Not long into their conversation in the entrance hall, Andy saw Sirius hurrying towards the Great Hall.
When he saw Andy and Hermione, Sirius was taken aback. "What are you two sitting here for?"
Andy glanced in the direction of the Great Hall and then shrugged. "We're waiting for Professor McGonagall."
Sirius let out a sigh of relief.
Since Professor McGonagall had already arrived, he didn't need to hurry over there.
"Andy, where were you yesterday?" Sirius asked.
"Er..."
Andy was taken aback. "I was at school! Why?"
"I mean, where at school?"
Sirius explained. "You heard about Diagon Alley, right? We looked for you everywhere yesterday, but we couldn't find a trace of you."
Andy and Hermione looked at each other, and then he said, "I think I was in the Room of Requirement… I would often go there to practice spells."
After a pause, Andy asked, "You looked for me yesterday?"
"Of course!"
Sirius explained, "You are an important combatant! Apart from Dumbledore, you are the only one who can stop You-Know-Who."
"That's a real shame." Andy showed an expression of powerlessness.
Andy had been wondering before.
Many people knew about Dumbledore's absence, but when Voldemort led the Death Eaters to attack Diagon Alley, no one came to ask for his help.
Did they have so little faith in me, Andy Collins?
Now I understand.
They just couldn't find me!
"Professor Black, how is the situation at the Ministry?" Hermione asked anxiously.
"Not optimistic."
Sirius said in a helpless tone, "We received the news when the Death Eaters attacked, but Dumbledore couldn't be contacted, and neither could Andy be... Ugh!"
Sighing, Sirius continued, "By the time we arrived at Diagon Alley, the Ministry of Magic had already been defeated. We could only help rescue some people and follow them back to the Ministry."
"We were busy at the Ministry of Magic all night and only rushed back this morning."
It sounds like the situation was very serious!
They had even retreated to the Ministry of Magic.
Hermione asked with concern, "What about Diagon Alley? How is the situation there?"
Sirius sighed, "Not good... After this battle, I'm afraid that many people will not dare to open shops there anymore."
Andy frowned and asked offhandedly, "Voldemort's attack was a bit coincidental... You know, I was practising spellcasting in the Room of Requirement while Professor Dumbledore was out of the country and couldn't be reached."
"It seems that someone on both sides is informing him."
The fact that Andy practised spellcasting every day was no secret at Hogwarts. Although the time of day he practised magic was irregular, if one paid attention, one could more or less figure out a pattern.
After all, the time of day when there were no classes was fixed.
Therefore, someone at Hogwarts must be informing Voldemort.
"It must be those Slytherin brats!"
Sirius said in an extremely certain and confident tone, "That's how it was when I was at school; Slytherin was the preparatory reserve for the Death Eaters. They must be thrilled after reading today's news."
Andy was left speechless.
Although this was not absolutely true, after reading today's Daily Prophet, some of the young snakes were indeed unusually excited.
Otherwise, they would not have argued with Gryffindor.
"I've told Dumbledore for a long time that Slytherin House should be disbanded, or something terrible will happen sooner or later," said Sirius indignantly.
Andy and Hermione glanced at each other, not sure how to respond.
"Fine, you guys just sit here."
Sirius continued, "I'll go see what's going on inside."
With that, Sirius strode towards the Great Hall.
After about ten minutes, Professor McGonagall walked out of the Great Hall with Sirius. Sirius followed behind Professor McGonagall, looking dejected and lacking in spirit.
It was obvious that he had been lectured by Professor McGonagall.
As a professor from Gryffindor, Sirius's bias towards Gryffindor was very Snape-like.
It was as if he couldn't enjoy his meals without targeting Slytherin every day.
Facing this situation, even though Professor McGonagall was secretly happy, she could not show it.
Because she was still the Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts.
"Professor Black, you must be mindful of your words."
Professor McGonagall said sternly as she walked, "I admit that there are indeed some students within Slytherin House who have…well…not the best character. But as professors, while teaching them the knowledge of magic, we must also guide them onto the correct path."
"If we give up on some children because they have been deceived and led astray, then the educational philosophy of Hogwarts will be reduced to nothing."
Sirius looked like he had learned his lesson and said, "I understand, Professor McGonagall… It was indeed an inappropriate remark on my part, and I will be more careful in the future."
Hermione also looked at Professor McGonagall with worship in her eyes.
At this moment, Professor McGonagall seemed to be shining with dazzling radiance in the eyes of the young witch.
Andy: "..."
There are usually only two ways to guide a misguided child back onto the correct path at Hogwarts:
Point deduction and detention!
But words are useless when it comes to Slytherins.
They worship power and authority.
So...
Andy felt he had discovered the truth.
There was no doubt that Professor McGonagall could be considered a fair professor.
But Andy believes that she must secretly support Sirius's point deduction in her heart.
"Mr Collins..."
As she passed by Andy, Professor McGonagall stopped and looked at Andy and said, "Let's talk in my office...and Miss Granger, you too."
"Okay!" Andy nodded.
After getting up, Andy grabbed the armchair and jerked it upwards, and in a flash of twisting and turning, it reverted back to a piece of cloth.
Stuffing the cloth into the space pocket, Andy looked at Professor McGonagall and said, "Professor, let's go!"
Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows in surprise. "You can already achieve this without a wand?"
"Erm..."
When it came to this, Andy once again performed a magic trick.
Andy lifted his left hand, and a button on the sleeve of his shirt blinked and turned into a colourful butterfly. The butterfly flew around Andy once before landing on the sleeve and turning back into a button.
Since completing the fusion of mind and magic, Andy's wandless casting level has improved by leaps and bounds.
He can cast a simple spell like this with just a thought.
"Professor McGonagall..."
Andy asked, "I've read in the books that the greatest power of alchemy is the ability to permanently change the structure of matter. Hmm... can transfiguration do that?"
Hermione gave Andy a sidelong glance.
Hey, that's my line!
----
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