Magical society and Hogwarts will not stop just because one person disappears.
In fact, with Dumbledore leaving, the wizarding society and Hogwarts have more things to worry about and more things to do.
The preparation for the construction of the first modern magic city, the secret operation to eradicate the dark demons, the promotion of scientific learning methods, the qualification review of faculty and staff...
February went by terribly fast, and before we knew it, March came quietly, bringing warm and humid weather, and the announcement of the change of the "leadership team" of Hogwarts.
Mag hadn't spoken much to the little witch since she had a brief chat with Elena in the classroom last time, and now she suddenly discovered that the other party had given her a big gift.
"I heard... the nominee is you, Minerva - although your name was not mentioned."
The next morning, Professor McGonagall specially chose a solemn wizard's robe.
When she arrived at the auditorium as usual, she happened to see Elena and her inseparable best friend walking in.
The news that Madam Pomfrey told her last night suddenly appeared again - Madam Pomfrey did not have much information about the reason for the nomination.
However, when the professors and students sat down one after another in the auditorium, and Rufus Scrimgeour suddenly stood up and walked to the podium, McGonagall knew that the final battle had begun.
Ding ding ding——
Scrimgeour tapped the metal owl microphone, attracting the attention of everyone in the auditorium.
"Sorry, please allow me to use your breakfast time for a while."
The metal owl microphone spread its wings, and Scrimgeour's voice spread along the owl's wings toward the surroundings of the auditorium.
"Due to some matters, Professor Dumbledore will not be able to return to Hogwarts in the short term. In view of the current situation, the Ministry of Magic has decided to activate the terms of Education Order No. 29."
"When the official principal of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is away and unable to perform his duties as principal within a certain period of time, the school board, the Ministry of Magic, and Hogwarts will recommend a suitable nominee for the 'acting principal' based on certain conditions, and then
After a month-long inspection and voting, a formal candidate for the 'acting principal' was finally determined."
"At the same time, the former Hogwarts Principal will treat it as the same situation as Article 45 of the "Hogwarts School Rules", and all powers and responsibilities will be transferred to the 'Acting Principal'..."
"...What does Article 45 of the "Hogwarts School Rules" say?"
At the same time, at the Hufflepuff table, Hannah quietly poked Elena and asked in a low voice.
"When the current principal is unable to complete the job handover process due to unexpected circumstances."
Before Elena could answer, Hermione answered casually while cutting the aloe bacon.
"In short, you can directly understand that Professor Dumbledore has disappeared unexpectedly and may have died in an unknown corner outside."
"Eh?!" Hannah's expression suddenly became weird.
However, the conversation that took place at the corner of the long table in Hufflepuff House did not attract the attention of other young wizards.
All attention was now focused on Rufus Scrimgeour, and even the least common-sense person knew that Hogwarts might be about to change.
"After many discussions, the school board, the Ministry of Magic, and Hogwarts have drawn up three nomination conditions for the 'acting principal'..."
Scrimgeour took out a document from his arms, cleared his throat, and read in a deep voice, word for word.
"First, the nominee must be a qualified graduate of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
Professor McGonagall turned her head and looked at the professors around her, and instantly understood the scope of this content.
so……
Professor Apocalypse, Nico Flamel... and even Newt Scamander are not eligible to be nominated this time?
"Secondly," Scrimgeour's voice continued, "the nominee must be a formal professor at Hogwarts and still be in a front-line teaching position."
Oh? Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows.
This article should be aimed at Elena, well, and Scrimgeour himself.
Or are there other candidates, such as some retired professors, or the Ministry of Magic, or some wizards from pure-blood families who are ready to make a move?
After all, 99% of the wizards in the British wizarding world graduated from Hogwarts, but with these two restrictions, the list of available candidates is very limited.
"The last one," Scrimgeour put down the parchment in his hand, "This is not a mandatory requirement, just a suggestion of priority..."
"In view of the current situation, we agree that it is best for the acting principal in emergency times to have experience working in the Ministry of Magic. Hogwarts magic is closely connected with the magical society, and it can quickly interpret social changes and play a role in school education at the same time. This is extremely
It is important, and it is also a gap that we urgently need to fill – for now, these are the three conditions.”
Work history at the Ministry of Magic?
Professor McGonagall was slightly startled and glanced at Elena in the corner with a strange expression.
She finally understood why Madam Pomfrey said, "without mentioning her name" but was so sure that it was her.
In fact, most professors and students have now begun to look at her subconsciously, and many are even ready to applaud.
However, after thinking about it all night, she did not intend to passively become an "acting principal".
After all, Dumbledore did not really disappear or die, and Professor McGonagall did not want to become the headmaster in this way - especially with the help of a certain little witch.
