The Return to Hogwarts

This is certainly not an easy task. So many dark wizards are lined up to be tried. It's not something that can be settled by asking a couple of questions in court. Every wizard who is tried needs to be questioned in detail, their lies and truths need to be distinguished, and the crimes committed need to be investigated on the ground before a verdict is reached.

This is only the apparent problem. In reality, because this trial involves a wide range of people and many wizards are paying attention to the case, there will likely be many people finding fault with every verdict given by the court. It is a difficult but thankless task.

Ms. Romester brought in two glasses of flaming whiskey and some food. She glanced curiously at Whipp, whose face looked somewhat familiar, before leaving the private room. Amoster, however, stared at the wound on Whipp's forehead and continued to ask…

What happened to your injury?

“One of the guys found an opportunity to pass the message out, and when the court was about to take him in for questioning, his accomplices attacked the escort team on the way to the venue in an attempt to rescue him.”

Amosta didn't speak, but narrowed his eyes, his gaze slightly cold.

“After I received the news, I took my strikers and chased after them, and we fought them,” Whip said expressionlessly. “This happened four days ago, and I thought you would be informed.”

"The fate of that wizard who tried to escape is needless to say," Amosta said with a hint of apology.

"As you probably know, something went wrong in the second event of the three-way competition. Maybe someone wrote to me to inform me of this, but I definitely overlooked it."

Amosta raised his glass to Vip to express his apology and gratitude. Since it was he who exposed the organization and brought it into the public eye, and it was he who arrested those people, it was only right that he should clean up the mess caused by the public outcry. Vip had indeed done him a favor.

"Hmph, you have the same bad habit as Dumbledore—"

"I'm not happy about it," Whip said, but then he put aside his anger and stared intently at Amosta.

"After receiving your letter requesting a face-to-face meeting, I dealt with my urgent matters and came here immediately. I also need to speak with you or Dumbledore."

VIP said seriously,

"What exactly happened to Igor Karkarov?"

"He's already dead, isn't he?"

Amosta picked up his glass, took a sip, and said calmly...

"I'm sure you've received this news."

"Of course I know!"

Anger welled up in Vip's heart again.

"Not only Karkaroff, but also Barty Crach. This is a terrible loss for the British Ministry of Magic. Although he has some blemishes, he is undoubtedly an outstanding wizard and politician, far superior to Fudge. But I can't control Barty; that's your business. But don't you intend to give an explanation for Karkaroff's death?"

Vip leaned slightly forward, his sharp eyes fixed on Amosta's eyes.

“He’s not some sewer rat. Blaine, Igor Karkaroff is the principal of Durmstrang. He died mysteriously in the Triwizard Tournament initiated by the International Wizarding Federation. There wasn’t even a body. Isn’t there any explanation?”

"The British Ministry of Magic and the British Council will contact the Federation—"

"Minister Fudge claims that the dark witch named Vitia Criona, who was arrested by you and the British Ministry of Magic but escaped from prison, infiltrated Hogwarts to plot this conspiracy in order to take revenge, and that Professor Karkaroff was killed in her plot to protect the young wizards who were affected."

VIP calmly relayed the story.

"You don't believe me?" Amosta asked with a smile.

“We do have informants in the Ministries of Magic around the world, Blaine. I heard about what happened that day, but…”

VIP showed hesitation.

"It is indeed related to Clona, ​​but it's not just her, right? Your Minister of Magic vehemently denied the rumor, so I'm not entirely sure. I have to give Durmstrang's faculty and staff, and those ministers, an explanation."

"The rumors you've heard are true."

Amosta said calmly,

"Dumbledore has already made a formal explanation to the students at Hogwarts, but the Daily Prophet did not report on it, and the Ministry of Magic does not want people to believe this rumor to be true. You know, Fudge, as Minister for Magic, lacks a bit of wisdom and courage."

Whip knew that at least 30% of the reason he rushed to see Amosta was to hear him confirm the news in person, but when he actually got the answer, he was speechless and couldn't say a word.

"This is a disaster."

After a long silence, Whip sighed and leaned back in his chair, staring sullenly at Hogwarts in the distance. His already weary face looked even older, and his tall frame was now hunched over.

Whip wouldn't underestimate Voldemort just because Voldemort hadn't affected other countries at his peak. He knew that this was the result of Dumbledore's painstaking efforts. Without Dumbledore, that dark devil who called himself Voldemort would never have been content to lord it over in just this small corner of Britain.

Many facts also show that this dark demon's methods were so cruel as to be appalling, and his powerful magic was so despair-inducing.

Now, Britain not only has Dumbledore, but also the dazzling wizard Amostrath Blaine. Perhaps they can eventually defeat Voldemort, but some things will always happen, and the British wizarding world will soon be in chaos.

Among the many magical civilizations in Europe, the British magical community is one of the most powerful. The prosperity and stability of the European magical community are inseparable from the British magical community. If chaos breaks out here, even if the flames of war do not spread to other countries, those magical civilizations will be more severely impacted.

"You called me here--"

VIP's voice suddenly became hoarse.

