HP: Alchemy? Nah, It's Crafting

Chapter 404 - 404: 404: That's what I really think!

"You're just sophistry at this point, and you've even stolen my argument. I said from the very beginning that wisdom doesn't reside solely in bloodlines and power, but now after your lips flap a few times, somehow that argument has become part of your own position?" Kasenhis pinpointed Slughorn's shamelessness with remarkable precision."You really do have an excellent memory. But have you considered that perhaps our views were never different to begin with? We simply go about things in different ways."

"At the end of the day, we both prefer talented and gifted individuals. As for those wizards who can't learn no matter how much you teach them, is there really any need to spend extra effort on them?"

"Our methods are simply different. I prefer to seek out little wizards who have already shown talent and are less likely to disappoint, while you teach the gifted ones and at the same time refuse to neglect the mediocre ones, going to great lengths to uncover whatever other talents they might possess."

"What we value and seek are both talent. The only difference is in our methods, nothing more," Slughorn said slowly.

"But isn't that what we're supposed to do?" Kasenhis frowned and asked.

"What?" Slughorn looked at him in surprise.

"I said, isn't that what we're supposed to do? Adult wizards entrust us with the continuation of their lives. Young wizards hand over their blank and innocent hearts and minds to us in complete trust, leaving themselves utterly defenceless as we teach them our knowledge and our ideas."

"The entire magical society gives us so many privileges. A Hogwarts professor with the lightest teaching schedule receives more applause and cheers in a pub than a department head with real authority in the Ministry!"

"And the Ministry does everything within the rules to provide professors with the greatest benefits possible!"

"Adult wizards, young wizards, the Ministry, the entire magical society, and even the taxes paid by that society, a considerable portion of which ultimately becomes our salaries. Isn't all of that enough to make us put in just a little more effort, besides enjoying ourselves?"

"We receive so many privileges. Shouldn't we help those little wizards who could have shone brilliantly, but whose light was buried for one reason or another, return to the stage?"

"Or are we supposed to spend our classes mumbling through these outdated textbooks, then after class accept praise and gifts from a handful of favourite students, and when we're in a good mood teach them a few tricks? Meanwhile, when ordinary little wizards knock on your office door, they don't even get an answer?"

"If you did that, wouldn't your salary feel just a tiny bit too hot to hold? Thankfully, there isn't a single professor at Hogwarts today who's that kind of scum! Even someone like Severus, who dislikes students with poor grades, will wholeheartedly answer their questions if they sincerely ask him. Though his attitude will still be terrible!"

Kasenhis unleashed a barrage of words so overwhelming that Slughorn had no idea how to continue.

He had merely wanted to have a proper debate with this stranger, whose status, reputation, and talent were all considerable. Somehow, he had ended up being thoroughly battered by a storm instead.

Meanwhile, Dumbledore looked somewhat awkward.

On the one hand, he couldn't shake the feeling that Kasenhis had been secretly using the opportunity to take indirect shots at him, the kind where one points at the mulberry tree while cursing the locust.

On the other hand, he was afraid that Kasenhis might actually break Slughorn's spirit. He had spent an entire evening tracking him down. If Slughorn ended up so offended that he refused to come out of retirement no matter what, wouldn't all of tonight's efforts have been for nothing?

Besides, he still hadn't found a new Potions professor. He couldn't exactly make Snape work two jobs by himself.

Even Dumbledore, who had once genuinely repaid the Queen's kindness, couldn't bring himself to do something like that.

"Horace, why don't you tell us now whether our trip here has been successful or not?" Dumbledore said, picking up the teapot and pouring Slughorn another cup.

"You came here to ask me to return to Hogwarts and teach again, didn't you? And then Professor Kasenhis here proceeded to talk me into being completely worthless." Slughorn sighed helplessly.

"So?" Dumbledore asked. However, he soon noticed that Slughorn kept unconsciously glancing at Kasenhis, who was eating pumpkin pie, and comforted him.

"Kasenhis' prejudice only concerns your teaching methods. He has no opinion about you as a person."

Kasenhis muttered quietly, "Actually, I do."

The other two tacitly pretended not to hear him.

"And now?" Dumbledore asked.

Slughorn sighed.

"What else can I do? According to Kasenhis, I've received support from little wizards, adult wizards, the Ministry, magical society, and even Galleons themselves, while I've only done such a tiny amount in return. It's as though if I don't go back to Hogwarts, I'll become some salary thief who only eats and never works... What else can I do? I'll just have to go back and continue teaching like a poor old workhorse!"

Dumbledore let out a sigh of relief. Slughorn's answer was all he needed. He subtly raised his head and looked at Kasenhis, giving him a crafty wink.

The latter showed no reaction at all.

"If your eyes are bothering you, I can use Air Essentia to blow them out for you," he offered.

Dumbledore looked somewhat embarrassed. Once again, he experienced what it felt like to throw flirtatious glances at a fool.

However, he quickly returned to the main topic.

"When school starts, I'll come and pick you up. Or perhaps I'll send a particularly powerful professor instead, if you're worried about safety."

Slughorn shrugged.

"If we're talking powerful, you certainly won't have time. Among the others, the truly powerful ones are Grindelwald and Professor Kasenhis, who's fought You-Know-Who alone more than once... Ah, let's go with Kasenhis. His tongue may be poisonous, but he's still safer than Grindelwald."

"As you wish. Kasenhis, do me a favour," Dumbledore said, looking at Kasenhis with a pleading expression.

The latter sighed.

"Fine."

Dumbledore couldn't help but laugh. Even after the two of them left the house where Slughorn had been hiding, he was still chuckling.

"Speaking of which, I'm still curious about what exactly was wrong with your eyes," Kasenhis said helplessly.

"I was merely expressing my admiration. Your strategy was remarkably successful," Dumbledore explained.

"What strategy?" Kasenhis asked in surprise.

"Those stirring words of yours. Weren't they part of your strategy?"

"Those were my genuine thoughts!"

That was what he remembered from his high school teachers.

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