Archaeologists at Hogwarts

Chapter 302 Quidditch

"Merlin"

After sighing once, Ron didn't seem to think it was enough, and he repeated: "You're going to play the World Cup, Merlin's pants—"

"Hey!" Hermione stopped in a low voice: "Don't think we don't know that this is a curse word used by wizards, you should be careful when you speak."

She gestured in the direction of the podium, as if to say—otherwise, Dean McGonagall would have plenty of ways to make him look good.

They were now learning how to turn a teapot into a turtle, and everyone in the room was practicing - except for Hermione, who had succeeded and was pretending to be helping Harry and Ron.

Ron still wanted to argue, but Harry interrupted him: "It's not that I'm going to participate in the Quidditch World Cup, but that Professor Highmore is going to do it, and many things haven't been settled yet, so don't you Talking nonsense everywhere."

He was afraid that Ron would take this unresolved matter seriously, so let's talk about Harry's age, he still didn't know whether it could really cross the standard age limit.

It's not that Harry doesn't believe what Professor Highmore said, but the Black Devil is not the owner of any club, so can it really change the entire competition system?
Poor little Harry still doesn't know what he will face in the future, and he has also forgotten Toby's other identity-the boss of "The Quibbler".

As the owner of the most popular magazine in the wizarding world today, he has long been able to influence the minds of most wizards.

Just after class, Hermione habitually took out "The Quibbler" and flipped through it. Usually, she was looking for news related to Grindelwald. Now neither he nor the person who helped him escape has been caught. .

As a result, this time, a new article appeared in the magazine, again by an anonymous author.

"Let me read it too." Although he also has a magazine, Ron still subconsciously wants to "learn from" Hermione, and Harry is no exception. It is estimated that this habit will take a long time to change.

[Quidditch with a worrying future] - this is the title of this article, which describes the Quidditch competitions in recent years - whether it is the World Cup or the UEFA Cup, it has become more and more boring. Get used to seeing the results in the next day's papers instead of going to the games in person.

"Is this true?" Ron looked at the two in confusion, and said, "But why is the ticket price getting higher every year?"

"Isn't it written here?" Hermione read, pointing to a part of the article; "In order to recover the cost of hosting the game, after the number of spectators became smaller and smaller, the league had to raise ticket prices. But except for the World Cup level Outside of the game, all the feedback is received—it’s better to replace those who make decisions with goblins, at least they will count well.”

"It's really ruthless." Ron also said excitedly, pointing to a part of the content behind and said: "Here there is more——most of the previous audience were just trying to guess which violation of the rules will happen today. However, since the rules have become more and more perfect, these people have lost their interest in attending the competition in person—is the professor planning to completely let go of the rules and hold a death quiz? Geek?"

They apparently thought it was an article written by Toby.

"That would be so much fun." Even Harry, who knew the rules of Quidditch and knew that many of them were quirky—like not being able to turn your opponent into a skunk, or taking The long ax attacks the opponent.

Think about it, once the restrictions are really lifted, it is estimated that weapons and animals will be scattered all over the stadium, and it may not be possible for the players to end alive.

"I guess there will be a good show to watch." Ron finally commented.
-
Not long after this article was published, an owl was flown to Hogwarts from the Ministry of Magic with the very express purpose of being the man in the Office of Ancient Magic.

"Whose letter is it?" Toby is busy preparing the course content for the next semester. Now that the students are learning at a fast pace, using scepters and ancient magic divination can no longer satisfy them.

Of course, it is also possible that only Toby thinks this way. The students are eager to take a breather from the complicated studies, and then spend the rest of their energy on inventing the prizes of the wish box-many of them want to make a lot of money .

Coincidentally, this letter was also written by a wizard who wanted to make a lot of money.

"Yeah." Al told Toby that this was not a letter of complaint from a parent, and showed Toby the envelope, on which was written the name and position of the other party - Director of the Department of Magical Sports, Ludo Bagman.

The thing he mentioned in the letter is very simple, that is, he is eager to meet Toby, the sooner the better.

So, that night, Toby met the veteran who was no longer heroic at the Pig's Head Bar.

Before entering the Ministry of Magic, Ludo Bagman also played as a batsman for the Wimbledon Hornets and the England Quidditch team. He is considered the best batsman ever, but now his His appearance was not so convincing - although he was still wearing a long Quidditch robe exclusive to the Hornets, it couldn't hide his big belly and anxious face.

Toby slowly drank the magma wine brought by the fake boss pretended by Sirius. The reason why he chose the Pig's Head Bar for the meeting place was very simple, just to watch Sirius serve himself unwillingly, which would make people feel happy. pleasure.

"It's messed up, everything is completely messed up!"

Bagman didn't look like an outsider at all. He said to Toby as soon as he came up: "The ministry has become a mess now, and there is a shortage of manpower everywhere. Grindelwald's escape has had a great impact on them. .I said don’t worry at all, we still have Dumbledore after all, but they just told me to be careful not to provoke Fudge, a powder keg—he’s going to be driven crazy.”

Judging from Bagman's words, he obviously intended to please Toby.It's a pity that he really didn't know Toby very well, and he couldn't say how good it was to kidnap a foreign minister, so he had to beat around the bush and praise Dumbledore.

Well, he undoubtedly miscalculated again. After all, Toby had been in a cold war with Dumbledore for a while without even saying a word.

"Minister Bagman." Toby picked up a chocolate bar and stirred it in the cup, watched it melt, and said in a casual tone: "If you have nothing else, I'm afraid I will leave early Well, the magazine still has a lot of things waiting for me to make a decision."

