Chapter 553 You Rule, I Laugh

The bright sunshine shines on the straight and spacious corridor, like golden flowers quietly unfolding, adding a bit of vitality to the silent and deserted ancient castle. Loren and Hermione are walking in Hogwarts Castle after two months of absence. He looked at the wizard paintings on the walls on both sides boredly.

The frame is empty, and the talking portraits seem to be traveling.

Professor McGonagall walked in front with a steady posture, wearing a black female wizard's robe, her expression was neither sad nor happy, and her eyes were not squinting.

It's just that the old professor's heart was not as calm as she showed now. He pursed his lips slightly and glanced at the glass jar in Loren's hand. His eyebrows couldn't help but frown together, and a deep voice squeezed out of his throat. come out:

"I have to report what happened just now to Albus, Loren, and Hermione. You came at the right time. Come with me to the principal's office, he is there."

"Professor, why did Dolores Umbridge make such a request..." Hermione asked thoughtfully, also pursed her lips slightly and knitted her eyebrows together, with the same expression as Professor McGonagall, "She really Do you want to apply for Defense Against the Dark Arts professor?"

In the past few hundred years, there have been people in history who used teaching positions at Hogwarts as a springboard to accumulate fame, establish connections with the school board, obtain political resources for themselves, and then join the Ministry of Magic. There are also people like Alastor Moody who, after retiring from their positions in the Ministry of Magic, were not content with an ordinary retirement life and chose to teach at Hogwarts.

But no one has ever chosen to teach at the school at the peak of their career. You must know that the power and status of the Senior Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Magic are much greater than the teaching position at Hogwarts.

"She doesn't have the ambition or patience to educate students. She just wants to monitor Hogwarts for the Ministry of Magic and monitor Dumbledore's movements." Professor McGonagall's tone was very rude, even with a hint of ridicule, "The Ministry of Magic wants to Interfering with Hogwarts, even trying to disintegrate our unity and seize the power of school professors..."

From Professor McGonagall's narration, Loren and Hermione learned that a lot of things happened during the summer vacation, and there was no peace between Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic. First, Dumbledore publicly issued a warning declaration, claiming that Voldemort had returned. Cornelius Fudge took the opportunity to remove Dumbledore from all positions except Headmaster.

"Albus said he didn't care what they did as long as it didn't tear him out of the chocolate frog picture, but some people obviously don't think so..."

The Office of the Minister of Magic promulgated a new decree, "Education Order No. 24", without Dumbledore's permission, with Umbridge serving as the senior investigating officer. Student organizations, associations, teams or clubs are reviewed and judged. All gatherings of more than three students require Umbridge's permission; a series of standards are formulated to review all teaching positions at Hogwarts. Unqualified teachers Employees will be fired...

Umbridge's initial request was not for a teaching position in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Professor McGonagall was laughed at and unceremoniously rejected their so-called education order. What procedures were not in compliance with the regulations and what was Hogwarts' authority? The independence and the intrusive preaching almost made Umbridge unable to hold her head up. In the end, she found that she was too tough to be tough, so she settled for applying for a teaching position.

Hermione asked in a low voice: "So, the Defense Against the Dark Arts class hasn't found a professor yet?"

Professor McGonagall sighed: "Dumbledore originally had several suitable candidates, but last year the news that Mad-Eye was detained for a whole year spread. Even the Auror Mad-Eye suffered something like that, and people were worried about it. The rumored curse is even more terrifying, so..."

Loren, who was walking next to him, twitched his lips: "..."

Let Professor Snape transfer to another position. Anyway, he has been coveting the Defense Against the Dark Arts class for a long time. It is easier to recruit a new Potions professor than to recruit a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

Before he could make any suggestions that would be good for everyone, Professor McGonagall had already spoken the password to the monster statue. After a rumble, the three of them stepped onto the spiral staircase, all the way to the door of the principal's office, and knocked on the heavy oak door. .

Warm sunlight shone through the window lattice throughout the office, and the principal in a white robe sat behind the desk.

Tall and with piercing eyes, that figure sitting there represents a kind of stability.

Fox was lazily leaning against the window to bask in the sun. His golden and red feathers were shining brightly, and his delicate beak was combing the feathers. His posture showed some mystery and elegance of the phoenix.

