After Tver handed out the review papers to students below the third year, the castle was soon filled with a tense atmosphere of study. Teachers of other subjects also drew up their own review plans for the students, and aside from Tver, none of the professors were teaching new material anymore.
Of course, that didn't mean Tver had relaxed the students' revision workload. In fact, he had already noticed signs of emotional breakdown in quite a few of them—some even doing things that defied explanation. The fifth- and seventh-year students, in particular, were showing alarming levels of stress as their exams approached.
According to Percy, there had already been several cases of students trading poor-quality potions, amulets, and cheating devices. Despite the professors' repeated warnings, some students still ended up in the Hospital Wing after taking potions with severe side effects—or ones that barely worked at all.
So, Tver chose not to pressure them further. Instead, he tried to make their studies more engaging, easing their burden a little. At the very least, he wanted them to enjoy the process of doing their review papers. Thinking about it, he really was quite the good teacher!
"Headmaster, I want a raise!"
Tver pushed open the office door and casually took a seat in front of Dumbledore.
Dumbledore gave a weary smile and silently poured himself a cup of tea. As for Tver's pumpkin juice—he could pour that himself! He was already starting to regret his decision to hold these weekly meetings with Tver about Transfiguration research and the current state of the wizarding world.
The Transfiguration discussions were fine, even though they had already reached unimaginable depths of magical and soul transformation. Tver had always behaved responsibly. Even his studies into souls remained cautious and constructive—far better than his teacher ever had been. But when it came to talking about the wizarding world, things always became troublesome.
As the leading figure of the magical world, Dumbledore maintained close contact with many great international wizards despite living at Hogwarts year-round. He kept up with the latest developments in magical research. Though he disagreed with Tver's subtle claim that the wizarding world was backward, he also knew that wizards were slowly adapting to Muggle technology. Every discussion with Tver left him deep in thought for hours afterward. It was more exhausting than trying to give the boy a lecture on ideology!
"You've already taken half of next year's school budget! If I raise your salary too, how am I supposed to hire new professors?!"
Dumbledore rapped the table as he watched Tver pour himself a full glass of pumpkin juice without hesitation.
Tver didn't mind. They'd argued plenty of times over the past few months, and Dumbledore had gotten angrier than this before. After taking a sip of juice, he said slowly, "Next year's Defence Against the Dark Arts class is going through big changes. I'm not hoarding the budget—it's all for the students—"
"Wait," he suddenly exclaimed, setting his cup down in surprise. "You've already found the new professor?!"
It was true—teaching all seven years for the first time had kept Tver running non-stop. He barely had time for his own projects anymore. No wonder the other professors hadn't made much progress in their research. Who could, with such a workload?
Then, a name flashed in his mind—the professor from the story. As Tver recalled the memory, Dumbledore slid a newspaper across the desk. On the front page was the very man from his recollections—
Gilderoy Lockhart!
Lockhart was dressed in a flamboyant set of robes, a fine cloak draped over his shoulders, flashing a grin that revealed eight dazzling white teeth that sparkled even in the photo. From the picture, he looked less like a skilled wizard and more like a model for a toothpaste advertisement...
At least he was more radiant than the bottle of shampoo in his hand...
"Though I dislike putting others down," Tver said with an expression that defied easy description, tapping the photograph with his finger, "this man—his face looks far more powerful than his magic."
He emphasized the last point.
Dumbledore sighed and pulled out a book—Magical Me.
"You can look at some of his writings. The material here is quite excellent. If he could demonstrate even a third of it, the students would have a decent professor."
Facing the book, Tver showed not the slightest interest.
"And if he can't demonstrate even a third?"
"Well, he'd still be better than Quirrell, wouldn't he?" Dumbledore sighed. "Besides, Lockhart has won numerous awards, including an Order of Merlin, and he's quite renowned internationally."
"Not many are willing to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts. Perhaps he's just a skilled wizard who loves to show off?"
"I guarantee, if you were to plaster your photos everywhere like he does, you'd be far more effective."
Tver tried imagining himself in Lockhart's place...
Eww.
He couldn't help but shudder.
But recalling Quirrell's stuttering, even if Lockhart just lectured students on textbook techniques, it would still be better than Quirrell. At worst, he could delegate some theoretical content to him, which would at least lighten his own teaching load considerably. So, surely Lockhart wouldn't even fail at that?
"By the way, Lockhart's interview will be at the start of the summer holidays. Would you like to attend?" Dumbledore placed the book before Tver. "If you plan to come, you might want to read his work."
With Dumbledore insisting, Tver picked up the book, though he wasn't sure he'd have any interest in interviewing a fraud by then.
"We'll see. Summer's still a ways off."
"Speaking of summer, what are your plans?" Dumbledore asked casually.
Watching the old man feign nonchalance, Tver's lips curved slightly.
"Depends. I'll study magic at school first, then maybe visit some elders. Care to join me?"
This time, Dumbledore didn't show the slightest trace of awkwardness like last time. Instead, he met his gaze with perfect composure.
"I've already asked a friend to visit Grindelwald at Nurmengard. I hear his living conditions are dire. Since you were his student, I have no objection to you offering him some practical assistance."
"However," Dumbledore leaned forward, his gaze steady on Tver, "he cannot leave Nurmengard. That is my absolute limit!"
Headmaster, unless you personally go to inspect, there's no way to identify the teacher's magic.
Tver thought smugly to himself, though his expression remained impassive.
"Rest assured, the teacher is perfectly fine there, reminiscing about the past."
"I never said it had to be at Nurmengard," he thought to himself.
Dumbledore shifted his gaze, unwilling to dwell on the topic of Grindelwald.
"Then continue telling me about the Muggles. I had no idea your expertise in Muggle studies ran so deep."
Tver could only cautiously continue presenting his ideas on Muggle technology. He dared not express himself too overtly. Influencing Dumbledore was a long-term process. The old man's will was unyielding, and unlike his teacher, whose aspirations were similar, he wasn't someone Tver could persuade in a short time.