Chapter 402 Dark Cloud Dome

Rogge looked at the astonishment on Draco's face and immediately understood that the Malfoy family's influence in the Ministry of Magic had suffered an epic weakening.

In the past, although Lucius had never held a position in the Ministry of Magic, his reputation among pure-blood wizards made many people regard him as a close friend. Every new policy of the Ministry of Magic, every secret operation, would be leaked in their small talk.

However, Draco was completely unaware of the changes in the Ministry of Magic after Fudge's return. It can only be said that Amelia's elimination action has indeed dealt a heavy blow to certain forces. As a price, you have to bear the other party's backlash.

"A few months ago, Minister Amelia made a personnel adjustment to the Ministry of Magic." Rogge said slowly.

"I know." Malfoy interrupted him eagerly, "Didn't that pure-blooded scum Weasley get fired at that time?"

Rogge shrugged, showing a helpless expression: "I'm sorry, the situation has developed. Due to some recent events, Fudge was invited back by them. Arthur has returned to the Ministry of Magic and became Director Fudge's Right-hand man."

"Director?" Malfoy opened his mouth in surprise and said inarticulately: "Didn't you mean that he...the former minister can return to the Ministry of Magic?"

"It is indeed a bit shameless. After all, he took the initiative to resign in order to cover up his own scandal." Rogge sighed and secretly cursed: "It is normal for a lackey with power like Fudge to do such a shameless thing."

"So, do you understand now?" Rogge asked.

Malfoy nodded and said, "I understand. There are two factions in the Ministry of Magic now. One is headed by Minister Amelia, and the other is headed by former Minister Fudge."

"That's right, and neither side can yield to the other." Rogge continued, "Amelia fired many people at the time, and now they follow Fudge back to the Ministry of Magic. What do you think they will do?"

"Retaliation, I must take revenge." Malfoy said decisively. This was his instinctive first reaction.

"So, we now need to determine whose Auror took Lucius away." Rogge patted Malfoy on the shoulder and comforted: "I also know some people in the Ministry of Magic. You can write to inquire about the situation. You don't have to Too anxious and without evidence, neither Amelia nor Fudge can do anything to your father."

"Besides, as a member of pure blood and the head of the Malfoy family, we will not just sit idly by."

Draco's eyes filled with tears of gratitude and he was about to bow in thanks, but Rogge stopped him with a smile.

"We are friends, aren't we?" Roger said with a smile.

Draco watched Rogge go away, and tears finally burst into his eyes. He kept wiping the moist corners of his eyes with his sleeves, and secretly swore in his heart: "I will become Rogge's most loyal friend."

The Hogwarts Express broke through the dense rain and sped towards the Scottish Highlands. The professor responsible for taking care of the students was replaced by Mrs. Huo Qi this time.

She was introducing the incoming freshmen to the classification of broomsticks and the rules of Quidditch. When the new students learned that Harry Potter, the minor league champion Seeker, was in this carriage, they rushed in excitedly.

"Harry Potter! Can you sign your autograph for me?"

"It's really Mr. Savior, I...I'm so excited..."

Ron and Ginny, who were in the same carriage as Harry, were quickly squeezed into a corner, and Ron's historic second-hand dress also attracted the attention of the new students.

"Is this a dress?"

"No, it looks like a sunflower to me. Look at the wrinkled disk on the collar."

Ron's face instantly turned as red as the dress, "Dress? Sunflower?" He angrily pulled the dress off the shelf, crumpled it into a ball and stuffed it into the box.

"When I get to school, I must go to Hogsmeade Village and order a new one!" Ron stroked the few Sickles in his purse and thought to himself through gritted teeth.

Two years ago, under the control of Riddle's diary, he did make a lot of money selling spider venom. Ron, who suddenly became rich, launched a series of revenge consumption on consumption.

He wants to have everything Harry has, and he has to have everything Harry doesn't have. By the end, he even felt it was a sin to have the galleons lying around in his wallet.

However, he can't learn to reduce expenditures, and he can't do anything to increase revenue. Today, his lavish spending has returned to the background of the Weasley family: poverty.

As Mrs. Hooch dismissed the new students, jokes about Ron and his "flower skirt" were circulating throughout the train. Anyway, it's at least one way to get famous.

The car door opened, and thunder rumbled in the air. Hagrid's huge figure came out of the darkness, leading the new students in the direction of the Black Lake, just like in previous years.

"I hope nothing happens to them." Mrs. Huo Qi prayed.

