Chapter 178 "McGonagall vs Rosier"

"Centaurs!" Fearful cries erupted among the girls.

After the "Centaur Rebellion" experience during the Christmas holidays, a sense of disgust had developed among them towards the horse-like beings, along with a growing fear.

The three prefects reluctantly positioned themselves at the front of the crowd.

They were, after all, only students in the fifth and sixth grades, not yet adults by wizarding standards.

The rest of the students were mostly second and third-year juniors, lacking any combat skills.

Facing a group of adult Centaurs would be foolish.

On the other side, Professor Kettleburn struggled against the two flying pig statues, his wand knocked from his grasp by the violent statues.

"Expelliarmus!" A red-haired witch emerged from among the Centaurs, aiming her wand at Professor Kettleburn.

Caught off guard, Professor Kettleburn's wand flew out of his hand, falling embarrassingly to the ground.

The two flying pig statues moved in, pinning him down and rendering him immobile.

The appearance of the red-haired witch stirred murmurs among the students:

"Who is she?"

"She's..."

"Dark Witch Lily Evans!"

Lily Evans had gained a somewhat notorious reputation among Hogwarts students.

Though infamous, her image was well-known thanks to her wanted posters spread throughout Britain, offered a reward of five thousand Galleons.

Her ability to evade capture had turned her into a "legend."

The students, however, were taken aback by her sudden appearance, especially alongside the Centaurs and a large, intimidating figure in an oversized moleskin coat.

"Don't be afraid, children," Lily's voice was soothing. "We're not here to harm you; we're here to save you."

Cedric Diggory, standing near the front, gathered the courage to ask, "But... these Centaurs..."

A young Centaur stepped forward, his silver mane gleaming in contrast to his platinum hair, appearing rather handsome.

The Centaur replied, "Centaurs never harm cubs, whether Human or Centaurs. We have always been peaceful creatures."

He approached Cedric and extended his hand. After a moment's hesitation, Cedric shook it.

"I'm Firenze," the Centaur introduced himself. "The Centaurs have lived in the Forbidden Forest for over a year. Our ancestors have resided here long before Hogwarts was founded. For more than a thousand years, we coexisted peacefully with the wizards. We stood by them during witch hunts and Goblin rebellions. We are creatures committed to peace."

"But everything changed with the arrival of Grindelwald," Firenze continued. "He's fierce, powerful, and cruel. He demands the Centaurs complete submission to the wizards, even loyalty to him. Naturally, we disagreed, and it brought oppression and death upon us."

The students listened intently, noticing the emaciated appearance of the Centaurs as evidence of their plight.

"Our goal in resisting is simple: to defeat Grindelwald and his followers," Firenze declared.

The young wizards exchanged glances, absorbing what the Centaur was revealing. The Centaurs before them appeared far from the merciless creatures of legend.

"Yes, children," Lily Evans affirmed, stepping forward. "What Firenze says is true."

Matthew noticed Harry Evans in the crowd, watching Lily attentively, seemingly torn about whether to approach her.

"Due to the urgency, I can't explain everything now," Lily continued. "But understand, Grindelwald is a menacing figure. He may seem like a protector of the wizarding world, but it's for his own gain. He oppresses all non-wizard creatures, from Centaurs and House-elves to Muggles. He stigmatizes any wizard who opposes him as a Dark Wizard. All this is for his ultimate goal—to rule the world."

"Half a century ago, he killed the former Hogwarts Headmaster Armando Dippet and imprisoned any teachers and students who defied him in Nurmengard, his personal prison. He took control of Hogwarts through usurpation, attempting to brainwash you. The evidence is clear!"

She pointed to the two flying pig statues. "Have you seen these two statues? They were guarding the Hogwarts gate, but now they're aiding these dark wizards and betrayers. Even Hogwarts itself is against them!"

Whispers rippled through the crowd.

"I know you are the future of the wizarding world," Lily continued, "and I understand it may be hard to change your views quickly. But as a former Hogwarts student, I want to give you some advice. What you learn in class may not be the whole truth; this world is darker and scarier than you think."

She gestured to the Centaurs, and they made way for the Hogwarts students.

"Now, leave the Hogwarts campus and follow the path between Hogwarts and Hogsmeade to the village; it's safe," Lily announced.

With that, she led the Centaurs and the imposing figure away, heading back towards the castle.

The lower-grade students who had witnessed this interaction couldn't believe their eyes.

The so-called "cruel" Centaurs and "terrifying" dark wizards had spared them without harm.

They didn't even attack Professor Kettleburn, just allowing the flying pig statues to continue pressing him down.

Whispers spread:

"Is that woman really the notorious Dark Witch from the legend? She doesn't seem like it."

"Yes, I think she's rather nice and gentle."

"And beautiful too."

"And the Centaurs don't seem as violent as the textbooks and newspapers describe."

"Could it be that what they said about Professor Grindelwald is true?"

"But Hogwarts seems to be on their side!"

The students pondered this unexpected turn of events.

Meanwhile, a group of older Hogwarts students, led by several teachers, had reached the second floor of the castle through a garden.

However, they found themselves unable to leave the castle as the gate was blocked by rampaging House-elves.

The once-docile House-elves now acted erratically, attacking their "masters."

Teachers hesitated to use magic on them, fearing that they might retaliate with their own magic, a system of magic the wizards barely understood.

Fred Weasley exclaimed, "What's going on? Why are these House-elves behaving like this? They're not supposed to defy their masters, let alone attack!"

The situation had far exceeded their knowledge of House-elves.

Lee Jordan suggested, "Maybe we should find the Marauder's Map and ask Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs for help. Sneak out of the castle quietly?"

"I think we should stay and see what happens next," Fred Weasley proposed.

"Yes, I agree," George Weasley added.

Meanwhile, Professor Rosier, was not with the students.

She knew precisely where the problem lay.

After reaching the second floor through the garden, she ignored the House-elves and mice below and proceeded directly to the principal's office.

Ten minutes later, she stood before the imposing stone gargoyle that guarded the entrance to the office.

With a wave of her wand, the gargoyle stepped aside, revealing the concealed entrance.

Vinda Rosier had entered the Headmaster's Office.

Inside, she found the intruder—an austere woman with square glasses and an emerald green cloak.

"It's you!" Professor Rosier declared coldly. "I knew you were behind this. Don't think you can escape this time. I'll have you sent to Azkaban!"

Professor Rosier aimed her wand at the intruder.

McGonagall sneered, raising her own wand in response. "You're the one who should run, Rosier! Our feud of over fifty years ends here."

A battle between the two was imminent.