Chapter 444: “Howler To Dumbledore”

Professor McGonagall’s words caught Sean off guard and asked in surprise, “I can bypass the age restriction?”

“Since the Goblet of Fire was created, there has been no strict age limit requirement,” Professor McGonagall explained, “The age requirement was discussed jointly by the principals of the schools participating in the competition and the Ministry of Magic. After all, the Goblet of Fire is a very dangerous tournament, even for adult wizards.”

The reason why the Goblet of Fire was suspended in the past was because the casualty rate was too high. It is said that there was once a horror stage where all the players except the winner passed out and even died. Only one survived, and he became the winner.

Professor McGonagall continued, “As you know, the relationship between Hogwarts and the Ministry of Magic is tense now. In many cases, Hogwarts is no longer even under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Magic. They once wanted to disband the school board, but many people in the school board were unwilling to make such a move.”

“With the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Magic greatly weakened, Professor Dumbledore added a few rules, including the Goblet of Fire.”

“If a student at school has reached the age of fifteen, has a Hogwarts special contribution award, has a Hogwarts certification of service acknowledgment, and can prove their strength and contribution. The school will issue a personal letter, which can be used to remove the Trace, to legally possess dangerous magical animals, and, of course, to participate in the tournament at a younger age.”

Sean was dumbfounded; he looked at Professor McGonagall with a dry smile and said, “Professor, I don’t know how I feel about this.”

Professor McGonagall nodded, “This letter is for you. Professor Dumbledore told me so himself.”

“You’re fit for the admission office position, and it can be considered a great contribution to the school. With this, you will be able to pass the assessment and receive the letter. It’s not just a blank piece of paper; it has magic from Professor Dumbledore. When you hold it, that age-restriction magic will no longer limit you anymore.”

Dumbledore specially formulated a new school rule for him to participate in the tournament. Moreover, the admission work he needs to do has not even started yet.

Looking at Sean, Professor McGonagall smiled, “Sean, I’m sorry I didn’t discuss it with you. But the tournament has indeed not been in Hogwart’s hands in a long time. I can promise you that after you get the letter, you can decide whether or not you’ll use it to participate in the tournament or for other things.”

Sean shrugged his shoulders, “Actually, I’m quite interested in it. I want to participate if I have the opportunity.”

“You sounded like a Gryffindor.” Professor McGonagall said.

“Ravenclaw and Gryffindor are the same.” Sean responded with a smile.

He has nothing to worry about in the tournament. According to the book, the first stage is the dragon stage, and even if Sean can’t subdue it, he can easily go through it. In the second stage, he has the Basilisk and the Loch Ness Monster’s help; they can run through the Black Lake easily. As for the third stage, Sean’s current strength, coupled with his magical animal friends, might be an easy walk.

Even if the difficulty is increased, it is not difficult for Sean. It is also a good experience to win the tournament and add a glorious touch to his name.

After Professor McGonagall explained everything, he walked out of the room with Sean in satisfaction. Hermione, Daisy, and Stephanie didn’t leave. They were sitting on the sofa, chatting with Sean’s mother.

Seeing Sean and Professor McGonagall coming out, they all stood up in unison.

“It’s done. Excuse me, Mrs. Wallup.”

Sean’s mother responded, “I hope you had a good stay, Professor McGonagall.”

“Thank you very much for your hospitality. I will go first; goodbye, everyone.”

When Professor McGonagall left, everyone in the room looked at Sean.

Sean spread his hands, “Not a big deal, just some little things about school.”

—-

In Hogwarts.

When the summer vacation came, all the students returned home, and most of the staff also returned to their houses. This castle seemed a little empty.

But fortunately, talking murals, ghosts, and armor keep the castle lively. But today, the castle has become a little more lively.

A table was set up in the Great Hall, and the house elves didn’t just stay in the kitchen. They put their heads on the plates and happily delivered delicious food.

Sean tasted the new dishes developed by Polis and chatted with the people around him.

“I was surprised when Professor McGonagall said she wasn’t in charge of the admissions this time. It turned out to be you.” Charlotte drank a glass of cold beer.

Now that there were no students at Hogwarts, she didn’t have to work hard to maintain her image. Sterling was gracefully dividing a piece of steak with a knife and fork. He forked a piece of steak that had been cut into a cube and put it into his mouth.

“Sean has done a good job. It’s normal for him to be in charge of it.” He took a napkin and wiped the corner of his mouth.

Charlotte snorted, “Isn’t it obvious? Sean is much better than some guy who has no gentlemanly demeanor like you.”

Sterling didn’t change his face, “There is still an hour before it. If you don’t drink before this, you may be able to bring more students later.”