In the foyer of Hogwarts, Peeves was busy throwing water balloons at the students.

boom!

Water balloons hit people on their heads and feet, causing bursts of screaming. Peeves smiled with satisfaction. He liked to see the little wizards panic.

However, one little wizard's unusually calm reaction made Peeves very unhappy. Its mischievous smile bloomed on its broad face, it aimed at a new target and was ready to launch again!

Rogge noticed something, his eyes were as sharp as a hawk, and he stared calmly at the floating Peeves. Peeves let out a scream, threw the water ball away in panic, and ran away.

"Peeves!" Professor McGonagall's angry voice came from the auditorium, but when she rushed out, she ran into the water balloon discarded by Peeves.

In the blink of an eye, she, like the other unfortunate victims, was drowned. The students tried their best to hold back their laughter, and strange sounds came from their throats.

Professor McGonagall's face flushed, she adjusted her pointed hat, and glared at the empty dome. Facing Peeves who had escaped without a trace, she could only sternly order the students: "Okay, let's go!"

The auditorium was still as brilliant as in previous years, with hundreds of candles swaying in the air. The gold cups and goblets on the table were sparkling, and the students were cleaning up the rainwater on their bodies while excitedly exchanging interesting stories about their summer vacation.

Dumbledore still presided over the sorting ceremony as in previous years. Freshmen ran excitedly to the long tables in their respective houses, while old students enthusiastically discussed the possibilities for the new school year.

Rogge's gaze seemed to penetrate the bustling banquet and reach the ceiling that was gradually shrouded in shadow. Daphne noticed his concentration, and curiosity drove her to follow his gaze.

"Roger, what are you looking at?" She asked quietly, following his gaze towards the starry sky, she found that it was gradually becoming turbid.

"Is there something wrong with the ceiling?" she whispered to herself, trying to understand Roger's silence.

"This year's Hogwarts," Rogge finally spoke, with a hint of seriousness in his voice that could not be ignored, "is destined to be full of turmoil."

He took a sip of the juice in his hand, but his eyes did not leave the ever-changing starry sky, as if it could reveal the secrets of the future.

"Unrest?" Daphne frowned, she didn't quite understand, "You mean, this starry sky is a harbinger of our coming year?"

Roger smiled and nodded, appreciating her intuition: "Remember that 'basilisk year' when we were in second grade?"

Daphne's body tensed involuntarily, and she looked at the ceiling again, only to see that the starry sky was gradually disappearing, replaced by gathering dark clouds, like the calm before the storm.

"The starry sky that year was not so depressing and disturbing." Rogge said, turning his eyes to the teacher's seat. Every professor attended the banquet. Lupine felt Rogge's gaze and smiled and raised his glass in greeting.

"Who could it be?" He said to himself, "This year, Hogwarts will usher in a major event."

At this time, Dumbledore's voice echoed in the auditorium. He knocked on the podium and asked the students to quiet down: "This year, this castle will not only be your home, but also become the home of some special guests. Hogwarts Chosen to host a legendary event.”

He paused and then said: "The Triwizard Tournament."

"Triwizard Tournament?" The students below immediately whispered and discussed among themselves. Most of them were unfamiliar with this competition.

"Rogg, do you know?" The Slytherin students looked at him one after another. It seemed that there was nothing in Hogwarts that Rogg didn't know.

"This is a competition that allows death." Rogge replied, narrating in a calm voice: "There are three participating schools: Hogwarts, Durmstrang and Beauxbatons."

As soon as Rogge finished speaking, Dumbledore began to add relevant information. What he and the principal said were basically the same.

"Each school sends one student to participate. The chosen ones can only rely on themselves. Don't blame me for not reminding you that participating is not for the faint of heart." Dumbledore warned seriously.

After hearing the principal's words, the Gryffindor students immediately showed great interest. They are known for their bravery, never lack courage, and are not cowards. For this kind of magic competition specially set up for brave men, Gryffindor naturally does its part.

At this moment, a black spot appeared in the sky far away from Hogwarts. It grew larger and larger, and finally turned into a huge pink-blue carriage.

Twelve silver-maned Pegasus pulled it and landed at an astonishing speed. Immediately afterwards, there was a loud noise outside the auditorium, and the students looked at the door curiously, as if expecting something.

Dumbledore's voice rang in the auditorium: "Now, let us welcome the ladies of Beauxbatons Academy of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Madame Maxime and her students."

