"That's not right! It's a different thing than getting House Points deducted after we trick-or-treat at Hogwarts! ”

Fred's face changed.

"You got into a fight with that Frenchman, what does that have to do with Triwizard Tournament? Those French guys did it on purpose! You were number one before, and they want to pull you down! ”

"Of course they did it on purpose." Scott said.

"Why not protest?" Fred looked at Dumbledore.

"Hmm...... The deduction of 5 points may not sound like much at first glance, and it seems that the punishment is not serious. ”

Roger touched his chin.

"But if you think about it, they're treating two unrelated things as one thing."

The others listened to their analysis, and they all looked at Dumbledore to hear what he had to say.

Dumbledore walked to the head of the table and sat down, and said in a gentle tone, "Yes, you're right, but it's not unnecessary. ”

Most of them had puzzled looks on their faces.

Dumbledore smiled and said to Scott, "Scott, tell me about it, if it were you, I'm sure you would understand." ”

Scott nodded.

He walked over to Dumbledore, faced the others, and bowed.

"First of all, I would like to apologize to everyone for the fact that the tournament points are related to the honor of Hogwarts, but because of my actions, I was deducted points."

"What stupid things are you talking about! Scott! Fred immediately exclaimed, "You're our warrior, and the points are what you earned in the game!" ”

Roger said, "I don't think you've done anything wrong. ”

Others spoke up.

"Fred and Roger were right."

"You don't need to apologize to us, Scott."

"It's the French's fault!"

"If you want me to say, you're just unlucky."

……

Hearing that everyone was extricating themselves, Scott couldn't help but laugh.

To be honest, he doesn't feel guilty about it, and even if someone blames him for it, he won't be touched in any way.

But if everyone else can be on his side, as it is now, it will also make him happy.

He further stated his thoughts, "It was Mr. Jolly from the French Ministry of Magic who made the decision to deduct points. Although he is somewhat suspected of taking advantage of the fire, I don't think he really has bad intentions. In a way, he actually helped me. ”

"Why do you say that?" Fred asked in surprise.

"It's kind of unfair to say, but we need this kind of unfair approach."

Scott continued to analyze.

"The family behind Valdo could turn against me at any moment, and even Professor Girard was there staring. In short, the deduction of points can at least gag her mouth. ”

With that, he paused and gave the others time to think.

Most of them were still thinking about Scott's words, but a few Slytherin students immediately understood what he meant, and nodded their heads.

One by one, they explained to the others—

"As you already know, in France, the strength of the Girard family should not be underestimated."

"As a pure-blood family that has been operating in the French wizarding world for hundreds of years, they can always influence the decisions of the Ministry of Magic authorities in some way."

"The situation in the UK is not very good right now, and it may not have the energy to deal with this side of the matter."

"The British Ministry of Magic, not everyone is willing to help. Pure-blood families are always inextricably linked. ”

None of the Slytherins who came here were Death Eater descendants, so they didn't have any qualms about saying something.

"If the Girard family is ready to take revenge on Scott with all their might, I'm sure they can do a lot."

"If they are willing to pay the price, they may be able to temporarily change the law, put the shackles of breaking the law on Scott, and try to put him in jail."

"While this is hypothetical, and they don't necessarily succeed, there's no doubt about one thing, they have the ability to cause us huge problems."

"In contrast, deducting points is the best option."

"The points have been deducted, and the jury representing the opinions of all parties has reached an agreement. This means that the incident has been closed on the bright side and has been characterized. ”

"In other words, this incident has been truly defined as a fight between students, although it is a violation of discipline, but it is by no means illegal."

"Mr. Jolly and Mr. Lefebble have confirmed the results of the disposition, and they represent the French Ministry of Magic."

"In this way, the Girard family will not be able to trouble us through the French Ministry of Magic, because they have lost the name of revenge in the open."

"That's it." Scott gave them a thumbs up.

As it deserves, Slytherin is the fastest to react to this kind of thing.

Roger said, "But...... So, is it still possible that the Girard family is secretly taking revenge on Scott? ”

Several Slytherins nodded.

"So, for the rest of the time, it's better for Scott not to be left alone again, and not to leave Beauxbatons."

"Don't dine somewhere else outside the tower."

"There are still many months left until the end of the tournament, and everyone can't relax."

"Be vigilant at all times."

Their solemn warnings made everyone nervous.

But soon, Dumbledore's kind voice rang out.

"Don't worry, kids, don't be too vigilant. I'm going to stay here for the rest of the year. ”

He sat there, looking at the students with a calm gaze.

