Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 144 Humble Abode

Shortly after Fudge arrived at the scene, good news came.

The Nigerian elephant was calmed down, the Dark Mark in the air disappeared, and Harry and Ron came over with bruises on their faces, followed by Malfoy, who was also covered in bruises.

Clearly, even in that dangerous situation, they didn't forget to have a fight.

Hermione and Ginny stormed over, giving Harry, Ron, and the giggling twins a good scolding, a scene that made Malfoy laugh heartily.

But his smile didn't last long; the appearance of old Malfoy immediately deflated him.

More and more people gathered around, each carrying a mixture of relief and lingering fear. Some Ministry of Magic personnel were trying to maintain order, but no one listened to them.

When something like this happens on the night the Quidditch World Cup final ends, someone always has to bear the brunt of public anger.

They dared not confront the higher-ups in the Ministry of Magic, so these low-level clerks naturally became the scapegoats.

"Let's go back," Ike said, looking at the chaotic scene.

"But Mr. Weasley told us to wait for him here," Harry said hesitantly before Hermione could speak.

Ike gave him a deep look, then turned to Hermione and said, "The Ministry of Magic is definitely going to be busy tonight. I don't know when Mr. Weasley and the others will be able to get here."

"It's too noisy here. Ginny, you can stay with me. We can live in the living room and my room."

"Trust me, our tent is the safest."

Seeing that Ginny was obviously very sleepy and Harry Ron had a bruised and swollen face, Hermione finally nodded in agreement.

On the way back, we could clearly see Ike's tent. Some fires were still burning around it, and people were constantly using spells to put them out, but Ike was completely unharmed.

As soon as they entered, Hermione pulled Ginny into her room. The boys discussed it and decided that Harry and Ron would sleep in Ike's room, while Ike would squeeze in with the twins in the living room.

They weren't worried that Mr. Weasley wouldn't be able to find him when he returned; Ike had specifically told several people from the Ministry of Magic before leaving. With Harry being such a celebrity, no one would be unwilling to help with such a small favor.

Ike didn't sleep very well and everyone woke up quite early. He found the remaining milk and bread and gave everyone a simple snack.

No one complained about the simple breakfast; in fact, none of them had much of an appetite. Ike, however, ate his fill, and Hermione, under his urging, finished her portion as well.

After resting for a while, they went out. After Ike packed up the tent, they walked together towards the Weasleys' tent.

When they arrived, only Bill and Charlie were there; Mr. Weasley had gone out early that morning.

"We've been looking for you for ages. In the end, Professor McGonagall told Dad. The guys you told were all too busy to remember," Bill said.

"I'm sorry, I just think they need to rest after going through something like that."

"I don't mean to blame you; in fact, you did a great job." Bill shook his head slightly. "There's no point in staying there any longer, and besides, we saw before that the protective magic on your tent is excellent. Did you set it up yourself?"

Ike nodded and said, "Tents with protective magic are too expensive; I simply can't afford them."

"Fantastic!" Bill gave a thumbs up and patted Ike on the shoulder.

The group chatted idly for quite some time before Mr. Weasley hurriedly returned.

"Pack up, let's leave now."

He packed up the tent, reassembled it into a backpack, and carried it on his back. He then led the group quickly out of the camp.

There were many people on the road, all leaving like them. It was chaotic, with people cursing from time to time. When they reached the place where the door keys were kept, it became even more chaotic.

A large group of wizards surrounded Basil, the port key keeper, and all of them wanted to leave immediately, not wanting to stay there for even a second longer.

The scene was so chaotic that Basil had a great deal of trouble getting everyone into a line. Mr. Weasley tried to talk to Basil about it, but was refused, and everyone had no choice but to stay in line.

"Mr. Weasley, I think we must part ways." Ike said to Mr. Weasley while waiting in line.

"What? Where are you going?"

"I can stay at the Leaky Cauldron for a few days; there's not much time left before school starts."

"No, no, no, son, I can't leave you out alone in this situation," Mr. Weasley refused outright. "Listen, you're coming back to the Burrow with us!"

After saying that, Mr. Weasley glanced at Ron, who was talking to Harry, and put his arm around Ike's shoulder, whispering, "I heard from Fred and Ginny that Ron is somewhat hostile towards you, and your relationship isn't that good."

"I know more or less about what happened, it's not your fault."

"You're a good kid, I hope you won't blame Ron too much."

As she spoke, she tightened her grip on Ike's shoulder: "You saved Ginny last night from dozens of men!"

"Child, I must express my gratitude!"

"So, let's go to the humble abode together!"

Ike couldn't refuse Mr. Weasley's enthusiasm, so he nodded in agreement, which earned him an even tighter hug from Mr. Weasley, who then patted him on the back.

Yes, he has a very strong grip.

It wasn't until almost noon that it was their turn. Basil tossed them a tattered old tire, which they used to finally leave the camp and return to Weasel Mountain.

After walking for a long time along a wet path through the village of Autri San Cazipol, we finally arrived at the Burial.

"Thank God! Thank God!"

Mrs. Weasley ran towards them, giving each of them a big hug, and finally embracing Mr. Weasley tightly. Her face was pale, and she looked very nervous.

"Alright, Molly, we're all safe and sound." Mr. Weasley gently patted Mrs. Weasley's back. "Thanks to Ike, the children are unharmed and even had a good night's sleep!"

"I only slept for an hour, and now I really need a hot cocoa or a flaming whiskey."

Before Ike could even react, he was already being hugged by Mrs. Weasley.

"Thank you, child."

"It's...it's okay." Ike didn't know what to say. In the past ten years, even Julianne had never hugged him like Mrs. Weasley.

"Come inside, come inside..." Mr. Weasley called to everyone as they walked toward the house, and Mrs. Weasley finally let go of Ike.

Following behind into the house, you enter a small kitchen. A large long table almost fills the entire empty room, leaving only a narrow passageway.

Hermione had been here several times before, and she and Ginny expertly poured Mrs. Weasley a cup of tea, while Mr. Weasley poured himself a glass of Flaming Whiskey and took a big gulp.

At that moment, he noticed the Daily Prophet on the table. After glancing at it only a few times, he said with a heavy and serious expression, "The Ministry of Magic is in a panic... Dark wizards are at large... Bringing shame to the nation..."

"I thought this woman would settle down after spending several months in a ward at St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Injuries."

"Who is it?" Percy curiously came closer, and after seeing the author of the article, he was immediately furious.

"Rita Starkey! It's her, of course!"

"She's deliberately trying to oppose the Ministry of Magic!"

(End of this chapter)