The regular meeting of the British branch of the International Federation of Wizards did not last long.
Except for a brief dispute over the "Draft Restricting the Scope of Work on Dangerous Species", almost all subsequent matters were passed at once. After declining Connelly's lunch invitation, Dumbledore hurried back to the castle before the end of the lunch.
"Where do you think their suspicions began?"
Elena asked softly on the way to the Hogwarts principal's office.
"This scope is too broad. We are now in the start-up stage of many projects, and we cannot shut down all projects."
Dumbledore successfully caught the white-haired dumpling in the auditorium and the old devil who was about to leave.
In view of the information he received this morning, he must alert the Ministry of Magic to the two demon kings as soon as possible. The pure-blood wizard family has begun to become suspicious. The whistle from the pure-blood family will arrive tonight, and subsequent actions must be more low-key.
"It's not clear yet, maybe the entire line is suspended and wait-and-see."
"Research in Academy City must not be stopped. We are competing with the world for time!"
Elena flatly refused, her tone extremely firm.
It is now the end of 1992, and the Internet wave is not far away. If the magic network cannot be developed and rolled out before then, and the button for the magic age cannot be found, then the magic world can start to consider the issue of decency.
"Okay, by outside of school, I mean outside of Hogwarts, take a short break for a while." Dumbledore said.
While talking, the three of them walked into the principal's office.
Dumbledore handed Elena a detailed meeting minutes, with a few simple schedules in the appendix of the draft. Then he strode through the front hall of the office, came to the perch of Fawkes, and began to organize his own phoenix.
manger.
Elena and Grindelwald exchanged a look, sat down on the sofa in the office, and began to read.
Most of the agenda is content that has been planned before, and there is not much new stuff.
""Restricting Employment of Dangerous Species", Golden Crucible International Competition, House Elf Training Base..."
After reading this, Elena stopped and looked at it a few more times with great interest.
Ever since she saw the "pure-blood family faction" and the Ministry of Magic unanimously decided on the candidate for the Eye Whistle, her worries along the way were instantly swept away.
It’s familiar.
As for the bill that Dumbledore resisted the most, she didn't feel anything at all.
The wizarding world's persecution of non-human and half-human groups has never stopped. Umbridge's stupid moves are actually assists. Moreover, the werewolf group she chose as the primary point of attack also belongs to the evil and chaotic camp... Lupin
The professor's situation is just an extremely rare example. The hatred of most werewolves towards wizards and Muggles cannot be eliminated for the time being.
In any case, werewolves are still too great a threat to normal humans.
Before a reliable reversal potion was developed, Elena would not protect the "human rights of werewolves".
"I've finished reading it. I don't think there's any big problem."
After a while, Elena gently put down the manuscript in her hand and said with a relaxed expression.
"With the house elves, I will make proper arrangements. There is nothing scandalous in Hogwarts. There is no new action plan for matters inside and outside the school. It is necessary to enter the incubation period and digest the results of the battle."
"Riddle's diary..." Dumbledore frowned and reminded.
"Seal it up." Elena said quickly. "The technical barriers to the magic sanitary napkin have been solved. The next problem is mainly industrialization. As for the big snake in the secret room, let it sleep a little longer."
The expressions of Dumbledore and Grindelwald suddenly became subtle.
At the beginning, they thought that Elena was insulting and knocking the personality of the "Second Generation Dark Lord". However, when she began to seriously make some DIY samples and even started to discuss the industrial process, the two old wizards realized
It turns out that Elena is not so narrow-minded, she just wants to extract value, which is scarier than deliberately insulting her.
Creatures like women, no matter their age, are indeed almost devilish existences.
"Okay, until we find out the extent and source of the leak, Miss [Fool] will temporarily disconnect."
Elena stood up, walked to the phoenix's perch, petted the big warm bird with great skill, and said softly.
"As Miss [Fool], I will issue one last task before disconnecting: I suggest activating the Destiny WIB and Gringotts I. On the one hand, we can carry out cleanup and investigation within the organization, and on the other hand, we can go to various magic families to explore information.
