Bell Couldn't Take It Anymore!

"Sigh~!"

Watching Professor McGonagall control the victim's body to float up and walk back the way they came, Bell helplessly called out to the others.

"Professor, there are still a few victims ahead."

"!?" *3

"What did you say!?"

Professor McGonagall was shocked. What do you mean, "How many are left?" Does she even know how to speak?

"I said, there are still petrified victims ahead, about five more."

Professor McGonagall was completely speechless. She just stared at Bell, hoping Bell would tell her that what he had just said was just a joke.

She simply couldn't imagine what fate awaited Hogwarts with six victims all at once.

However, reality does not change because of anyone's wishes. In Professor McGonagall's despairing gaze, the other five victims were discovered one after another.

After Penelope briefly recounted her harrowing experience to Professor McGonagall, the three of them were released by Professor McGonagall.

A shaken Penelope was escorted back to the Ravenclaw common room by Bell and Hermione. And, unsurprisingly, Bell's planned outing, along with the Quidditch Match, was ruined.

In the Ravenclaw common room, Hermione and Penelope stared worriedly at Bell, who was petting Fina, making Bell feel very uncomfortable.

"You two, what do you have to say?! What's with you staring at me without saying a word?!"

Hermione and Penelope exchanged a glance, and finally Hermione spoke up, "Bell, what do you think will happen to Hogwarts? Professor McGonagall said earlier that the school might have to close."

"Don't worry, there's only one magic school in all of Britain. If Hogwarts closes down, are you expecting all those parents to raise their kids on their own? They'll go crazy in less than a week."

Bell said casually.

"But I heard Malfoy from Slytherin mention that there are two other magic schools in Europe. He said his father had considered sending him to a magic school called Durmstrang."

"Don't listen to his nonsense. Go to Durmstrang? Does he even understand German before he goes to Durmstrang? By the way, the other magic school, ' Beauxbatons,' uses French."

After Bell's explanation, Hermione successfully became... even more worried...

"Doesn't that mean if Hogwarts closes, we'll have nowhere to learn magic?"

Hermione said with a hint of despair.

Clearly, she hadn't listened to what Bell had said earlier. After all, Bell's expression, tone, and the content of her words all exuded an aura of... incoherence.

"Um, don't worry, Hermione. Hogwarts won't close, it really won't close."

Bell patted his chest and assured him.

He wasn't just saying that casually. Ultimately, Hogwarts isn't Dumbledore's Hogwarts, but rather the Hogwarts of the Board of Directors.

If the Board of Directors approves the decision, they can even directly appoint or dismiss the headmaster. Furthermore, the Menethil Family has firmly grasped the power of the Hogwarts Board of Governors. Therefore, it's no exaggeration to say that unless Bell agrees, no one can shut down Hogwarts!

With Bell's repeated assurances, Hermione and Penelope finally felt a little more at ease.

However, as the saying goes, good things don't come true but bad things do. The next morning, Bell received a notice that Dumbledore had been relieved of his post as headmaster.

Of course, for Bell, this wasn't really bad news. Since he rarely saw Dumbledore, now that the man had been removed from his position as headmaster, Bell actually felt as if a mountain had been lifted off his head, making it much easier to breathe.

However, Bell's thoughts did not represent those of others. In fact, apart from some junior Slytherin Little Wizard, most people felt as if the sky had fallen when they heard the news.

(So it seems Bell might be a better fit for Slytherin House?)

Hermione was one of these Little Wizard who felt like the sky had fallen.

Seeing his girlfriend on the verge of tears, Bell felt incredibly sorry for her. After he held Hermione in his arms and tried to comfort Hermione for a long time, but to no avail, Bell couldn't bear it any longer.

As the saying goes, when you can no longer tolerate something, you should stop tolerating it!

On one side was a half-buried old man and a brat whose bravery or recklessness was hard to define; on the other side was his own lovely girlfriend. Even if Bell had no idea, he knew which choice to make.

To hell with Dumbledore's plan!

"Hermione, give me some time, I'll handle this!"

Holding Hermione in his arms, Bell made a firm promise.

"Bell!? W-What do you want to do?"

Hermione asked worriedly.

"Of course, we did that Basilisk!"

"No! That's too dangerous!"

Hermione hugged Bell tightly, as if afraid he would rush out to fight the Basilisk at any moment.

"It's alright! It's alright even if Hogwarts closes! I can learn on my own without the professors' guidance! I don't want you to take any risks!"

He gently stroked Hermione's fluffy hair, and at that moment, Bell felt an immense warmth in his heart. This also strengthened his resolve to kill the Basilisk.

"Don't worry, Hermione, I won't take any risks. Didn't I tell you, give me some time? I'll be fully prepared before I go after the Basilisk. So everything will be fine. Trust me, I've never lied to you, have I?"

Seeing the determination in Bell's eyes, Hermione knew that she could no longer stop Bell.

Hermione desperately wanted to go with Bell to face the Basilisk, but she knew she was too weak! Even if she went with Bell, she wouldn't be of any help; Bell would only be Bell. Therefore, she couldn't make such a capricious request!

Hermione felt a pang of regret—regret for her recent laxity, regret for always relying on Bell to solve everything. She silently made a resolution. Next time! Next time she would be strong enough to face danger alongside Bell!

"Promise me you'll be safe and sound!"

Hermione pleaded.

"Of course, I promise you. This is our agreement, and I never break my promises!"

Back in his dorm room, Bell didn't immediately go into his briefcase to prepare. Instead, he took out his Personal Terminal and dialed his father's number, something he hadn't done in a long time.

"Bell? You actually contacted me? That's quite a surprise!"

William's voice came through the Personal Terminal.

"Dad, did you remove Dumbledore from his position as headmaster?"

"Bell asked."

"To be precise, it was Malfoy who did it; I just gave it a little push."

What's wrong? You disagree? Haven't you always disliked Dumbledore? I thought you would definitely agree.

Furthermore, after Dumbledore was relieved of his position as headmaster, the books in the Restricted Section, which he had previously kept under his tight control, would all be ours.

"There's nothing to agree or disagree with, and I really don't like Dumbledore, and now I'm starting to dislike him."

However, let's not push Dumbledore far. We should maintain a sense of awe towards the most powerful White Wizard of our time. So let's be mindful of our actions.

After exchanging a few more brief words, Bell ended the call with his father, opened his suitcase, and climbed inside.