The Return to Hogwarts

She listened intently and solemnly to Amosta's points, but when she heard Amosta's last unfinished sentence, a sudden feeling of unease arose in her heart, and her face turned terribly pale.

She understood what Amostella meant: given the current state of the magical world, any sweeping reforms were destined to fail unless there was a war—an internal war—to purge the corrupt elements from within the magical world.

“That’s difficult to do, Amosta, nobody can.”

Amelia said with difficulty,

"--He has such determination, and Albus will definitely stop him."

Amosta stroked the rim of his teacup, a cryptic smile playing on his lips.

"Yes, it's difficult to do, but not impossible—in the far East, in that ancient land, there's a saying: 'No destruction, no construction; destruction precedes construction'—"

Amosta stared at the bewildered Amelia, a cold smile playing on his lips.

“Magnificent buildings cannot be built by patching and mending. Great civilizations are not immune to collapse, but they will be reborn from the ashes.”

For a moment, Amelia Borns had an urge to turn around and leave.

Or perhaps, risking death, he would draw his wand and arrest Amostrath Blaine, only to find himself sitting opposite him, seemingly oblivious to the dire consequences of his words, growing into a new Dark Lord—far more terrifying than that wizard whose name cannot be mentioned!

The head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement was in a complete mess, and cold sweat dripped from her gray temples, forming a small puddle on her shoulder.

If the person standing before her wasn't Amostall Blaine, who single-handedly wiped out Greyback and was hailed by numerous news outlets as the most powerful wizard after Albus Dumbledore, Amelia might not have felt so nervous. It was precisely because Amostall was a young wizard with exceptional magical power and a rapidly rising reputation that she was so wary. She knew very well that if Amostall were to attempt to incite a civil war in the wizarding world, he was entirely capable of doing so!

"Don't worry, Amelia—"

Seeing Amelia sweating profusely and her expression constantly shifting, Amosta smiled slightly.

"Up to this point, I have never had the intention of actively promoting change in the wizarding world. Just as you said, Dumbledore wouldn't support it, and the environment in the wizarding world doesn't allow it. However, someday in the future, if the right opportunity arises, I wouldn't mind giving it a push."

Chapter 344 Little Trouble

2023-06-23

The conversation on this topic ended with Amelia falling into a long silence, but Amosta's words had planted a seed in her heart that might one day sprout.

With Sirius Black's story about to be published, the busy Director of Magical Law Enforcement's invitation to Amosta for tea in Muggle territory was certainly not simply to cultivate friendship or discuss matters of change. In fact, the two met there for other reasons.

At a press conference a few days earlier, Amosta's brilliant improvisation thwarted Rita Skeeter's penchant for digging up scandals to please the public.

However, Amelia had warned Amosta at the subsequent luncheon that Rita Skeeter was a difficult woman to deal with, and she wouldn't give up until she had dug out some juicy news about the currently popular Amosta.

And just as she predicted, Amelia received the news the day before the Ministry of Magic was about to release information about Sirius Black.

It's nine o'clock at night. In the magical world, wizards who are still out and about at this hour are usually up to no good. But in the Muggle world, the exciting nightlife is just beginning.

The sidewalk outside the shop window was so crowded with Muggles that they were practically shoulder to shoulder. A middle-aged wizard, wearing a light brown trench coat, carrying a tattered briefcase under his arm, and with a bald head even more pronounced than Mr. Weasley's, stood on the other side of the street, his eyes searching blankly.

When he finally found Amelia and Amosta behind the glass window, he was energized. Ignoring the disapproving stares of many people, he clutched his briefcase and struggled to push his way through the crowd into the tea restaurant.

Good evening, Ms. Burns!

After much trouble, the middle-aged wizard, wiping sweat from his brow and panting, finally arrived before the two. He greeted Amelia, then turned his gaze to Amosta, who wore a slight smile. Before even sitting down, he gasped softly.

"Oh, it's such an honor, Mr. Blaine, I didn't expect to see you here!"

"Please allow me to introduce you to Amosta—"

Amelia suppressed the unease and anxiety brought on by the previous topic, pursed her lips, and resumed her dignified demeanor as the Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, renowned throughout the magical world for upholding justice.

