The Return to Hogwarts

“You want to persuade me to accept Fudge’s suggestion to let Umbridge take a position at Hogwarts, Percy—” Amosta said calmly.

"I regret that I cannot grant this request, as it goes against my true feelings."

Percy opened his mouth, but under the invisible pressure of Professor Blaine's presence, he couldn't say anything.

Seeing Percy's unwilling expression, Amosta sighed inwardly. After a moment's thought, he turned and walked to his desk, taking out a thick briefcase from the drawer.

"Can you do me a favor, Percy?"

"What?" Percy asked blankly, staring at the document bag.

"On the way back, please stop by Diagon Alley and visit the Alchemy Workshop of the Learning Machine. Please bring this to Remus and tell him that the people there have no objections."

Percy didn't quite understand, but he still hesitantly accepted the file bag.

"I'm sure you'll miss the delicious food at Hogwarts, won't you, Percy—"

Amos patted Percy on the shoulder with a gentle smile.

"Go ahead, there should still be time. If you wait any longer, all that'll be left are scraps."

Percy left, looking utterly dejected as he departed the office, but Harry and the other two felt no sympathy for him.

"Well then, it's your turn—"

When Professor Blaine's voice rang out again, Harry's heart leaped into his throat, and he even had the urge to run away from the office with Percy.

Professor Blaine must have seen his expression just now. Although he hadn't looked in a mirror, Harry was certain that his expression must have been terrifying!

Chapter 994 Frequent Killing Intent

2024-06-24

The feeling just now was completely inexplicable. A strong sense of hatred and contempt welled up inside him, almost instinctively and uncontrollably, making him want to tear the person in front of him apart—Harry's face was deathly pale, and his shoulders seemed to twitch slightly.

Hermione and Ron were watching him with concern, but Harry couldn't explain his momentary anger. He sincerely hoped that Professor Blaine, who noticed something was wrong with him, wouldn't pursue the matter.

Perhaps it was luck, or perhaps Professor Blaine heard his thoughts; in any case, Professor Blaine did not pursue his earlier overstepping and rudeness.

Tell me about it--

Amosta's aura returned to calm, as if his thunderous rage just moments before had been a dream. He looked gently at Harry and his companions, then sat down again to enjoy his sugar-free dessert.

Is there anything I need to know?

Amosta waved to the three people, gesturing for them to sit down.

Percy had just created such an intense emotional upheaval that when Professor Blaine asked why they had come to see him, even Hermione was momentarily bewildered. But regaining her composure, she glanced discreetly at Harry, whose face was as pale as snow, and took a breath.

"The situation is like this, Professor—"

Hermione carefully considered her words.

"After Hagrid returned, one evening we went to visit him. We had just left the castle when Harry's scar started to ache again—"

Amosta raised an eyebrow. He knew this was just an excuse the three students used to find out why Percy had come to see him, and he already knew about it beforehand. However, he still had to give the appropriate response.

"Is it?"

Amosta frowned as he looked at Harry, and after confirming that those bright green eyes were still clear, he asked, "Could you tell me more about it?"

"Mmm--"

Harry nodded hesitantly, and then began to describe it.

There wasn't much to say. The scene he saw was blurry, and unlike last time, he didn't see Voldemort and Creona killing people. The only valuable information was what Professor Blaine had done, and what terrified Voldemort.

"Professor Blaine—"

Having explained the whole story, Harry looked cautiously at Professor Blaine, who was deep in thought, and said...

"Whatever you do, you need to be careful, because Voldemort seems to have some information."

"Ah, thank you for reminding me, Harry—"

Amosta nodded readily, but seeing the hint of longing in the three men's eyes, he smiled and said, "As for what I did, please forgive me for not being able to share that with you."

After leaving Professor Blaine's office, a gust of hot wind blew in his face, bringing him back to his senses.

"Oh, I forgot—"

Harry said, somewhat annoyed,

"Why is it that I always see these things?--"

"This is your special power, Harry."

