The Return to Hogwarts

Chapter 747 won't end so easily.

2024-02-09

Today was supposed to be a normal day. The encounters with Cedric and Cho Chang in the morning were just some unfortunate things happening on an ordinary day—or so Harry thought. But what happened next was completely beyond Harry's comprehension.

Hermione was nearly killed.

If he still hasn't realized this by now, then he's incredibly stupid.

But why?

Looking at the pale, unconscious girl on the hospital bed in the principal's office, Harry was deeply puzzled.

Why would someone want to kill Hermione? Who did it? Was it the person who made Hermione a champion? Was it Voldemort's order?

Harry instinctively thought that, because they had discussed it before, Hermione becoming a hero wouldn't be an isolated incident. If someone wanted to do something, there would definitely be other actions. As for concluding that Voldemort was the murderer, there wasn't any special reason needed. All the misfortunes they had encountered in recent years were more or less related to this most evil wizard in history.

Looking at Harry next to Minerva, whose eyes and expression were still filled with confusion, Amosta sighed slightly. In his view, this was a frightened little boy.

Indeed, the children chosen by Gryffindor are not lacking in courage, even Peter is no exception. However, not lacking in courage does not mean not being afraid, especially since everything happening before their eyes is beyond the comprehension of a young wizard.

The incident before them was a blatant murder, a brutal and cruel murder targeting a student, completely unexpected. This was entirely different in nature from the adventures Harry and his friends had experienced before, which were always under the watchful eyes of protection.

In this incident, the dangers of the wizarding world were truly revealed to Harry.

"--Cause and Effect"

Harry was pale and mumbled something. He noticed Professor McGonagall had her hand on his shoulder and was looking at him with a pained expression.

There was pity and concern in that gaze. Bathed in Professor McGonagall's gaze, Harry felt that the fear in his heart seemed to lessen. But at the same time, a melting anger began to roar in his heart!

He's going to kill the wizard who persecuted Hermione, no matter who he is!

"Harry--"

When anger flared in his emerald eyes and a clear killing intent began to emanate from his thin frame, Dumbledore blinked wearily.

"Trust me, trust Professor Blaine, we will investigate this matter thoroughly, and we will ensure that the perpetrators who harmed Hermione receive the punishment they deserve—"

For the first time, Harry found Dumbledore somewhat annoying. He wanted more than just the truth and punishment for the murderer; he wanted to personally kill the mastermind behind it all!

"Mr. Potter?"

Just as Harry's face turned ashen and his mind was filled with endless cruel thoughts, Professor Blaine suddenly spoke again, and he subconsciously met those pale purple eyes.

Amosta watched Harry calmly.

“I know you desperately want the person who harmed Hermione to be punished and to avenge your friend. Everyone here—I mean everyone in this office—shares your anger. But first, we need to find out the truth and tell us how this happened—”

Professor Blaine's tone carried an air of undeniable authority.

So Harry began to say that he knew he couldn't find out the truth by himself.

Harry still had a shred of sanity; he didn't tell Professor Blaine the real reason they went to the post office, even though he thought that under the current circumstances, Professor Blaine wouldn't hold them accountable for donating things to the orphanage without permission.

He told them that he, Hermione, and Ron went to the post office because Hermione had received a notification that there were some letters from her fans and a package there. After picking up the package, they went to the Three Broomsticks pub for a drink, where Hermione opened her letters and package.

Tell me more about those roses--

Amosta commanded in a flat tone, saying that the problem was obvious at a glance.

"It's definitely pink, and it looks like it's been enchanted."

Harry's gaze fell on the box of treats placed at the foot of Hermione's bed.

"Because that rose is very beautiful; the sheen on it must be from magic."

How dare you touch a magical artifact of unknown origin?!

Professor McGonagall's chest heaved. Hermione was already lying there, and all she could do was glare at Harry with exasperation. However, considering how upset the boy was, she didn't blame him.

"Please tell Professor McGonagall—"

As soon as Harry finished speaking, Amosta immediately looked at Professor McGonagall.

