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Chapter 253: Three Pieces of Advice
Chapter 253: Three Pieces of Advice
Chapter 253: Three Pieces of Advice
Hermione returned to the Gryffindor common room feeling a bit bewildered. It wasn't until she saw Harry and Ron idly playing with a set of Gobstones, that she couldn't quite figure out which of the three pieces of advice the professor had given to Harry was the most reliable.
"Perhaps the professor was just joking," she thought to herself.
Ron had his entire face pressed against the table, gesturing with the Gobstone in his hand. "I think this one might work. Dean told me a Muggle technique for playing marbles—" he flicked his fingers, and the Gobstone shot out, curving through the air.
Harry's Gobstone suddenly swelled up and erupted with a foul-smelling, sticky liquid that splattered all over Ron's face.
"Oh, damn it!" Ron wiped his face, his eyes stuck shut by the goo.
"Can you two ever act mature?" Hermione snapped, not in the best mood. She drew her wand and pointed it at Ron, saying, "Scourgify!" The sticky substance on his face disappeared instantly.
"Care for a game, Hermione?" Ron said playfully.
Hermione frowned. "I won't waste my time on childish games."
Ron retorted, "This isn't a kids' game. My dad told me there's an official Gobstones Club on level seven of the Ministry of Magic. They win honors internationally. Hogwarts actually has a Gobstones Club too, but you've never paid attention..."
He stopped talking when he saw Hermione's expression.
Harry changed the subject. "What did Professor Babbicomb say about Boggart Bakbuk?"
"She gave me three pieces of advice," Hermione said, counting on her fingers. "First, use the excuse of incorrect procedure to delay the hearing and try to get the case transferred to the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures."
"Sounds good. How do we do that, write a letter to the Ministry?" Harry said excitedly, relieved that this seemed easier than poring over countless dry precedents in the library.
"Ordinary people won't do, the Ministry probably won't pay attention," Hermione said. "Professor Harp's suggestion is to gain the support of a person of influence, not be afraid of the Malfoy family's power, preferably someone connected to magical creatures and knowledgeable about the relevant laws."
"That sort of person wouldn't know us," Ron said dejectedly, picking up a Gobstone from the floor.
Harry thought hard. The only person he knew related to magical creatures was Hagrid.
"Second method, secretly release Boggart Bakbuk," Hermione said, raising a second finger.
Harry was tempted by this suggestion, but he shook his head quickly. "The Ministry's letter said to keep an eye on Boggart Bakbuk. If he goes missing, Hagrid will be in trouble. Malfoy's probably hoping Hagrid will do just that, so he can throw him in Azkaban."
He hadn't quite understood Hagrid's fear of wizarding prison before, but after dealing with Dementors a few times, he fully understood Hagrid's perspective.
Hermione couldn't confirm or deny, revealing the final piece of advice: "Thirdly, to make Lucius Malfoy withdraw the lawsuit voluntarily." She hesitated for a moment, then proceeded to convey Professor Harp's words in full, "At the time, the professor might have been joking, so just listen—his suggestion was to have Hagrid arrange a meeting with Malfoy and pressure him into submission. He also mentioned that if we wanted to try this approach, he could offer limited support..."
Ron's eyes lit up, "This idea's not bad. I've got a mental picture already." He had seen his father brawl with Malfoy last year, and now he just had to substitute his dad with the towering figure of Hagrid. He muttered, "Chickens..."
Harry magically caught his drift—next to Hagrid, Lucius Malfoy did indeed resemble an underdeveloped little chick.
Hermione sharply said, "The professor must have been joking!" As she spoke, she grew uncertain herself, "Or was he? It's supposed to be a joke? But either way, this method is far too risky."
"Professor Harp was definitely teasing us, knowing you'd never agree to something like that," Harry said gloomily, "So, it seems that aside from going to the library to research, the only feasible advice is the first one—"
"But where do we find a relevant person of influence?"
"Maybe we could ask Hagrid?" Ron suggested, "He should at least know one or two friends with similar interests, right? He is the Care of Magical Creatures professor."
"Hold on—" Harry suddenly stared at Ron, "Did you just say the Care of Magical Creatures professor?" He lowered his voice, "Hagrid only got that position this year. Do you remember the previous professor... who was it?"
"Silvanus Kettleburn," Hermione replied without hesitation, "I heard he retired to spend more time with his mischievous creatures."
She paused, then realized, "Right, why didn't I think of it? Hagrid must know Professor Kettleburn!"
...
Hogwarts Kitchen
Felix addressed a house-elf gently, "I've inquired with Professor McGonagall and learned that I can request your help in sending out Christmas gifts."
"Yes, sir," a house-elf in a tea towel uniform replied, bowing deeply, "However, we're limited to the castle's premises and can't easily leave our duties."
"No problem, I've already sent gifts outside of the school," Felix said in a relaxed tone, "Thank you for your assistance."
"It's our honor," the house-elf said.
Felix led the house-elf back to his office and pointed to a small pile of gift boxes in the corner. "They're all here. Names are on top, not too many to deal with... but I'm not sure if you're familiar with specific locations."
"Rest assured, sir, we clean the castle's rooms every day, and we know the wizards' names well."
Felix nodded with a smile, "Thank you, then."
The house-elf got to work, disappearing and reappearing multiple times. After a dozen or so trips, he returned empty-handed. "It's done, sir."
Felix curiously watched him, "Where did you place them? At the foot of their beds?"
"For some students' gifts, I put them at the foot of their beds so they'll see them as soon as they wake up. But for the professors, we're not allowed to enter their bedrooms, so I placed them under the small Christmas trees in their offices or by their bedroom doors."
Felix nodded. This was how he received his gifts last year.
The house-elf said, "If there's nothing else, Yumbly will take his leave."
"Yumbly is your name?"
"Yes, sir."
Felix took a book from his ring and conjured colorful paper and ribbon from the corner. He wrapped the book, securing it with a neat bow.
"This is your Christmas gift, Yumbly."
"This, Yumbly can't accept—"
"Please take it. It's just a collection of recipes from around the world. I've been wanting to recommend it to you."
Yumbly took the gift with a deep bow and looked up at Felix with large eyes. "Thank you, sir." He disappeared suddenly.
Felix gazed at the gifts in his corner, with nearly half of them still unopened. He decided to leave the surprises for tomorrow.
Before going to bed, he left a window open for his owl to come and go freely. Then he turned and entered his bedroom, looking forward to the arrival of Christmas Day.
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