Archaeologists at Hogwarts

Dumbledore was silent.

Toby, on the other hand, has silently planned dozens of dodge plans in his mind. No matter which direction the "Ancient Magic" is thrown from, he is confident that he can successfully dodge it.

This is the pride of being an archaeologist!

"Fortunately I didn't make this book too thick."

Toby secretly rejoiced in his heart.

Fortunately, Principal Dumbledore maintained enough grace. He did not personally teach Toby, a naughty student, but sighed deeply: "When I say 'bring it', I mean there is no record.

The information in the book...you'd really surprise me, Toby."

"So, you've already met Hagrid?"

Al didn't dare to move, trying hard to pretend to be a pendant.

Toby also tried his best to pretend that nothing happened: "Well, yes, I have met Hagrid, and Harry, Harry Potter, Lily and James' children. I also saw him, but

He doesn't seem to have lived a very good life over the years and is completely unworthy of his status as a savior."

Toby was blaming Dumbledore intentionally or unintentionally, but Dumbledore just shook his head and said: "This matter is not as simple as you think, Toby. If possible, I also hope that Harry can live a happy life.

but--"

Toby was listening carefully to Dumbledore's every word, but Dumbledore did not continue speaking, which made Toby feel itchy in his heart.

"Let's change the topic."

Dumbledore raised his head and said, looking into Toby's eyes: "Only a few people know that since Voldemort's power disappeared, you have been submitting employment applications to me for many years in a row. Can you tell me why?"

Toby was sitting opposite Dumbledore. He suddenly became interested in a silver top, fiddled with it with his fingers and said: "If you have read those employment applications, you should understand that I said in the letter

It's very clear - only after leaving Hogwarts did I finally realize how much wealth I had lost. This is almost the only ancient building that is well preserved, even compared to other magic schools.

, Hogwarts is also the oldest.”

"Together with its great founders - Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Helga Hufflepuff, and Rowena Ravenclaw, in four

Under the influence of a legendary wizard, countless secrets remain in Hogwarts."

"I dare say that until now, no principal has been able to know all the secrets in the school, not even you, Principal Dumbledore. Let alone the professors and students, and these secrets are very important to a professional archaeologist.

For me, the attraction is fatal."

"I have been to many countries and explored many ancient magical ruins - the pyramids of Egypt, palaces in the Himalayas, and cities under distant lakes, but I can never ignore the existence of Hogwarts."

"One day, I will come back, sooner or later."

Toby said these words calmly. He did not look at Dumbledore, who was still looking at him.

"You're thinking about Hogwarts."

Dumbledore said: "Revealing your true thoughts in front of a headmaster is really not a wise decision. You should know that I will stop you to avoid having a bad impact on the students in the school.

.For example...cursed treasure trove, that has already happened once."

The Cursed Treasure House was a special event that lasted for a long time, starting in 1984 and ending in 1991. During this period, several students discovered the Ice Treasure House, the Fear Treasure House, the Cursed Treasure House, and the Forest Treasure House.

.(From the plot of the game Hogwarts Mystery)

The opening of each treasure trove brings big trouble to Hogwarts.

Although Toby was not involved in this series of disputes, the treasure trove incident undoubtedly greatly reduced his chances of becoming a professor - an archaeologist? Sounds like someone who specializes in causing trouble.

Toby spread his hands helplessly: "But I do think so. I also know that I can't hide my thoughts from you at all. It would be better to say it in advance."

Dumbledore shook his head and retorted: "But you and I both know that this is not all your thoughts. What you are saying now is not as much as the content of our correspondence back and forth."

After a pause, Dumbledore added: "It also did not include the reason for our quarrel many years ago."

When the conversation reached its most critical moment, the topic inevitably led to the quarrel.

It was because of that quarrel that Toby decided to leave England.

On the one hand, this was to avoid Voldemort's solicitation, and on the other hand, it was also related to his unwillingness to join the Order of the Phoenix.

Speaking of which, the reason why Voldemort recruited him was somewhat related to that quarrel.

Toby was silent for a while.

"You know me, principal." He whispered.

"It is impossible for me to give up the pursuit of ancient magic, and I have never given up exploring the reasons for the decline of ancient magic. The level of magic in the magic world is gradually decreasing. I have too many examples to prove this. From wandless magic to

There were transformations in wand magic, giant-sized daemons, and those ancient Greek wizards who had never seen before.”