Ron looked at Harry with a hint of awe.

"You can see what the mysterious man is doing. Oh, it's like you were born to finish him off."

"Don't talk nonsense, Ron--"

Hermione gave Ron a warning glare.

"Professor Dumbledore and Professor Blaine are perfectly capable of dealing with the Mystic."

The conversation ended there. Hermione could tell Harry didn't want to talk about the terrible expression on Professor Blaine's face in his office, so she kept her worries to herself. The three of them quickened their pace and ran towards the Great Hall; they hadn't forgotten Percy's recent 'betrayal'!

"I swear I'll flatten his nose!"

Ron stormed off angrily.

"To think we're swindlers is incredibly stupid. Who would joke about a mysterious person? He's completely blinded by power!"

The three of them lingered in Professor Blaine's office for a while. When they came down to the Great Hall, most of the people had already finished lunch and were returning to their respective house lounges. They didn't find Percy at the Gryffindor table, but Ginny came over with her backpack after seeing them looking around.

"What's going on? Why are you only coming down for lunch now?"

Ginny tossed her fiery red hair, her fair skin appearing delicate and captivating in the sunlight streaming through the windows of the Great Hall. Harry was momentarily stunned, then asked with a somber expression,

"Have you seen Percy, Ginny?"

"Oh, of course--"

Ginny also tilted her nose, looking both confused and angry.

"I saw him come downstairs, and I greeted him, but he completely ignored me and left through the foyer."

Ginny scrutinized the expressions of Harry, Ginny, and Ginny, her brow furrowing slightly.

“What exactly happened? Percy looks like he’s suffered a major blow.”

"He deserved it—"

Ron grumbled angrily, offering his opinion without hesitation. While Harry and Hermione agreed with this view, they refrained from expressing any strong opinions because of Ron and Ginny.

I still don't quite understand—

Arriving at the Gryffindor table, after some picking and choosing, Ron picked a bagel from a pile of plates, chewed it heartily, then gulped down a glass of pumpkin juice in one go. He then let out a long sigh as if coming back to life, reached for a pie, and looked at Hermione, saying…

"Percy only helped Fudge get the position of Assistant Minister of State to teach at Hogwarts, but why would Fudge do that? What benefit would he get from sending someone to Hogwarts to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts?"

"The Minister of Magic is planning to send someone into Hogwarts?"

Ginny's eyes widened immediately, looking shocked.

"What is he planning to do? Is he trying to interfere with Hogwarts?"

"Interfering with Hogwarts?"

Harry asked nervously,

"Is this why Fudge went to such lengths to get people into the school?"

But faced with Harry's persistent questioning, Ginny became less confident. Her gaze darted towards the composed Hermione, and she stammered,

"Well, I think... what other plans could he possibly have besides this?"

"But even if Umbridge gets in, what can she possibly accomplish?"

Ron chewed on the beef pie.

"With Professor Blaine and Professor Dumbledore here, she can't do whatever she wants, can she?"

"That's not necessarily true, Ron."

Although her tone was calm, Hermione looked gloomy.

"If a spy from the Ministry of Magic were to infiltrate the school, firstly, she could monitor the movements of Professor Dumbledore and Professor Blaine. We all know that the Minister of Magic is most afraid of those two."

Secondly, she could spread the Ministry of Magic's version of events to the young wizards: I mean, the Voidman was never resurrected, and everything is peaceful in the wizarding world.

If people believe this story, then Professor Dumbledore, Professor Blaine, and of course us, will be seen as complete frauds—which is exactly what Cornelius Fudge wants to achieve. You know, even at Hogwarts, there are still quite a few skeptics about this.

"I can't understand—"

Ron shook his head and said in a serious tone

"Even a fool like Malfoy didn't object to this, so why are there so many people?"

“Because people will be afraid, Ron.”

Ginny glanced worriedly at Harry, whose lips were tightly pressed together, and then answered the question.

Will the Ministry of Magic give up?