As soon as Umbridge left, Lucius Malfoy turned around and looked at Dumbledore and others.
"There are some things we need to discuss," he said, "Mr. Principal... If we are not mistaken, you seem to have a lot of problems with the selection of professors. You should also have seen the latest edition of the Daily Prophet.
Was it on the news?"
"About Professor Lockhart? Of course."
Dumbledore said that he looked a little tired, as if he had aged several years, but his expression was very calm.
"I know very well what kind of child Gilderoy Lockhart is. Maybe he is a little vain and did some wrong things after graduation. But precisely because of his experience of teaching at Hogwarts, he is not on the wrong path.
It was too far. He wrote to me a few days ago to explain the reason and took a long vacation. I personally think that facing up to the shadow of the past should be a good thing worthy of praise and encouragement."
"Okay, I understand your point of view. From the perspective of the Headmaster of Hogwarts, it's no problem."
Cornelius Fudge shrugged and began to turn his round hat with his hands again, considering his words.
"However, judging from the decrees of the Ministry of Magic, Gilderoy Lockhart may still face jail time - the working mechanism of the law is such that a person who commits a crime must be punished, and it cannot be said that he escapes responsibility because of his repentance.
.This time we will issue a formal arrest warrant."
The encounter in the foyer of Hogwarts a few months ago undoubtedly left a deep impression on the Ministry of Magic.
Suppose that Paracelsus, who had not fought against anyone for hundreds of years, could easily deal with more than five adult wizards with powerful magic powers.
So as the most powerful white wizard recognized in the wizarding world today, Albus Dumbledore's strength naturally instantly increased by more than one level in the Ministry of Magic's "imaginary enemy" deduction: according to the latest conversion rules, Aurors must send at least ten
Only one person can defeat "Paracelsus", so by analogy, if the Ministry of Magic wants to defeat Albus Dumbledore head-on, it will have to have more than fifteen people, right?
Therefore, in the thinking of Cornelius Fudge and others, it is best not to have a bad situation where Dumbledore comes knocking.
"As a member of the Wizengamot Tribunal, my personal suggestion is to send an owl to notify Mr. Lockhart of his trial - at Hogwarts, I think Mr. Lockhart can be temporarily suspended pending further investigation.
Decide the outcome. What does Ms. Bones think?"
"No problem, this is completely in compliance with our current laws and regulations——"
Amelia Bones nodded, a gleam of light reflecting off her monocle.
"However, a formal professor at Hogwarts is facing trial. How should students be informed about this matter?"
"I don't think this is a problem," Dumbledore said. "Don't exaggerate or hide. Just tell everyone what is happening. But this is just my personal opinion. If the school board has other ideas and opinions in this regard,
If you think about it——"
"No problem, we have the same view. He is temporarily suspended pending trial."
Mr. Greengrass patted Lucius Malfoy on the shoulder and took the initiative to take up the topic.
After pausing for a few seconds, he turned his head to look at Professor McGonagall, stroking his cane and saying.
"However... maybe Ms. Umbridge is a little impatient at the executive level, but I think the background review of Hogwarts teachers must continue. I hope that as the vice-principal, you can set a better example, and the subsequent background checks will also be carried out."
It will be done according to your information template - you can compile a personal resume yourself later - if you don't mind, you can give it directly to the school board through Professor Dumbledore."
Greengrass spread his hands and said sincerely, "I don't insist on personal privacy, but I hope you can provide a standard template."
Professor McGonagall nodded without saying a word, but her expression was not as tense as before.
"Connelly," Dumbledore looked at the Minister of Magic thoughtfully, "if I understand correctly, the first half of this background check should be your school resume and work experience after graduation. These two points
I don’t think there are many differences between the two of us. The main points of contradiction and ambiguity are in the collection of personal information. Do you really think that family background and kinship are essential contents?"
"Um, um - sure, of course. These are very important."
Cornelius Fudge was obviously hesitant, but in the end he nodded seriously.
