days at Hogwarts

Chapter 552 School is about to start

Fluorescent green flames rose and expanded in the fireplace, and Bellatrix, wearing a hooded cloak, walked out of the fireplace. The flames ignited the flying Floo powder, expanding it into a quickly disappearing wave of fire, and a brilliant light flashed by.

After walking out of the fireplace, the trance brought by the space shift just faded away. Bellatrix glanced at Snape standing next to her, and immediately turned to the tall chair not far away, bowing to Voldemort who was sitting behind the chair and observing the wand: "Master, I am back."

“Bellatrix, I hope you can bring me good news, but there is always a faint voice lingering in my ears…” Without even raising his head, Voldemort slid his slender and pale fingers across the wand and uttered a cold and stern voice slowly, “It told me that you failed and did not bring me what I wanted…”

"I'm sorry, Master!"

Bellatrix knelt on the ground quickly, lowered her head, and then took out a brand new picture from her bosom and held it high above her head. "I found the Wand Master Gregorovitch according to your instructions. He admitted that he once owned the Elder Wand for a period of time, but it was stolen many years ago. He didn't know the true identity of the thief, so I could only copy this picture according to his memory..."

"Thief..."

Voldemort repeated grimly, his magical eyes falling on the picture. Without moving his wand or fingers, the thin picture floated up and slowly fell into his pale palm.

The Dark Lord looked down at the picture without saying a word. Snape, who was standing next to him, remained silent. His eyes lowered quietly, scanning the brand new picture, taking in the blond boy squatting at the window with a bright smile, and silently engraved it in his mind.

The Elder Wand... The Deathly Hallows...

It turns out that Voldemort sent Bellatrix to find this thing. No wonder he kept it from me...

The firewood crackled and the flames in the fireplace swayed gently, causing the shadows in the entire room to sway together, as if some monster with sharp claws and bloody mouth would pounce out from under the walls and floor at any time and devour anyone.

Bellatrix lowered her head even more, her voice filled with panic. "I have tortured Gregorovitch with every means I can think of, but he really doesn't seem to know the identity of the thief... He didn't say anything useful."

"Don't panic, dear Bella...Gregorovitch is just a weak wand maker. How could he safely hold such a powerful treasure? When others know that he has the Elder Wand, one of the Deathly Hallows, it is normal for it to be taken away."

Voldemort said softly, "I will not punish you for this. I still need you to find this despicable thief for me and bring back the wand that belongs to me."

As he spoke, Voldemort stretched out his pale hand and waved it upwards. Bellatrix immediately felt a steady force dragging her to her feet - it was the reattached metal arm. Compared to its current owner, it was more obedient to the maker's orders.

The smooth surface of the silver arm exuded a bright light and a mysterious and gentle aura, slowly dispelling Bellatrix's long-running body and soothing her long-fearful mind, as if some holy power was bringing her purification.

Snape looked at her in astonishment, while Bellatrix's eyes were full of gratitude. She seemed completely unaware that part of her body was hiding mysterious magic, and that this magic was controlled by another person.

Voldemort, who was sitting on the chair, was very satisfied with her reaction, with a look of approval on his face. "The search for the Elder Wand is not a failure, it's just that there are more twists and turns than we expected. I have plenty of patience... Bellatrix, now tell me another piece of information about the wand."

"Another piece of intelligence?"

Bellatrix glanced at Snape beside her with a subtle look, "Yes, Master. I interrogated Gregorovitch about the information about the twin wands. He told me personally that if the two wands use closely connected cores, unexpected situations may occur..."

Listening to the female voice in front of him slowly revealing the information she was familiar with, Snape's neck stiffened for a moment and a chill suddenly ran down his back.

Voldemort was testing himself. Even with the Horcrux as bait, he did not completely trust himself...

If the information Bellatrix told me was different from what I had told her, tomorrow morning, there would be a corpse in the ditch outside the house, the corpse of a Death Eater spy...

"I already know these interesting situations. The wand that has been with me for decades is unwilling to become an enemy of Harry Potter..."

