#158 - Chapter 158 Visiting Professor, is it you?
By the time Sebastian and Percy emerged from the study, the guests had all arrived.
The Weasley children surrounded Lupin, incessantly begging him to spoil various details of the new television series.
Their mother was an ardent fan of the "Wandering with Werewolves" series.
In just a short month of vacation, the Weasley children had followed Mrs. Weasley in re-watching the previous seasons of the show countless times.
Mrs. Weasley was eagerly anticipating the start of filming for the new series.
Now, having the rare opportunity to meet one of the show's main actors, the little ones were determined to help their mother gather all sorts of details about the new series.
However, due to a confidentiality agreement, Lupin kept hedging and dodging, putting on a rather awkward display.
When Percy arrived in the living room, he immediately saw this chaotic scene.
His expression instantly darkened, and he hurried over to shoo away his younger siblings, rescuing Lupin from his predicament.
Ginny was still reluctant to leave, and she looked at Lupin, asking sweetly.
"Mr. Lupin, you and Lockhart are such a great team, so could you possibly ask Mr. Lockhart for an autograph for me?"
"My mother really likes him."
Before Lupin could respond, Fred blurted out impatiently.
"Ginny, there's no need to trouble Mr. Lupin. Getting Professor Lockhart's autograph is super easy."
"That's right," George chimed in, "You'll meet Professor Lockhart when the term starts."
"He'll be in charge of guiding the first-year students with their essays, so you can ask him in person then."
Hearing this, Percy's face flushed with embarrassment.
None of the four brothers had thought to get an autographed photo of Lockhart for their mother last year, making Ginny seem much more thoughtful.
It was truly inconsiderate!
During this year's welcoming feast, all of his siblings must mobilize to get autographed photos from Professor Lockhart.
One for each of them, to make their mother happy.
The crowd was noisy and lively until late into the night, celebrating a particularly boisterous birthday for Harry.
Happy times always pass quickly. Early the next morning, the guests left Swan Manor, except for one person—Hermione.
She had asked Harry to get Sebastian's permission for her to stay for an extra week.
After learning that underage wizards could freely cast spells in wizarding gathering places, and that Harry was about to start charm training, she couldn't wait to stay at Swan Manor until the start of term.
Unfortunately, Sebastian had already discussed it with her parents before she came, agreeing that Hermione would return after a week. Otherwise, Hermione might have actually put her ideas into practice.
Ron had originally wanted to stay as well, but after hearing that Harry and Hermione were going to do charm training, he immediately dismissed the idea and unhesitatingly went home with his brothers.
Days passed, and in the blink of an eye, it was time for the start of term at Hogwarts again.
On the first day of school, Swan Manor once again mobilized everyone, and they all went to King's Cross Station together.
In Mia's words, this was the ritual of the new semester.
To prevent Dobby from causing trouble, Sebastian took Mia with him and directly escorted Harry onto the Hogwarts Express.
Woo—woo—
Amidst the dense steam, the Hogwarts Express whistled and departed from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
Watching the train's receding shadow, Sebastian put his arm around Mia and walked out of the station together.
"Mia, let me ask you a question. Do you know which healer St. Mungo's Hospital sent to Hogwarts as a visiting professor?"
"I've been busy training Harry recently and haven't had a chance to confirm the news with Professor McGonagall."
"I know!" Mia replied with a smile, "The selection was made a long time ago."
Sebastian curled his lips: "Director Boton isn't being very considerate; he didn't even send a letter to let me know."
"After all, I was the one responsible for signing this project."
As he spoke, he asked with a face full of curiosity, "Is it a man or a woman? Do I know them?"
"If it turns out to be someone with a bad temper, I'll have to think about how to get along with this new colleague."
Hearing Sebastian's guess, Mia's playfulness arose, and she prepared to tease Sebastian.
"You not only know them," Mia nodded with a smile, "but you're also very familiar with them. Guess who it is?"
Know them?
And very familiar?
Sebastian frowned, trying hard to recall the figures of Mia's colleagues in his mind.
"Choose one from your colleagues?" Sebastian clicked his tongue, complaining with disdain.
"I don't want to choose any of them. Some are gossipy, some are fierce, and one can't even utter a sentence for half a day."
"Having them as visiting professors would be more of a disaster than a blessing for the young wizards."
Sebastian sighed: "What's Director Boton doing? He didn't handle this matter well."
"I'm not guessing anymore. Just tell me who's coming."
Seeing Sebastian's reaction, Mia smiled: "I won't tell you. Just wait and see at the welcoming feast."
If you don't want to say, then don't.
It's all so mysterious. It can't be that Director Boton is coming to be the visiting professor himself.
Suddenly, Sebastian's breathing hitched, and his footsteps slowly stopped.
Someone he was very familiar with......
"Mia......" Sebastian asked hesitantly, "Don't tell me, this visiting professor is you?"
"Figured it out?" Mia smiled brightly.
"Director Boton had just announced this at the hospital when I went to find him."
"Let me tell you, I beat several competitors to get this spot."
As she spoke, a playful expression appeared on Mia's face: "I specifically told Director Boton and Professor McGonagall to help keep it a secret from you."
"Surprise, surprise?"
"From today on, we can go to work together and then go home together."
"Then, Professor Swan, please guide me in the future."
After speaking, she walked briskly, like a happy butterfly, towards the outside of the station.
Looking at Mia's back, a complex emotion welled up in Sebastian's heart.
He was genuinely happy for her—Mia had the opportunity to showcase her outstanding talents at Hogwarts, which was a significant highlight for her career.
However, behind the joy lay a lingering trace of worry.
Hogwarts was not peaceful, and dangerous things happened every year.
This year's Basilisk was even more extremely dangerous, and the lives of teachers and students could be threatened if they weren't careful.
Coming to Hogwarts as a visiting professor was nowhere near as comfortable as staying at St. Mungo's.
Thinking of this, Sebastian quickly chased after Mia, shouting as he ran.
"Mia, I think we need to discuss the matter of being a visiting professor again."
"Mia, don't walk so fast."
"Mia......"
......
...
.
