Struggling to survive at Hogwarts

Chapter 265 Bertha Thea Jockins

When Thea stepped into the retro-style building of the Ministry of Magic again, she couldn't help but chuckle.

She had been to the Ministry of Magic once, and it had been bombed once, but neither time had she ever really explored it properly.

Hopefully, this role-playing assignment will last a while, so she can have some free time to explore the Ministry of Magic.

Thea was filled with anticipation for her upcoming role-playing task, while Little Barty, who had also drunk the compound decoction, frequently glanced at Thea.

To be honest, even Little Barty was surprised by Thea's ability to imitate.

In just two or three days, Thea created a lively and energetic "Bertha Jorkins"!

Timid, gossipy, insecure, melancholic, frustrated...

If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn't have believed that Thea could do so well.

Is this Lauder's successor?

Not only their appearances, but even their abnormal learning abilities are exactly the same. You could say they are father and daughter.

Both of them were lost in thought, so much so that when Ludo Bagman saw them, he assumed they were too afraid to step into the Ministry of Magic because of some strange "post-war trauma."

Thinking of this, the smile in his round blue eyes deepened. He had made up his mind to comfort the poor little thing who had finally escaped.

That's right, Thea has returned this time as a lucky survivor who just escaped the Death Eaters' raid.

Ludo Bagman, Bertha Jorkins' former boss, always had to put on a show when his subordinates "luckily returned."

When the boy with short, blond hair, who looked overweight, walked towards Thea, Thea instantly knew what to do next.

“Jorkins!” Ludo exclaimed happily, as if he wasn’t the one who had looked down on Bertha back then.

"...Hello, Mr. Bagman..."

Thea then adopted a nervous and timid demeanor, projecting an image of a kind and gentle person.

Bagman didn't think Thea's behavior was wrong either, after all, Bertha had always been like that.

"You're so lucky!" Bagman patted Thea's shoulder excitedly, but the next second his true nature was revealed. "I swear, if I had half your luck, my Galleons would be three times as many!"

Bagman was a gambler, a fact that was an open secret in the Ministry of Magic, and Bertha naturally knew it too, so Thea gave a knowing smile.

“…Mr. Bagman,” Thea whispered, but her words ignited a fire in Bagman’s heart, “On the way…I heard that Durmstrang has lifted the black magic ban…”

Bagman didn't understand at first, until Thea added, "I wonder how busy the Aurors over there are."

In a flash, Bagman understood everything. He even lifted the restrictions on dark magic. What about the gambling industry? Would it be allowed to operate under those restrictions as well?

But... money is good, but you also need to be alive...

Thinking of this, Bagman slumped down again.

Thea, however, seemed oblivious to Bagman's odd behavior and continued chatting, "I owe my return this time to Mr. Scrinker. If they hadn't gone to Balnia as well, I don't know if I would have been able to escape..."

Rufus Scrimgeour?

He seemed to have taken a group of people out not long ago, but... Barnia?

What is he going there for?

Could it be...?

The mysterious figure has started making moves again?

So... is Durmstrang no longer in danger than before?!

After quickly connecting all the clues, Bagman was naturally overjoyed. In his delight, his scrutinizing gaze involuntarily fell on Thea.

Thea remained oblivious, continuing to ramble on about her excitement at escaping death, completely unaware of the major news she had just revealed.

Looking at "Bertha" like this, Ludo sighed inwardly at his own overthinking. Bertha had always been like this, spreading all sorts of news. Perhaps the news about Durmstrang just now was just a coincidence.

Having dispelled his suspicions, Bagman became even closer to Thea, and the two walked intimately into the Ministry of Magic, leaving little Barty behind still in a daze.

This time, he witnessed Thea's abilities firsthand. She not only successfully imitated Bertha's temperament, but also used Bertha's harmless appearance to slowly strangle her prey like a spider hunting its prey.

From the initial intimacy with Bagman as a facade, to Bagman gradually lowering his guard, and then to Bagman's subsequent psychological journey—ecstasy—hesitation and retreat—suspicion—dispelling suspicion.

If you hadn't witnessed it firsthand, who would believe that Bagman's series of emotional journeys were achieved with just three sentences from Thea!

Such composure and skill in handling situations, coupled with a calm demeanor under pressure, are rare even among Death Eaters.

Lauder's legacy has been carried on!

With this in mind, Barty stared intently at the Ministry of Magic's gate, pondering how to do an even better job of helping Thea establish herself within the Ministry.

Little Barty was burning with excitement, while Thea's heart was pounding wildly.

The reason was none other than the person standing in front of Thea—Alastor Moody.

Fearing the special abilities of those magical eyes, Thea had already raised Moody's threat level to the highest level before even entering the Ministry of Magic, which is why she is still relatively calm now.

Thea lowered her head and pretended to be scared, letting Ludo and Moody reminisce.

I thought this level would be relatively easy, but unfortunately, fate was not on my side.

Before leaving, Moody suddenly said to Thea, "You're the one who miraculously survived, Johankins?"

Thea was surprised and speechless. "Jorgins, who survived a terrible ordeal?"

This title sounds similar to that of the "boy who survived a great calamity".

She was momentarily unsure whether to criticize the wizarding world's naming standards or Moody's meddling.

Meanwhile, Moody, who hadn't seen Thea look up for a long time, couldn't help but reach for his wand because he already had doubts.

The atmosphere in the room immediately became tense.

The Aurors behind Moody stirred, and Bagman's expression turned serious. He stood silently in front of Thea, reminding her, "This is the Ministry of Magic."

Moody doesn't care where he is. These are special times, and suddenly a "survivor of a miracle" like Jorkins appears. Others may not care, but he won't be among them.

"Jorgins, lift your head!"

Moody's commanding tone fueled Bagman's anger. He shouldn't hit someone in the face; Bertha was still an employee of the Department of Physical Education at the Ministry of Magic, and thus his subordinate.

Even if Bertha hadn't given him some big news, he couldn't let Moody embarrass him in front of so many people!

“Moody!” Bagman said seriously.

Moody ignored him completely and drew his wand, intending to do it himself.

"Stop!" x2

As Bagman wondered who had spoken at the same time as him, the person who had spoken came running up to him.

Arthur Weasley.

What is he doing here?

To be honest, Arthur was also inwardly groaning. He was just peacefully rotting away in his office when Crouch suddenly called him in.

He thought there was a problem with the funding application for the Office for the Prohibition of Muggle Items last month, but Crouch gave him a message: to have Moody take a group to Barnia to assist Scrimgeour.

Well, Arthur pondered the meaning of the message, and after thinking for a long time, he still couldn't figure out why Crouch had called him.

It wasn't until he saw the tense scene just now that Arthur understood; he had come to mediate and deliver a message.

Is it because my "nice guy" image in the department was too successful?

Arthur wondered to himself, but his hands were not idle either. He used the gesture of greeting to pull Moody away, and then gave Bagman a look to take the man away.

By the time Moody came to his senses, the people from earlier had already gone far away.

"Humph!"

The story ended with Moody giving Arthur a harsh snort.

Thea has also temporarily eliminated the biggest threat from Moody.