I have to admit that the Foundation may be the weirdest organization in the world.
At least in Rita Skeeter's impression, except for mission time, most of the senior officials here do not have the image of being in a position of superiority.
Whether it is "The Hanged Man" Gilderoy Lockhart, "The Hermit" Xenophilius Lovegood, or even the Chief Financial Officer (A-level) Goblin Douglas from Gringotts Wizarding Bank, Destiny
The group’s chief field instructor (level A) Kurt Meier...
They don't show off at all when they get along with each other on a daily basis. On the contrary, they are somewhat...unexpectedly cordial?
"What would you like to eat? Miss Skeeter."
Xenophilius turned his head, wiped his right hand on his apron and asked.
"Porridge? Waffles? Smoked fish? Ham and eggs? Bread?"
"Just-just a muffin, please, Mr. Lovegood."
Rita Skeeter said slightly cautiously.
Scenes like this are not uncommon in the Wizarding Town of Quibble, but Rita, who is a journalist, is still a little uncomfortable with it.
Even if you put aside your status as a "hermit", being the editor-in-chief of "The Quibbler" United Magazine is still an extremely dazzling title.
But except for some obscure hallucinations, Xenophilis Lovegood doesn't have any shrewdness or aura that a newspaper owner should have.
Every time he appeared in everyone's house, he seemed more willing to help prepare tea, snacks, simple meals, etc., instead of sitting in the middle of the crowd and talking like Barnabas from the "Daily Prophet" - he
He looks more like a mediocre househusband.
However, Rita Skeeter would not look down upon this "ordinary wizard" who seemed to have no sense of existence.
His political metaphors about "reflection monsters" and "harassing flies" led various newspapers and magazines into a new era.
Absurd, profound, catchy but without any basis, this vicious metaphor that satirizes the government's current affairs is really powerful.
In comparison, the automatic polishing ability of her magic quill pen was so immature and ridiculous. She deeply understood what it meant to be a frog in a well.
Rita not only specially collected quotes about Mr. Lovegood from those issues, she even carried a small notebook with her to record the profound metaphors that Xenophilius inadvertently said in daily life - such as the bent-horned snorkel.
, what a rainbow bubble fish - even if she doesn't understand it, Rita believes that as her knowledge increases, sooner or later she will be able to understand the wonderful artistic conception contained in the words of this once-in-a-century genius media person.
On the other side, Gilderoy Lockhart glanced at Rita, then turned to look at Kurt Meyer.
"You just mentioned Auror's cross-border trial. Are there any additional procedures for pursuit?"
"Oh... By the way, that's right, you will trigger the avoidance principle because you are also the honorary consultant of ***F..."
The two didn't ask Rita to join the conversation, which made her feel a little relieved.
Facing two Major Arcana at the same time, even just sitting at the table, she felt nervous.
Xenophilius Lovegood placed the baked waffles and marmalade in front of her. Rita ate them uneasily, without much thought to taste the craftsmanship of the Major Arcana - Luo
Mr. Fugood sat down on the other side of her and began to discuss the legend with Tonks seriously. New words kept coming to Rita Skeeter's ears. She really wished that she could give the notebook to Tonks.
Max helped with the excerpt.
Mr. Lovegood didn't seem to enjoy talking to her, perhaps because of her "passive recruitment" stigma.
"...Do I have to go to work today? I might want to take half a day off. I'm so-so-so tired."
Tonks said, yawning loudly again.
Sometimes Rita really didn't know how big of a deal this young witch really was.
The person she was communicating with was the highest level of the organization, one of the few supreme beings in the shadows of the magic world.
At this time, she not only yawned, but also talked to herself... If it weren't for the fact that she knew the family background of Miss Tonks in advance, Rita even doubted whether she was a relative of the Destiny Group, who had
Only a big backstage person can be so carefree.
"This is not possible, at least you have to hold on until this afternoon..."