Fred asked, "Until the end of the tournament?" ”

"Yes, if nothing else." Dumbledore nodded slightly.

"Great."

"Then they will not dare to do anything more."

Hearing Dumbledore's words, everyone rejoiced.

This is Dumbledore, as long as this old man is around, they are completely confident.

"Now everyone can move freely, and they don't have to be confined to the tower." Dumbledore said in a relaxed tone.

He stood up, "Scott, you come with me." ”

After that, Scott followed Dumbledore to the top floor of the tower, which belonged to Dumbledore's room.

"I'm sorry, Scott." Dumbledore said, "Forgive me, there are so many facts I need to worry about, and as an old man in his hundreds, my energy is a little low. ”

Scott watched him sit in his chair.

After leaving the crowd, Dumbledore was no longer the same energetic and energetic appearance.

His face, including his voice, was full of exhaustion.

"There is indeed a better solution to your affairs, including the previous ban on the Animagus." Dumbledore whispered, "But I've always chosen the most time-saving response. ”

Scott shook his head, "It's not your fault, it's me who got into trouble, and you've done good enough." ”

He knew that Dumbledore didn't do his best to fight for him, but he wouldn't blame anything either.

Although Dumbledore focused most of his energy on the British wizarding world and was perfunctory about the Triwizard Tournament, Scott thought it was the right choice.

As Dumbledore himself said, he is more than a hundred years old, but it is not easy to think about the future of the British wizarding world on his shoulders.

Maybe he just can't let go of those things by himself, and the fatigue is also because of his own choice.

But no one can deny that Dumbledore was a good man, and he genuinely wanted to fight for a better future for most people in British magic.

Scott would not blame such an old man.

"If only you could understand." Dumbledore smiled with relief, "You don't have to worry about the rest, someone will help you." ”

Scott had an idea, "Is that Professor Russell?" ”

Dumbledore nodded, "Looks like you've seen something in his attitude." ”

"In Mrs. Maxim's office, his help to me wasn't hidden, I just didn't know why," Scott said. ”

"Can't think of why it would help you like that?" Dumbledore said, "You'll find out soon." ”

At this moment, there was a loud "pop" behind Scott.

When he looked back, he saw a house-elf holding Professor Russell's hand around a Hogwarts tea towel suddenly appear in front of him.

"Dear Mr. Headmaster, Lulu has brought your distinguished guest."

The house-elf, whom Scott also knew, let go of Professor Russell's hand, bowed, and quickly disappeared from his form.

"Welcome, Professor Russell."

Dumbledore stood up and shook Professor Russell's hand.

"Just call me August, Professor Dumbledore."

Professor Russell said politely.

"Okay, August, of course, you can call me Albus, please take a seat."

"Thank you."

After the two professors were seated, Scott also politely greeted Professor Russell.

"Good afternoon, Professor Russell, thank you for helping me."

Professor Russell nodded.

He took off his white gloves and reached for the hot tea that Dumbledore had handed him.

"No thanks, Mr. Trollope." He said slowly, "According to the agreement, I will help you and keep you safe during your time at Beauxbatons. ”

"Agreed?" Scott turned to look at Dumbledore.

"It's a pact with the great ancient alchemist, the Lady Ravenclaw." Professor Russell said.

"Tutor Ravenclaw?" Scott asked in surprise, "I haven't heard of it." ”

During his days at Beauxbatons, although not many times, he did not exchange with the portraits of his Ravenclaw mentors.

But the Ravenclaw mentor didn't mention it.

Professor Russell said: "After the first round, I was playing with Deng ...... During Albus's exchange, he learned of the existence of the portrait of Lady Ravenclaw. ”

Scott remembered that it was he who had asked Professor Russell to ask Dumbledore.

But he didn't expect that Dumbledore would directly tell the other party about the existence of the portrait of the Tutor Ravenclaw.

"Augustus wants to exchange alchemy with the Lady of Ravenclaw." Dumbledore told Scott.

"Yes, I ask for advice." Professor Russell said, "According to the family's historical records, Lady Ravenclaw went further in alchemy than most alchemists. ”

Dumbledore did not refute his words, but said, "I conveyed Augustus's request to Lady Ravenclaw, and Lady Ravenclaw made it possible for him to give you help. ”

Scott then understood the whole thing.

It turned out to be because of the Ravenclaw mentor, no wonder......

It is not difficult to explain why Professor Russell, who seems to be indifferent to most things, is mixed into today's troubles.

Scott had always wondered if Professor Russell's protégé, Lucio, was involved in the incident, and he didn't have to do that to that extent.

