Chapter 128: Tough Professor McGonagall

Although Professor McGonagall held her wand up as if she were ready to fight her way through, she knew that the Aurors from the Ministry of Magic wouldn't actually dare to make a move against her. 

It wasn't because of her magical prowess, but because she was the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts. At this moment, her words represented not just herself, but Hogwarts and, more importantly, Dumbledore. 

Under no circumstances could she allow them to take Eda back to the Ministry for questioning. Professor McGonagall had to maintain a firm stance—only by showing her resolve would Hart back down, rather than using this as an opportunity for personal revenge and setting his sights on Eda. 

Eda, also holding her wand, knew that a real fight was unlikely to break out.

Despite the tense standoff, in the end, one side would have to back down—it was just a matter of who would lose their nerve first. 

As Deputy Headmistress and someone highly trusted by Dumbledore, McGonagall's stance on this matter could be taken as Dumbledore's own. 

That was why she had the confidence to draw her wand and threaten the Aurors. Otherwise, she would have simply taken Eda and left, rather than staying here in a standoff. 

Hart, the one insisting on taking Eda in, was merely a senior Auror—not even the head of the Auror Office. Among the gathered Aurors, only five or six supported him. He didn't have the authority to represent the Auror Office, let alone the entire Ministry.

What gave him the audacity to keep challenging Professor McGonagall? 

In terms of status, rank, ability, and influence, McGonagall completely outmatched him.

What's more, she had just hinted that Hart's accusations against Eda were nothing more than an excuse—an attempt to get Eda under his control.

No one in their right mind would willingly pick a fight with three adult wizards while still in their second year—wasn't that just asking for death?

The only somewhat reasonable charge was violating the underage wizardry law by performing magic outside of school. But even if a young witch or wizard really broke that rule, all they would receive was a warning letter. Did that really warrant interrogation by the Ministry of Magic? 

A baseless charge—just an excuse, nothing more. 

Hart was growing increasingly frustrated. He hadn't expected to be blocked by McGonagall like this. He never imagined she would stand so firmly in defense of a second-year student. Having failed to gather proper intel beforehand, Hart was now caught in an awkward dilemma—neither advancing nor retreating seemed like a good option. 

If he pushed forward, he would be making an enemy of Professor McGonagall, and by extension, Dumbledore—a consequence far beyond what a mere Auror like him could handle. But if he backed down, he would be unable to avenge his friend and would have to swallow his own dissatisfaction.

Seeing Eda's smiling face only fueled his anger further—he felt as though she was mocking his weakness and incompetence. 

In truth, Hart was mistaken. Eda was simply happy that Professor McGonagall believed in her. That was the only reason for her smile—it had nothing to do with mocking the Ministry, and certainly nothing to do with Hart himself. His anger was entirely his own misunderstanding. 

"Very well. Excellent. A professor from Hogwarts interfering with an Auror's duties—I will be reporting this to Minister Fudge!" Hart spat, still trying to sound threatening. But it was clear he had already given up on taking Eda away. He simply couldn't keep up his act any longer. 

"I will also be informing Dumbledore about this," McGonagall replied calmly. "Let him discuss with the Minister whether Esmeralda Twist's so-called 'charges' hold any merit."

Professor McGonagall couldn't care less about Hart's threats. Besides, it wasn't as if she was outright refusing to cooperate with the Ministry. She continued, "I'll say it again—Eda can answer the Ministry's questions regarding today's events, but either I or Dumbledore must be present during the questioning." 

With either of them there, what kind of interrogation could possibly take place?

Hart hadn't really wanted to question Eda in the first place—his real goal was to make her suffer. If he could force a confession out of her, even better. 

Seeing no other option, Hart begrudgingly lowered his wand. The few Aurors who had supported him followed suit, while the others let out a sigh of relief.

If a fight had broken out, they all would have been caught in the crossfire, and neither Dumbledore's nor Minister Fudge's wrath was something anyone wanted to deal with. 

Once the opposing side had put away their wands, Professor McGonagall said nothing more. Now that she had ensured Eda's safety, there was no need to waste words. She wasn't a child who needed to gloat after a victory—taunting the other party was pointless. 

Grasping Eda's arm, McGonagall Apparated them away from Little Whinging. Having already experienced Apparition herself, Eda was used to the sensation this time and didn't feel as uncomfortable as she had during her first Side-Along Apparition. 

Snap!

When they reappeared, they stood in a quiet street corner.

No passing Muggles seemed to notice the sudden appearance of two people. 

"Professor, where is this?" Eda asked, rubbing her left arm.

"London. I'm taking you to St. Mungo's for a check-up—that way, everyone can be at ease," Professor McGonagall said. "This way."

To accommodate Eda, Professor McGonagall slowed her pace. The two of them walked along a broad street lined with shops, all bustling with customers. They continued on until they reached an old-fashioned red-brick department store, where they finally stopped.

The store was called Purge & Dowse Ltd., and it looked desolate and run-down. Its display window held only a few cracked mannequins, their wigs askew, posed awkwardly in outdated clothing from at least a decade ago. A large, dust-covered sign on the door read: Closed for Refurbishment.

"Professor, back in Little Whinging, you said Hart wanted to take me away for another reason. Can I know what that was?" Eda asked. That Auror Hart had already made it onto her watchlist, and she needed to understand exactly what kind of person she was dealing with.

Standing in front of the display window, Professor McGonagall thought for a moment before replying, "This isn't something I should be telling you. But if I don't, you'll just end up running around aimlessly again over the summer, completely unguarded. That Hart isn't a pureblood himself, but he has connections with many pureblood families. More importantly, Benedict Fowley's uncle once did him a great favor."

At that, Eda immediately understood. It seemed that surviving in the wizarding world wasn't just about strength and dueling skills—otherwise, she would end up like Cecil. Navigating the wizarding world also required knowing the right people and understanding social dynamics.

Dealing with human relationships was the real headache.

The Foley family had always kept a low profile, but when it came to Benedict Fowley, they had never let go of their grudge. They wouldn't openly make trouble for a young girl like Eda—that would be beneath them. But they had plenty of eager bootlickers. People like Hart, trying to curry favor with the Fowley family, were probably all over the Ministry.

"The Ministry of Magic… rotten to the core…" Professor McGonagall muttered under her breath. She stepped closer to the window and spoke to the hideous mannequin, "We've come for treatment." 

The mannequin gave a slight nod and beckoned with its fused fingers. Professor McGonagall took Eda's hand and led her straight through the glass, disappearing from the bustling street. The way in felt quite similar to entering Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. 

The waiting room was crowded, filled with rows of witches and wizards sitting on rickety wooden chairs. Some looked perfectly normal, while others were noticeably strange—an extra arm here, an extra something else there. 

It gave off the eerie feeling that hell was empty, and all the devils were walking the earth. 

Professor McGonagall stopped a witch wearing green robes with a badge on her chest—a cross formed by a wand and a bone. After a brief exchange, the witch led them straight out of the overcrowded waiting room. 

Having taken a shortcut, the two were brought directly to the 4th floor—Spell Damage. Eda now sat inside an empty office, unsure of what Professor McGonagall was discussing with the healer outside. 

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