanted to join, but Dumbledore thought I was too young, and there was part of the reason..."

"That's enough, Harry." Fan Lin said, "But it seems that Mr. Slughorn is really lacking in understanding of the current situation... Oh, I mean, there is a lack of information..."

"What do you mean, and are you really a member of the Order of the Phoenix?" Slughorn asked, looking very serious and acting like an elder.

"Oh, in fact, this is not important. Compared with teaching you now... Oh, please forgive me for this title, but although you have left Hogwarts for a long time, in fact, my title... …”

"It doesn't matter what the title is. I mean, what do you mean by what I don't know?"

"I believe you will understand something." Fan Lin said nonchalantly, "As for your ability, I believe that no one will underestimate you, Professor, and as far as I know, you are very popular among students. Professor, of course, is also very outstanding in potions. Dumbledore has always told me that your Potions Professor Dumbledore can't find anyone to replace you. He left Hogwarts. Definitely a big loss for Hogwarts."

"Did he really say that?" Slughorn's eyes lit up, and he gently shook his hand on the armrest of the sofa, but then his whole body sank into the sofa again.

"But I'm sorry, this can't change my mind. Just treat it as an old man's last insistence. I hope to be so stable..."

"Stable?" Fan Lin said a little strangely, "For example, those dragon blood? Or, your super sense of prevention?"

Slughorn's hand stopped, and the goblet originally brought to his mouth paused.

"Sorry, Professor, I think I may have some problems with my understanding, but in fact, as far as I know, most of the Death Eaters, of course, I mean the good ones, most of them came from Si Leitlin College, of course, I don’t mean to be disparaging in any way, but you should have taught many of them, as you said, the Black family, or Malfoy, Clara, Goyle, Besides...Barty Crouch Jr.?"

Fan Lin did not say the name Tom Riddle. He was sure that if Tom was mentioned in front of Slughorn, the conversation would definitely explode.

"What do you want to say, kid?" Slughorn said a little unnaturally. In fact, there are many excellent collections among them, and after Fan Lin said it, he felt like he was helping others.

As for whether it was a feeling or not, only Slughorn himself knew.

"I mean, Professor, I believe everyone knows your excellence and power. Natural and necessary invitations, as their former teacher, will not be lacking."

"What nonsense do you say, I didn't..."

"Oh, don't deny it, professor, this is not an insult, is it?" Fan Lin said, "Of course, inviting you to join is essential."

"Oh...oh, okay, I admit, I have received it before, but I did not refuse, but chose to leave..."

"You have already declined, Professor Slughorn." Fanlin said, "I believe you know better than anyone else the way Tom's men, oh, to be precise, are the way those Death Eaters deal with things, surrender, or Destruction, Professor, in my opinion, escaping cannot solve any problem, or is a good example right in front of us? "

"who?"

"Minister Cornelius Fudge!" Fan Lin said firmly, "And, as far as I know, you had a good relationship with many students during your time at school. You know who I am talking about."

"What are you doing..."

"I am stating a fact, Professor." Fan Lin replied with a smile, "It seems that you are in some danger."

Harry looked at Fan Lin blankly.

what is this? threaten?

may be……

Harry felt a little scared. When did Fan Lin also... It seems to have always been like this, there are always many... um, means?

"I have to tell you something, Professor Slughorn." Looking at Slughorn with an ugly expression in front of him, Fanlin couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. In other words, he still overestimated Slughorn's mental endurance. Or maybe they underestimated Voldemort's influence in everyone's hearts?

"What is it?"

"We've already crossed swords at the Ministry of Magic, of course, you know who I'm referring to."

"I know, I know, what next?"

"Harry and I hurt Voldemort head-on, and Dumbledore..." Before Fan Lin could finish his words, Dumbledore entered the room again, and Slughorn jumped up, as if he had forgotten that he was in the house.

"Oh, there you are, Albus," he said unnaturally. "You squatted for a long time. Diarrhea?"

"No, I was just reading a Muggle magazine," Dumbledore said.

"I really like those knitting patterns. Well, we've been trespassing in Horace's house long enough; I think it's time to take our leave."

Harry jumped up without saying a word, while Fanlin nodded to Dumbledore and stood up to leave. Slughorn seemed to have just come to his senses.

