Some people never show up when you actually need them—but the moment you've solved everything on your own, they stroll in, eager to claim the spoils.
In the wizarding world, these people have a collective name: the Ministry of Magic.
Even the strongest fortress is often breached from within—and that's true even in the wizarding world.
When Allen engineered a serious injury to that powerful vampire, the massive explosion turned the laboratory's previously flawless defenses into a crumbling mess.
Although this upheaval unsettled those waiting outside, they nonetheless anxiously began to rework and break through the defensive wards.
As the defensive spells were dismantled, the wizards originally present just to assist magically gained a new role—the adventurer.
Their sudden participation immediately sealed the fate of the near-graduating students' exploratory mission—though in reality, they were already doomed to fail.
Three students were killed due to the vampire's intervention—they had rejected the vampires' recruitment and stubbornly resisted.
Among the remaining wizards, some were controlled, while others hid throughout the castle. The vampires' full-force pursuit of Allen gave these students precious time to conceal themselves.
When the Ministry of Magic finally arrived, all the surviving students were rescued. The vampires were annihilated on the spot, except for a few that managed to flee.
This, in short, was how the Ministry stormed in and, in their scramble for glory, claimed the MVP prize.
Of course—the official story presented to the public was far different. At least, according to the newspapers, the report read as follows:
"...According to our sources, Hogwarts and our young wizards from Ilvermorny were originally engaged in a cordial exchange. During a joint exploratory mission, they suffered a cowardly attack and kidnapping by shameless vampires. These vampires, attempting to force the students into servitude, cruelly killed three hostages. Nevertheless, our brave young wizards refused to surrender, demonstrating remarkable courage..."
"...Fortunately, our heroic Aurors arrived in time. With the assistance of professors from both schools, they successfully breached the vampires' defenses, rescued the hostages, and defeated all principal vampire forces. Our esteemed Minister of Magic…"
Allen casually used the newspaper as a seat cushion—the stone chairs and tables of the castle were excellent for durability but cold to sit on during winter.
Overall, the mood among the survivors was surprisingly light—even with one Slytherin dead.
When the deceased's relatives arrived, there was no visible grief. The deceased's uncle, in particular, left with a smile, however strange that seemed.
The deceased was Norris—the very student who had traded with Allen. Perhaps his family had genuine grief, but it seemed their private compensation from the Ministry had softened the blow. Allen knew exactly how much "extra" was in that laboratory. If he hadn't been focused on taking down the vampire, he certainly would have looted everything.
As the largest contingent of wizards, the Ministry reaped significant benefits—enough that they even paid a minor "shock compensation" to Allen and his companions. Though just a hundred Galleons, it was still notable coming from the notoriously stingy Ministry.
Allen, of course, did not disclose the rare books and key experimental logs he had quietly pocketed while retrieving materials. From the Ministry's perspective, the mission was a complete success, and the expected gains for the employed wizards were essentially zero.
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When Allen and his companions returned, they were greeted with a grand welcome banquet—having just seen off the American Ministry, they now met the British Ministry.
There is a saying: "Heavenly talent and earthly treasure belong to those destined."
Of course, let's clarify what "destined" really means: the bigger your fists, the stronger your reasoning.
When the American Ministry left enthusiastically with their loot, Ilvermorny and the British Ministry teamed up and approached—"Hey, bro, we're feeling jealous. Can we borrow some dumplings?"
Based on the irrefutable principle that "whatever is within wand range is truth," the joint forces quickly proved the proposition: "Yours is mine; mine is still mine."
In other words, during Allen's absence, the American Ministry experienced a dramatic shift from elation to disappointment—but Allen had no intention of refunding anything.
Due to their excellent performance, Allen and Annie earned the future privilege of skipping two exams and directly receiving the highest N.E.W.T. grades—provoking envy among the remaining students. Of course, Allen could not explain the secret behind his achievements; he couldn't very well admit they came from fighting.
Returning to school was like paradise compared to the exchange event—minus one professor.
Yes—yet again, another Defense Against the Dark Arts professor had gone missing.
The amiable professor had been expelled.
The reason was simple: the professor had participated in the fight.
Fighting isn't a big deal; even professors can get heated. Usually, it's no cause for dismissal.
But this professor's approach was… unusual.
He fought a group of wizards—actually, he fought an entire group alone.
Just like during the Ilvermorny exchange, Hogwarts' exchange environment was tense. Even if Hogwarts didn't intend to start trouble, the other side was full of hotheads.
One day, when students were arranged for a duel, a passing professor, slightly drunk, intervened. He swiftly overpowered the students himself.
Hogwarts fared well, but the opposing side produced a biased professor. In the ensuing confrontation, the drunk professor attacked this biased professor.
Then… nothing else happened. According to the students bound by magic during the duel, the professor's combat style was "one-on-one, two-on-two," continuing until no support remained.
The entire exchange group was defeated by a single inebriated professor—a feat even Dumbledore couldn't prevent.
While technically self-defense, knocking out an entire exchange group of students was excessive.
Dumbledore found himself once again searching for a new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.
Amid this calm, the school year ended—the House Cup went to Hufflepuff for the first time in decades, perhaps for the last time, due to the team's high score.
On the train home, Allen bid farewell to Annie and other acquaintances. Everything appeared calm.
Yet beneath the surface, dark currents stirred.
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