Chapter 222 Extra: Minerva Magg's Afternoon

Chapter 222 Extra Minerva McGonagall's Afternoon

This is a small but tidy office. The things in the bookshelves and lockers are quietly arranged, waiting for their owner's attention. The fire in the fireplace burned brightly, making the whole office warm.

Minerva McGonagall walked into the office quickly, sat behind the desk, and closed the door with a wave of her wand.

The warmth of the fireplace flame spread from the soft carpet under her feet. McGonagall hesitated for a moment, put the parchment roll in her hand aside ("Summary Report of Practical Activities of Muggle Studies 1991-1992 Semester (Group 2)"), dragged a stack of second-year Transfiguration papers from the corner of the desk, and read them with a stern face.

After correcting several papers with completely wrong magical principles, it is always a pleasure to see Miss Granger's papers. McGonagall glanced at the neatly handwritten and amazingly long papers and pushed them to the bottom of all the papers, just like saving the candied cherries for the last bite when eating dessert.

She saw several Hufflepuff students' essays under Miss Granger's essay, each of which looked very similar - if she remembered correctly, it was also very similar to the essay submitted by Cedric Diggory, a fourth-year student, in his second year.

She had indeed heard that there were collections of essays on various subjects of good students in Hufflepuff. Perhaps she should talk to Pomona. McGonagall put aside the essays that were frighteningly similar and took out a new essay with a stern face.

Potter and Weasley had undoubtedly asked Granger to help them check their essays, and Longbottom, who was in the same dormitory, handed in a long copy of the textbook, and some places were even copied in the wrong line.

McGonagall's face was tense and she drew a semicircle on Longbottom's essay. The tearful expression of the round-faced boy appeared in front of her eyes - and his grandmother's stern letter that the child "was really unlike his parents" - she frowned, but firmly drew the quill vertically, leaving a big "P" in the upper right corner of the parchment.

She put Longbottom's paper aside and looked at the next one, her brows furrowed. McGonagall dipped her quill in the ink bottle and began to mark the sloppy and error-ridden paper.

She glanced at the student's name - Dean Thomas - and pursed her lips even tighter. Mr. Thomas should be in detention at Filch's hands now, because he changed the "Lock Your Heart" on the propaganda poster to "Don't Lock Your Ass" yesterday, and because of the paint stains on the floor, he was caught by the howling Mrs. Norris and Filch who came after hearing the news.

Mrs. Norris... The rustling sound of the quill stopped for a moment. McGonagall never understood how Filch liked the cat so much, but he could keep her so skinny and dirty.

Henry raised his nameless cat very well. Although the ginger cat sometimes made her feel a sudden disgust and fear, when she was a sane adult, she would never deny its majestic demeanor and self-conceited gait against her will.

Just as she was thinking about the new Muggle Studies professor at Hogwarts, the clock on the wall made a pleasant low chime. McGonagall looked up at the dial and was satisfied to find that the hour hand had pointed to four o'clock.

She finished correcting the last three papers (Granger undoubtedly got an "O"), breathed a sigh of relief, picked up the practical activity summary report placed aside, waved her wand and made herself a pot of tea.

She found last semester that reading the report of the new Muggle Studies professor was a relaxing thing. The format was correct, the structure was complete, the handwriting was clear, and the sentences were smooth - in contrast to Filch's report trying to get the school to use the punishment room again. McGonagall shook her head and took a sip of black tea carefully.

This is why she decided to use the summary report to occupy the time from four to six in the afternoon. If you have to do some serious work, it's better to do those relaxing ones. It just requires Henry - oh, she remembered Henry's expression when she heard her mention the summary report, and a smile flashed across her face.

You know, as long as it doesn't rain (and there is no need to deal with students' detention), she usually spends this time walking with Pomona. They would go to see Pomona's herb field, and sometimes even go to the forbidden forest for a few laps. If the weather was bad, she would go to the staff room and relax for a while in the aroma of black tea, milk and biscuits, preparing for Monday's classes.

However, she was not so keen to visit the current staff room. Of course, Gilderoy must have spent a lot of effort to turn it into some kind of terrifying blue and pink paradise.

McGonagall remembered that when Gilderoy brought the two heavy gargoyles down from upstairs, she and Filius happened to pass by the corridor.

Although they didn't understand why the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor didn't use the levitation spell-maybe to set a good example for the students, or to show his strong muscles, the crystal beads of sweat on his forehead and the golden hair wet with sweat, who knows-but neither the Transfiguration Professor nor the Charms Professor intended to interfere.

They just left with great respect. In any case, that was their colleague's freedom.