It's really difficult.

Bagman remembered an instruction he had received from Lucius before coming here, don't try to fool Toby Highmore, he is not such a kind person.

"Sili is having a hard time recently." Bagman finally brought the topic to the point, and he said wearily: "The incident of Grindelwald's escape from prison has caused panic, and no one wants to watch the game anymore. They don't know anything about it." Where are you hiding, and there is a shortage of manpower in the department, and you just need someone to help you."

At Bagman's cue, Toby is finally interested.

"Is there a director missing?" He asked directly.

"This." Bagman said with strange eyes, the director is himself: "There is still no shortage. The director is currently in good health and has not thought of retiring. But except for the Quidditch League headquarters, the official Gobstone Both the club and the patent office for comic products are understaffed, well, very understaffed."

There are only three departments in the entire Magical Sports Department-the British and Irish Quidditch Union Command, the British and Irish Quidditch Union Command, and the Funny Products Patent Office.

In order to seek Toby's help, Bagman can be said to have given extremely favorable conditions.

"That's really great." Toby finally showed a satisfied smile: "It happens that I have two recommended wizards—"

"Two?" Bagman was shocked. He didn't expect Toby to ask for them all.

"Yes, two." Toby said with emphasis: "The Longbottoms, I think you should have heard of them. As former Aurors, I think they must be able to handle these two jobs, and occasionally And help you with the Quidditch League Headquarters, which they've been running for the magazine right now."

"It's okay if it's them." Bagman has obviously heard about the heroic deeds of the Longbottoms, but he still hesitates: "But if it's two, I'm worried that the ministry will not be so easy to pass, even if it's not the director. , but this is not a small position.”

"Don't worry, I will help them." Toby said confidently.

Looking at the bubbling magma wine in Toby's hand, Bagman suddenly regretted coming to him. Don't cheat him out of funding and offer two important positions.

After all, he has kidnapped ministers, let alone a director.

Toby has not promised Bagman any conditions for the time being, and this matter will only be decided after the Longbottoms also join the job.

After Bagman left worriedly, Sirius' disguised face was full of gloom, and he came over and said: "Don't expect me to keep your little trick a secret, and I will inform Dumbledore about it soon-- "

"You don't need to worry about that." Toby stood up and said, "Who do you think the Longbottoms belong to? Could it be mine? Hah."

"The only man they would pledge allegiance to is Albus Dumbledore."
-
On the second day, the Longbottoms rushed to Hogwarts.

"Father, mother?" Neville in the corridor was stunned. He looked at his parents in strange clothes, brightly colored, which looked like special clothes from somewhere, and they had just finished their vacation.

"Oh, dear." Alice hurriedly kissed Neville's forehead twice, and she said, "Mum still has things to do, we'll see you later, okay?"

Frank's way of greeting was even more concise. He rushed to the ancient magic office without stopping, pushed open the door, and saw Toby who was watering the Mason door. He didn't have any classes this morning and was still wearing pajamas, while Al was I was sleeping late and didn't get up.

"You guys came here so fast," Toby turned his head and said with a smile, "Did you see Neville, he's been doing well lately—"

"Are you planning to kill anyone again, or have you already done so?" Frank asked nervously, and Alice, who was following behind him, hurriedly closed the door to prevent the passing students from seeing this scene.

"Huh?" Toby was stunned for a moment and said, "Well, it seems that your expectations of me are really high."

"Otherwise, why did you fall out with Dumbledore again?" Frank continued, "What else could you provoke him for?"

"Stop, stop." Toby turned off the shower, and asked with strange eyes, "Did the principal ask you to be lobbyists?"

"That's not true." Alice interjected, "We saw Dumbledore when we came, and chatted with him casually, only to find that the relationship between him and you has deteriorated again, and he sighed at every turn."

"Oh, come on." Toby said impatiently, "Why is it always me who is wrong, why can't it be Dumbledore?"

Frank and Alice grinned together.

"That's not a bad joke." Frank walked up and hugged Toby, who was full of disgust: "The little guy back then finally knew how to resist, so it's possible that the one you wanted to kill this time was the principal and planned to form an alliance with Grindelwald." Is it? I knew there would be such a day."

Toby was growing impatient.

"Yes." He said casually, "You are all right, and I almost got it."

Alice laughed out loud, "That's a good joke, too."

"Okay." Toby didn't intend to explain to them what was going on, he said: "It's time for you to return to the Ministry of Magic. I helped you find two good positions. You can choose by yourself." That's fine, and by the way, it can also help me keep an eye on Lucius, and don't let him do anything stupid."

Frank and Alice exchanged glances, although they had already known the news in the letters last night, but——

"What should we do with the magazine?" Frank asked suspiciously: "We are still in charge of the content of the Quidditch page, so don't worry about it?"

"Anyway, you are all going to the Ministry of Magic." Toby said: "At that time, you can go directly through the channels of the Ministry, or simply copy the content of the "Daily Prophet", which is the easiest. The key is that you are What do you think, eh? Going back to the ministry?"

"About this matter—" Alice said, "We discussed it before we came here. It might be difficult if it's the Auror office, but the Department of Magic, Sports and Sports is very good. There is no problem."

"However, Toby." Frank said in a serious tone suddenly: "You don't mean to ask us to help you with something, do you? I think most things are fine, but you should also know that if you really It is very dangerous content, we may still tell Dumbledore, just like you did when you were a child."

Faced with Frank's reminder, Toby smiled indifferently and said, "This is also the easiest problem to deal with, so it's okay."

"Trust me, it really doesn't matter."

(End of this chapter)