There is a story, or campus legend, that has always been circulating in Hogwarts.
At midnight, by offering an "uncertain food name", you can pass through the gargoyles in the corridor on the seventh floor of the castle and arrive at a mysterious magical place with mixed opportunities and dangers, where you can get almost everything in Hogwarts
——Whether it is luck or misfortune.
But if there are students here now, maybe two other adjectives can be added.
Disgusting, and terrifying.
Umbridge was lying on the oak door panel, like a pink toad lying on it.
There were always vague and noisy voices in the room, as if there was some violent argument going on.
However, no matter how close she was to the door, the sound was vague and vague, as if someone had cast an invisible white curtain over the sound. Umbridge had to concentrate.
Only then can I occasionally recognize a few meaningless words.
As for breaking in, or turning around and leaving?
Neither option was clearly on Umbridge's radar.
Compared to Albus Dumbledore, the hundreds-year-old foreign alchemist is obviously much more surly and arrogant.
Although the "Covenant of the Immortals" stipulates that elderly wizards in various magical circles are obliged to abide by the laws of the world today and not to use their lifespan advantage to control or influence politics. But as far as the current situation is concerned, "Parasel
Seuss" is more willful than rumored, and there is no reason for the British Ministry of Magic to take the initiative. In the "minor friction", the elders still have many privileges.
If she dared to break in directly this time, it might be a repeat of the "practical teaching of magic spells" that happened in the foyer a few months ago.
Of course, Umbridge couldn't just turn around and leave, otherwise her only value in Hogwarts would be gone.
"What are these three people talking about..."
Umbridge's plump face pressed against the bronze door knocker in the shape of a griffin's head, her brows frowning more and more.
With just "Hogwarts", "professor", "beneficial", "must"... these scattered words, she didn't even have the direction to piece it together.
Just when her patience was about to run out, the voices in the door suddenly disappeared.
Then, Umbridge heard footsteps approaching,
She quickly left the door panel and took a few steps back, pretending to have just walked up the steps.
"Hey, Professor Umbridge, are you still there?"
The door to the principal's office opened automatically, Elena glanced at Umbridge standing by the steps, and said in surprise.
"Professor Dumbledore asked me to inform you. It seems that there is no need - well, I'm going back to the dormitory first. By the way, you seem to have been bitten by something. Why don't you go to Madam Pomfrey's later?
Get some medicine? After all, there are still a lot of mosquitoes in Hogwarts Castle..."
Elena glanced at the disgusting water mist on the oak door panel, and pointed at the right side of Umbridge's face.
A light red mark appeared on the side of her face, looking like the tattoos imprinted on criminals' faces in ancient times.
Before Umbridge could say anything else, Elena raised her hand and shook it, happily walking past the senior investigator who had been listening to the "office ASMR recording" at the door for more than ten minutes and heading towards the corridor - given that
Grindelwald's performance just now means that the matter of forging her signature will only be arranged for three days of senior meals. As for a certain old carrot who has long since died and is not afraid of boiling water, she plans to reduce the senior meal to a healthy one.
Umbridge rubbed the mark on her face and glanced coldly at Elena's retreating figure.
This annoying little girl, huh, does she really think Hogwarts belongs to her?
As the Senior Undersecretary of the Ministry of Magic and the Senior Investigator, if she really lowered her dignity and started to negotiate with Dumbledore bit by bit, Umbridge didn't think that Dumbledore would make the wrong choice question - tonight's showdown,
First of all, let’s establish his power through this little guy.
As for that Paracelsus, just show some respect and say some nice words to fool him.
In fact, in Umbridge's world, it is not difficult to properly show kindness to those powerful wizards.
Umbridge recovered her thoughts, opened the ajar door and walked into the office.
"Professor Dumbledore——"
"Oh, Professor Umbridge, are you here?"
Almost as soon as she opened the door, a voice that Umbridge least wanted to hear sounded in the room.
To her surprise, this time it was Professor Otto Apokalis who spoke first.
The old wizard stroked the phoenix on the bird stand and pointed to the sofa on the side of the principal's office, acting like a master.
"I'm sorry, my attitude may have been a bit harsh just now. Please sit down, Professor."
"It doesn't matter. You are such a great alchemist. It was a bit rude for me to rush in just now."
Umbridge glanced at the old wizard with a kind expression, felt slightly relieved, put on her false smile again and said coquettishly.
"The Ministry of Magic attaches great importance to wizards like you who are willing to work. If you need anything in the British wizarding community, you can always contact me to help you communicate. I was just too anxious just now. After all, whether it is Kaslana
Miss, it’s still the same student dueling——”
It was obvious that this old wizard was just like the older wizards she had met before, and all he needed was a few compliments.
Even a legendary alchemist who is hundreds of years old would not want to antagonize the Ministry of Magic for no reason.
As Umbridge spoke, she sat down on the sofa, picked up a cup of black tea and mixed it slowly.
She paused for half a second, and after confirming that Paracelsus had no reaction, she turned to look at Dumbledore behind the desk.
"——This is actually a requirement of the Ministry of Magic. You also know that Mr. Minister attaches great importance to the growth of students and campus safety."
"Oh, yes, yes, Elena -"
At this moment, the old wizard standing next to the Phoenix interrupted again.
"I've also heard about what happened at the entrance of the auditorium today. That kid got into an argument with you in front of a group of students. Moreover, she actually used her privileges to directly add back the points you deducted on the spot.
This is really...tsk...I don’t know what to say..."
The old wizard shook his head and said, as if he were a saddened elder watching.
