Chapter 101: Hermione's Godfather Professor (First Update, Please Subscribe)

“Mr. Lupin, the teaching schedule and content are just as we discussed in our letter yesterday. If you need a place to stay...”

“No, thank you, sir. I’ll be fine staying at the Broken Kettle pub. It’s close by, and it suits me well.”

Remus Lupin quickly declined Cain’s kind offer. In truth, because of his werewolf condition, it was difficult for him to find work. He had hinted at this in his letter to Cain, but Cain had not minded and still offered him employment. This moved Remus deeply.

It was precisely for this reason that he did not want to bring any danger upon his employer, Cain.

Moreover, Cain’s remuneration was very generous. Teaching for just one holiday season would provide enough for him to live comfortably until the end of the year, leaving him ample time to seek his next position.

“Headmaster Dumbledore, I haven’t yet had the chance to thank you for your generous gift last time. I’m grateful that you chose to entrust me with the items from the phoenix.”

After discussing matters with Lupin, Cain smiled at Dumbledore. Although he had purchased the phoenix’s flesh and blood for thirty-five thousand galleons himself, no one would speak so plainly about money—as if you couldn’t simply pay for blessings, but had to buy incense to show sincerity.

Dumbledore smiled warmly. “Fawkes is pleased as well. But compared to those things, Mr. Pent’s contributions to Hogwarts have been far greater.”

Cain modestly acknowledged the praise, then moved directly to the point. “So, Headmaster Dumbledore, you called me here today to...”

“It’s actually somewhat related to Scamander. But before that, I hope you can forgive him. Scamander told me some things about you. Of course, this concerns me as well...”

Dumbledore first explained on behalf of Newt Scamander, since without prior notice, he could not reveal how he had come to know about Cain.

“If, Mr. Pent, you are interested in Hogwarts, I would like to invite you to become a member of the Board of Governors and the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.”

Upon hearing this, both Cain and Lupin were visibly surprised, doubting their ears.

Even Hermione, who had been sitting quietly nearby, was so excited she wriggled her little feet, almost knocking off the shoes hanging from them.

‘My godfather is going to become a professor at Hogwarts? Defense Against the Dark Arts, no less?’

Hermione never doubted Cain’s abilities. In the few days they had spent together, she had seen a different side of him—his mastery of spellcasting and profound magical power.

Once, during a duel, Cain took a petrification curse from her without dodging, yet her spell had no effect at all; he seemed as unaffected as a leaf blown by the wind.

Cain looked puzzled and asked, “Headmaster Dumbledore, why would you invite me? I’m not very familiar with Defense Against the Dark Arts. In fact, I think Mr. Lupin...”

“I’m not fit for it, Mr. Pent. You know why. Hogwarts isn’t suitable for me.”

Lupin quickly shook his head. When he attended Hogwarts, he transformed into a werewolf every year. Back then, Sirius Black and James Potter accompanied him. Returning now would pose a great threat to the students unless Dumbledore stayed with him every full moon.

“But my magical abilities...”

Dumbledore gently interrupted, giving Cain a subtle signal. “I apologize, Mr. Pent, may I speak with you...”

“Please, follow me. Hermione, if you have any questions about spells, you can ask Mr. Lupin.”

Cain said this and led Dumbledore toward the study.

Once inside, Dumbledore first praised the extensive collection of books before explaining the reason for his invitation.

The pure-blood families wished to use the Board of Governors’ influence to sway Hogwarts’ education. They appeared to have lobbied the Ministry of Magic, resulting in reduced funding for Hogwarts, while the Board sought to increase their leverage through these means.

Though Dumbledore lacked concrete evidence, he was wary of Cornelius Fudge. Fudge did not wish to be Minister of Magic, but he suspected Dumbledore could reclaim the position at any time...

If not for Cain’s generous thirty-five thousand galleon donation last year, Dumbledore would have had to make many more concessions to the Board this year.

After all, Hogwarts’ expenses were enormous, especially with new students enrolling each year. Many Muggle-born students received covert subsidies from Hogwarts; otherwise, acquiring the necessary wizarding supplies would be far more difficult.

As for inviting Cain, this had been Scamander’s suggestion. Scamander possessed a certain intuitive insight. Having spent a few days with Cain, he sensed Cain’s methods were vastly different from those of the Death Eaters.

Moreover, it was notoriously difficult to recruit professors for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Though Dumbledore’s social circle was broad, nearly no one was willing to teach this subject; even Gilderoy Lockhart was reluctant. Dumbledore had to leverage Harry’s fame to bring someone in.

