Hogwarts: This professor is too Muggle.

Chapter 49 Holiday

Melvin walked out of the Three Broomsticks. Snow was still falling outside and the air was exceptionally cold. After a few breaths, the tip of his nose felt chilled, as if it had been immersed in icy lake water.

He exhaled a long puff of white air, and his lips moved slightly. A transparent film suddenly covered his whole body, isolating the cold air like soap bubbles. Snowflakes floated around him, and a few inches away from his shoulders, as if touching some invisible barrier, slid lightly to the side.

This is the Bubble Head Charm he improved recently. It can provide a slight protective effect, but its defensive power is still weaker than the Iron Armor Charm.

The Shield Charm is a true protective spell, which can theoretically protect against most evil curses. From the perspective of a normal wizard, the Head Curse is usually more practical.

It is generally used to help breathing in specific environments, such as underwater where there is no air, deserts with severe wind and sand, and places with bad odors.

Melvin's magical power had recently increased again. Using the Bubble Head Charm, he could cover his entire body with a layer of transparent bubbles, which also had a certain strengthening effect, insulating against heat and cold, and refreshing the air. It could even block some less severe curses. He had privately tested it in his office, and under extreme conditions, it could withstand two mild Repulse Charms, and to some extent weaken the curse's power.

It is completely inferior to the Iron Armor Spell, but the transparent bubble film can cover the entire body.

The protective strength of this bubble film can be further improved. As the magic power continues to grow, it can be improved by combining it with the Iron Armor Spell. If the magic power is strong enough, it may be able to combine the advantages of the two spells. Unlike a single Iron Armor Spell, it can only condense a shield in the direction of the wand tip.

After passing the post office next to the central avenue, continue walking along the path. A few hundred meters ahead is the entrance to Hogsmeade village, and there is a small bar on the side of the road.

Melvin looked up slightly and saw the tattered wooden sign hanging on the storefront bracket. It was painted with a chopped pig's head, rusted dark red, as if blood had seeped through the white cloth wrapped around it.

The lights inside were dim, and the figures of a few drinkers could be vaguely seen floating around. Business was not too bad.

Didn't Hagrid say he'd invite him here for a drink?

He only took a few glances from afar, worried that this kind of pub involved in organized crime was by invitation only, so he did not go into the Hog's Head Tavern to visit. He returned to Hogwarts with a transparent bubble wrap on his head. Before lights-out, Melvin went to the vice-headmaster to calculate the profits.

Professor McGonagall was very concerned about the school's Quidditch events. When she learned that the school could earn 2000 Galleons after deducting Melvin's commission, which was directly converted into two Nimbus s, she was in a very happy mood. She spent the whole conversation praising Melvin for bringing new changes to the school.

Melvin felt the four hundred Galleons in his arms were a little hot.

……

January 12, light snow.

The first class in the morning was the third-grade Muggle Studies class, which was also the last class before the Christmas holiday. Melvin did not assign any papers, but instead asked students to find ways to touch and use several Muggle artifacts during the holiday, and record their methods of use and their experiences.

It is very difficult for students of pure-blood background, but very easy for students of Muggle-born or mixed-blood background. Students have different reactions to this, but there is nothing they can do about it, as this course is called Muggle Studies.

lunch time.

Castle Auditorium.

The four deans walked around the long tables of their respective colleges, holding a registration book in their hands, asking each student who had lunch one by one and compiling a list of those who would stay on campus during the Christmas holidays.

Regardless of whether they stayed on campus during the Christmas holidays, they were required to sign their names on the roster. They had to use the feather pen and ink bottle provided by the professor to sign. The feather pen quill was inlaid with gold wire, and the special ink had a crystal shimmer, which was very beautiful.

At first glance, there seems to be nothing wrong. The gold threads are thin and long, and the black crystal is bright, which makes people want to take a few more glances.

Melvin was somewhat surprised to find that several deans questioned the students one by one, but only asked the freshmen to sign, while students from other grades registered casually. He vaguely felt that something was wrong and stared at the quills and ink in their hands.

That seems to be...

"It's a magic contract."

Professor Kettleburn of the Care of Magical Creatures class saw that he had discovered something and pointed it out directly: "Based on the relevant regulations of the International Statute of Wizarding Secrecy and the Regulations for the Reasonable Restraint of Underage Wizards, the Ministry of Magic prohibits underage wizards from casting magic without permission. It requires new students to sign a magical contract called "Tracing Silk" before the Christmas holidays."