…

McGorge unfolded the scroll, skipped the activity design and significance part, and directly glanced at the conclusion part at the end, found the total expenditure, and then turned back to the experience summary of the practical activity.

Henry carefully attached their departure time and driving distance, but it wasn't until he saw the full name of the destination that McGonagall remembered that it was the botanical garden that cooperated with Hogwarts.

The few times she met the other party were through apparation or a fireplace (despite informing the other party in advance, the group of Muggles would still be shocked every time), and she never knew how long it would take to get there slowly by train.

Henry carefully listed the illegal operations of the students he had seen - McGonagall decided to reiterate to him the professor's power to deduct points next time. The punishment was to let the students remember the lessons - and his own handling methods, and happily announced No one actually violated the International Statute of Secrecy.

"Whether they were on the train or in the car, all the students showed extraordinary enthusiasm and genuine curiosity. They made great efforts to prepare clothing that conformed to Muggle customs. At the same time, although there were inevitably some omissions, Their carefulness is evident in the vocabulary they created to refer to various magical matters."

Mag unfolded the parchment roll downwards some more. Henry's praise was not finished yet.

“Their friendly exchanges with fellow passengers or the Arboretum staff who kindly drove out in the rain showed a delightful sense of discovery and respect. In addition, I heard other Arboretum staff in the car comment on how likable they were , proving that students still perform very well outside of the supervision of professors.”

Another section at the back is about tours inside the botanical garden. Henry still doesn't skimp on his ink, from the students' heeding of praise assigned by staff to their deft comparison of the similarities and differences between the Muggle and wizarding worlds.

McGonagall sometimes even wanted to share Henry and Severus summary reports with others at the same time, because every school year, as deputy headmistress, she would receive messages that simply read "As bad as ever" and "Fewer A's, more A's". Lots of P's" or "The first student ever to confuse porcupine quills with dried nettles".

On the other hand, students do seem to enjoy Muggle Studies. Caredi's summary reports are usually a bit more unsparing, but it's often the students' results that dissatisfy her rather than their attitudes and classroom performance. Among the two Muggle Studies professors, compared to Caredi, who came from the Wizarding Examination Authority, Henry was obviously the one who cared less about grades.

McGonagall was suddenly worried about this year's students' Muggle Studies O.W.L results.

If the results turn out to be very bad, the Ministry of Magic may accuse Hogwarts of appointing the wrong professors - I don't know why, but they seem to be very interested in meddling with Hogwarts recently. Albus's warning had some effect, but Caredi thought it only made the Ministry more wary.

McGonagall would rather they be wary of something more worthy of vigilance, such as the missing Quirinus Quirrell and Voldemort. However, they just shouted that Henry was another evidence of Albus's willfulness - even if Henry was just an honest necromancer. For God's sake, he was probably cleaner than some of his cronies at the Ministry of Magic!

…

Mag took a sip of tea and unfolded the parchment a few more sections.

Henry spent a long paragraph describing the scene in the botanical garden - McGonagall could tell at a glance that this was to cover up the student with the vodka - and then finally came to the end of the tour.

McGonagall glanced down and saw Henry using a long table to list the good qualities that each student had displayed throughout the event.

The report concluded: "All in all, I am very proud to witness the positive attitude of the students in the practical activities. I believe that the practical activities of this group were successful. When returning to a magical place full of magic and expelled by powerful Muggles In the castle of Hogwarts protected by the curse, I hope that students can still vaguely remember the Muggles living next to them, and remember that the Muggle world is as full of fun and wonder as the wizarding world."

Mag signed the end of the report in dark green ink to indicate that he had read it. The fire in the fireplace was beeping and burning. She looked outside and saw the blue players on the Quidditch pitch still flying around tirelessly. After drinking a full pot of tea, she had to admit that she didn't want to touch the various letters from the Ministry of Magic.

She put away Henry's report and hesitated between staying in the office and going out for a walk, the idea of ​​enjoying the fresh air still prevailing. So she took off her hat, straightened her hair, and took a deep breath——

Transformed into a tabby cat.

She nimbly slipped out of the window along the gap, walked along the window edge for a while, and then silently jumped onto the wet ground. The cold air filled her nose, causing her to sneeze involuntarily.

It should be safe to go out now. As far as she knew, except for a certain professor who was holding a club gathering, all her colleagues were either in meetings or having academic discussions, so no one probably saw a tabby cat with a pattern like spectacle frames walking proudly past the withered yellow of grass, heading towards Pomona’s herb fields.

The paper had been corrected and the documents had been reviewed. The letters from the Ministry of Magic were locked at the bottom of the drawer, and her fur made her feel extremely warm.

