Hogwarts: Who made her a professor?

Over the past year, a not-so-funny joke has been circulating among journalists.

Q: Did Miss Blake answer our questions today?

A: Of course, Miss Blake always answers every question!

Another question: What did she say today?

Then I replied: Oh, she didn't say anything.

This demonstrates just how inhumane Belvina Black was during her year-long tenure at the Public Information Service.

In the eyes of the journalists, even the entire Thames River could not wash away the heinous crimes committed by Belvina.

Belvina's next sentence vividly illustrates what it means to be deeply sinful.

"...For security reasons, please forgive me for not being able to disclose the specific details of the emergency meeting."

A hint of a smile finally appeared in Belvina's bright eyes, and the heavy resentment from working overtime until late at night lessened somewhat.

One second, the reporters were full of anticipation, thinking, "Family, the glorious moment is back!" The next second, the sudden turn of events almost gave the reporters a backache.

My heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally died, completely dead. It was the same old recipe, the same familiar taste; that damned, bastard woman, as always, chose not to be human.

Belvina, all smiles, showed no trace of embarrassment or difficulty. The reporters, who had been backing down again and again, dared not speak out in anger. They could only make another note in their mental notebooks and patiently wait for the day of reckoning.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the press conference will likely transition into a strangely harmonious and friendly atmosphere.

Unsatisfied reporters routinely ask questions, while the resentful Director of Public Information gives perfunctory and serious replies.

A disheartened reporter contemplates changing jobs, while a well-educated Ministry of Magic official confirms that this is Humphrey's homeland.

However, it's impossible to avoid any unexpected events.

A brave warrior who had just left the beginner village dared to challenge the female demon.

"Miss Black, is it possible that the Ministry of Magic is unable to effectively control Gringotts given such a serious security incident?"

Betty Braithwaite, fearless and bold, took the initiative, without obtaining permission from anyone or even consulting the photographer beside her.

This female reporter, who had only recently joined the Daily Prophet, was so eager to prove herself that taking down Belvina, who controlled the press conferences, was the fastest way for her to do so.

A sharp question is like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, causing ripples to spread instantly.

The other reporters present frequently glanced sideways, wanting to see which general was so brave, acting as if he had eaten something extraordinary.

Oh, it's the Daily Prophet.

That's fine.

As expected of a media giant in the magical world, even a newcomer is so assertive.

Facing the admiring gazes of her companions, Betty Braithwaite proudly puffed out her meager chest, completely oblivious to the fascinating expressions on their faces.

The photographer wore a bitter expression; he couldn't believe that his newspaper's new female reporter had suddenly gone mad!

Why did you have to mess with Belvina Black?

At this moment, the photographer really wanted to pull out his magic wand and give Braithwaite a good whack. Since he couldn't figure out a solution, he might as well deal with the person who raised the problem.

Or, they could go all the way and eliminate Belvina Black, solving the problem once and for all. From then on, all newspapers and magazines would treat him with the utmost respect.

Tell my mother I'm not a coward!

Okay, he's a coward.

When the photographer mustered the courage to meet that cold gaze, the bold ideas in his mind vanished instantly, the surge of adrenaline subsided, and even his eyes became clear.

"I am Betty Braithwaite, a reporter for the Daily Prophet. Miss Black, please answer my question directly!"

His resounding words once again drew astonishment from the crowd. Good heavens, do your family know you're this brave?!

The photographer, once again experiencing the cruelty of reality, was on the verge of tears. He silently retreated behind his companion, interlacing his fingers in a silent prayer: "You can't see me, you can't see me, you can't see me..."

At this moment, the photographer must have wished he could disappear into thin air so that no one would see him.

But this idea is obviously unrealistic. The biggest difference between the photographer and the air is that Belvina can see him.

Betty Braithwaite looked radiant with pride, seemingly enjoying the spotlight, her eyes full of defiance.

"Ah, Miss Braithwaite, is it?"

Little Jai! You must be the one!

So you wrote articles criticizing the Ministry of Magic for being corrupt and decadent, right?

So you're saying Cornelius Fudge is easily swayed and a puppet who can be manipulated by anyone, right?

Although most of these things are true, how can you write them down for everyone to see?

Upon hearing the name of the new reporter, Belvina immediately thought of the Evening Prophet lying on her desk.

