Remus Lupin attached great importance to today's interview. He arrived half an hour early and silently reviewed the prepared materials on the way here. In his pocket was a carefully cut newspaper clipping.
"... Regardless of origin, it all depends on ability. Anyone who is far superior to ordinary people in any three fields of ancient magic runes, alchemy, spells, transfiguration, magic theory, and Muggle research..."
Regardless of origin, it all depends on ability!
This is an extremely rare phrase in the recruitment of the magic world. Although the conditions are relatively harsh, Lupin believes that except for ancient magic runes, everything else is not bad. In fact, he is best at content related to defense against the dark arts. During his years of wandering, he had many opportunities to practice.
After receiving the interview invitation, the reply letter sent to him reiterated that the company is committed to practical research on magic, which will involve the improvement and transformation of a large number of Muggle items. Lupin spent half a month to learn about various novel things in the non-magic world.
This understanding made him fascinated. Lupin discovered a system that is completely different from magic, full of rigor and logic, and everything has a traceable path, but unfortunately, there is no place for magic here.
He didn't know if the owner of the 'Future World' had seen this, but he felt that even if he was not accepted, it was worth it to see the philosophy of this company. When he came over according to the address, he saw an extremely imposing vertical castle surrounded by a large group of people.
He listened for a few minutes and was still confused. What was a building that suddenly grew an hour ago? Was it an empty lot two hours ago?
He also saw a house-elf wearing clothes - this was strange in itself - but the ring-shaped Ouroboros on his chest caught Lupin's attention. Did it represent an ancient family, or alchemy? Or... the Magic Rune Club?
After he revealed his identity, the house-elf took him into the building. Lupin liked the simple and undecorated architectural style of the interior. They walked up along a curved spiral staircase, with Dobby hopping in front.
"Please wait a moment--"
Lupin was on the second floor near the handrail, looking at the relief on the ceiling. Thanks to the cram schoolwork he had done in the past few days, he didn't recognize all the people on the dome, but he could tell their occupations, especially the man fiddling with the complicated machinery. Did he seem to be a mechanical engineer?
While thinking, he heard a rush of wind. Turning back, he unexpectedly saw the cold face of Severus Snape. Snape stood two steps higher than him, with his black robe gathered in front of him, like a black bat with its wings folded, looking down at him.
"Lupin," Snape said softly, with a smile on his face, "Welcome... come."
Lupin suddenly remembered that he had the same expression when Snape first brought him the wolfsbane potion. After he drank it, he couldn't eat for two whole days.
"Hello, Severus." Lupin said gently, he walked up the last two steps, "What a coincidence, meeting you here."
"Coincidence? No..." Snape said playfully, "I've been waiting for you for a long time."
"You waited for me?" Lupin frowned, the Ouroboros pattern on Dobby's chest appeared in his mind again, pro-Muggle, ancient magic words ranked first in the recruitment requirements...
"The surname Lupin may hint at your identity," Snape's smile became colder, "I have recently studied the science of names, and I have overlooked one point in the past, that names are magical."
Lupin was stung, he hated being mentioned this. The word 'Lupin', in the unpopular usage of some countries, contains the meaning of wolf.
Snape curled his lips in contempt, and was about to say something else, but there was a noise behind him, Felix came out with Percy and Penelope, and the two were surprised by the tense atmosphere between them.
"Leave here--" Snape said with a cold air all over his body.
Percy and Penelope glanced at Felix, who smiled and nodded at them, and they hurried away.
Felix waved his wand, and the door of the building slammed shut.
He leaned against the wall and said slowly: "I have always been curious. Both professors were the best of that era. One was a master of dueling and the other was a master of Defense Against the Dark Arts. So who is better?"
"I once had the opportunity to see this scene, but I interrupted it. Now I finally have the opportunity to confirm it."
Lupin frowned and looked at Felix: "I am here for an interview, not to fight."
Felix lowered his head and stared at his nails seriously: "You misunderstood, Professor Lupin. I have already recognized you at your farewell party. Yes, this is my company. I have enough understanding of your abilities after working together for a year, so you can regard this as a welcome activity for new colleagues-show your skills and enhance understanding. Maybe you can also curse me."
A red flash flew towards him, "Don't talk nonsense, Felix." Snape said with a murderous face. He looked at Lupin, "I seem to have seldom dealt with you, you always hide behind Potter and Black..."
"Oh, Severus," Lupin drew out his wand, he could no longer suppress his anger, "You will have enough to deal with the two of them, if you add me, you will be scared to pee your pants."
Snape showed a stern smile, "Well said..." A red light flew out.
Lupin dodged swiftly and cast a disarming spell with his backhand. The two equally angry people started fighting, spells flying, and light everywhere. Snape felt the long-lost excitement. He truly felt that he was still alive, except for the chattering of someone next to him -
"No one is watching here. Don't hide. Severus, where is your dark magic?"
"Oh, you almost hit me, Professor. Your aim is wrong -"
Felix tilted his head, and a spell exploded next to him. He smiled: "You were the first to attack me. Don't say I'm unreasonable..."
He stood up from the wall, his arms stretched out slowly, and a dark wand appeared in his hand. With just a slight wave, three dazzling lights flew out at the same time and rushed towards the two.
Lupin was surprised that he suddenly joined the battlefield and blocked the spell in a slightly embarrassed manner. He took two steps back cautiously and was surprised to see Snape also put up a barrier emitting a hazy fluorescent light.
The two looked at each other, and Snape said irritably as he looked at Felix who was walking over with his arms open.
"Kill the one who's in the way."
But Felix got the first shot. He kept approaching, casting spells like rain. Each spell was not strong, but the number was absolutely exaggerated. The magic light made his body shine.
"Two professors, you still need to work harder."
Snape and Lupin looked at each other. Snape shook his hand and threw out a fast black mist, corroding the oncoming spell. The wand in Lupin's hand slashed down like a sword, making a "swoosh" sound, and the gravel on the floor trembled and flew towards Felix.
He was still a little confused and didn't understand what was going on. He had attended the interview nervously, but ended up running into his archenemy Snape, who started to poke at his sore spot. Another former colleague also secretly provoked them to fight, and he even found a lame excuse to join in. He was forced to join forces with Snape...
How did it come to this?