Hogwarts: This professor is too Muggle.

Chapter 184 Invitation and Servants
Malfoy Estate, second-floor study.

The fireplace crackled and popped, and in the mirror hanging not far away, the Floo Net in the powder box glowed with a ghostly green light. Its surface was gilded and inlaid with silver, outlining the words "Pure and Everlasting Victory." The voice of the prophet's evening news broadcast echoed in the room.

"This evening, a middle-aged wizard was caught red-handed by an Auror for allegedly burglarizing while disguised as an Infernal. Witnesses reported that the wizard used a homemade potion to impersonate an Infernal in an attempt to break into a wizard's home in Godric's Hollow. The Ministry of Magic's Enforcement Division stated that the wizard will face multiple charges, including unlawful use of a Transfiguration potion, trespassing, and disturbing the wizarding community..."

On the screen, an elderly wizard was furious: "He was dragging his feet, making those horrifying groans, like he was crawling out of a grave! I was so scared my heart almost stopped, only to find it was a living, breathing, stinking face! He even tried to brush me off by saying he was just passing by, how shameless!"

"..."

Lucius Malfoy sat behind his expensive walnut desk, teacups steaming, quickly browsing through documents and letters sent from various counties. The parchment was spread out in a slightly messy manner, and a stack of deeds lay on the table, the dense numbers making one's head spin.

He paid little attention to these anecdotes, keeping his eyes fixed on the documents without looking up. He would only put down the documents temporarily when he heard about the implementation of Ministry of Magic policies and changes in officials.

"This morning, Dolores Umbridge, Senior Undersecretary of the Ministry of Magic, gave a public speech on the Anti-Werewolf Act, which she drafted and which has sparked huge controversy since its implementation."

Supporters argue that this measure is a necessary response to the werewolf attacks of recent years. Since 1980, werewolf attacks have been more numerous and more heinous than those by dark wizards, with werewolf leader Fenrir Greyback notorious for his numerous atrocities. One unnamed member of a pure-blood wizarding family stated: "Umbridge has finally done the right thing; those beasts should have been locked up long ago."

"Some scholars, represented by Kerridy Bubagi, disagree, arguing that this is discrimination against werewolves, will shrink the living space of kind werewolves, and force more desperate werewolves onto a path of crime..."

Looking at Umbridge's smiling face on the screen, Lucius couldn't help but fall into deep thought, thinking of the wolfsbane medicine that had recently made the news.

"Click..."

The door opened, and a refined woman walked in. She had fair skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes. Even at home, she paid great attention to her clothes and accessories. She wore a well-tailored robe with a smooth, shimmering fabric that looked very expensive. Her straight back and slender neck highlighted her demeanor and grace.

Narcissa closed the door, holding the envelope in her hand, and looked at her husband: "I've noticed you've been in the study the whole time. Have you run into some trouble?"

“Just discovered something interesting.” Lucius put down his quill. “Whether it’s a coincidence or someone’s plan, the Order of Merlin was recently awarded to Belby, the inventor of the wolfsbane potion, and the Christmas holidays have just ended, and this senior deputy minister has already started pushing for the Anti-Werewolf Act.”

Narcissa frowned in thought. She wasn't just a noblewoman who only attended balls; she also knew about the deals between power and Galon: "You mean, they're working together to shrink the werewolves' living space, forcing them to spend their entire fortunes to buy wolf venom?"

"It's still uncertain, but it's foreseeable that many herbal medicine merchants and potion shops will profit from it."

“Our family also has a medicinal herb business. Would you like to get involved?” Narcissa asked.

“Werewolves are almost all poor, what profit can you squeeze out of them…” Lucius shook his head. “That’s why I’m not sure if it’s a coincidence or someone’s plan. Wasting so many resources just to sell wolfsbane potion. The raw material cost is high, and there are few people with money to buy it. It’s destined to be a losing business.”

He looked at the annoying toad face in the mirror: "If that Deputy Minister Umbridge continues to give such high-profile speeches, it might incite the werewolves' hatred and lead to retaliation from the extreme werewolves."

Narcissa followed his gaze, and when planning which banquet to attend next, she pulled Mrs. Parkinson aside to probe a few questions.

“Cici, is it an urgent letter? Who sent it?” Lucius snapped out of his reverie and noticed the envelope in his wife’s hand.

"Another recipient of the Order of Merlin, Professor Levent of Muggle Studies..."

