"...Reflection monsters are invisible, they hide deep in the shadows of powerful wizards..."
"...School is the place most likely to make reflection monsters uncomfortable. They absorb the fear in the shadows and feed on vanity. However, the students' torches are too small and too weak to reflect enough shadows for them to eat, and they cannot compete with the harassing flies.
The difference is that the reflection monster is more destructive..."
"...This is a very dangerous signal. The reflection monster parasitizing Professor Umbridge is on the verge of collapse..."
"...cutting off its desire may be a little uncomfortable at first, but this is the only way now..."
Cornelius Fudge guessed the ending and the process correctly, but he did not take into account the special effects in different situations.
Mr. Lovegood is still the familiar "crazy idealist".
What kind of harassing flies, what kind of reflection monster, what kind of black Olipa...
The unrealistic weird magical creatures described by Xenophilius Lovegood are as absurd as ever. Any adult will quickly realize the absurdity of them after listening for four or five seconds. It is almost like being written in a fairy tale.
Weird stories in books for children.
However, to Cornelius Fudge's despair, all the reporters present took excerpts and recorded Xenophilius' strange stories as if they were treasures.
Even in the wizarding world where freedom of speech exists, commenting and criticizing the government still require courage and skill. Except for those fifth-rate tabloids that don't care about reputation and suppression, most mainstream newspapers and periodicals are particularly aggressive when it comes to issues involving the Ministry of Magic.
Be careful, and Xenophilius Lovegood has now shown them a more subtle way to use ridiculous fictional magical creatures as metaphors.
Faced with questions from other reporters, Cornelius Fudge may still be able to rely on political rhetoric to deal with the past, but not here in "The Quibbler."
This is a dimensionality reduction attack that is far-fetched and cannot be taught.
Whether it's pretending to be stupid and not understanding the other person's implication, or seriously refuting the other person's absurdity, these simple and effective methods at first glance will only make the Ministry of Magic look like a clown. The only way to deal with it is to fight jokes with jokes.
,absurdity versus absurdity, but...
Not to mention confrontation, just keeping up with the opponent's ghost stories is already very difficult for everyone at the Ministry of Magic!
Xenophilius Lovegood is crazy.
…………
Half an hour later, the press conference ended.
Xenophilius Lovegood left the room quickly and calmly, without paying any attention to the flashing lights behind him or the colleagues who swarmed him like sharks smelling blood - if it weren't for his daughter's gaze
, he was too lazy to spend so much time telling stories.
As he said in his opening remarks, The Quibbler never bothered to compete for what the hyenas saw as their dinner.
As for the possible subsequent troubles caused by irritating the Ministry of Magic? That is a question that the three demon kings need to consider.
As an ordinary migrant worker, Mr. Lovegood knows his position very well.
"Then, Luna, you guys go to bed early tonight, I won't go in..."
At the door of the Hufflepuff lounge, Xenophilius' eyes lingered on the hands held by Luna and the little devil for a few seconds, but he hesitated to speak.
If that was a brat, he might have gone out of his way to kill that guy by now, but Elena Kaslana is a very good-looking little mixed-race witch. This kind of conflict between girls
Intimate, as an old father, he really doesn't have much room to interrupt.
Moreover, he had just heard little Luna give a rough description of the layout and decoration of the "luxury bedroom".
If Xenophilius remembered correctly, even the prefect's bathroom and the principal's office might not be that luxurious.
Compared with those surly and gloomy dark wizards recorded in history, the Fairy Queen's style and quality of life are indeed much higher. With Elena's daily care, he doesn't have to worry about his daughter's life.
What kind of grievances do you suffer in your daily life?
only……
"You are all girls, don't learn the bad habits from the boys' dormitory——"
After Mr. Lovegood hesitated for half a second, he knelt down and touched his daughter's head, and spoke earnestly.
"Dad, mom, these names can't be shouted out as a joke, even if you are a dad - I don't want to suddenly have a bunch of granddaughters and granddaughters suddenly after one semester... Miss Kaslana, I'm not talking about you.
Not cute, that’s just the thing..."
"Yeah, don't worry, we won't teach Luna a bad lesson."
Elena nodded seriously and answered obediently.
However, if Luna is a bad person, she will ignore their affairs. Elena added quietly in her heart.
Ever since Danilova was abducted into their small group, Luna has become visibly stable and mature.
