Hogwarts: Lacus doesn't want to be a witch who destroys nations.

Chapter 111 News from Afar

The empty classrooms on the seventh floor remained as spacious and quiet as ever.

Malena stood with her back to the door. When she heard the door open, she slowly turned around, her face filled with a strong sense of mockery.

"It seems Miss Lux has finally finished her personal affairs?" Malena's lips curled into a sarcastic smile.

"Such touching camaraderie, even to the point of sharing a bed and blood? Should I remind you that St. Mungo's has dedicated biohazard isolation wards, not Gryffindor dormitories?"

Lux opened her mouth, wanting to explain Eve's special situation, but found that it couldn't be explained in just a few words, and Malena obviously didn't really want to hear an explanation.

Lux, in a fit of pique, leaned against the doorframe: "Let's get down to business, Malena. You didn't come all this way just to mock my personal taste in friends, did you?"

Malena snorted coldly, seemingly also feeling that continuing to dwell on that scene would be beneath her dignity.

She pulled a copy of the latest edition of the Daily Prophet from her robe, unfolded it with a "snap," and slammed it onto the desk next to her.

The bold headline on the front page was shocking: "Shocking! The Soviet Ministry of Magic appears to have been completely overrun! The International Wizarding Federation holds emergency consultations!"

The accompanying photos are several blurry images, but you can vaguely make out that they are ruins after a fierce battle.

"Look at this, Miss Lux, you've been missing for an entire vacation." Malena tapped the newspaper hard with her finger.

"And you just happened to come back from that resort, with a friend who needs your blood donation to stay stable—." Her gaze was sharp as a knife, as if trying to cut through Lux's disguise. "The Rozier family has its own information channels. We know that Ms. LeBlanc went there with you. She contacted me before."

Lux's heart skipped a beat, and she held her breath.

Malena lowered her voice: "She asked me to tell you: Loyalty is never truly given to the storm."

Lux instantly understood the meaning behind the convoluted slang. LeBlanc was telling her that the Rozier family, while outwardly loyal to Grindelwald, were actually under her control. They were a spies planted within the Ulster Party.

"What else did she say?"

"That's all." Malena put away the newspaper, her expression returning to its usual indifference. "I just wanted you to recognize your true allies and enemies. Now, public opinion has taken hold, and Europe will soon be in chaos. You'd better watch yourself and not cause any more trouble like this morning—anything that's offensive to public morals."

After saying that, she dusted off non-existent dust as if she had finished some dirty or tiring work, turned around and left, leaving Lux alone in the empty classroom, digesting this information bomb.

During the dinner, the atmosphere in Hogwarts Great Hall was noticeably different from usual.

The long tables of the four houses were still bustling, but a closer look revealed that many seats at the Slytherin table were empty, especially in the upperclassmen's section.

Other colleges also had some vacancies, indicating that some families chose to bring their children back to safer places.

When Principal Dippert stood up to speak, the auditorium fell silent instantly, and even the ghosts unusually refrained from causing any trouble.

"Children," Principal Dippert's voice was heavier than usual, "I believe many of you have learned through various channels about the dramatic changes taking place in the outside world. Dark forces are spreading across the European continent, and turmoil and unrest have already arrived."

He looked around at each young face in the audience, some worried, some confused, some fearful: "Hogwarts will always be your safest haven, but during this special time, I must emphasize that no student may leave the school without permission! All travel, including to Hogsmeade, must be accompanied by a professor or an approved adult wizard at all times! This is for the safety of each and every one of you."

He didn't mention any specific names, but Grindelwald's shadow seemed to have already loomed over the auditorium.

The banquet proceeded in a somewhat oppressive silence. Even the most lively Gryffindors quieted down considerably, as everyone silently processed the reality that war was imminent.

After the dinner, Lux was thinking of going back to relax, but Professor Slughorn stopped her with a smile.

"My dear child!" His voice was still loud, and the forced joy on his round face didn't quite match the worry in his eyes. "Come, come, don't worry about those troubles for too long. Life must go on, and glory must be remembered!"

Without a word, he pulled Lux ​​aside, rubbing his hands excitedly: "Remember our Gobalot Award? It's the highest honor Hogwarts has bestowed upon potions in the last twenty years! As one of the recipients, your portrait—a small but exquisite living painting, of course—will hang on the wall of the Potions classroom after you graduate. It's a tradition, and more importantly, a recognition of your outstanding contributions!"

Lux paused, then said, "Portrait? A living portrait? Like those moving portraits in the castle?"

"Of course! Of course!" Slughorn stroked his beard proudly. "I've already contacted the best portrait painter in all of London, Mr. Vickrey. He'll be here next week with his magic easel and special paints! Oh, believe me, child, he'll capture your most intelligent and charming moments, ensuring your image will forever inspire future generations in Potions class!"

Lux's mind flashed instantly to images of those people in the corridor who chatted, visited each other, and pointed at the students.

So—she'll become one of them, hanging on the wall, watching future generations of young wizards brew potions of dubious colors and enticing smells, all while maintaining a smile.

I hope there aren't any strange talismans placed under my portrait to bless them and help them pass the potion exam.

"Professor," she couldn't help but ask curiously, "how did those portraits come to life? Do they really have thoughts? Or are they just replicas of the original owners' appearances in life?"

Slughorn smiled mysteriously: "Ah, that's the beauty of magic, my dear! The painter's skill, the special magical pigments, and the trace of the original owner's magic imprint infused during the painting—all these together give the painting a certain life."

"They can think in simple terms and communicate. Although their personality and cognition largely stem from your understanding of the original owner when creating the artwork, be sure to showcase your best self!"

"Of course, you also need to talk to the portrait yourself so that she can learn your way of speaking."

Lux imagined herself hanging on the wall, giving an encouraging smile to a pot of exploding crucibles, or repeating the "stir clockwise three and a quarter turns" to some clueless student for the Nth time. Suddenly, she felt that this honor was not so easy after all.

Moreover, Lux felt that her portrait would most likely be filled with profanities, saying, "What you brewed is worse than the foot bath water I rinsed with my feet."

"Alright, Professor," she forced a smile, "I'll try my best to keep my future students from having nightmares."

"That's more like it!" Slughorn patted her on the shoulder with delight. "Stay optimistic! Don't forget we still have club activities! Oh, by the way, I heard from Dumbledore that you have a new friend who's a vampire?"

"Is this related to the next topic? If you need any special potion ingredients, just come find me!"

Lux then realized why Slughorn was so enthusiastic and quickly replied, "Not really, and vampires are all born that way—well, there might be exceptions."

Slughorn patted Lux ​​on the shoulder. "I was too impatient. It's alright, you don't need to be too nervous. Those wars are far away from us."

"Is it far?" Lux was puzzled by Slughorn's assessment.

"Of course, as long as Grindelwald isn't insane, he will definitely tolerate renowned and accomplished wizards to consolidate his power. He wants to be a leader, not a terrorist. As long as we remain neutral, we will neither win nor lose, but will only share the spoils with the victors."

Slughorn's ideology has always been this way, while Lux feels it's no different from being a surrenderist.