It's said that enemies are especially hostile when they meet, but Belvina didn't fly into a rage. Her tone remained calm and casual, as if she weren't the one who had been looking so gloomy earlier.

It was precisely this nonchalant attitude that made Braithwaite feel suffocated; the other party's indifference made her feel like a clown jumping around.

Belvina smiled and continued, "Miss Braithwaite, if you had taken Professor Binns's History of Magic course or read the History of Magic carefully while you were at Hogwarts, you would know that in 1865, the Ministry of Magic handed over Gringotts Wizarding Bank to the goblins for complete control."

In other words, Gringotts being managed by goblins is an ancestral rule, and anyone who dares to change it will lose their head!

Although Belvina was also unhappy that Gringotts was outside the Ministry of Magic system, she had neither the idea nor the power to change the status quo, and could only let those goblins who looked down on her continue to be arrogant.

Generous crab gift!

If something goes wrong, won't your grandpa still have to clean up your mess?

Belvina was inwardly turbulent, but her face remained as calm as a still well, showing no sign of her whimsical idea of ​​turning Gringotts goblins into a goblin faction.

Forcibly suppressing the surging emotions within her, Belvina continued, suppressing her nausea: "A long time ago, the Ministry of Magic took over Gringotts. Although this provided a large number of jobs and accumulated a wealth of experience and data, the results were not ideal, and the Ministry of Magic had no choice but to return Gringotts to the goblins."

As she spoke, Belvina shrugged, her meaning clear.

"But that was a long time ago, and the situation is different now, isn't it?" Braithwaite pressed on, unwilling to give up. "Just today, a very serious security incident occurred at Gringotts, proving that the goblins' management of Gringotts is far from what it used to be. Isn't this the perfect opportunity for the Ministry of Magic to take back control of the Wizarding Bank?"

Braithwaite bombarded the photographer with questions one after another, like beans pouring from a bamboo tube, and couldn't stop him no matter what the photographer tried.

"I have no authority to change the Ministry of Magic's established policies, Miss Braithwaite. I suggest you ask the Minister, or even the Director of Gringotts, if you can get in touch with him."

Ha! For a troublesome matter like the Ministry of Magic taking over Gringotts, a reporter only needs to say a few words, but the Ministry's civil servants have a lot to consider.

Belvina wanted to roll her eyes to show that her native language was speechless, but that would be too inelegant and unbecoming of her status.

"But—but you don't just work for the Public Press Service, you're also an advisor to the Minister. You have the right and the obligation to offer the Minister sound advice so that the Ministry of Magic can regain control of Gringotts!"

Miss Braithwaite, whose mindset was gradually changing, spoke again. Her voice became exceptionally sharp due to her urgency, somewhat like the sound of fingernails scraping against a blackboard.

Belvina rolled her eyes, completely disregarding her image; she was utterly exasperated by the other person's stupidity.

At first, Belvina simply thought that Braithwaite was just a reckless and impulsive young man.

Now, Belvina is acutely aware of her own shallowness; this new female reporter is just a clueless idiot!

Taking over Gringotts? What were they thinking? Do you think the goblins would agree to that?

Do you really think those wandless dwarves are just sitting around doing nothing?

The last takeover of Gringotts was a forced takeover. Do you know what a forced takeover means?

Anyway, you're not the one charging into battle, so you're just bragging to vent your anger, huh!

Forget it, don't get angry. Getting angry will only make you sick, and no one can take your place...

Belvina calmed her murderous impulse in three seconds, and a smile returned to her face.

She said patiently, "Miss Braithwaite, according to the Official Secrecy Act, I cannot disclose any of my suggestions."

With security on the left and official secrecy on the right, mastering these two approaches is enough to handle most journalistic inquiries. If that fails, then use both approaches in slow motion to replay the events.

Belvina, who understands this well, is just like a hedgehog curled up in a ball, hiding her soft belly and leaving only her sharp quills on the outside.

Normally, when reporters encounter such a rebuff, they will wisely keep quiet and refrain from asking any more questions to avoid embarrassing both parties.

This can be considered a tacit understanding that Belvina and the reporters have developed after a year of working together.

However, Braithwaite, eager to prove herself, lacked this understanding; she had become fixated on one thing, with only the thought of defeating Belvina in her mind.

