bookandnovel Chapter 67 Stadium Dialogue: Two Types of Games and the Stone Gate
Chapter 67 Stadium Dialogue: Two Types of Games and the Stone Gate
Chapter 67: Stadium Dialogue - Two Types of Games and the Stone Gate (Two-in-One)
"Yes." Lin Qi met her angry gaze without flinching. "I understand you still resent my inaction that day."
We'll be teaching at Hogwarts together, and we'll be spending a lot of time together. A bad working relationship is not something I want.
Moreover, as the vice principal, your attitude will directly affect my teaching environment.
Therefore, I apologize again for my oversight and reiterate my teaching philosophy: true growth sometimes requires facing the fire of tempering, and I have the ability to ensure that the flames do not actually burn them.
I request that you treat this matter professionally.
Professor McGonagall's jaw tightened into a line, her voice icy: "My professional ethics are none of your concern!"
"Very good." Lynch nodded slightly, his gaze towards Professor McGonagall questioning. "So, will you support my course in the same way you support other professors' course expenses?"
Professor McGonagall's eyebrows shot up: "Are you trying to insult me?"
Lynch's smile widened: "Of course not, Professor McGonagall, just confirming something else."
Professor McGonagall wanted to say something more, but just then, as the daylight faded, Captain Wood loudly announced the end of training. The players, carrying brooms and looking cold and tired, landed in twos and threes beside the two professors on the sidelines, interrupting her from asking any further questions.
Professor McGonagall gave Lynch one last look, then turned and led the exhausted Quidditch team toward the castle.
Lynch parted ways with them at the edge of the court, turning and walking toward the Forbidden Forest, which appeared even more somber as night fell.
His face appeared unusually calm in the twilight, with only his brows slightly furrowed, as if he were savoring every detail of what had just happened.
It can't be McGonagall.
This conclusion clearly emerged in his mind.
My thoughts drifted back to two days ago.
As usual, Thors went to Snape's potions office to collect the recovery potions prepared for the students who had just finished their hellish run in magic studies class.
Snape instructed Tots to tell Madam Pomfrey that due to a decline in the quality of the ingredients, the potency of the energizing tonics in these potions had been reduced, and that a higher dosage would be needed.
This situation caught Lynch's attention.
Typically, Hogwarts has large greenhouses managed by Professor Sprout, the Herbalist. These greenhouses produce enough common potion ingredients to meet the daily needs of Hogwarts Potions class and the school infirmary.
However, since his magical studies class—which now features intense physical training—began in full swing, Madam Pomfrey's demand for restorative potions has surged to help students recover from post-class injuries.
The limited output from the school's greenhouses quickly became insufficient.
So Hogwarts signed a supply agreement with a reputable potion supplier outside the school. The supplier would deliver potion materials at the beginning of each month according to the school's requirements, and the school would settle accounts at the end of the month based on the amount of materials consumed.
As a rising star in the British business world, the Stone Tower Merchant Guild is expanding its business empire at an astonishing pace, with its reach extending almost everywhere. The cultivation, acquisition, and sale of potion raw materials are naturally within the scope of its ambitions.
Therefore, the shop that signed the agreement with Hogwarts was a shop under the Stone Tower Merchant Guild.
After Lynch noticed this oddity, he asked the shop staff through Reggie.
The answer was that Hogwarts required a reduction in the grade of materials in order to save costs.
This sounds like a very reasonable reason, after all, Hogwarts has always ordered the top-quality goods of the same material.
While top-tier materials may offer slightly better performance, they come with a significant price premium compared to second-tier materials.
Lowering the quality of potion raw materials to save costs seems like a reasonable thing to do.
But is this really the case?
Hogwarts, as the only magic school in Britain, has stood for thousands of years and has never been stingy when it comes to matters concerning its students, always striving to provide them with the best learning environment.
Therefore, the only thing Lynch could think of was that Professor McGonagall had cut back on the procurement costs because of her personal feelings.
Although he thought it was unlikely, he still needed to find out.
