154: Chapter 152 The Unexpected Encounter with the Queen, and the Early Speech to New Students

The reason he didn't let the new students who received the emails figure out the test content on their own, like Leon and Klaisi, was because the situation was different.

At that time, construction on Hogwarts hadn't started yet, so there was no rush.

Now, the main body of the academy would be assembled in a few days, so Zhang Mu naturally couldn't be bothered to dawdle.

He had to quickly lure the powerful figures of the Blue Star nations into his trap, then use them to collect large quantities of needed herbs to brew potions for rapidly increasing magic levels.

Therefore, as soon as dawn broke the next day, Zhang Mu leisurely arrived at Cross Station.

Influenced by the news broadcasted yesterday, the station was already packed both inside and out.

Perhaps due to the excessive number of people, the Ying Country officials gave up on maintaining order outside the station, focusing all police force inside.

Zhang Mu used the Shadow Technique to pass through the wall and glanced around briefly.

He found that not only police, but many Soldiers had also been sent.

Despite this, the station remained noisy, and the crowd was so dense there wasn't even a gap, except for the entrance to Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, which the Soldiers desperately cleared into an open space.

In the open space, twenty-three people of different genders, ages, and professions stood somewhat awkwardly.

Among them, Leon, Klaisi, Toby, and the young girl Misha from yesterday were prominently present.

Zhang Mu pondered for a moment; instead of appearing in front of everyone, he slipped into the wall and then stepped out from the red brick wall.

The scene went silent for a moment, then immediately erupted with sky-shaking shouts: "Hey! Mr. Dumbledore!

I'm a loyal fan of Hogwarts, can you give me a chance to sign up?!"

Similar sentiments expressed in different ways came one after another. Zhang Mu ignored them and swept his gaze over the twenty-three people standing in a row before him, looking at him nervously.

"It is an honor to be your chief examiner—don't misunderstand, I mean for the freshman exam."

Knowing they must have checked the letters, Zhang Mu didn't explain much and continued: "Currently, the candidates who have passed,

are Leon and Klaisi.

The rest of you must first meet the requirements to qualify for an Interview Letter.

Of course, getting an Interview Letter doesn't guarantee admission to Hogwarts. Compared to the freshman assessment, the first hurdle you have to pass is just an appetizer.

Also, with the start of the school year approaching, you don't have much time.

Five days. New students who successfully obtain an Interview Letter within this period, please gather at the station entrance five days from now in the morning.

That is all."

Five days wasn't just a random number; Zhang Mu had observed the 'world' last night, and that was the number of days until the main building's assembly would be completed.

Zhang Mu didn't plan to wait for those who were eliminated by then.

After speaking, Zhang Mu gave them no chance to ask questions and turned to walk into the wall.

"Mr. Dumbledore!" Toby suddenly called out to him. "Her Majesty the Queen hopes to host you for afternoon tea."

The Queen?

Zhang Mu didn't stop, disappearing into the wall, leaving behind the new students whose sense of urgency had reached its peak and a disappointed, sighing crowd.

"Interesting." Zhang Mu left the station, wandering the streets invisibly while considering the Queen's invitation.

Going was a must.

With the endorsement of this highly prestigious Queen, the process of gaining the trust of powerful figures could be accelerated.

He just had to carefully consider what information to reveal.

With his head down, he wandered the city center until three in the afternoon, then Zhang Mu headed toward the Queen's palace.

He didn't just sneak in invisibly; he arrived at the palace gates openly and said to the Guard staring at him in amazement: "I have an appointment."

"Ye-yes, Mr. Dumbledore.

Her Majesty the Queen is already waiting for you. Please follow me."

Following the Guard, Zhang Mu held his staff and leisurely admired the greenery as they made their way to an open-air pavilion in the middle of a courtyard.

The Queen, with chin-length white hair, sat by a stone table in the pavilion, dressed in formal attire.

"Welcome, Mr. Dumbledore." The elderly Queen pushed away the maid's hand that was reaching out to assist her and stood up by bracing herself against the table.

"You are too kind." Zhang Mu gestured toward the stone stool and sat down with her, smiling.

"I thought you might refuse my invitation," the Queen made small talk, pulling her coat closer.

Zhang Mu wasn't sure what her goal was, but he wasn't in a hurry: "There's still some time before the freshman exam, I'm not that busy."

"I heard you mention it this morning." The Queen didn't seem to intend to beat around the bush anymore. "First, I would like to apologize on behalf of my reckless subordinate.

He has already been dismissed and sentenced according to the laws of the kingdom. If you are not satisfied, you can..."

"It doesn't matter."

"Thank you for your kindness and tolerance. Additionally, there are a few matters I would like to seek your opinion on."

Reasonably speaking, this shouldn't be the case.

As a competent politician, the first thing to do when meeting a stranger is to try to figure out their background as much as possible.

But she didn't do that, likely believing that human schemes were useless against a wizard who could destroy a country single-handedly.

Nodding, Zhang Mu smiled lightly: "Of course."

"Regarding the Hogwarts new students, the royal family will be in contact with them. Do you have any objections?" Even as the Queen in control of a nation, she didn't have much confidence at this moment, and her tone was cautious.

"Hogwarts upholds an open teaching philosophy. As long as it's voluntary and follows school rules, we do not force the personal behavior of students."

The Queen was not carried away by this seemingly agreeable answer.

The scope of school rules was vast.

After a brief silence, she asked: "Wizards... how long has Hogwarts existed?"

"If the lady is asking about wizards, the specific age cannot be determined. The history of Hogwarts' founding dates back to 1473."

Noticing the Queen's confusion, Zhang Mu, in his elderly form, explained: "Rowling only has fragmented memory images. It's not surprising if she remembered some details incorrectly."

"Then... do wizards only exist in the Kingdom?"

"Wizards? Yes, indeed."

The Queen was not stupid; on the contrary, she was very clever. She naturally understood the hidden meaning in those words.

Her clenched right hand tightened: "Mr. Dumbledore, I, the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, am I qualified to become a wizard?"

The old man's squinted eyes opened slightly, and a gentle smile rose on his wrinkled face: "The way to obtain an Interview Letter is to pass the assessment."

Although she had anticipated the answer, when she actually heard it, disappointment inevitably filled her heart.

After a long silence, the Queen forced a smile: "Is Ms. Rowling your granddaughter?"

"Yes," the old man replied softly. "I raised her for a time, but in the end, due to a disaster, I had no choice but to send her out of Hogwarts."

"Disaster?"

"The disaster has passed. Although there are still aftershocks, they are within our control."

Her gaze turned solemn. The Queen remained silent in thought. To be called a disaster by this Mr. Dumbledore, who had demonstrated such power...

"The Kingdom needs your help."

"Hogwarts will not sit idly by, please rest assured."

Having said that, the old man stood up and walked out of the courtyard: "Madam, even I cannot violate the school rules of Hogwarts.

But simply giving you enough time to attempt to pass the assessment...

Based on your care for Rowling, I will provide some help in my capacity as her grandfather."

Enough time?

Coming back to her senses, the excited Queen stood up tremblingly: "Mr. Dumbledore, are you saying..."

"Wait for the day we meet again."

Leaving those words behind, the old man walked further and further away, disappearing through the wall.

Sitting back on the stone stool, the Queen stroked her chest to calm her racing heart.

Finally catching her breath, the old man's whispers kept echoing in her mind. Her clouded eyes fixed on the close maid standing beside her.

After a long silence, she murmured: "It will be hard for me to find another maid as agreeable as you."