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Chapter 162: When in Doubt, Quidditch
Although Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore had been angry about the funding issue for a long time, fifty thousand Galleons was no small sum. By just before ten in the morning, a considerably well-equipped venue had already been set up on the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch.
"It seems all the students have arrived."
William scanned his surroundings, noticing that the number of people was no less than on the first day of school.
"Of course," Adams, standing beside William, responded as a matter of course. "Hogwarts doesn't charge a single Knut in tuition, and most of its funds come from grants by the Board of Governors and the Ministry of Magic. When the Minister for Magic and the Board of Governors come together, the students should naturally be present."
*I understand all that, but aren't the three of us sitting here precisely to prevent these students from trying to cause a scene?*
William scanned the surroundings again, noting that the three professors who weren't from Gryffindor were all squeezed into the Gryffindor stands. This spot was prepared for them by Professor McGonagall. It wasn't the best location, but it allowed them to perfectly control the Gryffindor stands while also keeping an eye on the nearby Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff stands.
"This spot?"
"It's always been this way."
Before William could ask more, Adams concisely stated the fact.
Then the three professors tacitly fell silent. With a crowd of Gryffindors around, speaking the truth would be too hurtful.
---
Important figures usually arrive very late—this was an experience William had gathered in his previous life.
Especially when he was a student, if the school organized an event requiring everyone to assemble at seven, the VIPs in the front row would basically arrive at ten.
Considering the efficiency of civil servants in Britain, William had originally thought this event might drag on into the evening, but today's welcoming ceremony was unexpectedly early.
Almost as soon as the venue and students were ready, a commotion arose from the school's main gates.
"Adams, how do you think the Minister for Magic will arrive?"
William couldn't help but recall the Floo Network, which he found very unpleasant, and inquired curiously.
"Likely by Apparition to Hogsmeade and then walking or riding a Thestral through the main gates. After all, it's a formal visit, and with the Board of Governors coming along, there's no way they'd use the Floo Network."
"Makes sense." William surveyed the people around them. "So how will the event be run? Surely we're not just going to stand around stupidly, staring at the diadem?"
"Stupidly?"
Adams glanced at William, subconsciously reaching for his wand, then released his hand under William's gaze. "Only a scoundrel like you would dare to say that. If that diadem were truly displayed in the sun for two hours, no one except the first-years who don't know any better would complain!"
*I feel like you're targeting me.*
But that didn't matter. He was more concerned if his time would be wasted. "Are we really going to watch for two hours?"
"Of course not. The Daily Prophet is here; how could they do anything so foolish? It'll just be an early Quidditch match. Then, during the victory celebration, they'll mention the diadem, display it, and maybe give the winning team some reward related to it, like allowing the winners to take a photo with it—"
Adams explained it all logically, leaving William somewhat dumbfounded.
"How are you so familiar with this?"
"How could I not be? This is the standard procedure whenever someone from the Ministry of Magic or the Board of Governors comes to show their face. It used to be just some prize money—this time, they've raised the stakes," Singeade lazily grumbled, pulling out another lighter and idly flicking it on and off.
"Just Quidditch?"
William was surprised. How much did people in the Wizarding World love Quidditch?
"What else? Arranging a special program is too tiring, and theatrical performances aren't allowed at Hogwarts. Quidditch is the only suitable sport, and the house teams are always practicing anyway."
Singeade's retort was both accurate and biting.
"That's not it at all! It's clearly because Quidditch is more popular! You're just biased against it because you can't get on a broom in Flying class!"
"Hmph," Singeade ignored Adams's provocation. "I can even tell you which two teams will play, William. Believe me, the participating teams will definitely be—"
"As if anyone doesn't know. The Gryffindor team and the Slytherin team."
Adams retorted indignantly.
*You two, be careful! There's a group of students nearby. Maintain at least a shred of professorial dignity!*
William looked around. Seeing that no one was paying attention to them or getting up to anything, he relaxed and casually asked, "Why are those two houses competing?"
"It's simple. Just think about who's on both sides."
…
"It's that pragmatic?"
"Of course. They've spent money, and if a house team wins this kind of match, they get funds to update their brooms, which is a good thing."
