Chapter 370 Meeting in the Principal's Office

( ) In the principal's office, nothing seems to have changed much.

The Sorting Hat was still on the shelf at the back, the Phoenix Fox was dozing off with his eyes squinted, and the silver ampoule on the long table next to the bookshelf was still beeping and emitting green smoke...

There was only one more picture among the rows of golden photo frames on the top of the wall behind the desk.

It was a portrait of the previous headmasters of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Whenever a headmaster left office, there would be another portrait of that headmaster on the wall.

At this moment, in the new photo frame that just appeared, the old wizard with half-moon glasses on the bridge of his nose is closing his eyes lightly, as if he is closing his eyes and resting his mind.

But if you look at it for a long time, you will find that, unlike other portraits that can come and go freely in the photo frame, the old wizard in this photo frame has never made any movements.

It was as if it was just a picture of a Muggle, completely motionless.

Minerva, the Minister will be here this afternoon, the schedule has been arranged...

Suddenly, a person walked in one of the empty photo frames and said something.

Thank you, Evra.

Since just now, he has been standing at the desk, staring at the last portrait of Professor McGonagall, who turned his gaze to the person who spoke, and nodded slightly.

Just as she was looking at Dumbledore's portrait again, there was a knock on the door of the principal's office.

Tuk Tuk Tuk

...Please come in. Mag turned around slowly, pointing at the door with his wand.

Before the words were finished, the door opened quietly, and three professors, Flitwick, Snape, and Sprout, walked in one by one.

They are all deans of the colleges. With the death of Dumbledore and the temporary vacancy of the principal position, the deans of each house became the highest decision-makers of Hogwarts.

Although Professor McGonagall was temporarily selected as the acting principal, she did not have absolute authority over some major school affairs.

They're all here, McGonagall said with a slight nod. The Minister of Magic will be here in the afternoon, but before that, I think we should talk about... the future direction of Hogwarts.

How? asked the little Flitwick sharply.

Professor McGonagall looked at the deans in front of him, and went through the things he was thinking just now in his mind before continuing to speak.

First of all, she pursed her lips, according to what Snape described, the cause of Dumbledore's death should not be homicide - he 'floated' down from the Astronomy Tower, right?

While talking, McGonagall glanced at Snape, and Snape nodded expressionlessly.

There is no sign of any intrusion in the school. We searched together last night, and there should be no problem with this. She said seriously, At least, I don't think anyone can sneak into Hogwarts without a trace. Here, and kill Dumbledore silently.

Professor McGonagall's words were unanimously agreed by the other two deans.

Then, Dumbledore's actual cause of death—

...It's suicide.

As the door of the principal's office was opened again, Maca quickly walked over to several deans and made a clear conclusion on this matter.

McLean? Maca?

When the four people in the principal's room looked at him, he nodded calmly, and then his eyes fell on Professor McGonagall.

It's suicide, Maca repeated what he said just now, and then continued, I'm not in a position to explain the specific situation for the time being. However, this matter can be considered to be conveyed to me by Dumbledore himself...

This... Professor McGonagall froze for a moment.

But what's his reason for doing it? Professor Flitwick snapped. Isn't there any reason for this?

Delaying time is probably one of the reasons, Maca shook his head and said, Of course, for Professor Dumbledore, he has other more important reasons for doing this.

Judging from what Dumbledore said to him, there may be greater changes next.

Although Dumbledore was as selfish as he said, he was obviously still working hard for the future of the world while choosing to continue on the path of magic.

Even because of this, he did not hesitate to use suicide to abandon his body and go to the edge of death.

In short, Maca said, there will definitely be worse things to happen. Whether it is Hogwarts or other places, we must closely observe and step up precautions.

Maka, did Albus tell you that too? asked Professor Sprout.

Almost! Maca spread his hands, and said helplessly, Professor Dumbledore has never liked to speak too clearly, and you all know that...

Then... what should the students do next? Do you have any suggestions?

Maca could see that after Dumbledore's death, Professor McGonagall's usual courage and decisiveness had shrunk significantly.

Maybe she is also confused!

