Disclaimer: I don't own anything. This is not meant to infringe upon copyrights.
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Upon seeing Oren, the Aurors' expressions became much more serious.
The appearance of an adult wizard at Hogwarts was most likely that of a professor, a much more significant position than those students who only knew how to shout. They couldn't afford to be careless.
However, because they didn't recognize the person before them, one of them cautiously inquired, "Who are you?"
"Maurice Oren," Professor Oren introduced himself, "Hogwarts Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor."
"Defense Against the Dark Arts?"
The Aurors raised an eyebrow. They knew that position very well; they knew it all too well.
Since becoming Aurors, they had personally apprehended three or four Defense Against the Dark Arts professors at Hogwarts.
It had almost become a stable source of their income.
So, upon learning Professor Oren's identity, the three men relaxed and spoke in a businesslike tone, "Professor Oren...right? We're here on orders from the Ministry of Magic to arrest Hagrid. You have no right to stop us."
"Liar! I don't know if the Ministry of Magic gave such an order."
At that moment, Professor McGonagall hurried over from the castle, her lips pursed, like an angry lioness.
"Fudge is still in the Headmaster's office. You can't take Hagrid away until he comes out."
"Professor McGonagall..."
The three Aurors instinctively straightened up. Even though they had graduated many years ago, seeing Professor McGonagall again still made them feel weak and timid.
But they didn't want to give up so easily.
Fudge seemed very concerned about this matter; before coming to Hogwarts, he had repeatedly instructed them to investigate carefully and not to be negligent in the slightest.
This was a rare opportunity to show their face in front of the Minister, and they had to handle things flawlessly.
So, after finding no valuable clues in the hut, they thought of taking Hagrid back for questioning, just in case they found something unexpected.
The Auror's gaze hardened. Tempted by the prospect of a promotion and a raise, Professor McGonagall didn't seem so intimidating anymore.
"Professor, you misunderstand. We're just doing our job," the lead Auror said. "It's just a procedure. If there are no problems, he'll be back tomorrow.
That's the rule, everyone's the same. Please don't make things difficult for us."
"Wait a minute..."
A voice suddenly rang out from the crowd.
"I remember the Ministry of Magic's rule is that someone can only be taken away with concrete evidence."
"Who's speaking!" the Auror roared angrily. "This is none of your business! Go back to the castle!"
"I think I'm the Hogwarts professor, Harder," Professor McGonagall frowned.
"I'm sorry, Professor McGonagall, I just wanted to..."
"But the students aren't wrong either," Professor McGonagall interrupted him, continuing, "What about the evidence you gave Hagrid for buying magical creatures?"
"Someone saw it with their own eyes," the Auror named Harder said.
"A fabricated charge." Professor McGonagall's lips tightened. "If you say someone saw it, why not bring him along?"
"Once Hagrid is taken back, we'll find that person and confront him." Harder's eyes darted around.
"So you don't even know who that person is?"
Professor McGonagall laughed in exasperation.
No evidence whatsoever, just because someone said something they wanted to take Hagrid away from Hogwarts?
This was clearly unacceptable to her.
Today it's Hagrid, but what if tomorrow someone reports Professor Snape for participating in Dark Arts research? Should they take that person away for investigation too?
And what if the day after tomorrow someone reports Dumbledore…? Would Hogwarts even be able to stay open?
The Aurors knew they were in the wrong, but they didn't budge.
"Professor, it's really just a question, we promise we won't..."
"I'll report you!"
At that moment, another voice rang out from the crowd.
"I saw Professor Snape at the Hog's Head yesterday. He bought a baby dragon. Take him to the Ministry too.
Oh, and Headmaster Dumbledore, he bought a dragon egg as well."
Harder's words trailed off; this statement was so hurtful, it practically shut down all his excuses.
This meant that if he wanted to take Hagrid away, he would have to take Dumbledore, who had also been reported, with him.
Harder angrily scanned the crowd, trying to find the speaker.
Professor McGonagall's lips curled slightly, and she stepped forward to stand before the young wizards.
"I've thought about it, and I think you're right, Harder."
"The Potions office is on the basement level, and the Headmaster's office is on the eighth floor. Do you need me to show you the way?"
Harder's face flushed, and he stammered, "Professor McGonagall, I'm not… well, a student's word doesn't count."
"I saw it too," Professor Oren said quietly from the side.
His words were the final straw.
"I understand…" Harder said through gritted teeth, "We'll come back when we find more evidence."
He certainly didn't dare go to Dumbledore.
Harder was certain that if he dared to bring Dumbledore back today, he would be expelled from the Ministry of Magic tomorrow for entering with his left foot first.
Just as he was about to leave Hogwarts, feeling resentful, he suddenly noticed the Forbidden Forest behind him.
"Professor McGonagall, would you mind if we went to check out the Forbidden Forest?"
Harder turned around and said, "The Forbidden Forest is so big, hiding a magical creature shouldn't be too difficult."
"Are you sure?" Professor McGonagall's expression was somewhat strange.
She had initially thought these people were looking for trouble, but now she realized they were just joking.
Investigating mysterious magical creatures in the Forbidden Forest… this was a truly outrageous move in the entire wizarding world.
Everyone knew the Forbidden Forest was teeming with magical creatures, all of them of unknown origin; finding anything would be pointless.
Since when did the Ministry of Magic's standards for Aurors become so low?
Seeing Professor McGonagall's expression, Harder realized how foolish his words had been.
Mainly, he had graduated too long ago, and in a moment of impulsiveness, he had completely forgotten about it.
But the words were already spoken, and going back on his word now would be incredibly embarrassing.
"I'm sure, Professor McGonagall," Harder said, forcing himself to remain calm, and then led the other two Aurors towards the Forbidden Forest.
Whether they found anything or not, at least they could report back.
He had even been to the Forbidden Forest; surely no one would say he hadn't investigated thoroughly enough.
"I remember what's in the Forbidden Forest, chimeras, sphinxes, and oh yeah, werewolves too, right..."
Professor Oren remarked casually, "Tsk, only a few hundred Galleons a month, what are you guys risking your lives for?"
"Wait... I just remembered that's my monthly salary. How much is an Auror's... seventy? Or eighty?...Tsk..."
[End of the chapter]