"Even excluding their influence, there are many wizards who provided evidence in the duel competition alone. Every game has records. That is the most complete information."

"You also know this, and I told you my purpose truthfully - as long as we figure out the reason why the magic level has decreased, and then find a way to gradually increase the intensity of the magic, we will have more powerful power. The so-called wizard

War and mysterious people are nothing compared to this power."

Dumbledore stared at the determined Toby, and time seemed to have returned to that night many years ago, at the same place. In front of the most trusted self, Toby showed his strong aspirations and ambitions.

He wants to restore the magical world to its proper level and attempts to trace the origin of magic.

In the end, he wants to prove to the entire magical world——

[Muggle-borns are no different from pure-blood wizards.]

【Even better!】

"I did read your letters."

Dumbledore sighed and said, "I really didn't know that my words of comfort would lead you to such an unknown direction."

"But you are right." Toby said immediately: "Even Muggle-born people have the blood of wizards, but it took many generations to regain the mastery of magic and awaken the talents hidden in the blood. The so-called Muggles

Those who are born are all descendants of wizards."

"Especially in earlier times, Muggle-born people were called [Mumber], and they were more respectful than they are now. The wizards at that time believed that Muggle-born people were more respected than wizards from pure wizarding families.

Much more talented. It was not until the implementation of the International Federation of Wizards Secrecy that wizards began to distrust Muggles. Pure-blood supremacy also began to gradually spread, and the name Mabel was gradually abandoned by people - "

"Toby!" Dumbledore suddenly interrupted: "I understand your thoughts, and you know that I understand you, but you also know how dangerous these thoughts are, otherwise Voldemort would not have to recruit you -

He wants to master powerful ancient magic and have more powerful power."

"Your research is full of too many uncertainties. It was during the war, and you could not guarantee that your research results would only be beneficial to us. The entire magical world at that time was dominated by pure-blood superiority ideas. Once the wizards discovered that they

With greater strength, do you know what they will do?"

"war!"

Dumbledore looked directly into Toby's eyes: "A war with wider scope! They will think that Muggles are no big deal, so they will declare war on Muggles!"

"Not many people have seen such a war, and they have no idea what will happen in the future, but I have seen it. During the period when Grindelwald was leading Europe, I saw with my own eyes a war involving Muggles and wizards.

You can’t imagine how tragic it was.”

"But you have to know that even if Grindelwald failed to win the war in the end, he is a wizard supremacist, but this does not mean that he will ignore the threat of Muggles. On the contrary, he knows

How powerful is the enemy I am about to face?"

"But Grindelwald still failed."

"I dare say that among all the wizards, there is no one who understands Muggles better than him, not even me, not to mention those Death Eaters who are full of pure-blood supremacy.

, the same is true for Voldemort."

"They will lead wizards to destruction. The Statute of Secrecy has never been to protect Muggles, but to protect wizards."

"Trust me, Toby, I've seen war with my own eyes, that's why I'm stopping you."

"Believe me, I've seen it with my own eyes."

Toby remained silent and did not refute.

This was the biggest difference between him and Dumbledore at the beginning, and both of them understood each other.

Dumbledore knew that Toby was so persistent because of his experiences in school and wanted to prove that Muggle-borns were superior to pure-blood wizards.

And Toby also knew that Dumbledore was worried that his research would lead the war at that time to a more terrifying direction. Not only would his own wizards become stronger, but the Death Eaters would also become stronger, and so would their ambitions.

Expansion, which was very beneficial to the pure-blood supremacy at that time, would allow more wizards to actively join their camp.

Until finally, the war between wizards and Muggles broke out.

But neither Toby nor Dumbledore can give up their ideas.

The saddest part is that it all started with a word of comfort.

"Child, I hope you know that even if you are sorted into Slytherin House, it does not mean that you are weaker than those pure-blood wizards."

"You definitely have some superior qualities, so the Sorting Hat sorted you into Slytherin House regardless of your bloodline."

"Look for this quality and prove your excellence."

"You are no different."

The conversation finally reached the point of no return, and Toby finally stopped playing with the top. He stood up, his long hair hanging in front of his eyes, and he couldn't see the expression on his face clearly.

