Mysterious Journey
Chapter 1236 Different Worries
The scene of being surrounded by people that Lucius Malfoy had imagined did not occur.
As he, a member of the Hogwarts Board of Governors, entered the classroom, the focus of discussions around him didn't shift in the slightest.
Not a single parent proactively came over to greet him; he was like a drop of oil in clear water, feeling out of place in the lively classroom.
However, as the head of a renowned pure-blood wizarding family in the magical world, Lucius Malfoy quickly found one particularly important reason for this.
"Narcissa, don't you think… there are far too many Muggles in this classroom?"
Lucius frowned deeply, looking around with disgust, as if he were looking at something extremely disgusting.
Not far from him, a middle-aged Muggle man with black curly hair was chatting animatedly with a shamefully proud wizard.
"...Oh, yes, Justin was originally going to attend Eton College—his mother was quite disappointed when she learned of his decision to come to Hogwarts. But I think it's a good thing—"
"Hogwarts is the best school in the world, Mr. Finch-Fletchley, you should have your wife come and see it together."
"Unfortunately, the school only sent one pass this time. We decided after discussion that I would come and learn about it first..."
Mr. Finch-Fletchley shrugged apologetically, touched his son's head, and replied with a smile.
"After all, the difference between the magical world and the non-magical world is quite significant. We can't tutor our children in magic at home like your wizarding families."
"I have to say, this parent-teacher conference is a great idea. I've been wanting to see if my boy has been studying diligently and to understand his talent in this area."
Unlike wizarding families who already live in the magical society, non-magical families like the Finch-Fletchleys mostly get news about the magical world and Hogwarts from their children's holiday descriptions. Even if professors come to introduce and answer questions at the time of enrollment, the unilateral lack of daily contact and various worries are still unavoidable.
And for more pragmatic and serious old families like Mr. Finch-Fletchley, they are very eager to understand the progress and prospects of magical studies.
Especially what their children are learning at the magic school, what kind of work they can do in society in the future, and what kind of life they can live.
"Don't worry, Mr. Finch-Fletchley—well, I mean you don't have to worry about young Finch-Fletchley's studies."
Before the middle-aged wizard could answer, a somewhat hoarse, elderly female voice suddenly sounded. The two men turned their heads sharply, looking towards the source of the sound.
They saw a rather frightening old witch walk into the classroom at some point. Mr. Finch-Fletchley instantly flashed back to the image of a terrifying witch he had once seen in a picture book.
The old witch was wearing a green robe and a moth-eaten fox fur stole, and the pointed wizard hat was undoubtedly decorated with a stuffed vulture.
Behind her followed a round-faced little wizard who looked so nervous that he was about to faint.
"Although it's a bit of an overstatement, as far as I know, most of the little wizards from the non-magical world do quite well—"
"Augusta Longbottom, this is my grandson… Neville Longbottom."
The old witch walked over, glanced at the two middle-aged men with annoyance, and politely pointed to the seats beside them.
"I hope I didn't interrupt your chat, but this seems to be Neville's seat? Hmm—"
"Oh, I'm sorry, Mrs. Longbottom—"
The middle-aged wizard quickly stood up, saying somewhat embarrassedly, "I saw that no one was here, so I temporarily sat here to chat a bit..."
"Ah, you don't have to be so reserved..." Mrs. Longbottom stared at the somewhat restrained middle-aged wizard, shaking her head with a complicated expression, "If it's because of—"
Since the public trial a few months ago, almost everyone knew the names of the heroes who sacrificed themselves in the fight against the dark forces.
Among them, the Longbottom couple, who unfortunately encountered the last frenzy of the "Death Eaters," were undoubtedly the most regrettable.
The Ministry of Magic and the Auror Office also took this opportunity to promote the Aurors. Compared with other fighters who sacrificed themselves in the dark years, this Auror couple who encountered misfortune before dawn obviously conformed more to the "political caliber" of the Ministry of Magic—under the subtle guidance of some invisible hands, the Aurors' dedication and sacrifice in the magical society gradually gained the respect they deserved.
In fact, if the Longbottom couple hadn't been transferred to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries for treatment, the monthly welfare gifts alone would have filled their ward.
As time passed, Augusta Longbottom also emerged from her brief relief and began to become calm, even with a bit of inexplicable weariness.
However, before Mrs. Longbottom could finish speaking, another burst of noisy conversation and footsteps came from behind the crowd.
The classroom door was pushed open again, and a large group of little wizards and parents swarmed in in a disorganized manner.
"Ron?" Neville turned his head to look at the door, calling out somewhat puzzled.
"Why are you guys also—"
"Professor McGonagall just notified us to temporarily change the venue, saying that the two second-year classes will hold the parent-teacher conference together this time..."
Ron was holding an open magic book with a small, furry magic eye floating above it, looking somewhat sullen.
After some discussion, Mr. Weasley finally chose to go to Ginny's side, after all, this year was Ginny's first year at Hogwarts.
Mrs. Weasley, following George's suggestion, went to the "Master Wizard Class" to examine eligible witches.
As for the parent-teacher conferences of Ron, Percy, and Fred and George, they naturally turned into "remote magical companionship."
And even more unfortunately—Ron was connected to Charlie's channel, and he didn't even dare to complain loudly.
However, in most cases, people's joys and sorrows are obviously not shared.
Compared to Ron Weasley's sullenness, Hermione, who proposed this plan and helped implement it, was in a rather good mood.
As a top student in the second year of Hogwarts, before Aileenna arrived, she naturally became the "someone else's child" surrounded by many parents, and Mr. Granger's smile was as bright as the midday sun.
In contrast, the expression on Lucius Malfoy's face, who was ignored by everyone, became increasingly gloomy.
Obviously, Dumbledore had recruited too many students from the Muggle world without him realizing it.
Perhaps, after this parent-teacher conference, he would have to find a way to remind the Board of Governors—and of course, that "Miss."
After all, Dumbledore was best at using this kind of subtle behavior to influence others. He had to remind that Demon King princess to be wary of Dumbledore's conspiracy and not to trust those in the Muggle world too much, otherwise she might lose support from the magical world.
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Not good, yeah!