Kurt Meyer shrugged and said seriously, "Maybe I can help you get some refreshing potion. The kind that doesn't smoke."
As the chief field instructor of Tianming Group, Lao Maier is very optimistic about the potential of these two "rookies".
Whether it's Tonks's Disguise Magus or Rita's Beetle Animagus, these are talents unique to them.
Kurt, who has experienced the cruel wizard war, is very clear about the importance of these talents. These magical gifts that cannot be obtained through hard work can be said to be the most precious wealth of every force. But the more this happens, the expectations and expectations carried by these children
The pressure becomes even greater.
Although he didn't know what the eldest lady's attitude was, Kurt Meyer knew very well the practices of the "saints" in the past.
If Nymphadora Tonks and Rita Skeeter are unable to demonstrate satisfactory strength, or even defect, what may be waiting for them may be something crueler than death - their magical abilities are attached to their parents' blood.
In times of extreme war, witches and wizards with special talents are a resource. This was also the competition between the Ministry of Magic and Grindelwald of various countries decades ago.
"Don't worry, I will accompany you all the way to the door today."
Kurt Maier paused, grinned and said, pointing to his body.
Tonks then noticed that Mr. Miles was not wearing wizard robes today, but was wearing a pair of thin trousers and an old short jacket.
However, before she could ask, Kurt turned his attention from her to Rita.
"How do you feel now?"
Rita shrugged, her expression obviously not good.
"Don't be too nervous."
Kurt Meier comforted the newcomer.
"Actually, it's just to send some information. I heard that you were very good at this before."
Rita said nothing.
"The meeting will take place on the second basement floor of the Ministry of Magic, seventy-five meters away from the elevator, in Rufus Scrimgeour's office."
Kurt Meier went on to say that as an Austrian wizard, he was almost more familiar with the structure of the Ministry of Magic than the Ministry of Magic officials.
"Scrimgeour is the director of the Auror Office. The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, and a group of officials will come to observe. I cannot enter the British Ministry of Magic, but members of our team will meet you at the exit - if an accident occurs
If so, we will rescue you."
"Rufus Scrimgeour is fine, Rita."
Tonks said sincerely, "Although he looks a bit fierce, he is very fair and is a real old-school Auror."
Rita nodded, still unable to think of a word to say.
"You can express yourself freely," Lockhart said suddenly. "It's better to be exaggerated and not too pragmatic. Just be more relaxed."
Rita nodded again.
"Gringotts Wizarding Bank will handle the overseas cleanup work, but you..."
Douglas whispered, tapping his slender fingers on the table, and twitching the corner of his mouth in pain.
"You can tell me everything you know. The gold galleons of Gringotts are enough to buy all the story licenses and pay all the compensation that can be measured in monetary terms. The only instruction of the Great Arcana Conference is to, as far as possible,
The Ministry of Magic thinks it has a winning chance—"
A chilling chill surged from Rita's heart.
She picked up other meanings from Douglas.
This action is not the decision of a single or several major arcanas, it is the result of a meeting of all the major arcanas.
Just as she feared in her nightmare, this was a trap for today's magical government.
No matter what the future direction of this war will be, as a gold medal informant, she will not return to the relative safety of the rear in a short time - her greatest possibility is to serve as a spy, constantly providing filtered information until the dust settles.
.
This is a journey that once you start, there is no room for retreat.
"Is there anything else you don't understand or have any suggestions?" Gilderoy Lockhart asked finally.
Rita shook her head numbly.
A few years ago, when she heard about Lockhart's dark history, her quill might have exploded with excitement.
But if these become links in the plan, calculating against the Ministry of Magic one by one, and become the trigger for the first step in overturning the credibility of a centuries-old magical government, the pleasure and excitement of those revelations will disappear in an instant.
It was replaced by the bitter hesitation in my heart.
Kurt looked at his watch, stood up and looked at the two witches.
