https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-539-The-Elder-Wand-and-the-Crown/13008872/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-541-The-Weasley-Brothers-Star-Product/13008874/
Chapter 540: Karkaroff's Revenge
Chapter 540: Karkaroff's Revenge
"So, the good stuff you mentioned earlier is now gone?" asked Cona curiously during dinner.
"Not only that, but I also lost some things in the process," Kyle said with a sigh.
Even though he had made the decision and handed over the small vial of ashes to Dumbledore, Kyle still felt a twinge of pain every time he thought about it.
Even the fragrant fried pig ribs couldn't improve Kyle's mood, and Cona seemed to notice this. She quickly changed the subject, "Is Mr. Lemer still at the school?"
"No," Kyle shook his head. "Niko doesn't want to be seen in crowded places and has already left."
"By airship?" Cona asked tentatively, serving herself and Kyle a piece of toasted bread.
"How did you know?" Kyle looked at her in surprise. "Did you see it?"
"Many people saw it," Cona replied. "A huge airship appeared in the school's astronomy tower, causing quite a stir. Everyone was guessing what it was.
"Some said it was the school's secret weapon, while others thought it was a means of transportation, like Beauxbatons' carriage and Durmstrang's large ship."
"It is a means of transportation, but not from Hogwarts," Kyle shrugged.
Seeing an airship wasn't a big deal, and no one except Cona, who knew the inside story, would associate it with the legendary Niko Lemer.
...
After that, Dumbledore became extremely busy. For two whole weeks, Kyle didn't see him at all in the castle.
But upon careful consideration, this was normal. Although he didn't know how long it took to refine the Philosopher's Stone, he was sure it wasn't an easy task.
By February, Dumbledore still hadn't returned, and the students didn't notice anything amiss. After all, most of them didn't usually pay much attention to the headmaster.
Of course, if it were Professor McGonagall, it would be a different story. Even if she disappeared for a day, it would quickly become a hot topic.
However, when Dumbledore wasn't at school, someone else was floating around.
Karkaroff was now like the school's own master, strolling leisurely through the castle and mocking everything he saw with an arrogant tone.
For example, he criticized the students for being too lazy, claiming that if they were in Durmstrang, they wouldn't be making such a ruckus in the corridors after class.
He also didn't spare the professors. Kyle had heard him more than once belittling Professor Sybill Trelawney of Divination as an uneducated old fraud when speaking to Durmstrang students.
Hagrid was also ridiculed as a fool and a big idiot.
Lastly, Sirius was deemed too biased and overly indulgent towards a particular house, unworthy of being a professor.
His words quickly gained approval from a portion of the Hogwarts students.
For example, Draco Malfoy of Slytherin.
"Professor Karkaroff and I always seem to be on the same page."
He loudly proclaimed in the corridor, "My father once considered sending me to Durmstrang, but my mother disagreed. She didn't want me to go so far away.
But I think he should have insisted more. Durmstrang's Karkaroff is what a headmaster should be like, and they don't allow some lowlifes to enroll..."
As he spoke, he would glance intentionally or unintentionally at Hermione beside him.
This made Hermione quite angry. She really wished that Malfoy could go to Durmstrang as he wished, so that she could at least have one less worry at school.
However, the story doesn't end here.
On Wednesday, during the lunch break, Kyle, who was passing by the entrance hall, suddenly noticed a large crowd gathered there, forming multiple layers and blocking the path to the Great Hall.
Curious, he squeezed through the crowd to see what was happening.
As expected, it was Karkaroff, but this time, instead of causing trouble with students and professors, he had turned his attention to Filch.
"I remember telling you more than once to keep your cat under control and not let it run wild in the castle," Karkaroff said, looking down at Filch.
"Mrs. Norris never runs wild..." Filch replied, his face contorting, "She helps maintain order in the castle and catches students who violate school rules..."
"I'm sorry, I might have misheard..." Karkaroff dragged out his words, "Maintain order with a cat? Is Hogwarts in such dire straits that it needs to employ a cat to supervise students?"
Beside him, several Durmstrang students chimed in with a mocking laugh to support their headmaster.
"Quiet down, don't be so rude. Otherwise, people will think that we Durmstrang students have no manners," Karkaroff said, dragging out his words, "I must admit, this situation is beyond my comprehension. If you don't mind, I can donate some money to help you hire a wizard to manage the school's daily affairs."
Read the correct version on 69 Book Bar! 6=9+Book_Bar for the first release of this novel.
In an instant, Filch's face turned crimson, resembling a well-cooked shrimp.
Karkaroff not only belittled Mrs. Norris but also implied that Filch was a spineless fool, causing him to tremble all over, shivering, unable to utter a word.
The surrounding crowd also seemed indignant.
If Karkaroff had only mocked Filch and Mrs. Norris, many might have applauded, as they disliked the duo as well. A little lesson for them would have been welcome.
However, when Karkaroff's taunts included Hogwarts, it became unacceptable to many.
Karkaroff, however, remained unconcerned, listening to the crowd's buzzing whispers and even stroking his goatee with a hint of pride.
"What are all of you doing here?"
At that moment, Professor McGonagall approached from outside, and the crowd parted to let her through.
"It's lunchtime now, head to the Great Hall," Professor McGonagall said to the crowd, then turned her head, "Hogwarts management is none of your concern, Professor Karkaroff."
"Of course, that's right," Karkaroff said, "I merely offered a small suggestion and had no intention to interfere with Hogwarts. There's no doubt about that.
"But please understand this, Millicent, I must take responsibility for the school. Krum has been scared by your cat several times, and I find it hard not to suspect that it's deliberate, aiming to affect Krum's performance and give your champion an advantage in the competition."
"We wouldn't do such a thing," Professor McGonagall said, her face taut.
"Don't misunderstand, I'm not accusing you; it's just a suspicion," Karkaroff said with a fake smile.
"Hmph, only you would resort to such despicable methods," a sneer came from the crowd.
"Among the five judges, only you, you mangy mutt, deliberately gave the other two champions low scores."
Unable to bear being called a mangy mutt, Karkaroff turned around and shouted at the crowd,
"Who said that? Come out! I'll make sure Dumbledore teaches you a lesson."
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