"In my opinion, as a professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, educators who have been with students for a long time, family background, and kinship relationships are all factors that need to be taken into consideration. For example, if you have had a serious criminal record, or
There are dangerous people in the immediate family..."
As he spoke, he subconsciously tilted his head towards the door. The meaning of his words was obvious.
"Of course, for example, Miss Kaslana is obviously not suitable to be the principal of Hogwarts——"
Next to the sofa by the wall of the teacher's office, Grindelwald crossed his arms, grinned, and said with great approval.
"Mr. Minister, you don't need to be so careful in hinting. Everyone has signed a confidentiality agreement, and everyone present is not an outsider. There is no need to cover up and play riddles. In fact, if Dumbledore hadn't repeatedly guaranteed it, I wouldn't even want to let that little witch
Appearing at Hogwarts."
Under Dumbledore's extremely strange eyes, "Paracelsus" shook his head, perfectly showing a touch of helpless vicissitudes of life.
"From Salzburg to Scotland, I still couldn't escape the Dark Lord who almost unified Europe. Alas..."
"There is no way. Compared to Hogwarts, there will only be more disputes in other places in the British wizarding world."
"Oh, of course - Pa, well, Professor Apokalis, you can feel free to live in seclusion in England."
Cornelius Fudge laughed, puffed out his slightly fat belly, and pointed around with some pride.
It has to be said that the same words spoken by different people will give people completely different experiences - if another person said this, Cornelius Fudge might not be in such a happy mood, but if the other person was a
A great alchemist who lived hundreds of years is different.
He is the only top wizard in the magic world today who owns the magic stone, and he is the master who laid the cornerstone of the therapist industry.
And what "Professor Apocalypse" said just now, "No one here is an outsider," tickled Connelly's itch even more.
The most important point is that from Professor Apokalis's words, Fudge keenly heard the old wizard's hidden dissatisfaction.
There is no doubt that this great alchemist who has lived for hundreds of years is not a "Dumbledore faction" like Minerva McGonagall - this is not surprising, Dumbledore has no reason to command such immortals
Or - at least Connelly can be sure that Paracelsus is obviously not satisfied with Dumbledore's arrangement for Elena Kaslana, and Hogwarts is not that important to him.
Cornelius Fudge looked thoughtfully at the old wizard.
Perhaps, they missed the easiest trick to check Albus Dumbledore from the beginning.
If Paracelsus just wants to seek a quiet retreat, then as the British Minister of Magic, the help he can provide will obviously be more direct than Dumbledore. In a sense, the two of them are
The interests of both parties are highly consistent.
The only thing that troubled Cornelius Fudge was what other more sincere gift the Ministry of Magic could give.
"Ahem, but I have a question... Professor Dumbledore."
At this moment, a deep female voice interrupted the vague equalization plan in Cornelius Fudge's mind.
Amelia Bones pushed up her monocle, looked at Dumbledore with bright eyes, and raised her eyebrows high.
"I still don't understand why you allowed Grindelwald's descendants to enter the school and made an unbreakable oath with the notorious dark wizard. Over the past few decades, Grindelwald and his followers have also
Didn’t show much threat…”
"Oh, dear young man, the key question is precisely time."
Grindelwald shook his head and said with an old-fashioned chuckle, "Let me explain. Grindelwald is not young, and his lifespan may come to an end in less than ten years. Do you think that as a
Will the Dark Lord, who once dominated the European continent, die quietly in the castle at the last moment of his life? Maybe it is possible, but there is another terrible situation, right? To be honest, I have seen too many
.”
"...Before he died, he frantically left his mark on the magical world?"
Amelia Bones swallowed. Among the vicious cases recorded by the Ministry of Magic, the most common ones were old wizards who were near death.
Unlike Muggles in the non-magical world, even if the body is old and weak, as long as a wizard can still raise his wand to cast spells, his madness with careful preparation is enough to exceed everyone's imagination - especially those who are delirious.
Emotionally unstable elderly people are even more at risk.
