Poison who?
Considering the status of Pansy's little boyfriend and the people he had access to, the Savior of Gryffindor could be ruled out immediately.
So who in Slytherin was worth poisoning?
Malfoy?
Setting aside whether Malfoy was even worth it, Lucius was now one of Voldemort's top lieutenants—so it definitely wouldn't be him.
That left only one answer.
John Wick.
As for why they were certain the other party was sent by Voldemort—because only Voldemort would stoop to such dirty tricks.
"Poison, huh." John chuckled lightly. "Pansy, you did very well this time."
Pansy hadn't expected praise and felt a little embarrassed.
"This matter—you two don't need to get involved. I'll take care of it," John said, trying to keep them out of it. "Don't alert the target."
Daphne nodded. Pansy wiped away her tears. She was kind of hoping John would lift the Wailing Hex now.
All she did was accept a confession from drunk Daphne last time, and Daphne still held a grudge about it.
Before Pansy could speak, Daphne swiftly clamped a hand over her mouth and smiled, "Then we'll be leaving now."
Pansy reached out, trying to salvage the situation, but she had underestimated the full chaotic strength Daphne now possessed. She was forcefully dragged out.
John watched them leave, gently rubbing the ring on his finger. He murmured softly, "The stage is set. All we need now is the actor."
He raised both hands, and under the embrace of starlight, a magnificent diadem appeared in his grasp.
The Horcrux curse twisted around it, green light flickered within the crown, and finally, it transformed into a reluctant little snake.
...
After forcing Dumbledore to leave, Umbridge began implementing her own reform measures.
First, she started tracking down students who had once been part of Dumbledore's Army for individual interrogations. Thankfully, one clever student had taken photos of everyone.
Umbridge began going door to door. According to Draco Malfoy's inside scoop, she had even gotten a bottle of Veritaserum from Snape.
It seemed she still hadn't given up on the idea of expelling Harry.
"As the great Muggle philosopher once said: The one who hurt you is someone else, yet you pointed the gun at me."
Malfoy asked in confusion, "What does that mean?"
John replied blandly, "It means good people are more likely to suffer condemnation from external powers."
He set down the newspaper. The headline read: Dumbledore admits to secretly forming a student army, resigns and disappears.
The great White Dark Lord, driven into hiding like this.
It was truly a lamentable sight.
"If only he had a little less kindness and a bit more ruthlessness, none of this would've happened," John shook his head with a wry smile. "But then, he wouldn't be Dumbledore."
Umbridge was not a qualified Slytherin—she lacked the vision a true Slytherin should possess.
Just like how she thought Dumbledore was easy to push around, completely forgetting who it was that defeated the first Dark Lord, Grindelwald, and who was hailed as the greatest wizard of the century.
That was also why she had been treated as a disposable pawn from the beginning. If she had been a bit smarter, things wouldn't have fallen apart so quickly.
But as far as John was concerned, this was no loss.
On the contrary, John had already begun scouting for a new Headmaster.
He placed down four cards, each bearing the crest of a lion, a serpent, an eagle, and a badger. Quietly, he observed the cards and picked up the yellow one representing the badger.
Professor Sprout was undoubtedly an excellent herbologist, but she wasn't suited to be Headmaster.
Next, he picked up the eagle.
Professor Flitwick was an outstanding professor and a powerful wizard.
He was tolerant toward students and had a pen-pal-like rapport with John. In times of peace, he would be the ideal candidate.
But now wasn't the time for that, so John set him aside as well.
That left the serpent and the lion. John picked up the serpent.
"Snape, huh..." A glimmer of light shone in his eyes.
Snape's rise to power would have suited the prideful customs of Slytherin, but his identity made him an unsuitable choice.
Not only was he one of Dumbledore's people, he also carried the label of being a double agent for Voldemort.
Either way, neither role was fitting for a Headmaster.
With him ruled out, only Professor McGonagall remained.
John set down the serpent card again but still didn't discard it.
"Snape won't do—but there's still one more Slytherin."
Just then, Basil flew back and dropped a letter to John.
A smile curled at his lips as he opened it and skimmed through quickly.
