Chapter 335 Exchange Meeting, Club and Chance Encounter

Even though Anthony had attended many wizards' gatherings, this was still one of the weirder ones.

Everyone seemed to have a lot to say about Muggles, pulling him to discuss how the Statute of Secrecy should be revised to deal with various complex situations ("If Muggles are informed of the existence of magic without demonstrating it, should it be considered a breach of the Statute of Secrecy?"), or should Muggle protection laws regulate non-magical harm ("If a wizard kills someone with a knife, that shouldn't be treated as a conflict between magic and non-magic!").

Professor Boubaji and Walker debated whether Muggles should be allowed to rule wizards. Walker believed that all sane people should push for the Ministry of Magic to become an ordinary department in the Muggle British government, so that magical Britain and Muggle Britain could become a whole, and Professor Bubbaji firmly believed that doing so would only bring benefits to both societies. There will be unnecessary huge turmoil. Ms. Duran walked around the halls with a serious face, testing everyone she met if they could taste which brand and year of Coke it was.

"Are you the professor of this year's O.W.Ls class?" She pulled Anthony out of a heated discussion about why refrigerators were not regulated appliances.

"Huh? Yes."

"Excellent," said Ms. Duran, "because - hiccup - I was dissatisfied with last year's results in Muggle Studies at Hogwarts."

“Last year’s passing rate was very high,” Anthony said.

Ms. Duran waved her hand: "Ha, the pass rate! Who cares about the pass rate! What I want to ask is - hiccup - why are there not as many students getting Muggle Studies certificates as there are not Charms classes?"

"Maybe... because Charms is a compulsory subject and Muggle Studies is an elective?"

Ms. Duran's voice suddenly rose: "Yes, that's the problem! Why is Muggle Studies an elective course! It should become the most important course! As important as cleaning the bathroom!"

Anthony said cautiously: "It seems to make sense."

"Wrong, it makes sense! A clean - burp - bathroom is very important! The bathroom is the most important thing in a school. Well, it may not be as important as the roof, but it is still very important. Think about it, if the school has What would a wizarding school be without the bathroom? That's what a wizarding school would be like without Muggle Studies!" said Ms. Dolan. How about I give you a thousand galleons for all the students."

"Well, I guess I've saved you a thousand galleons in advance," Anthony said.

Ms. Duran seemed not to hear what he was saying at all: "Very well, that's settled. See you next time, Henry."

"goodbye."

"Caredi, hey Caredi, my dear! Listen up, if you could get every student at Hogwarts - hiccup - to get NEWTs in Muggle Studies -"

Anthony watched Ms. Duran stride towards Professor Bubaji, the feathers on her hat trembling and disappearing into the crowd. He turned around and took another piece of cake.

All the food at the dinner was impeccable, and Ms. Duran has surprisingly good taste in this regard. Especially the blueberry cake recommended by Professor Bubaji, which can make even the most unpalatable tongue melt in the sweet and sour mousse. In this case, whatever insights Ms. Duran had on the teaching of Muggle Studies at Hogwarts, he was happy to have it as an interesting accompaniment.

Anthony even doubts he would care too much about sitting next to Umbridge if he could have eaten the grilled chicken wings they missed ("I'm half as happy this week," Woodchuck said ruefully at the time).

Professor Boubaji laughed when he said this: "But I'm afraid dear Dolores will mind. She hates Muggles."

Anthony moved his eyes from the paper bag containing the candy to her face: "What?"

They were on their way back to Hogwarts. It was completely dark, and the smell of mud after the rain floated in the air. The occasional evening breeze is just enough to shake the branches slightly, allowing the water droplets accumulated on the leaves to slide off.

The portkey would only take them to the vicinity of Hogsmeade, and they would need to walk the rest of the way back. Anthony hurriedly opened the store door before Honeydukes closed and grabbed two "hot sellers this season". For seven galleons and eleven sicols he got three or four licorice wands, a small bag of raspberry-flavored Bubblegum, a few chocolate balls stuffed with popping candies, and a packet of fudge flies, sucking spider legs, and Jelly Slug’s “Bug Party Fun Pack.” To this day, Anthony still doesn't understand why the wizard is so keen on shaping desserts into shapes that children should never be encouraged to eat.

