Hogwarts: Don't call me the Staff Maker

Chapter 576 The Rampant Exploding Tail Snails

Chapter 576 The Rampant Exploding Tail Snails

The upcoming SDA and the safe and reliable Room of Requirement filled Hermione with anticipation, making her incredibly motivated. Even Umbridge's reading class didn't seem so difficult anymore.

She has been setting aside time each day to discuss some details of the SDA with Cedric, and later Harry and Ron joined in, along with students from other houses such as Cho Chang.

Siren didn't join them, nor did he continue his struggle with Apparition—he had more important things to do lately.

Before Hagrid went to carry out Dumbledore's mission, he had just acquired a new batch of Bombtails and kept them in a large wooden box next to the cabin.

But the new Professor Grappleland was unaware of this and assumed that the grayish things were food Hagrid was preparing for the hippogriffs in the Forbidden Forest, which he casually poured into their territory.

However, the hippogriffs didn't eat those things that smelled of sulfur, so after a while, the blasting snails became quite numerous, and so much so that bursts of explosions could always be heard in the Forbidden Forest.

Unfortunately, Professor Glapland, who had never seen such a creature before, could only tell Professor McGonagall about it. Afterward, Professor McGonagall wrote to Hagrid to inquire what had happened.

However, Hagrid was currently on a critical mission and couldn't return to deal with the exploded tail snails, so in his reply he recommended Siron to Professor McGonagall, indicating that he could solve the problem.

This is what Xiren has been doing lately.

Umbridge had originally intended to cause some trouble, since according to her information, Rupert Hagrid was a staunch Dumbledore supporter, and she was willing to give him some trouble as a warning to Dumbledore.

But when she went into the forbidden forest to check the situation, she happened to encounter a giant burrowing snail that was bigger than an adult warthog.

Needless to say, Umbridge was chased by that blast-tailed snail for nearly half an hour, losing one of his shoes in the process, before finally managing to shake off the big guy.

It wasn't because she ran so fast, but because Professor McGonagall arrived in time to drive away the blasting snails.

Seemingly worried that the blasting snails might suddenly burst into her office from the Forbidden Forest, Umbridge tacitly approved of Siron's actions after that incident.

"Hagrid is really lucky; leaving school is actually a good thing for him."

Harry joked, "If he were still in school, he'd definitely be targeted by Umbridge, wouldn't he?"

“He doesn’t even need to be at school; he’s already being watched,” Celen said. “When I went to the Forbidden Forest yesterday, I overheard Professor Glapland whispering to Professor Sprout complaining that Umbridge has been constantly asking her where Hagrid is these past few days, driving her crazy.”

Harry looked conflicted.

As a friend, he certainly hoped Hagrid would return soon, rather than letting Grapple continue occupying the position of Professor of Protecting Magical Creatures.

On the other hand, he didn't want Hagrid to be targeted by Umbridge.

Umbridge has been trying to fire a professor to demonstrate her authority. If Hagrid were to return now, he would likely become her immediate target.

After all, Hagrid is a half-giant who became a professor because of Dumbledore's insistence. Expelling him would not only not cause any obstacles, but would also gain the support of many students' parents, making him undoubtedly the best candidate.

"Don't worry, Hagrid won't be back anytime soon." Seeing Harry's worry, Siren immediately said, "I estimate that Hagrid won't be back until next term at the earliest. By then, it's still uncertain whether Umbridge will be able to stay at Hogwarts."

"Why?" Harry was taken aback.

"Of course, it's because of the curse from the Defense Against the Dark Arts class." Siren smiled.

A moment later, Harry chuckled as well.

Yes, the infamous Defense Against the Dark Arts curse is also one of the longest-standing unsolved mysteries of Hogwarts.

From Quirinas Quiro in first grade, to Gilderoy Lockhart later, and then to Lupin, Moody,

Sirius Black, after assuming this position, suffered attacks of varying degrees.

Now it's Umbridge's turn, and she certainly won't escape it either.

For the first time since his third year, Harry genuinely hoped the curse was real.

"Alright, I need to hurry to the Forbidden Forest," Xilun said after glancing at the time.

"But we're about to start class," Hermione said, rushing over from the side. "And the next class is Professor McGonagall's Transfiguration class. Even if it's Umbridge's request, she'll definitely be angry."

"It was either Umbridge or Professor McGonagall who made me do it. She said I could take over her Transfiguration class and then Professor Flitwick's Charms class."

"That's impossible," Ron exclaimed.

Professor McGonagall's decision to allow students to skip class completely overturned his understanding of the world.

"Nothing is impossible," Celen shrugged. "Professor McGonagall hopes I can resolve the constant banging in the Forbidden Forest before the Easter holidays."

"Why before the holidays?" Harry asked, puzzled. "We don't have classes after the holidays, wouldn't it be more suitable to go then?"

"Because you have homework to do during the holidays," Xiren said matter-of-factly. "If there are explosions coming from the Forbidden Forest every day, it will definitely affect you. What if you can't finish your homework?"

Harry and Ron were stunned.

Could it affect their homework during the holidays? The two never expected this reason.

Hermione nodded thoughtfully, finding it quite reasonable.

With the Easter holidays over and the 0.WL exam just around the corner, they really needed a quiet environment at this crucial time.

"Do you need any help?" she asked.

"No need, I have help." Xilun waved his hand, turned around and walked out of the castle.

Crossing the grounds, accompanied by the crisp sound of the school bell from the castle, Xiren quickly entered the Forbidden Forest and arrived at a spacious area with few weeds and fallen leaves.

The helper he mentioned earlier was already waiting here.

Louie, the three-headed dog.

Since Hagrid left Hogwarts, Fluffy has rarely shown his face and usually stays deep in the Forbidden Forest. He was only recently called out by Siron.

This is a forbidden forest, and if he were to deal with those blasting snails all by himself, it would inevitably be a bit tricky, but with Lu Wei, it's a different story.

The Cerberus's tough fur allows it to ignore the explosive attacks of the Bombtail snail; its keen sense of smell can locate the snail from miles away. Furthermore, it can carry Siren freely through the Forbidden Forest.

Moreover, Lou Williams himself really enjoys these "spicy" snacks and is very happy to do this job.

The only thing Xiren needed to consider was how to get the shell of the blasting snail out of Luwei's mouth intact.

A