Chapter 296: Irresistible Temptation

"Mei Lin's beard, I'm sure you're definitely more impressive than the newspaper advertises."

After seeing John's performance, Slughorn couldn't help but speak in praise.

"Of course."

John said smugly.

"I really wish you were also Pure‑blood…"

"Huh?"

The still‑smug John immediately felt annoyed upon hearing that.

"I heard the Headmaster say you are a wise, far‑sighted elder who never judges heroes by lineage."

"So after all that, you're a Pure‑Blood Ideology follower just like Voldemort?"

John opened his mouth, first praising and then disparaging.

"Oh no, no, no, I absolutely didn't mean that."

"Like Harry's mother, Lily, she is my favorite student—smart, kind, brave, and also of Muggle origin."

"I absolutely have no lineage discrimination."

John's words made Slughorn flustered, and he quickly waved his hand to deny.

"Also, don't mention that person's name."

"What's wrong with mentioning it? Just over a month ago I even crossed paths with Voldemort."

However, John ignored him, curled his lip, and tossed out a line.

"I'm going to the restroom; call me when I'm gone."

And then he vanished from the room.

Slughorn froze in place, lips slightly open as if to speak but got no chance; beside him, Dumbledore raised an eyebrow and said.

"I'll go too."

After saying that, he left the room, but before departing he gave Harry a look.

Harry:?

Not! Both of you left?

Harry stood rooted, at a loss, his gaze scanning back and forth between the empty doorway and Slughorn.

Slughorn wasn't angry at John's retort; instead he sighed helplessly.

"Lily truly is my favorite student."

"I have often mused before her that it would be wonderful if she were Pure‑blood."

"Heh, guess what she said?"

Slughorn slowly walked to a cabinet filled with dozens of photo frames of various sizes.

"What did she say?" Harry asked, following the thread.

"Haha… she said, 'I don't care about Pure‑bloods at all.'"

"That little temper is not the slightest less than John's earlier one."

Slughorn smiled, picked up a frame, and handed it to Harry.

Harry took the frame and at first glance recognized the red‑haired woman inside as his mother, Lily.

"Anyone I placed here was my most outstanding student back then."

"This is Banabasu Gu Fei, now editor‑in‑chief of The Daily Prophet; if I write him a letter with some opinions, it will surely be published."

"And this one, Geweinuoge Jones, Captain of the Holly Hedhabby Team; whenever there is a competition, she always sends me free tickets."

Slughorn pointed at the cabinet of frames, introducing his prized disciples to Harry.

"Only a pity, if Lily were still alive…"

"Sorry, child, I hope I didn't say anything wrong."

Slughorn's voice suddenly deepened as he looked at Lily's photo, a little choked up.

Harry shook his head; he was no longer the boy who would brood over a few words.

He stared at his mother's youthful, vivid smile, his fingertips lightly brushing the glass.

As if he could feel that flickering red hair and bright green eyes.

"She lives on," Harry whispered, "right here in our hearts, doesn't she?"

Hearing Harry's words, Slughorn slowly nodded, smiling contentedly: "Yes, yes…"

At that moment, voices of John and Dumbledore echoed from the hallway outside.

"Aren't you the pervert, Headmaster? I go to the restroom and you follow?"

"Sorry John, I thought you were just looking for an excuse to leave."

"I'm bored, why would I find an excuse to leave?"

"Who knows, maybe you're in a bad mood?"

"Huh? Am I in a bad mood?"

"Are you in a good mood?"

Their bickering could be heard clearly from outside.

Hearing this, Harry felt a bit embarrassed for them and glanced apologetically at Slughorn.

Slughorn, however, was unfazed and even said enviously.

"Oh, Albus's relationship with that kid is really good."

"Actually it's not as good as you imagine…"

Harry snarked from the side.

"Oh? Is that so." Hearing Harry say that, Slughorn blinked and a smile again appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Before long, John and Dumbledore returned together.

He saw that Harry and Slughorn seemed to be having a good conversation.

Dumbledore said slowly.

"Horace, I suppose you certainly know why I'm here; what have you considered?"

Hearing that, Slughorn paused briefly and gently placed the picture frame back in its place.

His gaze fell on Harry, then turned to John.

One is the humble, courteous Savior Star admired by all.

The other is the unruly, once‑in‑a‑century genius youth.

He took a deep breath, then looked at Dumbledore and spoke in a dissatisfied tone.

"Albus, you are really wicked!"

Dumbledore merely gave a gentle smile, already understanding Horace's choice.

"Horace, Hogwarts welcomes your return."

Slughorn lowered his head to adjust his cuffs and, angrily waving his hand, said.

"Cut it out, give a prior statement! I want to use Professor Meleisi's original office, not that tiny tea room that looks like a restroom!"

"Also, you have to raise my salary! This world is too chaotic, too chaotic!"

Dumbledore's smile grew wider, and he did not refuse.

"Then I'll look forward to you coming over soon to report."

"Let's go, children, say goodbye to your new professor and head home."

Harry and John replied in unison, then waved at Slughorn.

"Goodbye, Professor."

"Oh, okay, goodbye, see you again at our school, children."

Facing Harry and John, Slughorn restored his smile and kindly said to them.

His change of expression was faster than flipping a book, like a grandfather bidding farewell to his well‑behaved grandson.

Afterwards, Dumbledore led the two of them out of the Muggle House together.

After emerging, the three walked along the road they had taken earlier.

Harry let out a long sigh, then, dissatisfied, said to Dumbledore and John.

"Professor, John! You both are really good at acting! You even left me there to face Professor Slughorn alone!"

"Oh Harry, you did well, didn't you?"

In response to Harry's complaint, Dumbledore gave a light smile and said.

"The main point is that we've finished all the parts we needed to act, we've shown everything we needed to show, and you're the only one left without a performance, so of course we have to let you have a turn."

John beside him also laughed and said.

That angry exit just now was all an act; it's called showing a genius's temperament.

I'm not a well‑behaved boy; if you want to be my teacher, you have to demonstrate some skill to convince me.

Of course, if things go wrong, only Harry can step in to turn the tide.

That's why he flung his hand and left.

Harry wanted to retort but didn't know how.

Indeed, he had no performance from start to finish, just chatting the whole time…

"Harry only needs to show himself, Horace absolutely cannot resist your temptation."

Dumbledore also added slowly.

Harry didn't have anything else to say, so he could only follow behind the two and go back together.