Hogwarts Homecoming

The sky outside the castle was no longer clear at this time, but turned into a gray and dark blue.

On the lawn of the campus, there was only a little commotion in Beauxbatons' carriage. The Pegasus horses pulling the carriage suddenly lost their temper and were struggling with Hagrid, who was feeding them.

"What's going on, Hagrid?"

Sensing the movement, Mrs. Mark's wife hurriedly got out of the carriage and came to check the movement.

"Oh, some little problems, Olim, I can fix them soon!"

Hagrid held the wine barrel with one hand and struggled to pull the horse's bridle with the other hand, trying to hold up his chest as a promise. However, under Mrs. Maxim's suspicious eyes, Hagrid was quickly defeated.

He loosened the bridle and said breathlessly,

"Your guys who pull the cart are so smart, Olim. I just mixed some water with the malt whiskey. Don't be angry, Olim. I swear I just mixed a little bit."

Hagrid's voice weakened, and the four little wizards standing in the corridor on the fourth floor couldn't hear the sound, so they retracted their heads one after another.

Several people looked at each other. This would be quite funny in normal times, but thinking of the current predicament that Hogwarts is facing, several of them couldn't laugh.

"Let's go--"

Depression enveloped the hearts of several children who were worried about the future and fate of Hogwarts. Hermione said something dull and then took the lead in walking forward.

In order to find out the 'love-hate relationship' between the school board and Hogwarts, they went into the library after class for several afternoons. They also needed to finish their meals and do exercises.

The turbid night sky was reflected on the ceiling of the auditorium. The little wizards on the four long tables were all whispering. The atmosphere here was not as cheerful as before.

Harry glanced at the food on the table. Both in terms of quantity and variety, it was much shabbier than usual.

"What's going on? What are you talking about?"

Ron, who was near the dining table, saw Ginny and Colin discussing something. He frowned and leaned over to ask a little dissatisfied.

"Oh, you don't know yet?"

Before Ginny and Colin could reply, Ernie, who was eager to spread the news at the Hufflepuff table, said in a loud voice,

"Hogwarts is in serious financial crisis!"

"How did you know?"

Harry asked in surprise.

"Does this need to be said?" Ernie pointed at the dining table and said disapprovingly.

"Cedric asked Professor Sprout this afternoon during herbalism class—"

Hannah next to Ernie turned around, her face turned pale,

"You all saw that today's breakfast and lunch were not as rich as usual, and many professors asked students to practice in groups during class. Cedric felt strange, so he went to find Professor Sprout, and was told that now the school We encountered some minor operational problems.”

Hannah's version is closer to the truth Cedric got from Professor Sprout, but Ernie's words are closer to the truth.

"Did Professor Sprout tell Cedric what the school was going to do?"

Neville asked, frowning.

"Professor Sprout said that Professor Dumbledore and Professor Brain are trying to figure it out-"

Hannah raised her chin towards the empty seat at the staff table. Not only were Professors Dumbledore and Professor Blaine absent there, but also Professors McGonagall and Sprout.

Find a solution?

A sense of humiliation emerged in Harry's mind. What were the two professors going to do, surrender to the school board? !

"Even if I starve to death, I don't want that toad to teach at Hogwarts!"

Neville clenched his fists, his face turned pale, and he gritted his teeth.

"This is outrageous!"

Hermione's face was also green, while Ron had a confused look on his face. It was obvious that he had no idea about the current predicament he was encountering.

But in fact, not just Ron, how much can a group of children do about money problems?

A few people slowly inserted themselves into the long table, eating something in half-interest while listening to almost the same chatter about the crisis at Hogwarts.

Harry had yet to hear anyone who could name the origin of this crisis.

At present, the only way to solve this problem is to rely on Professors Dumbledore and Professor Brain to convince the school board to continue investing. Besides the school board, which brings together the richest families in the wizarding world, who can bear such a huge expenditure?

But other than accepting the assignment from the school board, Harry couldn't think of how they could make the school board continue to give money willingly.

His eyes wandered around the auditorium with boredom. Suddenly, Harry saw Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout walking down the stairs to the foyer instead of the staff table.

Both professors wore formal robes, and Sprout's professor still wore his dusty, patched hat.

They looked serious and were about to leave the castle.

Somehow, Harry jumped up from his stool, and under the astonished looks of Ron and others, Harry quickly ran towards the hall.

"Professor McGonagall, Professor Sprout!"

Harry shouted, stopping the two professors who were walking out of the castle gate and preparing to descend the marble stairs.

"Mr. Potter?"

Hearing Harry's call, the two professors stopped and turned to look at her. Professor McGonagall looked Harry up and down and asked,

"What's the matter, Mr. Potter?"

"Are you also going to negotiate with the school board?"

Harry blurted out without thinking.

"Oh, Mr. Potter!"

Professor McGonagall screamed in surprise,

"You already know about the school board's suspension of allocating funds?"

"I assume it was Miss Granger who told you?"

Professor Sprout smiled kindly at the few people who also ran over after Harry.

Looking at the young faces with eager eyes, Professor McGonagall's expression softened, and she pursed her lips.

"The negotiations with the school board are the responsibility of President Dumbledore and Professor Brain. Mr. Potter, Professor Sprout and I have other matters."

"What is it?"

Harry asked blankly, but Professor McGonagall didn't think Harry was rude.

"Professor Sprout and I are going to Hogsmeade. We have made an appointment with the villagers there and asked them to provide normal supplies to Hogwarts, and their reward will be paid after Hogwarts has overcome this crisis. Gwartz will settle it for them."

In other words, credit.

Harry understood immediately and blurted out,

"I still have some gold in the vault at Gringotts, Professor. If Hogwarts needs it, you can use it."

Fearing that Professor McGonagall would not accept it, Harry quickly added,

"Sirius won't let me starve."

Hermione, Ron and Neville all looked at Harry in shock, not expecting Harry to say that at all.

Professors McGonagall and Sprout were also surprised. McGonagall came back to her senses and blew her nose in excitement. In a rare move, she patted Harry on the shoulder and said softly,

"Thank you for your sentiments, Mr. Potter, but Hogwarts is not in such a state of decline yet.

There is still a large amount of gold in the school's treasury, which is enough to support the school's operations for a period of time. Of course, it must be used with reasonable planning. I believe that before this gold runs out, Professor Dumbledore and Professor Brain will Solving the problem is what Professor Brain promised me. "

After saying that, Professor McGonagall showed a reassuring smile to the worried little wizards, and left in a hurry with Professor Sprout.

The blazing fire shone on Harry's face, as did the anger in his heart at this moment.

There was movement in the auditorium behind her. Hermione looked back alertly and found that Professor Snape was leading Malfoy, Parkinson, Nott and Blaise out. The boil on Parkinson's hand had been removed. Madam Pomfrey was cured.

Professor Snape glanced at them coldly, and then left with his head held high. However, several Slytherin students behind him did not know whether it was because of their mood, and they were not as arrogant as usual. They also just glanced at them. He left behind Snape.

Several people in Gryffindor watched gloomily as Snape led his students into the venue, their figures quickly blurring into the dimness of the first night.

"Hi!"

Neville suddenly shouted, attracting everyone's attention to his face. Neville looked at Harry with deep meaning,

"Would you like to find a chance to let off some steam, Harry, I mean, and teach those nasty guys who put Hogwarts in crisis a lesson?"