Chapter 293 Some Preparations

Anthony and Professor Bubbaji finished their breakfast quickly - Professor Bubbaji was faster. She stood up and said goodbye to Anthony in a tone of mixed sympathy and amusement, so Anthony pretended that he had something urgent to talk to her and casually I grabbed a pie and left the table with her.

"Why don't I remember the topics we wrote to discuss?" Professor Boubaji scoffed as soon as they walked out of the hall. "Is the magic in Muggle stories a loophole in the law of secrecy or is it purely the imagination of Muggles?" She glanced out the window, the rare sunlight shining brightly on the dry lawn, "Want to take a walk, Henry?"

"Of course, Caredi." Anthony also relaxed, "I can ask more questions if you want to listen. Muggle technology has a great impact on the wizarding world, but magic seems to have no impact on Muggles. What is the impact? Will emphasizing the difference between wizards and Muggles accelerate the spread of the pure-blood theory?"

Professor Boubaji glanced at him: "So what's your answer, Henry?"

"I'm still trying to find them," said Anthony, "and I doubt whether I'll ever be able to—Oh, good morning, Professor Snape."

"Good morning," Snape said grimly, nodding towards him and Professor Bubbaji. His greasy black hair hung on the shoulders of his unchanging black robe, and his whole body was filled with the cold air of the outdoors.

"At least you're trying, and it's always good to try," Professor Bubbaji said to Anthony, then glanced at Snape with concern, "Where have you been, Severus?"

Snape's face twitched and he simply said, "Knockturn Alley."

Professor Bubaji nodded understandingly.

"Knockturn Alley?" Anthony asked.

Professor Boubaji and Anthony explained: "Severus needs to store some... potion materials that are not in compliance with the Ministry of Magic's specifications in case of emergency."

Snape said: "Mainly selling some potions."

"As well as selling some potions that are not in compliance with the Ministry of Magic's specifications." Professor Bubbaji told Anthony. "Although I doubt whether Umbridge could recognize those potions, Minerva obviously did. Severus He actually put some of them in the locker next to the classroom, and Minerva was really pissed off."

Anthony repeated: "The storage cabinet next to the classroom?" He recalled the structure of the potions classroom that he heard from his colleagues, "It's the storage cabinet where students can enter and exit to get potion materials during class? Seriously?"

Snape said dryly: "I don't know what you are talking about. I am just a poor, poor Potions Professor. My office is pitifully small, and I need to rely on selling potions to supplement my pitiful salary."

"Oh my god, Severus, that's exactly right. Go get breakfast." Professor Bubbaji rolled his eyes unabashedly, "I think you must be hungry."

Snape gave a fake smile: "Of course, Caredi." He nodded to the two men, walked around them and continued towards the hall.

"Uh, Professor Snape?" Anthony said.

Snape turned his head impatiently: "Professor Anthony?"

"Just a reminder-"

Snape said boredly, "I'm sure you have better things to care about than my potions stash -"

"——Professor Lockhart is also enjoying his breakfast." Anthony finished his sentence and shrugged, "Just thought you might want to know. Anyway, I wish you a good appetite."

It wasn't until he and Professor Bubbaji walked outside the castle that Professor Bubbaji laughed out loud.

"That's a very friendly reminder, Henry," she said, laughing. "Oh, I really like that look on Severus's face."

"What's the matter, Caredi? Don't people want to take a look at the menu before they eat?" said Anthony. "I hope this makes up for the fact that I didn't give him a Christmas present."

"What? Wait, you gave Gilderoy a Christmas gift, but not Severus?" Professor Bubbaji asked funnyly.

"Um...yeah. So I prepared a gift in return." Anthony said, "Wait a minute, I suddenly remembered something. Last Christmas, I gave him a gift, but I don't remember receiving a gift in return—— To be fair, I don’t think I was the more disrespectful of the two of us, Caredi.”

Professor Boubaji said fairly: "I would say you are all being a little rude."

…

When Professor Sprout appeared at Hogwarts, Anthony had already sent a set of quills and ink to Snape's office with Coco's help, and also sent a large package of new Honeydukes products to Lupine. .

"Henry!" Professor Sprout greeted him with a smile as he met him on the stairs, "I'm so glad you're back too. Looks like I'm not the only one packing up my things in a hurry and rushing back to school."