"But thank you very much, Professor Russell."

Either way, the help is real.

If it weren't for Professor Russell, whose family background is on par with or even better than Girard's, Professor Girard would probably not be so easy to dismiss.

So Scott thanked him anyway.

Professor Russell nodded again, and then said, "I'm here to meet with Ms. Ravenclaw." ”

"Of course no problem, since it was the Ravenclaw mentor who promised."

Scott said, pulling out the photo-sized blank picture frame from the shape-shaped-lizard leather pouch around his waist and pulling out his wand.

He tapped the frame with his wand and called out to Ravenclaw.

The blank frame was quickly stained, and the dignified and beautiful figure of Ravenclaw emerged.

"Mentor."

Scott placed the frame on the table and whispered a recount of the situation.

"I see." Ravenclaw nodded slightly.

She didn't make any comments on Scott's behavior, but looked directly at Professor Russell on the side.

By this time, Professor Russell had already gotten up from the couch.

His eyes, which had always been unwavering, also changed drastically, and he was looking at the Ravenclaw in the painting with great respect.

"Greetings, Dear Lady Ravenclaw, I am Augustus Russell."

He spoke standard English and performed a wizarding salute gracefully.

"Hello, Russell." Ravenclaw in the painting smiled, "Thank you for helping to take care of my apprentice." ”

"It's my pleasure." Professor Russell said politely.

That's the end of the greetings.

Immediately afterward, Professor Russell took two steps forward and eagerly exchanged alchemy with Ravenclaw.

"Dear Madam, there are a few alchemical questions that have been bothering me, and I hope to hear your answers here......"

At first, Scott listened with relish, curious about what they were exchanging.

But as their conversation progressed, Scott gradually lost track of it.

Although he could understand many words, he couldn't understand what they were saying.

The conversation between the two was rapid, and the sentences used a lot of alchemy terms and alphanumeric abbreviations, and Scott felt like he was listening to a book from heaven.

Since he didn't understand and didn't dare to bother, he took a few steps back and stood aside.

When he saw Dumbledore still listening to it with relish, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart, Dumbledore was indeed a real alchemist.

The exchange lasted for a long time, until nightfall, when Professor Russell reluctantly ended.

Ravenclaw said, "Russell, you are a rare alchemical genius, and you can come and communicate with me at any time during Scott's stay at Beauxbatons." ”

"Thank you for your generosity, esteemed Ravenclaw. Accordingly, I will guarantee the safety of your apprentice at Beauxbatons. ”

Eventually, Professor Russell left with a satisfied smile.

After he left, Scott thanked his mentor for his heart.

"It's just a gesture." Ravenclaw said, "Grow up faster, my apprentice." ”

She nodded to Dumbledore again, and the figure disappeared into the frame.

Over the next few days, Scott's days returned to their usual pace.

The Christmas holidays have arrived, and the first semester of the school year is over.

Since the students who no longer have to attend classes due to the Christmas Ball, the Beauxbatons campus is still bustling.

It's just that......

The previous events were not without their impact.

Although Waldo does not appear again, Waldo's henchmen seem to be frightened by Scott and are secretly preaching his brutality.

In the first round of the Triwizard Tournament, Scott was the best of the three warriors and has always been very popular, and many Beauxbatons students will take the initiative to greet him.

But now his popularity has plummeted, and there are far fewer people who will take the initiative to greet him, and the Beauxbatons students still secretly give him a nickname.

"England Piercing Male."

When Lucio secretly told Scott about his nickname, he couldn't stop laughing.

"They say you have bound Valdo in thorny chains, and he is covered in blood. Then he was given the taste of being pierced by a stake ten times, which made him miserable. ”

“……”

Scott could only be speechless.

Those people think too highly of Valdo.

If he really let Valdo experience what it's like to be impaled by a stake ten times, will that guy still have a way to live?

"Everyone thinks you're imitating Vlad III. Even more terrible than Vlad III. ”

Lucio also pretended to pat Scott on the shoulder.

"Don't care, buddy, the rumors are so illogical."

Scott looked at him with dead fish eyes.

If it weren't for the fact that the kid was shaking with laughter, he might have thought he was genuinely comforting him.

Not surprisingly, this inexplicable nickname also reached the ears of the rest of the Hogwarts delegation, and through them it reached Hogwarts headquarters.

"He's coming! English Piercing Duke, Vlad IV! ”

Fred was no less funny.

Even when Scott threatened to skewer him to a stake, he didn't get tired of it.

