I have to admit that judging from the brief "chef's majesty" just now, the Hogwarts kitchen has almost fallen.
Hogwarts is different from other magical families. In this castle, in addition to the professors, every student can command the house elves. Each student also has a certain say, and the authorized chef lady is naturally in the first place.
Bit.
The Goblin Queen of Gringotts, the Quibbler Village led by the Demon King, the ship floating above Hogwarts...
In the past year, there have been too many similar painful lessons.
Drawing from the past experience, Dumbledore was not at all concerned about allowing Elena to build an elf guard force - he did not want the girl to be labeled as an "elven queen" - by that time, there might be no house elves in the wizarding world.
.
There might not be an elf rebellion, but it might become house elf warriors or something.
"It's better to maintain the status quo in terms of house elves..."
Dumbledore said calmly, staring into Elena's blue eyes.
"Personally, I think the interior of the castle is relatively safe - after all, in my impression, there have been no cases of foreign wizards or magical creatures breaking into the school, so this aspect is not a high priority."
"However, in view of Miss Kaslana's reminder, I think it is appropriate to add part of the security mission."
Dumbledore blinked and considered his words slowly.
"Without affecting or adding new patrol plans, the house elves in Hogwarts are responsible for guarding, expelling outsiders or protecting students while doing daily cleaning, cooking, or other tasks."
"If problems are found during this, then we will raise the alert level step by step, and you will be responsible for the arrangements."
"What do you think of this? Miss Kaslana."
"...Okay. Then we'll make an agreement."
Elena curled her lips and agreed reluctantly.
Since Grindelwald came to Hogwarts, the old carrot has become more and more sophisticated in talking about trade-offs.
If it had been in the past, Spicy Old Carrot would never have been so skilled in negotiating with others. This negotiation skill should have been Old Potato's specialty, not Mr. Principal's skill - Dumbledore's line-up skills, rising
Too fast.
"Very good, let's implement it like this for the time being."
Dumbledore looked at Elena with a smile and said.
"Miss Kaslana, you can go back to the Hufflepuff dormitory to rest first. Turn left when you go out and you will find the dormitory. The next few things, such as introducing the ins and outs and making subsequent announcements of plans, are left to us old guys."
"Oh, what if..."
"If someone really breaks into Hogwarts - without internal help - then I allow you to gradually strengthen the security on a small scale according to your original idea, whether it is to mobilize house elves or strengthen the student discipline committee."
said Dumbledore, his tone making it clear that this was the end of the matter.
After patching up the last patch, the little hair on Elena's head was obviously reduced a lot.
"Okay, then I'll go back first -"
Anyway, the recruitment and interview process ended successfully. Although she was unable to further expand the results, overall, Elena was quite satisfied. As for the house elves, there are many opportunities to advance in the future.
…………
As Elena left, the kitchen became quiet again.
"Albus, I think your promise just now was a little too big."
After a moment, Nico Flamel frowned and took the initiative to break the silence and spoke softly.
"House elves are not stupid trolls. After a certain amount of training, their abilities may even be stronger than those of the same number of ordinary wizards... If there really is -"
"That is almost impossible, Mr. Flamel."
The almost headless Nick waved his hand casually and explained with a smile.
"As we all know, Hogwarts has always been the safest place in the wizarding world, bar none."
"For centuries, Hogwarts has rarely been infiltrated."
"This castle is not only protected by walls, it is also cast with various magics. No matter it is sneaking, flying, or phantom movement, it is impossible to break into Hogwarts - and after adding ghost patrols, the security is even better
It has risen by more than one level. Not to mention, now we have three castle administrators and three student discipline committee members."
"But..." Nico Flamel frowned, feeling a little uneasy.
"Don't worry, Flamel, there will be no problem."
Dumbledore said with a smile, a hint of relaxation in his tone.
"Under Miss Kaslana's suggestion, since last year, we have strengthened defensive magic in various locations of Hogwarts Castle, supplemented and repaired some outdated and old protections - unless there is internal help,
Otherwise, no one can quietly break through the defenses and sneak into Hogwarts - this time the one standing in front of her is her own shield."
"And to say the least, yes, even if someone is lurking tonight - I mean if -"
said Dumbledore, winking slyly and spreading his hands with a strange expression.
"Then it is obviously a smarter way to ask Miss Kaslana to strengthen the security of the castle and add obstacles to the next increase in security - this is rare in the history of Hogwarts, and it may happen in a few hundred years.
once?"
"I see, that child is still too young..."
Nico Flamel raised his eyebrows and nodded thoughtfully.
"That's right. She understands it very well."
Dumbledore said happily, stroking his long silver-white beard in a good mood.
"In the long run, even if Miss Kaslana can mobilize some elves to participate in patrolling and guarding, the number and scale will be quite limited - unless someone sneaks into Hogwarts Castle every week, but is this possible? Obviously it is.
impossible."
"Okay, don't worry about this issue for now... let's talk about business first."
Dumbledore waved his hand casually, suddenly his expression straightened, and he said in a deep voice.
"Sir Nicholas, since you are at the level of [World-21], according to the O5 Council Charter, you have the right to know most of the confidential content. However, considering the limited time, I think it is best to resolve the matter of the Ghost Patrol first, and then
If you have any doubts about this, you can wait until the charter is drafted to discuss it in detail - anyway, we still have a lot of time tonight."
Different from other lower level participants.
After learning the true identity of "Nearly Headless Nick", Dumbledore also agreed with Elena's judgment that they really needed a professional magician who could handle and make decision-making recommendations on politics, law, and social relations.
.
And this means that Nick will become the eighth member to fully master all content.
…
A moment later, the Death Anniversary Party Hall.