"But you're obviously the slower one." Anthony smiled. "I'm glad to see you too, Pomona. I hope you've taken care of everything. You know Minerva has arranged to be there at three o'clock in the afternoon. A quick afternoon tea in the staff room?”

"Of course, I heard it's been sorted out there. As for my stuff... you'll soon see owls visiting me in droves. I've turned all conversations into Floo contacts and letters. Even though all his vacation plans were disrupted, Professor Sprout still looked very happy, "But returning to Hogwarts always makes people feel good."

Anthony asked, "Even Hogwarts preparing to welcome the High Inquisitor?"

"Oh, maybe it won't be that bad." Professor Sprout said comfortingly, "Don't worry so much, Henry. I know Umbridge has always had..." She hesitated, "Not a good reputation. , but, after all, this is Hogwarts and not the Ministry of Magic. Now that Albus has agreed, he must have known that she won't be a big problem."

"Speaking of which, where is Professor Dumbledore?"

"I just came back too, Henry." Professor Sprout smiled, "Why do you think I know more than you?"

"Okay." Anthony said, "Maybe he went to visit the fire dragon too."

"Maybe he also went to visit the mummy." Fred or George poked their heads from the top of the stairs, "Professor Anthony - Oh, good afternoon, Professor Sprout."

Another red-haired head poked out: "Mom asked Elon to bring Egyptian amulets for us and you, Professor Anthony. Who are you talking about?"

"Percy?" said the Weasley who spoke first, "He's been sneaking around."

"Very suspicious."

"Won't even talk to us today."

Professor Sprout smiled at them: "Happy New Year, Mr. Weasley."

Anthony also raised his head and told them: "Professor Dumbledore. Do you know where he is?"

The Weasley twins looked at each other and said, "Well, we know some rumors."

"Where is he?" Professor Sprout asked concerned.

"He went to visit You-Know-Who," the Weasley twins said seriously.

"On this blue-sky morning," said another.

"Nice rhyme. (Note 1)" Anthony said, "Professor Dumbledore will probably appreciate your poetry, but the upcoming senior investigator may not."

"Who is that?"

"Someone who came to investigate whether Hogwarts was teaching its young wizards correctly," Anthony said.

Professor Sprout said hesitantly: "Henry——"

"They'll find out soon enough," Anthony insisted, "and we need to make sure the Senior Inquisitor isn't greeted by a dozen Fang Saucers, right? Well, Mr. Weasley, if you can get those that should Hide the things well - I'm sure you can make it impossible for anyone to find them -" Professor Sprout nodded in agreement, "We'll all be very happy."

"And what if we don't?" the Weasley twins asked, leaning on the banister.

"Well..." said Anthony, "some people will not be so happy. Especially Minerva - and maybe Molly."

He didn't add Mr. Weasley. While he did suspect that Mr. Weasley's job at the Ministry might suffer some if Umbridge noticed the Weasley brothers, on the other hand, he doubted that Mr. Weasley cared that much.

Both Weasleys started to sigh at the same time. Professor Sprout smiled as they left (their footsteps were so heavy and deliberate that they sounded like a troll dragging its stick), and said goodbye to Anthony.

"Well, I'll see you in the staff lounge later," she said. "I'm going to prepare some tea."

…

The two gargoyles were still guarding the door of the staff lounge, but they seemed a little more taciturn. After saying hello to them, Anthony opened the door and was stunned by the sight in front of him.

"Come in, Henry," said Professor McGonagall.

Anthony walked in, closed the door behind him, and looked around the room. The balloons, the streamers, the gold dust, and the Lockhart photo had disappeared, but so too had the old sofa, the stove where the kettle should have been, and the cupboard where the tea was stored. The lounge turned into a huge, wood-paneled room that looked old and bleak, with a pile of old tables and chairs scattered on the wooden floor of the same material, none of which looked matching.

Professor McGonagall was sitting in a high-backed chair, with refreshments on a white porcelain plate placed on the black wooden table in front of her, indicating that this was indeed still an afternoon tea. Professor Sprout sank into an armchair, discussing hallucinogenic plants with Professor Flitwick.

Anthony dragged a chair and sat at the table. He gestured around and asked, "What's happening here?"

