Hogwarts: Don't call me the Staff Maker

Chapter 700 Dismantling the Fireplace

Chapter 700 Dismantling the Fireplace

"The descendants of Aragog trust me—but I—but I—oh, what have I done—"

Hagrid covered his face and wept uncontrollably, believing it was all his fault.

However, Xilun did not think so at all.

"Come on, Hagrid, do you really think this is some kind of sentimental magical creature?" He took two steps forward and skillfully stuffed the eight-eyed giant spider into the shapeshifting lizard skin bag.

"To put it another way, ever since the eight-eyed giant spiders chose a new leader, they have had absolutely no connection with Aragog."

"No—no, it can't be," Hagrid choked out. "I went to see them today—and I was welcomed—they even agreed to teach me—oh, what have I done!"

Hagrid started crying again.

"I don't think they're trying to help you." Celen rubbed his forehead.

Actually, during class, Xilun had felt something was watching him. Now that he thinks about it, it was probably that eight-eyed giant spider, and that guy probably saw him as prey.

Xilun suspected that there were even more eight-eyed giant spiders hiding on the edge of the Forbidden Forest, and that they would rush out for a feast once they found enough students in class.

Of course, this is just Xilun's speculation.

The eight-eyed giant spider is a magical creature with a certain level of intelligence, and any magical creature living in the Forbidden Forest that possesses intelligence would never dare to provoke Hogwarts.

They might dare to kill students who trespass into the Forbidden Forest, but they would never dare to come out of it on their own, otherwise Dumbledore would certainly not stand idly by.

"Anyway, you'd better not go looking for them anymore, lest you end up as food one day," Siren said.

Seeing Xilun's serious expression, Hagrid's heart wavered a little.

Strictly speaking, this wasn't the first time he had accidentally injured other eight-eyed giant spiders.

Aragog's lair was in a dark, damp, and sunless pit in the Forbidden Forest, so every time he went to see the other, he would accidentally crush a few spider eggs or step on an eight-eyed giant spider resting by the roadside, but he was never attacked.

Aragog forbids his offspring from harming Hagrid, and they have always strictly followed this order, never retaliating even if they are accidentally trampled to death by Hagrid.

However, everything changed after Aragog died. Hagrid was also attacked by the eight-eyed spider in the Forbidden Forest for the first time.

Seeing that Hagrid hesitated, Siren didn't continue, and instead brought up the previous topic again.

"Forget about those spiders, Hagrid. The most important thing now is to remind Dumbledore to find a way to stop Voldemort from targeting the Department of Magical Transportation."

"Oh right, that's right." Hagrid immediately snapped back to reality. "I'll go right now, Dumbledore should still be at the Ministry of Magic—"

He hurriedly walked towards the school gate, but after taking only two steps, he turned back and said to Xilun, "You can leave get out of class early, whether you go back to the tower or do whatever you like."

"Of course, I won't stay here waiting forever."

Even so, just as Xilun walked through the castle gates, the school bell rang.

In the common room, Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who had just finished class, were also discussing the sixth floor of the Ministry of Magic.

Hermione found a more comprehensive answer in the library: the sixth floor of the Ministry of Magic has a total of fifteen offices of various sizes, all of which are related to transportation.

In addition to those Hagrid mentioned, the Knight Bus, the Hogwarts Express, the Magical International Train, and the Private Carriage Management are also located on the sixth floor.

Like Sheryl, Hermione also realized the importance of these places. When Sheryl came in, they were on their way to find Professor McGonagall.

"No need, Hagrid has already set off to find the headmaster," Siren said, stopping them at the door. "Besides, what we can think of, the headmaster can certainly think of too."

"I hope so," Hermione said, still a little shaken. "The thought of Death Eaters crawling out of my fireplace terrifies me. You know, my mom and dad are Muggles, they can't handle Death Eaters at all."

"Don't worry, that won't happen," Sirius reassured her. "Dumbledore has already stopped him. Voldemort failed this time—and he won't again."

"Yes, thank goodness—" Hermione said softly.

The group returned to the common room, her face still pale.

"Hermione," Harry looked at her and asked, "Hasn't your fireplace been sealed off yet? I mean, replaced with an electric one, that's what the Dursleys do."

"No," Hermione shook her head. "My dad doesn't like them. He thinks traditional fireplaces are warmer."

At this point, Hermione suddenly stood up.

"Harry, can I borrow your Hedwig?" she asked.

"Oh, of course," said Harry. "Are you going to write home and ask them to seal the fireplace?"

"No!" Hermione said. "Sealing the fireplace won't work. The Death Eaters can easily blow up the bricks and cement with just a simple blasting spell."

"I've decided to have Dad tear down the fireplace completely, along with all the walls of the room!" Hermione said firmly, quickly pulling out her parchment and quill pen and scribbling a letter.

Hermione didn't know if her father would listen to her advice, since demolishing a house was a big deal no matter where you were.

On the other hand, she couldn't tell the truth, because if her parents knew that there was such a dangerous organization as the Death Eaters in the wizarding world, they would definitely be terrified and might even force her to drop out of school.

Hermione didn't want this to happen.

Since Voldemort's return, she had never subscribed to the Daily Prophet for her family again—before that, the newspaper had been her parents' favorite to read and their only source of information about the wizarding world.

"What do you think—" Ron looked thoughtfully at the extra parchment on the table. "If I suggested that Mother take down the fireplace, would she agree?"

"I suggest you write to Mr. Weasley first," Siron said. "If he intervenes, the success rate might be higher."

"That makes sense!" Ron said, and quickly borrowed Hermione's parchment to write a letter in another spot.

Xilun doesn't need to be written.

The wand shop was so small that, apart from the necessary shelves and counter, there was almost no extra space. Even a few extra customers would feel crowded, and there was simply no room for a fireplace.

Harry hesitated for a moment, then didn't write anything.

Number Twelve Grimmauld Place is the headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, so Dumbledore will definitely consider the fireplace issue.

The Dursleys did have a sealed fireplace, but they certainly wouldn't tear down their house just because of a letter; writing it wouldn't make a difference.