"Zongsi?"

"As the name suggests, a magical filament that monitors traces."

Kettleburn explained, "After the contract is signed, a trace thread created by the Ministry of Magic will be wrapped around their ring finger until the student reaches adulthood. Whenever magical fluctuations appear near the trace thread, the Ministry's Improper Use of Magic Office will be able to immediately detect the specific location and conduct an investigation. If it is a normal wizarding environment, such as Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, or Knockturn Alley, it will be considered a normal magical trace. If it is a Muggle town, a warning letter will be sent immediately..."

Around the 16th century, the conflict between Muggles and wizards became increasingly intense. Muggle residents, unaware of the truth, launched a large-scale witch hunt, detaining wizards who engaged in witchcraft or showed signs of magic, and publicly beheading or burning them.

Except for a few unlucky ones like Nicholas, who happened to have his wand out of his hand when he was arrested and whose heads were still attached to a layer of skin when they were chopped off, most adult wizards were able to escape successfully with the help of magic. However, the magical skills of underage wizards were not proficient enough, and many students were persecuted for revealing magic during that period.

Muggles persecute underage wizards, and adult wizards retaliate against Muggles...

Similar tragedies occurred repeatedly, hatred continued to accumulate, and the situation gradually became precarious.

The newly established British Ministry of Magic once sent a delegation to negotiate with the Muggle monarch, hoping that Muggle law would recognize and protect wizards. However, the ruler of England at that time was Mary II, known as the Bloody Queen, and the negotiations unsurprisingly failed.

The Ministry of Magic does not want to go to war with Muggles formally. In order to protect underage wizards and urge them to strictly abide by the Statute of Secrecy, the Unspoken Man of the Department of Mysteries dug out the Trace Contract from ancient magic and organized the freshmen to sign it through Hogwarts.

Until the young wizard reaches adulthood, the trace thread can detect all magical fluctuations in the surrounding area. If there is a risk of exposure, the Ministry of Magic will immediately send a notification letter, which was called a warning letter at that time.

Later, the relevant regulations of the Confidentiality Law were gradually improved, and the warning letter evolved into a warning letter. If the violation of the Confidentiality Law causes serious consequences, the Law Enforcement Department can file a lawsuit to hold the person responsible depending on the circumstances.

The relevant regulations continue to this day.

Considering that the current situation has eased and the witch hunt has disappeared, and that trace thread magic has many limitations and omissions, there are often false detections, and ordinary adult wizards casting spells near trace threads will also trigger detection... In short, the implementation of relevant regulations is very flexible.

The warning letter has become almost a decoration. Under normal circumstances, the Ministry of Magic will basically not make things difficult for the young wizard.

"..."

Melvin's eyes swept across the Gryffindor table and lingered for a few seconds on a student wearing glasses, his expression a little subtle.

What does it mean that the final right of interpretation belongs to the Ministry of Magic and that law enforcement is flexible?

He asked Kettleburn curiously: "What is normal?"

"As long as there's no serious accident."

“What constitutes a serious accident?”

"The Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes is supposed to be working overtime... Never mind, let's not talk about those awful guys." Kettleburn's forehead wrinkled as he smiled, feeling happy for the upcoming Christmas break. "Melvin, are you staying at school during the break?"

"Under normal circumstances, they should stay."

"You really should stay at school. The school's Christmas dinner is very good."

"It sounds like you're not planning to go." "I'm going to Cornwall; there's an elf festival there."

Kettleburn swung his empty sleeve with one hand, wiped his mouth with a napkin with the other, and turned to look at the side: "Quirinus, if you don't want to stay in school, come with me to Cornwall, right?
"On the way, I'll tell you about the three-headed dog. You've asked me about it several times recently. Also, tell me about your experience in Albania last summer. I've always wanted to explore the forest there."

"No... no need!"

Quirrell's eyes dodged, and he quickly glanced at Melvin. He seemed to be panicking, and moved a little to the side. He explained haltingly, "The temperature has dropped in the past two weeks, and I've been sick. I feel very uncomfortable. I plan to stay in the lounge to recuperate. I don't want to attend the Christmas dinner."

"Well, if it's serious, it's best to see Poppy!"

Kettleburn's expression changed slightly, and without further questioning, he limped outside.

Melvin watched Kettleburn walk away slowly, with a thoughtful expression on his face. The invitations just now contained hidden meanings, and the old and lame professor who was nearing retirement seemed to have sensed something.