Loren and Hermione's hearts, which had been tossing all the way, suddenly calmed down. As if they didn't have to worry about anything, they smiled and said hello: "Headmaster."

"Loren, Hermione, I knew you were back safely. The smell of barbecue wafted down the wind at noon, and Fox even ate two extra meat pies for lunch."

Dumbledore said with a smile, he called a few chairs for them to sit down, poured tea one by one, turned to look at Professor McGonagall on the side, "Do you have some good news for me, Minerva?"

"That's good news indeed!" Professor McGonagall said angrily, "The Defense Against the Dark Arts professor you've been worrying about has someone applying for the position, and it's Dolores Umbridge, the Senior Undersecretary of the Ministry of Magic!"

"Hmm..." Dumbledore thought seriously for a moment and nodded, "Not my ideal candidate, if no one else applies."

Loren and Hermione blinked, feeling a strange feeling in their hearts. They couldn't tell whether Professor Dumbledore's words were a joke, so they secretly glanced at the pale professor next to them.

"Are you kidding, Albus?"

Professor McGonagall raised her voice, and the vice-principal's majesty made the principal shrink back, "Hire someone who wants to dismantle Hogwarts? You don't know her true purpose, do you? Or are you really old?" Confused?"

Loren and Hermione remained silent, silently holding their teacups and sipping.

"Don't be so nervous, Minerva." Dumbledore poured her tea with a smile, and the steam made Professor McGonagall close her eyes a little. "If she didn't have the power to censor student groups, she wouldn't be expelled from the faculty. Power, just being an ordinary Defense Against the Dark Arts professor will not cause any harm to Hogwarts. If she is unqualified, we can just replace her with someone... School is about to start, and we can't let her Is the Defense Against the Dark Arts class vacant?”

Professor McGonagall was stunned for a moment, staring at him with some hesitation, her tense nerves relaxed slightly, and she subconsciously considered this possibility.

Looking back on the past few years, the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts is basically not a normal person: a dark wizard possessed by Voldemort, a swindler who can only tell stories, a Death Eater who disguises himself as lurking with evil intentions...

As the Senior Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Magic, Umbridge is technically a good wizard who abides by the law. At least compared to the dangerous individuals mentioned above, she does not seem to be so unacceptable.

Realizing this, Professor McGonagall had a complicated expression and was tangled.

Seeing the reaction of his vice-principal, Dumbledore smiled and did not ask further. Instead, he glanced at the glass jar on the table and chatted with the two young wizards next to him: "Is everything going well with the Giant Tribe? Let's see. Come on, you seem to have unexpected gains?”

Loren was holding a teacup and drinking tea, looking like it was a long story that I didn’t want to tell.

Hermione pushed him and answered honestly: "We arrived at Ben Nevis via Floo. With the help of old Dodd, the owner of the swill bar, we successfully found the giant tribe and reached an agreement with the three giant brothers and sisters. …”

The golden sunlight cast dazzling spots in the room, accompanied by the sound of drinking tea. An adventure story with no ups and downs was told from the mouth of the little witch, but the two senior wizards listened very seriously.

They have burly bodies that surpass most creatures in the world, and they were enlightened with the light of wisdom by two wizards...

Two simple little guys had no idea what kind of feat they had accomplished.

Dumbledore's blue eyes narrowed slightly, and his meaningful gaze seemed to see through many obstacles the tribe of giants that was gradually rising in the depression of Ben Nevis.

"What an incredible story..." Dumbledore's approving eyes fell on the two young wizards, and he said in a dazed tone, "Maybe hundreds of years later, this chapter will be recorded in myths, legends and historical documents. The two wizards Like gods, they save the giants from ignorance and confusion, and the three chosen brothers and sisters usher in a new era of giants.”

"ah?"

Hermione blinked her eyes, and Loren was also stunned for a moment. He reacted belatedly and realized that what they were doing seemed to be a bit similar to those legends about magicians. Many mythical stories instantly appeared in his mind.

A certain ethnic group has been in a state of ignorance and oppression for a long time. One or several tribesmen with leadership were selected by mysterious forces and moved with the tribe to the promised land flowing with milk and honey, and developed a huge country. .

