bioinnovel Chapter 144 After the Carnival
Chapter 144 After the Carnival
Chapter 144 After the Carnival
The next morning, the sun shone weakly on Hogwarts, trying to wake everyone who was still in bed.
The house-elves had prepared a sumptuous breakfast, but very few people were able to get out of bed and go to the hall to eat.
The entire school was in a daze, as if under a spell. The corridors, classrooms, and library were almost empty, without a single person in sight.
Fortunately, Dumbledore had the foresight to announce the cancellation of today's classes in advance; otherwise, Hogwarts would have experienced the largest number of absenteeisms in its history.
Of course, there is another possibility: the students can get out of bed, but the professors can't, such as Belvina Black, the professor of Muggle Studies.
In the afternoon, the sunlight gradually became intense, relentlessly streaming through the curtains and illuminating Belvina's softly contoured, sharply defined face.
Belvina slowly woke up and sat on the edge of the bed in a daze, looking like she was still hungover.
She reached for the water glass on the bedside table and gulped down three glasses of water in one go, finally relieving her dry mouth and throat.
Then, she went straight into the private bathroom, where the sound of running water was constant. After washing up, she returned to the lounge.
Belvina plopped down in the carved armchair, pulled a blanket over herself, and was instantly overwhelmed by the emptiness and guilt that followed her indulgence.
It's like saying, "Belvina, oh Belvina, how could you have fallen so low! This can't go on!"
Fortunately, the emptiness and guilt didn't last long. An owl flew across the empty space and landed in front of Belvina's window. The owl kept attacking the base of the window with its wings and sharp beak, making noise.
Belvina, who had almost fallen asleep, lazily got up, stretched, and walked to the window, pulling back the curtains that were blocking out the light.
Next, open the window latch and pull the window open.
A dusty gray owl hopped in, dropped a letter, and stared blankly at Belvina.
Belvina in the brain rock machine paused for a moment, then poured some water into the tea tray and handed it to the owl. She then found some food and crumbled it into pieces.
The owl, having eaten and drunk its fill, flapped its wings and flew away. After all that commotion, Belvina finally shook off her drowsiness.
Come to your senses.
The letter opener cut open the envelope, and two pieces of paper fell out.
A letter and a newspaper clipping.
The clipping was from the Daily Prophet. Judging from the large, eye-catching headline and the size of the black-and-white photo, it should have been the front page. The woman waving and smiling in the black-and-white photo was none other than Belvina.
Belvina unfolded the clippings and glanced at the contents of the report.
The article begins with a brief introduction to the legend of the Chamber of Secrets in Slytherin, recounting several attacks that occurred fifty years apart. It then focuses on the process of unraveling the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets, announcing that the Basilisk is dead and Hogwarts has regained peace.
But that's not the point. The point is that the report repeatedly mentioned Belvina's name, and at the end of the article, it was even stated that she deserved a First Class Order of Merlin.
Belvina put down the clipping, shook her head and smiled. Being awarded a medal was always a happy thing, but she really didn't care for the Order of Merlin's medal.
The original Order of Merlin was an organization founded by the wizard Merlin during the Middle Ages. Merlin believed that wizards and Muggles should live in peace, so the Order established a rule prohibiting the use of magic against Muggles.
The current Order of Merlin and its medals only appeared in the 15th century. Wizengamo honored those who made significant contributions to the wizarding community in Merlin's name.
For example, in 1945, Albus Dumbledore was awarded the Order of Merlin, First Class, in recognition of his defeat of the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald.
For example, Newt Scamander was awarded the Order of Merlin Second Class in recognition of his contributions to the study of magical creatures, or magical zoology.
However, not all recipients of the Order of Merlin have made outstanding contributions; the existence of some recipients actually tarnishes the honor.
For example, Arcturus Black, Belvina's grandfather, was awarded the Order of Merlin First Class in recognition of his contributions to the Ministry of Magic.
