The Strange Professor McGonagall

Chapter 88 The Strange Professor McGonagall

If Belvina's July was leisurely and carefree, then her August was busy and hectic, filled with troubles.

From the farmhouse in Fertile Plains to number 12 Grimmauld Place, a matter of a small handful of Floo Powder and an Apparition, Belvina used up the entire month of August.

For the past month, Belvina, who holds the title of Minister's Advisor, has been frequently seen at the Ministry of Magic, maintaining her close relationship with Cornelius Fudge while also cultivating and building new connections.

Even at the Wizengamot meetings, which she rarely attended in the past, Belvina would be there on time, chatting animatedly with a group of people much older than her, as if she were becoming the second "old man's paradise" of the Ministry of Magic.

On the surface, Belvina is paving the way for her future, preparing to return to the Ministry of Magic. In reality, she is indeed paving the way, but this is not the path she wants to take.

Having learned her lesson, Belvina deeply realized the importance of not fighting unprepared battles. She needed to be fully prepared before overturning the verdict, so that she could strike decisively when the time came.

Belvina Black, a stubborn mule, did not give up. She was determined to get Sirius Black out, and her fighting spirit only grew stronger with each setback.

Every time she appeared at the Ministry of Magic, Belvina consciously made friends with members of the Wizengamot, chatting with the older staff of the Department of Law Enforcement to build relationships, especially those who had been with the department for more than ten years.

Connelly Fudge, unaware of the situation, was very excited about this. Instead of stopping it, he tried to help his trusted lieutenant avoid some pitfalls.

It must be said that Cornelius Fudge in his normal state is a person you can get along with.

And so, Belvina was busy for a whole month.

During this month, Belvina couldn't help but marvel once again at how the Ministry of Magic was such a makeshift operation; it was truly an eye-opening experience.

Time is like a wild donkey, it never stops once it starts running, and before you know it, it's September, and Hogwarts starts.

On September 1st, Belvina, who spent the night in Grimmauld Place, got up very late. By the time she got dressed and came out of her bedroom, the Hogwarts Express had already left London.

At this point, there are two options. One is to Apparate a long distance, with the destination being either Hogsmeade Village or a path closer to the school.

Another option is the Floo Net. With just a handful of Floo Powder, you can travel directly to Hogwarts through the fireplace. The only thing to be careful about is that you must speak clearly.

The Floo Network at Hogwarts is usually closed, only being opened on rare occasions. The fireplaces in the school are occasionally connected without the knowledge of faculty and staff.

In the cave-like, dark kitchen, Belvina leisurely enjoyed her breakfast—and lunch—she really wasn't in a hurry to go back to school; why be so eager to go to work?

Kreacher, the house-elf, stood to one side, a dark, almost unrecognizable locket hanging from his chest. He treasured the relic left by Regulus.

After a meal that couldn't be accurately named, Belvina went into the living room, lit the fireplace, and instead of leaving, she repeatedly reminded Kreacher.

He instructed the house-elf to take good care of No. 12 Grimmauld Place, not to listen to Mrs. Black's madness, and not to make a mess of the house.

After dawdling for several minutes, Belvina finally stepped into the emerald green flames.

The emerald green flames licked at her like a hot wind, or like a powerful vacuum cleaner, and Belvina was swept away by the flames.

Her body spun rapidly, the whistling sound deafening. A series of fireplace doors flashed by blurry, and she could vaguely see the room outside the fireplace. A few seconds later, Belvina's feet touched the soft carpet, and her eyes saw the ever-serious Professor McGonagall.

To make it easier for faculty and staff to return to school, the fireplace in Professor McGonagall's office will be connected to the Floo Network on the first day of school and then turned off afterwards.

"Good afternoon, Professor McGonagall," Belvina greeted cheerfully. "You're still as serious as ever, but that doesn't diminish your beauty."

"Good afternoon, Professor Black." Professor McGonagall put down her pen and stood up. "Thank you for your praise, but I would much rather have your assurance that you will not get sick in the new school year."

As Professor McGonagall spoke, she handed over the timetable for the new school year.

