20demayo Chapter 235 Parkinson's Visit
Chapter 235 Parkinson's Visit
Chapter 235 Parkinson's Visit
"Tap tap tap—"
Early in the morning, Loila had just finished a magic array class and was sitting in her office when she heard someone knocking on her door.
Ok?
They probably aren't students.
After Loila's year-long rejection and her reminders at the start of the new semester, no student came to her office anymore; even the most eager Miss Granger would choose to write a letter.
If it's not a student, then who could it be?
Royla's subconscious feeling was that it was Dumbledore. The old guy hadn't come to see her for a while, and based on past experience, he would definitely cause trouble for her during these slightly more relaxed days.
Loila pursed her lips and carefully walked to the door that was still being knocked on. She carefully tiptoed and peeked through the crack in the door.
"Um?!"
There were quite a few people outside the door, and—moreover, a group of middle-aged men in suits.
Why are the Ministry of Magic people—why is an Auror looking for me? I haven't done anything—at least not recently—
"Professor Hamilton, are you in your office?"
It seemed they had been knocking on the door for quite a while, and the Auror outside spoke with a hint of exasperation, "We need to speak with you."
But that voice sounds familiar... — Loila thought for a moment, then tiptoed and took another look.
It seems to be—Mr. Parkinson's?
Why am I even less inclined to open the door? — Mr. Parkinson, could you have brought some news from that Minister of Magic again? — He awarded himself the Order of Merlin but didn't even give himself a bonus; he's less generous than Dumbledore.
After thinking for a few seconds, Loila finally decided to gently open the door and peek her head out through the crack.
"You—hello." She lowered her head awkwardly, not daring to look the Aurors in the eye.
Fortunately, she was wearing a mask, so even though it was a bit embarrassing, it didn't seem to matter.
"Is this Professor Hamilton?" an Auror murmured instinctively, startled. "Didn't I remember saying—she was a half-Veele?"
"He looks like a student—"
I'm so sorry I'm not tall.
"Good afternoon, Professor Hamilton." Among the group of bewildered Aurors, only Mr. Parkinson immediately broke into a smile: "It's been a long time."
"What have you been doing all this time?"
"Ah, you must be busy with the magic circle, right? Sorry, I've been a bit busy lately and haven't had a chance to write to congratulate you. You're the most famous person in the wizarding world now, aren't you? You even prevented the news of Mr. Arthur winning the lottery from being published in the newspapers—"
This must really be Mr. Parkinson's—Loila recognized that familiar feeling just from meeting him.
It doesn't refer to the actual smell.
"Mr. Parkinson!" An Auror pulled Parkinson back from speaking and whispered a reminder, "We're here on business."
"Oh right, right—" Parkinson shrugged, realizing what he had just said. "Sorry, Professor Hamilton, I almost forgot about the important matter."
Is there some important business this time?
Could they be asking me to work at the Ministry of Magic? Loila instinctively took a few steps back. If she heard any such outrageous suggestion, she would definitely close the office door.
"Don't close the door yet." Seeing Loila's intention, Parkinson quickly stuck out a foot to trip over the crack in the door.
"This matter concerns you and Hagrid."
Is it related to me—and Hagrid?
After thinking for a few seconds, Loila knew why Mr. Parkinson had come—it was because of the unicorn, right?
Has that matter been resolved yet?
But—Loira didn't see Hagrid, which seems to indicate that—the outcome of this matter might not be good.
"Please allow me to speak with Professor Hamilton alone," Parkinson said, nodding to the Aurors beside him. "You can wander around Hogwarts for a bit."
"1
"Just consider it a chance to reminisce about the old days —"
"We're still working hours, Mr. Parkinson."
Ignoring his subordinate Auror's mutterings, Parkinson gave a slight nod and then strode into the office under Loyla's wary gaze.
"Clatter".
As soon as the office door closed, Parkinson's rare moment of seriousness immediately vanished.
He looked around the office with curiosity, sometimes walking to the table and rubbing the materials on it, and sometimes picking up a few small bottles to look at them.
Finally, he looked at Roy, who was standing in the office looking rather uneasy.
"Professor Hamilton—you should probably hire someone to clean your room."
"Ugh!" Loila shuddered at Parkinson's words, lowered her head, blushed, and fiddled with her fingers.
Miss Nagini had actually wanted to tidy up her room for a while, but Loila had stopped her several times by saying she was doing research—and even if she did tidy up, she would mess it up again in a few days.
I hope it doesn't have any strange smell?
Loila gently waved her wand from her sleeve, opening the office window.
"Ah—that's not what I meant, Professor Hamilton." Parkinson quickly explained, "I was just a little surprised that a professor of magic arrays would have so much stuff in his office."
"It seems Headmaster Dumbledore's office also has quite a few things—though his things look a bit more dangerous—of course, of course, Professor Hamilton, your things are all safe!"
"I didn't say anything, yet you can say so much?" — Loila pursed her lips, somewhat amazed by Mr. Parkinson's prowess — and it seemed her own abilities had declined as well.
I used to be able to treat everything he said as white noise —
Wait, didn't you want to see me about something important?
"About Hagrid—" After thinking for a few seconds, Loila spoke up to remind him, lest he ramble on for another ten minutes.
"Ah, right, right, I almost forgot. I'm sorry, Professor Hamilton." Parkinson scratched his head and coughed to straighten his expression.
He paced over to Loila and lowered his voice: "We haven't informed Mr. Malfoy about this yet."
"So we hope you can refrain from revealing for the time being that we came to see you." He continued in a lower voice, "Minister, you want you to know that the Ministry of Magic has always been happy to cooperate with you."
Hmm—don't be so serious all of a sudden—and aren't you supposed to be a proper department? Why are you suddenly doing all this weird stuff?
Seeing that Loila didn't speak, Parkinson coughed and continued, "The department has actually been discussing the unicorn issue for a long time."
Isn't the Ministry of Magic a bit boring?
"According to the regulations, any wild magical creature that harms humans should be executed—even a unicorn."
"This was also Mr. Malfoy's suggestion."
Seeing Loila's pale face, Parkinson nodded: "But we all feel that this was really just the student's own carelessness."
"If this matter hadn't involved Mr. Malfoy, the department probably wouldn't have taken it seriously at all."
“But you know,” Parkinson raised an eyebrow, “not all pure-blood wizards have their own pride.”
"Mr. Malfoy even submitted materials to Wisengam," he said with a sigh. "He didn't even ask Minister Fudge about this."
"So—the minister isn't very happy."
Do you understand what I mean?
Ah—it's really kind of you to be so serious, Mr. Parkinson, but I don't think I understand what you mean.