However, in the public eye, the so-called "contribution" actually refers to Arcturus giving the Ministry of Magic a large sum of gold. And that is indeed the case.
For example, Gilderoy Lockhart, who has been brought back to London for trial, is a recipient of the Order of Merlin, Third Class, a fact known to the entire school, as he often mentions it.
It could be said that the upper and lower limits of the Merlin Order are both extremely high.
It can take you straight to the top of wizarding society, where Dumbledore and Grindelwald clash like gods; or down to witness biodiversity, with Black donating money and Lockhart swindling.
That's why Belvina doesn't value the Order of Merlin's medals much; this honor has very little value, comparable to a rusted and corroded bronze nut.
The crumpled briefing flew in an arc before landing precisely in the wastebasket. Belvina picked up the letter, which was still from Cornelius Fudge.
Cornelius Fudge also mentioned the Order of Merlin in his letter, and he had already nominated him to Wizengamo. Once the necessary procedures are completed, Belvina will become a medal recipient, the only difference being whether she is a first-class or second-class medalist.
The minister, far away in London, was extremely worried and talked himself hoarse. He had not forgotten his original promise and was determined to pave the way for Belvina and make the Ministry of Magic a family business in a few years.
After reading the letter, Belvina sighed, looked out the window at the sky, and felt a mix of emotions.
Although Cornelius Fudge was a bit foolish, easily swayed, and short-sighted, he still took good care of Belvina, and even if Belvina wanted to trick him, he couldn't bring himself to do it.
"The Order of Merlin, so I've been awarded the medal. In Muggle society, wouldn't I be called a duchess?" Belvina thought to herself.
Half an hour later, Belvina, dressed neatly, prepared to go out to find food in the Hogwarts kitchen.
It was well past mealtime, and Belvina, starving, didn't want to just grab something to eat. The kitchen, teeming with house-elves, was naturally the best place to go.
Just as Belvina opened the door to the lounge, she saw the house-elves in the classroom.
It's important to know that the mark of a good house-elf is that you have no idea he exists. Many students don't even know that there are a large group of house-elves in the school until they leave Hogwarts.
Belvina composed herself. Although she was very hungry, she wasn't so hungry that she was seeing stars. Besides, the house-elves in the classroom had very distinctive features, with bandages wrapped all over their bodies.
"Dobby?" Belvina said, recognizing the little elf before her.
Dobby, the house-elf, has bat-like ears, a long, thin nose, and protruding green eyes the size of tennis balls. His thin body is wrapped in bandages under an old pillowcase, one foot is bare, and the other is wearing a dark sock.
Those dark-colored socks smelled terrible just by looking at them.
"Miss Black!" Dobby said, bowing deeply, his movements wide, yet the tray he held remained perfectly still.
Having just left the Malfoy family, Dobby is now a "free" elf who needs a job to support himself and maintain the light and freedom he yearns for.
However, Dobby was an elf who was given "clothes" by his master, and no wizarding family would accept such an elf, especially since Dobby also wanted to get a salary.
House-elves demanding a salary? What a joke!
Wizards would only take it as an April Fool's joke, and other house-elves would think Dobby was a complete madman and an unpopular oddball.
"Dobby thinks Miss Black must be hungry," Dobby whispered, "so Dobby took it upon himself—"
"Come in," Belvina said. "Dumbledore said you need a job, right?"
P
Dobby looked up and said excitedly, "Yes, Mr. Dumbledore gave Dobby a suggestion. He told Dobby to come to Miss Black first."
If she hadn't been holding onto the doorknob, Belvina would have almost fallen. Dumbledore really knows how to give her things to do, stuffing all the house-elves into her care.
There's a house-elf at number twelve Grimmauld Place. What will Kreacher think if he finds out? Will he think Dobby is trying to steal his chance to be beheaded by his master?
Why not just kick it into the Fertile Plains and give the hot-tempered Marius a break?