Chapter 7: Hogwarts Professorship Offer

Professor McGonagall's words had deeply confounded Sherlock. He could scarcely believe he had been entrusted with the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Even if there had previously been no one to fill the role, he considered himself unfit for the position; he simply couldn't comprehend how he had ever been deemed suitable for such a position. Could he truly guide students despite his own blemishes? Did Dumbledore really think the original owner with his childish traits could handle such authority?

His evident disbelief didn't strike Professor McGonagall as odd; in fact, it seemed to be the natural reaction. This was his third year pursuing the position, with the venerable Professor Dumbledore deflecting his every attempt. Even a visit to Dumbledore three months prior hadn't provided him with encouraging feedback. So, his surprise at the arrival of an official appointment letter would seem to be fitting, in fact it would have been suspicious if hadn't been surprised.

"I can see that this is puzzling to you," began McGonagall, her voice weaving an explanation, "Three months ago, upon learning of Quirrell's mishap, you visited Dumbledore to request the position. At that point, however, Dumbledore already had his chosen candidate for the role of Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor."

Sherlock cast a steady gaze at McGonagall, his eyes not blinking as he cautiously probed, "Did the previously chosen Professor already run into complications within these three months?"

Quite aptly interpreting the question, she elaborated, "Indeed. Gilderoy Lockhart was set to take the role. However, just a month ago, he was unmasked as a fraud; he'd been bewitching wizard adventurers to steal their tales of daring and intrigue, assuming them as his own, penning them as his autobiographies, and profiting handsomely from them. Moreover, he had successfully achieved stardom within the pages of wizardry literature."

"Recently, one of his victims managed to tear away his façade and expose him for what he really is. He's currently under the purview of the Ministry's Auror Department and will soon face a trial at the Wizengamot."

"Despite the final verdict remaining unsettled, the evidence against him strongly suggests a future in Azkaban. With less than two months left before the new term, and under such conditions, Dumbledore believes that you are the most suitable candidate."

Sherlock clearly saw through McGonagall's sugarcoated explanation. He, who was well beyond the stage of a troubled child - unlike the original owner, understood that the move to appoint him was merely out of desperation, more a matter of necessity than a testament of his skills. After all, classes couldn't just be suspended because the appointed professor was suddenly unavailable, someone HAD to teach the subject.

Thus, disillusioned, Sherlock had been selected from the limited pool of choices left: frustrated yet eager, possessing a rather flawed personality, but someone whose profound magical knowledge was undeniable. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been admitted to the Auror Department, known for having the strictest recruitment standards in the entire Ministry.

However, the abruptness of the appointment left Sherlock, who was still getting used to the varying personalities and complexities of Hogwarts, feeling disoriented. Putting aside his present state of mind, he was primarily concerned with the actual task at hand: could he honestly teach Defense against Dark Arts to students? Leaving aside that as of right now he couldn't do any magic, let alone advanced defensive spells, what sane person would want to accept the Defense Against the Dark Arts position, given the history of its possessors? Without having read the original series or seen the films, Sherlock was aware that over the span of seven books, there had been seven different professors, and none of them ended their tenure unscathed.

Yet wondering about possible refusals, he found himself cornered by the original owner's prior eagerness to teach, pushing Dumbledore about it year after year. He saw no rational ground to stand on for rejecting the offer now.

Reading Sherlock's indecision as inevitable pre-appointment jitters, Professor McGonagall decided to carry forward, handing him the appointment letter alongside a train ticket. "You now need to promptly select the textbooks you'll need for the lectures, the list must reach me by owl post before August. This train ticket will ensure you a journey on the Hogwarts Express when the term begins, you can of course travel by other means if you so choose."

With that, she rose from her seat, retrieved her wand from her robe pocket and before making her exit, she looked at Sherlock one last time, "May Sally bless you, Sherlock. We'll meet at Hogwarts."

As she stepped out, Sherlock stared blankly at the appointment letter he held, the words Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor somehow resonating within him. After a few moments of silence, he let out a sigh, whispering three words, "Oh my god!"

-----

Meanwhile, at Hogwarts, the corridors stood empty, devoid of students who had left for their summer vacations, leaving an eerie quietness in their wake.

Returning to school, Professor McGonagall made a beeline for the Headmaster Dumbledore's office. Dressed in deep blue pajamas, his majestic white beard flowing down, Dumbledore was engrossed at his desk, attending to official papers.

Upon McGonagall's entrance, Dumbledore straightened up, removed his crescent-shaped eyeglasses and asked in a weary tone, "Has Forester received the letter, Minerva?"

"I delivered it to him personally-" replied McGonagall, her voice faltering momentarily as if she were undecided about continuing.

Dumbledore, noticing her hesitation, invited her to share her thoughts, "Do not restrain yourself, Minerva. Your suggestions are most welcome."

"With all due respect, do you really believe Sherlock is suitable for this position?" McGonagall asked, her eyebrows knit together in concern. Given her close ties with Sherlock's mother, she was genuinely glad to see him fulfill his dreams of working at Hogwarts. However, taking into account Sherlock's unpredictable nature, entrusting him with such a significant role at Hogwarts felt somewhat irresponsible to the students, who needed good role models in their formative years.

Dumbledore replied serenely, "At some point he must understand that he's no longer the neglected child he once saw in himself. His need for validation isn't forced upon him by others, but for him to unravel within himself."

"I believe teaching students with his vast knowledge, witnessing their growth, and being at the receiving end of their gratitude will make him realize this sooner than later."

"Besides, his skill with defensive spells far surpasses all other candidates, does it not?"

With this, he rose from his seat, making his way towards the wall adorned with portraits of former Headmasters. It remained unclear whether his next words were meant for the sleeping former Headmasters or McGonagall, but Dumbledore spoke softly, "His talent is extraordinary, very much like his mother's. We shouldn't let a few personality quirks cloud his potential. We're in dire need of strong, reliable allies. Let's hope this teaching experience at Hogwarts plays a part in his maturation."