More than three years had passed since the shocking division of the German Ministry of Magic, bringing the time to June 1991.
Hogwarts, Headmaster's office.
"Albus, are you really determined?" Professor McGonagall, sitting opposite the Headmaster's desk, looked at the old man in front of her. Her right hand unconsciously grabbed a few Fizzing Whizbees candies from the dish in front of her and put them into her mouth.
"Haven't I already asked for everyone's opinion on this decision at the staff meeting? None of you expressed opposition then." Dumbledore, sitting behind his desk, pushed his half-moon spectacles up his nose and revealed a gentle smile. "Of course, except for Severus."
"Minerva, you must have heard that not only Durmstrang and Beauxbatons in Europe, but even Ilvermorny in the United States are considering offering specialized training studies. After several years of verification by various Ministries of Magic, the training methods recorded in Tactical Training Studies can indeed improve a wizard's magic sensitivity!"
"Hogwarts shouldn't fall behind, should it? After all, the creator who invented this training method came from us," Dumbledore said, popping another handful of sweets into his mouth.
"You know I'm not talking about that!" McGonagall, hearing Dumbledore change the subject, couldn't help but roll her eyes at him. "There's certainly no problem with offering training courses; it's beneficial for the growth of all students. But the question is, are you really planning to invite him back to personally teach this course?"
"Is there a problem? I remember when he was at school, you were very fond of him..." Dumbledore looked curiously at his old friend.
"There's certainly nothing wrong with him as a person. To this day, I am still proud to have taught such an outstanding student." Remembering Alan, McGonagall couldn't help but curve her lips slightly into a smile. "But the problem is his identity! You should be clear about his current reputation in the international wizarding world, not to mention that he recently won the International Wizard Duelling Competition championship."
"Even now, he simultaneously serves as an Auror training consultant for multiple Ministries of Magic, is a supplier of equipment to various countries, and is a senior researcher at the International Alchemy Research Center—not to mention his identity as the founder of tactical training, a pioneer of a new school of thought. Now, in the eyes of outsiders, he is simply another young Dumbledore!"
At this point, McGonagall database a look of complaint at Dumbledore. "Don't blame me for not reminding you, but do you think a busy person like him can be invited back to Hogwarts as a professor with just a word from you? Don't get rejected by him and lose face."
"Hahaha..." Dumbledore couldn't help but laugh loudly upon hearing this. "Minerva, it's truly gratifying to see you still care so much about me, but your worries are really a bit excessive."
"Indeed, as you said, his current achievements are truly brilliant. Sometimes even I can't help but sigh that this young man has managed to go so far, but it is precisely because he is excellent enough that Hogwarts needs him even more. Alas..." Dumbledore sighed with a hint of melancholy. "You also know what the Defense Against the Dark Arts class at the school is like now. The teaching quality is always inconsistent, and new professors are harder to recruit year after year."
"If this continues, Hogwarts students will definitely fall behind other magic schools. As for whether I can truly invite him back, I am quite confident. I believe the conditions I offer will certainly move him."
"So you're inviting him back, not only to be a tactical training professor, but also to make up for the shortcomings caused by the decline in the quality of the Defense Against the Dark Arts class?" McGonagall nodded thoughtfully. "That is indeed a good idea. He has always been very good at managing students. I still remember the changes he brought to the various houses in the two years before his graduation, although the situation has reverted now. However..." McGonagall still had some doubts at this moment. "Even so, is it really necessary to invite him back personally? Inviting an Auror who has received his training seems like it could also solve the problem."
At this point, McGonagall looked at Dumbledore with a suspicious gaze. "Have you recently heard any strange rumors that have made you so interested in him, such as a prophecy from a certain Divination professor?"
"Heh heh, you don't always have to be prejudiced against Trelawney, Minerva. She actually does a good job in her position." Dumbledore shook his head and smiled.
"Are you saying she does a good job when she curses students to die every year?" McGonagall couldn't help but roll her eyes again. "If that's the reason, I think there's no need to make such a big deal out of it."
"Minerva!" Dumbledore suddenly looked at McGonagall with a solemn expression. "That boy will also be enrolling next year, and he needs him!"
"He..." Upon hearing Dumbledore's words, McGonagall's response was choked back. She could only shake her head helplessly. "Alright, I can't argue with you. Just make sure you know what you're doing."