As they spoke, Lucius had already taken the letter, opened it, and was reading it. The paper was likely Muggle-made, smooth and white, and the handwriting was done with a fountain pen, slightly different from a quill pen. Professor Levent's wording was simple and casual, not wasting time on tedious greetings. He quickly finished reading the short page.

“What did the professor say?” Narcissa asked.

"The Home Mirror has spread throughout Britain, and almost every wizarding family watches the Home Mirror program. Professor Levent suggested that I recruit people to film some major events in magical history and add a few kind and hardworking Malfoy ancestors in inconspicuous places, which could help salvage some of the Malfoy family's reputation."

Lucius looked somewhat bewildered.

This is his embellished expression. Professor Levent's wording was more straightforward. His original words were that he should take the opportunity to sneak in his own agenda, learn from Lockhart's methods, and be more discreet so that his son would get less scolding at school afterward.

“It sounds like a good idea… but we don’t understand mirrors and have no idea how to do it,” Narcissa wondered.

"Professor Levent said he could introduce someone from the Magic Mirror Club to help."

"What do we have to give in return, just Galonnais?" Narcissa clearly had a good business sense.

“An invitation, in the name of your sister Bella, and…” Lucius’s expression was strange, “a servant.”

……

Hogwarts, Gryffindor common room.

The torches and candles were still burning, and a warm glow emanated from the fireplace. The fireplace was still connected to the Floo Network. According to George and Fred's speculation, Professor McGonagall said that the connection would be established over the weekend, so Dumbledore would have to wait until he got up tomorrow morning to use his headmaster authority to make the adjustment.

The young wizards stood guard in front of the mirror.

Having just finished the evening news, they were already captivated by the feeling. It was completely different from reading newspapers before. The images were more real than words and pictures. Watching the news through the lens gave the young wizards the illusion that they were not in a closed boarding school, but at home, and that they could go to London and Diagon Alley as soon as they stepped outside.

The sweet aroma of cookies and candies filled the lounge as Ron fed himself and Scabbers, remarking, "Muggles are so much fun."

Harry and Hermione were exposed to television too early and weren't that into the Reflection. They were only interested in what mattered to them: Quidditch and Fantastic Beasts. They preferred to read books and do homework the rest of the time.

I suddenly feel a little envious of Muggles.

Setina's songs played in the video feed, and time passed gradually until it was time to turn off the lights.

Percy resolutely stood up in front of the mirror, with the roaring fireplace behind him, making him appear exceptionally heroic: "Tomorrow is Monday, a day for classes. No matter what you say or what your reasons are, I'm turning off the mirror. You all have to go back to your dorms and sleep!"

Ron looked up at the front row where his two older brothers were sitting.

But George and Fred showed no sign of resistance; instead, they grinned at Percy's serious expression.

"Percy is right, we have class tomorrow."

"We can't stay up any longer, everyone go back to sleep."

As the twins spoke, they stood up and pulled their roommate Lee Jordan upstairs. Captain Wood and the Quidditch players had no objections, and the seventh-grade students also left one after another.

It's unbelievable that she actually went back to her dorm to sleep.

A few minutes later, Percy extinguished the Floo powder in the powder box, put the mirror in the drawer and locked it. The torches and candlelight quietly went out as the clock on the wall struck 10 o'clock, and nothing changed. Ron was very disappointed and slunk back to his dormitory with his head down.

After washing up, Ron sat on the edge of the bed and made the bed. He put an old cushion as a pillow and a tablecloth as a blanket together at the head of the bed to make a bed for his pet mouse. Then he put Scabbers on the bed and gently covered him with the blanket.

The candle went out, and Ron carefully crawled into his bed, put his hands on the blanket, yawned deeply, closed his eyes to try and fall asleep. Not long after, he heard Neville's even breathing coming from his side.

It was a night no different from any other, and he should have fallen asleep quickly, drifting off to sleep amidst the darkness outside the window. But he lay in bed for a long time without falling asleep. Whenever Ron closed his eyes, he would see the agile figure of the venomous leopard and the silver glow of the mirror screen in his mind.

After an unknown amount of time, Ron opened his eyes and saw the mouse Spotted sleeping peacefully by the bedside. He turned over and looked out the tower window.

In the darkness, someone seemed to be turning over. Seamus from the next bed asked in a low voice, "Ron, can't you sleep either?"

Ron said weakly, "I stayed up all night last night and slept too much during the day. I'm very energetic now and not sleepy at all."