"It seems like it's time for me to leave."

Toby's tone was extremely calm: "I will come back again, principal."

"You'd better live longer. The Philosopher's Stone is indeed a good solution."

He turned around and strode towards the oak door.

"Toby."

At this moment, Dumbledore's voice came from behind him:

"I have no intention of breaking my promise. This is what we agreed in the letter in advance. You are still the new professor at Hogwarts, responsible for the course of ancient magic."

It was like a gust of wind blowing, and in the blink of an eye, Toby had already sat back in his original position.

He said seriously: "Then let's talk about salary, Headmaster. I used to be Gringotts' ace curse-breaker, and my salary was not low at all - by the way, I also want Slug."

Professor Horne's office, I've longed for that room. The dean never treats me badly, so it's best if no one takes it away. Of course, if the person occupying it is Severus, I will

If you have a good talk with him, I believe he will not refuse the opportunity to give up the office to a newcomer."

Dumbledore suddenly felt a headache. He rubbed his forehead and said: "We can discuss the salary issue again, and Horace's office can be given to you. You must not go to Severus. He has not been here until now."

I haven’t completely calmed down yet.”

"He's really short-tempered."

Toby said leisurely, without any trace of the frustration just now. He even had the mood to ask one more question: "Is there any lemonade, principal? I'm almost dying of thirst after talking so much."

Dumbledore snapped his fingers tiredly. He had begun to miss the serious Toby.

Toby first raised the lemonade to his shoulder and let Al drink it. Then he bit the straw and glanced at the portraits of the previous principals, waving hello to each one.

After finally drinking to his heart's content, Toby breathed out comfortably: "Seriously, principal, I really planned to leave just now. I even thought about how to find a new job. I definitely can't go back to Egypt.

, Larry was rejected by me only once not long ago, and I didn’t give him any good looks at all.”

Dumbledore looked at Toby calmly. Toby's words gradually became quieter, and he coughed twice in embarrassment.

"Are you ready to drink?" Dumbledore asked calmly, his tone not angry or authoritative.

Toby nodded quickly: "The lemonade in the principal's office is always the most delicious."

The corners of Dumbledore's mouth twitched.

He picked up the magic stone on the table, stood up, and walked outside the room.

"Come with me when you're done drinking."

Toby quietly high-fived Al. He followed closely behind Dumbledore and asked curiously: "Where are we going, Headmaster?"

Dumbledore did not answer this question, but answered another doubt in Toby's mind: "You must be curious why I agreed to your request for employment, right?"

Toby nodded.

Judging from the conversation just now, the differences between the two people have not changed. In other words, Dumbledore could have promised Toby a long time ago.

"One of the reasons is that you really listened to me."

Dumbledore said calmly: "You did not write all the ideas in "Ancient Magic", which is why this book is so terrible to read, without beginning or end. But on the other hand, this also lowers the level of the wizarding world.

The threat implicit in it.”

"What threat?" Toby asked immediately.

The two stopped in front of a room on the far right of the fourth floor. Toby had never entered this classroom before, and he was not even sure whether it was a professor's room.

Dumbledore finally said: "The threat of trying to take away the Sorcerer's Stone."

The door to the house was pushed open, and Toby noticed that there was no powerful protective magic on it, only an opening spell was enough.

There was a dark hall with nothing inside. Dumbledore opened a trap door on the floor and jumped in together with Toby.

Afterwards, they passed through several rooms one after another. The chessboard room that impressed Toby the most was the chessboard room. He had never seen such a huge wizard chess piece before, and it must be very shocking to play.

Finally, Toby and Dumbledore stopped in the last room. There was nothing in it. Like many other rooms, all the decorations had not been completed.

These houses give Toby a strong sense of déjà vu. He has explored many ancient ruins, and some of them require you to pass through level after level to finally reach the end of victory - it may be an unknown treasure, or it may be

Just an empty room with nothing to show for it.

"You asked me why I agreed to it."

Dumbledore turned around, his eyes behind the lenses were extremely complex and full of inexplicable meanings.

But there is no doubt that Toby saw guilt in it.

Deeply guilty.

Dumbledore named a person whom Toby had met not long ago.

"Harry Potter."