bookbashuk Chapter 103 Invitation
Chapter 103 Invitation
Chapter 103 Invitation
"Clatter".
The gates of hell have been opened!
"Good afternoon! Hamilton—or should I say Professor Hamilton?" The first person to walk in was neither Scrimgeour nor Dumbledore, but Mr. Parkinson with a beaming smile.
"It's been a long time! Actually, it hasn't been that long, but you probably didn't see me last time—"
"Ah, this must be your office? Why is there a bed? Do you live in your office? I think Hogwarts has staff dormitories, right?"
"Is it because it's too far away—oh? Wait! Isn't that Professor Hamilton's owl? It's so small!"
There's even a bit more.
"Mr. Parkinson!" Scrinker coughed but didn't come in, though his stern voice carried through the room: "You're being rather rude."
"Ah! Sorry, sorry!" Parkinson smiled, then said to the stunned Loira, "Professor Hamilton, we've known each other for a long time, haven't we?"
He lowered his voice as he spoke.
"Ah—so this is what the face under the mask looks like—she really is a Veela half-blood! Silver hair and blue eyes! And even pointy ears, she looks so cute. Although I saw her last time, the fierce Madam Pomfrey only let me see her—"
"Mr. Parkinson's!"
"I'm sorry, Director!"
"Clatter".
The office door closed again, and Roy, sitting in the corner, twitched strangely.
What on earth is going on?! Why is Mr. Parkinson's here?! Why did he just walk in like that?! Why did he see me and even say I was cute?! Why is he so calm and collected as he leaves?!
"Hahahaha"
I must be having a nightmare.
"Professor Hamilton, it's been a long time." Scrimgeour said, slowly settling into his office chair. He paused, glancing at Loy, who was now wearing a mask and hood, before continuing, "Or should I say Professor Hamilton?"
"Ah—no. No need. No need for this—" Loira whispered, shrinking into the chair.
The office was far too dangerous at that moment.
A Dumbledore, a vampire, and a Mr. Parkinson's.
At the same time, Roy felt a lot of pressure dealing with all three of them.
"The events of 1942, Principal Dumbledore has already told us the whole story," Scrimgeour said seriously. "Minister Fudge means he doesn't want to pursue this further."
"The attitude from Germany is the same."
"But I still hope that you, Professor Hamilton, understand that this is by no means some kind of leniency or indulgence."
"Strictly speaking, you are still an escaped convict."
"Gulp." Luo Yili swallowed hard, lowering her head and not daring to answer.
"Rufus is exaggerating," Dumbledore chuckled softly. "Given Miss Hamilton's circumstances at the time, escaping was a last resort."
"If Voldemort had controlled the Ministry of Magic back then," he said slowly, noticing Scrimgeour's somewhat grim expression, "would my escape from Azkaban have been considered a prison break?"
"Headmaster Dumbledore," Scrimgeour said, pursing his lips, "that's impossible."
"Everything is thought to be impossible before it happens," Dumbledore said, maintaining his smile.
"But besides that, there's also the matter of deceiving the Ministry of Magic." Scrimgeour abruptly changed the subject: "Professor Hamilton, in a way, deceived the Ministry of Magic."
"She's not the Miss Lo Hammill, is she?"
"Ugh!" Roy shuddered and looked at Dumbledore.
It's all his fault, he made me say that! I didn't want to join the Ministry of Magic or anything!
"I've already spoken with Cornelius about this," Dumbledore said calmly. "He believes it doesn't affect the fact that Miss Hamilton is helping the Ministry of Magic."
"And she did help you, didn't she?"
"It really is true!" came Parkinson's voice.
However, as soon as he opened his mouth, Scrimgeour glared at him and then couldn't help but chuckle.
Mr. Parkinson is so carefree, isn't he afraid of vampires? Loira nervously clenched her sleeves; she was extremely tense.
This somewhat serious, almost interrogation-like scene made her subconsciously a little scared.
What if Mr. Scrimgeour wants to drink my blood? Should I agree? It seems like I can only agree—but I've heard that for vampires, this is not just eating, but also procreation, which is really not very respectable. Even just thinking about it makes Roy's face turn bright red.
"Professor Hamilton, can you tell me your thoughts?" Suddenly, Scrimgeour's voice came through, causing Roy's brain to freeze for a moment.
"My—my opinion?" Roy almost blurted out what she had just been thinking, but thankfully she managed to hold it back in time.
"Hmm." Scrimgeour paused, then said somewhat helplessly, "Regarding what I just mentioned, your becoming an advisor to the Ministry of Magic..."
"No, no, no, no! No, no, it won't do!" Roy immediately began shaking his head frantically. "I—I can't! Absolutely not!"
What Ministry of Magic advisor or whatever! I definitely can't do that! I'm a Hogwarts—no, I'm a saint under Lord Grindelwald, how can I just join the Ministry of Magic like that?
Moreover, if he joined the Ministry of Magic... Roy raised his head slightly and saw Mr. Parkinson's somewhat expectant eyes.
Wouldn't that mean I'd be working with Mr. Parkinson's?
No, no! This is too terrible!
"Professor Hamilton, Ministry of Magic—" Seeing Loira's refusal, Scrimgeour seemed about to say something, but Dumbledore coughed lightly and said, "Rufus, you know Miss Hamilton's personality."
"Just being a professor at Hogwarts has already taken a lot of her energy."
Dumbledore winked at Roy as he spoke.
Dumbledore! You've truly moved me; all my hard work for you hasn't been in vain!
Looking into his eyes, Roy felt for the first time wanting to cry because of Dumbledore.
"However—" Dumbledore suddenly changed the subject, "If it were a part-time consultant like Mr. Scamander, I think Miss Hamilton would also consider it, wouldn't she?"
eh?
The tears in the corners of her eyes were forcibly held back.
What do you want?
Miss Hamilton will think about it?
Right?
Of course I'll think about it! But the answer is still no!
"No—I still—"
"Professor Hamilton, there's no need to rush to give an answer," Parkinson suddenly said slowly. "This is a long-term invitation."
Scrimgeour nodded slightly and said, "That's right, Professor Hamilton. The Ministry of Magic will always keep its doors open for elite talents like you."
"Ah, I—" Don't say that! How am I supposed to say no if you say that? — Or... or should I just drag it out for now? Roy pursed her lips and chose the most cautious strategy.
"Then let's put that matter aside for now," Scrimgeour said, nodding slightly. "Next is something else."
"Oh? There's something else—something else?"
"This is a special order from Minister Fudge," Scrinker said, coughing before pulling a piece of parchment from his pocket with a meaningful expression.
He casually tossed it, and the parchment floated in the air and slowly opened.
"Miss Roy Hamilton, in recognition of your dedication to the Ministry of Magic and your outstanding contributions to the protection of the Hogwarts property."
"I, Cornelius Fudge, Minister for Magic, hereby bestow upon you the Order of Merlin, Third Class."
"what?"