As the old man opened his mouth, Dumbledore, who was sitting behind the desk, did not interrupt and politely waited for the other party to finish speaking.
"Yes, this situation is too bad, we must-"
Umbridge said, her tone laced with a hint of unexpected and very sinister excitement.
"Well, so Albus and I severely criticized her and told her not to do it again."
"——Severe punishment to set an example? Huh?!"
After Umbridge finished speaking, she was suddenly stunned, as if she had opened a Christmas gift bag and found it was empty.
"Wait, just... just criticize, criticize and educate, and then... don't make an example next time? That's the end of it?"
"Then what else can be done?"
Grindelwald shook his head kindly and grinned.
"She is still a child. As a child, it is normal for her to be lively."
"But……"
The muscle on the right side of Umbridge's face twitched.
Before she could finish her words, Grindelwald's face suddenly darkened and he frowned.
"No, Professor Umbridge, you are such a big person, why do you still care about it like a child?"
"...I, um. uh."
Umbridge's face changed from blue to white to red for a few seconds, and finally she breathed a sigh of relief.
She had heard before that "Paracelsus" favored that little girl, and now it seemed that this was indeed the case.
Let’s talk about Elena Kaslana later. Once the Ministry of Magic and the school board have reached an agreement, someone will naturally come to put pressure on her.
"So, about the duel between Gryffindor and Slytherin students-"
"Let's see about the children first - right, Albus?"
Grindelwald waved his hand, glanced at Dumbledore sitting behind the desk and said arrogantly.
"Children, it doesn't matter if they act mischievously now and then. Anyway, we professors will be there to watch."
After Dumbledore responded with a wry smile and nodded, Grindelwald turned around again.
"Okay, two things have been resolved."
"Professor Umbridge, do you...do you have any questions?"
"I……"
Umbridge's eyes twitched and she took a deep look at the old wizard with a kind smile.
Apparently, any feeling of help was just an illusion to fool her.
Dumbledore had already prepared for this questioning tonight.
Fortunately, the Ministry of Magic had prepared many emergency plans in advance before sending her to Hogwarts.
Umbridge put down the teacup in her hand, cleared her throat, took out a manuscript from her handbag, and said coldly.
"Of course, I would like to discuss with you two some of the safety hazards that exist in Hogwarts from the perspective of the Ministry of Magic's decree, "Education Order No. 24", and some major hidden dangers that may violate the laws of the Ministry of Magic.
As a staff member of the Ministry of Magic..."
Maybe there would be no outcome from the discussion tonight, but she could at least hold off these two old wizards on her own.
The Ministry of Magic should have received the letters she sent by now, and will be able to issue some new educational orders at noon tomorrow at the latest.
…………
Meanwhile, in the Gryffindor common room.
Since they are located in the corridor on the same floor, Elena doesn't have to worry about getting lost.
When she said the password and climbed through the Fat Lady's portrait into the warm and comfortable Gryffindor Tower, most of the Gryffindor students were still awake. Everyone was either gathered around the fireplace or lying in the dormitory.
There was a lively discussion about something beside the handrail of the stairs.
Ever since the announcement of the "House Tournament" was posted at the door of the auditorium, almost the entire Gryffindor's enthusiasm was ignited.
After returning to the common room that night, everyone began to discuss the lineup and tactics for the weekend.
"Well, how far have they reached this discussion?"
Elena walked into the room quietly and found Hermione reading quietly in the corner.
As Hermione said before, she had no intention of participating in the discussion.
"Have you finished talking? They have just finalized the first few groups and are still discussing at the end..."
Hermione took off the silver bookmark pinned in her hair, carefully placed the page in the book, closed the book and placed it on her knees before continuing.
"If nothing else, the first grade will be Ginny Weasley, the second grade will be Harry Potter, and the third grade will be Mycock McLagan. As for the fourth grade doubles match, it will be the Weasley twins.
Several senior staff are still discussing it later, but..."
Hermione looked around hesitantly and said worriedly.
"George and Fred sneaked out just now, saying they were going to the kitchen to get everyone some food. But they haven't come back yet..."
"Don't worry, those two guys will be absolutely fine -"
At this moment, a cheerful female voice suddenly appeared next to the two of them.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop on you."
Angelina Johnson shrugged, but she happened to hear Fred's name mentioned.
"I know George and Fred very well. Except for the semester when they first entered school, they have never been caught by Filch for so many years. Their talent in night wandering is at least as good as Hogg's.
It's the kind that Watts has only seen in hundreds of years, so don't worry.",
"Well--"
Elena blinked her eyes before she could speak.
If she remembers correctly, because Grindelwald has a meeting scheduled tonight, the castle inspection schedule is...
…………
"Damn it, George, how did they run so fast!"
"There is nothing we can do. Today is too unlucky. Professors also run around at night?!"
In the corridor on the fifth floor of the castle, the twin brothers were holding a large pile of food, panting and trotting quickly.
Fred looked back behind him and said anxiously.
"It's too late—George, hurry!"
George nodded, took out his wand and tapped it quickly on the parchment in his hand.
"The prank is over!"
The next moment, two groups of light and shadow appeared at both ends of the corridor.
Two adult wizards, carrying lanterns, appeared in front of George and Fred as if taking a walk.
"Huh? Weasley, why are you still wandering around the castle so late?"
"Come on, Remus. Stop talking nonsense, we are here to catch them."
Sirius Black interrupted angrily, looking at the two students trapped in the middle of the corridor with interest and breathing lightly.