The Hogwarts Emerald

Chapter 317 Pre-holiday carnival
Snow fluttered down, rendering Hogsmeade white. In this pure white, Hogwarts students shuttled back and forth, and their black school robes contrasted with the white streets.

The youthful faces, the noisy sounds of friends, and the lollipops floating in the air make the increasingly deserted village come alive in a rare way.

Ada and the twins walked around the village. Black's wanted posters and the latest instructions from the Ministry of Magic that had just been posted were everywhere in the village. This new instruction was one of the reasons why Hogsmeade had no Christmas atmosphere.

As Christmas approaches, the Ministry of Magic decides to step up patrols in Hogsmeade in order to capture Black as soon as possible. It also issues new orders to the village, strictly restricting people's activities.

Whether you are a villager living in Hogsmeade or someone who comes here to play or shop, you must go home or leave the village before sunset, unless you want to have a close encounter with the Dementors.

From sunset, the Dementors will take to the streets, both to capture Black and to protect the safety of the residents of Hogsmeade.

However, the people here don't buy into the Ministry of Magic, and their resentment towards the Ministry of Magic is about to overflow. It has been several months since Black escaped from prison, and the Dementors have been stationed in Hogsmeade for two or three months, but what is the result?

The Ministry of Magic not only failed to catch the fugitive, but also failed to see any hair of the fugitive. The Dementors even ran into the school to cause trouble. With Dumbledore and so many professors in the school, Dementors dared to break into the school, not to mention the residents' houses. During this period, not only did the GDP of Hogsmeade decline, but even the life happiness index plummeted.

If the wizarding world had a big market, it would be an endless expanse of green right now, and the highest point of Diagon Alley would be filled with people, ready to jump at any time.

This can be seen from Madam Rosmerta's attitude towards the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge.

At that time, Ada and the twins were wandering aimlessly. Near the Three Broomsticks Pub, they saw Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick, and Hagrid standing in the snow and chatting. Standing with the three professors was the bar owner, Madame Rosmerta.

Ada was about to go over to say hello, but she found that Minister Fudge walked over and talked cordially with Professor McGonagall and Madam Rosmerta. Although Ada stopped and did not go over, Madam Rosmerta's voice still came through the air.

The bar owner complained loudly, complaining that the Ministry of Magic and Fudge did not catch Black as soon as possible, complaining that the terrifying Dementors drove away her customers, and complaining that Black's escape from Azkaban affected everyone's normal life.

Madam Rosmerta speaks for the residents when she complains about everything that makes Hogsmeade a bleak place.

A bar owner was so brave to confront the Minister of Magic, criticizing and blaming the Ministry's policies in front of him. This is not something that can be done just because of a good relationship. It is enough to show how disappointed the residents of Hogsmeade are with the Ministry of Magic.

Madam Rosmerta's loud voice quickly attracted the attention of passers-by on the street. It was impossible not to attract attention when she talked about Black with the Minister of Magic in the street. As Ada was a little far away, she did not hear clearly what Fudge said at the end, but Madam Rosmerta calmed down immediately and personally opened the door of the bar to welcome the Minister and the three professors.

If Ada and the twins had been closer, they would have heard Madam Rosmerta's final whispered exclamation, and the familiar name of Harry Potter. If they had been more careful, or had followed the three broomsticks, they might have seen a familiar figure wearing an Invisibility Cloak.

The three of them didn't stay in Hogsmeade for long. After buying what they needed (mainly what Ada needed), they returned to school. The Dementors didn't appear in front of Ada and the twins, and the Aurors in the crowd didn't bother them, but the three of them were still stopped at the school gate.

Argus Filch stopped them. The school administrator wanted to check the items the three people bought to prevent them from bringing contraband into the school. It was an impeccable reason. A serious and responsible person naturally stands at the commanding heights, regardless of whether he is really responsible or just wants to take advantage of the situation.

Unfortunately, the items purchased by the three people disappointed Filch. Ada and the twins cooperated with the inspection and opened the package without saying a word. It turned out that there were only some balls of yarn and textiles inside. If balls of yarn could also be considered contraband, Mrs. Norris would definitely hit Filch headfirst.

Fred and George packed up their things and said goodbye to Filch with a smile, but that smile was chilling.

If Ada had been battling wits and courage with herself and the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher for more than four years, then the twins had been battling wits and courage with Filch for more than four years.

Although Filch is old, stupid and a Squib, his persistence is admirable. He is committed to catching every naughty and disciplinary student. The twins and Peeves are his lifelong enemies.

If Filch didn't understand his enemy, he might as well just change his career to playing with cats. His suspicion was not unfounded. The twins did often buy prohibited items, such as dung eggs, wolf-tooth flying saucers and the like.

But the question is, after buying these things, will the twins return to school through formal channels? They know Filch very well, and they know how much Filch wants to expel them, so how could he give him such a handle?

There is more than one way to get into the school. After buying the contraband, Fred and George would find another way to get back to school. By the time Filch found out, the dung eggs had already completed their mission.

To thank Filch for his hospitality and to welcome the arrival of the Christmas holidays, the twins prepare a special gift for the school administrator so that he will have an unforgettable Christmas.

After dinner, the twins sneaked to the door of Filch's office. The two brothers took out the dung eggs they had treasured for a long time, gently placed them at the door, and set up a simple mechanism.

After arranging everything, the twins tiptoed back to the corner of the corridor and joined Ada who was waiting there for the wind. Ada at the corner was only responsible for the wind, but she covered her face with a handkerchief, leaving only her eyes and forehead exposed. She didn't look like a good person at all.

When they saw Ida in full armor, Fred and George frowned. With those eyes and hair, who could tell who you were? Is it fun to cover your ears and steal the bell? The two brothers simultaneously expressed their dissatisfaction with their mouths, and from their lips, we could read what they were saying: big traitor!

Ada tilted her head in confusion. She didn't understand why the twins brought up this again. Ada pointed her left hand at Fred and George's eyes, and then pointed at her empty chest. She didn't know when she took off the prefect badge that was usually there.

The twins pouted and did not continue to despise Ada. Instead, they took out the stones they had prepared in advance and threw them hard at the office door. The sound of the stones hitting the door startled Filch in the office, and he shouted loudly in the room: "Who is it! Who is outside!"

Ada and the twins quickly retracted their half bodies that had been stretched out, hid behind the wall, and tried to control themselves not to make any noise to avoid alerting the enemy. Then the three of them heard a cat's cry, the creaking sound of the door opening, and Filch's half-sentenced "Who's there?"

Bang!
The loud bang not only drowned out Filch's angry voice, but also covered up Mrs. Norris's shrill screams. A foul smell instantly filled every corner of the corridor. The dung ball exploded successfully!

Merry Christmas, dear Argus Filch!

(End of this chapter)