"Mr. Barnabas Goughfe, the editor-in-chief of the Daily Prophet, and an old friend of many in the ministry, including myself."

"I've long admired your name."

Amostella's hand met that of the flattered Mr. Gufie on the wooden table. After shaking it a few times, he said in a steady voice,

“Yes, I had to come, Mr. Guffer. Ms. Burns told me about it. Apparently, the Daily Prophet will publish an accusation against me tomorrow morning, is that right?”

"Oh, it's just the ramblings of that crazy woman, Rita Skeeter!"

Mr. Gu Fei said excitedly,

"It's just nonsense; no one will believe you did it. Oh, but it is a bit troublesome. Rita is very famous, and according to the company's rules, I can't stop her articles from being published, especially since some of the views expressed in them might indeed cause some public controversy."

She handed me the manuscript first thing this morning. Rita had hoped it would be published in tonight's evening paper, but I delayed it by saying the article needed proofreading, and then immediately wrote a letter to Ms. Burns. "But, I'm afraid—without a suitable reason, tomorrow morning—"

Amelia frowned.

“Barnabas, the headline news tomorrow should be that the Ministry of Magic has captured the escaped Sirius Black. You know, this has been bothering Cornelius for a long time, and he can’t wait to tell the public about the Ministry of Magic’s efforts to capture Sirius Black. This will make the Ministry of Magic, whose approval rating has soared because of Greyback, even more popular with the public.”

“I completely understand, Ms. Burns—”

Mr. Gu Fei was sweating even more than when he had squeezed through the crowd, and he nodded hurriedly in agreement.

As the editor-in-chief of the politically charged Daily Prophet, he couldn't possibly be unaware that dragging Amostra Blaine into this mess at this time would be tantamount to dragging the Ministry of Magic into it as well.

Although the Daily Prophet is backed by a pure-blood family, it angered the Minister of Magic, who represented the interests of many more people.

"--But, however, I, I can't, alone—, Rita's articles are always eye-catching, if... she won't give up so easily--"

Amelia's brow furrowed even more deeply, emanating an aura of authority that Mr. Gufair found irresistible. This aura permeated the tranquil restaurant, causing the guests, who had been chatting and laughing leisurely, to cast surprised glances at her. They whispered among themselves, pointing and whispering at the window, seemingly discussing whether Amelia Borns, dressed in casual clothes, was a high-ranking official in the Muggle government or a member of Congress.

"Then, Mr. Gu Fei—"

Amosta's gentle voice broke the tension Amelia had created. He leaned back in his chair, his calm demeanor making it seem as if Fritta Skeeter's article wasn't trying to cause him any trouble.

"I can take a look at Ms. Rita Skeeter's article first. Ah, of course, if that's against the rules."

"Oh, of course not!"

Both the displeased Ms. Burns and the gentle-mannered Amosta Blaine put immense pressure on Barnabas Goughfe.

"You are a senior advisor to the Ministry of Magic and a Wizengamor attendee wizard, so since this article involves you—"

While wiping his sweat, Gufe opened his briefcase, took out a stack of parchment, and hurriedly handed it to Amosta.

"It deserves your review!"

The stack of parchment Mr. Gu Fei handed over was covered with flamboyant handwriting, and the title at the top was also very eye-catching.

Amosta Blaine – A hero who vanquishes werewolves or a despicable dark wizard?

Amosta Blaine, who defeated Greyback and his men, may not be the gifted, orthodox wizard everyone imagines, but rather a dangerous dark wizard – special correspondent Rita Skeeter reports.

While the wizarding world cheered for Greyback's rescue, they were all chanting one name—Amosta Blaine.

Amos Stark Blaine, who recently appeared in the public eye, has acquired titles that many people dream of but cannot obtain in a short period of time, such as Senior Advisor to the Ministry of Magic, Wizengamot Attending Wizard, Honorary Vice President of the League Against the Dark Arts, and Philanthropist (referring to donations to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Injuries and Hogwarts' Fund for Poor Students). He is the only wizard after Albus Dumbledore to be recognized as a Great Wizard by many luminaries in the wizarding world.

The numerous dazzling titles dazzled the public, leading them to blindly worship the rising star of the magical world. But is Amostra Blaine truly a selfless, upright wizard who dares to fight against evil?