Voldemort turned his head slowly, "Severus has already found out through Ollivander, so I need to change my wand. Before I find the Elder Wand, do you have any suggestions, Severus?"

"Just change your wand when you kill Harry Potter. If you agree, I am willing to offer my wand at that important moment..." Snape had a blank expression on his face, and he handed over his wand respectfully.

"The core is made of snake nerve and the outer skin is made of birch. I really like it, but the length is a bit unsuitable..."

Voldemort was very satisfied with his attitude. He took the wand, looked at it, and handed it back. "Make good use of its power. The head of Slytherin House needs this wand, and the professor of potions needs this wand."

"A loyal Death Eater also needs this wand." Snape bent slightly and took the thirteen and a half inch wand with a calm expression.

"Then, rest early, two loyal Death Eaters."

"Yes, Master."

"..."

There was a mixture of a chilly breath in the sharp voice, which created a sourceless breeze in the room, causing the firelight and the long shadows to sway a few times.

Footsteps sounded in the quiet corridor of the attic. The face of a tall and thin middle-aged man was hidden in the dim shadows. His hard-soled leather shoes stepped on the wooden floor slowly. The dull echo seemed to be the only sound in the whole house. Snape, dressed in a black robe, walked towards the bedroom deep in the attic.

After returning to his bedroom and closing the door to make sure that all prying eyes were blocked outside, the double agent, who had been nervous but silent, suddenly relaxed and let out a long breath.

He waved his wand to light up the room. The dozen candles on the ceiling cast a glow that made his shadow on the ground even longer.

Snape sat looking at the soft bed and rubbed his brow. Fatigue spread in the room like a tide, but he could not sleep. Being in the same house with the Dark Lord and the Death Eaters, he dared not let his guard down and even slept with one ear open.

Fortunately, school will start soon.

……

August 8, noon.

Hagrid's Hut, at the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

Loren was sitting on the steps in front of the cabin, holding a piece of crispy and browned roasted pork belly in his hand, directing Hagrid to do his work.

If the mutton is not marinated for enough time, the incision needs to be cut deeper to make it easier for the flavor to absorb.

It took almost a day to get back to Hogwarts from the foot of Ben Nevis. Hagrid spent three hours convincing the centaurs to sell them five immature lambs. He worked until late at night to clean them and marinate them overnight. Grawp couldn't wait that long, and started pestering Hagrid after breakfast.

Finally, Loren couldn't stand it anymore and persuaded Hagrid to start grilling early. After all, the giant who was as big as a hill pushing and shoving was really an eyesore.

The lamb is pierced with iron skewers and propped above the flames with a grill. It stretches its limbs freely and rotates leisurely. It is slowly roasted so that the fat comes out from under the skin and the aroma wafts away.

Because Hagrid's Transfiguration was not sophisticated enough, the classic roasting method was used, with basically no magic involved, and all the flipping depended on manpower. Fortunately, the half-blood giant was energetic, and the weight of a few lambs was nothing to him.

The supervisor Yaya was lying nearby, his tail wagging back and forth because of the heat, but he was unwilling to open his mouth to breathe out, for fear that he would not be able to hold back his saliva.

Grawp was restless, the aroma almost made his brain burst, but the wizard said it was not cooked yet, so he had to vent his anxiety on the trees next to the cabin. Sixteen feet tall was enough to reach most treetops, and he could use his palm as big as a parasol to rob bird nests. In a few hours, there were dozens of murders around him.

Some ribs with little meat on them are used to make soup. A few radishes are thrown in and the soup is simmered for several hours. When the lid is opened, the rich meaty aroma with a hint of sweetness goes straight into your brain. The soup is milky white and thick, with a layer of clear mutton fat floating on top.

Hermione picked up the bowl and blew on it gently to cool it down. She took a bite and the delicious flavor filled the gaps between her teeth.

She let out a long breath of relief and looked at the milky white soup in the bowl. She couldn't help but wonder, "Why is it so white?"

Loren waved the spoon, looking excited, "It's milk! I added milk!"

"..."

This man is ill again.

