Hermione's confusion was quickly resolved.

The day the results of the Hogwarts "Acting Headmaster" election were announced, in the Hogwarts Great Hall.

"I announce that Minerva McGonagall has been elected 'Acting Headmaster' – with a score of 83 to 17."

As most people had anticipated, Professor McGonagall was successfully elected "Acting Headmaster" by an overwhelming majority.

As for Umbridge, she was still dealing with the chaotic owl flocks, and Scrimgeour's defection had made the Ministry of Magic even more chaotic.

Cornelius Fudge was busy dealing with questions from all sectors of society, as well as the Wizengamot's impeachment inquiries. Unable to protect himself, he naturally couldn't spare any energy to help Umbridge fight for the headmastership. Umbridge's approval rating began to collapse rapidly overnight.

However, just as everyone was about to applaud and cheer, Professor McGonagall suddenly stood up and walked to the platform in the center of the hall.

"Please be quiet, everyone. I have several new school rules and resolutions to announce – I do have this power, correct?"

Professor McGonagall turned her head and looked at Scrimgeour at the head table for the faculty, asking calmly.

"Of course, you are now the 'Acting Headmaster'."

Scrimgeour shrugged and replied, "According to the Educational Decrees and the Hogwarts Board of Governors' discussions, you have all the powers of a formal headmaster. You can revise school rules and some supplementary regulations, unless Professor Dumbledore returns to the school, no one can veto your proposals."

"Very well… then, I'll get straight to the point –"

Professor McGonagall nodded and looked at everyone, taking a deep breath.

"I propose to abolish the title of Acting Headmaster."

"Before Professor Dumbledore returns, the school will be temporarily managed jointly by the four House Heads."

As she spoke, she took out a long piece of parchment from her sleeve and unfurled it like the list of new students at the opening feast.

"At the same time, I am revising Article 19 of the Hogwarts School Rules, redefining the replacement rules for when the Headmaster is unable to perform their duties or in special circumstances. The new rules will clearly state that when the current Headmaster is still alive and has not designated a successor, Hogwarts does not accept the delegation of management duties from external third parties. Transitional administrators during special periods should be selected from the Heads of the four Houses. If the four Heads jointly nominate and guarantee, the nominee can also perform the management of school affairs…"

In Umbridge's gradually widening eyes, Professor McGonagall slowly read the long piece of parchment.

Before coming to teach at Hogwarts Castle, she had been an elite member of the Ministry of Magic.

Drafting a rigorous, compliant supplementary document and agreement was not complicated for Professor McGonagall, especially since she had an assistant to help.

“…At the same time, I announce that the review of all Hogwarts courses will be moved to the holiday period, and no more class suspensions will be carried out temporarily during this semester.”

“The prefects of each house will go to the faculty lounge later to collect the timetables and check the class time adjustments for each grade.”

After reading the parchment in her hand, Professor McGonagall looked deeply at Aeliana not far away.

Obviously, this move would anger the Ministry of Magic and the School Board, but it would also cut off subsequent troubles from the regulations and school rules.

Unless the Ministry of Magic responded and counterattacked immediately, this proposal would soon become solidified in Hogwarts' tradition in lead type as time went by.

Revising the Hogwarts school rules was difficult because "maintaining tradition" was originally the only position of the School Board and the Ministry of Magic.

As for counterattack…

Professor McGonagall recalled yesterday's newspaper headline, raising her eyebrows slightly.

Cornelius Fudge and the officials of the Ministry of Magic were now most troubled by Gilderoy Lockhart, who had suddenly and prominently run for office.

Compared to Crouch, who was trapped, Fudge, who was plagued by scandals, and Scrimgeour, who had left his post in disgrace, Lockhart's chances of being elected were quite high.

McGonagall was not sure what role Aeliana played in this, but one thing she could be sure of:

That child and Hogwarts were on the same side and would never harm this magic school.

…………

At the same time, at the Hufflepuff table.

"Professor McGonagall looked over again. Does she know about that?"

Hannah looked at Professor McGonagall not far away with some worry, and said softly.

"After all, we..."

"Don't worry, don't worry, it's not a big problem –"

Aeliana said with a calm expression, gently patted the little iron girl's waist, and replied in a low voice.

"We are just doing some old house renovations in the castle walls and empty rooms, which is actually similar to a cleaning."

"But—you don't tear down walls piece by piece when you're cleaning, and you don't drill holes above the corridors..."

"That's called wiring, and... suspended ceilings."

Aeliana corrected seriously, looking around at the brightly lit hall.

"Hogwarts has been around for over a thousand years. Some designs can be retained, but some designs need to be updated."

"Moreover, there will be a large-scale expansion next semester. We must clear out enough classrooms and dormitories in advance, and monitoring networks and magical book signal transfer points must also be set up in the castle little by little. Anyway, Dumbledore is not here for the time being, so we can take this opportunity to let the wind of science also blow in the magical world."

"What if... Hogwarts Castle doesn't agree?" Hermione asked softly, "That energy... is it obtained from the castle's 'magnetic field'?"

"Hogwarts Castle will agree. The research institute has found the appropriate band—"

Aeliana blinked, tapped the magic book on the side with her finger, and replied with a dismissive smile.

"We can negotiate. Anyway, we have pre-evaluated the castle's mind—it can't run away here, it will definitely agree."

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Pat the pot lid~