Chapter 356: Chapter 356
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We went around the corner, simultaneously applying muggle-repellent charms, without which we had been walking all this time. Delphine took my hand and told me to get ready. The apparation was strange — there were foreign elements in it. We found ourselves in a small circular room, and Delphine clearly noticed the question in my gaze.
"Special algorithms for activating apparation. You can't get in here without their knowledge. Let's go."
We had to go through only one corridor in the guild dungeons to get back to the certification hall. Like last time, I stood in the middle of a large circle, and the wizards, joined by Lady Greengrass, sat at tables going up and away like an amphitheater. When everyone took their seats, Grandmaster Hart, still in the same white clothes, took the floor.
"As the chairperson of the twenty-first attestation commission for the title of master in the field of transfiguration, I have the honor to announce the results of the seventh meeting in order to confirm the qualifications of the applicant. The commission unanimously decided that the applicant Maximilian Knight from the Black family fully confirmed his qualification for the title of master in the field of transfiguration. The official confirmation comes into force on this day of this month, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-fifth year according to the generally accepted calendar."
Despite my barely contained joy, I noticed Delphine's look of sudden concern.
"Maximilian Knight, please come forward," with these words, the table in front of the Grandmaster transformed, forming a ladder from her to the circle I was standing on. I headed toward this staircase, and the Grandmaster began to descend, holding a small box in her hand.
We met at the beginning of the stairs, where the first step touched the hall floor. Grandmaster Hart opened the box, inside which a simple gold ring lay on red velvet, and only where you usually expect to see some jewelry, a snake was engraved in the form of a semicircle.
"Put your hand on the ruby on the lid of the box," the Grandmaster said. Everything is as it should be according to the protocol.
I put my hand to the tiny ruby, immediately feeling the activation of complex magical circuits throughout the box and inside the ring. I had to wait a few seconds for the activation to finish.
"Accept this ring as a sign confirming your qualifications."
Accepting the ring, I placed it on the middle finger of my left hand. Of course, there was one question in my head — why is the Ouroboros not complete? It seemed to be reflected in my gaze, and Grandmaster Hart allowed herself a slight stern smile, somewhat reminding McGonagall.
"Congratulations, Master Knight. The box remains here as a testament to your skill. I hereby declare the seventh meeting of the twenty-first attestation commission over."
The wizards got up from their seats, and after applauding for a dozen seconds, they began to go about their business, disappearing into the darkness, and Delphine walked swiftly down to us.
"As for Ouroboros," the Grandmaster spoke as she closed the box, "it will close when you receive the rank of master in alchemy."
Lady Greengrass approached us, looking apologetically at the Grandmaster.
"I beg your pardon, Grandmaster Hart, but we must hurry back."
"Has something happened?" this middle-aged lady's face showed concern. "I was hoping to sit down for a cup of tea because we haven't seen each other for so long."
"Unfortunately, sudden and urgent matters cannot wait. I will definitely visit you soon."
"Well, since it is so necessary, I do not dare to detain you."
The Grandmaster moved her hand through the air, and something subtly changed in the magic around her.
"You can leave with the portkey right here. I'll wait for the letter, my girl," the Grandmaster smiled, and Delphine literally shoved the chain into my hands, immediately pronouncing:
"Portus."
A whirlwind of spatial distortion swirled us in its frantic dance, throwing us out a few seconds later in the same place in Hogsmeade that we had moved from. It was late evening here, as it had been in Prague, and the lights were on in the houses.
"I need to go to Hogwarts," Delphine said shortly, immediately disappearing into the black smoke of apparation. I followed her.
Very quickly, we covered the distance to the open gates. Before each door, I had to get out of the apparation, for although you can move this way in the castle, but not through walls, doors, and other material obstacles without destroying them. Once inside the castle, Delphine listened to something and went back into apparation, moving toward the main tower. Suddenly, a fire broke out in front of us, from which Fawkes and Dumbledore immediately appeared, with a wand at the ready.
"Ah, it's you," the headmaster put his wand away, gesturing for Fawkes to fly. "You're just in time, Mrs. Greengrass, Mr. Knight."
The headmaster looked a little worried... no, annoyed and angry, but not worried.
"What's with my kids?" Delphine immediately appeared across from the headmaster and looked extremely serious.
"No harm, except for a couple of minor abrasions and bruises. The problem is in the situation itself. I suppose you would like to see for yourself by proceeding to the hospital wing. Mr. Knight, you should come with us as well."
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