"Well, Mr. Scrimgeour, it seems that the nominee based on these three conditions has been announced?"
Professor McGonagall took a long breath and stood up slowly, ready to end this boring and strange farce.
"But I'm very sorry, you may not have considered-"
Obviously, when these three conditions for nomination are combined, doesn’t that mean——
"Yes, so I propose that the school's grammar professor, Ms. Dolores Jane Umbridge, serve as the 'acting principal' of Hogwarts."
"-Will the nominee decline the nomination? Hmm?"
The voices of Professor McGonagall and Scrimgeour appeared in the auditorium almost at the same time.
What followed was a long silence.
The students blinked in confusion, and the Weasley twins, who were ready to cheer and applaud, froze their hands in the air.
"Oh. Thank you very much for your thoughtful consideration, dear Vice Principal McGonagall——"
At this moment, a sweet and shrill voice like a little girl suddenly sounded.
With a victorious smile on her face, Umbridge stood up unhurriedly, her toad-like eyes happily scanning the people in the auditorium.
"Yes, being the Acting Headmaster of Hogwarts is an important task...but since Mr. Scrimgeour and everyone else trust me so much, I am naturally embarrassed to refuse and refuse."
"I must admit, I am extremely honored by this expectation and trust!" She grinned, showing her sharp teeth, "But seeing these happy little faces looking up at me, eager to serve as an agent
I, the principal, have put things in order, and I have to say it's great. Hogwarts should have started a new era long ago, right?"
Luna and Hannah looked at Elena beside them in shock, and at the same time quickly looked around a few times.
Except for Elena, who had a weird smile, they didn't see happiness on any of their faces - on the contrary, almost all of them had shock written on their faces.
"I eagerly hope to start the work of acting principal as soon as possible. I believe you will soon understand what a correct decision this is."
"Ahem, sorry—Um, Professor Umbridge, maybe you, you can't start working as an 'acting principal' right away."
At this moment, a stuttering but extremely firm young man's voice suddenly intervened.
Quirinus Quirrell said nervously, with a particularly serious look on his face.
"According to what Mr. Scrimgeour just said, this is just the nomination stage..."
"There can only be one nominee, right? Professor Quirrell - in the actual operation of the Ministry of Magic, we call it equal selection."
Umbridge said softly with a calm expression, wagging her stubby fingers triumphantly and looking around.
Cornelius Fudge had written to her some time ago and told her that the professors at Hogwarts would not nominate other wizards who would get in the way, and that she would be the only person elected successfully.
To be on the safe side, Umbridge specifically asked about a few possible problems, such as Professor Quirrell, whom she had almost secretly arrested. But this time, the Auror office gave her a letter directly.
Correspondence, which completely records the deal made between the Auror Office and Quirrell - canceling the prosecution and investigation in exchange for the other party taking sides.
Similarly, most of the control of other professors and faculty members is in the hands of Aurors.
As for Elena Kaslana, it is even more impossible for her to deliberately turn over to the Ministry of Magic in a place like this.
That little witch is currently busy accepting the Destiny Group that Grindelwald "robbed" from Paracelsus for her, so she won't care about these things.
Umbridge grinned and glanced meaningfully at Quirinus Quirrell.
"Or do you think there are other professors here who meet the nomination rules and are willing to participate?"
"...Of course there is, such as -"
Quirrell's originally pale face turned even paler. He looked past Umbridge and looked at McGonagall on the other side of the staff bench.
He opened his mouth, but for some reason no sound came out.
But now no one cares about Professor Quirrell's weirdness. Everyone's eyes are now focused on Professor McGonagall who suddenly stood up just now.
"Um, Professor McGonagall, do you have any questions - or any other nominees?"
Grindelwald shook the goblet in his hand with great interest and asked curiously before anyone else spoke.
"I think you seemed to have something to say just now... but you were interrupted?"
"I……"
Professor McGonagall stood there, as if she had returned to the time when she first entered Hogwarts and argued with the Sorting Hat in front of everyone.
At that time, the Sorting Hat was trying to persuade her to choose Ravenclaw because her magical talents and intelligence were more suitable for that side.
but……
"I just found out that I should also meet the nomination criteria, right? Mr. Scrimgeour, Professor Umbridge?"
"As the Vice-President of Hogwarts, Professor of Transfiguration, Head of Gryffindor House... and a former member of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, I seem to be more suitable than Ms. Dolores Umbridge.
The position of 'Acting Principal'? So..."
Regardless of whether this was the little witch's plan, she would never sit back and let Hogwarts become a bargaining chip for the Ministry of Magic to exchange interests.
Professor McGonagall took a deep breath, and the confusion and confusion in her eyes gradually turned into a determined edge.
"I nominate myself, Minerva McGonagall, for the position of 'Acting Headmaster'."