"Don't tell me you didn't find it," said Professor Bubbaji. "It's no secret. She's probably the most Muggle-hating person you could find in the world - and no, she's not a Death Eater. Mad-Eye checked her out hundreds of times before being transferred out of London."

"I thought she just liked to make everyone unhappy. Well, Mad-Eye..." he remembered hearing the name. "He's an Auror, isn't he?"

"Yes, one of the best." Professor Bubbage said, "Alastor Moody, a master at catching dark wizards. People who don't like him sometimes call him 'hound'. Umbridge hates him, so as soon as she finds a chance, she persuades the minister to transfer him away. To be honest, he is sometimes scary, but he can also make people feel very reassured. If he was there at that time, he would definitely not throw you into Azkaban like those second-rate Aurors."

"Uh..."

Professor Bubbage seemed to misunderstand Anthony's expression: "Yes, I know you may have studied some dark magic in private, but this is not your problem. If a wizard has not received orthodox magical education, then he may It is indeed difficult to distinguish the boundary between dark magic and curses. "

Well, if the Ministry of Magic lets a first-class Auror deal with Anthony: if he knows that there are wizards who have learned necromancy without receiving orthodox magic education... If he knows that someone escaped from Azkaban... If he knows that Anthony even used necromancy in Hogwarts... If he knows that Anthony disrupted the plan to capture Voldemort and caused Voldemort to escape the trap... If he knows that Anthony returned to Azkaban, where he frightened the Dementors and sent a soul that was supposed to be imprisoned for life to death...

Anthony decided to avoid meeting Mr. Moody as much as possible.

"Besides, studying the Dark Arts and becoming a Dark wizard are two different things - there has always been some disagreement within the Auror Office on this point, but that is not the most important thing - the important thing is that Albus vouched for you, and he said he believed you would be a good Muggle Studies professor." Professor Bubbage smiled at Anthony, "I think he is right."

Anthony couldn't help but smile: "Thank you, Caridi."

"You're welcome." Professor Bubbage said, "As long as you can take over the sixth and seventh grades as soon as possible. Ms. Duran is very optimistic about you - that's great - I believe you can definitely get everyone a Muggle Studies certificate."

Anthony said: "I believe I can definitely become a mermaid."

"What?"

Anthony asked back: "Which one do you think is more likely to happen, Caridi?"

Professor Bubbage laughed, and the sound echoed in the quiet night path, startling a few birds from the bushes and flying out, flapping their wings and landing on the higher treetops. Walking past the oak tree and turning a few corners, they can see the Hogwarts Castle with thousands of windows lit up.

...

Dinner at Hogwarts had long ended, and only a few students hurried through the hall and walked from one corridor to another staircase. After saying goodbye to Professor Bubbage, Anthony went back to his office to get the student list and mailed it to the owl shed. He had just walked down the stairs and returned to the corridor when he heard footsteps. Three figures turned out from the corner and walked in front of Anthony.

"I'm starving." Ron said, "Luckily Sirius brought you a lot of snacks, Harry."

"You shouldn't take snacks as dinner." Hermione asked suspiciously, "You haven't had dinner yet? Where have you been?"

"We went to see Hagrid." Harry said.

Ron said, "You know, he was always mysterious before... Speaking of this, what did you do, Hermione? We wanted to ask you to go with us."

"Oh, is he okay?" Hermione avoided Ron's question, "I hope he is preparing for his Chimera Breeding Qualification Examination. Is he reviewing?"

"Well... well..." Harry said slowly.

"Never mind the qualifications, Hermione!" Ron lowered his voice, "Do you know what he's doing? He's building a zoo! Him, Professor Flitwick, and the professor of Care of Magical Animals...what's his name?"

"Professor Kettleburn." Anthony said.

The three of them turned their heads to look at him at the same time.

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop on you, I promise." Anthony took a few quick steps and came to them, "Hagrid told you about the zoo?"

Ron hesitated, but finally seemed to feel that he could trust him.

"He showed us around," he said. "Hermione, you must come next time. I've never seen so many magical animals living together in my life. Professor Kettleburn has a pack of cruppies that will chase you when you visit the zoo; there is a creature called Ponlock, you have to be very careful to find it; and there is a horse that I can't see, which is raised by Hagrid-"

"We saw a very strange frog, which bit several crows to death." Harry said, "Oh, and there are creatures that look like birds in the front and horses in the back. They were sleeping when we went there-"

"Oh, and that Kelpie! We saw It's chasing a - what's that thing called, Harry?"