...We must be fully prepared so that when the situation begins to get out of control, we can launch a defensive saturation attack as soon as possible..."
"It's just some vague suspicions. Is it necessary to be so nervous?"
Dumbledore smiled bitterly and looked at the white-haired dumpling with shining eyes. This was the reason why he hesitated.
In fact, judging from the current paper strength of the Ministry of Magic, Elena is fully capable of directly destroying the political and financial market systems of the British wizarding world overnight, and by the way, establishing a transitional regime with complete systems.
But after that, the Third Wizarding War is bound to officially kick off.
"This is just a worst-case scenario, Albus..."
Grindelwald grinned and patted Dumbledore on the shoulder, comforting him with a smile.
"We have done many deductions before. Even under the worst scenario, Gellert Grindelwald escapes from prison and declares war on the world again. Ninety-five percent of the accidents can be easily solved, and it will not go as far as possible.
Elena said that step"
"...Thank you, Gale. You don't need to come back for the time being."
Dumbledore twitched the corners of his mouth and glanced at the old devil, whose eyes were also shining.
It seems that in the next semester, he can't be as lazy as before. He still has to take on his identity and responsibilities as the principal of Hogwarts and the honorary president of the International Federation of Wizards, lest he wake up one day and the world has completely changed.
"By the way, I will be the one to receive the elves from the Malfoy family tonight."
Dumbledore thought for a moment, tried his best to put on a warm smile, and spoke softly.
"Elena, you have classes tomorrow, so it's not suitable to stay up late. And Gale, you are also in charge of the ghost patrol team, so your task is not light."
According to this posture, he was very worried that if these two demon kings were allowed to greet him, Lucius Malfoy and his house elf might not face any doubts, but the established "Destiny Negotiator" and "
Gringotts Contract Expert".
…………
Late at night, the curfew bell echoed in Hogwarts.
Lucius Malfoy stood on the covered bridge in front of the castle, looking up at the castle in the darkness.
For the first time in so many years, this magic castle became ferocious and dangerous in his eyes, like a ferocious beast crawling in the night. The flickering lights of the tower were like the eyes of the beast, staring coldly at the thing below.
prey.
Dobby stood behind him tremblingly, looking at Hogwarts Castle, with a hint of hope hidden in his eyes.
"Good evening, Lucius." Dumbledore's figure appeared at the door and said pleasantly.
Lucius Malfoy came to his senses and strode forward.
Dobby followed him in panic, hunched over, staring at the seams on the back of his master's robe, with desperate and helpless fear on his face. He knew what his master was planning to do, and he wanted to question the greatest man in the world.
wizard.
"Dumbledore...Professor."
Lucius Malfoy stared at Dumbledore with his cold eyes, and his voice sounded like it was squeezed out from between his teeth.
"As a prestigious wizard and the principal of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, don't you think it's despicable to use students to realize their ideals? I didn't expect you to pay so much attention to the world outside the school."
"Oh, that's right, Lucius," Dumbledore said with a calm smile, "I don't understand what you are talking about, but I never think that I am taking advantage of students or anything... To be honest, as a principal
, I have been helping students realize their ideals for so many years. As for outside the school, well, after all, I am also the president of the International Federation of Wizards. However, I personally think that the work of the Hogwarts School Board is important, but you still
You have to learn to think about yourself.”
"That's enough about the house elves, let's end it. Lucius, this is for your own good."
Dumbledore's blue eyes fell on Lucius's face and he said with utmost sincerity.
Compared to him, the other two demon kings in the castle were not that impatient. This young wizard who had just joined the Hogwarts school board had no idea what he was pursuing... Elena Ka
Slanna's true identity is a secret that can start a world war. In the eyes of the demon kings, the Malfoy family is too insignificant.
"Is this... your advice? I understand."
Lucius Malfoy's face was paler than usual, but his eyes seemed to be burning with anger.
