Since last year, the Hogwarts kitchen has become the culinary pinnacle of the wizarding world.
Even ignoring Aileenna's background, the Ministry of Magic had to admit that this young head chef, not yet thirteen, had opened a door to a new world of gastronomy for Hogwarts and even the British wizarding world. Giving her some privileges based on this alone didn't seem like a big deal.
In fact, with the exposure of Aileenna's identity as the "Princess of the Demon King's Castle", it solved the previous doubts of Lucius Malfoy and others.
Unlike magical talent, it's hard to imagine how exquisite and rich a person's cooking ideas can be without having tasted enough refined dishes. At least these ideas seemed incompatible with a Muggle orphan – but if it were Grindelwald's granddaughter, that would make sense.
"Hogwarts Special Dinner? How is this different from what the students eat?"
In less than a few minutes, the originally plain and empty office was transformed into a stylish banquet hall.
Amelia Bones frowned, looking around at the busy elves, and couldn't help but ask.
In her impression, the Ministry of Magic visitors were mostly added to a row of seats at the staff table during the previous few visits to Hogwarts. The content of the dishes was also similar to the dishes of the four houses on that day, with at most one or two extra side dishes exclusively from the staff's garden.
"Yes, Madam. This is a Hogwarts Welcome Dinner carefully drafted by the head chef for distinguished guests and festivals."
At the table, Burleigh, who had been promoted to head house-elf of Hogwarts, bent down and replied respectfully.
"This is partly because the raw material share of the house dishes is limited, and partly because of the randomness of the dining time of the distinguished guests. Therefore, in temporary reception occasions such as today, there is a certain probability to start a separate 'Hogwarts Special Dinner' to entertain you - in this relatively private banquet hall, you don’t need to be restricted by the eyes of the students, and you can enjoy food while talking about various affairs."
The house-elf Burleigh paused, snapped his fingers lightly, and a gold-edged menu appeared in front of Fudge and others.
"In the special dinner, most of the main ingredients of the dishes are taken from the surroundings of the school. In addition to being delicious, the more important thing is that they cannot be found anywhere else."
"Sounds good. To be honest, Professor Dumbledore, I'm a little jealous of your meals."
Cornelius Fudge looked around, turned to Dumbledore and smiled, half jokingly and half seriously.
If the position of Minister of Magic wasn't so attractive, and if he couldn't show it too much, he would even want to move his office to Hogwarts.
Without noticing Dumbledore's slightly bitter and helpless expression, Fudge picked up the gold-edged menu from the table and read the names of the dishes with interest. He wanted to see what this so-called "unique" Hogwarts special dish was.
"Crispy Swamp Frog, Cheese Baked Soft-Shell Crab, Thai Style Big Bluefish, Mountain Treasure Basilisk Stew, Ice-Cracking Fresh Snake Mountain..."
The first few dishes were fairly normal, but the last two seemed a little... off?
Cornelius Fudge looked up and subconsciously looked at the old wizard sitting next to him.
"Professor Dumbledore, what are these..."
"Oh, dear Minister, there is an unwritten rule for enjoying food at Hogwarts Castle –"
At this moment, Professor Apocalis's mysterious laughter suddenly came from not far away, "As the person enjoying the food, we try not to ask about the recipes and ingredients of each dish, just like potion recipes, these are also the unique secrets of Hogwarts special dishes."
"However, I understand your concerns, or you can give me your share, and I'll have the elves bring you a student menu?"
Grindelwald grinned, looking at Fudge with great interest. His suggestion to exchange dishes was obviously not a joke.
On the other side, Dumbledore, as the headmaster, seemed to have a few things he wanted to say but hesitated.
"Hey, Apocalis... Professor, I'm a guest, it's not very polite of you to do this –"
Cornelius Fudge laughed, and those slight doubts were instantly thrown out of his mind.
Although he didn't know what made those "special dishes" so unique, if even the headmaster of Hogwarts and the centuries-old grand alchemist were unconsciously craving them, then according to the simplest logical reasoning, these were definitely high-standard dishes that were rare even at Hogwarts.
Half an hour later, as the exquisite and delicious dishes appeared on the plates, Cornelius Fudge completely put down his worries.
Perhaps there was a slight accident in the first half of this trip to Hogwarts, but overall it was still very pleasant.
What made him even more pleasantly surprised was that red wine even appeared on the table in addition to the dishes.
Amidst the clinking of glasses, the solemnity and estrangement that had lingered in the room quietly dissolved.
Among the members of the Ministry of Magic and the school board, Lucius Malfoy was undoubtedly the one with the best experience - unlike the others who were served by several "shared" house-elves, he had a personal servant serving him throughout the banquet.
After a few rounds of drinks, Kingsley Shacklebolt suddenly raised his head and looked at Dumbledore in a slightly tipsy state.
"By the way, Professor Dumbledore - I wonder if Hogwarts' house-elves have considered transferring or renting them out?"
"This is not something I can decide, Mr. Shacklebolt."
Dumbledore shook his head, raised his glass towards Cornelius Fudge and the school board members around him.