Hermione lowered her head silently and continued to serve the mutton soup in the pot.

There were five lambs in total. The two little wizards, the half-giant and a dog ate one, and the other four went into Grawp's stomach. He looked unsatisfied after finishing the meal.

After dinner, Loren and Hermione walked along the path in the grounds towards the castle. They were going to submit a task to Dumbledore.

A gentle breeze blew across her cheeks, mixed with the scent of summer, making the girl's curly hair sway constantly. The wind in the forest was a little different from the wind in the mountains. It was drier, and the smell of grass was stronger. There was also some stuffiness in the late summer, but the familiar scenery made people feel comfortable.

Loren picked up a glass jar and swung it around, not caring about the lives of the two hamsters inside. "Why don't we just not go back to Grimmauld Place? We can stay at school until the start of the semester. Our luggage is in the locket anyway, and we don't have to squeeze into the express train."

Hermione glanced at the two fainted hamsters: "But we still have to go to Diagon Alley to buy things, have you forgotten?"

Loren chuckled and said, "Let Mrs. Weasley buy it for us, and then let Harry and the others take it back to school."

Hermione was tempted, but still a little hesitant: "This is not in line with the start of school process. Will Professor McGonagall agree?"

"Just ask her directly."

"what?"

"Look!" Loren pursed his lips, "It's right in front."

……

Professor McGonagall stood quietly outside the quaint and heavy castle entrance hall, staring at the Senior Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Magic through her simple black-framed glasses. A silent pressure passed through the lenses, and her penetrating gaze forced Dolores Umbridge to look away.

After a long moment, Umbridge forced out a smile uncomfortably, her voice filled with sickly sweetness: "Professor McGonagall, we are also trying to make Hogwarts a better place so that students can enjoy a better education."

"This is an internal matter of Hogwarts. The Ministry of Magic has no right to interfere." Professor McGonagall said lightly with a cold expression.

Umbridge felt her contempt and became angry and even gave up the smile she had been maintaining: "The Ministry of Magic is the British wizarding government. We have the power to govern the magic schools within our territory. You must unconditionally cooperate with our education policy!"

"When Hogwarts was founded, there was no Ministry of Magic."

"you!!"

Umbridge looked extremely upset, and even wanted to take out her wand to teach this rude guy a lesson, but thinking of her status as a senior professor, she gritted her teeth and swallowed her frustration: "Professor McGonagall, I must remind you that our policy has been unanimously agreed upon by the school board. If you openly resist the Ministry of Magic's intervention in the school, the school board will cut off the teaching funds for the new school year."

"Three years ago, Hogwarts began its financial reform plan. If you have paid attention to Hogwarts' financial reports in recent years, you would have noticed this..."

When Professor McGonagall said this, her expression was calm and composed, in stark contrast to the stunned pink toad. "Everything we do is to avoid being controlled by anyone or any force. If you want to use funds to force Hogwarts to submit, then you're thinking the wrong way."

Umbridge's face was distorted and her chest was heaving violently with anger.

You also said that you are not Dumbledore's people and that you have no intention of overthrowing the Ministry of Magic. If you were not supporting Dumbledore to seize power, how could you have started financial reforms several years in advance!
A group of ambitious guys!

After a brief silence, Umbridge slowly calmed her breathing and forced out a sickening sweet smile again: "Have you found a new professor for the Defense Against the Dark Arts class?"

Professor McGonagall couldn't help but frown slightly.

"Mad-Eye is so busy that you can't find anyone, right..." Umbridge pinched her throat pretentiously, "Last year's Goblet of Fire Tournament had such an accident. Everyone knows that Mad-Eye was detained by Barty Crouch Jr. for a whole year. The rumor that the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts is cursed has become even more terrifying. No one should dare to accept your invitation to join the job, right?"

"What do you mean?"

"Minister Fudge has taken into consideration the special circumstances of Hogwarts and has kindly recommended a suitable candidate to you."

"Who?"

"Of course..." Umbridge giggled a few times, pinched her fingers and turned them, pointing them directly at herself, "Me!"

(End of this chapter)