Or be defeated by the opponent.

The new reporter's face, which wasn't particularly attractive, turned pale and then flushed. The frustration of having no outlet for her energy tormented her, and she wished she could turn the press conference into a wizard duel tournament.

It not only distinguishes between superior and inferior, but also determines life and death.

"But..." Braithwaite tried to regroup, but her unbalanced mindset only made her more extreme. "The Wizarding Bank is managed by the Ministry of Magic, isn't that common sense? Everyone thinks that way!"

puff!

We are professionally trained to never laugh, no matter how funny it is, unless we can't help it.

"I'm sorry, Miss Braithwaite. I just suddenly remembered something funny." Belvina laughed in exasperation. "Ahem, really. I just remembered something funny."

It would have been better not to emphasize it; emphasizing it only confirms that it's being mocked.

Braithwaite's already unpleasant expression turned even uglier from the ridicule, and his desire to fight Mortal Kombat grew stronger.

"Ahem—" Belvina cleared her throat and continued, "Miss Braithwaite, I hope you understand one thing. The Ministry of Magic's policies have nothing to do with common sense."

As she spoke, Belvina glanced at the Ministry of Magic employees responsible for maintaining order.

The two men, having received their orders, quickly walked toward the crowd, intending to drive the persistent Braithwaite away.

The two Ministry of Magic employees moved quickly, but Braithwaite was even faster. Before anyone could get close, she had already rattled off a string of words.

"What do you mean by 'irrelevant to common sense'? Don't you think the Ministry of Magic's policies need improvement? Even when they're known to be wrong!"

Betty Braithwaite persisted relentlessly, her eyes red and her whole body trembling as she loudly questioned him.

"I have no right to comment on the Ministry of Magic's policies, Miss Braithwaite." Belvina's smile vanished, her eyes growing even colder.

The other reporters present exchanged glances, keenly noticing the subtle changes in Belvina's eyes and tone, and then realized that they seemed to have really gone too far tonight.

When Braithwaite broke the rules and rashly asked the first question, most of the reporters were just there to watch the spectacle.

They were more than happy for Belvina and the Daily Prophet to fight; the more excited Braithwaite was, the happier they were.

Who would complain about a funeral being too grand?

But now, Belvina is clearly genuinely angry, and those of them who came to watch the funeral might very well suffer the consequences, which is not worth it.

Reporters from other newspapers and magazines turned their attention to the photographer from The Daily Prophet, hoping he could do something to save everyone from the impending disaster.

The photographer, dressed as an ostrich, suddenly felt immense pressure. He could neither ignore the hopeful gazes of his colleagues nor the Ministry of Magic employees right in front of him. He had no choice but to bite the bullet and try to dissuade the madman Braithwaite.

A blushing Betty Braithwaite wouldn't listen to any advice. She first shook off her companions' attempts to stop her, then went straight to confront the Ministry of Magic employees.

The two young employees seemed to have never expected that someone would dare to fight them in the Ministry of Magic, and in their haste, they were pushed and stumbled by Braithwaite.

How embarrassing! So embarrassing!

"Enough! I said enough!" Braithwaite pointed angrily at Belvina and said sternly, "I see now. No matter what questions we ask, you plan to use excuses like 'security concerns' and 'official confidentiality' to brush us off, right? What's the point of questioning then? What's the point of press conferences? How can you appease public sentiment with all this secrecy? How can you promote press freedom by manipulating reporters like this?"

Braithwaite clenched his fists, his eyes were bloodshot, and his body trembled uncontrollably with rage.

Braithwaite's madman-like aura intimidated the two employees. With wands in hand, the two dared not face the madman Braithwaite, nor turn to look at their boss.

"Answer my question directly, Belvina Black!"

Braithwaite's audacious question silenced the rest of the reporters present, for this incisive question was exactly what they wanted to say but dared not.

For a moment, seasoned veterans of the workplace were at a loss as to whether to blame Braithwaite for her recklessness and ignorance or to voice their support for her righteous actions.

At the same time, these old guys were also awakened by the new reporter's shouts.

It wasn't that they were magnanimous and forgave Belvina Black's outrageousness all along.

It's not that they compromised or put the overall situation first; it's that they were truly spineless.