“Mr. Pent, Scamander told me you are very skilled with spells from first through seventh year at Hogwarts and have considerable expertise in defense... I hear you love reading. Hogwarts’ library is probably the finest in all of Britain...”

Dumbledore expressed his sincerity: Hogwarts’ library, unmatched by any institution or bookstore, was his confidence and pride. The Restricted Section even contained magical tomes dating back centuries.

Cain did not immediately agree, instead pondering for a moment.

He understood Dumbledore wanted to enlist him to resist the Board of Governors and perhaps even the Ministry of Magic. The only thing that could truly concern Dumbledore was Hogwarts and its students, and the current issue was funding.

Cain was not short of money, and soon he would monopolize the magical materials market in Britain, even Europe. Unless others no longer needed fire dragon materials, anyone who did would have to buy a substitute.

This kind of bundled sales tactic was unprecedented in the wizarding world and would likely annoy many for years to come, but Cain would profit handsomely from this monopoly.

Donating an annual sum to Hogwarts’ education fund was nothing to Cain; what mattered to him was what he gained in return.

“Headmaster Dumbledore, will the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor have access to the Restricted Section of the library?”

Dumbledore was silent for two seconds before replying, “Of course, any professor is entitled to access the Restricted Section. However, some curses related to dark magic are subtle and invisible.”

“Rest assured, Headmaster Dumbledore, I believe I have a certain immunity to such enchantments, much like Fawkes.”

Cain said this, then rose to shake Dumbledore’s hand. “I am ready to come to Hogwarts at any time. As for the Board invitation, I accept. Cain’s Magical Supplies will donate twenty thousand galleons annually to Hogwarts to support wizarding education in Britain.”

Dumbledore, wise and experienced, considered Cain’s words and anticipated his next thought.

“If there is an interview, I’ll be available for most of it, Professor Pent.”

With their hands clasped, Cain and Dumbledore reached an understanding.

Cain’s twenty-thousand-galleon annual donation covered roughly half of Hogwarts’ expenses. In return, Dumbledore would assist Cain during interviews with the Daily Prophet, perhaps mentioning Cain’s Magical Supplies.

As Europe’s greatest wizard and Britain’s most famous magical school became associated, this would be a vast promotional advantage, and the donation would be quickly recouped.

“Professor Pent, I will have your office prepared, and there may be meetings with the Board of Governors. You will receive letters by owl for those.”

“Of course, I look forward to your correspondence, Headmaster Dumbledore.”

Cain smiled as he opened the study door to leave, but at that moment, Hermione, perched on the door, tumbled inside.

Cain waved his hand and cast a levitation charm, preventing her from falling.

Caught, Hermione blushed and smoothed her tousled hair, offering an excuse: “Godfather, Professor Dumbledore, I just wanted to ask if you’d like some tea?”

“No, thank you, Miss Granger. I believe I should take my leave.”

Dumbledore smiled and stepped outside. Cain released Hermione from the spell and followed him out.

After descending the stairs, Dumbledore exchanged a few words with Lupin, then, once Cain saw him off, he Apparated away.

“Such a convenient magic,” Cain remarked, turning back inside.

“Godfather, are you really going to teach at Hogwarts? Defense Against the Dark Arts professor—that’s amazing! But isn’t it dangerous? There’s a rumor at Hogwarts that the Dark Lord cursed that position.”

Hermione had been thrilled at first, proud that her godfather would teach at Hogwarts. But then worry crept in; recent Defense Against the Dark Arts professors hadn’t lasted a year.

“Hermione, you needn’t fear Voldemort so much. He’s not that powerful.”

Cain wasn’t intimidated by Voldemort, knowing there were many beings stronger—like Uchiha Madara and Kaguya from the world of Naruto, or the Purple Man from Marvel. Any one of them surpassed Voldemort.

Hearing Cain’s words, Hermione was still anxious. “But Godfather, Voldemort really is...”

“Strong? Hermione, who do you think is stronger, Voldemort or Dumbledore?”

Without hesitation, Hermione answered, “Of course, Dumbledore!”

“If a wizard as powerful as Dumbledore exists in Britain’s wizarding world, Voldemort might as well be a petty broker in Knockturn Alley.”

Cain patted Hermione’s fluffy hair, wondering if he should buy her some smoothing serum, though her curly hair felt nice enough.

“Remember, Hermione, all fear stems from insufficient strength. When you’re strong enough, Voldemort isn’t anything to worry about.”