Although the matter of the diadem was widely spread among the students, the true version was mixed with other versions, and even the professors in the castle couldn't distinguish them.
Although Professor Flitwick disdained spreading inflammatory remarks like the diadem should belong to Ravenclaw House, he certainly wasn't willing to tell others that Ravenclaw's daughter had given the diadem away—not to mention that there was a high possibility the diadem would be destroyed by Dumbledore, which almost made the old head of house retreat into himself.
However, the uninformed people obviously did not include Professor Kettleburn, who was currently smiling and pulling William away without any intention of explaining to his other colleagues.
"Professor Kettleburn, that thing is really dangerous. It's not that I won't let you touch it, but at least Dumbledore should deal with all the dark magic on it, right?"
On the way, William earnestly advised the old professor.
He couldn't directly refuse the professor—when he entered the school, it was this professor who personally introduced him, a newcomer, to the other professors when he was in an awkward situation, which allowed William to integrate into the professors' circle.
Afterward, Professor Kettleburn invited him several times to join the professors' games, preventing him from being unable to get along with others due to not being from a school background.
To be honest, if there was nothing wrong with that diadem, William would feel a pang of heartache for a while but still give it away if the old professor asked for it, let alone the old professor just wanted to fulfill a childhood dream.
William loved watching Doraemon when he was a child, and if there really was a blue Fat Man that came out of a drawer, he would probably be much happier than Professor Kettleburn, so he completely understood the old professor's actions.
"Really, Professor Kettleburn, that's not just a simple curse. Even a first-year student like Ginny Weasley was able to knock Mr. Filch down after wearing it—" William said, supporting the old professor whose wooden leg was a bit unsteady from excitement, describing the terror of the magic on it, "Think about it, if a professor like you went up there, what if you knocked Dumbledore down?"
"Knock Albus down?"
Not only did the old professor show no concern, but his eyes even lit up, making William feel the urge to slap himself a few times.
'So you think knocking Dumbledore down is as worthy of celebration as wearing that diadem? Double the fun?'
William supported the old professor to prevent him from slipping due to excitement, while quickly racking his brain for other persuasive words.
However, he found nothing, and a huge and ugly stone gargoyle soon appeared before them.
"Ha, little William, Dumbledore's office is here. Let's see what he can say this time!"
The old professor triumphantly shouted at the stone gargoyle, "Chocolate Frogs!"
'I like this!'
As this thought popped into William's mind, the gargoyle came to life, hopping aside and revealing the wall that had split open behind it.
As the crack in the wall grew wider, a spiral staircase appeared.
"Let's go, little William, let's see what excuse Albus has to hide from me now!"
After the old professor pulled William onto the escalator, the escalator began to rise automatically, carrying the two of them upwards.
After about two or three minutes, a shining oak door appeared before them.
The old professor quickly stepped forward and grabbed the brass knocker shaped like a hippogriff.
"Albus, I'm back again. Look who I brought?"
The door opened silently, revealing Dumbledore's face, with an expression of helplessness that William had rarely seen.
"Professor Kettleburn, I told you, it's too dangerous, you can't just put it on."
"Albus, you know I don't care about danger—is there anything more dangerous than my job?"
The old professor extended his wooden arm. "Is it really like little William said, that if I wear it, I can beat you up?"
'I didn't harm you, Professor! You can't play like that!'
But Dumbledore smiled. "Don't even think about it, Professor Kettleburn."
"So what is there to worry about, Albus?" The old professor laughed along. "A first-year student can wear it, but I, a nearly retired old wizard, can't handle the trouble that a little girl can handle?"
"But she didn't handle it, Professor Kettleburn."
"That's why I'm here—there are plenty of Ravenclaw graduates, you can't always think of keeping the diadem locked in your office, Albus." He smiled and knocked on the table with his wooden arm, making a clunking sound. "As for destroying it, Albus, you'll be the next headmaster to be impeached."
"I don't think I'll be that miserable—" Dumbledore chuckled quite easily.
"Won't be? If the diadem is really destroyed, the Ravenclaw students will go crazy. Even if you're Dumbledore, they'll drive you out—" The old professor chuckled along. "I remember very clearly how Armando was driven out."
"Little William, I remember the diadem was yours, wasn't it?" The old professor turned his head, his smile exceptionally bright. "You're not thinking of letting those Ministry of Magic fellows replace the headmaster again, are you? I think I'm very suitable to wear that diadem—I'm a nearly retired old man, this small request shouldn't be denied, right?"
"Professor, I think we have time to deal with the diadem," William said, carefully choosing his words. "After all, it's still at Hogwarts, and the ownership of that diadem was given to me, not the school, so private property won't be pursued so harshly."
"You young people," the old professor said, looking disappointed. "Don't forget your background. You resist? Do you believe you'll have to go back and serve time in Azkaban until it crumbles?"
...
William was silenced by the old professor's words. Although he was still young, if the diadem matter truly fell upon him, the old issue of his Azkaban bail would definitely be brought up again, and it was entirely possible he would have to go back for further study.
"See, the school can't lose a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, can it? And the Headmaster can't be lost either, can he?"
The old professor chuckled, "You'll save me if I get into danger, won't you, Albus? It would be too embarrassing if I lost this remaining arm right in front of you."
"Don't be so disheartened, little William. It's hard enough for the school to have a good professor—besides, this thing only tempts people, it's not as dangerous as you think."
The old professor was full of confidence, "Don't make me out to be a martyr. I'm telling you, Albus, if I die because you failed to protect me, I'll turn into a ghost and come to your office every day to spit, until you retire!"
"No one stop me," the old professor pointed at the two of them with his remaining arm. "This is a great dream I've had since my first year at Hogwarts!"
----------------------------------
To read 40 advanced chapters you can visit my Patreon:"https://patreon.com/TheKindOne"