"The right to dispose of the property of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, this still needs to be consulted with the school board - not to mention, this matter cannot be decided by the school alone. We also need the guidance of relevant laws and regulations of the Ministry of Magic, you should ask the Minister first. And we also have to consider whether those ancient pure-blood families who have house-elves serving them have any objections..."
"Professor Dumbledore, you are considering and worrying too much. Didn't the Malfoy family's elf be sent to Hogwarts?"
Cornelius Fudge hiccuped, waved his hand nonchalantly, and replied casually.
"Hic, this matter? Anyway, I don't think there is any problem. When I go back, I will discuss it in the Ministry and promote it as soon as possible - then remember to reserve a capable house-elf for me, uh, at least one that is proficient in most of the Hogwarts kitchen dishes –"
You know, although Cornelius Fudge was also born into a pure-blood wizarding family, his family has not had house-elves for generations.
In such a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere, and with such a small request, and it was Kingsley Shacklebolt, that big oaf, who took the initiative to make it, Cornelius Fudge agreed without thinking - as for the opinions of the pure-blood families? He is the Minister of Magic!
Cornelius Fudge shook the red wine glass in his hand, thinking happily.
…………
But for Umbridge, eating dinner in the Great Hall that night was not a pleasant experience.
The news that she and Aileenna had friction in the Transfiguration classroom spread like wildfire, even by Hogwarts' current standards, the speed of the news was a bit outrageous. When she sat down at the staff table to eat, she noticed that the teachers and students around her were whispering.
What made Umbridge even more annoyed was that those whispering little wizards didn't seem worried that she would hear their discussions.
In fact, on the contrary, those little brats were chatting and gesturing with relish, and even glanced at her from time to time.
"Have you heard? Professor Umbridge was beaten by Aileenna in the Transfiguration classroom..."
"She seems to have been stunned by Aileenna with a spell..."
"You're exaggerating, she's a formal professor after all!"
"Have you forgotten the duel in the hall before?"
"That's true, compared to the previous Defense Against the Dark Arts professors, Professor Umbridge is a bit weak..."
"Wait, attacking a professor?! Aileenna will be expelled!"
"You're thinking too much, you saw it at noon, Aileenna is also considered half a professor, this is at most friction between professors - and look at the Hufflepuff table, Miss Casselana doesn't look like anything happened, on the contrary, Professor Umbridge's face is very gloomy."
"Hey, do you think Professor McGonagall did it this time?"
"Give me a break, if it was Professor McGonagall, Professor Umbridge should still be lying in the school infirmary..."
"Well, that makes sense..."
Bang!
"Lawless, morally corrupt, simply lawless!"
Umbridge slammed the tableware in her hand heavily on the table, trembling with anger. Her hands were shaking so badly that she could barely hold the knife and fork, "Hogwarts students need to be taken care of, you, you, and you, what are your names? Deduct points!"
Umbridge glared fiercely at the Ravenclaw girls closest to her, and said sternly.
She can't deal with Grindelwald's granddaughter, can't she deal with these little gossips?!
"Insulting a professor. Each of you will be confined, deduct thirty points from Ravenclaw –"
"Ahem, sorry, Professor Umbridge –"
Just then, a light cough suddenly came from Umbridge's ear.
Professor Flitwick looked at Umbridge with a headache, shrugged his shoulders and said seriously.
"According to Hogwarts' school rules, the punishment of confinement and high point deductions for students in each house during non-class time must be decided by the house head. I personally believe that compared to deducting points and crude punishment, as professors we should give students more opportunities to correct their mistakes."
"Ha, but in my opinion..." Umbridge laughed angrily, preparing to take the opportunity to vent.
"It's very wrong to talk about others behind their backs! Especially the teachers who teach you knowledge."
Professor Flitwick didn't wait for Umbridge to speak, turned to the girls, and said non-stop as if chanting a spell.
"Miss Klose, Miss Yulin, Miss Sharon, I hope you can remember this, and immediately apologize to Professor Umbridge - as for whether Professor Umbridge accepts it, and how she will punish you later, I believe it depends more on your attitude."
As he spoke, Professor Flitwick winked quickly at the three girls caught by Umbridge.
"Sorry, Professor Umbridge!"
"Professor Umbridge, sorry, we shouldn't have talked about you!"
"We were wrong, we won't do this again next time, I hope you can accept our apology!"
The three girls reacted quickly, stood up obediently, and said loudly with sincere expressions.
At the same time, the other students in the Great Hall also noticed the movement here, and looked over curiously.
Among the students' various expressions, Umbridge's face changed colors like a chameleon, and finally settled on a purplish-black look like constipation, "Don't do it again, but you talked about the teacher behind her back –"
"Deduct five points from Ravenclaw, deduct five points from each of you, I don't want to hear any excuses."
Professor Flitwick said without hesitation, seemingly even more angry than Umbridge.
"Reflect well after returning to the dormitory, I think you are all smart children. Do you think this is okay, Professor Umbridge?"
"Hmph." Umbridge snorted in impotent rage.
With a dark face, she put down her knife and fork heavily and walked straight out of the Great Hall.
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