William was just unaccustomed to the Wizarding World's ways. With Adams's brief explanation of the intricacies, he understood what was going on.
Slytherin was a definite participant. Pure-bloods constituted the largest proportion on the Board of Governors, and Slytherin had the most pure-bloods. Since they had invested so much, it was only natural for them to get some screen time.
Gryffindor's team was more newsworthy. While it might be an exaggeration to say the Minister for Magic was piggybacking on their popularity, any news involving the Savior was guaranteed to create a buzz. As a recipient of Hogwarts' free education, it was only right for Harry to appear—after all, news related to the Ministry of Magic tended to be positive, so even Dumbledore, who usually protected the boy, wouldn't object.
As the trio spoke, the large procession arrived. Professor Lockhart, clad in his most favored pink robe today, had a smile even more captivating than usual. He cut such a fine figure that even standing next to the Minister for Magic, he wasn't overshadowed.
"That's Professor Lockhart for you!"
William heard Adams's voice become excited beside him.
*I almost forgot, Adams has a bit of admiration for Professor Lockhart—but I have to admit, this scene isn't off-putting at all.*
Although William had heard many rumors about Professor Lockhart's terrible classes and had personally experienced the professor's weaknesses in teaching, those rumors and even the partially confirmed facts seemed insignificant before the sight of Lockhart chatting and laughing heartily with the Minister for Magic.
*You need to work harder, William. All your efforts in teaching still fall far short of a scene like this. It's a huge gap, but you can't let yourself be completely overshadowed, can you?*
Just as William made this silent resolution, the accompanying staff from the Daily Prophet began their work. They constantly adjusted their angles, photographing the exchange between Lockhart and the Minister for Magic.
Dumbledore had already risen from the stands, a smile completely erasing any trace of the rumored scolding he'd received from Professor McGonagall for extravagance. He extended his hand toward Fudge.
"Ah, good day, Headmaster Dumbledore."
The Minister for Magic warmly extended his hand, shaking Dumbledore's with a brilliant smile.
The accompanying reporters from The Daily Prophet began flashing their flashbulbs furiously.
P.S.: I still managed to write it. How do you cure writer's block at night?
(end of chapter)
Although Professor McGonagall and Dumbledore had been angry about the funding issue for a long time, fifty thousand Galleons was no small sum. By just before ten in the morning, a considerably well-equipped venue had already been set up on the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch.
"It seems all the students have arrived."
William scanned his surroundings, noticing that the number of people was no less than on the first day of school.
"Of course," Adams, standing beside William, responded as a matter of course. "Hogwarts doesn't charge a single Knut in tuition, and most of its funds come from grants by the Board of Governors and the Ministry of Magic. When the Minister for Magic and the Board of Governors come together, the students should naturally be present."
*I understand all that, but aren't the three of us sitting here precisely to prevent these students from trying to cause a scene?*
William scanned the surroundings again, noting that the three professors who weren't from Gryffindor were all squeezed into the Gryffindor stands. This spot was prepared for them by Professor McGonagall. It wasn't the best location, but it allowed them to perfectly control the Gryffindor stands while also keeping an eye on the nearby Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff stands.
"This spot?"
"It's always been this way."
Before William could ask more, Adams concisely stated the fact.
Then the three professors tacitly fell silent. With a crowd of Gryffindors around, speaking the truth would be too hurtful.
---
Important figures usually arrive very late—this was an experience William had gathered in his previous life.
Especially when he was a student, if the school organized an event requiring everyone to assemble at seven, the VIPs in the front row would basically arrive at ten.
Considering the efficiency of civil servants in Britain, William had originally thought this event might drag on into the evening, but today's welcoming ceremony was unexpectedly early.
Almost as soon as the venue and students were ready, a commotion arose from the school's main gates.
"Adams, how do you think the Minister for Magic will arrive?"
William couldn't help but recall the Floo Network, which he found very unpleasant, and inquired curiously.
"Likely by Apparition to Hogsmeade and then walking or riding a Thestral through the main gates. After all, it's a formal visit, and with the Board of Governors coming along, there's no way they'd use the Floo Network."
"Makes sense." William surveyed the people around them. "So how will the event be run? Surely we're not just going to stand around stupidly, staring at the diadem?"
"Stupidly?"