Just as he guessed, Dumbledore had no intention of letting his son go. In the eyes of this ruthless old wizard, Draco was obviously a very useful pawn and the one just now was a warning.
"Then have you ever thought that powers that don't belong to you might get out of control?"
Lucius said coldly, his tone full of sarcasm, "Can even the most powerful wizard really control everything?"
"Because of this, we will be extra cautious." Dumbledore answered him with a smile.
A trace of solemnity flashed in the depths of the old man's eyes. Lucius Malfoy might know more than they imagined.
For such a long time, Hogwarts has been separated from the forces outside the school, and the research content in Academy City should be top secret, and...Lucius seemed to have guessed that he was not the direct owner of the power.
If it were Grindelwald in this place, he might have started chanting the curse directly, right?
"Oh?" Mr. Malfoy narrowed his eyes and gritted his teeth and said coldly, "You should know who he is."
"You think too much, Lucius. He's not coming back."
The expression on Dumbledore's face became more and more serious, he looked into Lucius's eyes, and his voice dropped slightly.
"However, even if he comes back, I will still be protecting Hogwarts and the wizarding world. Certain problems will break out sooner or later. Just delaying them will not make the tragedy disappear. I hope that while I still have the energy, I can do my best to prepare for the future.
Or clear the obstacles. That's it, Lucius, you are more perceptive than I thought, then you should understand how complicated this is..."
The old wizard took a deep breath, fatigue appearing on his wrinkled face.
That little girl was right. He is always used to underestimate others and uses the past to solidify others.
Just as Dumbledore never expected, the first wizard who discovered the clues and had the courage to stand up and accuse and question them was actually the current head of the Malfoy family, who he once looked down upon and as smooth as a wallflower.
"So this is the idea of the patron saint of the wizarding world..." Mr. Malfoy said slowly to Dumbledore.
Lucius looked at Dumbledore expressionlessly, his heart feeling cold.
In so many years, this was the first time he faced Dumbledore head-on. He finally understood why the Dark Lord thought Dumbledore was the most difficult opponent. This old man was, in a sense, also a devil.
"It's my responsibility, or more accurately, my obligation."
Dumbledore said calmly, his eyes still looking into Mr. Malfoy's eyes, extremely calm.
"A few months ago, someone told me a truth. Well, over the years, similar truths have been whispered in my ears. But what I remember most clearly now is this sentence."
Dumbledore paused and said softly with some sigh.
"Look, if you have outstanding abilities but don't do anything, the bad things that happen later will be your responsibility. I can't continue to enjoy my leisurely life knowing that big problems will inevitably occur one day in the future..."
Malfoy said nothing, his face suddenly seemed to be covered with a mask.
"In fact, I have made such a mistake more than once."
Dumbledore sighed, a look of pain flashed in his eyes, and continued.
"Even if so many tragedies later prove it, people will not attribute the responsibility to me... But people do not live by the evaluation of others. Once you have such a bad idea, it will always be somewhere
I’ll keep interrogating you. What’s extremely lucky is that compared to before, we have enough time to prepare this time so that no one will get hurt..."
Lucius Malfoy forced himself to speak.
"Maybe, you are indeed a great wizard..."
He said unnaturally and took a deep look at Dumbledore.
The attitude of the headmaster of Hogwarts has been very clear and resolute. Lucius does not expect that he can change the belief of this more than one hundred year old man. All he can rely on is himself and the bird he once despised.
, the disgusting elf.
"In short, Dobby, I will stay at Hogwarts. He will obey your instructions completely. Dobby, I give you an order as the head of the Malfoy family: from now on, serve Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
, any orders from Professor Albus Dumbledore will take precedence over the Malfoy family until the school is handed back over."
Lucius Malfoy turned around and for the first time in his life crouched down and looked into the house elf's eyes.
"From now on, you are an elf at Hogwarts, remember it..."
In the direction that Dumbledore couldn't see, Lucius moved his lips silently, leaving the last word in Dobby's eyes.