"Professor McLean... I want to take a leave of absence!"
Maka, who had just finished her interview with the Daily Prophet and returned to Hogwarts from the Ministry of Magic, met Pansy who was waiting silently by the door as soon as she entered the foyer.
And since Maka had noticed the other party's abnormality this morning, she wasn't too surprised that she came to see him now.
only…
"Ms. Parkinson, it doesn't seem appropriate to come to me to ask for leave, doesn't it?"
Even if he has not resigned yet, he does not have the power to issue leave requests to students. Pansy is a student of Slytherin House, so logically, she should go to Snape.
But Maka also knew that since Pansy's real reason for taking leave was probably related to his mission, it wouldn't be a wrong decision to come to him directly.
"I understand that many things are inconvenient for others to know, but it definitely doesn't matter to Professor Snape. Just go to his office directly and tell him the truth - I think he will give you a few days off!"
However, after hearing what he said, Pansy still did not move her steps. And then, Maka saw a trace of hesitation on her face.
"I have already been to Professor Snape's place..." she said, "but regarding this matter, the professor suggested that I come to you."
"oh?"
After hearing this, Maka waved and said:
"Well, since Professor Snape said so, you should tell me the situation first... Come on, lunch time is coming soon, let's talk as we go!"
In fact, Pansy's matter is obviously not complicated to talk about. In a few words, Maka has a general understanding of Pansy's receipt of Marcus Flint's letter.
After the two walked into the auditorium side by side, Pansy even told Maka her thoughts and speculations.
Not long after, Maka stopped at the long table near the side door in the auditorium.
"... In other words, you thought that the Flint family might be harmful to your friend, so that friend of yours... her name was 'Iluli', right? So your friend simply told her and you I hope the relationship between Marcus and the other Flint family members will prevent her from harming her again?"
What Maka said is basically a summary of Pansy's words. Regardless of whether this conjecture is correct or not, at least judging from the content of Marcus's letter eager to confirm the relationship between the two, it should be certain that Iluli is in trouble.
Hearing Maka immediately summarize her words, Pansy nodded immediately, indicating that this was indeed what she meant.
Seeing this, Maka shook her head slightly and asked:
"So, you came to me to ask for leave... is it to go to the Flint family to rescue your friend?"
When Pansy heard this, she quickly said:
"Oh, I also know that it is unwise to do this, and it is probably difficult for me alone to have a legitimate reason to go to the Flint family to ask for someone. But..."
Speaking of this, she couldn't help but paused with a look of helplessness.
"I think you can understand - although if we can come forward in the name of our Parkinson family, it will be much more likely to bring Iluli out, but I can't tell my family about this."
"At least you didn't directly think about how to steal or snatch people out. After all, this is very different from the previous one where you were asked to go to the dungeons of the Ministry of Magic to rescue people!"
Maka smiled to herself as she spoke.
Pansy's ability to steal Nailuri from the Ministry of Magic obviously relied on the preparations he had made for the other party. And without his help in advance, Pansy might not even be able to reach the dungeon.
After learning the entire reason for Pansy's leave, Maka finally understood why Snape asked her to come to him.
In fact, if I have to say it, the answer is very simple, that is, Snape is too lazy to care!
"Anyway, I understand this!" Maka nodded and said truthfully, "As for the vacation you want? I can give it to you... But to be honest, it's probably pointless for you to go alone; And I still have things to do here, so I can’t help you with this.”
Just as he was talking, Maka looked around.
Since lunch probably wouldn't start for a while, there were very few people in the Great Hall at the moment, and most of the little wizards were in the common room.
After searching and finding no one, Maka turned around and shrugged:
"He doesn't seem to be here yet... Well, anyway, I'd rather ask you to ask Mr. Malfoy. If he is willing to help you with this, it may be more effective than if you go back and ask your parents!"
"Draco?"
Pansy didn't expect that Maka would give her such a suggestion. But...Draco? This does sound like a pretty good option.
However, would he agree to such a thing
As if she could see the contradictory movements and hesitations in Pansy's heart at a glance, Maka couldn't help but smile, then waved her hand and said:
"In view of your recent performance, I specifically allow you to use my name this time - when you go to find Malfoy later, you can say that I suggested you go."