After the test, he confirmed two things:
First, Professor McGonagall's disapproval of him had almost reached its peak;
Second, her principles and professional ethics are trustworthy, and she did not cut spending.
Since Hogwarts hasn't cut its budget, the problem must lie with the potion suppliers.
Has the collaboration already begun after only two months...?
Was it the pure-blooded family that reached out?
Or perhaps:
Lin Qi's heart sank slightly, and he sighed softly in his heart.
That night, by the fireplace inside the stone house, Lin Qi said softly, "Let the new hunting dog do this..."
"Understood." The hoarse voice coming from the flames remained completely flat.
On the morning of December 24th, the day before Christmas, Hogwarts Castle was enveloped in a chilling atmosphere.
The sky was an almost transparent blue, and the sunlight shone without warmth, casting cold shadows on the bare branches of the trees in the courtyard and the frosty window frames.
Even the castle's thick stone walls couldn't ward off the biting chill, making the warm auditorium all the more precious and bustling at that moment.
Inside the auditorium, the four long tables were already filled with students, and the air was filled with the rich aroma of fried eggs, toast, sausages and hot cocoa. However, even stronger than the aroma of food was the pervasive excitement and anticipation.
Almost everyone was talking and laughing loudly, their voices blending into a chorus of background noise.
There's only one reason—today is the long-awaited opening match of the Hogwarts Quidditch season!
And right from the start, they arranged the main event: Gryffindor versus Slytherin!
Debates arose about broom models, tactical arrangements, and the strength of the ball seekers. The red and green coin tosses stood out in the crowd, like two colorful tides ready to be unleashed.
Near the center of the teachers' table, Professor McGonagall sat upright, trying her best to maintain her usual demeanor, but the occasional upturn of her lips as she talked with Professor Sprout beside her betrayed her excitement.
At the edge of the long table, Lynch was leisurely enjoying his breakfast.
He was relaxed, as if the surrounding noise had nothing to do with him. He precisely cut a glistening, plump sausage on the plate with his silver knife and fork, his movements carrying an almost ritualistic focus.
Just as he cut off a small piece of sausage, put it in his mouth, chewed it carefully, and picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth, a unique sound, the rustling of clothes rolling and rubbing, came from afar. The sound carried an undeniable chill and finally stopped beside him, bringing a sudden drop in temperature to a small area.
Lynch slowly turned his head to the side.
Snape stood beside him, his signature somber face still jarring in the festive atmosphere and Quidditch fervor of the morning, a stark contrast to the cheerful ambiance of the Great Hall.
“Professor Lynch,” his voice was deep and smooth, with a hint of barely perceptible inquiry, “Flitwick mentioned that you declined his invitation to watch the game with you.” He paused slightly, his dark eyes fixed on Lynch, “It seems you intend to stay in the castle. Is there...something special that needs your attention? Perhaps I can offer some...small assistance?”
"Thank you for your concern, Severus," Lynch said with a smile. "I'm just planning to go back to my office and listen to the live broadcast of today's World Wizards vs. Card Championship finals in London on my magical radio."
He reached for a glass of juice: "You know, I've never been interested in Quidditch, it's a barbaric and dangerous sport."
In comparison, I am more concerned about my own business.
Today is a big day. Whether the promotion and publicity for Wizards vs. Cards over the past six months can achieve a perfect result depends on today.
As Lynch reached for the glass of juice, his arm stretched out, and a sliver of artificial sunlight streamed through the auditorium's dome, a faint, silvery reflection flashing briefly across the edge of the long table.
Snape caught the reflection out of the corner of his eye, and he knew perfectly well where it came from—Dumbledore's monitoring bracelet used to monitor Lynch's magical activities.
As Lin Qi retracted his arm, the sliver of light disappeared beneath the cover of his sleeve.
"You've certainly paid a hefty price to ensure this competition reaches its peak impact. Even our 'great' principal was invited to the event to act as the leader."
