https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-88-A-Few-Hundred-Galleons-a-Month-Are-You-Joking-/12538192/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-90-Kyle-Do-You-Have-Any-Mouse-Repellent-/12538194/
Chapter 89: Hehehe
Chapter 89: Hehehe
"I'm sorry, Albus," Fudge said as he fiddled with his hat in the Headmaster's office at Hogwarts. "I didn't expect them to be so rude."
"I understand, Cornelius," Dumbledore said calmly. "But I trust Hagrid, and I assure you, there's no way he has a Crup in his possession."
"Yes, I trust Hagrid as well," Fudge said, turning his head away and avoiding Dumbledore's gaze. "But you must see it from my perspective. He has a record, and we received a report. The Ministry had to investigate for the students' safety."
"That's why I didn't stop your investigation of Hagrid, and even Minerva only intervened when you attempted to forcibly take him away."
Dumbledore crossed his arms and rested his fingers on his chin. "I can assure you that you are welcome to bring witnesses to Hogwarts to confront Hagrid at any time, now or in the future. We have an excellent Potions master who can easily tell if he's lying. And if you're too busy, you can always send a letter, and I'll personally accompany Hagrid to the Ministry to clear things up."
"That won't be necessary, Albus," Fudge said, sounding uncomfortable. "I trust you completely, and the investigation into Hagrid is over. There's no doubt that there were no traces of a Crup in his room."
"Thank you for your trust, Cornelius," Dumbledore said gently. "I appreciate you coming to Hogwarts personally regarding this matter."
"Oh, it's nothing, Albus," Fudge said, taking a sip of his tea. "It was our mistake, and it's only right that I come here. I just hope Minerva isn't too angry with me. But speaking of Crups, I suddenly remembered something."
"Oh?" Dumbledore lifted an eyebrow, feigning interest.
"Well," Fudge straightened his collar unconsciously, "recently, there have been people within the Ministry using the Crup incident to smear my name, saying that I'm inefficient. They also believe that my decision to return those magical creatures was wrong and that keeping Newt and Chris away from their work for so long was a mistake. Even the magical governments of other countries have written to me, complaining about sending Newt to their lands."
"But, Albus, I just wanted to express the seriousness of the situation. My intentions were good."
"I understand your feelings completely," Dumbledore nodded. "Sometimes, it can be frustrating when your actions aren't understood."
"I knew you would understand," Fudge took another sip of his tea. "Lately, all I hear are accusations, and it's hindering my ability to work. If it weren't for this, I would have sent a letter ahead of the Strike Team's visit to Hogwarts."
Dumbledore's eyes flickered as he studied Fudge in silence.
"If you were me," Fudge asked casually, "how would you handle such a predicament?"
...
No one knew what Fudge and Dumbledore discussed in the Headmaster's office, but many noticed that Fudge left Hogwarts with a frown on his face. He didn't seem satisfied with how the conversation had gone.
After Fudge's departure, Hagrid found Professor Aurora with a large barrel of pure malt whiskey. They drank together, and Hagrid gave him a full bag of Rock-skinned Biscuits as a token of his gratitude for speaking up for him.
Out of curiosity, Kyle wondered what kind of curse could cause one's teeth to fall out like that.
Perhaps a Lunch-Canceling Curse?
And during their Transfiguration class, Professor McGonagall's actions were equally perplexing.
She inexplicably tapped Kyle with her wand while checking their homework, then asked him a very simple question.
After he answered correctly, she surprisingly awarded twenty points to Hufflepuff, which was unprecedented.
This sent the young witches and wizards into a frenzy, thinking that Professor McGonagall might be favoring a particular house to compete with Slytherin for the House Cup.
However, they soon realized they were overthinking it.
Professor McGonagall remained the same stern and impartial teacher, showing no bias towards any house.
This substantial point addition was a one-time occurrence, and during a third-year Transfiguration class, she even deducted ten points from Hufflepuff for incomplete homework.
Only Kyle knew the reason behind these incidents.
When he had shouted out amidst the group of students, he noticed that Professor McGonagall had glanced at him several times, seemingly on purpose.
Although Kyle had deliberately altered his voice, it had only fooled the Ministry officials and the students around him.
Professor McGonagall was not so easily fooled.
However, from her actions, it seemed that she did not intend to pursue the matter further.
Additionally, Kyle had planted the Devil's Snare tendrils in the Room of Requirement, right next to the Mooncalf's cave, in a place that received no sunlight at all.
After two weeks of meticulous care, the initially small tendrils had grown into a new Devil's Snare, even sprouting tendrils as thick as fingers.
Kyle gently poked at these tendrils, and they immediately wrapped around his wrists.
As the tendrils were still young and not very strong, being entangled by them felt like receiving a gentle massage—quite comfortable, in fact.
Kyle played with the Devil's Snare like a toy for a while before letting it go.
The Mooncalves beside it had completely adapted to their environment and slept soundly in their respective caves.
The White Herb and the Rue were also growing well, and if they were only meant to be a food source, they would be enough to feed the Mooncalves for several months.
However, Kyle was considering improving their diet and planned to get some Bubotuber pus.
A whole Bubotuber, mixed with crushed leaves of the White Herb, Rue, and other plants, rolled into small balls—this was the Mooncalves' favorite treat.
However, Hogsmeade didn't sell Bubotuber pus, and the school greenhouse wasn't an option either, so Kyle could only wait until the holidays to go to Diagon Alley… or rather, to Newt's place.
The Muggle-Wort was also nearing maturity, its row of teeth as sharp as razors.
Kyle picked up a stone and threw it at the plant.
The hard bluestone was like a chickpea in the mouth of the Muggle-Wort; it crunched noisily as it was chewed.
Kyle now looked forward to the Devil's Snare growing larger. With the Muggle-Wort's razor-sharp teeth and the Devil's Snare's entangling abilities, the combination would be…
Hehehe.
(End of Chapter)
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