A Professor of Magic at Hogwarts

Chapter 242: Umbridge Redux

Due to the influence of Galleons, the two had formed a loose employment relationship. But for Mundungus Fletcher, who wandered between the lines of morality, such arrangements were commonplace.josei

He had encountered many bigwigs; while they might be high and mighty, they could never truly distance themselves from the likes of him, a small-time player.

Felix was quite curious as he inquired about the "important figures" Mundungus mentioned. However, Mundungus skillfully avoided the question, never revealing a thing from start to finish. Strangely, this made Felix develop a slight fondness for him.

After a moment's hesitation, Felix ventured, "Mundungus, have you ever heard of a Time Turner?"

"What's that?" Mundungus asked with wide eyes.

"It's something... no, never mind," Felix dismissed the sudden thought. Even if some ancient families possessed Time Turners, they wouldn't openly sell them. They guarded that secret tightly.

Despite the stringent conditions for using a Time Turner, it was undoubtedly one of the most magical magical items, and its origin remained one of the deepest secrets buried within the wizarding world.

Mundungus looked at Felix with a puzzled expression, but he secretly noted down the name. To be mentioned by this mysterious wizard was surely a sign of something extraordinary. He would keep an eye out for any related information and sell it to Felix at a high price if he came across any!

"Oh, by the way," Mundungus said, "I can also get my hands on other things—artworks, ancient bronzes, or some confiscated contraband by the Ministry..."

Felix regarded him with an odd look. "You've got quite the diverse connections." But it was Mundungus' next words that grabbed his attention.

"...and there are some magical creatures and their eggs or offspring."

"Magical creatures?" Felix interjected. "Tell me more about this."

"Oh, um..." Mundungus hesitated for a moment, "they're creatures you're not allowed to keep privately, potentially dangerous ones. Like Blast-Ended Skrewts, Sphinxes, and Erumpents."

"You can get your hands on these dangerous creatures?" Felix said incredulously.

"Well, it's all a matter of luck. Every few years, someone shows up to sell them. I've even seen Fire Dragon eggs and Augurey chicks being sold!" Mundungus continued, "In recent years, they've become more common. You know, the Far Eastern superpower fell apart just a couple of years ago, and along with it, their wizarding world descended into chaos. A lot of valuable stuff started flowing out. Honestly, no one cares over there, they're practically begging to get rid of..."

Felix nodded slightly. He hadn't really paid much attention to these things in recent years. Even the black markets of various magical communities around the world had lost his interest. It had to be said that his travels in the first year after graduation were now a distant memory.

After some thought, he told Mundungus that if there were any exceptionally rare magical creatures, he should inform him directly.

Mundungus took another swig of his drink, his face sporting an odd flush, and began recounting his "interesting" escapades from all around.

"A couple of years ago—in the midst of a black market trade, Ministry Aurors suddenly barged in, they were well-prepared—hic! We scattered like birds and beasts, each making our own escape... I hid in a muddy ditch, and what do you know, another Dark wizard panicked and also dived into the ditch, his backside facing me—"

"Hah—I couldn't possibly pass up this opportunity! I threatened him to hand over everything in his pockets, or else I'd unleash the Exploding Charm on his rear end..."

Felix Harp was truly at a loss for words. Mundungus Fletcher had finally finished his drink, wiped his mouth, and put on the feminine veil again. "If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way. Those patrolling Dementors are a real bother—"

"Ding-a-ling~"

The bell at the entrance chimed, and a chilling air swept in. The Hog's Head Inn fell silent instantly, several patrons fixing their gaze quietly on the Dementor that had entered.

A wizard, wrapped in bandages like a mummy, twitched and tumbled off his seat.

The owner behind the bar suddenly raised his wand, emitting a silver-white light from its tip. "Back off from my place, Dementor!" he shouted roughly. His metallic gray hair and beard stood on end, resembling strands of wire, as they expanded outward.

The cold stream within the pub diminished instantly.

Felix noticed that Mundungus had lowered his head, shivering incessantly, and cast a wary glance at the bar's owner. He couldn't tell if he was more afraid of the Dementor or the irritable old man currently brandishing a wand.

The Dementor hovered by the door, reluctant to leave. The old man grew even angrier. Tall and with bright blue eyes, the silver-white light at the tip of his wand had a tendency to solidify, with a pair of large antlers faintly visible.

Felix guessed it might be some kind of creature with long horns, perhaps a goat or a deer. Given the lingering scent of goat in the room, it was probably a male goat.

"No Sirius Black here, you bunch of rotting dimwits!" he bellowed.

Mundungus whispered, "It's been nearly twenty years, and he's still this volatile..."

The Dementor rose higher into the air, surveying the room's patrons as it glided past the old man. Their headscarves formed a hollow shape on their heads, presumably representing mouths, as a sound of rushing air emanated from within.

When their gaze fell on Felix, they strangely froze, then, as if their necks were rusted, they slowly turned their heads away.

Soon after, they floated away without a backward glance.

"Have I been discovered?" Felix touched his mask-covered face. "Did they run away because they saw me? Was it due to scent or emotional perception?"

Felix activated the Concealment Charm within his mind, simultaneously tapping his chest, casting various concealment spells upon himself.

Stepping out of the Hog's Head Inn, Felix spotted a few Aurors on the street. They were clad in official combat robes, their eyes constantly scanning the passersby.

Among them, a plump, short witch in a pink dress stood out. She was scolding someone in her high-pitched, thin voice – it was none other than Dolores Umbridge.

Felix had seen her once at the Slug Club's awards ceremony. Slug-horn had commented that the one thing he was dissatisfied with about the entire event was having Umbridge as the host.

Felix also remembered her sickly sweet smile and the pink bow she always wore, not to mention the unusually short wand she carried.

"What is she doing here? Isn't this woman in charge of monitoring magical law abuse?" Felix pondered.

Felix's gaze met Umbridge's, and behind his mask, he saw her scrutinizing him suspiciously. Her mouth stretched into a smile, like a giant toad ready to catch its prey.

She extended her chubby finger and pointed it at Felix, while two young Aurors, one on each side, approached cautiously. Felix recognized one of them – a Hufflepuff student who was two years junior to him.

He remembered her because her ability was particularly convenient – she was a rare natural-born Metamorphmagus who could alter her appearance at will.

Beneath his mask, Felix's lips curled into a smirk. In the next moment, his figure vanished completely.

He had a feeling they would meet again.

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