As the tower bell rang, the students had been driven away from the party by their professors and returned to their dormitories to prepare for bed. The ghosts who came to the party also began to prepare to leave one after another, and the huge auditorium quickly became empty.
"What, Nick, are you going to let us stay at Hogwarts?!"
Mr. Padrick said in surprise, his head tucked under his right arm like a moving Quaffle.
"The Headless Horseman will not stay in one place for too long. We belong to the endless world, freedom, honor... these are our pursuits. This is another reason why you cannot join the Headless Horseman..."
"A ghost dinner is held once a week, for ten people each time, and the tastes vary."
Nick, who was almost headless, said calmly and glanced at the quotation given by Elena in his hand.
"Don't you understand yet? The Headless Horseman symbolizes freedom. These are not just some dishes..."
"Two times a week, for twenty people each time - only potion masters are qualified to try ghost dishes. This is equivalent to forty customized magic potions per week. If you think it's not possible, then I'll ask someone else.
."
Sir Nicholas shrugged and turned around.
Although the "price" is still far from the base price given by Elena, Nick knows the importance of keeping his trump card.
This is like recruiting soldiers, he has to reserve a certain amount of room for improvement in the future.
As the most special member of the O5 Council, Nick has the power to adjudicate on all ghost affairs - recruiting and establishing the Ghost Patrol is just the beginning. If he hopes to increase his voice, he must first prove his worth.
There is no free bread in the world, whether it is for him or other ghosts.
Nick, who once served as First Minister of State, knows this very well.
"Uh, wait a minute, Nick...are you really still bitter about us not letting you join the Hunters?"
Mr. Padrick was stunned for a moment, looked at Nick who turned to leave and shouted loudly.
"I haven't finished what I just said! Hogwarts is indeed a charming place. It has the largest audience, the most vast and complex environment, and the children also like to watch our performances - understand, it's not just for food.
Desire, we are here to bring some happiness to the little wizards and find a place to hone the skills of the hunter team..."
"It's a responsibility, Mr. Padraic."
The almost headless Nick glanced at the other party and said in a stiff tone.
"I think the Headless Horseman should not be able to calm down and complete the inspection work. This is an extremely irresponsible behavior for the school and the students - maybe the monks in south London are more suitable. They pay attention to commitment."
"Those slow, stubborn, dull guys? Ha!"
Mr. Padraic laughed exaggeratedly and thrust his head back into his neck carelessly.
"I'm not boasting. There are few ghosts more suitable for this job than us. The Ghost Patrol - this is obviously tailor-made for us! Are those guys who don't even have horses wandering around outside?
?”
"...What's wrong?" Nick, who was almost headless, said with a straight face.
"Ha! Okay, anyway, I agreed first!"
Mr. Padrick raised his eyebrows proudly and whistled at the teammates around him.
"Twice a week, ghost dishes for twenty people each time - in contrast, we serve as the ghost patrol team of Hogwarts in normal times, patrolling the surrounding areas of the school and the castle area, and providing timely warnings... This is really
too easy."
"Okay, I'll tell Professor Dumbledore."
Nick, who was almost headless, turned around in disappointment and said stiffly.
"Professor Dumbledore will explain the details after breakfast tomorrow. I will first go and inform other guests that the Hunter Team has joined, and that the Ghost Patrol has temporarily suspended external recruitment-"
"Hey, there's no need to bother, I'll just notify you."
Mr. Padrick exchanged a knowing glance with the surrounding players.
This was a good opportunity to declare sovereignty and attract attention. They had to give up the idea of potential competitors. Otherwise, who knows if Nick would secretly negotiate with other ghosts and finally let them go.
You know, the secret about the ghost dishes was revealed more than ten minutes ago.
Only potions masters have the opportunity to cook "magic food", and any wizard understands the significance of this.
…
"Twice a week, serving twenty people each time?"
In the central kitchen of Hogwarts, Dumbledore looked at Nick with a strange expression.
Since the principal's office was equipped with special magical protection, ghosts could not enter that area. Therefore, Dumbledore did not leave the kitchen like Flamel, but continued to stay in the kitchen and waited for Nick to report the results of the "ghost recruitment".
It's just that Dumbledore never expected that Sir Nicholas would be so ruthless in "salary control".
You know, Elena's original price was "two meals a day, for ten people each".
"Ahem, this is normal...Miss Kaslana is just too, well, too generous."
Under Dumbledore's surprised look, Nick coughed slightly uncomfortably.
As "Thomas Cromwell", who was born into a commoner family and served successively as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Privy Seal, and Chief Minister of State during the reign of Henry VIII, this negotiation skill is simply imprinted in his bones, and he is still familiar with it even if it has been dusted for many years.
.
Compared with the embarrassment of that turbulent period, people's lives in this era are really comfortable.
"The perception of a ghost - whether it is time or spirit - is actually quite different from that of a living person. If the food is provided according to the diet of a living person, on the one hand, it will increase Miss Kaslana's burden; more importantly,
, this will cause a fatal dilution and blow to the rarity and gold content of the 'ghost dishes'... It is better to proceed step by step."
Mr. World cleared his throat, explained a few words casually, and then quickly changed the topic.
"Let's not talk about it for now. Professor Dumbledore, you don't look well - are you worried? If it's because of the Ghost Patrol, that is, Mr. Padric, there is no need to worry. They are
The product is absolutely reliable!”
Sir Ghost glanced at Dumbledore. The old man's brows were furrowed, as if something was worrying him.
"No, I trust your judgment. Hogwarts certainly welcomes the Headless Horseman to join."
Dumbledore shook his head slowly and sighed.
"There's something wrong on the other side, Sir Nicholas - just a few minutes ago, there was bad news from the house elves at Hogwarts. A house elf discovered an intruder from outside the school in the student dormitory.