Adams glanced at William, subconsciously reaching for his wand, then released his hand under William's gaze. "Only a scoundrel like you would dare to say that. If that diadem were truly displayed in the sun for two hours, no one except the first-years who don't know any better would complain!"
*I feel like you're targeting me.*
But that didn't matter. He was more concerned if his time would be wasted. "Are we really going to watch for two hours?"
"Of course not. The Daily Prophet is here; how could they do anything so foolish? It'll just be an early Quidditch match. Then, during the victory celebration, they'll mention the diadem, display it, and maybe give the winning team some reward related to it, like allowing the winners to take a photo with it—"
Adams explained it all logically, leaving William somewhat dumbfounded.
"How are you so familiar with this?"
"How could I not be? This is the standard procedure whenever someone from the Ministry of Magic or the Board of Governors comes to show their face. It used to be just some prize money—this time, they've raised the stakes," Singeade lazily grumbled, pulling out another lighter and idly flicking it on and off.
"Just Quidditch?"
William was surprised. How much did people in the Wizarding World love Quidditch?
"What else? Arranging a special program is too tiring, and theatrical performances aren't allowed at Hogwarts. Quidditch is the only suitable sport, and the house teams are always practicing anyway."
Singeade's retort was both accurate and biting.
"That's not it at all! It's clearly because Quidditch is more popular! You're just biased against it because you can't get on a broom in Flying class!"
"Hmph," Singeade ignored Adams's provocation. "I can even tell you which two teams will play, William. Believe me, the participating teams will definitely be—"
"As if anyone doesn't know. The Gryffindor team and the Slytherin team."
Adams retorted indignantly.
*You two, be careful! There's a group of students nearby. Maintain at least a shred of professorial dignity!*
William looked around. Seeing that no one was paying attention to them or getting up to anything, he relaxed and casually asked, "Why are those two houses competing?"
"It's simple. Just think about who's on both sides."
…
"It's that pragmatic?"
"Of course. They've spent money, and if a house team wins this kind of match, they get funds to update their brooms, which is a good thing."
William was just unaccustomed to the Wizarding World's ways. With Adams's brief explanation of the intricacies, he understood what was going on.
Slytherin was a definite participant. Pure-bloods constituted the largest proportion on the Board of Governors, and Slytherin had the most pure-bloods. Since they had invested so much, it was only natural for them to get some screen time.
Gryffindor's team was more newsworthy. While it might be an exaggeration to say the Minister for Magic was piggybacking on their popularity, any news involving the Savior was guaranteed to create a buzz. As a recipient of Hogwarts' free education, it was only right for Harry to appear—after all, news related to the Ministry of Magic tended to be positive, so even Dumbledore, who usually protected the boy, wouldn't object.
As the trio spoke, the large procession arrived. Professor Lockhart, clad in his most favored pink robe today, had a smile even more captivating than usual. He cut such a fine figure that even standing next to the Minister for Magic, he wasn't overshadowed.
"That's Professor Lockhart for you!"
William heard Adams's voice become excited beside him.
*I almost forgot, Adams has a bit of admiration for Professor Lockhart—but I have to admit, this scene isn't off-putting at all.*
Although William had heard many rumors about Professor Lockhart's terrible classes and had personally experienced the professor's weaknesses in teaching, those rumors and even the partially confirmed facts seemed insignificant before the sight of Lockhart chatting and laughing heartily with the Minister for Magic.
*You need to work harder, William. All your efforts in teaching still fall far short of a scene like this. It's a huge gap, but you can't let yourself be completely overshadowed, can you?*
Just as William made this silent resolution, the accompanying staff from the Daily Prophet began their work. They constantly adjusted their angles, photographing the exchange between Lockhart and the Minister for Magic.
Dumbledore had already risen from the stands, a smile completely erasing any trace of the rumored scolding he'd received from Professor McGonagall for extravagance. He extended his hand toward Fudge.
"Ah, good day, Headmaster Dumbledore."
The Minister for Magic warmly extended his hand, shaking Dumbledore's with a brilliant smile.
The accompanying reporters from The Daily Prophet began flashing their flashbulbs furiously.
P.S.: I still managed to write it. How do you cure writer's block at night?
(end of chapter)