"Since we can't sleep anyway, let's go to the lounge and look at the in-vitro Mirror?"

"Percy locked the mirror in the cabinet."

"Don't tell me you don't even know the unlocking spell."

"..."

Ron suddenly stood up, his eyes sparkling.

The two sneaked out of the dormitory in the dark and tiptoed through the rooms on the castle. Before they even went down the spiral staircase, they heard rustling sounds coming from the lounge.

There were no torches or candles for light, only the flickering embers of the fireplace. The cabinet by the wall was half-open, its unlocked brass lock hanging forlornly. On the armchairs, dark shadows huddled around the dressing mirror, their faces illuminated by the faint silver light.

Lee Jordan, George and Fred, the entire Quidditch team except for captain Oliver Wood, and the seventh-graders were all there...

No wonder they agreed so readily; they had already discussed it beforehand!
Ron and Seamus exchanged a glance and couldn't help but grin.

……

10:00 AM, Metamorphosis Classroom.

Percy sat by the window and took a breath. In this season of fluctuating temperatures, the morning air was cool and refreshing. As it entered his lungs through his nose, he felt invigorated.

Flipping through the textbook and notes, the blank spaces were filled with notes. The sixth-grade advanced class on metamorphosis had much more profound course content. The professor no longer repeatedly emphasized basic knowledge, but focused on explaining the principles. Every class required full concentration. If you lost focus for even a moment, it would take several hours to catch up after class.

Professor McGonagall entered the classroom and quickly began her lecture.

Percy noticed that the two students at the next table had their heads down the whole time. One was from Gryffindor, and the other from Ravenclaw. They weren't taking notes or listening to the professor's explanation. Their heads were nodding off like chicks pecking at rice. It immediately made him feel like he was back in Professor Binns' History of Magic class. They were clearly dozing off.

When the explanation of the internal organ principles of human transfiguration came up, the Gryffindor boy fell completely asleep, his head hitting the table with a dull thud, his nose was crooked, and it must have hurt a bit.

He gasped, jerked his head up and covered his nose, meeting the professor's gaze. He suddenly realized he was in class.

Professor McGonagall's deep voice rang out from the stage: "Ellis Dane."

"Professor..." The boy was very ashamed.

"Is my class boring? Mr. Dan, so boring that it makes you sleepy!"

"No, it's not..."

"So you've already mastered today's content and think the course was too easy?"

"Not at all."

Professor McGonagall wanted to say something harsher, but seeing his tired and weary face, especially his heavy dark circles, she paused for a moment: "Give me a proper reason, Mr. Dan."

"..." Dan remained silent, not wanting to betray his classmate.

The professors at Hogwarts cannot simply remain silent, especially when it comes to matters of classroom teaching. The students who were arrested were hoping to get away with it, thinking that taking the punishment alone would not implicate others. However, the dark circles under their eyes were too noticeable. A very small number of dark-skinned students did not have dark circles, but their listless mental state was completely different from that of the normal students.

The students quickly came to appreciate the vice principal's wisdom and strictness.

Professor McGonagall called out the names of all the students who had stayed up all night, questioning them one by one about the reasons for their drowsiness. Her intense gaze was fixed on them, and in just five minutes, she uncovered the truth behind their all-night movie watching.

"...After the prefect fell asleep, we quietly returned to the lounge and watched the mirror all night until almost dawn before we put it away, which is why we are so tired."

Percy was stunned and stood there dumbfounded.

……

Meanwhile, in the Muggle Studies classroom.

All students who doze off in class should stand at the back of the classroom. Other students are instructed not to approach them and may laugh at them, but they must not disrupt the class.

Melvin stood beside the lectern, a stack of papers in his hand. He would read and review each one, then check the author's name on it. If it was a student standing at the back of the classroom, he would comment on it in front of the whole class.

"This is a paper that discusses the negative impact of the Shadow Mirror from the perspective of pure-blood families. The title is 'The dissemination of overly Muggle-like content may lower the aesthetic standards of wizards.' He proposes a new perspective, arguing that the aesthetic standards of pure-blood wizards are those of pure magic, with unique tastes, while the Shadow Mirror and related programs are imitations of Muggle productions, which will change the taste of pure magic."

Melvin smiled at the boy behind him. "Mr. Burst, it seems your taste has been changed."

The boy lowered his head in shame, his face flushed.

The classroom was instantly filled with a joyful atmosphere.

(End of this chapter)