The Return to Hogwarts

Under Amosta's gaze, Kakus's expression turned cold.

“Once the fighting begins, they will definitely join the mysterious man’s team immediately. I think we should collect information about these people and their pasts. For those who are unforgivable, let them disappear from this world. For a little gold, someone will be happy to do this job.”

“I can’t help but applaud you, Kakus.”

Amosta chuckled softly.

"Yes, gold shines brighter than ideals there. As long as there is a suitable price, there is no shortage of people willing to take on this commission."

“I must remind you, Mr. Blaine,” Cacus said cautiously, “that’s probably a lot of gold.”

“That won’t be a problem, Kakus.”

Amosta said in a friendly tone

"There are more people who support justice than you think. Human life is always more precious than gold, and I'd rather use gold to prevent casualties. So, what are your thoughts on those sorcerers?"

The first time, Kakus hesitated, leaning back in his chair and sighing melancholically.

"The underworld exists because of those mysterious witches. The first group of people to gather there were for the mysterious Merlin treasure, the Black Stone Tower."

To be honest, Mr. Blaine, they are very difficult to deal with. Most of them are highly skilled and have no allies. Who knows what they will do in the war?

They'll most likely just watch the show, but we can't rule out the possibility they might use the chaos to do some dark magic they wouldn't normally dare to. Oh, those ancient, evil, and uncontrollable spells often have serious consequences; it's better for them to just join the war and stay out of our way—"

“You’re wrong, Kakus—”

Amosta toyed with the glass in his hand, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

"Their unwillingness to join isn't due to arrogance, but also because we've been ignoring their needs. Our neglect has fueled their arrogance. In fact, it's possible to bring them to our side, of course, requiring a middleman trusted by both of us to facilitate the connection—"

You mean me?

Kakus paused, staring at Amosta who was smiling at him.

"But what can I do?"

Chapter 1003 Preparation (Part 3)

2024-06-30

"But what can I do?"

Looking into those unfathomable eyes across the table, Kakus paused, then asked, puzzled.

Amosta calmly said, his fingertips tracing the wine glass.

"As I just said, the secret wizards have always been unwilling to integrate into the modern magical system. This is partly due to their own reasons, and partly due to ours. The wizards who first established the modern magical system did not reserve a place for their entire group—"

Kakus frowned slightly, clearly not understanding what he meant.

Noticing Kakus's confusion, Amosta smiled and asked,

"If a wizard with a mystical background wants to enter the Ministry of Magic, what channels do you think he could take, Kakus?"

Enter the Ministry of Magic?

Kakus narrowed his eyes, as if he had realized something.

This is undoubtedly a difficult task. Let alone a mystery wizard, even wizards who have graduated from Hogwarts with a traditional modern magical education would find it difficult. Only the most outstanding young people who have obtained multiple NEWTS certificates have a chance to gain the favor of the Ministry of Magic. And so on!

Kakus's eyes widened suddenly as he stared at Amosta with surprise and uncertainty.

"It seems you understand—"

Amosta said with a smile

"The Ministry of Magic will not accept wizards with a secret sorcery background because they simply have no way of judging their level. Unlike young wizards who have graduated from Hogwarts and taken the NEWTS exams, the Ministry of Magic, as well as some workshops and companies, can judge the level of young wizards through their OWLS or NEWTS exam results."

Therefore, if we want them to integrate into our system, we must show them our sincerity.

The Ministry of Magic should establish a new assessment mechanism within the Wizarding Examinations Authority to evaluate magical abilities, benchmarking them against the OWLS and NEWTS level exams, with the Ministry recognizing the results.

Looking at Kakus, who was deep in thought, Amosta continued,

"In the years following the implementation of the new evaluation mechanism, the Ministry of Magic was required to allocate a fixed number of positions to sorcerers. The Ministry of Magic is a bellwether for the magical world. As long as the Ministry of Magic approves, the workshops and companies will soon follow suit. In this way, sorcerers will have a way to make a living instead of hiding in the underworld and causing trouble all day long."

Without a doubt, this is a brilliant idea!

However, as the wizard who had the most dealings with those mysterious sorcerers, Kakus was not blindly optimistic.

