Chapter 292: Hogwarts Learning Panel, Chapter 125

Hufflepuffs are always rule-abiding, except for a certain senior who really likes magical creatures.

It's better not to let some accidents ruin the good mood of Hogwarts students and staff on Christmas.

When Hannah and Sally-Anne were too scared to move, the black cat had already faded into the shadows of the corridor like ink, and appeared again under the firelight.

"Is... is that the lucky black cat? Hannah, I'm not seeing things, am I?"

Sally-Anne asked stutteringly.

Ten minutes later.

Under the thick garlands of holly and mistletoe, Hannah and Sally-Anne were still incredulous.

They had been led to the common room by a black cat, and, after the black cat appeared, Mrs. Norris hadn't followed—even though their legs were so soft and they walked so slowly.

So now they were standing blankly at the entrance of the Hufflepuff common room. The common room behind them was warmer than ever, the curtains were drawn, the fireplace was lit, and the usual clear fragrance of plants and the sweetness of food drifted out, but it couldn't make the two little witches go in to take a look.

"You're right, that's the lucky black cat, heavens—Sally-Anne, could it be that the statue's will has come to life?!"

Hannah was startled.

"Oh! I guess you're right—"

Sally-Anne caught the signal.

And so the story of the lucky black cat spread inexplicably.

Until the next day in the Great Hall, Xiang Xien heard this story.

"The messenger of Christmas arrival, the castle spirit cat wielding good luck, the towering castle is his ears, the rotating stairs are his breath..."

Xiang Xien was stunned.

When did this rumor start?

Then he heard Sally-Anne's firm statement at the Hufflepuff long table:

"If you can touch its ears,"

Her voice was clear and firm,

"Good luck will accompany you for a whole year!"

That's not it at all!

Xiang Xien had witnessed the ability of young wizards to spread rumors.

Those Hufflepuffs always believed their companions' words deeply, so they all discussed it curiously and excitedly.

At the high table, Xiang Xien felt many eyes looking over. Headmaster Dumbledore smiled until his beard was shaking, and Professor Marcus Maige was still very gentle, but the smile in her eyes seemed a bit too much.

But the professor wasn't always smiling; when she looked at Headmaster Dumbledore, she always became expressionless.

Xiang Xien sighed, let them spread it however they wanted.

He just hoped that when he went to learn Animagus, the professor... or Headmaster Dumbledore wouldn't keep smiling...

Today was the first day of the Christmas break, and also a Saturday morning with heavy snow.

A bunch of young wizards—like Harry and the Wei Silai brothers—were having a snowball fight on the playground, playing wildly for a long time. Then, they were so cold, their clothes were wet, and they returned panting to the fireplace in the Great Hall.

Xiang Xien had just come out of the Hope Cottage, because Mr. Owl had been flapping and biting in the portrait, making a noise for a full half hour.

Of course, there was more than one place with noise.

In the Headmaster's office.

"Headmaster Dumbledore, if you have plenty of time, then shouldn't you be dealing with some things that a headmaster should deal with..."

Professor Marcus Maige was expressionless, her lips pursed into a serious line,

"I need to leave for a few days this Christmas, this is my leave application."

After speaking, she placed an application form gently on the table; even though she was angry, she still maintained the proper elegance.

On the brand-new envelope, names like Elphinstone Urquart and Malcolm could be vaguely seen.

Dumbledore was stunned for a moment, and he revealed a genuine smile from the bottom of his heart, which he hadn't shown in a long time:

"It should be like this, I agree, Minerva, I agree to everything, go for a walk."

His sincerity made Professor Marcus Maige pause slightly as well.

The wind and snow were as fierce as ever, falling at the window of the Headmaster's office, but soon melted into a trickle.

Those names were stories from several winters ago.

A perfect but flawed story.

In the early days of her tenure at Hogwarts, Professor Minerva Marcus Maige had a brief and happy marriage with her former boss at the Ministry of Magic, Elphinstone Urquart.

Not long after Voldemort first lost power, one summer afternoon when the two were walking along the shore of the Hogwarts lake, the white-haired Elphinstone proposed to Professor Minerva Marcus Maige for the umpteenth time.

This time she agreed. The retired Elphinstone was overjoyed and bought a small villa in Hogsmeade for the two of them, so it would be more convenient for Professor Minerva Marcus Maige to go to work every day.

This marriage was very happy, although it was tragically brief, as if destined by fate. Although they didn't have children of their own, Minerva's nephews and nieces (the children of her brother Malcolm and little Robert) often visited their home, making Professor Minerva Marcus Maige very happy during this period.

Just three years after the marriage, Elphinstone died accidentally from a bite by a Venomous Tentacula, which made everyone who knew the couple feel very grieved.

Professor Minerva Marcus Maige couldn't bear to stay in the villa alone, so after her husband's funeral, she packed her bags and returned to Hogwarts Castle, moving into a stone bedroom. As a very brave person who valued privacy, Professor Marcus Maige devoted all her energy to her work, and few people understood the pain she had endured; the only exception was probably Dumbledore.

Today, the professor received a letter from afar again; her former family members were still beating their hearts for this matter.

They begged the professor to bring the child back to see them no matter what, and the professor couldn't find a reason to refuse.

In the Headmaster's office, Professor Marcus Maige's light blue eyes throbbed; she looked at the letter and turned to leave the Headmaster's office.

It was as if... the former happiness had looked at her carefully and briefly.

And in the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore looked at the mountain of pending event books in front of him.

Did he... agree too early?

But regardless, when Xiang Xien knocked on the door of the Transfiguration office, he was greeted by Professor Marcus Maige's gentle eyes.

"Come in, child, Headmaster Dumbledore is busy with affairs, and I will teach you Animagus transformation next."

The professor said with a smile.

The fireplace in the Transfiguration office was the most fiercely burning fireplace Xiang Xien had ever seen, and from the window here, he could see the young wizards playing wildly on the Quidditch pitch.

On the edge of the window was a small silver cat ornament, and a box of exquisite cat-shaped biscuits.

"Let me see your Transfiguration progress first, child."

The professor said. ===== CHAPTER 293 =====