A Catastrophic Development
Legend has it that this painting hanging in the kitchen was once lost.
One night, a wizard broke in through a window and stole the painting.
This is a thief with passion, a thief who understands art, a thief who pays homage to the Four Founders.
This kind of thief,
Rare!
But William had heard of it in his previous life as well.
For example, in Europe, where the XX virus was sweeping through, in such a dangerous environment, a Van Gogh enthusiast still went out to work and chose to steal "The Garden of Spring" on Van Gogh's 167th birthday.
Definitely a true fan.
From a certain perspective, the value of a painting largely depends on whether it has been lost.
Before the Mona Lisa was stolen, it was not one of the Louvre's most prized possessions, and it certainly didn't have the value it has today.
After its legendary history, it has achieved its current status.
William was still admiring the painting; he had seen it many times before, his gaze lingering expertly on a few spots.
At that moment, Hermione tugged at his sleeve.
"What's wrong?"
William followed her gaze and saw the group of House-elf lined up in a queue.
At the end of the line was a table.
Bobocha and Mrs. Norris were squatting on it.
Each House-elf puts the food they made on a plate, and if the two cats like it, they can cuddle with it.
Even... a short hug is allowed.
The House-elf is petting a cat!
Can you believe it?!
And surprisingly, Bobocha and Mrs. Norris actually started offering their services!
People will sacrifice anything for food.
"Has Mrs. Norris gained some weight?" Hermione asked, puzzled.
Every time it had seen Mrs. Norris before, it was always thin and bony, with a shriveled body.
It seems to have become rounder now.
"Won't the Bobocha kill the cat?" William was startled.
etc...
Bobocha and Mrs. Norris haven't seen each other for a summer. The gestation period for a normal cat is usually only two months, and now that it's gotten so round... it's probably not Bobocha's kittens.
William could almost see Bobocha transform from an orange cat into a green cat.
It's hard to say...
William suddenly remembered something: Mrs. Norris was different from ordinary cats; she clearly had Kneazle blood.
The Kneazle is a magical creature that looks like a cat. Kneazle are very intelligent, prefer to be alone, and can be somewhat aggressive.
It also has an incredible ability to pay special attention to those who are suspicious and untrustworthy.
That's why Mrs. Norris was able to patrol with Filch every day.
Mrs. Norris is Half-blood, and her gestation period is different from that of a regular cat.
Okay, Bobocha's head isn't so green anymore.
After the two cats finished eating, Mrs. Norris elegantly shook her fur and meowed twice, seemingly wanting Bobocha to digest and do some vigorous exercise.
Bobocha saw William and the other two, and remembering that it still had cat lovers, it coldly refused them.
Furthermore, having eaten and drunk its fill, it seemed rather indifferent to Mrs. Norris.
Holy crap... this scumbag cat!
What a jerk!
Hermione clearly thought so too, and she looked at William with a strange expression.
What kind of look is that?
It wasn't him who taught them!
Go back and give Bobocha a permanent cure.
Upon seeing the little wizard arrive, the House-elf all came over enthusiastically.
More than a hundred House-elf stood in the kitchen, each one smiling, bowing, and curtsying.
Each House-elf wore the same uniform: a tea towel printed with the Hogwarts emblem.
"Oh, Hogwarts has oppressed so many House-elf," Hermione said sadly.
She wasn't in such a hurry to tell the House-elf to fight for their freedom.
Their servility is too strong; that approach is too ineffective.
Under William's tutelage, Hermione learned to take things slowly... for example, by setting a small goal.
First, establish an organization... the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare (SPEW).
Then the first meeting of the association was held, where the organization's goals and basic policies were determined, and organizational systems such as developing members and establishing local and core institutions were discussed, along with the association's charter and articles of association.
Ideally, there should also be a core guiding ideology, a maximum program, and a minimum program; otherwise, the movement is bound to fail.
William was an expert at this kind of thing; after all, he was a man who had thoroughly studied five volumes of "The Art of Dragon Slaying" in his previous life.
Upon seeing William and his companions arrive, the House-elf was exceptionally enthusiastic and immediately brought over a large silver tray.
On top was a teapot, milk, and a large plate of pastries.
After the three of them had eaten and drunk their fill, they remembered Professor McGonagall's punishment.
"How did you clean this? It seems cleaner than my room." Anne touched the table.
This desktop is so clean... flies would do the splits if they landed on it! Mosquitoes would slip and slide!
"Is there anywhere here that's not clean?" William asked.
"Here it is!" a House-elf named Winnie exclaimed immediately.
"The ghosts are having Deathday Party on Halloween, Nearly Headless Nick asked us to leave some food here."
The House-elf all condemned the ghost's behavior, seemingly trying to hinder their progress.
Led by Winnie, William, Hermione, and Anne headed toward a secluded little corner.
"Deathday Party?" Hermione said excitedly. "I didn't expect ghosts to hold such events! We can go!"
I bet very few living people can say they've ever attended a party like that—it must be quite amazing..."
She quickly shut up.
They stopped in terror.
Because in that corner, there were large chunks of rotten fish; a blackened, charred cake; a meat-filled tripe that was starting to grow maggots; and a piece of cheese covered in green mold.
Hermione suppressed her nausea; she regretted eating so much.
As for the Deathday Party, to hell with it!
"The ghosts probably left the food here on purpose to let it rot naturally, so that the atmosphere of the party would be more intense," William analyzed.
It seems that Professor McGonagall had them clean up these things, since rotten food in the kitchen is really unhygienic.
William tapped Hermione and Anne on the head with his wand, casting the Bubble-Head Charm on them.
The three transformed into Celestial Dragons and began cleaning up the food.
"But where do we take it?" Anne asked.
"Those ghosts need food to throw parties, are we just going to throw them in the trash?"
That is a problem.
These foods can't be thrown away, but they also can't be left to ferment in the kitchen until Halloween... By then, the whole kitchen will probably stink.
Room of Requirement wouldn't work; William needs to use it daily, and even though he can't see it, the thought of it is still unsettling.
"Oh, I've got a great place in mind," Hermione said with a smile.
"We can put this stinking food in Moaning Myrtle's Bathroom, which has been abandoned for a long time and no one ever goes there!"
"Even if someone does go, it probably won't be for anything good!" Hermione said confidently.
"What are you whispering about?" Moaning Myrtle suddenly popped out from the wall.
Hermione jumped in fright and nearly dropped the rotten fish on Anne.
"I just heard someone say my name. I hope they weren't talking about me behind my back!"
Moaning Myrtle trembled with tears.
Pear blossoms weeping in the rain.
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