……

12 month 20 day.

The weather is getting colder day by day.

Hogwarts is on holiday today. At ten o'clock in the morning, the express train arrived at the Hogsmeade platform, and the students going home took the Thestrals to the station.

Over the past few days, Hagrid has been bringing in twelve firs for Christmas trees, filling the Great Hall. Professor Flitwick is constantly wandering the castle, waving his wand, obsessed with decorating it with lights and glittering trinkets. Professor Sprout has been hanging fresh sprigs of holly and mistletoe on the walls. Professor McGonagall is busy with paperwork for the Board of Trustees.

Snape and Quirrell were wary of each other, testing each other's nerves, and could often be seen staring at each other in the corner. This conversation generally went through three phases: the first, where they stared at each other in silence; the second, where Quirrell hesitated to speak; and then, where Snape bullied others for stuttering, cursing them openly, with no effective communication.

Melvin helped set up the Great Hall, assisted Flitwick and Hagrid, and did odd jobs.

The corner of his clothes was gently tugged twice.

Melvin thought it was Professor Flitwick who needed help, so he looked down and saw that it was Miss Granger who came to say goodbye. She was half a head taller than Professor Flitwick.

The little witch's hair was disheveled and wrapped in a red and gold scarf, which made her face look very small. However, her front teeth were a little big, making her look like a beaver, which was quite cute.

"Professor Lewinter."

"Miss Granger."

Melvin half-knelt down to look her in the eye. Without asking her what she wanted, he took out a handful of candy from his pocket, thought for a moment, and then took out an apple and handed it to her: "I wish you a Merry Christmas in advance. I won't give you any gifts."

Hermione blinked, a little confused: "Happy Christmas to you too."

Does the professor think of himself as a kindergarten kid?

Candy is acceptable, but why apples?
Hermione looked down at her gloved hands, then at the handful of candy and froze in place, not knowing how to take it.

Melvin saw her helplessness and considerately put the candy and apple into her hood. Hogwarts winter school robes have hoods, and since she doesn't wear a hood normally, it can be used as a pocket.

"Have fun at home during the holidays, don't think about studying all the time."

"..."

After saying goodbye to the professor and turning to leave, Hermione felt the heaviness on the back of her neck, her expression was a little dazed, and her mind was a little confused.

What did you ask the professor to do?

Melvin watched the little witch walk out of the hall and felt that her walking posture was more like a beaver, but he didn't know how she would chew an apple with those two front teeth.

The Muggle Studies professor smiled gently and said that people should eat apples on Christmas Eve.

"..."

The corner of his clothes was pulled again.

This time it really was Professor Flitwick.

"Melvin, hand me that star ornament."

"Ok."

"Melvin is very popular among students."

"Maybe it's because the trolls on Halloween thanked me."

"I think you're pretty..."

The fir tree was gradually being decorated into a Christmas tree, with all kinds of glowing star and moon ornaments suspended between the treetops, scattering glittering dust. Snape had come over at some point, his hair slicked back and his face expressionless, staring at them as they decorated the tree.

In fact, for a period of time after Melvin was sorted into Slytherin by the Sorting Hat, Snape had a good impression of him. But after the psychology popularization incident happened, this person became annoying.

"Professor Lewynter is truly charming. Even freshmen who don't have electives will go out of their way to say goodbye to you before leaving. You must be very proud of yourself, right?"

"I am indeed very happy."

Melvin raised his head and used the levitation technique to hang an ornament on the treetop. He lowered his head to pick up another one. Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of a familiar figure in his peripheral vision and couldn't help but smile. "Professor Snape is also very charming. Students from your college have come to say goodbye to you too."

Snape turned his head and narrowed his eyes slightly: "Draco... Malfoy."

"professor……"

Draco looked away, not daring to meet the professor's gaze. He pulled out a beautifully bound invitation from behind his back and spoke haltingly, "Our family will be holding a Boxing Day dinner at the manor. My father...my father asked me to pass the invitation to you. He wants to invite the professor to the dinner."

"Your father, Lucius?" Snape didn't accept the invitation, but stared down at Draco's head. "Why did he invite me?"

Draco's hand trembled as he handed over the invitation: "I, I don't know."

"..."

When Snape saw his reaction, he immediately reacted and his face looked as ugly as if he had eaten a fly.

(End of this chapter)