“I don’t deny that it’s a fantastic idea; I mean, it’s about showing goodwill to those hardliners—”

Kakus said cautiously,

"But you know, the problem is probably not just these things. The magic of those sorcerers, those ancient spellcasting methods, are often extremely cruel, which our laws cannot tolerate. And this is just the tip of the iceberg of the differences between us."

“I will not underestimate the difficulty of this matter, Kakus, nor will I naively believe that I can win the applause of all the sorcerers from the very beginning. It is a long process, but at least we will show them our sincerity, try our best to gain more support, and not let them side with our enemies.”

Kakus, lost in thought, nodded unconsciously.

"This is not something that can be accomplished overnight. The Ministry of Magic should establish a separate department for this purpose. Oh, to give an inappropriate example, like the Department of Magical Creatures Control, to bridge the gap between the two sides. Wizards who wish to integrate into modern magical society also need to make sacrifices and abandon some outdated traditions."

"When you become the head of this department, Kakus, you need to think carefully about what policies can help them integrate into our team as quickly as possible."

Amosta said.

"Indeed, some sorcerers are forced to live there. I know them. I'm planning to... wait!"

Kakus snapped out of his daze and stared at Amosta in astonishment.

"You just said you wanted me to become... Oh, did I hear that right? But I... I'm just... just a..."

"Heh, do you plan to spend your whole life in that filthy, stinking underground place, Kakus? That's a complete waste of your talent."

Amosta smiled calmly.

"I believe the time is ripe to bring the Foley family back to the Ministry of Magic and back into the public eye."

Kakus's lips were slightly parted as he stared blankly at Amosta Blaine, his heart burning with passion beneath his stiff body!

How can the Foley family be restored to its former glory?

For half a century, so many family members have strived to gain a foothold in the Ministry of Magic, and so many attempts have all failed. But now, this dream has quietly become within reach?!

Kakus wanted to say something, but he suddenly realized that his throat was terribly hoarse, as if he had been thirsty for days.

"me."

Can he finally leave the underworld, leave that den of thieves that made him live in constant fear?

Kakus blinked blankly, looking around the dimly lit bar, unsure if he was dreaming. Then, Aberforth, having treated his injuries, emerged from the inner room, causing Kakus to jolt awake. He instinctively asked,

"But Dumbledore?"

"Oh, I believe Headmaster Dumbledore won't stop it, isn't that a good thing?"

Amosta ignored Aberforth's increasingly direct stare.

"Over the years, you have also built up a network of connections that can ensure that when I raise this suggestion with the Ministry of Magic again, those who would object will shut up."

Ministry of Magic!

Kakus jolted again, his expression darkening.

“But the Ministry of Magic… If it were before, I wouldn’t doubt your ability to push this through, but now Cornelius Fudge seems…”

Kakus hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

"It won't last much longer."

Amostah gazed out the window at the torrential rain, the occasional flashes of lightning highlighting a different kind of decisiveness and authority in his face.

"Don't worry about this, I'll make it happen. Oh, and there's one more thing, Kakus."

Turning to look at Kakus's slightly bewildered face,

"Your wife and daughter must consider the dangers they may face in the war. Tell them to be prepared. I have a place that should ensure their safety and that they are ready to evacuate at any time."

Kakus had already left, leaving only Aberforth and Amosta in the dimly lit hall of the Pig's Head Bar.

"Could you please refill my cup, Aberforth—"

Amosta, carrying an empty glass, approached the bar with a smile and handed it to Aberforth, who was silently wiping the glass again.

"What are you still doing here, Blaine?"

Aberforth didn't reach out to take it; instead, he glanced at Amosta with a displeased expression and said...

"The middleman who made dirty deals with you is gone, isn't he? Don't you have anything better to do at Hogwarts?"

“Oh, don’t be so harsh, Aberforth.”

Amosta remained smiling and showed no signs of anger.

"I'm just a guest who came here during my free time to enjoy a few drinks and relieve some work stress."

Hmph--

Aberforth gave a cold laugh, turned sideways to look at Amosta, and said in a gruff voice,

"I'm starting to suspect you're Albus's son. The way you lie without batting an eye is exactly like his!"

“Oh, you’re completely humiliating me, Aberforth.”

Amosta's face darkened, and he said unhappily.