days at Hogwarts

Chapter 245 Hermione’s Journey to the Ministry of Magic

"The key point of Animagus is not only the understanding of the principle of transformation, but also about self-awareness and persistence. If you are hesitant to learn this magic after listening to what I just said, I suggest you quit……"

The content of this class was all about admonishing young wizards, interspersed with a lot of Professor McGonagall's personal experiences and explanations. Loren and Hermione automatically blocked those words to persuade them to quit, and gained a lot.

After the class was over, Professor McGonagall took Rita away without putting her in a glass jar this time.

At night, the Gryffindor common room.

Loren and Hermione were nestled on the sofa in the corner, catching up on the mountain of homework they had piled up over the Easter holidays.Harry and Ron gathered a group of young wizards to play explosive cards.

The sound of the wizard chess pieces fighting was mixed with the crackle of exploding cards. Luna, with her messy waist-length blond hair, walked among the crowds.She held a large stack of newspapers in her hands and handed them to everyone she knew.

"The Quibbler, The Quibbler, the latest issue of The Quibbler, check it out."

Luna's voice was ethereal, as if she was singing, thin and soft.

A newspaper was handed between Loren and Hermione, and Luna said in a brisk tone: "Take a look. My dad received a serious advertisement for the first time. The Easter promotion launched by Honeydukes Candy Store is very interesting."

Loren took one and watched Luna jump away.

Hermione wrinkled her pretty eyebrows and asked in confusion: "So she shared this issue of The Quibbler with us for free just to tell us that Mr. Lovegood received an advertisement?"

Looking at the large pile of newspapers in Luna's hand, Loren smacked his lips: "I suspect Mr. Lovegood may lose money this issue."

After all, it was Luna's kindness. Loren opened the newspaper and read: "Honeydukes Candy Shop is enthusiastically launching Easter egg-shaped chocolates, and there are even more wonderful gifts waiting for you to pick up."

"..."

The smell was so strong that it looked like the person in charge of advertising Honeydukes candy must be a Muggle-born clerk.

Below is a product display. There are various gifts hidden in the egg-shaped chocolate, which is a bit like a colorful firecracker. When you twist it open, a puff of smoke will be emitted. When the smoke dissipates, you will see the hidden gifts.

Loren's eyes lit up when he saw the final grand prize.

"look--"

Loren unfolded the newspaper and showed it to her: "The grand prize is a bison. Twist the egg-shaped chocolate and when the smoke dissipates, you can see a bison standing on the chest."

Then he looked back happily: "It is said that it was inspired by the misuse of the levitating spell. It's really interesting. If someone fires the jackpot on the street, a wild bull will appear on the streets of Hogsmeade. I don't know that Anbu Did Uncle Luo Xiu do any harmless treatment? I guess he did, tsk!"

The quill in Hermione's hand slipped on the parchment. Fortunately, it was the latest model from the Literati Quill Shop. The little witch slowly turned the quill upside down and swept it. The slippery ink marks were absorbed by the feathers and turned into new ones again. The ink is stored in the shaft tube.

Hermione raised her head and looked at him speechlessly: "Why do you look so disappointed and expect bison to run around in the street?"

"Hehe..." Loren smiled, came over and said, "Hermione, let's go to Hogsmeade tomorrow. Easter will be fun."

"You are not allowed to leave school during the Easter holiday, and this week is not an activity week. Even senior students cannot go to Hogsmeade."

"Um--"

Loren nodded, "Then it's settled, tomorrow we will take the secret passage behind the mirror on the fifth floor."

"Who made the decision for you! How did you hear that I agreed?"

……

After some argument, Loren finally announced unilaterally that he would get up early to have breakfast tomorrow morning, hoping to play all morning and come back in time for lunch.

Hermione secretly made up her mind to get up early tomorrow to stop him.

The next morning, when Hermione got up, the other roommates were still asleep. After washing up, changing into travel-friendly clothes, and preparing to dissuade Loren, a silver phoenix patronus flew in through the window.

The Patronus landed softly on her shoulders, and Dumbledore's gentle voice came from his delicate beak.

"Hermione, come to the principal's office after breakfast. We will investigate the matter of Loren and Sirius. Remember, the password is egg-shaped chocolate."

The phoenix turned into countless tiny silver lights and disappeared. Hermione's eyelids drooped and her lips pursed into a straight line...

Hermione was almost the first one to come to the auditorium. After she reluctantly ate something with a heavy heart, Loren ran in from outside and sat next to her.

"Ha, it's so early, can't you wait?" Loren said happily.

Hermione looked at him and felt a little lighter.

Bacon, fried eggs, orange juice... Hermione put his favorite food on the plate and handed it to him, and said apologetically: "I have something to do, so I can't accompany you to Hogsmeade today."

"What's the matter? Can't you give me a push?" Loren asked.

Hermione avoided his gaze and said nothing.