"This is not surprising, right? The Dark Lord, who has no worries and is about to meet his end, seems to have realized it..."
Grindelwald explained worriedly, paused meaningfully for half a second, and sighed deeply.
"And what's even worse is that the followers who followed Gellert Grindelwald are no longer young - if they are dissatisfied with reality, they may not be as good as they were decades ago.
Launch a revolution - if the worst-case scenario is to be followed, these dying bigots are more likely to follow Grindelwald's footsteps and drag those things they hate directly to hell."
"Nasty... thing?" Lucius Malfoy raised his eyebrows.
"Well, it could be officials who issue decrees they don't approve of, it could be teachers who deviate from tradition, or it could be something else..."
Grindelwald counted with his fingers solemnly, looked around, and shivered uneasily.
"However, the only thing that is certain is that if it really comes to that point, they will never be satisfied with taking action against ordinary people - according to the craziest logic of those who respect the supremacy of wizards and the power of blood, they will definitely choose more
Valuable prey, well, like us."
Along with Grindelwald's voice, a bone-chilling chill filled the air unconsciously.
Except for Albus Dumbledore, most of the wizards present were not old enough to think about the end of their lifespan.
Of course, this does not prevent them from thinking along the lines of Grindelwald's description. Being young can even give them more room to think.
Especially Amelia Bones, who is the Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and Cornelius Fudge, who once served as the Director of the Department of Magical Accidents and Disasters. During their decades of career in the Ministry of Magic, they have seen
I've been through too many crazy situations like this.
Even old Aurors are unstable, let alone old dark wizards...
"Ahem, ahem!"
Dumbledore suddenly cleared his throat forcefully.
The solid atmosphere that originally lingered in the office was instantly broken.
Everyone subconsciously turned around and looked at the old wizard sitting behind the desk.
However, Dumbledore didn't seem to want to speak, but looked seriously at the elderly actor who was spreading panic.
"Oh, of course - luckily we don't have to worry about that happening for the time being."
Grindelwald shrugged easily, and his voice returned to its previous vicissitudes, instead of the somewhat suppressed low voice.
"Those assumptions just now are all based on the situation that Gellert Grindelwald has no concerns, but the reality is obviously not like this - there is still a descendant of the Grindelwald family alive, Miss Kaslana is healthy and growing up dazzlingly, and his
The self-seal will not be lifted. The child has just turned twelve this year, and by the time she reaches adulthood, I think Grindelwald and his followers should have almost completely withdrawn from history..."
"As for Miss Kaslana, you don't think that a little girl can command those unruly old wizards, do you?"
"Time, this is the most powerful magic in the world——"
"Huh-yeah, it's okay, it's okay."
Cornelius Fudge breathed a long sigh of relief, and his fat face suddenly relaxed, as if someone had let out the air inside.
The other wizards in the office also breathed a sigh of relief.
After a while, Cornelius Fudge regained his composure and took out a document from his arms.
"Oh, by the way. Professor Dumbledore, apart from the background check, after discussion, the school board and the Ministry of Magic hope to classify the 'application' products of the Hogwarts academic innovation you mentioned before.
, take the initiative to take on more——”
Tuk-tuk-tuk.
At this moment, there was a rhythmic knocking on the door.
Cornelius Fudge immediately shut his mouth and looked cautiously toward the door.
"Mr. Minister, Mr. Principal——"
Kingsley Shacklebolt's deep voice sounded outside the door.
"The house elves at Hogwarts sent some plates and cutlery. They said they were ordered by Miss Chef to come over and provide dinner——"
Dinner? Chef lady?
Cornelius Fudge recalled that the little girl seemed to have vaguely mentioned this when she left.
"Let them come in, oh, by the way - Kingsley, Delis, you two should come in together first - we have to briefly explain some things to you, wait, come in one after another.
Okay, leave one person outside to continue to guard."
Fudge suddenly remembered that when they were talking in the office just now, the two Aurors had been on guard at the door.
Maybe they didn't overhear anything,
But out of caution, it's better to have them all sign the magic contract.