"hiss……"

Loren looked disgusted and waved his hand, "I don't want to be a magician. Others don't know it, but we don't know it. The true nature of those weird stories is that wizards interfere in Muggle politics and ethnic struggles. Generally speaking, they don't. What’s the good outcome? Let’s not talk about this. Let’s talk about Hagrid’s half-brother. How do you plan to place him in the Forbidden Forest?”

Dumbledore laughed sincerely: "Why not? If Hagrid can really teach him something and get the consent of the natives of the Forbidden Forest, maybe I can hire Grawp to be the new gamekeeper, a giant hunting ground." Guard, Gilbert will definitely envy us..."

Professor McGonagall's eyebrows knitted together, obviously she had something to say, but she didn't immediately refute it.

"What are we going to do with these two hamsters?"

"Well...if they are handed over to the Ministry of Magic, they will be imprisoned in Azkaban and will return to Voldemort soon. I plan to find a safer place for them."

"Then leave it to you."

"..."

After drinking a few cups of mellow and sweet tea, in a few words, all those worrying questions were answered. Dumbledore seemed to have such magic power. As long as he sat in front of you, all the questions would no longer matter. Problems, all troublesome things become organized.

Loren and Hermione did not get entangled like Professor McGonagall. They drank tea and snacks happily, talking about drawing alchemical circles on the giant's skin, talking about giant gamekeepers, and talking about the Defense Against the Dark Arts class next semester. Which ones are recommended? Little wizards are suitable to be prefects.

The Ministry of Magic, which was eyeing covetously, and Voldemort lurking in the darkness, were all thrown out of the window, blown away by the slightly hot evening breeze at the end of summer.

The sun gradually sets into the Western Mountains, the golden sunlight gradually turns orange, and the sky becomes darker.

Loren swallowed the scone with the last sip of tea, looked out the window, wiped his lips and said, "Professor, school will start in a few days. Can we live in the school until school starts?"

Professor McGonagall thought about it. The house elves had already cleaned up the dormitories of the four colleges. The normal three meals were not short of food for two people. She felt that there was no problem. When she was about to nod in agreement, Dumbledore smiled and rejected the request.

"Sorry, Loren, Hermione, Hogwarts has clearly stipulated that students are not allowed to arrive at school before the official start of the school, so I can't keep you..." Dumbledore's voice was gentle, with a tactful apology, "Considering that you have a long way to go back to Grimmauld Place, I asked Fawkes to take you there. Don't worry, it will be quick."

"No... Principal Dumbledore!"

Loren and Hermione were stunned.

A Ministry of Magic official with ill intentions wants to join Hogwarts, you agree.

A mentally ill giant wants to stay in the Forbidden Forest, you agree.

We two well-behaved little wizards want to stay in school for two more days, and you decisively refuse! ?

School rules?

I find it funny when you mention school rules.

"The sun is about to set. Molly should start preparing dinner. You should go back quickly." Dumbledore turned his head to look at the drowsy Phoenix on the windowsill, "Fawkes, send them back."

"Squeak!"

...

No. 12, Grimmauld Place, basement kitchen.

"So Dumbledore really sent you to carry out a dangerous mission and fight two vicious Death Eaters head-on!"

Molly gritted her teeth and said, the knife and fork made a creaking sound on the plate, and she sobbed again, her eyes red, "We adults are not dead yet, why didn't he let us go, putting two little wizards in danger, Dumbledore really did it? He is really old and confused..."

The whole table was silent, Arthur, Lupin, and Sirius lowered their heads and dared not look up, eating carefully, the table was full of tempting dishes, but they only dared to take the food in front of them, Arthur broke the bread slices, staring at the jam not far away, and dared not speak.

"Don't... don't worry, Mrs. Weasley, aren't we back safely?" Hermione subconsciously defended herself, adding in a panic, "And the situation is not as dangerous as you think..."

George and Fred looked at each other, their eyes met, and their tacit understanding was unspoken.

Fortunately, they didn't tell their mother.

Otherwise, their adventure would have been ruined.

On the other side, Harry, Ron, Ginny and others also remained silent, their eyes fell on Sirius from time to time, and then moved away as if nothing had happened.

"Something's wrong, these people are not right..."

Loren next to him glanced at the expressions of several people, thinking.