"What do you expect me to do? If you expect me to publicly announce internationally that the wizard has returned and break your Ministry of Magic's blockade on this matter, then I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, Blaine."

You know, the International Confederation of Wizards is able to operate largely because of the continuous funding and manpower provided by the Ministries of Magic of various countries, and the output of the British magical community is crucial to many magical civilizations. You understand, the British Ministry of Magic holds a very high position internationally and has a lot of influence. If Cornelius Fudge firmly refuses to bring this matter to the public eye, I…”

“Of course I know that, VIP—”

Amosta smiled.

"Have you forgotten that there is currently a president of the Wizarding Union at Hogwarts? If he can't do it, why would I make things difficult for you?"

"So you want to see me because—"

Actually, I saw you to ask you something—

Amosta said in a lighthearted tone,

"Are you interested in succeeding Karkaroff as the principal of Durmstrang?"

Chapter 877 Skillful Technique

2024-04-22

"To become the principal of Durmstrang?"

Whee repeated Amosta's request, his expression somewhat strange.

"What are you thinking, Blaine, that I should give up my job at the Wizarding Association and become the principal at Durmstrang?"

"Oh, please don't misunderstand."

Amosta knew that Whip might think he was trying to eliminate rivals to smoothly take over Dumbledore's position, so he shook his head and smiled.

"The cause of the federation and serving as the principal of Durmstrang are not in conflict at all, are they?"

Amosta pointed to Hogwarts on the cliff.

“There’s a living example right here, Whip. Look, Dumbledore was both the headmaster of Hogwarts and the president of the Confederation, and he did both very well, didn’t he?”

Hearing that Blaine wasn't asking him to give up his position in the Federation, Whip's expression softened somewhat, but upon hearing what he said next, he forced a smile.

"You did a good job?"

Cough cough--

Amosta was sipping his crimson wine when he heard Whip's question. He coughed a few times, but quickly composed himself and calmly met Whip's gaze.

"Isn't that right? Under Dumbledore's leadership, the International Wizarding Association has been operating smoothly all these years, and the same is true for Hogwarts. The quality of teaching has been improving steadily. So, it's not a difficult thing. Since Dumbledore has this ability, there's no reason why you can't, right?"

Whip didn't speak. His lips were tightly pressed together, his eyebrows raised, and he stared intently at Amosta. After a long while, he shook his head.

“You really should be in politics, not as a professor at a university, Blaine.”

Before Amosta could respond, Vip straightened his expression again.

"You want to take over the position of Principal Durmstrang? Why, Blaine? I need a reason. A real reason, not lies and excuses, if you truly want me to agree."

"The reason is simple--"

Amosta said calmly,

“You know, because of Voldemort and Creona, the Triwizard Tournament went wrong, the results of the second tournament were invalidated, and Karkaroff, who led Durmstrang, even lost his life. But I don’t want the first Triwizard Tournament in centuries, hosted by Hogwarts, to be put on hold because of this. I need someone to lead Durmstrang to continue the tournament.”

There was a moment of silence.

Vip held the wine glass, his fingers slowly stroking the rim, his expression slightly surprised.

He wasn't surprised by Amosta's explanation, but by his honesty. He had expected Amosta to spout nonsense, trying to link the matter to his own interests in order to persuade him to agree.

After thinking for a moment, VIP frowned and asked,

"You think you can make me the principal of Durmstrang?"

“Maybe yes, maybe no. But I won’t bother, VIP.”

Amosta spoke calmly, seemingly unconcerned about whether Whip would refuse.

"Or rather, as long as you agree, I don't need to worry about this at all. You have served the Federation for many years, have a high reputation in the European magical world, and maintain good relations with officials of many magical civilizations. Moreover, you and your wife are both from Durmstrang. I believe that with just a letter of self-recommendation, no one will stop you from becoming the principal of Durmstrang at this time. People will only be grateful for your timely help."

After a pause, Amosta continued,

"As soon as the news of your appointment as principal spreads, the people of Durmstrang will be able to settle down."

"At Hogwarts, you don't need to be stationed there permanently. Just reassure your students, attend the third match, and replace Karkaroff as referee. Of course, you'll need to spend some time getting to know Durmstrang's daily operations. After that, you can learn from Dumbledore and delegate school matters to specific individuals, while you continue to focus your energy on the guild's affairs."

Whip continued fiddling with his glass, his expression somewhat indifferent. What Blaine had said wasn't complicated; with his intelligence, if he were willing to accept the suggestion, he would figure out what to do himself. However, a glint of something unsettling flickered in Whip's eyes.

"Are you done talking?" VIP asked.

Amosta blinked and smiled to himself.

It's normal that VIP's attitude wasn't very friendly. If the roles were reversed and someone talked to you like that, you probably wouldn't be in a good mood either. This isn't the attitude you should have when asking someone for a favor.

Amosta's silence at the crucial moment made Whip's face darken slightly, and he felt a little disappointed. What was going on? Could it be that Blaine was affected by the return of that mysterious person? Where did his usual shrewdness and competence go?