On top of that, just before Christmas, Scott's winemaking process begins to brew.

This step is not simple.

First, Scott crushes the processed malt to make malt powder.

The malt powder is then mixed with warm water and placed in the mash vat where the mash feedback is naturally generated.

The difficulty in the brewing process is to control the temperature and time, too high a temperature or too long will affect the quality of the wort.

As he continued his winemaking work, Scott also remembered to prepare Christmas presents for his friends.

He borrowed a mail-order list from Lucio, selected some gifts with French characteristics, and selected all the Christmas gifts by mail-order order.

When the time comes, the store will pack the continuation according to the address he left and send it directly to his friends.

And he only needs to spend a total of a few gold gallons for the service fee.

Seeing Scott in action, the rest of the Hogwarts delegation followed his example and got their gifts in this way.

Christmas is in the midst of a busy time.

Scott's first surprise was the day before Christmas.

Professor Flitwick personally came to Beauxbatons and brought him the best Christmas present -

A potion that has been made.

Professor Flitwick told him, "Potions are very difficult to make, and not even a potions master like Damocles Belby has ever succeeded in doing so." ”

At this time, they were sitting on the top floor of the tower, in Dumbledore's room.

Scott was holding a bottle of potion in his hand.

The crystal bottle containing the potion was small, only the thickness of a thumb, and the potion in the bottle was as bright as blood, unusually beautiful, and shimmered like a ruby.

"Oh, is this the potion that Lady Ravenclaw gave you to formula?" Dumbledore also looked curiously at the potion in Scott's hand, "Try it, let's see how it works." ”

Scott nodded, peeled off the wax seal on the bottle, pulled out the cork, and raised his head to drain the blood-red potion from the bottle.

Soon, he felt a scorching flame appear in his body, burning from his abdomen to all his internal organs and limbs.

The unbearable heat filled every vessel, every inch of nerves, and even every cell.

"Hmmm......"

Scott gritted his teeth, but couldn't help but let out a muffled grunt.

"Oh, Scott, how are you, are you alright?"

Professor Flitwick asked with concern.

Scott shook his head.

"It's bearable." He reluctantly replied.

"You don't have to speak." Professor Flitwick said, "Don't worry, Albus and I will be watching you." ”

"Ah......h

Scott's mind suddenly went blank and he couldn't help but cry out.

When he regained consciousness, he found that his magic was rioting.

The abundant mana was jubilant like boiling water, already making his body feel full.

But Scott himself is powerless against it, and he can't even control the magic of his own riot.

Everything in the office flew up in an instant, spinning in the air.

At the same time, Scott himself was floating in the air.

Both Professor Flitwick and Dumbledore jumped off the couch, waving their wands to stabilize the flying objects.

"Steady!" Dumbledore said, "Take full control of your sudden increase in magic!" ”

Hearing his words, Scott began to try.

At first, his attempts had little success.

In the past, the magic of being unusually obedient was like a rat running around, and he was like the incompetent person who held slippers and couldn't beat the mouse.

But he didn't give up, still trying to control his magic with all his might.

As time passed, perhaps the effects of the medicine had worn off, or it could have been Scott's efforts that had finally subsided.

The two professors waved their wands in quick succession, causing the floating objects to gently land on the carpet, and directed a couch to move over and catch Scott falling from the sky.

Scott's back lifted onto the soft couch and bounced a few times.

He took a few breaths and finally regained his ability to move on his own, so he immediately sat up.

"Oh Scott, how are you feeling?"

Professor Flitwick walked up to him and watched him closely.

"Hmmm......"

Scott closed his eyes and sensed himself, then opened them.

"The magic has increased a lot, obviously." Scott opened his fingers and clenched his fists again, "Now I should be able to do magic that I couldn't do before." ”

Dumbledore on the side nodded, "Although I can't sense the situation in your body, I don't feel that the magic field around you has increased a lot. ”

"That's right, your magic is already stronger than most adult wizards!" Professor Flitwick excitedly said, "Coupled with the continued growth of your physical development, you will have magic far beyond others in the future!" ”

Scott said; "Thank you, Professor Flitwick, for helping me connect with the Potions Master and for coming over to give me the potions."

"It's nothing." Professor Flitwick waved his hand, "I don't feel comfortable letting an owl deliver such a precious potion." ”

Scott knew that while it would be uncomfortable to hand it over to an owl, Professor Flitwick could still have the house-elves deliver it.

He nodded, not saying more, taking to heart all his gratitude to Professor Flitwick.

