Cornelius Fudge waved his hand vigorously, taking the initiative to break the suffocating atmosphere in the office.
"It's just a casual guess. Don't be too nervous. If the mastermind behind the scenes was Dumbledore, our group would have been under the Imperius Curse long ago. There is no need for so many complicated twists and turns.
."
"That's right, there is no contact or gap between Professor Dumbledore and the goblins..."
"Mr. Fudge, you just scared us."
"If Hogwarts had money, it wouldn't let students grow their own vegetables to provide three meals a day."
"If the Gringotts goblins are really that stupid, they will lose everything..."
After a while, everyone in the Ministry of Magic shook their heads and quickly put these wild guesses behind their minds.
Even Fudge, who took the initiative to talk about this issue, later felt that his previous idea was ridiculous. It was probably because he had a whim during the chat and couldn't help but drink a few more drinks, making him a little more confused than usual.
.
However, with a little thought in his heart, when Cornelius Fudge received the Ministry of Magic's application approval for "Hogwarts Education Reform" a few days later, he couldn't help but go to Hogwarts via the Floo Network in person.
Watts delivers paperwork.
When he arrived, Albus Dumbledore, who was sitting behind the desk, was like a beginner in magic, waving his wand seriously, changing a pocket watch from wood to iron, and then from
Iron turns into wood.
If it weren't for the powerful magical protection that lingered around the old wizard's body, which was almost visible to the naked eye, Cornelius Fudge almost suspected that Dumbledore had entered the stage of Alzheimer's disease early from time to time.
Upon noticing the middle-aged wizard walking out of the fireplace, Dumbledore subconsciously raised his head. Before he could finish speaking, Fudge saw that the pocket watch that was changing in the hands of the old wizard suddenly turned into a pile of black scum.
.
"Sorry, I was researching a new direction of transfiguration... Of course, it failed again."
The old wizard's expression was as warm and kind as ever, and he snapped his fingers to remove the magic protection.
However, perhaps because he had just finished a failed magic attempt, Dumbledore was not as smooth and approachable as before. Instead, he returned to the calm and slightly profound expression that Fudge was familiar with a long time ago - just
Just like what Cornelius Fudge saw when he was still in school.
This is Professor Albus Dumbledore, powerful, unable to see boundaries, and a little bit crazy...
Compared to an old wizard like this who has seen too many years, he doesn't need any disguise or conspiracy at all. Maybe except for knowledge and uncertain young people, whatever he wants, he can just wave his wand.
get.
"This is an application for education reform that you submitted before. After the ministry studied it, it was deemed that there is no big problem. It's just that some Muggle scholars from the non-magical world cannot leave the Hogwarts area with their memories. You understand what I mean.
Do you mean it?"
Cornelius Fudge lowered his head slightly and placed the magic document in his hand, which was stamped with the seal and signed by the corresponding department head, on Dumbledore's desk. After hesitating for a few seconds, he couldn't help but give a reminder.
"So...Professor Dumbledore, regarding the joint statement with the Ministry of Magic..."
"No problem, I will arrive at the Ministry of Magic on time tomorrow morning. As for the follow-up interviews and exclusive news, I thought about it. If Mr. Minister feels it is necessary, he can actually add a little more. It doesn't matter."
Professor Dumbledore has indeed changed a lot in the past six months. Normally it would not be so easy to invite him to speak.
With this thought in mind, the middle-aged man stopped thinking about the reason for Dumbledore's change. After all, everyone hopes to have a tool man who is easy to talk to and non-threatening to help.
Cornelius Fudge does not miss the previous difficult communication mode at all, where he might have to send more than a dozen owls every day just to wait for Dumbledore to reply to a text message.
"Thank you very much, Professor Dumbledore for your hard work. I will go back first."
Fudge, who once again received a definite answer, nodded happily, took off his hat and said hello, walked to the fireplace again, and left the principal's office at Hogwarts through the Floo network - of course, after he disappeared, Hogg
Watts' Floo network, which was temporarily open to the public, was closed again.
Immediately afterwards, a wizard wearing the same style of robe as Dumbledore held a book and slowly turned the pages while walking down the revolving wooden ladder above, and walked towards the stairs rather unhappily.
He complained.
"Hey, Albus, I'm not agreeing to any interviews or scoops!"
"It doesn't matter, you just heard it, and I agreed for you."
In the main hall of the principal's office downstairs, Dumbledore replied nonchalantly. He waved his wand lightly and swept away the pile of black scum. He took out a pocket watch from the drawer again and tinkered with it thoughtfully.
stand up.
"But... Gale, do you think it is really possible to unleash terrible destructive power through transformation alone?"
"How do I know? If you are really curious, just ask that little girl directly. I also accidentally heard her describing it seriously when she was teaching the little witch named Hermione Granger.
It seems like a lie."
As the countdown to the introduction of non-magical world courses to Hogwarts began, Dumbledore also began to study more and more seriously the troublesome Muggle knowledge. However, faced with the vast and messy non-magical world reference books, there was a lack of system.
Most of the time, Dumbledore, who guided him, only scratched the surface.
Perhaps we can only wait until the Muggles arrive at Hogwarts after this semester to learn more about it, right?
…………
Meanwhile, London, Knockturn Alley.
This is another magical business district besides Diagon Alley.
Compared to the well-known Diagon Alley, Knockturn Alley, which wanders on the gray edge of the wizarding world, can be said to be a paradise for lawless people. There are many shops related to black magic operating here, as well as various shops opened by unknown dark wizards.
strange shop.
But on this day, a new and extraordinarily gorgeously decorated store suddenly appeared at the entrance of Knockturn Alley.
Perhaps, describing it as a store is not very appropriate, because from the appearance alone, this is simply a replica of a small Gringotts Wizarding Bank - except that its name is the United States Magical Federation Congress Reserve System.
The shop pattern is a black cross like a tombstone, and the background is a pile of golden currency hills.
Several well-dressed young wizards were walking back and forth among the crowd with flyers. Whenever they saw a wizard, they handed one to his/her hand, and there was also a jingle on the flyer.
of Copper Nat.
As for the content on the flyer, it is quite simple and straightforward, making it clear at a glance.
"The most amazing money magic ever!"
"Give me one copper nut today, and I will give you two copper nuts tomorrow!"
"Professional fairy guidance, permanent validity, payable on the spot!"
An invisible butcher knife was swung at the Gringotts Wizarding Bank next door without any warning on this ordinary afternoon. However, it would take some time for the pain to gradually reach the goblins.