The Daily Prophet exclusively revealed that Amosta Blaine, while attending Hogwarts, once trespassed into the Forbidden Forest in the middle of the night (which we all know is against school rules) and brutally injured two young wizards. Furthermore, on that terrible night, nearly ten young wizards were sent directly to the school hospital because of Amosta Blaine.

Strangely, the incident did not receive widespread attention at the time, and there is reason to believe that Albus Dumbledore was carefully covering it up.

"That night, a terrible fire broke out in the Forbidden Forest, and it just couldn't be put out."

A wizard who experienced that terrible event and has since graduated, recounted in an interview with trembling fear that he had been warned not to reveal the specific details of the horrific accident. However, after the author's patient persuasion, he still revealed the astonishing truth.

"That night, someone used Avada Kedavra (the Unforgivable Curse, the use of which will lead to imprisonment). They said a dark wizard broke into Hogwarts, but no clues were found afterward."

As far as I know, the Ministry of Magic did not conduct an in-depth investigation into the events of that night, and Amostra Blaine, who caused the injuries to dozens of young wizards, was only put in solitary confinement for a period of time afterward.

Furthermore, according to Mr. Amosta Blaine himself, he completed the modification of the 'Fiercefire Curse' two years ago, making the strictly forbidden spell safe and reliable, but this reason does not seem to explain the 'unquenchable flame' that appeared in the terrible accident in the Forbidden Forest of Hogwarts several years ago.

In addition, last September, in an attempt to capture Sirius Black, who had escaped from Azkaban, many Aurors from the Ministry of Magic's Auror Office encountered a dark wizard in front of the Black family mansion. During the capture, one Auror was injured by the 'Fiercefire Curse'.

Hehe, that's interesting.

Ten minutes later, after reading all the text, Amosta raised his head under Mr. Gufie's cautious gaze, revealing an unpredictable smile in the dim light.

Chapter 345 Night Visit

2023-06-23

puff--

In the still of the night, a crisp, short popping sound appeared on the deserted street. The dust floating in the air was disturbed, drifting aimlessly. The cold moonlight shone on a dark shadow that suddenly appeared there, leaving a hideous outline on the spotless ground.

The tall roadside sign, etched with the rusty words 'Bardley Barberton Village,' told Viper that he hadn't gone to the wrong place.

After passing a phone booth and a bus shelter, a narrow but straight street stretches out into the village.

Two rows of houses of the same style stood neatly on both sides of the street. Perhaps because of the desolation of the night, wisps of mist were swirling around the roofs of each house. Encouraged by the breeze that roamed the open fields, the thin mist constantly changed shape, dragging the quiet and peaceful village into an eerie atmosphere.

Quack——

The midnight bells of the church startled several crows that had been resting on the cross on the roof. The crows flapped their wings and flew away in a panic into the deep, unfathomable night.

Da da da--

On the horizon, a large patch of dark clouds seemed to harmonize with the footsteps. The clear moonlight gradually softened, and as the earth was shrouded in even deeper darkness, the golden viper's footsteps stopped at the end of the street, in front of a neat little stone house nestled in a garden.

Gazing at the unassuming house, a faint, indifferent smile appeared on the corner of Golden Viper's mouth behind the swirling vortex of gloomy magic.

Just hours before, Amosta was having tea with the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the editor-in-chief of the Daily Prophet on some of London’s busiest pedestrian streets. Now, a few hours later, Amosta has crossed half of Britain to arrive at this little-known village, all for Rita Skeeter’s report.

Out of goodwill, Amelia offered to negotiate with Rita Skeeter to suspend the publication of the article.

Such things are commonplace for the Ministry of Magic. Whenever a report threatens the Ministry's authority, these senior officials of the Ministry of Magic will use their influence and connections to prevent the article from being published. Otherwise, once public opinion takes hold, there will be no room for maneuver.

Amosta believed Amelia was capable of handling the problem, but instead of bringing it up, he offered to solve it himself.

Maintaining mystery is the best way to inspire awe. Although the two are now partners, Amosta also needs to show Bones his abilities from time to time, so he proposed to handle the matter himself.