Chapter 518: The Army of Justice

Chapter 518: The Army of Justice
The news that the Weasley twins had become McLaggen's lackeys spread like wildfire throughout Hogwarts.

At the Slytherin table the next morning, this incident became the topic of conversation for everyone.

When Sherin entered the hall, the atmosphere at the Slytherin table was already somewhat restless. Students gathered in groups of three or four, talking in low voices, and from time to time someone turned to look in the direction of Gryffindor, with a look of scrutiny and amusement in their eyes.

"Shaylin." Draco waved to him as soon as he saw him appear. "You won't believe what I just heard."

Xie Lin walked slowly to sit opposite him, raised his eyebrows slightly, "Oh? What news?"

"Those two red-haired idiots from the Weasley family—" Draco sneered, deliberately lengthening his tone, "actually became McLaggen's lackeys."

As soon as these words came out, the surrounding Slytherin students showed contemptuous looks.

"Didn't they think they were noble before?" Pansy raised her eyebrows, a sarcastic smile on her lips, "They always acted like 'we are the righteous army', but now they are willing to run errands for McLaggen. It's really ironic."

"What's more," Cassius snorted coldly and put down the silver spoon in his hand, "I haven't forgotten that they used to love to talk big, saying that Slytherins are all 'useless' people who rely on their family background to keep up appearances. I remember that several of our companions were 'punished' by them many times in the past."

"What's funny is that they always claim to look down on family background, but now they have found a master with a prominent family background." Astoria gently turned the teacup in her hand, her tone indifferent but not without sarcasm.

Daphne did not join them in mocking. She said solemnly, "McLaggen's power cannot be ignored. It is said that he is trying hard to recruit followers in Greater Sagaron - I even heard that Marcos Belby and Eddie Camilche have joined him from Ravenclaw. I guess this is not all the forces under his command."

Marcos Belby is an unremarkable minor character in the original novel. His only role is having an uncle who invented the wolfsbane potion. After Professor Slughorn discovered that he had an estranged relationship with his uncle, he was directly ignored. It can be seen that both his family background and talents are mediocre, so it is not surprising that he chooses to follow McLaggen, who has a powerful family background.

Eddie Carmichael, the sixth-year prefect of Ravenclaw, has excellent academic performance and received nine distinctions in last year's OWL exam. However, he is greedy for money. In the original book, he even tried to use his own grades as an inducement to sell fake Buffy Brain Refresher to his juniors. It seems that McLaggen's Galleon tactics hit his weak spot.

Sherin remained silent, cutting his bacon slowly and methodically, his movements calm and orderly, as if the discussion at the table was not about a change that might affect the structure of Hogwarts, but just an insignificant piece of gossip.

In silence, everyone's eyes unconsciously focused on him, waiting for his response.

Only when several pairs of eyes were looking at him did he leisurely put down his knife and fork, raised his head, and glanced at the people at the table: "Don't pay attention to them."

His voice was neither hurried nor slow, yet it carried an unquestionable force: "Pass the message on, tell our people not to easily conflict with them and focus on their own affairs."

Seeing that everyone was still puzzled, Sherin had to explain: "McLaggen's purpose of recruiting forces is ultimately related to my humiliating him on the train. Sooner or later, he will come after me."

"Then why don't we suppress his power now while he is still underdeveloped?" Astoria asked.

Schelling shook his head and said, "McLaggen is arrogant and ambitious, but he does not have the wisdom and strength to match his status. Although his tactics of the Great Sagaron can attract many followers in a short period of time, he will definitely make countless enemies in the process-"

He tapped the table lightly, his eyes slowly sweeping over the Slytherin students present, his eyes so deep that they seemed to be able to see through everything.

"And I—" Xie Lin leaned forward slightly, a dangerous gleam flashed in his eyes, like a cold blade cutting through the night. He chuckled, and that laugh made people shudder.

Even Draco, Sherin's brother who had lived with him for more than ten years, couldn't help but feel an inexplicable chill running down his spine.