As his voice fell, the door suddenly opened, and a gust of fragrant wind blew into the auditorium.

The students at Hogwarts are not completely unfamiliar with Beauxbatons, especially during the Quidditch Minor League, when there were exchanges between the two schools.

However, this time Beauxbatons' representative student surprised the teachers and students of Hogwarts. Because what they saw were all witches and not a single wizard.

"Sure enough, France can only rely on women." someone whispered.

"Or, dwarf," echoed another. On the long table of Slytherin, many pure-blood wizards with the flag snickered.

The witches dancing with the butterflies were certainly eye-catching, but everyone's attention was firmly attracted by Madame Maxime who was walking in the front. They had never seen such a tall and strong woman, even Hagrid looked dwarfed by her.

Madame Maxime is more refined than Hagrid. She has a handsome olive face, a pair of big black eyes, and a sharp nose.

She was wrapped in a satin robe from head to toe, and her neck and fingers were covered with shining opals. Many people stood on tiptoe, trying to get a better look at this huge woman.

Maxim showed an elegant smile, stretched out his sparkling hand and walked towards Dumbledore. Although Dumbledore was not short, he barely had to bend down when kissing this hand.

When Dumbledore and Maxim greeted each other, Hagrid on the teacher's bench was almost stunned. He never thought that there would be something more attractive to him than the dragon.

When Hagrid heard Maxim say that those silver-maned Pegasus needed strong people to take care of them, he felt that the other person was completely talking about him. Hagrid could not wait to leave the auditorium immediately and go outside as a groom to personally take care of Maxim's Pegasus.

On the black lake where the rain was pouring, there was a loud and strange sound. It was a muffled rumbling and sucking sound, as if a giant vacuum cleaner was moving across the bottom of the lake.

A long, black mast slowly rose from the whirlpool. Immediately afterwards, the remains of a sunken ship that looked like it had just been salvaged from the deep sea slowly surfaced. It hangs a double-headed eagle sail, revealing its arrogant wildness.

"Durmstrang?" everyone shouted subconsciously.

In the past year, this magic school has almost become a shadow hanging over their heads. In the Quidditch Minor League, Durmstrang defeated them twice in a row.

Fortunately, in the final, Harry Potter defeated the opponent, allowing them to face the Durmstrang students as winners.

"Krum?!" someone in the crowd exclaimed.

All eyes were drawn to the cold-faced Krum, the star player in the World Cup final and the Seeker who led Bulgaria to victory. Although he lost to Harry Potter, he won the World Cup.

"Harry?" Krum looked through the crowd and stared directly at the Gryffindor table, his eyes filled with the desire to challenge.

Harry looked over without hesitation, and their eyes met tightly. Ron stirred the mashed potatoes nearby and soon had a bowl of mash.

They waved the wooden sticks in their hands and knocked them on the floor of the auditorium, making a sound of gold and iron. Compared with the satin robes of the Beauxbatons witches, their clothes are more rugged.

Everyone wore fur cloaks and uniform black boots. It looks like a strong man pulled out of a military camp, giving people a feeling of strength.

"Dumbledore!" Karkaroff walked forward enthusiastically and greeted loudly, "My dear old man, how are you?"

"Great, thank you, Professor Karkaroff." Dumbledore replied with a smile.

"Dear old friend Hogwarts..." Karkaroff looked at the luxurious auditorium, with a smile on his lips and a sweet voice.

However, there was no smile in his eyes, instead they were full of indifference and sharpness. Just as he was about to continue saying something, a certain absent professor walked in slowly.

"Is the banquet over yet?" Grindelwald's voice came from the door, full of intimacy. He looked at the bustling auditorium with a smile and walked step by step towards the teacher's seat.

If he hadn't appeared again, many people would have forgotten about this substitute professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts.

Karkaroff was shocked beyond measure when he saw the increasingly clear figure. He straightened his back and stood beside Dumbledore, lowering his head slightly, not daring to look directly at the visitor's face.

"Little Ka?" Grindelwald's voice contained a hint of kindness.

"Yes, senior." Karkaroff, who is the principal, replied nervously.

"Durmstrang's students are very good." Grindelwald glanced at the heads and continued: "At least they are stronger than most students in Hogwarts."

Karkaroff immediately said modestly: "There are still some shortcomings, and I need more teaching from you."

His humble gesture and tone shocked a group of people's jaws. Even Durmstrang's students were secretly curious about who the energetic old wizard in front of them was.