Chapter 1270: Hogwarts Safety Regulations 3

“Perhaps they’re afraid our professors will, like at Ilvermorny, encourage students to isolate and exclude those with Muggle heritage, forcing them to drop out?”

His companion said seriously, then added, “But that would never happen… the Ministry of Magic is probably just taking precautions!”

“Oh…”

The lower-year Hufflepuff said skeptically.

At the teachers’ table, Professor McGonagall’s lips were pressed into a tight line, and the fork in her hand was nearly bent.

Snape sneered, stabbing the steak forcefully with his knife, leaning back with his fingers tapping on the armrest.

If Neville or Harry were in the hall at that moment, just seeing his expression would have them worrying about their safety.

Trelawney blinked guiltily, murmuring something unintelligible, and fiddled secretly with her teacup.

A moment later, she glanced at the tea leaves on the small tray, breathed a sigh of relief, then frowned again as if she’d encountered some global problem.

“Seventh,”

Lee Jordan frowned, “Students are prohibited from producing, purchasing, possessing, or using magical items with the following properties: Items with obvious bodily harm; Magical items of an insulting, defamatory, discriminatory nature; Items that may seriously disrupt the normal order of teaching, affecting others’ study and rest; Other items deemed inappropriate for students’ possession by the Department of Education of the Ministry of Magic. Violators will be warned, placed under observation, or expelled, depending on the severity.”

A gasp went up around them, with many eyes turning to the Weasley twins.

In the first half of the year, their quick-escape class kit had quietly circulated among students, featuring effects like fainting, vomiting, fever, and nosebleeds — all to quickly leave class.

These items fell entirely under the category of prohibited items established by Percy Weasley.

Of course, they weren’t allowed under Hogwarts’ school rules either, but previously, even if caught by professors, the most it would result in was point deductions or detention.

Now, Percy was raising the punishment to a level ordinary people couldn’t endure, seemingly targeting his own brothers.

The two brothers were entirely silent now, their expressions colder than ever, as if their gaze could pierce through all the school’s walls, all the way to Percy Weasley’s office.

“Again with the regulations that sound reasonable, but whose interpretation is completely controlled by the Ministry of Magic… or rather, Percy Weasley.”

Michael whispered to Vid, “Ever since the league, poppet pets can also be considered a danger for personal harm; and previously, when you enlarged insects, doesn’t that count too?”

“And even if the scope is expanded, what can’t be classified as ‘affecting others’ study and rest’? Even breathing might be a disruption to learning.”

He pondered for a moment and concluded, “Has Percy Weasley gone mad?”

To Michael’s surprise, Vid wasn’t worried or angry at all, but instead, just chuckled lightly.

Lee Jordan didn’t meet anyone’s eyes or leave time for discussion.

With a somehow constipated expression, he quickly read through the rest:

“Eighth, students who frequently violate school rules, upon evaluation by their House Head and the Magic School Security Envoy, may face the following management measures: Revoking permission to visit Hogsmeade Village; Restrictions on participating in school-organized group activities, including but not limited to Quidditch training and matches; Appointing personnel for proper education, guidance, and behavior correction. The above restriction measures will continue until the Ministry of Magic Security Envoy and school officials jointly confirm the student has truly corrected their violations and possesses the ability for safe off-campus activities.”

“These regulations fully comply with the Education Decree, the Minor Wizard Restriction Law, and the British Ministry of Magic Education Law, effective upon publication.”

Lee Jordan’s voice fell, and suffocating silence enveloped both inside and outside the hall.

It was like an invisible stone was pressed on everyone’s head, even the portraits on the walls woke from their slumber, whispering among themselves.

Even Pansy and her friends, who were initially smug, couldn’t laugh anymore.

Making extreme statements on topics related to Muggles, pure-bloods, and half-bloods — this seemed to target them.

And even the most confident Slytherin wouldn’t dare to say they had no enemies, that no one would slander them.

These regulations seemed to make everyone both an observer and observed, the scariest part being — you didn’t even know who was watching you.

Everyone seemed to become a ‘violator,’ just waiting to see if the Ministry’s Security Envoy had any intention of targeting you.

After a few seconds, rustling sounds were heard.

Some lowered their heads while leaving, footsteps so light they feared disturbing something;

Others rushed to the front, standing on tiptoe, eyes fixed on ensuring that every word on the notice matched what Lee Jordan read out.

The buzzing noise grew.

But unlike the usual mix of shouts and laughter, the sound was now like a swarm of bees hovering at the entrance of the hall.

There was something heavy pressing on everyone’s mind.

But Vid wasn’t part of the discussion; he just went to stand in front of a huge portrait on the wall.

In the frame was a chubby medieval wizard, eyes half-closed as though asleep, or perhaps secretly observing the students in the entrance hall.

Vid raised his hand and knocked on the frame.

The fat wizard opened his small eyes, yawned, and asked, “What is it?”

“The bulletin board is fully occupied,” Vid said, “I’d like to use your space.”

“What?” The fat wizard widened his eyes instantly, his jowls trembling as he replied grumpily, “Why should I… in my space…”

Before he could finish, suddenly a hand reached from the side of the frame, precisely grabbing the fat wizard’s neck, forcing the rest of his complaint back down.

Afterward, a red-haired head appeared.

“Ah, you need this space? No problem, go ahead and use it!”

Griffiths pulled the fat wizard from his portrait, cheerfully saying, “Don’t worry about him, he does nothing but sleep all day in his own painting anyway!”

“Ugh… let go of me… you rascal…”

The fat wizard ineffectually waved his arms, being dragged into the neighboring portrait.

In that picture was a worried-looking old wizard, staring wide-eyed at the two unexpected intruders, especially Griffiths, who seemed like a kidnapper, and his face fell.

Soon after, the old wizard let out a deep sigh, offering no resistance, instead shrinking into a corner, reluctantly giving up most of his space.

Vid thanked Griffiths, pulled a blank piece of parchment from his pocket, and touched it with his magic wand.

The parchment floated in mid-air, growing larger until it matched the size of the frame, sticking firmly onto it.

The students who were leaving paused, looking up at the suddenly commandeered portrait.

Vid raised his magic wand.

Golden light streamed from the tip, tracing lines of text onto the parchment. The radiant glow directly contrasted the posting on the opposite bulletin board.

[Magic Spell Study Group Resumption Notice With Professor McGonagall’s approval, the Magic Spell Study Group will officially resume this week. The study group is open to all grades and houses at Hogwarts. Whether you want to learn practical spells, solve doubts, or gain casting experience — you are welcome here. The study group has no requirements, no exams, no grades, but participants must take each practice seriously, respect every companion, and abide by the rules of the Magic Spell Study Group. Time: Every Thursday evening from 7:00 to 9:00, every Saturday afternoon from 3:00 to 5:00. Location: Fifth-floor activity room. First Activity: Basics and Common Questions of Practical Defense Spells. Initiator: Vid Gray]