Chapter 233 Fudge’s Response

A giant dragon is soaring in the sky, and in front of it is an overwhelming sea of ​​fire.

This is the dynamic photo from the front page of the Daily Prophet the next day.

The title of the report is "Unprecedented dragon transformation, magician issues ultimatum to the Ministry of Magic?" 》.

I have to say that this title is a bit shocking, and Rita Skeeter, who wrote it, knows how to attract attention.

Dumbledore was sitting on the sofa, his hands covered by his wide gray-blue robes, only a few fingers exposed. What was striking was that the fingers of one hand looked dry and gray, like Burnt out coals.

He stared at the moving photos on the newspaper, then raised his head and looked at Snape, who was sitting across from him.

"I don't think it's Transfiguration."

As a former professor of Transfiguration at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and currently the leading transfiguration master in the wizarding world, Dumbledore gave his own opinion: "Magic can indeed do many magical things, but it does not include Man turns into dragon.”

"I mean, a real dragon."

"I have indeed heard of some profound ancient transformation techniques that can act on the wizard himself, but they are superficial and cannot change the essence, let alone display the power of a giant dragon."

Snape sat opposite him and said in a low voice, "But I saw it with my own eyes."

"What you see with your eyes may not be real." Dumbledore said: "Compared to a wizard turning into a dragon, I am more willing to believe that a dragon turned into a wizard - although there is no evidence that the dragon has the Human-like intelligence, but this dragon is obviously completely different from the dragons we know."

"He may have some gift of transfiguration that allows him to assume human form. I wonder if you've noticed, Severus, that we've never heard of magicians using wands."

"All his spells were wandless and silent." Snape recalled for a moment and said with certainty.

"That's right." Dumbledore nodded and said, "This is in line with the principles of magical animals, isn't it? What they use are their own talents, and they don't need to use wands or chant spells."

"That would also explain why all the magic he uses is something you've never heard of."

Snape frowned and said, "Albus, so you think the magician is not a person but a dragon?"

"It's just a guess, but such a guess is more acceptable." Dumbledore said: "I agree very much with what the magician said. When people encounter things that they cannot understand, they always hope that there will be someone who can help them. An explanation within the scope of one’s own knowledge.”

"Maybe your guess is correct." Snape said: "But this doesn't change anything - people don't care whether the magician is a human or a dragon. What they care about is the magician's thoughts and magic. The future described by the teacher.”

"The idea is correct." Dumbledore sighed slightly: "Even though I have overestimated the impact of the magician as much as possible, he still exceeded my expectations. I have to admit that his series of His actions were more intense and high-profile than Grindelwald's, and his thoughts were more comprehensive and credible than Grindelwald's. In just one month, the situation may have been irreversible."

"Even if we can find a way to kill the magician, we can't change the trend of change because people can be killed, but ideas can't. Those ideas are already ingrained in the hearts of many people."

"The Ministry of Magic obviously doesn't think so." Snape clicked on the "Daily Prophet" on the table and read a paragraph from it.

"Obviously, we all underestimated this criminal who calls himself a 'magician'. He does have astonishing power, so much so that he thought he could threaten the Ministry of Magic. But he was wrong. The Ministry of Magic will never threaten any criminal. yield."

"Mr. Fudge, the British Minister of Magic, called on the public not to believe the inflammatory remarks of magicians. After an emergency meeting of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, the Ministry of Magic unanimously believed that any behavior that promotes remarks and ideas about magicians is sinful, and any Any attempt to follow and help a magician is sinful, and any attempt to disrupt the existing order in the magical world is sinful."

"Aurors will patrol public places such as Diagon Alley and the Leaky Cauldron. As long as the above criminal behavior is discovered, they will never tolerate it!"

"Minister Fudge said that the magician knows nothing about the power of the Ministry of Magic. The so-called ultimatum is just a joke. The magician will eventually pay the price for his actions. Evil cannot defeat justice."

After reading this, Snape sneered.

"The power of the Ministry of Magic? Do they believe this? If they really have the ability to deal with magicians, no, even if they find magicians, then they will not formulate so many crimes and vent their anger on ordinary people. On the wizard."

Dumbledore sighed: "Fudge's state is indeed a problem. He is trying to suppress people's thoughts, which is obviously irrational."

