The magical society and Hogwarts wouldn't stop turning because of one person's disappearance.
In fact, with Dumbledore gone, the magical society and Hogwarts had even more worries and things to do.
The preparation for the first modern magical city, the secret dark wizard clearing operation, the promotion of scientific learning methods, the qualification review of faculty and staff...
February passed terribly quickly. Before they knew it, March quietly arrived, bringing warm, humid weather, and the Hogwarts "leadership team" change announcement.
McGonagall hadn't spoken much to that little witch since their brief chat in the classroom last time. Now she suddenly realized that the other party had sent her a great gift.
"I heard... the nominee is you, Minerva—though your name wasn't mentioned."
The next morning, Professor McGonagall specially chose a solemn and serious wizard robe.
When she arrived in the hall as usual, she happened to see Aileenna and her inseparable best friend walking in.
The news that Madam Pomfrey had told her last night suddenly popped up again—regarding the reason for the nomination, Madam Pomfrey didn't have much information either.
However, when the professors and students successively sat down in the hall, Rufus Scrimgeour suddenly stood up and walked to the podium, McGonagall knew that the final battle had begun.
Ding ding ding—
Scrimgeour gently tapped the metal owl microphone, attracting the attention of everyone in the hall.
"Sorry, please allow me to temporarily occupy your breakfast time."
The metal owl microphone spread its wings, and Scrimgeour's voice spread around the hall along the owl's wings.
"Due to certain matters, Professor Dumbledore will not be able to return to Hogwarts in the short term. In view of the current situation, the Ministry of Magic has decided to activate Clause 29 of the Educational Decree."
"When the official Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is away and unable to perform the duties of Headmaster for a certain period of time, the school board, the Ministry of Magic, and Hogwarts will nominate a suitable 'Acting Headmaster' candidate according to certain conditions, and after a month of investigation and voting, finally determine a formal 'Acting Headmaster' candidate."
"At the same time, the original Hogwarts Headmaster will be regarded as the same situation as Article 45 of the 《Hogwarts School Rules》, and all powers and responsibilities will be transferred to the 'Acting Headmaster'..."
"...What is written in Article 45 of the 《Hogwarts School Rules》?"
At the same time, at the Hufflepuff long table, Hannah quietly poked Aileenna and asked in a low voice.
"When the current Headmaster is unable to complete the handover process normally due to unexpected circumstances."
Before Aileenna could answer, Hermione casually answered while cutting aloe vera bacon.
"In short, you can directly understand that Professor Dumbledore is now accidentally missing, possibly dead in some unknown corner outside."
"Eh?!" Hannah's expression instantly became strange.
However, the conversation in the corner of the Hufflepuff table did not attract the attention of other young wizards.
People's attention was now focused on Rufus Scrimgeour. Even the most ignorant people knew that Hogwarts might be about to change.
"After many discussions, the school board, the Ministry of Magic, and Hogwarts have formulated three nomination conditions for 'Acting Headmaster'..."
Scrimgeour took out a document from his arms, cleared his throat, and read it word by word in a deep voice.
"First, the nominee must be a qualified graduate of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
Professor McGonagall turned her head and looked at the surrounding professors, instantly understanding the scope that this content was aimed at.
So…
Professor Apocastly, Nicolas Flamel... and even Newt Scamander are not eligible for nomination this time?
"Secondly," Scrimgeour's voice continued, "the nominee must be a formal professor at Hogwarts and still be in a front-line teaching position."
Oh? Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows.
This one is probably aimed at Aileenna, um, and Scrimgeour himself at the same time.
Or are there other candidates, such as some retired professors, or wizards from the Ministry of Magic or some pure-blood families who are eager to try?
After all, ninety-nine percent of wizards in the British magical world graduated from Hogwarts, but with these two restrictions, the list of candidates is very limited.
"The last one," Scrimgeour put down the parchment in his hand, "This is not a mandatory requirement, just a little bit of priority suggestion..."
"In view of the current situation, we unanimously believe that the Acting Headmaster during a very period should preferably have experience working in the Ministry of Magic. Hogwarts School of Magic is closely connected with the magical society. It is extremely important and also a gap that we urgently need to fill to quickly interpret social changes and apply them to school education—these are the three conditions for the time being."
Work experience in the Ministry of Magic?
Professor McGonagall was slightly startled and glanced at Aileenna in the corner with a strange expression.
She finally knew why Madam Pomfrey said "her name was not mentioned" but was so sure that it was her.
In fact, most professors and students have now subconsciously begun to look at her, and many people are even ready to applaud.
However, after thinking all night, she did not intend to passively become some "Acting Headmaster".
After all, Dumbledore is not really missing or dead. Professor McGonagall does not want to become the Headmaster in this way—especially with the encouragement of a certain little witch.