"From now on, all items and mail sent to Hogwarts from outside will be collected by him and delivered to the Student Safety Office. After my inspection, they will be returned to the students. Items sent to students from the post office will also be taken back to Hogwarts by him for my inspection. Professors' items are no exception—"

Professor McGonagall hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

Amosta's actions will certainly cause dissatisfaction among some students and faculty, but it is necessary; they must be responsible for the safety of the children in the castle.

After saying that, Amosta looked at Dumbledore.

"Is there anything else that needs to be added, Principal?"

“You’ve considered everything very thoroughly, Amosta. I have nothing more to add—”

Dumbledore shook his head, then looked at Professor McGonagall.

"Minerva, I need you to take Harry to Bobby's."

"I'm fine!"

Harry screamed violently, his pale face contorted under the gazes of Professors Dumbledore and Blaine.

"I want it. I want it. Kill them--"

"We have a basic understanding of the situation, Harry—"

Amosta said calmly.

“We will investigate this matter thoroughly. I think Principal Dumbledore is right; what you need most right now is rest.”

"Let's go, Potter, let's go--"

Professor McGonagall put her arm around Harry's shoulder and pulled him away.

"What about Hermione?!"

Harry knew he couldn't disobey Dumbledore and Professor Blaine's orders. As Professor McGonagall pulled him away, he turned and glared at his best friend at Hogwarts, shouting loudly.

"She needs treatment; she needs to go to the school clinic!"

"Let's go, Potter!"

Professor McGonagall's tone became much sterner.

“Professor Dumbledore and Professor Blaine will take care of her. You'll have to come with me to the university hospital for a checkup; Mr. Weasley happens to be there too—”

The door closed, and Harry's resentful gaze disappeared from Dumbledore and Amosta's sight.

Du, du, du—

Dumbledore had just turned his gaze to Amostella and was about to say something when an owl that suddenly appeared outside his window and was pecking at the glass caught his attention.

"It's Cornellin--"

Dumbledore went over, took the letter, glanced at it, and then said to Amosta...

"The Ministry of Magic is already aware of what happened at Hogsmeade. In twenty minutes, Cornelius, Umbridge, and Amelia will arrive at Hogwarts via the Floo Network—"

With that, Dumbledore walked to the extinguished fireplace, waved his wand to make it glow green, and granted access to connect the fireplace on campus to the Floo Network.

"Come on then--"

The original sofa in the office had been turned into Hermione's hospital bed. Amosta stood beside Hermione's bed, waved his wand, and conjured a new sofa out of thin air.

Leaning back on the sofa, his back sinking into the soft backrest, Amosta appeared languid, but the anger in his eyes and the coldness in his words revealed that his heart was far from as calm as he appeared.

"If they don't come, I'll go after them anyway. This isn't going to end so easily."

Chapter 748 Calmness and Confusion

2024-02-09

"That's complete slander, Blaine!"

Umbridge screamed.

"Inspecting parcels mailed by residents? Oh, is that your suggestion, Blaine? How ridiculous! The Ministry of Magic has absolutely no right to do that!"

"Then the Legislative Yuan should pass legislation granting this right!"

Amosta coldly retorted.

"Have you ever considered that if someone mails contraband or black magic items through the post office, would you simply accept them and help criminals commit their crimes?"

Umbridge caught his breath and didn't know how to answer for a moment.

This was indeed an undeniable oversight. Not only Cornelius, but even Amelia frowned for a moment, and she said thoughtfully,

“You’re right, Amosta. Perhaps we really should enact laws to regulate the mailing process and package security.”

"Ever since the fall of the mysterious figure, the Ministry of Magic has become complacent, believing that all is well—"

Amostella raised an eyebrow at Amelia, her words sharp.

"But in reality, there's more than just Mysterio as a dark wizard. The Ministry of Magic is responsible for the safety of people in all aspects of their lives. You must take this seriously and increase manpower in all areas concerning public safety."

Amelia's heart stirred slightly, and her gaze turned to Fudge.

“Oh, that’s exactly what we’re planning to do, Amosta!”

Faced with such a fiercely competitive environment, Fudge stood there wiping his temples, looking completely helpless. He racked his brains trying to figure out how to quell Amostella and Dumbledore's strong dissatisfaction, but Amelia's suggestive look suddenly made him see the light.

"We are discussing this!"