Patrick Butler said his goodbyes as he left Professor Smythe's funeral.  His  face was reserved but his mood was melancholy. He would mourn William Smythe. The field of magical history was too small for all the experts in the British Isles not to have at least a cursory knowledge of each other. Willie however had been one of the best, always ready with a laugh or a kind word. They had not always agreed on everything but such was natural and their disagreements had always been good-natured.  William had been a gentleman. He would be missed and the field would be much the poorer for his passing. 

 Using floo powder he travelled to Diagon Alley. He made his way distractedly to Death & Co  where he ordered a flaming firewhiskey.  He was usually happy in his own company but  today he did not feel like returning to his flat in Fitzrovia. After collecting his  drink and taking a seat by the fire he got out his copy of the Daily Prophet and a book on African wizarding history.

 He opened the Prophet and saw the advert for Willie's job. It felt premature and insensitive but he supposed that the school's need was urgent. He wondered how Hogwarts would replace Willie. Perhaps they would bring Professor Binns back. He took a measure of the firewhiskey and shuddered. That ghost had stifled more interest in magical history than a hundred poor textbooks. Willie would have hated to see his students loose all their interest in his subject. In truth Patrick would hate to see it as well.  What were the alternatives however given that the year was half way through?

 After breathing out smoke he ordered another flaming  firewhiskey. None of the other experts in the field were available at present. Some foreign wizard perhaps? That would take time though and the students' education would suffer in the interrim. He considered whether he could  do it himself and see that Willie's classes got the teaching that they needed.  He could continue his research and writing on his latest book easily enough in Hogwarts and his editor's wishes notwithstanding he was under no real pressure of time. Enough success and royalties brought you flexibility in publishing. The more he thought about the more it seemed right. There was no better way he could honour Willie's memory. He would write to the school and offer his services if they had use for them.