Chapter 75 "Milicent Bagnold"

This is more than just a theft. The Polyjuice Potion is a potent potion.

It can completely change a person's appearance within a certain period of time, and the change is undetectable by the naked eye and ordinary magic.

Recalling the previous attacks at Hogwarts, this is undoubtedly a major event.

Draco stood there, somewhat ignorant, as he still didn't know the Polyjuice Potion.

However, Professor Slughorn was visibly scared, his face pale. He was considering more than just the loss of two medicinal materials.

"I have to talk to Headmistress Rosier, such important news..." Professor Slughorn murmured. Just as they exited the potion storage room, he quickly turned around.

"Matthew, Draco, come with me to find Professor Rosier!" He said hurriedly. "Be witnesses for me!"

Matthew and Draco looked at each other and finally followed him.

...

In fact, Matthew didn't quite understand why his "after-school practice" classes often encountered these troubles.

But as more information converged in his mind, the truth of all the events this semester seemed clear.

Since it was Saturday morning, there weren't many students in the corridor.

They quickly reached the second floor and arrived in front of Headmistress Professor Vinda Rosier's office.

The door of the Headmistress's office was partially closed. Professor Slughorn was about to break in directly but stopped just inches away from the wooden door.

Matthew and Malfoy had to stop as well.

At the same time, they heard the voices of two people conversing inside the office.

They were two women, one of them undoubtedly Headmistress Rosier, and the other had a slightly unfamiliar voice.

Matthew had never heard this voice before at Hogwarts.

"It's so bad, Vinda... so bad that I had to contact you!" the unfamiliar female voice said.

"It's Bagnold!" Draco whispered in Matthew's ear. "I know this voice; it's Millicent Bagnold..."

Millicent Bagnold, the current Minister of Magic, has been widely acclaimed in the wizarding world since assuming the post in 1980.

Matthew had seen her name and photo in the Daily Prophet before. It was rumored that Minister Bagnold had a close relationship with the Hogwarts principal and Headmistress.

"I hope you understand, Millicent," Professor Rosier's voice came through with a hint of a frown. "Hogwarts is still safe for now!"

"Of course, I believe that," Minister Bagnold replied. "I believe you, Vinda, and I believe Headmaster Grindelwald... But the Ministry of Magic is under tremendous pressure at this time."

"This pressure won't last long," Professor Rosier said softly.

"I'm sorry, but it's becoming hard for us to hold on; three students have been attacked, and one is missing, possibly dead... The news has spread throughout the wizarding world after Christmas. The Daily Prophet's editorial department has been flooded with owls daily, questioning why the Ministry of Magic hasn't disclosed these incidents... Honestly, Vinda, even I am starting to doubt..." Minister Bagnold said with a slight tremble in her voice.

"We have our reasons," Headmistress Rosier replied.

"I believe you; of course I do," the Minister continued. "But look, there's another incident now, and another child is missing. I don't think you have found his whereabouts... Vinda, I don't believe you anymore, but the facts are right in front of me! Put yourself in my shoes. I'm under immense pressure, and I have to do something..."

"What do you plan to do?" the Headmistress responded.

"This matter can no longer be suppressed. I have to give the public an explanation... at least an explanation," The Minister pleaded. "Vinda, I know there's a teacher in your school. The existing evidence is highly unfavorable to him, so I hope to take him away... to Azkaban! If it turns out he didn't do it, we'll apologize and send him back. Then the public won't have anything to say!"

"I can't take away a teacher from Hogwarts," the Headmistress said coldly. "Why not contact Headmaster Grindelwald directly?"

Suddenly, a strange noise interrupted the conversation as if someone forcefully cut it off.

...

Professor Slughorn approached and lightly knocked on the door.

"Please come in!" Professor Rosier's voice sounded from inside the office.

Matthew, Professor Slughorn, and Draco entered the Headmistress's office. He saw Professor Rosier quickly returning to her chair from the fireplace.

Minister Millicent Bagnold was nowhere to be seen. The Minister had just spoken with the Hogwarts Headmistress through the fireplace.

Of course, Professor Slughorn, Draco, and Matthew pretended to be utterly unaware of the previous conversation.

"Professor Rosier," Professor Slughorn shouted, "My private storage room was robbed!"

"What's missing?" Professor Rosier asked calmly.

"Two precious medicinal materials," Slughorn quickly replied. "The Bicorn horns and the skins of Boomslang... the loss is close to four hundred galleons!"

"And more importantly..." Professor Slughorn's voice lowered, "These two medicinal materials are essential for preparing the Polyjuice Potion... Headmistress, someone is illegally and secretly preparing compound decoctions at Hogwarts."

However, Professor Rosier's expression remained essentially unchanged. She nodded calmly and said, "Okay, Horace, I understand."

Then, she unceremoniously issued an order for them to leave.

Throughout the journey, she didn't even glance at Matthew and Draco.