Homecoming from Hogwarts

Chapter 574 Professor McGonagall’s Concern

With the finalization of the warrior personnel, the much-anticipated Triwizard Tournament finally kicked off.Under normal circumstances, the castle should be filled with an atmosphere of joy, but what just happened made everything unpredictable.

Accompanied by Professor McGonagall, Hermione walked up the stairs step by step. She could feel that wherever she passed, the portraits on the walls were pointing at her. Of course, the things they discussed were not malicious. , these portraits simply treat this event as an event worth mentioning and a good excuse to get together and have a party.

Hermione's steps became more difficult the closer she got to Gryffindor Tower.

At this moment, she realized one thing. She had thought that facing the questioning looks of so many big figures in the wizarding world in the room at the back of the auditorium was scary enough, but now, Hermione realized that it was even scarier than that. This is what she is about to face.

Perhaps sensing her timidity, Hermione felt Professor McGonagall's hand on her shoulder gently squeeze her shoulder.

Finally, they arrived at the entrance to the Gryffindor common room, and Professor McGonagall held Hermione back far away from the Fat Lady's portrait.Hermione immediately raised her head and looked at Professor McGonagall. She found that Professor McGonagall was smiling at her with her lips pursed, and she could clearly catch Professor McGonagall trying to hide her worry with a smile.

"I must admit, Miss Granger, that this thing strikes me as quite bizarre—"

Professor McGonagall's shoulders shook, but after she took a deep breath, she still said in an unprecedented gentle tone.
"At this point, no matter what the person who put your name into the Goblet of Fire is planning, Miss Granger, you are already a warrior, so I hope you can carry forward Gryffindor's style and do your best to face it. Is this a good result?"

Hermione's eyes turned red again, and she didn't know how to respond to Professor McGonagall's expectations.

"There have always been some arguments among the students. They think you just know how to study. Oh, it's such a ridiculous statement. The professors have always ignored it. But I think you must understand, Miss Granger, this is a good opportunity to make those rumors disappear completely. !”

"But--"

Hermione had many things on her mind, but she tried her best to clear them out and focus on what Professor McGonagall had told her.

"Beauxbatons and Durmstrang selected their best students, as did Cedric Diggory. Professor Brain also said that the Triwizard Tournament is dangerous, and I don't have enough magic. Professor McGonagall, I don't know me"

"Oh, Miss Granger—"

Professor McGonagall interrupted Hermione,
"I don't know what the teaching quality is like at Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, but at least Cedric Diggory, yeah, that kid is good, but I think you're better than him, Granger. Miss, if he can handle those events, there’s no reason you can’t!”

Under the bright firelight, Hermione stared at Professor McGonagall with wide eyes. She couldn't believe that Professor McGonagall actually gave her such a high evaluation. You know, Professor McGonagall has always been very 'reticent' when it comes to praising people. .

"Ah, of course. I don't want my opinion of you to reach Pomona's ears. Do you understand me, Miss Granger?"

Professor McGonagall winked in a rare and playful manner. This was incredible to Professor McGonagall, who always paid attention to image and was dignified in front of students!

"I already told you!"

As soon as the Fat Lady's portrait was opened, Harry's impatient voice came out of the door, "Hermione has been staying with me, Ron, Hagrid, and a large group of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons students all day. , they can all testify that Hermione would not have time to throw her name into the Goblet of Fire!"

The Gryffindor lounge was overcrowded, almost all the students from the first to seventh years of the house gathered here, and in the center of the crowd were a few people who had been close to Hermione in the past.

"Potter!"

As soon as she entered the lounge, Professor McGonagall's expression returned to the solemn look familiar to Hermione. She stood at the entrance of the cave and called Harry, but the noisy crowd easily drowned her voice, and people's attention All the strength was on Harry, and he didn't notice Professor McGonagall and Hermione walking in at all.

"Mr. Potter!" Professor McGonagall raised her voice and shouted sternly again, "Can you please get down from the table first?" Harry was exhausted as he dealt with the crowd's questions over and over again. Everyone was concerned. The question was all about how Hermione got her name into the Goblet of Fire. They didn't stop explaining that Hermione didn't have the time, and she wouldn't do it behind their backs, but these classmates seemed to have their ears covered. It was as if a filter had been set up, blocking all his words, but Ron, who was supposed to testify with him, remained silent without saying a word.

Like everyone else, Harry heard Professor McGonagall's voice at the same time. He immediately looked towards the door of the lounge, and then he found Professor McGonagall looking at him sternly, and next to Professor McGonagall, facing him. Hermione smiled to herself.

"Oh, sorry, Professor McGonagall!"

Harry jumped down from the table in panic, and there were too many people around the table. Ginny's instep was stepped on hard, and she screamed in pain like a cat, but Harry only had time to say something. Sorry, I didn't wait for Ginny's response, so she rushed to the ground, desperately pushing through the crowd, and came to Professor McGonagall.

"How's it going?" Harry stared at Hermione nervously with wide green eyes.

And Hermione obviously realized what caused Harry's hoarse voice. She pursed her lips and blinked at Harry.

The long-term tacit understanding made Harry immediately understand that the matter should not be particularly bad. At least, Hermione was not expelled because of this matter, otherwise, she would never laugh.

After feeling a little relieved, Harry finally began to worry about himself. He glanced at Professor McGonagall and found that her expression was not as ugly as expected.Behind Harry, the Gryffindor students stood obediently. As we all know, their dean is a professor who attaches great importance to rules, and it is obviously not okay for so many people to crowd in the common room when they should go to bed. Make her feel happy.

Unexpectedly, Professor McGonagall did not get angry.

"The school thinks--"

Facing the doubtful and anxious little wizards, Professor McGonagall said calmly,
"You should know some truth about what happened tonight and Hermione Granger being chosen as the Champion."

The little wizards all opened their eyes, looking longingly at Professor McGonagall and the silent Hermione.

"Currently, the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang have reached a consensus that Miss Granger's name appearing in the Goblet of Fire is not her personal behavior-"

wow!
The quiet crowd was suddenly ignited. Even though Harry had been telling everyone this all night, no one took it seriously. Who would be so kind as to throw other people's names into the Goblet of Fire to help him become a warrior!
"Who did that, Professor?" Fred raised his hand and asked, "Have you found out?"

"Unfortunately, Mr. Weasley, not yet!" Professor McGonagall's voice became slightly colder, "But I believe that sooner or later, there will be a truth about this matter!"

"Then how did you determine that it wasn't Hermione who put the name in, and why did that person do that?"

Angelina couldn't help but ask.

These two issues are also very worthy of concern, but unfortunately, Professor McGonagall did not provide an explanation. This was to tell them that this conclusion was a consensus reached through discussion and no one should doubt it.

Professor McGonagall seemed to have finished what she wanted to say, and after gently pushing Hermione towards the crowd, she turned to leave, but after putting one foot on the doorway, Professor McGonagall seemed to suddenly remember something. She turned to look at the Gryffindor wizards again, and this time, her expression was less serious, and she even smiled a little,
"Oh, yes--"

Professor McGonagall shrugged and said to everyone in a casual tone,

"After discussion, Hermione Granger's warrior status was deemed valid."

After saying these words, Professor McGonagall immediately left the lounge, completely ignoring the cheers that shook the floor after closing the portrait of the Fat Lady!
(End of this chapter)