chsdbacks Chapter 73 We Lost to Slack
Chapter 73 We Lost to Slack
Chapter 73 We Lost to Slack (Second Update of 10,000 Words)
Five major powers?
Which of the five great kingdoms is Hogwarts located in?
These words were somewhat familiar to Professor McGonagall, yet they seemed veiled, leaving her with only a vague idea of what they meant.
Because she was once from a Muggle family.
She knows that the country she is currently in, a Muggle nation, is composed of three countries: Ireland, Scotland, and England.
If you asked her which country Hogwarts is in, she might be able to answer.
But what are the Five Great Nations?
She was, after all, just a wizard, not a professor who specialized in studying Muggles; how could she possibly know such obscure knowledge?
But here's the problem—
"Dumbledore, do you know the answer?"
Professor McGonagall asked.
To be honest, she asked the question with a bit of curiosity.
For Dumbledore, who is over a hundred years old, has defeated two Dark Lords, is knowledgeable, and has written extensively, this is by no means a difficult question, is it?
Dumbledore's pale blue eyes, hidden behind his small round spectacles, flickered slightly, and his memory involuntarily flashed back to Godric's Hollow, the place where his dream began and ended.
He and Grindelwald talked a lot, even about how to conquer the world with magic.
Not just the wizarding world, but also the world of Muggles.
They had discussed each major power, and they had tried to find shortcuts to achieve their rule, targeting each country's system and Ministry of Magic.
But that was nearly a hundred years ago.
But time always takes away the details, leaving only a touch of emotion in your heart at that time, doesn't it?
Dumbledore took off his glasses, his voice unusually tinged with weariness.
But this longing for the past was like the sweetest antidote, reviving Dumbledore from his spiritual weariness.
His light blue eyes suddenly became bright and alert.
"Oh, an interesting question. Minerva, Severus, why don't we use this opportunity to improve our Muggle research?"
With that, Dumbledore pointed to the generals.
"You go first, Severus."
Snape looked at Dumbledore, who had now calmed down, with some confusion, wondering what the White Lord was up to.
But Snape decided to think it over carefully.
"In my opinion, it should be England, where we are, and France and Sweden across the sea," Snape considered for a moment, "Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, the three great magic schools correspond to the three great nations."
Snape felt a little regretful for his casual attitude towards the Muggle Studies course, even though the course only taught pure-blood wizards what a car was, what a light bulb was, what a switch and banknotes were, and what the correct way for Muggles to dress was.
"The remaining two countries should be Japan, where the 'Magic Institute' is located, and Uganda, where 'Wagadu' is located."
Snape organized his thoughts and gave his reasons.
"Students from these two magic academies are allowed to participate in the Magical School Potions Tournament alongside our graduates; there's no reason why their country shouldn't be one of the Five Great Nations."
A perfect solution, brilliant reasoning.
Dumbledore nodded slightly, then turned to look at Professor McGonagall.
"Minerva, I want to hear from you."
"Ireland, Bulgaria, Russia, Argentina, and France," Professor McGonagall said quickly, "plus Brazil."
"Oh, Minerva, this is the list of countries for this year's Quidditch semifinals, not the Big Five." Dumbledore smiled and shook his head.
That's how wizards are.
According to his and Grindelwald's research, the Muggle world was so far out of reach that they could only see a few scraps of it.
Fortunately, he was quite knowledgeable and had indeed discussed this issue with Grindelwald.
"The five largest countries should be ranked according to their land area," Dumbledore said confidently. "The Soviet Union, Canada, China, the United States, and Brazil are the five largest countries in the world."
Snape and Professor McGonagall were both taken aback; they hadn't expected Dumbledore to know so much about the land area of Muggle countries.
Seeing this, Dumbledore felt a little regretful.
If he had impersonated Professor Quirrell, things might have turned out differently.
"Alright, the entertainment is over," Dumbledore said slowly. "I've heard it said that one must have the courage to admit defeat. We failed in preventing Slack Anguillès from gaining prestige, didn't we?"
Professor McGonagall never approved of hiding the truth; she didn't even want Quirrell to be admitted to Hogwarts in the first place.
As for Snape, he even harbored a secret desire to fail.
Because lately, whenever he sees Slyke Anguius, he can't help but fantasize about whether he would feel the same way if he went back to the days when he first entered Hogwarts.
