章 911: Urgent Hiring Ⅱ

Seeing the area that Ogden is carefully studying Albus rather good-natured replies, "Yes, well, I never had an apprentice before and now I have two. They tend to keep me on my toes."

"Reginald Prince's grandchildren, am I correct?" Ogden sharply inquired.

"Yes." Albus earnestly acknowledged.

"Reginald Prince," Ogden leaned pensively back in his seat, "now there is a name I had not heard in a long time." He paused to carefully study the Headmaster. "Although, it would seem that the old Prince got even the best of you, Professor Dumbledore."

Albus doesn't reply and instead says, "Tea will shortly arrive," he held out a tin can to Ogden. "Lemon Drops?"

"I'd rather not ruin my appetite," Ogden plainly refused.

"Very well," Albus said putting the tin can away. "I suppose, we should commence, Ogden."

"Yes, from what I understand Georgine Prince preferred practice over theoretical study and was the primary Advisor for a school club, or so I am told?"

"That is correct. Professor Prince was a rather hands-on teacher, but the students liked her for it. And as for the school club, she was the primary advisor, but Professor Flitwick was the secondary advisor. I am sure that the students and Filius would be forever grateful to you if you took up the position. And considering your former expertise, Ogden, the club would be a great fit for you."

"Yes, I was interested in the club myself," Ogden honestly answered. "I thought it might aid in training prospective Auror candidates before they even reached the Auror Academy."

Their conversation is interrupted by the appearance of a house elf. A silver platter appears with a tea set and an assortment of snacks. "Habbey presents Matcha tea with Wagashi and tiny Belgian waffles." The Wagashi are brightly colored, round confections filled with fruit and bean paste, but are perfectly soft having been made of rice dough. The soft, but firm small Belgian waffles have tiny delicate pieces of fruit, banana, strawberry, and blueberries artfully placed on the waffle along with a bit of chocolate.

"Please enjoy," the house elf proudly said, before vanishing away.

"Wags-what?" Ogden exclaimed in puzzlement staring at the brightly colored, round confections. "And matcha tea?" He warily made a face at seeing the green poured tea in his teacup. He had waffles before and they were tasty enough, but as for the other two, he'd never had them before.

"Wagashi are native confections to the East," Albus explained taking a bright pink confection and taking a bite out of it. "Mm, they are quite soft, but flavorful balancing the matcha tea very well. Go ahead and try some, Ogden, otherwise, you'll hurt the house elves feelings."

Ogden sighs and gingerly grabs a green confection, before taking a bite out of it. He is pleasantly surprised by the soft texture that is not overly sweet. The inside is flavorful with a taste he has never had before. He chews the confection, before taking a wary sip of the green-colored tea. The brightly colored tea is not overpowering with a bit of a bitter taste perfectly balanced by the not overly sweet confection that he had just tasted.

"This is rather good," Ogden admitted taking another sip of the tea and a bit of the confection.

"Yes, the house elves had grown by leaps and bounds ever since they've been permitted to explore the world," Albus admitted. "Mm, if I had known so many exquisite treats existed in the world, I would have allowed them pay a long time ago.

Ogden slowly nodded his head as even he had seen the popularity of properly trained house elves increase in value among the purebloods. His wife had never seen the need, but still, she had begun to clamor as of late to hire such a house elf. Apparently, such house elves had a day or more off per month and were even paid. It was a rather strange concept to him, but according to all those that had them once such a house elf was hired, the family could never do without them.

Then again, if he could always eat like this, Ogden thought that it might be more beneficial to agree to his wife's request. Albus and Ogden eat and sip in silence for a time, before moving on to discuss lesson plans. By late evening, lesson plans were approved and put into place.

Finished discussing lesson plans Ogden sets down his teacup on the saucer. Leaning back in his seat, his eyes glow dangerously. "Dumbledore," he said dropping all formalities, "I will remind you just his once, but Reginald Prince is like the Devil. By accepting his grandchildren as your apprentices, you have unknowingly accepted his hand. And he will ensure to pull you down into the fiery depths along with him the moment he spots any weakness."

Albus's face sinks for a moment and Ogden a cold expression appeared on his face. "So, he already has." He pensively puts his fingers together and eyes the Headmaster through his thick spectacles. "Based on your expression, Dumbledore, and based on years of instincts, I can easily guess what his intentions are."

Ogden's jaw grows tight with vexation. "Yet considering everything and much to my own dismay I find that I do agree to with his proposal. You do not belong at Hogwarts Albus Dumbledore. I was far too young in those days, but I can still vividly recall my father's words from that time. Countless died before Albus Dumbledore emerged from his white tower to stop the reign of terror of Gellert Grindelwald."

"Unlike my father, I was profoundly grateful for your actions that day and I still am," Ogden honestly explained, "but with the passage of time, I have come to understand the reason for my father's words. There are dark forces growing in our midst, Albus, and it is time that you enter the fray rather than remain within the safe confines of your white tower. You are far more useful to society serving in your full capacity at the Ministry of Magic than you will ever be at Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore."

"I am not the man that you or Reginald Prince claim that I am," Albus curtly replied. "I fear that you are sorely mistaken, Ogden." His blue eyes are cold and stormy holding a rare spark of anger to them.

Ogden snorts and says, "Are we? And yet Albus Dumbledore, you are known as the greatest and most powerful wizard of all time. Such a title comes with its own set of duties and responsibilities, and it is time that you cease to evade them from your ivory tower."

Ogden rises to his feet and says, "It is merely fodder for thought, Dumbledore, because I am certain that Reginald Prince will not less the topic go as easily." He paused to grab a snack to go. "Thank you for the treats, Professor Dumbledore. I look forward to working together." The door loudly shuts behind his departing figure.

Albus's eyes are solemn behind his half-moon spectacles. This was the second time the topic had been brought up. Was this Reginald Prince putting pressure on him? Or was he perchance in the wrong? He did not wish to know, but he had an inkling he would be forced to choose sooner rather than later.