As an inspired dice girl, Luna has recently taken up a very strange hobby. Whenever she has a dispute with Hermione, Hannah and other little wings, she always likes to use guessing and throwing dice to determine the outcome.
Win or lose, and the end of the game is usually to call daddy.
"Uh, um, okay... then I'll go first -"
Xenophilius' eyes lingered between his daughter and the little devil for a few seconds, and he said uneasily.
He didn't know if it was a misunderstanding, but since he came back from the last summer vacation, he had always felt that Luna was tainted with Elena's scent.
Whether it was his words, deeds, or the brilliance that occasionally flashed under his silver eyes, he seemed to have a bit of the charm of the young Dark Lord. This undoubtedly made Xenophilius particularly worried, for example, whether he would be killed one time in the future.
My daughter was seen in the introduction of new members of the "Tarot Society".
"Well, don't worry, Dad - I will take care of myself."
Not noticing Mr. Lovegood's worry, Luna nodded like a little adult.
"It's very late. You have to rush out the manuscript for the next issue when you go back. Today I saw that the "Daily Prophet" and "Wizard Weekly" copied everything you said exactly. Dad, you have to hurry up.
Time to send out new manuscripts, lest they steal them first!"
"Don't worry about this at all, because I have no intention of writing this at all."
Mr. Lovegood waved his hand nonchalantly and whispered with joy.
"I have written about reflection monsters and harassing flies a long time ago. I recently thought of a wonderful long article about bubble monsters and bat-winged octopus giants. This is much more interesting than re-writing the old news.
, I will mail you a few more copies after they are printed."
"Hey, this sounds great-"
Luna said softly as if in a dream. She had vaguely heard this story from her father before.
"Ahem, cough - actually I know a little bit about this story."
Elena glanced at Little Moon, who seemed to be standing at the door to listen to the story, coughed lightly, and said quite seriously.
"The One who unites all things, the Mother of the Black Goat, the Leviathan Plague, Naiyako... I know a lot of interesting bedtime stories like this."
"Really? Elena, do you also know those stories from dad?"
Luna turned around in surprise. She originally thought that Elena was just a loyal reader who had read many issues of "The Quibbler."
"Of course. Luna, if you want to listen, I can tell you slowly in bed later."
The little mixed-blood Veela showed a faint smile and said softly, "For example, the sleeping god with an octopus head, a human body, and bat wings on his back..."
"Really?! Well, it's a deal - you can't add any weird conditions this time!"
"Well, then Mr. Lovegood, let's go back to the dormitory first? Bye~"
"Goodbye dad~"
Before Xenophilius could reorganize the story, the girls disappeared behind the door of the Hufflepuff House common room.
"Uh, uh——"
Mr. Lovegood raised his hand and held it back feebly.
The confidence and ease that the middle-aged wizard had a dozen minutes ago gradually faded away, replaced by a strong sense of crisis.
Compared to those stupid, short-sighted Ministry of Magic bureaucrats, the oppression given to him by Elena Kaslana almost condensed into a boulder hanging above his head. For the first time in so many years, he encountered someone who could
A terrifying wizard who easily enters the exclusive realm of the "Lovegoods".
The manuscripts from the Ministry of Magic and the new developments in transfiguration were all forgotten by Xenophilius in an instant.
If he couldn't create more "Snorkels", he might lose his little Luna.
…………
Meanwhile, the Hogwarts staff room.
The reporters dispersed one after another with satisfaction. What they gained tonight was enough to support the news for the next month.
At Dumbledore's request, the teachers left the room and went to the principal's office to discuss the new situation in the future.
Less than a quarter of an hour later, only a group of officials from the Ministry of Magic were left at the huge "press conference".
Dolores Umbridge raised her head and looked at the Minister of Magic.
"Well," she said, trying to sound as though she thought the whole thing was ridiculous, "if you think I've been - well, how do you put it?" - her fat, pale, swollen face trembled and squeezed.
He gave a ferocious smile - "Oh, by the way - the 'Reflection Monster' has parasitic influence, and I have to take the blame and resign from the Ministry of Magic. I will never go against your wishes, if you think this can help us restore our disadvantage."
…”
"Don't be stupid, Dolores. This is for us, it's obvious."
Cornelius Fudge said gloomily, admitting that he had completely underestimated Xenophilius Lovegood before.
