He had to admit, this matter had also touched him greatly. Umbridge was attacked by Death Eaters right under the noses of so many wizards at St Mungo’s, so what about him?
Since he hadn’t joined the Death Eaters, it was impossible for them to consider him a friend. In that case, perhaps staying beside Dumbledore would be safer...
Just as he was thinking, Dumbledore happened to walk into the room.
"You’re back, Albus," Slughorn ca to his senses and said, "Why did you take so long, did you have a stomach upset?"
"No, I was flipping through so Muggle magazines," Dumbledore said, "Alright, Harry, Kael, we’ve already disturbed Horace for quite a while, it’s ti to leave."
"You’re leaving?"
"Yes," Dumbledore said, "It’s already very late now, Kael has to work at the Ministry of Magic early tomorrow morning, staying any longer might affect his rest."
"Wait, working at the Ministry of Magic?" Slughorn couldn’t help but say, "So it’s true, he was hired exceptionally?"
"Of course." Dumbledore nodded, "Haven’t you read the news? He’s been in the position of Senior Ministerial Assistant for nearly half a year now."
"A Senior Ministerial Assistant who hasn’t graduated yet..." Slughorn murmured to himself, his eyes flashing.
"Then goodbye." Dumbledore walked to the door, "Although it’s a pity not to be able to work with you again, you’re welco to visit Hogwarts anyti you wish."
"Goodbye," Harry waved and said.
Just as the three were walking out of the room, they heard a shout from behind.
"Alright, alright, I’ll do it!"
Slughorn panted as he ran out, "I must be crazy, but yes, I’m willing to return to Hogwarts."
"That’s great," Dumbledore said with a smile. "So, Horace, we’ll see you on September 1st."
"Alright, no problem," Slughorn muttered, "I’ll ask for a salary increase though..."
"Well, I’m sorry, I can’t decide on that," Dumbledore turned and glanced at Kael, "In fact, soone could easily cut my salary by fifty Galleons a month."
"Really?" Slughorn’s eyes brightened even more.
Although he wasn’t sure what happened, the fact that soone could reduce the headmaster’s salary suggested that Kael held real power, not just a title.
"No problem," he said with a smile, "Salary doesn’t matter all that much, I’m just... missing my old colleagues a bit, how are Minerva and Filius?"
"They’re both doing well," Dumbledore replied with a smile.
"Then we’ll see each other on September 1st," Slughorn waved and said.
The three of them embarked on the small path outside again.
"Professor Dumbledore..." Harry asked softly, "Why did Slughorn suddenly agree?"
"You should call him Professor Slughorn now," Dumbledore corrected, "I think he saw the benefits of returning to Hogwarts."
"Benefits?"
"Yes, like you, and Kael,"
Dumbledore continued, "Slughorn enjoys material pleasures and likes befriending famous, successful, influential people. But he’s quite unique; those he befriends are people who rise step by step from their student days."
"And he has a very unusual talent for picking people who will excel in various fields in the future."
"I see," Harry nodded, "No wonder he agreed imdiately after knowing Kael was the Senior Ministerial Assistant."
"That’s also partly because of you," Dumbledore added, "The Boy Who Lived, or as the newspapers now like to say, the Star of Salvation..."
Upon hearing the title, Harry couldn’t help but shiver; he didn’t like the moniker, nor did he feel he had done anything deserving of it.
It was just soone had unearthed what he had previously said about You-Know-Who’s return.
They walked on for a while.
"Alright," Dumbledore stopped, turned and said, "I might beco very busy later, if you need to reach urgently, Newt can find ."
Kael nodded, "I understand."
"Then, do you need to send you back?"
Kael could tell Dumbledore seed to want to speak privately with Harry, so he shook his head.
"No need, Professor, I can go back myself."
With that, he waved at the two and disappeared.
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