Magical Studies at Hogwarts...

Chapter 273 Trivial Matters (Part Two)

Harry's impressions of his mother came from other people, with Sirius Black speaking the most.

In Sirius's words, Lily Evans was a person who loved him very much and a great mother, but when asked to describe what kind of person she was specifically, he would always hesitate and evade the question, only saying that she was a very excellent wizard.

It was only through this encounter with Horace that Harry vaguely realized just how outstanding his mother was. Someone whose bloodline could cause Horace such an obsession must possess astonishing talent.

"Do you know Professor Slughorn?" Harry asked, sipping his onion soup.

"He used to teach Arthur and me," Mrs. Weasley said, then kindly cut two slices of bread for them. "He's been at Hogwarts for many years, probably around the same time as Dumbledore."

"Are you curious about him? Do you like him?"

Harry and Hermione exchanged a glance and shrugged in unison, which made Weasley smile.

"I see. Actually, Arthur and I don't like him either, especially Arthur. Back at Hogwarts, he always liked to give students extra tutoring, but he never spent time on Arthur. Maybe he thought Arthur wasn't as good as his other students..." Mrs. Weasley laughed. "However, this time Slughorn has misjudged. Ron may have already written to tell you that Arthur has been promoted!"

"That's great!" Harry exclaimed, quickly swallowing a mouthful of soup.

Mrs. Weasley, clearly waiting for his reaction, eagerly said, "That's right, in response to the current situation, Scrimgeour has established several new departments, and Arthur is now the head of the 'Office for the Investigation and Seizure of Counterfeit Defense Charms and Protective Equipment'!"

"This is very important; he's in charge of ten people!"

"Fake... what is that?" Harry glanced at Hermione beside him, who was engrossed in her meal, and had to ask the question himself.

"It's like this..." Mrs. Weasley explained, "Because of the Mysterio, everyone is in a state of panic, so some people are making strange and unusual things to sell for money, claiming they can ward off the Mysterio and the Death Eaters."

"But we all know that stuff is completely useless. It's called a self-defense potion, but it's really just meat broth with a little bit of boba tuber, and the so-called defensive charm is even more of a scam..."

"You know Mundungus, right? That guy who sells all sorts of counterfeit stuff. He's made a killing lately, and Arthur's been furious about it a few times, but that guy's just too good at dodging..."

"If that's all... it shouldn't be necessary for the Ministry of Magic to create a new department, right?" Harry asked.

"No, no, no, there are occasional terrible incidents," Mrs. Weasley said. "The other day, Arthur confiscated a batch of spyglasses, all of which were cursed. It must have been the work of those Death Eaters!"

"So you see, his current job is very important."

At this point, Hermione put down her spoon; she had finished the entire evening's onion soup. She wiped her mouth and asked, "Is Mr. Weasley still at work? Hasn't he come back yet?"

Mrs. Weasley glanced at the large clock beside her; all nine hands pointed to deadly danger. Harry and Hermione noticed this as well, somewhat curious, because it wasn't usually like this.

"Arthur said he'd be back around midnight, but who knows... Never mind the clock, it's been like this for a while now, ever since..."

"After that night at the Ministry of Magic?" Hermione asked.

"I guess so...maybe, I can't really remember." Mrs. Weasley's expression was somewhat unnatural, clearly not wanting to continue the topic.

At that moment, the pointer representing Mr. Weasley suddenly jumped to the "on the way" option, and Mrs. Weasley couldn't help but shout happily, "He's back!"

As she spoke, she hurried to the door and listened carefully to the sounds outside. Sure enough, she soon heard a knock on the door.

"Arthur?" she asked cautiously.

"Yes," Mr. Weasley's weary voice came from outside the door, "but if I were a Death Eater, I would say the same. So...darling, ask the question!"

"Oh no, Arthur, this..."

"Molly!"

"Okay, okay, what's your biggest ambition?"

"Find out how airplanes manage to stay in the air."

Mrs. Weasley nodded and was about to open the door, but it wouldn't budge; Mr. Weasley must have been holding the handle tightly on the other end.

"Molly, I still have that question to ask you!"

"Arthur, that's enough! This is ridiculous!"

Mr. Weasley, seemingly oblivious, continued, "What do you prefer me to call you when we're alone?"

"Mo...Molly is trembling slightly..."

"correct!"

At that moment, Mrs. Weasley opened the door, her face flushed. Mr. Weasley's tall, thin figure appeared in the doorway, looking travel-worn, with his hat and cloak in his hands.

Mrs. Weasley hugged him tightly, her words still carrying a hint of resentment.

"Why do you always pull this stunt every time you come home? You know perfectly well that those Death Eaters will force you to give them the answer first, and then impersonate you!"

"They absolutely can do it!"

"I know, but dear, it's the department's rule, and I have to set an example," Mr. Weasley replied with a smile, tossing the things in his hand gently so they would obediently land on the coat rack. Looking up, he saw Harry and Hermione sitting at the dining table.

"Harry, Hermione!" he greeted them warmly, shaking hands with them. "I thought you wouldn't be here until tomorrow!"

"What is this... onion soup! Great, I have to have a bowl!"

Mrs. Weasley poured him a bowl, and he drank half of it in one gulp, letting out a loud burp that immediately filled the air with a strong onion smell.

He covered his mouth somewhat embarrassedly and said, "I'm sorry, I'm just too tired..."

"Tonight, we caught a guy selling transformation badges, claiming they could change your appearance at will."

"What's the actual situation?"

"It's just that their faces turn yellow, but a few people have developed ugly fleshy growths on their faces, like tentacles, and they've already been sent to St. Mungo's."

"Is that why you're back so late?" Mrs. Weasley asked.

“Of course not!” Mr. Weasley replied immediately. “It’s like this, we received a report that someone had cast a dangerous backfire spell, but by the time we arrived, the Department of Magical Law Enforcement had already taken care of it…”

At this moment, Harry yawned widely, and Hermione's eyes looked a little glazed. Seeing this, Mrs. Weasley said, "Go to sleep. I've prepared Fred and George's room for you. Harry, you can sleep there... Hermione, you'll have to squeeze in with Ginny, but I don't think she's asleep yet; she's been staying up very late lately..."

"Where are the other two?" Harry asked, getting up.

"They're doing really well in Diagon Alley, they're living there now... Come on, your suitcase's already in there..." Mrs. Weasley suddenly realized something and asked Hermione, "Hermione, where's your luggage? I can't find it!"

Hermione put Crookshanks on the ground, then patted her pocket and laughed, "I always carry it with me."

"That's wonderful." Mrs. Weasley smiled, patted Hermione's hair, and then pushed the two of them upstairs.

(End of this chapter)