Homecoming from Hogwarts

The sky outside the castle was no longer clear, but turned into a grayish dark blue.

On the campus lawn, there was a commotion around the Beauxbatons carriage. The Pegasus pulling the carriage suddenly got angry and were arguing with Hagrid who was feeding them.

"What's going on, Hagrid?"

Sensing the commotion, Mark's wife hurriedly got off the carriage to check what was going on.

"Oh, just a few minor problems, Olympe, I can fix them quickly!"

Hagrid held the wine barrel in one hand and pulled the bridle with the other hand, trying to straighten his chest as a guarantee, but under Madame Maxime's suspicious gaze, Hagrid quickly gave in.

He loosened the reins and said breathlessly,

"Your cart-hands are clever, Olim, I just mixed a little water with the malt whisky. Don't be angry, Olim, I swear it's just a little bit."

Hagrid's voice became weaker, and the four little wizards standing in the corridor on the fourth floor could no longer hear the noise, so they retracted their heads one after another.

Several people looked at each other. This would have been quite funny under normal circumstances, but considering the current predicament that Hogwarts was facing, several people could no longer laugh.

"Let's go--"

A gloomy mood enveloped the hearts of several children who were worried about their future and fate at Hogwarts. Hermione said sullenly and walked forward first.

In order to find out the love-hate relationship between the school board and Hogwarts, they went to the library as soon as the classes were over for several afternoons. They also needed to finish their meals and do exercises.

The ceiling of the auditorium reflected the cloudy night sky. The little wizards at the four long tables were whispering to each other, and the atmosphere here was not as cheerful as before.

Harry glanced at the food on the table. Both the quantity and variety of the food were much more shabby than usual.

"What's going on? What are you talking about?"

Ron, who was near the dining table, saw Ginny and Colin talking about something. He frowned and walked over to ask with a bit of dissatisfaction.

"Oh, you didn't know yet?"

Before Ginny and Colin could answer, Ernie, who couldn't wait to spread the news, started to talk loudly at the Hufflepuff table.
"Hogwarts is in serious financial crisis!"

"How did you know?"

Harry asked in surprise.

"Need I say that?" Ernie pointed at the dining table and said disapprovingly.

"Cedric asked Professor Sprout during Herbology class this afternoon—"

Hannah, who was beside Ernie, turned around, her face pale.
"You all saw that today's breakfast and lunch were not as sumptuous as usual, and many professors asked students to practice in groups during class. Cedric felt strange, so he went to find Professor Sprout, and was told that the school was facing some minor operational problems."

Hannah's version is closer to the truth that Cedric got from Professor Sprout, but Ernie's version is closer to the truth of the matter.

"Did Professor Sprout tell Cedric what the school is going to do?"

Neville asked, frowning.

"Professor Sprout said that Professor Dumbledore and Professor Braine are trying to figure out a solution—"

Hannah raised her chin towards the empty seat at the staff table. Not only were Professors Dumbledore and Braine absent, but also Professors McGonagall and Sprout.

Find a solution?
A sense of humiliation emerged in Harry's heart. What were the two professors going to do? Give in to the board of directors? !
"I would rather starve to death than let that toad teach at Hogwarts!"

Neville clenched his fists, his face turned pale and he spoke through gritted teeth.

"This is outrageous!"

Hermione's face also turned green, while Ron looked confused. It was obvious that he had no idea about the current predicament he was facing.

But in fact, it's not just Ron. How much can a group of children do about money problems?

A few people slowly joined the long table, eating their food with a dull attitude while listening to the almost monotonous discussions about the Hogwarts crisis.

Harry had yet to hear anyone name the person who had caused this crisis.

At present, the only way to solve this problem is to rely on Professor Dumbledore and Professor Braine to persuade the board of directors to continue investing. Apart from the board of directors that brings together the richest families in the wizarding world, who can afford such a huge expenditure?

But apart from accepting the appointment of the Board of Directors, Harry couldn't think of how they could make the Board of Directors continue to give money willingly. His eyes wandered around the hall in boredom, and suddenly, Harry saw Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout walking down the stairs to the entrance hall instead of the faculty table.

Both professors were in formal robes, and Sprout's professor was still wearing his dusty, patched hat.

They looked serious and were about to leave the castle.

As if possessed by a ghost, Harry jumped up from the stool, and under the surprised gaze of Ron and the others, Harry quickly ran towards the hallway.

"Professor McGonagall, Professor Sprout!"

Harry shouted, stopping the two professors as they walked out of the castle gates and prepared to go down the marble steps.

"Mr. Potter?"

Hearing Harry's cry, the two professors stopped and turned to look at her. Professor McGonagall looked Harry up and down and asked,

"What is it, Mr. Potter?"

"Are you going to negotiate with the school board as well?"

Harry blurted out without thinking.

"Oh, Mr. Potter!"

Professor McGonagall cried out in surprise.

"You already know that the school board has suspended funding?"

"I suppose Miss Granger told you that?"

Professor Sprout smiled kindly at the few people who also ran over with Harry.

Looking at those eager young faces, Professor McGonagall's expression softened. She pursed her lips.

"The negotiations with the Board of Directors will be handled by Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor Braine. Mr. Potter, Professor Sprout and I have other matters to attend to."

"What is it?"

Harry asked bluntly, but Professor McGonagall did not think Harry was rude.
"I'm going to Hogsmeade with Professor Sprout. We've made an appointment with the villagers there and asked them to provide supplies to Hogwarts as normal. Hogwarts will settle their remuneration after Hogwarts overcomes this crisis."

In other words, on credit.
Harry understood immediately and blurted out,

"I still have a lot of gold in the vault at Gringotts, Professor. If Hogwarts needs it, you can take it all."

Fearing that Professor McGonagall would not accept it, Harry quickly added,
"Sirius won't let me starve."

Hermione, Ron and Neville all looked at Harry in shock, not expecting Harry to say that.

Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout were also quite surprised. McGonagall, who had come to her senses, blew her nose with emotion. She patted Harry's shoulder and said softly,
"Thank you for your sentiments, Mr. Potter, but Hogwarts has not yet reached this state of desolation.

There is still a considerable amount of gold in the school's vault, enough to support the school's operations for a period of time. Of course, it must be used in a reasonable manner. I believe that Professor Dumbledore and Professor Braine will solve the problem before the gold is used up. This is what Professor Braine promised me. "

After saying this, Professor McGonagall gave the worried-looking little wizards a reassuring smile and hurried away with Professor Sprout.

The raging flames shone on Harry's face, just like the anger in his heart at this moment.

There was a noise in the hall behind her. Hermione turned around quickly and found that it was Professor Snape who was leading Malfoy, Parkinson, Nott and Blaise walking out. The boil on Parkinson's hand had been cured by Madam Pomfrey.

Professor Snape glanced at them coldly, then walked away with his head held high. The Slytherin students behind him, perhaps because of their mood, were not as arrogant as usual. They also just glanced at them and followed Snape away.

Several Gryffindors stared gloomily as Snape led his students into the venue, and their figures quickly blurred in the dimness of the first night.

"Hi!"

Neville suddenly called out, drawing everyone's attention to his face. Then he looked at Harry meaningfully.

"Would you like to find an opportunity to vent your anger, Harry? I mean, to teach those nasty people who put Hogwarts in danger a lesson?"

(End of this chapter)