Chapter 75: Horace Slughorn

King's Cross Station, Platform Nine and Three-Quarters

As usual, the red steam locomotive bound for Hogwarts is waiting to depart. Farewells between the students who have boarded and their guardians are taking place everywhere, but unlike usual, there is a sense of despair. It's as if the destination of the children's journey is the other world.

The guardians are afraid that their beloved children will leave them. Even if Hogwarts is said to be a safe place, even if Dumbledore is the greatest wizard of this century and the only person that You-Know-Who feared, even if there are many excellent wizards as teachers, the anxiety never disappears. The influence of You-Know-Who is increasing more and more. If Dumbledore is antagonistic to him, it is inevitable that Hogwarts, where such a person is, will be targeted. Is it safe to say that? They can't help but think that way.

On the other hand, the children, except for the new students who are being sent off, think the exact opposite. They are convinced that Hogwarts is the safest place in the UK, if not the world. They are more worried about the safety of their parents who are not at Hogwarts. Why do children believe so firmly that Hogwarts is safe? 　

Is it because Dumbledore is there? Are the teachers excellent? Is the castle's defense strong? None of these are correct.

It's because Leonard Taylor is there.

Adults also know Leonard Taylor. However, as far as they are concerned, he is just an amazing magic researcher. The children who have seen and felt Leonard Taylor directly understand what kind of existence Leonard Taylor is. You-Know-Who is also a terrifying existence, but he is a dark wizard, a human being. He is an existence within the realm of understanding.

On the other hand, Leonard Taylor is already an incomprehensible existence, something non-human. No one can match him. The students at Hogwarts know that there is no need to fear even if Death Eaters or dark magical creatures attack Hogwarts, where such an existence is.

～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

Such a person, who is feared more than the Dark Lord Voldemort in a sense, is Leonard Taylor. He was relaxing in the compartment with his girlfriend, future wife, Hermione Granger, and his best daughter, Ku. Humans who do not know Leonard Taylor would never think that this ordinary-looking male student is such a terrifying existence just by looking at him. Even now, the way he spends his time in the compartment is no different from other students. He chats with his girlfriend, eats lunch, reads books, that's all.

When the journey to Hogwarts was halfway through, the door of Leo's compartment was opened. There was Padma Patil, a prefect of the same grade as Ravenclaw.

"Hello, Leonard. And Hermione and Ku."

"Hello. What can I do for you?"

"Well... There's someone who wants to see you. This is an invitation. If it's okay with you, could you come? Oh, Hermione and Ku can come too."

"Who is the other party? Ah, Mr. Slughorn."

"That person seems to be a new teacher. I was chosen as a messenger because I'm a prefect. Well, I'll go back to my patrol. See you later."

Padma left as soon as she finished her business. Her response seemed a bit scared of Leo. Leo, Hermione, and Ku didn't mind that and were looking at the invitation.

"Slughorn, he's a great potion maker, right? I remember Leo knows him."

"I've done some research on potions with him before I entered Hogwarts. I've also corresponded with him a few times since I entered Hogwarts, like when I created the Wolfsbane potion. He's a new teacher, so maybe he's this year's Potions teacher. I wonder what Professor Snape will do. Well, what should we do?"

"Why don't we go since we've been invited?"

"Alright. Let's go check it out."

The three of them headed to the front car where Slughorn was waiting. The first two cars are for prefects, head students, and crew. The compartment in the front car was quite large compared to a normal compartment. It's physically large, of course, but the space is also expanded by magic. The compartment where Slughorn was had a feeling of a small party. When Leo and the others opened the door, everyone inside paid attention. It seemed that they were the last to arrive, and there were already about a dozen students inside. There were prefects from each dormitory, excellent students, students belonging to the Sacred 28 families, Harry Potter, etc. When they entered, Slughorn, who was sitting in the back, stood up and welcomed them warmly.

"Ho ho! Leo! I've been waiting for you, I'm glad you came! Come in."

It seems that for Slughorn, Leo was the main guest of this occasion.

"Alright. Now that all the invited students are here. Ahem! Let me introduce myself again. I'm Horace E.F. Slughorn. From this year, I will be teaching Potions at Hogwarts. I've heard that you are all excellent students. I want to get along with you. Now, we have plenty of tea and sweets prepared. Let's have a fun tea party for the short time until we reach Hogwarts."

After Slughorn's talk ended, everyone started to take their favorite actions, drinking tea, eating sweets, and discussing recent events. Slughorn is going around talking to each student. Depending on the student, it was a simple greeting, or they quickly lost interest, or they sent a passionate gaze of interest. And finally, he came to Leo and the others.

"Leo! Long time no see! Is it the first time in seven years that we meet directly? No, it's great to be involved in potion making with you again. It's good to live a long life."

"Nice to see you again, Slughorn-san, or should I call you teacher?"

"Feel free to call me Horace. And this is your girlfriend, Hermione Granger, right?"

"Nice to meet you, Professor Slughorn. I'm Hermione Granger, Leo's girlfriend."

"I've heard that you're very excellent! I love such students. I'm sure you have the blood of a famous wizard flowing in you."

"Professor Slughorn, Hermione is a Muggle-born."

"What! No, I'm sorry. I didn't think she was a Muggle-born. When I was a teacher at Hogwarts before, there were students like that, but they were very rare."

"The fact that you're a Muggle-born isn't that important to a wizard's abilities. Well, having a wizard in your family does affect your original magical power, but since the first wizard in ancient times was probably a mutation from a Muggle, it's more important to have the aptitude and effort of the person than whether they're a Muggle-born."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Granger-san, I welcome you even if you're a Muggle-born. Now, is the maid girl waiting behind you two, Leo's greatest masterpiece of magical creatures?"

"Nice to meet you for the first time. I am Ku, a magical creature created by Leonard-sama."

Slughorn is observing with interest. He even started to touch and examine with permission from Leo and Ku. He was delighted and in high spirits when he heard about the elements and abilities that make up Ku.

"No, no, it's amazing. You're so great that you can't be described with words like genius! I heard rumors that you yourself have already remodeled your body, is that true?"

"Yes. To research magic forever, there were limits to the human body."

"Uh-huh. I'm glad I decided to return to Hogwarts! Dumbledore asked me, but the biggest deciding factor was that you were there. Well then, enjoy yourself."

After that, Slughorn returned to interacting with the students. Although it was only the students he had set his sights on in the first week.

Slughorn and Harry Potter and Ron Weasley approached Leo and the others in exchange.

"Taylor, I have something to ask you."

"What is it?"

"Can we beat Voldemort? What do you think?"

"Well? I think both have a chance to win."

"Hey! Which one is it!

"Honestly, I'm not interested in it. But I won't hesitate if Voldemort harms us."

Whether they wanted to hear anything else or not, the two of them quickly moved away from Leo and the others. There was an announcement that Hogwarts would arrive soon and the party would end.

The sixth year of Hogwarts life for Leonard Taylor was about to begin.

---

As usual, they are heading to Hogwarts by train.

The guardians don't want to send their children to Hogwarts, but the children absolutely want to go.

The difference in perception is significant.

By the way, Padma, who made a brief appearance this time, was taken back home in the original story, but that possibility has been eliminated.

Slughorn appears.

He admires students he likes with a sense of collection. Of course, Leo is his favorite.

He has done research with Leo in the past and understands what kind of existence Leo is, so he has accepted the non-humanization.

The fact that Leo is there is a big reason for him to return to Hogwarts.