"Jon, I've found the information!" Just five minutes later, Phineas Black hurried back to his portrait in the Headmaster's Office. "Andrew Cock's father is named Jack Cock…"
"Mr. Jack Cock is currently an employee of the Ministry of Magic, in the Department of Magical Games and Sports, Office of Patents for Whimsical Goods… There's no evidence suggesting he has any close ties with senior officials in the Wizarding Examinations Authority, and he has absolutely no connection to Madam Griselda Marchbanks," Phineas said with complete seriousness.
"Alright, thank you for the trouble, Phineas." Jon nodded.
"Should we discipline him?" Phineas Black looked eager to take action. "For a student who's made such a mistake."
"It's a minor issue. There's no need for severe punishment," Jon replied calmly. "Go contact Mr. Argus Filch and have him give Andrew Cock a stern warning. Make sure rumors like this stop spreading around the school."
"Understood!" Phineas Black accepted the order and disappeared from his portrait once again.
At the same time, Armando Dippet had also returned to his portrait in the Headmaster's Office.
"Jon, I've already contacted Minerva… She's on her way here now, and judging by her expression, she seems quite angry."
No sooner had Headmaster Armando Dippet finished speaking than a burst of commotion sounded outside the office door.
...
"Headmaster Hart! Headmaster Jon Hart!"
Loud calls echoed from outside the Headmaster's Office.
Professor Minerva McGonagall, Hogwarts' Deputy Headmistress and Transfiguration professor, moved quickly. Shouting as she came, she strode rapidly into the Headmaster's Office.
Her face was stern, and her expression clearly carried both doubt and anger.
After entering the office, she fixed her gaze on the young man seated in the headmaster's chair and said:
"...Hogwarts is in complete chaos right now, and there are countless matters that require your attention. Many parents are deeply concerned and unhappy over a wizard as young as you serving as headmaster. We've even received several Howlers—though they were intercepted by the stone statue guarding the Headmaster's Office…"
Professor McGonagall spoke quickly, her voice almost tumbling over itself.
"Professor McGonagall!" Jon looked up at her, his expression puzzled. "What exactly has happened?"
"...And on top of that, we're now missing two teachers—two extremely important subjects: Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts. If we can't find two qualified instructors before the Easter holidays end, it will deal a devastating blow to the school's reputation and severely affect the students' education."
Professor McGonagall continued, "For those students about to take their O.W.Ls and N.E.W.T exams, it's even more unfair. In addition, Slytherin currently lacks a Head of House with sufficient authority. Professor Septima Vector clearly cannot hold that position for long…"
Jon quickly realized the source of the Deputy Headmistress's dissatisfaction.
"Alright, I understand, Professor McGonagall… But for now, please calm down."
However, Professor McGonagall seemed not to hear him and continued:
"...I'm not sure whether you fully realize the importance of these matters. Nor do I know what more urgent affairs are occupying your time. But I believe that at the very least you must treat these issues seriously and find a solution as soon as possible…"
"Please calm down, Minerva McGonagall!" Jon almost shouted.
"Very well… My apologies, I lost my composure." Hearing him address her by her full name like that for the first time, Professor McGonagall suddenly realized she had overreacted. She took a deep breath, her expression settling back into calm.
"So, what are your thoughts on this, Headmaster?" she asked quietly.
"There's no doubt that I understand the parents' doubts about me," Jon said calmly. "Their doubts are understandable. And any explanation right now would sound hollow… So I'm not concerned with how many Howlers have been sent to the Headmaster's Office."
Jon's words seemed to earn Professor Minerva McGonagall's approval. She merely nodded slightly and made no comment.
"Only time will prove whether I'm worthy of the position. So whether it's you, the other professors, or the students' parents, all that's really required is patience."
"As for the vacant teaching positions in Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts, please rest assured—I've actually been working on that for some time already," Jon continued.
"First, the Potions instructor position. If everything goes smoothly, I believe Professor Horace Slughorn will return to Hogwarts before the Easter holidays end."
"Professor Slughorn?" Professor McGonagall frowned. "Wasn't he accused of being a Death Eater? He was even imprisoned in Azkaban…"
"Those were merely accusations from the Ministry of Magic," Jon replied with a small smile, speaking unhurriedly. "Evidence left behind by Professor Albus Dumbledore before his death, along with testimony from a witness, is enough to prove that he had already defected to our side before Voldemort's downfall."
"So Professor Horace Slughorn is innocent. He'll be released from Azkaban very soon."
"So there's no need to worry about the temporary vacancy in the Potions position. And I believe Professor Slughorn will be more than willing to resume his role as Head of Slytherin."
"Oh, thank goodness—that's truly wonderful news!" Professor McGonagall let out a long breath of relief. "Then what about the Defense Against the Dark Arts position? Could it be that Professor Snape will also be returning to Hogwarts soon?"
"I'm afraid not," Jon said with a shrug. "I don't think Professor Snape will be able to return to Hogwarts anytime soon. However, please don't worry—I already have a suitable candidate in mind and have sent her an invitation."
"May I ask who this new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor is?" Professor McGonagall asked curiously.
Jon glanced down at his watch. It was already quarter to one.
"I believe you'll find out very soon… because I've arranged to meet this new professor right here at one o'clock this afternoon," Jon said with a smile.
"Of course, that's assuming she accepts my invitation."