"I think we should leave now," he said. "It's a little early, but I think rather than hanging around here, we might as well set off for the Ministry of Magic now - trying to blend in with the people at work.
This way it won’t be too conspicuous.”
"Okay." Rita said without thinking and stood up.
"I'll be waiting next to the office, Rita," Tonks said, patting her arm.
"Don't worry," Douglas breathed lightly, and whispered with a sinister smile, "If you are arrested during the execution of the mission, we will do whatever it takes to rescue you or exceed our revenge - the Destiny Group, Gringotts will always be justice.
Don’t have too much psychological burden.”
Rita forced a smile. The uneasiness in her heart only increased.
"Well, I'll have the house elf prepare lunch."
Xenophilius Lovegood said, looking at the ingredients prepared in the kitchen with some regret.
Compared to the witch, these young people were a little too impatient and rushed off without having a full breakfast.
"I guess you may not have a very good appetite now, but you will definitely be craving for delicious and hearty dishes when you come back."
"Okay," Rita said, "Well...see you later."
She stood up and followed Kurt and Tonks through the kitchen to the fireplace in the foyer.
Gringotts Wizarding Bank opened the fireplace authority, and they reached Diagon Alley directly through the Floo Network.
…………
It was just dawn in London.
The sky is gray and chilly.
"Wait a minute, Tonks, if you go to work like this, won't it arouse the suspicion of the Ministry of Magic?"
They pushed open the door of the Leaky Cauldron and arrived at Charing Cross Road. Rita suddenly thought of a certain question.
"Well, obviously, most people would prefer to Apparate—"
Tonks shrugged her shoulders and said, observing the office workers on the street with interest, "But I'm not most people. I prefer to use the more traditional method, so that I can flexibly control my working hours... After all,
If it is a phantom migration, then there is no other reason to oversleep..."
"...You are the most outstanding Auror of the new generation in the Ministry of Magic."
Rita raised her eyebrows and said with a strange expression.
"Well, that's the wisdom of an Auror. Working at the Ministry of Magic is like this -"
Tonks said nonchalantly, and then shook her head proudly. Her golden curly hair looked like she was in a good mood.
"Of course, today is different. Because today I have a job... You contacted me and claimed that you wanted to expose a shocking dark wizard to the Auror Office and the Ministry of Magic. We'd better follow the formal visitor process, so that everything can be done properly.
It can be checked and recorded.”
Not far behind the two of them, Kurt walked slowly behind them, like a lonely old man who came out to hang out in the morning.
Kurt had one hand in his jacket as he walked, and Rita knew the wand must be in that hand.
They soon arrived in central London. There was a huge flow of people, and countless well-dressed men and women carrying briefcases were walking through the streets.
There are majestic buildings on both sides of the street, and the streets are already busy with traffic in the early morning - Rita has to admit that compared to the lazy life in the wizarding world, these Muggles can indeed make a huge difference in the pace and efficiency of life.
Some wizards are a lot bigger.
As a pure-blood wizard, Rita Skeeter had never seriously looked at Muggle cities.
"Ah, okay, you can see it all later... this way, Rita."
Before Rita Skeeter could continue to observe the people passing by, Tonks turned around and led her down a side road.
As they walked forward, the buildings on both sides of the street gradually became less majestic and spectacular than before.
Finally they came to a desolate side street with only a few shabby-looking offices, a bistro and a dump truck that was almost overflowing.
Rita Skeeter had never been here before, and she had thought the Ministry of Magic's welcome gate was in a much grander place.
"We're here," Tonks said happily, pointing to a dilapidated red phone booth.
Several pieces of glass were missing, and there was a wall behind it that was completely painted over.
However, as a newly promoted Auror, she really loved this place. After all, every time she was late for work or had trouble, she could explain it away by saying that the reception area was crowded or there was a problem with the facilities. This was one of the few
A secret that only an old man knows.
"Let's go in together, Rita - it might be a little crowded..."
As she spoke, she quickly opened the phone booth door.