Hogwarts: I Am an Exemplary Wizard

Chapter 557: Chapter 555: Probing

Sirius and Lupin quickly got to work, and by the next day, they began cleaning up the Shrieking Shack.

Just like Kael said, renovating a house that has been abandoned for many years is indeed not an easy task.

There were Doxys, Earth Turtles, and other pests everywhere, and Lupin even found two Boggarts in the top attic.

Sirius suggested tearing down the entire house and rebuilding it, which might be quicker, but Lupin disagreed.

He believed the Shrieking Shack was still sturdy enough and that demolishing it entirely would be too wasteful. The two argued for half a day but finally decided on a compromise.

To preserve the house but remove everything inside.

Cleaning up afterwards became much faster.

Kael once visited through the hidden path under the Whomping Willow.

Lupin and Sirius were busy with their work, and even shopkeepers from Hogsmeade came over to see what was happening after hearing the commotion.

Some kind-hearted people, like Ambrosius Flume and his wife from Honeyduke’s Sweet Shop, helped clean up the garden’s weeds and carnivorous slugs.

Aside from that, other shopkeepers were also quite friendly toward them.

Hogsmeade isn’t big, with only a few shops going back and forth, and they were happy to see new members join.

And the Shrieking Shack...well, although it’s well-known, the legends about it have long been outdated, and with it being abandoned for so long, its overgrown appearance somewhat affects Hogsmeade’s image as well.

Kael didn’t stay long here, and after about half an hour, Lupin sent him back.

According to him, cleaning up wasn’t such a big deal, and it didn’t require too many helpers. Plus, today wasn’t Hogsmeade’s visiting day, and if Kael was seen by a professor coming for a drink at the Three Broomsticks, he would certainly receive a deduction in points and might even get detention.

Kael didn’t insist; he simply nodded and left.

After leaving the path under the Whomping Willow, Kael encountered what should be Harry, Hermione, and Ron on the field.

They probably didn’t want to be discovered, as the three were covered by Harry’s Invisibility Cloak but didn’t notice their feet were all visible, creating a rather strange scene.

But by this time, they were already close to the Whomping Willow, so Kael pretended not to see anything and walked straight past.

...

By Monday morning, Dumbledore had also returned to the castle.

Simultaneously, there was a very brief line in that day’s newspaper.

[The decree to limit Aurors was not passed]

This line was really small and squeezed in between two articles, and if not carefully looking, one probably wouldn’t find it.

But even so, Professor Moody was still fuming with anger. In the first afternoon Defense Against the Dark Arts class, he openly criticized that the Ministry of Magic’s people were incompetent and said that they only talk big but don’t understand what Aurors go through every day.

”I think the professor is right.” Cho nodded solemnly from below. ”If the Ministry really passed that restrictive decree, then I’d never consider becoming an Auror.”

”Don’t worry.” Kael said, ”If they did pass it...then tomorrow we’ll see news of Aurors collectively resigning.”

As he spoke, Kael put the Marauder’s Map back into his pocket.

After all, Professor Moody had been gone for a month, and Kael brought the Marauder’s Map to class before the lesson.

The good news was that it still didn’t show Professor Moody’s name, just like before.

However, to be cautious, when class ended, Kael immediately rushed out of the classroom and caught up with Professor Moody, who hadn’t gone far.

”Professor...” Kael calmly said, ”Didn’t you say before you were going to check our mastery of the Iron Armor Spell?

I noticed you didn’t mention it just now, so is it part of next lesson’s content?”

”Iron Armor Spell?”

Professor Moody looked over with both his normal eye and magic eye.

”I think you must be mistaken.”

He confidently said, ”The Iron Armor Spell is first lesson content, and I’ve spent a long time teaching it, whether you’ve learned it or not, I’ll not waste time on that Spell; it’s pointless.”

”Then maybe I truly mixed it up.” Kael said. ”It might have been Professor Black who mentioned it since he covered classes previously for a month.”

”If that’s the case, then you can completely forget about it.” Professor Moody glanced at students in the corridor, ”At least in my lessons, you won’t have time wasted checking your Iron Armor Spell.”

”I understand, Professor.” After that, Kael intended to leave.

Professor Moody’s blue magic eye followed Kael’s movements, his scar-filled face strangely stretched into a somewhat frightening smile.

”I have to say, your vigilance is quite good, lad.”

He said in a hoarse voice, ”The Ministry’s incompetent people aren’t even as good as a child; none have suspected if I was an imposter, zero precaution at all.”

”I don’t understand what you’re saying, Professor.” Kael looked at him puzzledly.

Although Kael was indeed testing him, saying it out loud was a bit rude.

However, Professor Moody seemed not to hear Kael’s explanation, continuing;

”Verifying my identity is necessary.” He patted the water jug in his pocket, ”Everyone knows I only drink my own water; if someone wants to impersonate me, they only need to put Polyjuice Potion into the jug, sipping every hour; simple as that.”

Kael stayed silent—not knowing what to say, considering someone actually tried doing that.

”Interested in becoming an Auror?” Professor Moody suddenly asked.

”Auror?” Kael shook his head, ”Not for now, but maybe I’ll consider it in the future.”

”Then you should really think about it.” Professor Moody said, gesturing to his magic eye, ”I trust my judgment; you’re smart and more vigilant than most; this is essential, like my repeated teaching, constant vigilance is an Auror’s most powerful tool.

And you possess this tool; I could say confidently your future might mirror your mother’s, becoming a legendary Auror.”

”My mom?” Initially just wanting to politely end the talk with Professor Moody, Kael showed a shocked and suspicious expression, ”But Professor, I’m sure you mistook her; my mom isn’t an Auror.”

”Mistake? No, I haven’t.” Professor Moody laughed again, ”Diana wasn’t in the Department of Mysteries immediately post-graduation; she was the best and promising Auror I’ve seen from joining back then.

”I once thought she’d lead the Auror Office in the future before retiring; a pity she didn’t stay.”

”But now, her choice seems wise; today’s Ministry is utterly rotten...Fudge too, he wants more power, not ministerial competency.”

Professor Moody started dispirited again, didn’t converse further with Kael, heading limping to the office.

Even after walking far away, Kael could still hear his cursing voice.

...