"Ahem, Mr. Scrimgeour, according to these three conditions, the nominee seems to have already been decided?"
Professor McGonagall took a long breath, slowly stood up, and prepared to directly end this boring and strange farce.
"But I'm very sorry, you may not have considered—"
Obviously, when these three nomination conditions are combined, isn't that saying—
"That's right, therefore I propose—that Ms. Dolores Jane Umbridge, the school's Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, serve as the 'Acting Headmaster' of Hogwarts."
"—Whether the nominee will refuse the nomination. Hmm?"
Professor McGonagall and Scrimgeour's voices appeared in the hall almost at the same time.
What followed was a long silence.
The students blinked confusedly, and the Weasley twins, who were originally ready to cheer and applaud, froze with their hands in mid-air.
"Oh. Thank you very much for your considerate consideration, dear Deputy Headmistress McGonagall—"
Just then, a sweet, squeaky voice like a little girl suddenly sounded.
Umbridge stood up unhurriedly with a victorious smile on her face, her toad-like eyes scanning the crowd in the hall with pleasure.
"Yes, the Acting Headmaster of Hogwarts is a heavy responsibility… but since Mr. Scrimgeour and everyone else trust me so much, I'm naturally embarrassed to refuse."
"I must admit, this expectation and trust makes me extremely honored!" She grinned, revealing her very sharp teeth, "But seeing these happy little faces looking up at me, yearning for me as Acting Headmaster to set things right, I have to say it's so wonderful. Hogwarts should have started a new era long ago, right?"
Luna and Hannah looked at Aileenna beside them in shock, while quickly glancing around.
Except for Aileenna, who had a strange smile on her face, they didn't see joy on any face—on the contrary, almost everyone's face was filled with shock.
"I eagerly hope to start the work of the Acting Headmaster as soon as possible. I believe you will soon understand how correct this decision is."
"Ahem, sorry—P-Professor Umbridge, maybe you, you can't start the 'Acting Headmaster' work immediately."
Just then, a somewhat stuttering but unusually firm young man's voice suddenly interjected.
Quirinus Quirrell said nervously, with an exceptionally serious look on his face.
"According to what Mr. Scrimgeour just said, it's only the nomination stage now..."
"But there is only one nominee, right? Professor Quirrell—in the actual operation of the Ministry of Magic, we call it equal-number election."
Umbridge said softly with a calm expression, waving her short fingers triumphantly and looking around.
Cornelius Fudge had written to her some time ago, telling her that the professors at Hogwarts would not nominate other wizards who got in the way, and that she would be successfully elected as the only candidate.
For the sake of prudence, Umbridge also specifically inquired about several places where problems might occur, such as Professor Quirrell, who she had almost secretly arrested, and this time the Auror Office gave her a letter往来, which fully recorded the transaction between the Auror Office and Quirrell—canceling the prosecution and investigation in exchange for the other party standing in line.
Similarly, the handles of other professors and staff members are mostly in the hands of the Aurors.
As for Aileenna Kaslana, she is even less likely to deliberately antagonize the Ministry of Magic in this place.
That little witch is now busy taking over the Tianming Group that Grindelwald "snatched" for her from Paracelsus, and won't care about these things.
Umbridge grinned and gave Quirinus Quirrell a meaningful look.
"Or do you think there are other professors present who meet the nomination rules and are willing to participate?"
"...Of course there are, such as—"
Quirrell's originally pale face became even paler, and his gaze crossed Umbridge to McGonagall at the other end of the faculty table.
He opened his mouth, but for some reason, no sound came out.
But now no one cares about Professor Quirrell's strangeness. Everyone's eyes are now all on Professor McGonagall, who suddenly stood up just now.
"Well, Professor McGonagall, do you have any questions—or other nominees?"
Grindelwald shook the goblet in his hand with interest, and asked curiously before anyone else could speak.
"I saw that you seemed to have something to say just now... but were interrupted?"
"I…"
Professor McGonagall stood there, as if she had returned to when she first entered Hogwarts and argued with the Sorting Hat in front of everyone.
At that time, the Sorting Hat was trying to persuade her to choose Ravenclaw because her magical talent and wisdom were more suitable for that side.
But…
"I just realized that I should also meet the nomination standards, right? Mr. Scrimgeour, Professor Umbridge?"
"As the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, Transfiguration professor, Head of Gryffindor House... former member of the Magical Law Enforcement Department, compared to Dolores Umbridge, I seem to be more suitable for the position of 'Acting Headmaster'? Therefore..."
Whether this is that little witch's plan or not, she will never sit idly by and watch Hogwarts become a bargaining chip for the Ministry of Magic to exchange interests.
Professor McGonagall took a deep breath, and the confusion and astonishment in her eyes gradually turned into a firm edge.
"I nominate myself, Minerva McGonagall, for the position of 'Acting Headmaster'."
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Hooray!