My Hogwarts has a serious problem.

Chapter 269, Section 266: Tom's Spring

Old John was suddenly taken aback, but on the surface he remained calm and asked.

"The Rolls family, I remember this pure-blooded family that was originally in England moved to the United States at the end of the 19th century."

Flynt nodded and said, "Yes, they moved most of their British assets to the United States, but they also left some in Britain. After a century of management, their business on the island of Great Britain is now comparable to my family and the Malfoy family. Moreover, the current head of the Rolle family, Mrs. Rolle, is not an easy person to get along with."

"So she returned to the UK specifically to handle our acquisition of her businesses there?"

"At first glance, it seemed that was indeed her purpose, but after she proposed to buy other people's seats on the board of directors at the end of the meeting, I felt that her real purpose for coming to the UK was probably only this, and whether to sell or keep those properties was just a side effect."

Old John gently rubbed the document in his hand, pondered for a long time, and then asked, "Did the Hogwarts board of governors finally give her an answer?"

"The Malfoys aren't stupid. Even though the Hogwarts board of trustees position has been losing money, it's still one of their most valuable assets. Although they can't interfere in anything at Hogwarts right now, that's only while Dumbledore is still alive. After Dumbledore dies, the next headmaster is unlikely to have the same influence and power. At that time, they will have the opportunity to completely control this magic school that produces almost all the wizards on the island of Great Britain. Such a position and power that is almost above the Ministry of Magic is something they, or rather we, cannot give up so easily."

Flint analyzed the influence of the twelve Board of Governors positions and the current situation very thoroughly, not only because he was intelligent enough, but more importantly because he himself was one of the Board of Governors of Hogwarts.

Flint wasn't strictly speaking Old John's subordinate or employee; he was a true member of a pure-blooded British family and one of the sixteen great merchants. However, as a way to penetrate the British market, he was the first person Old John approached.

He was cunning but lacked ambition. Due to his personality, he didn't get along well with the other pure-blood families, especially the Malfoys. Furthermore, before meeting him, John had demonstrated his immense wealth, making Flint see no hope of successful resistance. So, adhering to the principle of "the earlier you surrender, the better the treatment," he became the first to surrender and act as a traitor, being planted among the sixteen families.

But the only condition John offered to win them over was shares in the newly integrated company; he never said that their real purpose in infiltrating the British magical business market was to obtain a position on the Hogwarts Board of Trustees.

Because Flint himself was one of the school board members, anyone with a brain would understand that the position of school board member was actually more valuable than the family business!

Old John rested his chin on his hands, his expression still somber.

The sudden appearance of Mrs. Roll left him somewhat uncertain. Was she an unexpected surprise or another backup plan arranged by the young master?

He pondered for a long time but did not dare to make a decision on the matter himself. Instead, he prepared to write a letter to tell Lynn the whole story and let him make the decision.

"Keep a close eye on Mrs. Rowle's movements lately. You also hold a position on the Hogwarts Board of Governors. If she has any further plans, she will definitely contact you again. Her attempt to buy a position on the Board of Governors may affect our integration of the British business market. Be sure to report to me immediately if anything happens."

"I see."

Hogwarts in October had become much quieter and cooler. The young wizards in the castle had put on thicker robes, and the fires in the common rooms were burning even brighter.

In the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor's office, the flickering fire warmed the entire space, and Lynn was correcting Behildr's repelling spell.

"Your technique and the pronunciation of the spell are still perfect, which is enough to prove your usual efforts, Miss Fontana. However, your emotions have not been fully aroused. I told you last time that emotions are a very important factor in the strength of a wizard's magic. You need to have enough confidence that your spells can repel the enemy, so that your magic will be more powerful."

Behirde's voice was still somewhat timid.

"But professor, for some reason, the magic I use is always much weaker than that of the other students."

Lynn nodded: "That's true, but the reason for this phenomenon has little to do with your magic skills. It's probably because there's something wrong with your body, which is something I can't change for you."

Behirde's expression dimmed. Lynn looked at her thoughtfully for a moment, then said, "You could go to the school hospital and have Mrs. Pomfrey examine you to see what's wrong. Didn't your parents notice anything amiss before?"

"They...they died when I was a child."

"I'm sorry, I brought up something that saddened you." Lynn herself was an orphan, and although she didn't have much to be sad about being an orphan, girls are generally more emotional than boys.

"It's alright, Professor. I'll go see Mrs. Pomfrey for a check-up when I have time."

"Okay, that's all for today."

Goodbye, Professor Lockhart.

Behir waved to him and tiptoed out of the office.

Lynn watched her leave. The office door had just closed when Tom Ball, who had been sitting on the corner of the desk as a decoration, couldn't help but ask a question.

What's wrong with her health?

Lynn rolled her eyes: "How should I know? I'm not a doctor."

Tom was still persistent, as if he had to get to the bottom of it: "Do you think her health problems are related to what happened to her in the past? Didn't you say before that the reason she was studying magic so hard was like she was looking for revenge on someone?"

Lynn pinched Tom's neck and looked at him with a strange expression.

"I've noticed you've been mentioning Basild a lot lately, Tom. You wouldn't happen to..."

"I didn't!" Tom blurted out before Lynn could finish speaking. "I was just curious about what happened to her."

"Why are you in such a hurry to explain? I haven't even said what you're trying to do yet," Lynn said with a light laugh.

Tom has neither a body nor a face now; if he did, his face would be as red as a monkey's bottom.

"I don't want to do anything anyway!"

(End of this chapter)