"I am the hero of Hogwarts." Sherin said lightly, as if he was just stating an indisputable fact. He raised his chin slightly, with a nonchalant smile on his lips, "Relying on my reputation, relying on his followers who have shallow loyalty and can be shaken by interests at any time? Haha——"

He sneered, his tone full of endless contempt: "If he wants to touch me, it's probably centuries too early."

……

Afternoon, Gryffindor Common Room.

Meanwhile, in Gryffindor Tower, another big event was happening.

Angelina Johnson walked quickly into the lounge with an unconcealable excitement on her face.

"Harry!" she called out as she entered the room. Harry was sitting in front of the fireplace, fiddling with his Firebolt. He raised his head and looked at Angelina in confusion: "What's wrong?"

Angelina took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, and then said solemnly: "Dumbledore intervened."

"What?" Harry straightened up instantly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, "You mean--"

"I've got the go-ahead!" she said. "Reorganize the Quidditch team!"

"Great!" Ron and Harry said together.

"Yes," Angelina said with a cheerful face, "I asked Professor McGonagall, and I thought she might have asked Dumbledore - in short, Umbridge had to give in. Ha! So I invite you tonight Call the court, okay, we have to make up time. Do you realize it's only three weeks until the first game?"

Harry's heartbeat quickened slightly.

He knew exactly what this meant.

Dumbledore finally officially intervened in Umbridge's power.

As Umbridge's grip on Hogwarts grew, many students had waited to see what the headmaster would do. Now, he had finally made his move - if only for the sake of a Quidditch team.

……

At night, in Xie Ling’s dormitory.

A brand new house-elf was standing in the middle of the room, its thin body trembling slightly, looking up at Sherin fanatically with an almost devout worship in its eyes.

This is Hogwarts' house-elf, named Shiloh, who is usually responsible for cleaning the Slytherin common room at night.

It was not Shaylin's servant, but among the house-elves at Hogwarts, Shaylin's identity as the heir of Hufflepuff was no longer a secret. Moreover, the secret of "elven master" that he mastered made his temperament naturally attractive to these creatures, making many house-elves admire him and even take pride in serving him.

A few days ago, Sherin met Shero by chance in the common room and casually asked her to monitor Umbridge's every move. For a house elf who was used to obeying, this should not be a difficult decision, but Umbridge's notoriety made her a little scared, but in the end, her fanatical admiration for Sherin overcame her fear.

So, Shero accepted the task without any hesitation. From that day on, it carried out Sherin's orders silently, carefully and faithfully, because being able to work for Sherin was its greatest honor.

At this moment, it brought valuable information to Xie Ling.

Just earlier this evening, around seven o'clock, when Harry and the others were doing Quidditch training, Shirley saw McLaggen quietly making contact with Umbridge.

On the surface, this meeting seemed to be just McLaggen's attempt to apply to Umbridge for formal approval of his newly recruited forces in response to the 24th Education Order to legalize them. If successful, he could gather people in Hogwarts under a high-sounding name and expand his influence at will.

However, Shiloh was keenly aware that this was not McLaggen's real purpose. The truth was far more complicated than it seemed - he actually wanted to take this opportunity to join Umbridge, find out what was going on at Hogwarts for her, and become her eyes, ears, and arm.

He was not simply seeking power, but intended to use it as a bargaining chip to pave a path to a higher status for himself.

Umbridge certainly understood her situation at Hogwarts.

As an agent of the Ministry of Magic planted in the school, she was isolated and helpless, neither welcomed by students nor supported by other professors.

At the moment, she needed a group of loyal minions to consolidate her authority, and McLaggen's surrender was just what she wanted. This deal did not require much trial and error, and the two sides quickly reached a consensus driven by interests - Umbridge gave McLaggen more room for activities, and McLaggen was responsible for monitoring her every move in the school and providing her with intelligence.

And McLaggen's power also has a legal and official name -

"Justice Patrol".