"As expected—once a few dilemmas are laid out plainly, someone as relationship-oriented as Slughorn will start paying attention."
The former Head of Slytherin—no one was more suitable than him.
The letter was from Slughorn, expressing his concern over the current state of Hogwarts.
Even Slughorn, who had once tried to avoid interacting with John, had now taken the initiative to reach out. John picked up a quill and began to write.
He explained bluntly that the Ministry of Magic intended to appoint an interim Headmaster to temporarily oversee the school. Professor McGonagall was an excellent candidate, but due to the circumstances surrounding Dumbledore, she was unwilling to accept the position.
John believed Slughorn was familiar enough with Professor McGonagall to understand—on certain matters, she had her principles.
Unless it was absolutely confirmed that Dumbledore wasn't coming back, Professor McGonagall wouldn't take on the role.
But at the same time, she didn't want Umbridge to become Acting Headmistress either.
John handed the letter to Basil, who had barely finished ruffling Draco Malfoy's hair during his short break before being summoned again.
"Deliver this to Slughorn. If you can bring back another reply, that would be ideal."
He stuffed a dried fish into Basil's beak.
Malfoy fixed his hair and looked up as John stood. "John, where are you going?"
"I need to speak with Professor McGonagall."
A single letter might not be enough—Slughorn could still hesitate.
After all, to him, John was just a student.
But if other professors also hoped he would return, then the situation would be different.
So John went to Professor McGonagall's office and knocked.
When she opened the door, she was visibly surprised—John had never sought her out before.
"Professor McGonagall, I think I need to help the school shoulder some of its burdens," John said with a polite smile. "I know you don't want certain people to become Acting Headmaster, but someone has to take that role."
Professor McGonagall's expression darkened. "You want me to take that position, Mr. Wick?"
"No, not at all. I understand your concerns," John replied with his usual smile. "That's why I'd like to recommend someone."
Professor McGonagall gave John a long, thoughtful look before inviting him inside.
John got straight to the point. "Professor McGonagall, do you remember Professor Slughorn?"
"Slughorn?"
Of course McGonagall remembered him—she just hadn't expected a student like John to have any connection to someone like that.
After all, Slughorn had already retired, and Snape had taken over his position.
John handed her the letter from Slughorn. "Professor Slughorn has expressed concern over the current state of Hogwarts. I believe he would make a suitable Acting Headmaster."
McGonagall took the letter and read it, a flash of surprise in her eyes.
Not only was John in contact with Slughorn, their relationship was clearly deep.
From the letter, she could see Slughorn's appreciation for John's talent.
And John's suggestion was indeed a solid one. If she didn't want to take on the role herself, then Slughorn truly was a fitting alternative.
After a moment of contemplation, Professor McGonagall asked, "What do you want me to do?"
"I'd like you to co-sign a letter with the other Heads of House," John replied, smiling just enough—his voice calm and steady, carrying the quiet logic of someone always thinking ten steps ahead. "Even the Ministry of Magic must respect the stance of all four Hogwarts Heads."
"I understand," Professor McGonagall nodded. "But I'm curious—why are you so invested in this matter?"
John chuckled lightly. "I thought you already knew about the time Umbridge came looking for me."
At first, McGonagall looked puzzled, but the moment he brought it up, she understood.
She had already heard about Umbridge trying to suppress John, only to be directly threatened by him leading the entire Slytherin student body.
But John wasn't someone who would ever sit back and be passive.
"I still can't help but wonder—if you had been in Gryffindor, what a sight that would be, Mr. Wick," Professor McGonagall said, unable to stop herself from voicing a thought she often had.
She had even thought that if John were ever expelled by Snape, she'd fight to have him transferred into Gryffindor.
Even though something like that had never happened in Hogwarts history.
Not because of his talent. But because in John, McGonagall saw the very same qualities that defined Gryffindor.
John replied respectfully, "I used to wonder about that too, but the answer's clear now."
Yes—the King of Slytherin.
Professor McGonagall agreed to write the letter alongside the other Heads of House. As she watched John walk out the door, Malfoy naturally fell into step beside him.
That child—he is like a born king. People can't help but gather around him.
_________
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