"Ugh--"

Loren let out a long sigh and made a "squeaking" sound with his knife on the plate. He said in a plaintive tone: "Mysterious, it's been like this lately. Go, go, what else can I do if you don't go? Could it be that it's mysterious?" Use a binding spell to petrify you, then use a levitating spell to take you to a secret passage, and follow it all the way to the basement of Honeydukes Candy Shop?"

A smile appeared on the corner of Hermione's mouth, and she couldn't help but feel happy. She reached out and patted his shoulder: "You can be more detailed!"

"Bad! You broke your promise, broke the contract at the last minute, and even beat someone up. You've gone too far!"

"boom!"

……

When Hermione arrived at the principal's office, Dumbledore was standing by the bed, holding a cup of hot tea and sipping it slowly.The old man with a white beard changed into a mid-length black suede windbreaker, and a brown derby hat was placed upside down on the desk.This outfit has the style of decades ago, but the old man's straight body and extraordinary temperament completely cover up the outdated rusticity, and instead show an elegant and mysterious style.

It was completely different from Dumbledore who usually wore robes, and Hermione couldn't help but look at him a few more times.

Hearing the sound of Hermione pushing the door open, Dumbledore turned around, drank the remaining half cup of tea in one gulp, and mildly joked to himself: "I am too old, and I am a little weak. A cup of strong tea can refresh me." .”

Hermione pretended not to hear anything and asked instead: "Professor, how should we investigate? Are there any clues?"

Dumbledore smiled: "It's not just clues. I can probably guess what happened between them. I just need to find some information to verify it."

"But Professor," Hermione asked cautiously, "if it's for verification, wouldn't it be more convenient and faster for you to do it alone? Why did you call me?"

"Why do you think so?" Dumbledore said slowly but firmly, "Hermione, you are more important than you think."

Hermione was still confused, but she didn't have time to ask any more questions.

Dumbledore picked up the hat on the table, put it on his head, came to her side, put one hand on her shoulder, and reached out to the perch with the other hand.

Fawkes fluttered his wings and landed on Dumbledore's arm. With a crisp cry, Hermione felt an experience similar to Apparition, but somewhat different.

Hermione originally thought that Dumbledore would take her to a certain place in the magical world, such as a tree house in the deep forest where the prophecy crystal ball was hidden, or a castle where the magic mirror that knew everything was stored.

The next second, they appeared in a remote, dilapidated street and alley. When they walked out of the alley, there was no one on the street.

Even more unexpectedly, Dumbledore took her hand and led her into a shabby and inconspicuous subway station. Dumbledore expertly led her onto the subway, and the carriage was crowded with passengers going to work in the morning.The two had no choice but to find a place to stand. Hermione was wearing a Muggle shirt that was easy to move around, and Dumbledore had his beard tucked into his clothes and a hat. Even an acquaintance would not recognize him.

<divclass="contentadv">According to their costumes, it’s like a grandpa taking his granddaughter to play in the city.

This is too Muggle and not magical at all.

Hermione couldn't help but tug on Dumbledore's sleeve and whispered: "Headmaster, where are we going?"

Looking at her tense little face, Dumbledore shook his fingers with a smile and whispered: "[Close the earplugs and listen]"

Then Dumbledore answered her in a normal volume and without any scruples: "We are going to the Ministry of Magic."

Noticing that the passengers around her didn't react with surprise, Hermione thought about it and guessed that the function of the spell was to prevent others from hearing their conversation.

Hermione relaxed her voice and asked calmly: "Why do you take the subway to go to the Ministry of Magic? This must not be the mode of transportation that normal wizards would choose, right?"

"Yes, you can Apparate directly to the Ministry of Magic," said Dumbledore, "but I want to take the Tube because I haven't been on one in a long time."

So Dumbledore had taken the Tube before, a long time ago.Hermione was so surprised by this discovery that she let go of the armrest in a daze.

The subway happened to stop at a station, and the inertia made Hermione lose her balance. Dumbledore skillfully supported her and said proudly: "Don't be so surprised. I have a big scar on my knee. It's a complete scar." London Underground route map."

Hermione's expression was already a little dull. She never thought that one day she would be shocked by Dumbledore's Muggle ways.

"Ticket vending machines, escalators, televisions, subway transportation... are much more wonderful than magic in the eyes of many wizards." Dumbledore dropped the things in the subway station he had just seen, shook his head and said, "I once and Loren has talked about these things, and he said that Muggle culture will take over the wizarding world sooner or later. What do you think, Hermione?"

Hermione shook her head blankly: "I never thought about such a long-term topic."

It turned out that the topic of communication between Loren and Dumbledore was so grand. Thinking of the man who was clamoring to see the bison, Hermione felt a little dissatisfied with the two.

"Loren told me a lot about you, the "Anti-Werewolf Act", disadvantaged groups, marginalized groups in society... He always said Hermione, you are the one who worries about these troublesome problems, and these headaches should be left to you. , he is suitable to listen to your arrangements."

Hermione didn't know Dumbledore's purpose in saying this, so she listened silently and said nothing.

