Chapter 1246: Investigation Permit

Vid didn’t leave Professor Flitwick’s office until lunchtime.

He checked his schedule and found that Professor McGonagall had a short break before four in the afternoon, so after lunch, he took his notebook and headed towards her office.

His notebook contained the questions Vid had accumulated about Transfiguration.

However, clarifying his doubts was secondary; the main goal was to ask—would the Time Turner be available this semester?

The corridor was quiet, most of the classrooms were in session, so Vid cast a Quietening Charm on his shoes, making his footsteps nearly inaudible.

After turning a corner, Vid saw Professor McGonagall’s office not far ahead but stopped in his tracks.

Voices were coming from the corridor ahead.

“…I’m really grateful you allowed me to review the student registry, Professor McGonagall.”

Percy said politely but distantly, “It’s been a great help to my work.”

Professor McGonagall stood straight with her hands clasped in front, calmly saying,

“This is to cooperate with the Ministry of Magic’s work.”

“However, if I remember correctly, your reason for viewing is ‘for the safety of students, ensuring children with magical talents—especially those from non-Pure-Blood families receive timely education’?”

“Certainly.” Percy nodded, “Considering Ilvermorny’s past…”

He spoke for five minutes before pausing, then heard Professor McGonagall’s unchanged tone saying,

“No need to explain this to me, your reason was emphasized at the start-of-term feast.”

“But since it’s for this purpose, I won’t give you the family registry of students who have already been admitted.”

“After all… it’s for the students’ safety, I suppose you understand?”

Percy stiffened slightly, then reluctantly nodded after a while, saying, “Of course… I understand.”

He quickly jotted something at the top of his parchment with a quill, then looked up with a bright gaze at Professor McGonagall.

“Additionally, if possible, Professor McGonagall,” Percy asked respectfully, “I’d like to review the archive of Hogsmeade Village’s entry and exit records, as well as the records of large packages sent and received.”

Professor McGonagall frowned, saying, “Hogwarts has no habit of probing student privacy, you studied here, didn’t you know this?”

“Well…” Percy said awkwardly, “I thought the school owlery would at least have some records, even if incomplete ones…”

“No, that’s not the case.” Professor McGonagall interrupted him bluntly.

“Alright then.” Percy sighed, helplessly saying, “Then there must be records in Hogsmeade, right? Mr. Filch always reviews the list carefully.”

“Of course, you can check those records.” Professor McGonagall immediately wrote him a permission, “Go find Mr. Filch, he’ll take you to the archive room.”

Percy took the parchment with both hands, eyes sparkling with joy.

“Thank you, Professor McGonagall.”

This time he sounded sincerely appreciative as he said, “I will organize quickly, complete the review soon, and ensure the archive materials are not damaged or missing.”

Professor McGonagall glanced at him, reminding, “That’s quite a lot of material, saved since the founding of the school, I hope you won’t mind the inconvenience.”

Percy’s smile showed no hesitation or reluctance; instead, he stood straight proudly, saying confidently,

“Professor McGonagall, as a Ministry of Magic official, how can we shy away from hard work? These tedious tasks are the best way to understand the students!”

Professor McGonagall looked at him with complex feelings, recalling the past when Percy took on various tasks from her as Prefect or Student Council President, always so proactive, sincere, and enthusiastic, never annoyed or tired.

Though Percy was not highly regarded among his peers, Professor McGonagall always considered him one of her most reliable and outstanding students.

But now…

She sighed inwardly, showing no change in expression.

Percy didn’t seem to notice the professor’s silence, or perhaps he noticed but chose to ignore it.

He simply looked again at the permission, leaned forward slightly, and asked in a more humble and cautious tone,

“By the way, I want to confirm… the application forms for students going to Hogsmeade… that is, the confirmation forms signed by parents or guardians, are also included, right?”

His voice was light, as if he had just thought of it and was asking about an irrelevant detail.

Professor McGonagall gazed at him deeply, a question almost escaped her lips—

“What exactly are you hoping to find with these?”

But she swallowed her words, her voice remained consistently calm, “Yes, they’re all included.”

Percy’s face immediately bloomed with a joyful smile.

He nodded, saying in a cheerful voice, “Good, good, that puts my mind at ease… really, thank you so much, Professor McGonagall.”

“Then I won’t disturb you anymore, time waits for no one, I’ll go find Mr. Filch now.”

He turned and left, the heels of his Dragon Skin Boots striking the ground with crisp sounds.

The sunlight chased after his silhouette, giving him a warm glow, as if highlighting the youth and enthusiasm of this young official.

Professor McGonagall stood still, watching him go.

Only after his footsteps completely disappeared did she turn around and head wearily towards her office.

Vid waited patiently for a few more minutes in the corner before walking over and knocking on the door.

“Come in.”

Professor McGonagall’s voice came from inside.

As soon as Vid entered, he saw the professor sitting behind her desk, not busy with documents as usual, but rubbing her temples with her fingertips, raising her head only when she heard the door open.

At that moment, Vid saw the expression on her face.

It wasn’t the familiar, stern yet caring Professor McGonagall.

On her face, fatigue was mixed with a hint of wariness and irritation, lips slightly parted, about to say, “Mr. Weasley, is there something else?”

—then she saw Vid.

Her expression changed instantly.

The vigilance disappeared, the irritation dissipated, and warmth and gentleness filled her eyes.

She put down the hand pressing on her temple, her rigid posture seemed to relax a bit.

“Oh, it’s you, Vid.”

Professor McGonagall said, “Come in, close the door, I was actually looking for you.”

She opened a drawer and took out a brown package, with Vid’s name written in neat cursive on it.

Professor McGonagall pushed the package towards Vid.

“For certain reasons,” Professor McGonagall said softly, “the school hasn’t applied for a Time Turner for you this year. This is something Dumbledore left for you, take it back and look at it carefully.”

Vid asked, “Has Professor Dumbledore left the school?”