"I should have thought that if Mr. Lovegood was really a complete idiot, how could Dumbledore safely give exclusive access to Hogwarts to the Quibbler's publications - then
This guy is a tougher magazine editor than Barnabas."
"Indeed, I agree with your view, but our actions tonight are not completely fruitless..."
Rufus Scrimgeour said in a deep voice, without further commenting on the issue of "The Quibbler."
"The Auror Office and the Department of Magical Law Enforcement have obviously underestimated the top wizards before. If we compare the strength shown by the great alchemist to Albus Dumbledore, then we may have to summon at least four or five times the original plan.
Only the above-mentioned Aurors will do. In my opinion, this is a very dangerous warning signal for the Ministry of Magic, and we must find a way to respond as soon as possible."
"Warning signal? Director Scrimgeour, I don't quite understand what you mean..."
Cornelius Fudge frowned and asked softly, looking at the Director of the Auror Office thoughtfully, as if expecting an answer.
"The possible threats to Hogwarts exceed our expectations, Mr. Minister."
Rufus Scrimgeour raised three fingers and said seriously.
"Albus Dumbledore, Nicol Flamel, Otto Apocalypse, the famous Hohenheim Paracelsus...the combined efforts of these three people can almost overturn the
The stability of the Ministry of Magic. The Department of Magical Law Enforcement must expand its recruitment, otherwise the current personnel situation of the Ministry of Magic alone will not be able to counter Hogwarts - if the worst happens, we will have no ability to resist."
"Dumbledore wouldn't do that. If he wanted to be the Minister of Magic, he could have done it long ago..."
Cornelius Fudge waved his hand, seeming to be talking to himself or answering Rufus Scrimgeour's words.
"So, what if the headmaster didn't expect to be the Minister of Magic from the beginning, but something more absurd?"
Dolores Umbridge said with twinkling eyes and a coquettish sneer.
"For example, let Hogwarts become the ruler above the Ministry of Magic. Judging from all the current signs, this is not impossible... You should have also discovered that Dumbledore is much more experienced than before.
It’s not all good.”
"Well, but we have no evidence. Otherwise we can't do anything."
Cornelius Fudge knocked on the long table in front of him, looked around at his confidants, and said with a gloomy expression.
"Dolores, it's still the same as what you replied to reporters before. In view of the possible problems with your dual identity and the inability to clarify your responsibilities, your position as Senior Undersecretary of the Ministry of Magic will be temporarily suspended. However, I will find a way to let you
Hogwarts has more free space, and the biggest advantage of introducing magazines such as the Daily Prophet and Wizards Weekly is that even Dumbledore must abide by the explicit policy rules..."
"Ahem, Mr. Minister, how about we go back to the ministry and continue the discussion in detail?"
At this moment, Kingsley Shacklebolt, who was standing behind the three of them, cleared his throat and interrupted somewhat abruptly.
The tall Auror with a deep and slow voice looked around and said meaningfully.
"As far as I know, Hogwarts has previously recruited a ghost patrol team. They can patrol around the castle. The security level of Hogwarts has been improved by more than one level than before, even if this news will be published tomorrow.
In the newspaper, but..."
"Of course! Of course - Shacklebolt, thank you for reminding me, you are still so reliable."
Cornelius Fudge stopped his voice alertly, looked at the surrounding walls, stood up, picked up his hat and put it on.
"Dolores, Rufus... let's go back to the Ministry of Magic first. Shacklebolt, you're coming too. As for the rest of you, it's been a hard night. Go back and have a good rest. We may have another big fight next."
The details of the action will be announced tomorrow.”
There is no doubt that tonight's failed arrest operation will make the Ministry of Magic a laughing stock for some time.
As a politician who has been in the political arena for many years, Cornelius Fudge knows very well how to save the situation: admit defeat frankly, form an alliance with the winner to share the victory, and...find a victory that can boost morale.
Fortunately, he had such a proposal at hand right now.
"By the way, Dolores, do you remember the draft you submitted last month?"
Cornelius Fudge strode towards the school gate and said in a hurry.
"I think it can be taken into consideration. It may be a bit risky and controversial, but we have to save the situation - the executor and sponsor will indicate your name, and we will finalize it tonight, which will also be considered as an advance for your resumption of the position later.