He knew perfectly well that it was all an illusion, but he would always feel inexplicably comfortable, like a kind of addictive magic potion.
"Let's do something to distract the students."
Dumbledore waved his hand, summarizing everything, looking like a general instructing his chief of staff to write down battle plans: "First, acknowledge Professor Quirrell's temporary departure from Hogwarts. The reason given is personal matters. The remaining Defense Against the Dark Arts classes will be temporarily taken over by the heads of the various houses."
"Secondly, tell the children that this year's Quidditch Cup will be held earlier than scheduled. It's next week."
Professor McGonagall interrupted Dumbledore hastily as soon as he finished speaking.
"Gryffindor's Seeker has graduated, and we don't have a new Seeker."
For a passionate Quidditch enthusiast, Professor McGonagall was truly unable to accept watching her house finish at the bottom for several years in a row.
"We need more time."
"How about giving Harry a try?" Dumbledore suggested with a smile. "I think he might have some talent in this area."
As soon as Dumbledore finished speaking, Snape pictured James toying with the Golden Snitch.
His face instantly darkened.
"That won't be possible until the freshmen have finished their first flight lesson," Professor McGonagall said with difficulty. "Ms. Hodge is currently a referee at the Quidditch World Cup in France, and she won't be back until next week at the earliest."
As is customary, the first flying lesson for new students at Hogwarts is scheduled for the second week after the start of the semester.
This year, it had to be postponed by an extra week because it clashed with the Quidditch World Cup, which is held every four years.
The young wizards wouldn't have cared about this at all, but now that Dumbledore has suddenly announced that the Quidditch match will be brought forward, time seems to be getting more and more urgent.
"Hmm, how about this?" Dumbledore suddenly changed his mind. "Shall we add a rookie tournament, requiring each house to have at least two new members participate?"
Professor McGonagall pondered for a moment, then couldn't help but nod slightly.
"I think it's a good idea; the freshmen will definitely pay attention to this. Severus, do you agree?"
Snape wished Quidditch would be banned forever.
In his view, there are many ways to divert students' attention, such as moving the final exam to the present.
But with Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall both looking at him, what could he say?
"As long as Professors Flitwick and Sprout have no objections, I have no objections either."
"I will persuade them, no, they will definitely agree!" Professor McGonagall said excitedly, but her expression suddenly froze.
"Dumbledore, but there's still no one to teach the flying lesson," Professor McGonagall repeated her old refrain. "We need a new instructor for the flying lesson."
Upon hearing this, Dumbledore's gaze shifted.
Snape became instantly excited at the thought of giving Harry flying lessons.
"Let me do it, Dumbledore."
"You can't, Snape," Professor McGonagall interrupted decisively. "You don't even know who the last Quidditch World Cup champion was."
As she spoke, Professor McGonagall, unusually, volunteered herself, which was quite unlike her usual self.
"Let me do it. I'll teach the young wizards how to fly on broomsticks. And I can also take this opportunity to test Harry's flying skills."
"It's settled then. Flight lessons will begin this afternoon."
Dumbledore's decisive blow shattered all of Snape's little schemes.
As for Professor McGonagall, she suddenly remembered something.
Slytherin, where Slyke Anguill is from, is supposed to take flying lessons with Gryffindor.
His talent for flying —
Oh.
Professor McGonagall did not want to judge a book by its cover, but she simply did not believe that a young wizard who might become a Mystic in the future could be so extraordinary in this sport.
"I'll go discuss the timing of the Rising Stars Challenge with Professors Flitwick and Sprout. I'll let you know by owl once it's decided."
Professor McGonagall is known for her decisive and efficient work style.
Her hasty departure made Snape, who was sitting in the headmaster's office, feel uneasy. He nodded to Dumbledore and then prepared to leave.
only----
But Dumbledore stopped him.
"You can't leave yet, Severus," Dumbledore said firmly, meeting Snape's somewhat frightened gaze. "I have something else for you to do."
"
"What is it?"
"Go find Quirrell and bring him back." The light in Dumbledore's eyes frightened Snape. "At least until the end of the term."
"But where is he now?" Snape asked again.
"I don't know," Dumbledore said, offering a small guess, "Perhaps in the Forbidden Forest?"