https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1294-Muggle-born-Wizards-Sanctuary/12528248/
Chapter 1293: Saving Muggle-born Students
Chapter 1293: Saving Muggle-born Students
On the second floor of Hogwarts, the door to the temporary meeting room was abruptly pushed open, and the four heads of houses had gathered at the school over a month before the start of term.
At the forefront, Professor McGonagall wore an exceptionally solemn expression. Those who knew her well could tell that she was in a foul mood.
"I just received a letter from the Board of Governors," she said, tossing the letter onto the table as if it were a worthless scrap of paper.
"Regarding the new headmaster?"
An eerie silence fell upon the room. Ever since Voldemort had taken complete control of the Ministry of Magic, they had anticipated this day.
"Who have they chosen?" Professor Sprout broke the silence, her eyes darting anxiously towards the letter, but ultimately, she didn't reach for it.
"Severus Snape?" Professor Flitwick asked tentatively as he looked at the letter. He had heard from Albert that Snape was rumored to become the new headmaster.
"Severus, we should've seen this coming," Professor Slughorn said as he picked up the letter, quickly scanned its contents, and sighed softly.
If there was anyone among the Death Eaters who suited this role, it was undoubtedly Snape. His long tenure at Hogwarts and knowledge of its inner workings ensured Voldemort's control over this ancient school.
"Those cowards have compromised!" Professor McGonagall said with disgust.
"There's nothing we can do, Minerva," Professor Slughorn said gently in an attempt to soothe her, "No one dares to defy the Dark Lord now. I believe..."
"If it weren't for those children, I would've resigned from Hogwarts a long time ago," Professor Sprout interjected, her voice filled with despair. She struggled to imagine the horrors that awaited Hogwarts under the Dark Lord's control.
"We feel the same, Pomona," Professor McGonagall said, raising her hand to quiet her colleagues before addressing the main reason she had called this meeting, "You may have also noticed the Muggle-born Registration Commission that the Ministry set up recently."
"That was the ugliest display I've ever seen," one of the professors muttered.
"You're worried about..."
"...what will happen to the Muggle-born students if the Dark Lord takes control of Hogwarts," Professor McGonagall continued, not needing to finish her sentence. She placed a newspaper from a few days prior on the table, "Even if those children are allowed to return to Hogwarts, I still fear for their safety."
"To be frank, I never believed the Death Eaters would show mercy just because they're children," another professor added grimly.
The room fell silent once more as Professor McGonagall voiced the concern that weighed on all their minds.
What would become of the Muggle-born students? If they returned to Hogwarts, would they be sent straight to Azkaban by the Death Eaters?
Many Muggle-born witches and wizards had already been tried by the Muggle-born Registration Commission, charged with ridiculous crimes, and thrown into Azkaban to face the soul-sucking Dementors. The chances of survival for those unfortunate children were slim.
"But what can we do?" Professor Slughorn asked, his voice filled with helplessness. He wanted to help those poor children, but he saw no viable solution.
Muggle-born students made up a significant minority of the Hogwarts population (around one-quarter), and while they could send them letters warning of the danger, it would be futile. Underage wizards were monitored with underage spells, and any use of magic outside of school would immediately be tracked, leading to dire consequences.
"I advise against relying on small probabilities," Professor Flitwick said, "It's best not to pin our hopes on the Death Eaters' mercy, for they have none. Otherwise, we might witness a repeat of what happened at the Ministry of Magic. If the Ministry sends invitations for those students to appear before the Muggle-born Registration Commission, what do you think will happen?"
A heavier silence settled in the room.
Such an event was indeed possible, especially with the detestable Dolores Umbridge, their former colleague, in charge of the Commission. They all knew the kind of person she was.
"Let's not pin our hopes on sheer luck," Professor Slughorn tentatively suggested. "Perhaps we should let them stay at home instead of coming to Hogwarts. As long as they stay away from the wizarding world, they should..."
"That's equally unsafe. More and more Muggle-born wizards are being sent to Azkaban. And, do you think they will arrest Muggle-born students attending Hogwarts based on that list? While I plan to burn that thing, I don't think they will give up easily," Professor McGonagall interrupted.
"In fact, it won't be difficult for the Ministry to find out where those children live, and their families will be in great danger," she added.
"Maybe we can hide those children, I mean, protect them together in one place, using that...I remember the Fidelius Charm used by the Potters?" Professor Sprout suggested, thinking this might be the best option for now.
"As for food, we can send some house-elves to help."
"We don't have a suitable place to accommodate those children, and it won't be easy to manage them. More importantly, will they even agree to be protected?" Slughorn thought his colleagues had gone mad.
There was no other choice; the plan was too far-fetched.
How could they take care of those children without the comforts of Hogwarts?
"Why don't we seek the opinion of a professional?" Professor Flitwick suddenly suggested.
"A professional?"
The group exchanged puzzled glances.
"I mean Albert," Flitwick clarified. "He anticipated all of this a long time ago and even published a 'Self-Defense Guide' to help Muggle-born wizards. I think he might have other ideas about this matter."
Rather than racking their brains for a temporary solution, it would be better to consult Albert directly. With his intelligence, he might have already thought of a way to resolve the issue.
"Anderson seems to be in hiding," Slughorn mumbled. "Do any of you know how to contact him?"
"Who here has a two-way mirror to contact Albert?" Professor McGonagall asked abruptly.
Everyone looked at each other and shook their heads.
"Albert's friends should have a way to reach him in emergencies," Flitwick reminded them. "The Weasley brothers or someone else?"
"You're right; maybe Hagrid has one, too," someone added.
Professor McGonagall waved her wand, summoning her patronus to deliver a message to Hagrid.
Soon, Hagrid rushed into the room.
His massive body squeezed through the doorway, and he scratched his head in confusion, asking, "What's this about a two-way mirror?"
"Didn't Albert give you a way to contact him?" Professor McGonagall asked directly.
Hagrid could sense the tense atmosphere in the room and asked with concern, "Did...something happen?"
"We just received a message from the Board of Governors. Severus Snape has been appointed the new headmaster of Hogwarts. Hagrid, you should probably leave the school for a while," Professor McGonagall said, summoning her patronus again to send a message to Sirius Black. She knew that the Weasley brothers definitely had a way to contact Albert, and Sirius would be able to reach the Weasley brothers.
"Snape! How dare they appoint that murderer who killed Dumbledore as the new headmaster!" Hagrid roared in anger, his voice echoing in the room.
"Calm down, Hagrid."
"How can I be calm?"
Hagrid was seething with rage, wanting to twist Snape's bones with his bare hands to avenge Dumbledore.
"Now that the mysterious person has taken control of the Ministry, it's not surprising that the Hogwarts board has chosen to compromise," Slughorn explained. "We're currently discussing something more important."
"The Death Eaters and the mysterious person are capturing Muggle-born wizards. We're trying to figure out how to help the Muggle-born students and prevent them from being sent to Azkaban in bulk," Professor McGonagall said, looking at Hagrid. If they decided to hide those Muggle-born wizards, they would need someone to help take care of them, and Hagrid seemed like a good choice.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
