"Sorry, Albus, I didn't think they'd do something so rude."
In the Headmaster's Office at Hogwarts, Fudge fiddled with his top hat, "I had instructed them before, but you know, because of that Swooping Evil incident, the Beaters have been busy for months, so sometimes it's inevitable they get a bit impulsive."
"I understand your meaning, Cornelius," Dumbledore said calmly, "but I trust Hagrid completely, there's definitely no Swooping Evil with him."
"Yes, I personally also believe in Hagrid."
Fudge turned his head away, avoiding Dumbledore's eyes. "But you have to understand me, he has a criminal record, and since we received reports, the Ministry of Magic must investigate — it's also for the safety of the students."
"That's why I didn't stop you from investigating Hagrid, and even Minerva only stepped in when you intended to forcibly take Hagrid away."
Dumbledore crossed his hands, fingers resting on his chin, saying unhurriedly, "I can assure you, whether now or later, you can bring witnesses to Hogwarts to identify Hagrid anytime. We have an excellent Professor of Potions here, who can easily judge if he's lying.
If you can't come, you can also write a letter, and I will personally take Hagrid to the Ministry of Magic to confront it."
"There's no need for that, Albus," Fudge said awkwardly, "I completely trust you, and the investigation on Hagrid is already over.
There's absolutely no trace of a Swooping Evil ever being in his room."
"Thank you for your trust, Cornelius," Dumbledore said gently, "I didn't expect you'd come to Hogwarts personally for this matter."
"Oh, it's nothing, Albus," Fudge said, taking a sip of tea, "it was our mistake to begin with, so I should come, I just hope Minerva isn't too upset.
However, speaking of the Swooping Evil, it reminded me of something."
"Oh?" Dumbledore slightly raised an eyebrow, showing an interested expression.
"Here's the thing."
Fudge instinctively adjusted his collar and said, "Recently, some in the Ministry have been using the Swooping Evil incident to slander me, claiming my efficiency is too low.
They also think my decision to return those Fantastic Beasts was a mistake, and that I shouldn't have kept Newt and Chris away for so long.
Even other countries' Ministries have written to me, saying I shouldn't have let Newt go to their countries."
"But Albus, I just wanted to show that I took this matter seriously, my intentions were good."
"I completely understand how you feel," Dumbledore nodded, "it's indeed troublesome not to be understood sometimes."
"I knew you would understand me," Fudge took another sip of tea, "These days, the voice I hear most is criticism, it's affecting my ability to work normally, and if it weren't for that, I certainly would have written to you when the Beaters came to Hogwarts."
Dumbledore's gaze flickered as he silently watched Fudge.
"If it were you" Fudge asked, pretending to be casual, "how would you handle such a hassle…"
...
No one knew what Fudge and Dumbledore discussed in the Headmaster's Office, but quite a few people saw him leave Hogwarts with a stern face.
Clearly, he didn't seem pleased with the talk.
After Fudge left, Hagrid carried a large barrel of pure malt whiskey to find Professor Oren, had a good drink with him, and gave him a big bag of Rock Skin Cakes as a token of gratitude for speaking up for him.
This led to the next day's Defense Against the Dark Arts Class, where Kael noticed Professor Oren seemed to speak with a lisp.
"I was trying a new charm,"
Professor Oren explained, "just a small mishap in the process, minor injuries, nothing serious."
Kael was indeed curious, what kind of charm could chip a tooth?
Lunch Vanishing Charm?
And during Transfiguration Class, Professor McGonagall's behavior was also baffling.
She first inexplicably tapped Kael with her wand while checking homework, then asked a very simple question.
After Kael answered correctly, she surprisingly gave Hufflepuff a whole twenty points.
This excited the young wizards, they almost thought Professor McGonagall had been influenced by something, wanting to support a house to compete with Slytherin for the House Cup.
But they quickly realized they were overthinking.
Professor McGonagall remained the same, stern and fair, with no intention of favoring any house.
Such a large point addition happened only once, and during a third-year Transfiguration Class, she even deducted ten points from Hufflepuff for a homework issue.
The reason for this, perhaps only Kael knew.
When he mingled in with the young wizards and called out, he noticed Professor McGonagall had intentionally or unintentionally looked at him several times.
Kael had deliberately changed his voice, but it was only enough to fool the Ministry and the surrounding young wizards.
He couldn't fool Professor McGonagall.
However, looking at her actions, it seemed she had no intention to pursue the matter.
Additionally, the roots of the Devil's Snare had been planted by Kael in the Room of Requirement, right beside the Moonstruck Beast's den, a place completely out of sunlight.
After two weeks of careful care, the once tiny root had grown into a new Devil's Snare, even sprouting finger-thick tendrils.
Kael lightly poked at the tendrils, and they immediately wrapped around his wrist.
Since the tendrils were still too immature and not very strong, being wrapped felt like a massage, quite enjoyable.
Kael played with the Devil's Snare a bit like a toy before letting it go.
The Moonstruck Beast next to it was completely used to the environment here, sleeping very comfortably in its own den.
The dittany and rue were growing well too, enough to feed the Moonstruck Beast for months if just used as food.
But recently, Kael contemplated improving their diet, planning to get some Bubotuber.
A whole Bubotuber, mashed with dittany, rue, and other plant leaves into small balls, was the Moonstruck Beast's favorite food.
However, there was no place to buy Bubotuber in Hogsmeade, and no opportunity to pluck it in the school's greenhouse, Kael could only wait until the holidays to go to Diagon Alley… to snag some from Newt.
Also, the Chomping Cabbage was almost reaching maturity, its row of teeth as sharp as razor blades.
Kael threw a stone over.
The hard bluestone crunched like chickpeas in the Chomping Cabbage's mouth.
Kael was already looking forward to the Devil's Snare growing up, by then, it and the Chomping Cabbage would be one control and one attack, the scene…
Hehehe.