"So, the good things you mentioned before are gone now?" Kanna asked curiously during dinner.

"Not only that, I also threw in some other things." Kyle said dimly.

Although the decision had been made and the small bottle of ashes had been given to Dumbledore, Kyle still felt a little painful every time he thought about it.

In this situation, even the fragrant fried pork chops couldn't make Kyle feel a little better? Kanna seemed to have noticed this and immediately changed the subject: "Is Mr. Nicolas Flamel still in school now?"

"No." Kyle shook his head and said, "Nico didn't want to show up in front of many people, so he went back."

"Take the airship?" Connor asked tentatively, picking up a piece of toast for herself and Kyle.

"How did you know?" Kyle looked at her in surprise. "Did you see it?"

"A lot of people saw it," Kanna said. "A huge airship appeared in the school's astronomy tower, which caused quite a stir. Everyone was guessing what it was.

"Some say it's the school's secret weapon, others think it's a means of transportation... just like Beauxbatons' carriages and Durmstrang's ships."

"It's a means of transportation, but it's not for Hogwarts." Kyle shrugged.

It doesn't matter if you only see an airship. Except for people like Connor who know the inside story, no one else would associate it with the legendary Nicolas Flamel.

…

After that, Dumbledore became completely busy, and Kyle didn't see him in the castle once for two whole weeks.

But it makes sense if you think about it carefully. Although he doesn't know how long it will take to refine the Philosopher's Stone, he is sure that it is definitely not an easy task.

It was February and Dumbledore still hadn't returned. The students didn't notice anything wrong. After all, most people didn't pay much attention to the headmaster.

Of course, it would be a different story if it was Professor McGonagall. Even if she disappeared for a day, it would quickly cause a lot of discussion.

However, when Dumbledore was not at school, someone else was floating.

Karkaroff, he is now like a school director, swaggering around the castle every day, and mocking everything he sees in a condescending tone.

For example, the students were too lazy. After class, they were talking and laughing and playing in the corridor. If they were in Durmstrang, the students would never make such noise.

Professors were not spared either. Kell alone heard him more than once, when talking to Durmstrang students, belittling Professor Sybill Trelawney of Divination as an old liar with no knowledge.

And Hagrid, in his words, also became a stupid big guy.

Finally, there is Sirius. He thinks Sirius is too partial and overly indulgent to a certain college and is not worthy of being a professor.

And his words were quickly recognized by some Hogwarts students.

For example, Malfoy from Slytherin.

"Professor Karkaroff and I have always had similar ideas."

He shouted in the corridor: "My father considered sending me to Durmstrang, but my mother disagreed. She didn't want me to go so far.

But I think he should have insisted a little longer. Professor Karkaroff of Durmstrang is what a headmaster should be like, and they don’t allow low-class people to enroll there…”

While saying this, he would always glance at Hermione beside him intentionally or unintentionally.

This also made Hermione very angry. She really hoped that Malfoy could go to Durmstrang as he wished, so that she would have at least half less trouble at school.

But that’s not all.

He squeezed into the crowd curiously to see what was happening.

As expected, it was Karkaroff again, but this time he did not make trouble for the students and professors, but turned his attention to Filch.

"I remember I told you more than once to keep your cat under control and not let it run around in the castle." Karkaroff said condescendingly.

"Mrs. Norris never runs around..." Filch said grimly, "She helps maintain order in the castle and catches students who break the school rules..."

"I'm sorry, I may have heard you wrong..." Karkaroff drawled, "Maintaining order, a cat?

"Is Hogwarts already so difficult that they have to hire a cat to look after the students?"

Next to him, several Durmstrang students laughed at the right time to cooperate with their headmaster.

"Be quiet and don't be so rude, otherwise everyone will think that we Durmstrang people are uneducated."

Karkaroff said in a long tone: "I must admit that this situation is really unheard of. If you don't mind, I can donate some money so that you can hire a... um, wizard to be responsible for maintaining the daily order of the school."

In just a moment, Filch's face turned red like a boiled shrimp.

Karkaroff not only belittled Mrs. Norris, but also implied that he was a dud, which made him tremble all over, shivering and unable to utter a word.

The people around also looked filled with righteousness.

If Karkaroff had only mocked Filch and Mrs. Norris, many people might have applauded. After all, they also disliked this man and cat. It would be a good thing if someone could teach them a lesson.

But the other party mentioned Hogwarts when he made the mockery, which made many people unacceptable.

Karkaroff didn't care at all. Listening to the chatter of people around him, he even stroked his goatee with a little pride.

"What are you all doing here?"

At this time, Professor McGonagall came in from outside, and everyone made way for her.

"It's lunch time now, let's go to the Great Hall." Professor McGonagall said to everyone before turning around and saying, "I don't need to bother you with the management of Hogwarts, Professor Karkaroff."

"Of course, that's right," said Karkaroff. "I only made a small suggestion, and I have no intention of interfering in Hogwarts, of that there is no doubt.

"But please understand one thing, Minerva. I have to be responsible for the school. Krum has been frightened by this cat several times. It is hard for me not to suspect that you did it on purpose in order to affect Krum's condition so that your warriors can stand out in the competition."

"We won't do such a thing," said Professor McGonagall, her face tense.

"Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to blame you, I'm just suspicious." Karkaroff gave a fake smile.

"Huh, I'm afraid you're the only ones who need to use such despicable means." There was a burst of sneers from the crowd.

"Among the five referees, you are the only old scabby guy who deliberately gave low scores to the other two warriors."

Being called a scabby dog ​​in public, Karkaroff could no longer pretend. He turned around and shouted at the crowd:

"Who said that? Come out! I must teach you a lesson on behalf of Dumbledore."

(End of this chapter)