Chapter 88: A Few Hundred Galleons a Month, Are You Joking?
Chapter 88: A Few Hundred Galleons a Month, Are You Joking?
Upon seeing Aurene, the Aurors' expressions turned grave.
The presence of an adult wizard within Hogwarts likely meant a professor, and they held far more weight than the shouting students. This warranted their utmost attention.
However, as they did not recognize the man before them, one of them cautiously asked, "Who are you?"
"Morris Aurene," the professor introduced himself. "Professor of Dark Arts Defense at Hogwarts."
"Dark Arts Defense?"
The Aurors' eyebrows rose, for this position was all too familiar to them.
Since becoming Aurors, they had personally captured three or four Dark Arts Defense professors from Hogwarts.
It was almost becoming a stable achievement for them.
Thus, upon learning Professor Aurene's identity, the trio relaxed their tense stance and spoke in an official tone, "Professor Aurene, I presume? We are here on the Ministry of Magic's orders to apprehend Hagrid, and you have no authority to stop us."
"Lies! I'm not aware of any such orders from the Ministry," Professor Aurene refuted.
Just then, Professor McGonagall hurried over from the castle, her lips pursed like an angry lioness.
"Fudge is still in the Headmaster's office. You can't take Hagrid away until he comes out," she asserted.
"Professor McGonagall..."
The three Aurors instinctively straightened, even though they had graduated many years ago. Seeing Professor McGonagall again made them feel guilty and weak in the knees.
However, they didn't want to give up just yet.
Minister Fudge seemed particularly invested in this matter. Before coming to Hogwarts, he had repeatedly emphasized the need for a thorough investigation, leaving no room for negligence.
This was a rare opportunity to impress the Minister, and they were determined to execute their task flawlessly.
Having found no valuable clues in Hagrid's hut, they wanted to bring him in for questioning, hoping for some unexpected gains.
The Aurors' gazes hardened with determination. The prospect of a promotion and a pay raise made Professor McGonagall seem less intimidating.
"Professor, you've got the wrong idea. We're just following procedure," the leading Auror explained. "It's just a formality. If there are no issues, he'll be back tomorrow.
That's the rule for everyone, and we're just doing our jobs. Please don't make this difficult for us."
"That's not right..."
Suddenly, a voice rang out from the crowd of onlookers.
"I recall the Ministry's rule is to only take someone into custody when there's concrete evidence," the voice added.
"Who's there! This doesn't concern you. Get back to the castle!" the Auror shouted angrily.
"I believe I'm the one who should be asking that question here, Mr. Hard," Professor McGonagall frowned.
"Apologies, Professor McGonagall, I just wanted to..."
"But the students are right," Professor McGonagall interrupted. "Where's the evidence of Hagrid purchasing magical creatures?"
"Someone saw it with their own eyes," the Auror named Hard replied.
"Baseless accusation," Professor McGonagall's lips tightened. "If you claim someone saw it, why didn't you bring that person along?"
"We will naturally find that person and confront them after bringing Hagrid in," Hard said, his gaze shifting uncomfortably.
"So you don't even know who this so-called witness is?"
Professor McGonagall was amused by their incompetence.
They wanted to take Hagrid away from Hogwarts based on nothing but an unknown person's word?
This was unacceptable to her.
"Professor, we're just asking a few questions. We promise we won't..."
"I'm reporting him too!"
A voice rang out again from the crowd.
"I saw Professor Snape at the Hog's Head yesterday. He bought a baby dragon, so take him to the Ministry as well.
Oh, and Headmaster Dumbledore, he bought a vampire too."
Hard's words trailed off as the statement hit him right in the heart, blocking almost all his excuses.
This meant that if he wanted to take Hagrid away, he would have to take Dumbledore, who had also been reported, along with him.
Hard angrily scanned the crowd, trying to find the speaker.
Professor McGonagall's lips curved up slightly as she stepped forward to stand in front of the young witches and wizards.
"You know, I think you're right, Hard," she said.
"The Potions classroom is in the dungeon, and the Headmaster's office is on the eighth floor. Would you like me to show you the way?"
Hard's face turned red as he stammered, "Professor McGonagall, I didn't mean... I mean, the students' words don't count."
"I saw it too," added Professor Aurene softly from the side.
His words were the final straw for the Aurors.
"Alright... We'll find more evidence and come back," Hard said through gritted teeth.
Of course, he dared not go after Dumbledore.
Hard was certain that if he dared to take Dumbledore back to the Ministry today, he would be kicked out of the Ministry tomorrow for having his left foot in the door first.
As he prepared to leave Hogwarts, feeling dissatisfied, Hard suddenly turned his attention to the Forbidden Forest behind them.
"Professor McGonagall, do you mind if we take a look in the Forbidden Forest?" Hard asked, turning around.
"The Forbidden Forest is so big; it probably wouldn't be difficult to hide a magical creature in there," he added.
"Are you sure?" Professor McGonagall's expression was strange.
She had thought these people were here to cause trouble, but now she realized they were here to provide comic relief.
The idea of investigating unidentified magical creatures in the Forbidden Forest was utterly ridiculous to anyone in the wizarding world.
Everyone knew the Forbidden Forest was teeming with magical creatures, each more mysterious than the last, and finding one wouldn't prove anything.
When had the Ministry's requirements for Aurors become so low?
Seeing Professor McGonagall's expression, Hard finally realized how foolish his words had been.
It had been too long since he graduated, and in his zeal, he had forgotten about the Forest.
But now that he had spoken, he couldn't very well back down without losing face.
"I'm sure, Professor McGonagall," Hard said, feigning calm, and led the other two Aurors toward the Forbidden Forest.
Whether they found anything or not, at least they could say they had tried.
After all, who could fault him for not searching thoroughly enough when he had even ventured into the Forbidden Forest?
"Let's see, what creatures are there in the Forbidden Forest... Centaurs, a Sphinx, and weren't there werewolves too?"
Professor Aurene chimed in casually, "Tsk, tsk. All that for a few hundred Galleons a month. You guys are brave."
"Wait... That's my monthly salary! How much do Aurors make? Seventy? Or eighty?
Tsk..."
(End of Chapter)
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