"It restores the original appearance of the staff room," Professor Sprout said. "It doesn't have Gilderoy's distinctive decorations, and it doesn't have the decorations of Minerva and Filius."

Professor McGonagall said in a sarcastic tone: "If Umbridge feels that it needs some decoration, let her do it herself. As the Ministry of Magic warns, we will not show students any 'magic beyond the requirements of the examination.' "

"But Minerva, making tea is much more difficult without the stove," Professor Sprout complained.

Professor Flitwick said sharply: "The lack of a stove will not stop a wizard from making tea." He raised his arm, made a few light strokes with his wand in the air, and a ball of flame appeared out of thin air.

"Yingardium - Leviosa." Anthony read, floating the printed teapot and falling on top of the flames. "What warning did you just make, Minerva?"

"Oh, well, it's not a warning. "Education Order No. 22."" Professor McGonagall said, handing him a newspaper. "We guessed you didn't know, Henry. "Education Order No. 22" is probably not sold in Romania. Daily Prophet."

Professor Sprout kindly floated the newspaper for him, letting it float in front of him, revealing the kind smile of Cornelius Fudge in the photo.

Anthony glanced up at the newspaper date. December 27th.

"The Ministry of Magic has strengthened cooperation with Hogwarts," he read. "Today, the Ministry of Magic passed Education Order No. 22 to ensure that the Ministry of Magic can assign a teacher to Hogwarts when needed. Senior Investigator, investigates whether Hogwarts provides a qualified education for young wizards in the wizarding world, and is responsible for communication between the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts.

"'This Order perfectly fills a worrying hole in education at Hogwarts.' Mr. Lucius Malfoy, one of the governors of Hogwarts, told us yesterday, 'We often We are worried about not knowing what kind of education our children are receiving in school. We feel much more secure knowing that the Ministry of Magic has noticed our appeal and is willing to take action.'

"Mr. Barty Crouch, Director of the Department of International Magical Exchange and Cooperation, also expressed his approval of this decree. 'Many magic schools in the world are taking the initiative to strengthen cooperation with the Ministry of Magic of their countries.' Mr. Crouch said,' It's a very natural choice. I'm delighted that Hogwarts has chosen to open its closed castle doors and work with the Ministry of Magic.'

"When pressed by reporters, he further explained: 'The education of young wizards and witches has always been a matter of great concern to the Ministry of Magic in various countries, and it is also a matter related to the future of all wizards in the world. Those magics that are widely recognized Qualification certificates - for the UK, of course, O.W.Ls certificates and N.E.W.Ts certificates - are issued by the Ministry of Magic after passing the Ministry of Magic's proposition examination. Previously, the teaching at Hogwarts and we believed that young wizards should master There are often contradictions in the content. I do hear people complain that school professors overemphasize magic beyond the requirements of the test, but neglect to prepare students to master the most important knowledge. I believe that Education Order No. 22 can strengthen Hogg Watts communicated with the Ministry of Magic to change this situation.'

"Regarding the selection of the Senior Inquisitor, the Minister of Magic, Mr. Cornelius Fudge, revealed to reporters that the appointment of the first Senior Inquisitor must be carefully considered.

"'Of course I can't guarantee that everyone will be satisfied.' Mr. Fudge said sincerely, 'but I am willing to guarantee that this will be a candidate that will satisfy the vast majority of people. The position of senior investigator is extremely challenging, and we It is hoped that this person will faithfully reflect what happens at Hogwarts to everyone. Both the Ministry and Hogwarts look forward to this close collaboration.'

"By working closely with school administrators and staff, the Ombudsman will be able to identify areas for improvement and implement changes that will benefit students and staff. The Minister hopes this collaborative approach will foster innovation and continuous improvement within Hogwarts culture.”

Anthony said, "I've finished reading it. Thank you, Pomona."

The newspaper fell to the table with a clatter. Professor Sprout removed the spell.

"A candidate who satisfies most people." Professor McGonagall glanced at the newspaper and snorted, "I simply can't wait to find out who that is."

Professor Sprout said encouragingly: "Is there anything you want to say, Henry?"

"The water is almost boiling," Anthony said. "Would anyone like to summon the teacup?"

——

Note 1: "We might have a clue" and "Under sky so blue" both rhyme with "You-Know-Who".