“It’s just a glass of beer. Will there be a problem with it later?” Charlotte’s eyes widened, “We are going to recruit students, not to fight and kill someone.”

“This proves nothing but your carelessness and ignorance despite the situation being tense. Only about 60% of the wizards who escaped from Azkaban have been captured. Shouldn’t this be a good time to be wary about your safety?”

“Let alone you don’t consider your own safety. Do you think the parents of the new students would be willing to hand over their children to Hogwarts when they see such an alcoholic?”

“I know you want to say that you can use magic to cure the hangover, but this represents an attitude problem. Parents are far more sensitive than you can imagine when it comes to life decisions for their children.”

“You should be glad Professor Dumbledore isn’t sitting here now.”

“Oh, but Professor McGonagall is. Wouldn’t she be disappointed?”

Charlotte was immediately furious.

“Screw you.” Charlotte snorted coldly but didn’t take another sip of the cold beer.

She took a glass of iced pumpkin juice and complained as she drank it, “What a great holiday that I actually have to do things with you.”

“That’s because you have nothing else to do during the summer vacation. When Professor McGonagall asked for someone, you immediately agreed.” Sterling cut another piece of beef and put it in his mouth.

Charlotte rolled her eyes, “On the first day of the holiday, when I arrived at Knockturn Alley, I met you. I’d rather work at Hogwarts than see your face.”

“I think I have the same opinion as well, but for you.”

“Believe it or not, I’m going to kill you with a fork right now.”

“I’ll wait.”

Sean shrugged and ignored the couple. The quarrel between Charlotte and Sterling has become a daily routine, and Sean would persuade them at first, but now it’s just like watching a movie. However, it was this pair who came to Sean’s house to enroll students at the beginning, and now Sean is going to recruit others with them. Even Sterling, who once worked for Nurmengard.

Today, all the admissions staff gathered at Hogwarts, and Sean had assigned tasks to everyone before lunch. With the help of Colton, he got Nurmengard’s insider information about their areas from previous years.

There was Dumbledore, who rarely appeared at today’s table. Sean tried to talk to him before the lunch started, but he just pretended to know nothing and didn’t say anything. When the meal was about to end, an owl suddenly flew into the hall.

The yellow owl looks old but is surprisingly agile as it makes a quick circle before dropping a package. The package landed in front of Dumbledore.

“Another gift?” Dumbledore said with a smile. He did not hide it from the people, and after putting down the pudding he had just picked up, he unwrapped the package.

Inside was a red letter.

After Dumbledore unwrapped it, the red letter slowly floated in front of him.

“Oh? Someone sent a Howler to Professor Dumbledore?” Sean said in surprise.

He was so curious. Howlers are magic items used by parents to reprimand their children. Sending a Howler letter to Dumbledore is something else. Dumbledore didn’t seem to have the intention of opening the Howler, the letter began to emit blue smoke from the four corners, and Dumbledore was still smiling calmly.

“Old!” Only one word was said, and Dumbledore waved his hand lightly. The Howler suddenly became silent, and the middle part of the letter just moved frantically.

“Enjoy your dessert.” Dumbledore said to the others with a smile.

For some reason, Sean always felt that Dumbledore looked happy after receiving this Howler.

“That’s the seventh.” Charlotte was not surprised at all but said to Sean.

“Huh? Professor Dumbledore received seven Howlers?” Sean asked curiously.

Sterling added from the side, “Nine letters in total. The alcoholic next to you didn’t come to two dinners before, and Professor Dumbledore still received a Howler.”

“Thank you for your reminder!” Charlotte rolled her eyes, ignored him, and said to Sean, “We both came back a few days ago. Professor Dumbledore will be with us when we eat every lunch and dinner. He will receive a Howler, like today.”

“Someone continuously sent Howlers to Professor Dumbledore, and he is not angry about it?” Sean was surprised.

“No, Professor Dumbledore doesn’t let the Howlers bother him, and he looks quite happy. It’s a bit like a child who succeeded pranking someone. Is he really that childish?”

“The person who sent the roaring letter to Professor Dumbledore must be someone close to him and brave enough to do that.” Sterling said.

Sean nodded in agreement. Sean looked over suspiciously, and Dumbledore had already put away the letter. It seems that Grindelwald is the only one who dares to send a Howler to Dumbledore.

Was Grindelwald dissatisfied and wanted to send Dumbledore a Howler?

Sean’s doubts were not answered; the lunch was over soon, and it was time to get down to business.

“I hope everyone has a smooth journey. The situation outside is tense. Remember to pay attention to your safety.” Under Dumbledore’s instructions, everyone moved through the Portkey.