"There are five more stops..." Dumbledore checked the carpet route map on the window, lowered his head and said, "Have you ever thought about taking a Muggle Studies class? Although you are born as a Muggle, you can understand some of the wizard's perspective on Muggles. His views are also very interesting and may be of some inspiration to you.”

When it came to choosing courses, Hermione became troubled: "Professor, I want to take every course, but Loren told me that the time will conflict. Is there any way to solve this problem?"

"Well, to be honest, I don't recommend that you take all the courses, but-" Dumbledore winked at her mischievously, "There's no rule against taking them all, is there?"

"Really, Professor!" Hermione understood the hint of this sentence, and her eyes burst with surprise.

……

"Four stops to go, Hermione... now there are three stops to go..."

They got off the train at a station in central London. There was a huge flow of people. They were pushed out of the subway by countless well-dressed men and women carrying briefcases and decks during the Easter holidays.They went up the escalator and passed the ticket office, and Dumbledore watched with interest as the turnstile deftly swallowed his ticket, looking very happy.

Walking through the wide streets, Dumbledore marveled at the majestic buildings on both sides of the road and the busy traffic on the streets.

After turning several turns, the buildings on both sides of the street became lower and lower, and finally they came to a desolate path and squeezed into a dilapidated red phone booth on the side of the road.

Under Hermione's surprised gaze, Dumbledore reached for the phone and dialed the number "62442" on the dial unskillfully.

After the call was connected, a clear and loud voice rang in the phone booth.The voice didn't come from the receiver, it was like the indifferent woman was standing next to them talking.

"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic, please state your name and business."

"Wulfric Brian, I have an appointment with Mr. Arthur Weasley at the Misuse of Muggle Articles Office..."

The principal even lies!

Hermione's eyes widened and she looked at Dumbledore in surprise.

"Well... Regarding the flying car a year ago, this is Hermione Granger, let's provide clues..."

Dumbledore was very interested and obviously wanted to continue talking, but the cold female voice interrupted him.

"Thank you. Guests, please pick up your badges and pin them in front of your clothes."

Ringing bells——

There was a clear sound of metal collision, and two square silver badges slid out from the metal chute used to withdraw coins from the public phone.It reads:

"Wulfric Bryan provides clues"

"Hermione Granger provides clues"

Hermione imitated Dumbledore and pinned the badge on her chest in a daze.

The cold female voice sounded again: "Visitors from the Ministry of Magic, you need to be checked at the security checkpoint and register your wand. The security checkpoint is located at the end of the main hall."

The phone booth gradually sank into the ground with the sound. After about a minute of monotonous and harsh friction, a thin golden light shone on the feet of the two people. Then the golden light gradually widened, expanded to their bodies, and finally shined directly. The faces of the two people.

Just when Hermione felt the golden light dazzling her eyes, Dumbledore calmly shook his sleeves, and the image in front of him calmed down.

"The Ministry of Magic hopes you have a good day," the woman's voice said, and the door to the phone booth swung open.

This is a splendid hall with a polished dark wooden floor and a peacock blue ceiling inlaid with sparkling golden symbols that are constantly twisting and changing, like a huge bulletin board.

The surrounding walls are covered with glossy dark wooden boards, and many gilded fireplaces are embedded in the wooden boards. In a few seconds, a wizard will suddenly appear from the fireplace on the left, while there is a queue in front of the fireplace on the right. The wizard is waiting to leave.

Hermione, who came by subway, looked at the wizards' vehicles, and the completely different contrast made her feel a strange feeling in her heart.

In the middle of the foyer is a fountain, and in the middle of the original circular pool stands a group of pure gold statues of wizards, witches, centaurs, goblins, house elves...

Just as Hermione was looking around, a scary man with long gray hair walked towards them. Seeing his appearance, Hermione gasped.

She had never seen a face like this before. It looked like it was carved out of a piece of rotten wood by a poor carpenter. Every inch of skin on the face seemed to be scarred. The mouth was like a big crooked hole, and the nose should be... The bulge was gone.

His eyes are one big and one small. The small one is a normal black eye, and the big one is bright blue. The blue eye is as round as a coin. The blue eye moves up and down, left and right, and is completely consistent with Normal eyes are not relevant.

Suddenly, the blue eyes rolled up and penetrated into the man's head, and Hermione could only see a big white eyeball.

"Let me introduce, this is Alastor Moody, my old friend." Dumbledore broke the silence happily, "This is Hermione Granger, my new friend."

"More people are willing to call me Mad-Eye, but few people dare to say so to my face." Moody's blue eye turned around Hermione's body a few times and slowly withdrew it.

He did not continue to chat with Hermione, but said angrily: "You don't even know what those idiots did. That stinky rat ran away. If I hadn't listened to you, I would have gone to Azkaban to verify it." , no one in the Ministry of Magic knows about this!"

"Idiot Fudge still has some brains left and knows to invite me back to investigate this matter..."

After listening to him scolding a series of people, Dumbledore nodded and said with a smile: "Excuse me, Alastor."