"You're leaving?"

"Yeah, it's true. I knew I was doomed when I saw you."

"Destined to fail...?"

Slughorn looked uneasy. While twiddling his fat thumbs, he looked at the few of them restlessly. Dumbledore was tightening his traveling cloak, while Harry was zipping up his jacket, and Fanlin was slowly arranging his clothes. The folds were waiting for Dumbledore to take them away.

"Well, I'm really sorry you don't want the job, Horace," said Dumbledore, raising his hand in a farewell gesture.

"Hogwarts will be delighted to see you back at work. Although we have greatly increased security, you are always welcome if you wish to come."

"Yes...ok...that's too modest...as I said..."

"So, goodbye."

"Goodbye," Harry followed.

"Then, professor, I wish you good luck." Fan Lin seemed to be bowing for his previous offense, but in fact, he got up and left faster than everyone else.

As they reached the front door, a roar came from behind them.

"Okay, okay, I'll do it!" Dumbledore turned to Slughorn, who was standing at the door of the living room, panting.

"Are you willing to come out again?"

"Yeah, yeah," said Slughorn impatiently. "I must be crazy, but I agreed."

"Excellent," said Dumbledore cheerfully. "Then, Horace, we will meet again on the first day of September."

"Yeah, I guess you will," Slughorn muttered. As they walked toward the garden path, Slane's voice came from behind again. "I want a raise, Dumbledore!"

Dumbledore chuckled. The garden door swung shut behind them, and they set off down the hill through the gloom and swirling mist.

"Well done, Harry," said Dumbledore.

"I didn't do anything," Harry said in surprise. "It's Fan Lin, he seems..."

"I didn't say anything." Fan Lin shook his head, obviously not wanting to take on this matter. He knew Dumbledore's plan very well, not to mention, this was Harry's experience.

"Oh, you did. You told Horace how much benefits he would receive if he returned to Hogwarts. Do you like him?" Dumbledore continued to talk to Harry indifferently.

"Uh..." Harry didn't know whether he liked Slughorn or not. He also has his cuteness, but he seems a bit negative, and no matter how Slughorn himself refutes, he shows too much surprise that a person from a Muggle family can become an excellent wizard.

"Horace," Dumbledore said, so that Harry no longer had to think about what to say, "likes his comfortable life. He also likes to be around famous, successful, and powerful people. He enjoys that. A sense of being able to influence these people. He'd never wanted to be on the throne himself; he'd preferred to be in the background - more room to shine, you know, he'd always been selective at Hogwarts. He carefully selects the students he likes, sometimes because of their ambition and brains, sometimes because of their charm and talent. He has a mysterious knack for selecting students who will later excel in various fields. Reese established a club centered around him for his favorite students, introducing them to each other, establishing various useful connections among the members, and always receiving some benefit in return, whether it was a box of his best The free pineapple preserves he likes are also an opportunity to recommend his little members to work at the Fairy Liaison Office.”

A vivid image of a huge and bloated spider suddenly appeared in Harry's mind. It was weaving a dense web around it, occasionally tugging at the threads to pull the big, juicy flies closer to him. Some.

“I tell you all this,” continued Dumbledore, “not to set you against Horace—who we must now call Professor Slughorn, perhaps—but to keep you on your toes. He will undoubtedly want you to join his society, Harry. You will become a treasure in his collection: the Boy Who Lived...or, as they call him these days, the One Who Lived."

After hearing these words, a chill that had nothing to do with the surrounding fog spread over Harry. This reminded him of those words he had heard a few weeks ago, words that had special meaning and horror for him: Two people cannot both live, only one survives... As they walked to the church they had passed earlier, Dumbledore stopped.

"Just over here, Harry, take my arm." Harry steeled himself and prepared to Apparate, but still felt uncomfortable. When the feeling of oppression disappeared, he found that he could breathe again. At this moment, he was standing on a country road with Dumbledore next to him. Looking forward, he could see a curved outline. This was his second figure. Favorite building: The Burrow. Although the feeling of fear had just swept through his body, his emotions immediately rose at the sight.

Ron was there... and Mrs. Weasley, who cooked better than anyone else Harry knew... (To be continued)