[79] The Lion's Den

Dumbledore finally dealt with the troublesome Cornelius Fudge.

The Saints who wanted to enter would have to think twice. There were professors already at the school preparing for the upcoming term, and then there were Hogwarts' powerful defensive arrays — arrays that even Voldemort at his peak couldn't breach.

Cornelius Fudge turned around, his previously timid face instantly becoming expressionless, a glint of malice flashing in his eyes.

Damn Dumbledore! He'd wanted to use this opportunity to shove people into Hogwarts, but the old man had said the children needed more experience and there was no need to waste time on his safety. He might be old, but he could still handle a mere Saint.

Handle? Hmph. Fine. Fudge would see how Dumbledore explained himself to the parents and the Board of Governors when the Saints were overwhelming at Hogwarts. By then, who he let into Hogwarts wouldn't be Dumbledore's decision.

"Hmph. Let's go." Fudge glared at Hogwarts, then turned and ordered the Aurors to leave.

Meanwhile, Dumbledore and Hall were strolling down the school corridors, heading toward the Forbidden Forest.

Hall's once slightly wavy red hair, loose over his shoulders, was now a mess, resembling a bird's nest. Lying in the nest was a small golden snake, its forked tongue flicking occasionally, its face radiating arrogance.

"Helena, I've explained so many times — I really haven't forgotten what I promised you." Hall sighed, feeling an immense headache coming on.

"Hiss~" Hall, you big liar.

Helena had been hogging his hair for two days straight. Except when he returned to the Burrow at night, whenever Hall was at Hogwarts, Helena was always on his head.

"Students can't return to school for summer holiday — it's school policy." Hall tried to sound as sincere as possible while frantically winking at Dumbledore for help.

"Hiss~" Then why are you here now?

"I ran into some trouble. The Headmaster made an exception." Hall quickly explained. "I really didn't mean not to come see you. Ouch, ouch, ouch — my hair! Stop biting it! I'm going bald!"

Hall reached up to cover his head, trying to rescue his hair from Helena's mouth. But Helena wouldn't let go. With a tuft of red hair between her teeth, she raised her head, her beady eyes fixed on Dumbledore.

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Dumbledore nodded helplessly. "It's true. Hall has encountered some issues and has to stay at Hogwarts. This is also for his safety."

Hall felt a surge of disappointment. From today onwards, he couldn't return to the Burrow at night. He had to remain at Hogwarts, isolated from the outside world, until the start of the new term. Furthermore, the Floo Network that had just been opened between Hogwarts and the Burrow was ordered disconnected by Dumbledore.

Despite Hogwarts's powerful defensive array, it only extended outward, not inward. If an enemy infiltrated and attacked, Dumbledore couldn't confidently claim he could protect everyone. The best solution was to seal off Hogwarts completely until the situation was resolved.

Hall, naturally, couldn't go home.

Helena, whom Hall had coaxed into thinking he wouldn't visit during the holiday, was now causing a commotion, hiding in Hall's hair. She felt that Hall Weasley, that scoundrel, had betrayed her affection.

But upon hearing Dumbledore say Hall was in danger, Helena released the hair, slithered onto his shoulder, and glared fiercely at Dumbledore. She hissed warningly — did he want her to devour those people herself?

Hall pulled Helena off his shoulder and held her up to his eyes. "It's nothing serious. The Headmaster will protect me. Don't worry." He placed her back on his head.

Dumbledore noticed how naturally Hall conversed with Helena. "Hall, you speak Parseltongue?"

"Helena taught me." Helena nodded proudly, her tail swaying against Hall's neck.

"Parseltongue truly lives up to its reputation. It took me three days to learn the basics." Hall looked somewhat embarrassed.

Dumbledore covered his face. Hall's talents were truly multifaceted — even a genius like Tom Riddle had his weaknesses. Perhaps this child truly was a turning point.

He coughed, changing the subject. "Hall, I heard from Gellert that you're taking lessons with him now?"

"Headmaster, is that not allowed?" Dumbledore noticed the worry in Hall's eyes. If this brat really thought he wouldn't be allowed, he certainly wouldn't have started studying with Grindelwald in the first place. Now he was putting on an act.

"Since you're studying, study hard. Surpass him. Let him know how excellent the students of Hogwarts are." Dumbledore squeezed Hall's shoulder and pushed him forward. They had arrived at the Forbidden Forest.

Dumbledore didn't intend to go over. He watched Hall enter the Forbidden Forest before turning back to the castle.

Initially, they had been too busy to know about the Saints. But after finding out, Grindelwald hadn't sent a letter to stop their arrival. This was Hall's first test. Those old loyalists were out — it was the perfect opportunity for Hall Weasley. Besides, if things went wrong, Dumbledore and Grindelwald were still there.

Grindelwald said this while standing on a high tower at the highest point of Nurmengard. Madam Pomfrey said he was calcium deficient and needed sun every day. He watched Hall practicing his newly learned spell on the lawn below and nodded with satisfaction — the success rate was unexpectedly high. Except for some dark magic spells, the effects were about the same as scratching an itch. Many required the caster to have a strong desire for the victim's pain, which was too difficult for Hall. If he actually succeeded, that would raise alarm.

Dumbledore, standing nearby, sneered. Grindelwald was including himself in the scheme, paving the way for Hall. If it weren't for Hall's frail physique, Dumbledore would have kicked him off the stage.

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