"I don't remember either," said Harry, "but Ron's right, Hermione, you have to go see it."

"Well... I've never been too keen on zoos," said Hermione, "My mum and dad took me a few times, but they soon discovered that I was more into libraries and bookshops."

"My aunt and uncle took my cousin and me to a regular zoo - it was nothing like this one Hagrid built," said Harry, "If you saw it today... what were you doing, Hermione? We asked Neville and Dean, and they didn't see you, and Parvati and Lavender were gone too."

"Of course I have my own things to do!" Hermione said forcefully, but her face turned red, "We went to participate in club activities..."

"Hey, what club?" Ron said confused, "Didn't Albacore's activities end long ago?"

Hermione said vaguely: "It's...the club..."

"You're not going to join Lockhart's club again, are you, Hermione?" shouted Ron.

"So what?" Hermione said angrily.

"Sounds good," said Anthony. "Did you enjoy yourself today, Miss Granger?"

"Oh, so-so. Of course, I had dinner. Roast beef and mashed potatoes, and pastry tarts for dessert, which were delicious." She glared at Harry and Ron, and Harry shrugged at her, "But we didn't Professor Lockhart could be heard telling stories about his adventures. He was supposed to tell us what kind of tents and sleeping bags we should bring when venturing in different places, but he was interrupted——"

"Thank God," Ron muttered.

Hermione glared at him, but before she could say anything they both heard voices coming from ahead.

"That's very kind of you, Minerva," a voice said. "We're all familiar with Hogwarts, right, Bozo? There's no need for you to see us off. I'm sure Gilderoy would be happy to join us." Let’s talk a little longer… It’s been a great conversation and I feel sure I can write a good story – seriously, I already have several fascinating beginnings, it’s just a matter of choosing one between them –”

"It's almost curfew," Professor McGonagall said in a cold voice.

Immediately afterwards, Anthony saw the person who spoke. Rita Skeeter, wearing an orange robe and bright yellow nail polish, turned from the other end of the corridor, followed by a photographer carrying a camera. Professor McGonagall walked beside them, her face stern.

"Curfew! We are not students anymore, are we, Bozo? But of course we still care about Hogwarts, Minerva. The ancient castle... Once you graduate, it is difficult to come back... Of course you can become a professor. Very lucky, but what kind of person becomes a professor besides being lucky... Care to tell me what you think of Gilderoy - Oh, Harry!"

Rita's eyes lit up immediately when she saw Harry at the other end of the corridor. The stenographic pen came to her hand at an alarming speed.

"Harry," she said with a beaming smile, "Oh my gosh, what a surprise. Do you have a minute to chat with me? Do you like your life at Hogwarts?"

Professor McGonagall said sternly: "I'm afraid today's interview mission is over. What are you still doing here, Mr. Potter? Didn't you notice that it's almost curfew time?"

"Just a few words—quick, Bozo, take pictures—Harry, don't worry, it won't take you too long—"

Harry frowned in disgust: "No, thank you." He wanted to go around Rita, but she cleverly stopped him.

"Want to make up some random things about Harry again?" Hermione said loudly, "Those lies about Professor Lockhart can no longer satisfy you? As long as it can attract attention and discussion, you don't care what the truth is. What’s fake!”

Rita looked at Hermione, studying her.

"Oh, it's you," she said coldly, "let me tell you what the truth is. The truth is that you have no idea what you're talking about and you just think you sound great. Okay, now, Harry—" A smile suddenly appeared on her face again, "Tell me about your life at Hogwarts. Bozo!"

She pulled Harry over and stood him in front of the camera. The pot-bellied photographer had already raised the big camera.

"Let him go!" Professor McGonagall said sternly, striding forward and pulling Harry to her side. Rita almost fell down.

Ron and Hermione also ran over.

"You are only authorized to interview Professor Lockhart, and I do not allow you to disturb my students!" Professor McGonagall said.

Chaos. There was a click. In the black smoke, Anthony reached out to cover the camera lens.

"Maybe this film can be used again." He said to the astonished photographer behind the camera, "I think I covered it up quite thoroughly."