Everyone Graduated~

As a former Auror, the Minister for Magic, along with more than a dozen Aurors carrying out the mission, had been completely wiped out after encountering Voldemort…

The strength Voldemort had displayed utterly shocked and terrified the entire British Wizarding World!

The voices in every newspaper condemning the Ministry of Magic for incompetence vanished completely. Instead, everyone began urging the Ministry to quickly elect a minister capable of protecting them.

The editor-in-chief of The Quibbler loudly called for them not to limit themselves to candidates within the Ministry of Magic. Dumbledore, Hogwarts’s former headmaster, was an excellent choice!

The next day, Pius Thicknesse, head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, was elected the new Minister for Magic after an emergency meeting. His first order upon taking office was to shut down The Quibbler’s newspaper office.

With their studies so demanding, everyone only received the news after their exams had ended.

"Oh my God!"

As the first cry of alarm rang out in the Great Hall, the atmosphere throughout Hogwarts immediately grew tense.

Adam could not help finding it somewhat familiar. Back when he had still been a student, Hogwarts had always seemed to carry a similar atmosphere near the end of every school year…

"Ding, ding, ding—"

As flames rose, Gandalf appeared at the podium with a grave expression. He struck a ceramic cup three times with a spoon to draw the students’ attention.

"Since the outside world has become rather dangerous lately, Hogwarts will not close during this holiday and will provide protection for students. Those who wish to stay may write home to seek their parents’ opinions on whether they need to remain at Hogwarts over the holiday… I will write up a detailed notice and post it on the bulletin board before tonight."

After speaking, Gandalf turned toward the teachers’ table.

"After you have eaten, please come to the meeting room. We need to discuss the arrangements for the holiday."

Then Gandalf vanished into the flames, leaving the students looking at one another while the professors rose one after another and headed for the meeting room.

The meeting room was an originally vacant room Adam had arranged for additional use. There were now several times more professors and prospective professors at Hogwarts than before, but it was still more than spacious enough to hold them all.

Adam did not waste words. He immediately began discussing Hogwarts’s arrangements.

"During the holiday, Hogwarts can provide accommodation for students who have not yet graduated. A certain fee will be charged for food and lodging, but students may offset it by entering the Forbidden Forest to gather designated materials…"

This series of decisions all made it clear that Hogwarts was merely providing shelter for students who had not graduated and lacked the ability to protect themselves. Even students from poor families could join, and everything was entirely voluntary, with no coercion whatsoever.

What surprised the professors somewhat was that none of these arrangements required them to do anything.

Gandalf then mentioned them.

"During this period, the same applies to all professors. You may live at Hogwarts, and I will guarantee your safety. Hogwarts will provide free accommodation during this time, but you will need to take care of your own meals."

"We’ll stay at Hogwarts."

Lucius hurriedly raised his hand, and Narcissa nodded as well.

"Yes, and Draco too."

Given their current circumstances, the moment they stepped out of Hogwarts, the Dark Mark might rise into the sky right after. Naturally, not having to leave Hogwarts was for the best.

"No problem."

Gandalf nodded.

With Lucius taking the lead, many other professors also asked to remain at Hogwarts, most of them newly hired prospective professors.

They were well aware of the chaos outside. Though they did not think Voldemort would come directly to their doors, staying at the safe Hogwarts was naturally preferable, not to mention Hogwarts had the food from Storm Restaurant.

Although professors had to pay for their meals and had no option to offset the cost, Hogwarts paid high salaries. Since they would have no additional expenses while living at Hogwarts, they could still afford five meals a day.

The notice was soon posted on the bulletin board, and owls carried the students’ letters across the country. Some families were tempted by Hogwarts’s decision, while others believed they could better protect their children themselves.

Adam had no objection whatsoever to anyone’s decision. He had not intended to make money from this anyway. He simply did not want to watch students face danger without even having a choice.

In a private room at Storm Restaurant, the roommates gathered once more.

"So, did everyone pass?"

Seeing the smiles on their faces, Adam could not help sighing that these guys truly understood his personality and habits.

"Ahh, everyone in our dorm has finally graduated—!"

Klon stretched lazily.

"It’s really hard to believe. The first time I entered Hogwarts and put on the Sorting Hat feels like it happened yesterday…"

"If you want, you could go back and study for another seven years."

"No, no, no, forget it!"

Klon hurriedly shook his head.

"So what should we do next?"

Bernard wore a smile, clearly delighted to be free of homework and exams.

"The plan had been to join the Ministry of Magic after graduation, but the Ministry’s casualty rate plummeted immediately after the new minister took office. That’s obviously not normal."

Recalling The Daily Prophet over the past few days, Bernard shook his head, a hint of mockery appearing on his face.

"Those people are still dreaming that the current Minister for Magic has deterred the Death Eaters. I think it’s more likely that the current minister is already one of Voldemort’s people, and those deaths are Voldemort eliminating dissidents…"

"Exactly. So let Voldemort and the Order of the Phoenix fight it out properly for now. You two can go home and spend time with your families."

Adam looked at Eugene and Klon.

"If you need a safe house, tell me anytime… Actually, never mind."

Adam hesitated, then took two gemstone buttons from his pocket and handed them to the pair.

"These are Portkeys to safe houses. They lead to two different safe houses. Keep them for protection."

Though they were already much stronger than Aurors, they were still nowhere near strong enough to face Voldemort.

Eugene and Klon did not stand on ceremony with Adam, each taking a gemstone button.

"I still plan to get involved and make preparations for the future."

Eugene took a ruby button, played with it in his hand for a moment, then looked at Adam.

"My grandmother used to be the director of Auror Headquarters. She can provide me with some connections."

Although Mrs. Lauren’s son and daughter-in-law had not joined the Ministry of Magic, meaning she had not spent much effort maintaining her Ministry connections for a long time, she still knew a few old friends.

Moreover, old friends who had remained in contact until now without any ulterior motives were more reliable instead.

"It’s up to you. Just be careful."

As the future Minister for Magic who would lead reform within the Ministry, Eugene gaining support from the old upper-echelon forces had both advantages and disadvantages. However, Adam could help him disregard those disadvantages, as long as Eugene suffered no other losses in the process.

"Oh, right. I’ve thought it over carefully, and I still don’t think the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures suits me."

Klon suddenly spoke up.

"But I don’t plan to stay home and run the Magical Menagerie either. I plan to travel the world like Professor Scamander did and observe and study the magical creatures living in nature."

"Professor Scamander will definitely be very happy."

Although Klon had changed his mind, everyone was happy that he had found what he truly wanted to do.

Adam nodded as well.

"If you discover any magical creatures that have never been found before, remember to write and tell me."