Chapter 241: The Giant's Choice

"After receiving the commission, I set off together with Madame Maxime."

"But those fellows at the Ministry of Magic must have had a screw loose somewhere; they obstructed our departure and even sent people to tail and monitor us."

"So, we first pretended to go to Beauxbatons Academy in France for a vacation, and then we shook off the Aurors who were monitoring us once we were in France."

"You know, the Ministry of Magic only has jurisdiction in Britain; once you're abroad, they can only stare helplessly... haha... hiss..."

Hagrid grinned, but the movement tugged at his unhealed wounds. He sucked in a cold breath, yet he stubbornly maintained his silly smile.

"After that, we crossed the Alpine passes, trekked into the heart of Eastern Europe, and headed deep into the Caucasus Mountains."

"On the way, we even ran into mountain trolls and vampires, but fortunately, we aren't exactly pushovers."

"After that, we arrived at the giant tribe."

Speaking of this, Hagrid's expression dimmed significantly.

"At first, we successfully reached a preliminary consensus with the elders within the giant tribe."

"Everything was fine for the first two days, and just as the alliance was about to be reached, the tribe suddenly erupted into internal strife."

Hearing this, John and Hermione exchanged a glance, both having guessed the plot that followed.

"The Death Eaters had actually been lurking inside the tribe for a long time; they incited the bellicose giants and orchestrated a civil war."

"They united with a portion of the giants to overthrow the old leader's rule. Once the new leader took power, he immediately tore up the agreement and announced an alliance with the Death Eaters."

Hagrid clenched his fists, the hearth fire flickering in his eyes.

"We almost made the trip for nothing."

Sure enough, the ones who finally emerged to obstruct them were indeed Voldemort's lackeys.

This also confirmed Dumbledore's worries: Voldemort was secretly and swiftly accumulating strength, extending his tentacles toward every possible ally and resource.

"It's okay, Hagrid. At least you conveyed Dumbledore's intentions."

"Perhaps there will be giants dissatisfied with the new leader who will defect to our camp. It's better than not having tried at all."

Hermione patted the back of Hagrid's broad hand to comfort him.

A muffled laugh rolled out of Hagrid's throat. He didn't say anything, just felt very grateful for Hermione's gentleness.

"So, Uncle Hagrid, are the injuries on your body from those giants? Or did the Death Eaters do it?"

John, standing to the side, looked at the injuries on Hagrid's face and continued to ask.

"Uh... not entirely, I suppose."

When it came to this question, for some reason, Hagrid touched the back of his head, clearly looking a bit restless, as if he were hiding something.

John and Hermione exchanged a glance, both feeling a bit strange.

"Then what happened? These wounds of yours look quite fresh, and they don't look like they were caused by magic..."

John's implication was very clear: it should have been quite some time since Hagrid escaped from the giant tribe, which is why he was able to arrive at Hogwarts today.

And the fresh wounds on his body were clearly not sustained in the Caucasus.

"Haha, just ran into some trouble on the way back, don't worry about it."

Hagrid continued to brush it off, not explaining the question directly.

Seeing this, John didn't continue to press.

After Hagrid returned, the Care of Magical Creatures course was naturally handed back to him.

Professor Grubbly-Plank could continue to return to her previous post.

However, Hermione seemed quite reluctant to part with Professor Grubbly-Plank, for no other reason than this.

Professor Grubbly-Plank's lessons were more systematic and rigorous than Hagrid's, and even her notes were as clear as a textbook.

She even secretly transcribed Grubbly-Plank's handouts three times, sighing as she copied: "If only both professors could teach at the same time."

"Aren't Hagrid's classes quite popular?"

John, standing to the side, teased with a smile.

"Popularity and teaching solidly are two different things," Hermione said without looking up.

Clearly, for the rigorous Hermione, Professor Grubbly-Plank's clear and logical teaching style could better satisfy her thirst for knowledge.

As for Hagrid's classroom, it was more like a wilderness adventure full of unknown surprises; it might be very interesting, but it often failed to teach the key points, completely following Hagrid's own rhythm.

"I have to help Hagrid prepare a bit, lest he teach some strange things again, leading everyone to have misunderstandings about Hagrid's abilities."

"... After all, Professor Grubbly-Plank's teaching style has already set a very high standard for the students..."

As expected of the beautiful and kind-hearted Hermione; in order not to let Hagrid be questioned and criticized just after returning, she was doing her utmost to help Hagrid prepare lesson plans.

Unfortunately, John had never taken a Magical Creatures class, so he couldn't help much.

He could only stand on the sidelines as a background accessory, providing emotional support.

It was another weekend.

This week's Quidditch match was Ravenclaw versus Hufflepuff.

It was also Ryan's debut.

The Hufflepuff team was straightforward and honest, unlike those people in Slytherin who always loved to pull dirty tricks.

So Ryan wasn't affected by any external factors.

However, when facing Cedric, this veteran Seeker, he was still a bit nervous.

Although they also knew each other.

But in this kind of sports competition, going easy is the greatest insult.

So Cedric wouldn't show mercy just because it was Ryan's debut.

As the whistle blew.

Ryan broke away from his original position. He didn't start by hovering and waiting for the Golden Snitch like a conventional Seeker; instead, he circled the field looking for the Golden Snitch while observing Cedric.

If Cedric moved, he would immediately chase; if Cedric didn't move, he would search on his own.

As long as he was the one who discovered the Golden Snitch first and was closer to it, he could gain some advantage.

This was a type of tactic, but it also had an element of luck.

Generally, only the weaker party would choose such a high-risk, low-reward gamble.

"It's over, Ryan has immediately put himself at a disadvantage."

Seeing Ryan's operation, Titus wailed directly.

Because the nickname for this tactic in their circle was "at a disadvantage."

It specifically referred to that kind of silly operation where one actively lowers their own field of vision at the start and hands over air superiority.

"I actually think this choice is quite smart."

Ethan, however, held a dissenting opinion.

"Our Eagle House's overall strength is stronger than Hufflepuff's. In the main battle, we can stabilize the rhythm and slowly widen the score."

"Ryan's operation must have been decided after consulting with his teammates."

"If he discovers the Snitch first, he can take the initiative."

"If he discovers the Snitch later, he can also choose to interfere with the opposing Seeker, dragging it out so the opponent doesn't catch the Golden Snitch first."

Listening to Ethan's analysis, Titus thought about it for a moment and accepted this explanation.

"Isn't this the disgusting tactic John mentioned before?"

Ethan nodded: "It's disgusting, but it's very smart."

John, standing to the side, listened silently, having no interest in their tactical analysis and evaluation.

Instead, he asked amusedly.

"This isn't right, Titus, when did you become one of our Eagle House?"

This remark made Titus freeze for a moment, then he stiffened his neck and said.

"None of your business!"

"If Ryan wins, I'm happy for my brother; if Hufflepuff wins, I'm happy for Hufflepuff, is that not allowed!" ===== CHAPTER 242 =====