Pansy now knows that Maka's words are quite effective in front of Draco now. So when Maka said these words, her eyes immediately lit up.
"Really?"
Being able to help a friend while also getting help from someone he likes is undoubtedly a very happy thing for Pansy.
"Of course... Well, he's already here. I think you can discuss this matter with him after he has a delicious lunch."
Just when Maka looked towards the door, Draco, who was following the crowd in, subconsciously glanced this way, and then he saw a hesitant look on his face.
Obviously, Draco seemed very wary of Maca's rather subtle "kind" smile.
"Then... Professor MacLean, I will go to the dining table first."
"Oh, by the way," seeing Pansy about to leave, Maka suddenly added, "After getting Malfoy's consent, remember to tell Professor Snape again - you know, I won't Even if you sign your leave request, it will be invalid."
That being said, in fact, his signature may not be useless. Anyway, students' leave applications are sent to Professor McGonagall via Charlotte, and no matter which one of them it is, they will probably not question a leave application signed by him.
However, under normal circumstances, Maka would not be willing to do something like this that breaks the rules.
Seeing Pan Xifu turn around and nod in agreement, Maka also turned around and walked slowly towards the faculty bench at the front of the auditorium.
And when he passed behind the chair in the middle of the faculty bench, he saw him pause for a moment, and after softly saying something to Professor McGonagall sitting on the chair, he acted like a normal person and was as normal as usual. He sat down in his seat very naturally.
"Oh! Today's lunch looks really good!" he exclaimed happily.
…
Because Maka didn't make any obvious movements when speaking to Professor McGonagall in the auditorium, most people actually didn't notice it.
After Professor McGonagall and Maka had both filled their stomachs, they seemed to not care about each other and left the auditorium one after another.
But in fact, what Maka said at the time was - "The interview went very well. I will go to the principal's office to find you after lunch, and we will discuss it in detail then."
Yes, that's right, not many people know Maka's true intention for going to the interview this morning, and Professor McGonagall is the most important one among those few people.
After leaving the auditorium, Macadamia walked straight to the principal's office along the spiral staircase behind the gargoyle statue.
"Tuk-tuk."
In front of the principal's office, Maka knocked on the door. This time, there wasn't even a response from inside. The door had already opened before there was a knock on the door.
Taking a step into the principal's room, Maka closed the door and then walked all the way inside to Professor McGonagall's desk.
"Sit down! Maka...sit down and say."
Professor McGonagall has been looking good recently, and it can be seen that she seems to have slowly adapted to the hard work and pressure of being a principal, and she no longer always has the tiredness in her eyes like before.
At this moment, she looked at Maka with a very calm expression, even though she knew that what she and Maka were going to discuss next could definitely be called an unprecedented "big event."
"Maka, I just heard you say that the interview went well, and I couldn't help but feel relieved - but I think Minister Scrimgeour's expression must have been quite wonderful when he heard you say 'that thing', right?"
Facing Professor McGonagall's leisurely joking, Maka relaxedly spread her hands.
"Yes!" He said with a smile, "But you can't blame him. After all, it would be difficult for anyone to stay calm when they heard about this for the first time. Mr. Scrimgeour did not yell on the spot. It already surprised me!"
After hearing this, Professor McGonagall smiled and nodded a few times, then calmed down a little and said seriously:
"So, where are the reporters from the Daily Prophet?"
"At least it's better than our minister," Maka shrugged and suddenly praised, "The reporter responsible for the interview this time is Miss Betty Braithwaite, who was originally a special writer for the international edition... I have to say , I am also a reporter who has seen the world, and my mental endurance is indeed very good."
"Oh, is that the little girl from the Braithwaite family?" Professor McGonagall seemed to know the reporter and said clearly at the time, "Her father was an excellent reporter - I remember when the Death Eaters were the most popular During the turbulent times, Mr. Braithwaite took the initiative to become a heroic wartime reporter. It's a pity... "
Professor McGonagall did not continue, but instead made Maka show a hint of regret.