Professor Flitwick sighed, "It's a pity, such potions are so rare, even potions masters like Belby, who have always liked to use precious materials, have managed to collect enough potions, in short, the potions are not ready to be popularized." ”

"It's a pity." Dumbledore said, "If it can be popularized, the magic level of young wizards can grow rapidly, and more geniuses will appear in the wizarding world." ”

Professor Flitwick said, "Belby didn't disclose the secret recipe for the potion, and he thinks that this potion will be another step to widen the gap between wizards of different levels, and it will further strengthen the ambitions of some people." ”

"He's right." Dumbledore sat back down, "The price of the enchantment potion is expensive, and only a few wizards are destined to have it. Most wizards in the wizarding world could neither afford to buy potions nor have the means to have them made by a potions master. ”

Professor Flitwick said: "Belby is trying to improve the recipe, but of course there is no progress at the moment. After all, the same is true of the wolf poison potion he invented, which was not popularized among werewolves because of its high price. ”

Scott listened to the conversation between the two and felt very happy.

If the potion recipe hadn't come from him, he wouldn't have had a good way to get it.

But now that he had gotten it, and the potion recipe was given to Damocles Belby as agreed, he didn't care about the rest.

As he had to return to Hogwarts for Christmas, Professor Flitwick did not stay long in Beauxbatons, and after confirming the results of Scott's potion of enchantment, he left in a hurry.

On Christmas Day, when Scott woke up from his bed, he was already piled up with presents under his bed.

Fred had woken up too, rubbing his eyes and looking at his own pile.

"Those owls are really hard." He muttered.

When Scott started unpacking the gift straight into his pajamas, Roger got up too.

"Oh, there's always no surprise in Mommy's gifts."

Fred pulled out a red sweater from the present.

"Looks like Mrs. Weasley has a gift for me, too."

Scott saw the same box in front of himself.

After opening it, he got a blue sweater.

The sweater is brightly colored, and there is a large bronze trophy pattern on the chest, and below the trophy is a capital letter spelled with the word "champion".

"Wouldn't it be too arrogant?" Scott gestured in front of him with his sweater, "I'm going to be laughed at if I wear it before I actually win the championship." ”

Fred said, "No, even if you get the championship, I'll still laugh at you, only Percy will stick all the accolades he has got!" ”

"You have a point."

Scott put down his sweater and began to look through other people's gifts.

Eddie sent him a well-written essay.

[If you manage to win, this article will be published on the front page of the Daily Prophet under the name of Hollingworth.] ］

Scott glanced at it and saw that the article was full of praise for him, but it was written in a witty way that made him laugh for a while.

But before Fred and Roger could look at it, he put the parchment away as fast as he could.

If they see it, it will be too shameful, and it will definitely be publicized and ridiculed.

The gift from Milton was a music box.

[This is something I tried to make myself, and this tune called "Come on, Scott" was also written just for you, come on, Scott!] ］

Scott opened the lid of the music box, tightened the clockwork, and listened to the melodious melody from it, and couldn't help but feel a little weak.

Because Eddie and Milton had prepared more gifts than he had prepared for them himself.

Next up is a gift from Luna.

Luna's gifts are always full of whimsy, and this time was no surprise.

Her gift was a silver tiara, and in front of the tiara was a large golden seven-pointed star set with eight white pearls and a square red gemstone.

Of course, none of these materials such as gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, etc., are real, but the cardboard is painted in the corresponding color.

Scott always thought the tiara looked familiar, but he couldn't remember where he saw it.

So he retrieved a small note written by Luna from the gift box.

[This is a tiara of my own making, made according to the style on the portrait of Vlad III, and I believe it will bring you good luck.] Come on, Scott. ］

Good luck? Where did it come from?

Scott was momentarily speechless.

But he still put the crown on his head.

Soon, all the other gifts were also opened by him, and nothing more interesting appeared.

Fred and Roger, who were in the same room as him, had already lost their surprises when they gave each other regular mail-order gifts.

"Oh Scott, what's that on your head?"

Fred stared curiously at the silver tiara on Scott's head.

"Can't you see that?" Scott shook his head.

"It's a little familiar, but I can't remember it for a while." Roger also looked at it.

Scott shrugged his shoulders, "This is Vlad III's tiara, a gift made by Luna herself. ”

Both Fred and Roger laughed.

Fred said regretfully, "Why didn't I think that I should have given you a long pointed stake, the English Piercing Male." ”

"It's not too late for you to cut down trees now, as long as you dare to send it, I dare to accept it." Scott said angrily, "And then use it to skewer you to the top of the tower." ”