After this conversation, Professor McGonagall left the Headmaster's office, deep in thought.
Dumbledore, meanwhile, looked preoccupied. He slowly paced to the window, watching the young wizards below who were celebrating as the end of term approached.
"I'm afraid your comfortable days are coming to an end." Dumbledore looked at the students below with a hint of amusement, then remembered McGonagall mentioning rumors earlier. "Sorry, Minerva, as you get older, you always become a bit superstitious without realizing it."
Thinking of this, Dumbledore unconsciously muttered the prophecy he had heard earlier, "Will the blessing of the Seventh Star of the Big Dipper lead the savior to break through the darkness, and will the silver lightning finally cut through the night sky?"
After muttering, Dumbledore's gaze became firm again, and he Apparated, disappearing from the spot.
When Dumbledore reappeared, he had arrived in the bustling Diagon Alley, then walked straight into the trading company that always seemed so lively.
"I finally understand why Minerva used the word 'grand' to describe it." Dumbledore looked up and surveyed the interior of the Silver Lightning Trading Company, which had expanded to over a thousand square meters but was still packed with all sorts of goods.
Inside the Silver Lightning Trading Company at this time, pleasant, melodious music filled the air, and colorful magical animal light projections swirled near the ceiling, as if one had instantly entered a small magical zoo. And by his side, nearly a hundred wizards, smiles on their faces, moved back and forth between counters filled with various strange alchemy tools, discussing the latest gadgets stocked in the shop, or crowding around the counter carefully selecting their favorite records. Some people could even be seen wandering the shop every day; these fellows didn't buy anything, they were purely there to enjoy the music and the refreshing atmosphere.
"Is this scene just the off-season? It's hard to imagine what this place will be like when the young ones are on summer vacation." Dumbledore shook his head with a hint of emotion, then walked straight to the innermost counter.
At this moment, inside the trading company's counter, a Husky in a tuxedo was deftly calculating bills for customers. Even the regulars here were always curious why his paws were so skilled at operating the cash register.
"Hog." Dumbledore, who had approached the counter, was a bit reluctant to interrupt the busy dog in front of him, but waiting any longer might mean waiting until the trading company closed, so he couldn't help but call out.
"Woof?" Hog, who was busy calculating, was startled by the summons from the side, then grinned and said, "It's Headmaster Dumbledore. Why are you free to visit us today? I remember school hasn't let out yet, has it? Sorry, I'm really too busy here to come out and greet you properly."
"It's alright." Seeing Hog's behavior, Dumbledore couldn't help but smile. "I'm looking for Alan. Is he in the shop today?"
"You're asking about the boss? He's meeting guests on the third floor right now, but they're all people you know. Please wait a moment, I'll have someone take you up to him." Hog replied, stealing a moment from his busy schedule, then turned his head and barked, "Evan! Evan! Where the hell did you run off to?"
"Coming! Coming!" Evan, who had graduated over a year ago, still had that shy demeanor. He was seen rushing over from the side, flustered, carrying a box of alchemy charms.
"You kid, why are you still so slow after being employed for over a year? Didn't you see Headmaster Dumbledore here? You don't even know how to greet him. Quickly take the Headmaster up to the third-floor office, move it!" At this moment, Hog pointed and gestured at Evan, completely in the posture of a superior ordering a subordinate.
"You told me to go to the storeroom to restock..." Evan mumbled with a wronged expression, but after Hog glared at him fiercely, he immediately shut his mouth, put down the box of goods, and moved closer to Dumbledore.
"Sorry, Headmaster, I wasn't in the storefront just now, so I didn't see you come in. Please come with me." Evan apologized in a flustered manner, then led Dumbledore up the stairs.
"It's alright, you don't need to be so nervous." Dumbledore couldn't help but find it amusing to see the former Prefect now being ordered around by a dog. "Evan, haven't you been working at the Silver Lightning Trading Company for almost two years now? Why are you still doing odd jobs?"
"Hehe... it's not like that." Evan scratched his head a bit sheepishly. "As a matter of fact, normally, I'm the only one responsible for the operation of the entire Britain main store. It's only recently that Alan and Hog came back from abroad, which is why I have time to help out in the front. Don't mind Hog acting so fierce toward me; that's just because the store is too busy right now. If it weren't for his help, I'd actually be even more flustered in the store."