Considering the price Lynch paid for inviting Dumbledore to watch the game, Snape's lips curled into a mocking smile.
Lynch seemed completely oblivious to the sharp barb in Snape's words, and also ignored the sarcasm on the other's face.
He turned his head with a calm expression and continued to elegantly cut the remaining sausages on the plate.
"If we want to attract enough attention to this competition, we need a truly impressive figure. Albus Dumbledore, the greatest white wizard of our time, represents unparalleled attention and credibility. What could attract the entire wizarding world's attention more than his personal presence at the finals, or even the possibility of him presenting the trophy to the champion?"
Lynch put another sausage in his mouth, then turned to Snape: "Speaking of which, I have some news that might interest you."
"What?" Snape frowned, a hint of wariness flashing in his dark eyes.
"That boy," Lynch gestured toward the Gryffindor table, "is Harry Potter. He's Gryffindor's new Seeker. The youngest Quidditch player at Hogwarts in a century."
He paused, admiring the fleeting surprise and subsequent gloom on Snape's face. "Although I'm a complete novice at Quidditch, just by observing their 'secret training' at dusk, I can see that the boy has shown remarkable talent in the sport."
Professor McGonagall hid him very well, like she was holding back her last trump card, clearly preparing to catch you Slytherins off guard today, in front of everyone.
Lynch shrugged, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather, "But well, since the competition starts in a few hours..."
There's little point in hiding this secret anymore.
I thought it wouldn't hurt to tell you this news in advance.
He gave a genuine smile and added, "After all, everyone at Hogwarts knows we're the school's most famous friends, right?"
When Snape heard Lynch say the words "everyone's well-known best friend," his cheek muscles twitched almost imperceptibly.
He turned to look at Harry at the Gryffindor table and saw him fiddling with the food on his plate, looking conflicted and nervous.
Hermione kept comforting him.
Snape recalled his words when he rallied the Slytherin team: We must use every means to win and bring glory back to Slytherin!
Without glancing at Lynch again, Snape turned and left the teachers' table.
Lynch watched with amusement as Snape walked up to Harry with a gloomy aura. He saw Snape's lips move, awkwardly and stiffly uttering those incoherent sentences.
Harry looked up, his emerald eyes initially filled with confusion, then quickly filled with wariness and disgust.
Ron and Hermione, who were standing nearby, immediately went on high alert.
Clearly, Harry didn't give Snape a good response, because Snape's already gloomy face instantly became even more unpleasant, like the black soot at the bottom of a pot.
He said a couple more words through gritted teeth before turning around abruptly and dragging his injured leg away from the Gryffindor table with a limp.
Lin Qi shook his head slightly and continued to enjoy his breakfast.
By eleven o'clock, almost the entire school's faculty and students had gathered in the stands around the Quidditch pitch.
To get a better view of the game, many students brought binoculars.
The seats were raised into the air to allow spectators to see the players' movements in the air more clearly.
Even before the match started, cheers were already rising and falling from the stands.
at the same time.
Lynch sat in his office, but instead of turning on the radio as he had told Snape, he listened through the glass window to the faint cheers coming from the field.
When the cheers grew louder, he knew that the competition had officially begun.
So he stood up, opened the office door, and went out.
He climbed the steps all the way up to the eighth floor and stood in front of the stone wall opposite the tapestry depicting the giant beating of Banaba.
Lynch stretched out his right hand and ran his fingertips across the wall.
It stopped only when it seemed to have touched some invisible node.
He took a deep breath, pressed his palms firmly against the wall, and began to exert force.
As he pushed forward forcefully, the stone wall began to tremble, centered on his palm.
It was just a slight tremor, but it gradually spread outwards.
Soon, the shockwave spread throughout the corridor and began to ripple towards the entire castle.
Suddenly, a barely perceptible clicking sound rang out, and Lin Qi pushed open a stone door on the stone wall.
Lin Qi smiled and went inside.
As Lin Qi's figure disappeared behind the stone gate, the stone gate also vanished, and the castle's faint tremors ceased.