"Ah—well—I'll try my best," Belvina chuckled, trying to brush it off. "I have more classes this year than last year, Professor McGonagall. Is it because more people are taking the electives?"

Professor McGonagall adjusted her square glasses and said seriously, "Do you remember what you did at the year-end party, Belvina?"

"Of course I remember," Belvina muttered, having embarrassed Dumbledore in front of everyone, leaving him in an awkward position.

However, Belvina's actions not only affected Dumbledore's reputation, but also Professor McGonagall, as well as the students of Gryffindor.

"I have no doubt that this is someone's revenge." Professor McGonagall's expression remained serious, but she joked, "Anyone can attend your two extra classes, even if they didn't take your course."

As she spoke, Professor McGonagall picked up a quill and quickly signed her name on a piece of parchment, but the name she signed was not her own; it was BW Black.

Belvina looked at Professor McGonagall in shock, speechless. She never expected that the older catgirl would take revenge! This wasn't the Minerva McGonagall she knew!

"Since you're returning to school so late, I'll have to sign for you first." Professor McGonagall smiled. "You know, there are many teachers and many courses, so I have to get everything arranged as soon as possible."

What nonsense are you spouting!

The name was clearly signed just now, so how could it be too late?

Professor McGonagall, driven by personal vendetta, readily offered a far-fetched reason, making her revenge appear at least superficially impeccable.

"Actually, you don't need to find a reason. Really," Belvina said helplessly. "My resilience is much stronger than you imagine. Really."

"Is that so?" Professor McGonagall nodded as if she had been taught a lesson. "No wonder Severus always managed to find ways to deduct points from the college; apparently, he doesn't need a reason at all."

By making an example of someone, Professor McGonagall has gone astray.

Ostensibly, it's about Snape's arbitrary point deductions, but it's all really meant for Belvina. Belvina is the one being manipulated!

At that moment, Belvina desperately wanted to grab Snape by the collar and yell at him: Look what you've done!

Instead of blaming yourself, blame others, abandon your personal integrity, and enjoy a life of immorality.

Belvina naturally blamed everything on Snape. If his heart hadn't been in his armpit, and if he hadn't done all those awful things, would things have turned out like this?

It's all Severus Snape's fault, it has nothing to do with me, Belvina, what's wrong with me!

"Um, Professor McGonagall, if there's nothing else, I'll be going now," Belvina said with a forced smile. "You see, I have so many courses to teach, I really need to prepare well, don't you think?"

The Vice-Headmaster of Hogwarts, Head of Gryffindor, Master of Transfiguration—he's someone you can't afford to mess with.

When she was in a normal mental state, Belvina wouldn't dare to lose her temper with Professor McGonagall; she genuinely respected this stern and unsmiling witch.

However, from now on, the label of "always serious" can be removed.

"Of course, Professor Black," Professor McGonagall said, her smile fading. "I hope you have a wonderful new school year."

Belvina nodded in acknowledgment, opened the door to the vice principal's office, and was about to leave. She was as anxious as she had been before returning to school.

"Wait, there's one more thing I forgot to mention."

Professor McGonagall's voice rang out behind her, forcing Belvina, who had just stepped across the threshold, to stop. She wanted to pretend she hadn't heard, but that would be too fake.

"As you should know, a new professor will be arriving at the school this new academic year. He will be in charge of Defense Against the Dark Arts," Professor McGonagall said. "You should know him quite well."

Belvina was somewhat bewildered. Hogwarts did not require her to be informed of personnel changes, and she had not been paying attention to the changes at the school recently.

“What I mean is,” Professor McGonagall continued, “whatever he was like before, from today onwards you are colleagues.”

Today, Minerva McGonagall acted out of character, first showing concern in a accusatory tone, then jokingly resorting to personal revenge.

Finally, it was half admonition and half reminder.

This feeling is strange; Professor McGonagall is acting very strangely today.

"I understand completely, Professor McGonagall." Belvina gestured. "Don't worry, I'm a very easy person to get along with."

Hopefully, Belvina will be able to say the exact same thing when she meets her new colleagues.