McGonagall was in a good mood, walking briskly past Hagrid's hut - when she was a cat, she would rather stay away from the panting hound - and vaguely thought she heard Henry's voice. But she shook her ears and quickly remembered that Henry and Severus were going to discuss some topic, so she must have heard it wrong.

She passed a few students who were peeking outside the Forbidden Forest. For a moment, she wanted to turn back into Professor McGonagall and chase them all away, but she recognized one of the Gryffindors who was the student Henry had just praised in his report.

She stared at the "curious but measured" student seriously until she heard him say "Forget it, we'll come back tonight." She made a mental note to patrol tonight and continued to crawl into the bushes and headed straight for Pomona's herb field.

She remembered that there was flame grass there, which loved to bloom in rainy and cold weather, which was also the reason why they liked to come to the herb field most in autumn.

Besides, her Hufflepuff friend had planted some catnip in it for fun, and proudly showed McGonagall how lush it was growing with the help of dragon manure.

McGonagall had to admit that she was a little curious whether Animagus would be affected by the instincts of the animal they turned into. This was a very serious Transfiguration topic, by the way.

She came across a squirrel preparing for winter near the warm herb field. It had somehow bypassed the protective magic that hindered the students and was staring blankly at the swaying fiery red flowers in front of it.

McGonagall walked past it and gave it a majestic look. She needed to remember to remind Pomona to strengthen the protection.

The timid thing left immediately, even leaving the pine cone behind. McGonagall stretched out her claws, poked the pine cone, and dug it into the grass outside the protection, burying it shallowly in the soft soil.

If the squirrel will come back, it should be able to find it. If it doesn't come back, next spring, when the snow melts, they may see a very small pine sapling here.

She walked along the soft and warm ridges, carefully avoiding the few herbs that Pomona cherished very much, and found catnip in the corner.

In Mag's eyes, they were still some inconspicuous green things, but her nose told her that they were emitting a very tempting smell.

She sniffed carefully and felt satisfied that she did not lose her mind or roll on the ground uncontrollably as the legend said. To confirm, she carefully took a small bite and felt them explode in her mouth like the best fruit soda, squinting her eyes in enjoyment.

…

She spent a lot of time in the herb field until she realized that there was another voice approaching. Mag swung her tail unkindly and decided to teach the restless student a lesson.

But before that, she needed to know who it was. She carefully stuck her nose out of the grass.

A familiar voice said, "It should be almost ripe, principal. Once I collect enough raw materials..."

Mag paused. That was Severus and Albus - but Severus should be talking to Henry, and Albus should be in a meeting with the headmaster of Durmstrang!

She heard Albus interrupt Severus and say cheerfully, "Good afternoon."

"Excuse me, what?" Severus asked.

McGonagall hesitated for a moment, so it was too late. Albus's dragon leather boots appeared in front of her.

She knew that Albus had recognized her and decided to face everything like a brave Gryffindor.

She crawled out of the bushes, turned back into the serious Transfiguration professor, and said stiffly, "Good afternoon, Albus. Good afternoon, Severus."

"It's a pleasant surprise to see you, my good professor." Albus said soothingly.

McGonagall asked, "Is it because I finished all the documents in advance, Albus?"

"Ah, part of it, yes." Albus said.

McGonagall turned her eyes to Severus. He was looking at the catnip - no doubt recognizing what it was - and twisting his mouth, as if he was doubting the thoughts in his mind, and was unsure whether he should laugh at her or wisely remain silent.

"How was your discussion with Henry, Severus?" McGonagall asked preemptively. "Very pleasant, I believe?"

She was satisfied to see that Severus's strange expression disappeared.

Since the start of the new term, the professors have keenly discovered that Henry and Severus don't get along just like she and Sybil. This is indeed surprising from Henry's character, and even more surprising is that Severus seems to think that he is somewhat in the wrong. Although they don't know what happened, it doesn't prevent them from using it to laugh at Severus when necessary - when Henry doesn't know, of course.

"I would say it's very instructive." Albus said calmly, "Come on, Minerva, I think we can just make it in time for dinner..." He turned to Severus and said softly, "As for you, Severus, your suggestion is very good, and I trust you completely in this matter."

"Of course, Headmaster." Severus said lazily.

McGonagall looked at Albus in confusion. He blinked at her and pointed calmly above his head. Minerva took the opportunity to brush off the leaves on her head in a corner where Severus couldn't see.

"I hope the elves prepared apple pie today," Albus said. "I heard we have very fresh cinnamon powder."

Dusk fell, and the cloudy sky darkened coldly until it became a deep black. Warm lights shone through the thousands of windows of Hogwarts.

The three of them walked towards the castle together.