Chapter 182: The Commission of Phineas ck
Felix Harp emerged from the L.C.A building, and the clock had struck noon. He took a detour to visit the Little Red Book Bookstore. To his delight, his sample copy of "Magic in the Muggle World" had beenpleted.
"Remarkable efficiency, I needn''t worry at all."
This book, a serious work of popr science, was in line with his previous two publications on Muggle studies and was poised to be part of a series.
At least, that''s what the elegantdy in the purple dress told him.
Felix also inquired about things he hadn''t previously paid much attention to, such as how his book managed to leave Ennd and spread throughout the world.
From her response, Felix understood that there were two ways to expand the book''s presence worldwide. One was to obtain a rmendation from the home country''s Ministry of Magic, but this approach had limited spots and could face resistance from certain nations due to its official nature. The other method was to be a member of the International Wizarding Publishers Association.
The International Wizarding Publishers Association was a rtively loose international wizarding organization,posed of top publishers from different countries. They held gatherings in March and September each year to select valuable books.
These fortunate books would then be distributed to magical bookstores in various countries.
Unbeknownst to Felix, he had inadvertently enjoyed this privilege. In response, he expressed his gratitude once again.
"Your book is truly outstanding, Mr. Harp. It''s a win-win for both of us."
...
Returning to the school, Felix found many professors had returned. Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick were decorating the Great Hall, in high spirits. Professor McGonagall was even humming a tune.
Hagrid, the big and burly figure, walked in carrying two three-meter tall fir trees. Flitwick elegantly waved his wand, causing the trees to stand in a corner of the hall, adorned with colorful ribbons.
"Felix," Hagrid greeted heartily.
"Hagrid, how''s the lesson nning going?" Felix inquired.
Hagrid chuckled, "Going pretty well, I spent quite some time in the library looking up information. I even went through the new books on the market. I can confidently say the teaching material I''ve chosen is interesting."
"I remember this course always used ''Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'' as the textbook."
"Well, that''s the textbook for the higher years. I tried something new for the third years... as you told me, innovation requires a test subject, and if it seeds, then it can be extended to everyone."
"I''m looking forward to it, Hagrid."
The first day of school was tomorrow. The professors gathered around a rectangr table for dinner that evening. Even the elusive Professor Trwney had draped a veil and joined.
She whispered to a house-elf, "Fetch me some sherry, dear."
The house-elf stammered, "O-okay, ma''am."
Her figure vanished, and shortly after, she reappeared struggling with arge bottle of sherry. "I apologize, couldn''t find a small bottle, only this kind."
"Ha!" Trwney''s eyes lit up. "No worries, this is quite nice, very nice indeed."
"Would you like some?" She looked at Felix, shaking the bottle, causing the liquid to sway.
"No, thank you," Felix politely declined.
Trwney poured herself a ss, and next to her, Professor Burbage also took a small sip.
Dumbledore appeared for the first time since his return from France. He looked in good spirits, dly epting a te of tea-colored pastries from Flitwick. Felix thought it might be due to him having shed a particrly bothersome task.
After dinner, he called out to Felix.
"Wait a moment, Felix. Nick has a few books for you, entrusted to me."
So, the two of them went to the Headmaster''s office. Dumbledore spoke cheerfully, "Hold on, I left them on my bedside table. During the time you were away, I''ve been reading parts of them each day."
Felix nodded, watching him ascend the spiral staircase, disappearing into the upper floor of the office.
"That''s Dumbledore''s bedroom, I wonder what it''s like?" he pondered curiously.
The Headmaster''s office hadn''t changed much. In this spacious circr room, various whimsical noises filled the air: Fawkes, the phoenix perched on the gilded perch, rhythmically breathed; the silverware on the elongated table rotated, emitting tinkling sounds; and the portraits of former headmasters on the walls emitted snores.
Felix Harp''s gaze fixed on the Sorting Hat resting silently on the partition, debating whether to pick it up and examine it.
"Hey, Slytherind!" an unpleasant voice spoke up.
Felix turned his head to see a portrait on the wall. At the bottom of the portrait was written in golden cursive letters:
"Phineas Negellus ck, served 1847 to 1925, graduated from Slytherin House."
"Felix," he asked, "Principal ck, were you calling me?"
The portrait let out a snort. "Otherwise, is there anyone else alive in this room?" His goat-like beard twitched, his eyebrows thin and menacing, giving him a thoroughly disagreeable appearance.
At this moment, he reached out and tapped the frame. "Come closer, I have something to tell you," he said urgently. Seeing that Felix hesitated, he added, "It''s for your benefit!"
Felix''s mind was filled with skepticism. Whatever it was, how could it possibly benefit him? Nheless, he approached the portrait of Principal ck.
The snores from the other portraits ceased. Some of them opened their eyes to observe, while others squinted, closely watching the interaction.
But Principal ck remained uninterested, perhaps incapable of expressing himself, even if he was displeased. So he spoke as quietly as possible, "Have you ever heard the name Sirius ck?"
"I have. He''s a celebrity now, escaped from Azkaban three weeks ago," Felix said.
Principal ck choked for a moment. Somewhat embarrassed, he said, "He''s a descendant of the noble ck family, my great-grandson!"
"Oh."
"You mischievous boy, what do you mean?" Principal ck muttered under his breath. However, he quickly continued in a cunning tone, "We''re both Slytherins, young man. I know what you''re thinking..."
"Listen, the ck family has a rich history and an extensive collection of books in our ancestral home. It''s notparable to the rubbish at Hogwarts. Are you interested? Help me with something."
"What is it?"
"Bring him to me. Not to this me, to another portrait. Remember, Grimmauld ce Number 12."
Felix was very interested in the ck family''s collection, but he cautiously probed, "Don''t tell me that one of the 28 pure-blood families'' ancestral homes has no defenses?"
"Listen to me, don''t interrupt. Time is short! You will find it, I believe you can do it. However, you need something, something unique to the noble ck family... Oh, Dumbledore! When did youe back?"
Felix swiftly turned around, Dumbledore had appeared on the second-floornding, holding two books in his arms, standing expressionlessly.
"Quite early, around the time you acknowledged Sirius ck as your great-grandson." Dumbledore descended the stairs, the light behind him preventing anyone from reading his expression, but his powerful voice was audible. "Phineas, we''ve discussed... the unforgivable crimes hemitted."
Principal ck''s portrait shouted loudly, "Dumbledore, he''s thest descendant of the ck family!"
But Dumbledore raised his voice as well, speakingposedly. "...betrayed his best friend, and he killed thirteen people, including one who was a close friend for ten years. Do you know what happened to him, Phineas? The only thing found at the scene were Peter''s finger and pieces of blood-soaked clothing."
The old man walked to the portrait, his tone icy, each wrinkle on his face carrying anger. "And now he''s escaped, dreaming of aiding his old master in regaining power, even if it means killing his godson in his role as a teacher."
"Phineas, my headmaster... Do you want to shelter a criminal?"
Silence reigned in the Headmaster''s office.
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