"Obviously he will drag the British wizarding community into the abyss." Snape commented: "He has no way to deal with the mysterious man, nor the magician, but he points the finger at the people, and even at you -"

"Albus, I thought that under the threat of the magician, Fudge would come to seek your help. Everyone knows that if there is anyone in the British wizarding community who may be able to fight against the magician, only the current principal of Hogwarts .”

"But he didn't. He even still controlled the newspaper's speech and tried to discredit you."

He tapped a certain section of the newspaper with his finger and read angrily:

"At the so-called party, many people saw with their own eyes the Potions Professor of Hogwarts, Severus Snape. There is evidence that he followed the crowd and shouted the magician's ridiculous slogans."

"This Potions Professor is obviously a supporter of the magician. It is worth mentioning that when the magician first appeared, Snape also appeared next to the magician. This has to make people suspicious. There may be some unknown collaboration between them."

"In fact, according to the investigation report of Senior Investigator Professor Umbridge, the magician's remarks have begun to circulate among the young wizards at Hogwarts. This is undoubtedly spread deliberately by someone. The Ministry of Magic will investigate the matter in the near future. Professor Snape conducts a review. Of course, this review is not just for Professor Snape, but for all professors and employees of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. For the future of the wizarding world, we will never allow magicians to make ridiculous Word spread among the young wizards.”

"It is worth mentioning that Minister Fudge emphasized that the list for review includes the current headmaster of Hogwarts, Professor Albus Dumbledore. This headmaster's recent performance has been disappointing, and many young wizards have reported that he is fundamentally He has no interest in running the school and often disappears, allowing bad habits to spread in the castle."

"If Dumbledore fails to pass the review, he may face the risk of being removed from his position."

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"I have not received any news of the review." He spread his hands and said, "The Ministry of Magic should have informed me of this kind of thing in advance, otherwise they would not have the ability to enter Hogwarts."

Anyone entering or leaving Hogwarts Castle needs permission, which is what makes this castle so special.

"I'm afraid they don't need it." Snape said solemnly: "Professor Umbridge's words are enough to be the result of the review. Albus, Fudge has long wanted to control Hogwarts. This time he just used the magician's help." The incident was used as a metaphor.”

"Politics." Dumbledore did not show an angry expression, he was just helpless: "Don't worry about this, they can't remove me without clear evidence."

"Fudge always thought that I wanted to take away his position. This prejudice even made him ignore the threat of the magician. No, maybe he just thought that I was better at handling things than the magician. After all, I wouldn't point a wand at his head. "

"Because you are Dumbledore." Snape was a little dissatisfied when he said this.

"This is just the stereotype people have of me." Dumbledore raised his blackened palm, "I am just an old man who is about to die now. I just want to do something right before I die, at least make up for what I have done." Mistakes that resulted.”

"What do you want to do? Point your wand at Fudge's head?"

"If necessary, I will." Dumbledore stood up slowly: "But Fudge is irrelevant. There are more important things to do now. I think I need to see the Divination Professor."

"This makes no sense." Snape shook his head. "Albus, it turns out that your plan has failed. I can't get close to the magician, and neither can Professor Tang. He doesn't need us at all, let alone find a way to pick him." The fight between him and the mysterious man started.”

"No, Severus." Dumbledore said slowly, "The situation has changed."

“I realized I had to take some responsibility that was mine and not pin it on some ethereal thing.”

"For a dying person, I am the one who lacks time. There is no need to delay time through magicians, and we can no longer let Tom hide behind the scenes."

"At least before I die, I have to make sure that Tom can come down soon to accompany me where I need more Horcruxes, and even where Tom himself is."

"Only Professor Tang can help me find these."

Snape stopped talking. He was the person who knew Dumbledore's physical condition best. In fact, if it weren't for the potion he prepared, Dumbledore might not have been able to hold on for long.

Even so, Dumbledore's remaining time is indeed running out.

The two opened the door of the office, and then they unexpectedly saw a man standing next to the gargoyle sculpture.

"Professor Tang?" Snape stepped forward quickly, "So, you have divined that we will look for you?"

This was Snape's first reaction. After all, he was in front of a fortune teller who could see the future. He knew that the two of them were going to look for him, so it was not surprising that he came to wait in advance.

"Huh?" Townsend raised his eyebrows, "I don't know what you are talking about, Professor Snape."

"I'm here to see Professor Dumbledore."

He looked at Dumbledore behind Snape, gave a slight salute, and said, "To be specific, I would like to invite Professor Dumbledore to have lunch with me."