Chapter 88: You're risking your life for a few hundred Galleons a month?
Chapter 88: You're risking your life for a few hundred Galleons a month?
Upon seeing Professor Oren, the Strike Team members' expressions turned serious.
When an adult wizard appeared at Hogwarts, it was highly likely that they were a professor, and their status far outweighed that of the students who only knew how to shout. They couldn't help but take this seriously.
However, as they didn't recognize the person before them, one of them cautiously asked, "Who are you?"
"Morris Oren," Professor Oren introduced himself. "Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts."
"Defense Against the Dark Arts?"
The Strike Team members raised their eyebrows. They were very familiar with this position, too familiar.
Since becoming the Strike Team, they had personally captured three or four Defense Against the Dark Arts professors from Hogwarts.
It was almost becoming a stable source of their performance.
So, after learning Professor Oren's identity, the three of them were no longer nervous. In a matter-of-fact tone, they said, "Professor Oren, we're here on the orders of the Ministry of Magic to arrest Hagrid. You have no right to stop us."
"You're lying. How come I don't know about such an order from the Ministry?"
At this moment, Professor McGonagall also hurried over from the castle. She pursed her lips, looking like an angry lioness.
"Minister Fudge is still in the Headmaster's Office. Before he comes out, you can't take Hagrid away."
"Ma, Professor McGonagall..."
The three Strike Team members instinctively straightened up. Even though they had graduated many years ago, seeing Professor McGonagall again made their legs feel weak.
But they didn't want to give up just like that.
Minister Fudge seemed to be very invested in this matter. Before coming to Hogwarts, he had repeatedly emphasized the need for a thorough investigation and not to overlook any details.
This was a rare opportunity to make a good impression on the Minister. No matter what, they had to ensure that everything was handled flawlessly.
So, after not finding any valuable clues in the cabin, they thought of taking Hagrid back for questioning. What if there were unexpected findings?
The Strike Team's determination grew stronger. With the temptation of a promotion and a raise, Professor McGonagall didn't seem so intimidating anymore.
"Professor, you've misunderstood. We're just following standard procedures," the leader of the Strike Team said. "It's just a routine process. If there are no issues, he can return tomorrow.
That's the rule, and it applies to everyone. Please don't make things difficult for us."
"That's not right..."
At this moment, a voice suddenly came from the crowd of onlookers.
"I remember that the Ministry's rule is to only take someone away when there is concrete evidence."
"Who's talking!" The Strike Team member roared angrily. "This doesn't concern you. All of you, back to the castle!"
"I believe I'm the professor at Hogwarts, Hard." Professor McGonagall frowned.
"Sorry, Professor McGonagall, I just wanted to..."
"But the students are right," Professor McGonagall interrupted him and continued, "You mentioned the evidence of Hagrid purchasing magical creatures."
"Someone saw it with their own eyes," said the Strike Team member named Hard.
"A baseless accusation," Professor McGonagall's lips tightened even more. "If you say someone saw it, why didn't you bring that person along?"
"After taking Hagrid back, we will naturally find that person and have him confront Hagrid," Hard's eyes shifted slightly.
"So, you don't even know who that person is?"
Professor McGonagall was amused.
Without any evidence, they wanted to take Hagrid away from Hogwarts based on someone's word?
This was obviously unacceptable to her.
If it's Hagrid today, what if someone reports Professor Snape for studying Dark Magic tomorrow? Will they also take him away for investigation?
If someone were to report Dumbledore the day after tomorrow... I wonder if Hogwarts would still be able to operate.
The Strike Team members were well aware of their wrongdoing, but they didn't budge.
"Professor, we're just asking questions, we promise we won't..."
"I report!"
At this moment, another voice rang out from the crowd.
"I saw Professor Snape at the Hog's Head yesterday. He bought a young dragon, you should take him to the Ministry of Magic too.
Oh, and Headmaster Dumbledore, he bought a bat."
Harde's words came to an abrupt halt, this statement was like a stab to the heart, blocking all his excuses.
This meant that if he wanted to take Hagrid away, he would also have to take Dumbledore, who had also been reported.
Harde angrily scanned the crowd, wanting to find the speaker.
Professor McGonagall's lips curled slightly, and she stepped forward in front of the young wizards.
"I've thought about it, and I think you're right, Harde."
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"The Potions Classroom is on the first basement floor, and the Headmaster's Office is on the eighth floor. Do you need me to show you the way?"
Harde's face turned red, and he stammered, "Professor McGonagall, I'm not... that is, the students' words don't count."
"I saw it too," Professor Aurene said quietly from the side.
His words became the final straw that broke the Strike Team's back.
"I understand..." Harde clenched his teeth and said, "We'll find more evidence before we come back."
Of course, he didn't dare to go to Dumbledore.
Harde was certain that if he dared to take Dumbledore back to the Ministry today, he would be expelled tomorrow for entering the Ministry with his left foot first.
As he reluctantly prepared to leave Hogwarts, he suddenly noticed the Forbidden Forest behind him.
"Professor McGonagall, do you mind if we go to the Forbidden Forest to check it out?"
Harde turned around and said, "The Forbidden Forest is so vast that hiding a magical creature shouldn't be a problem."
"Are you sure?" Professor McGonagall's expression was a bit strange.
She had thought these people were here to cause trouble, but now she realized they were here to joke around.
Investigating the origins of a mysterious creature in the Forbidden Forest... This move would be considered explosive in the entire magical world.
Everyone knew that the Forbidden Forest was filled with magical creatures, and each one was of unknown origin. Finding anything there would be meaningless.
When did the Ministry of Magic's standards for the Strike Team become so low? After seeing Professor McGonagall's expression, Harde finally realized how foolish his words had been.
It was mainly because he had graduated a long time ago, and in the heat of the moment, he had forgotten about this.
But the words were already spoken, and if he backed out now, he would lose face.
"I'm sure, Professor McGonagall," Harde said, feigning composure, and then led the other two Strike Team members towards the Forbidden Forest.
Whether they found anything or not, at least they could hand in a report after this trip.
He had even gone to the Forbidden Forest, so no one would say he hadn't investigated thoroughly.
"I remember what's in the Forbidden Forest, there's a Chimera, a Sphinx, and... oh right, there's also a Werewolf, isn't there..."
Professor Aurene, standing nearby, said with a hint of intention, "Tsk, with just seventy or eighty Galleons a month, you're really risking your lives."
"Wait... I just remembered that's my monthly salary. How much do Strike Team members make... seventy? Or eighty?
Tsk...
(End of Chapter)
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