After all, so far, Dumbledore has made various decisions behind the scenes at Hogwarts alone. When looking at the current situation and development of the entire school, the field of vision will change greatly depending on the location.

Although Dumbledore did intend to train Professor McGonagall, there were too many big facts that Dumbledore had to deal with during the most critical years.

Although Professor McGonagall has the ability to be the head of a school, taking over Hogwarts in this stressful period is a very fatal test for anyone.

In addition, Dumbledore's death also dealt a heavy blow to her, and she was forgiven for being weak for a while.

Professor McGonagall, don't worry... Maca looked at her calmly and said, Just do what you want, and we will support you——Hogwarts was not run by someone from the very beginning. A place where one stands alone.

To be honest, McGonagall actually planned to suspend the school temporarily. The reason why she has such an idea is entirely because of the pressure that is about to come like a landslide and a tsunami.

As soon as the news of Dumbledore's death came out, the parents of the students would inevitably shake the authority of Hogwarts.

In the minds of many parents, the existence of Dumbledore is one of the important reasons why they choose to enroll their children in Hogwarts.

However, at the moment when Voldemort attacked one after another, Dumbledore died inexplicably?

The public opinion in the magic society, the investigation by the Ministry of Magic, the uneasiness of the students... All these things will bring the school into a period of turmoil.

Whether to reunite people's hearts or just fall apart, this is a major issue that will be faced soon.

Choosing to temporarily suspend classes for rectification when there is no clue, and to protect the safety of students as the top priority will undoubtedly be the most reassuring measure for parents.

But……

The curriculum arrangements for each grade remain unchanged, and the priority is to complete the teaching objectives for students. Professor McGonagall nodded towards Maca, and then said with a serious face, Under the above premise, strengthen the security preparations within the entire school, At the same time, we will carry out the most subtle investigation and filing of all personnel entering and exiting the school.

I agree. Agreed.

Both Flitwick and Sprout immediately responded to Professor McGonagall's decision, Snape also nodded, and Maca naturally had no objection.

The measures Professor McGonagall decided were very clear—first, let the little wizards continue to attend classes normally, and then strengthen the security of the school, but they only investigated and recorded the people who entered and exited the school.

This is obviously a series of coping arrangements that are loose on the outside and tight on the inside.

Maca understood that Professor McGonagall had understood Dumbledore's intentions and wanted to use this to confuse the outside world.

But... Professor Flitwick frowned slightly after agreeing, and said sharply, How should the board of directors explain? The sudden death of the current principal needs to be done according to the rules... The board of directors should not allow this matter Is it so hastily disposed of?

Yes! And the Ministry of Magic, this afternoon... Professor Sprout also hesitated.

Of course we must 'follow the rules', Professor McGonagall was no longer confused at this time, she said decisively, Not only must we follow the rules, but we must also hold Dumbledore's funeral in public!

This is indeed a good idea, Maca agreed, and continued, But before that, there is one more thing that needs to be discussed...

What's the matter? McGillie asked with some doubts.

Professors, who of you is familiar with Gellert Greenwald? I need to focus on this Dumbledore's... um... it should be regarded as a 'former best friend'?

Maca's words made the hearts of the other four people in the principal's office jump.

Are you talking about... that prophecy of Sybyl? Flitwick said seriously.

To be honest, I've never seen such a clear prophecy, Maca frowned, If the prophecy comes true, then Greenwald will definitely be one of the enemies we have to face next.

About Grinwald, maybe it would be more appropriate for old Binns to talk about it... Professor McGonagall thought for a while, Although when it comes to Grinwald, everyone will definitely think of Dumbledore and his That duel; but the most dangerous thing about him is his control of the overall situation.

Minerva is right, Flitwick said, with some doubts, but...Greenwald...is he really alive?

...Who knows? Probably... Maca shook her head.

At the beginning, Greenwald vigorously expanded his terrorist activities, but it did not extend to the British wizarding world. So here, there are not many people who know the specific situation at that time.

It has been a long time now, although his name is still in various historical materials, but how many people are left who really know him?

Is Gellert Greenwald still alive?

Here, only Maca still vaguely remembers that the first-generation Dark Lord is indeed still alive.