The Bard of Hogwarts

Chapter 389 Pig Head Bar

That's how it is in the magical world; when owls start flying in flocks, something big is bound to happen.

That evening, taking advantage of the last rays of the setting sun.

Three Broomsticks, and even Pighead Bar, have all enjoyed their moment in the spotlight.

Dozens of wizards, along with their families, arrived in Hogsmeade, a gathering place for wizards.

"This is absolutely insane, I've never seen anything like it..." Aberforth stood at the entrance of the Pig's Head Bar, complaining incessantly.

He opened the bar as a hobby; as for making money? The Dumbledore family's coffers were more than enough to ensure they had enough to eat and wear.

So, the booming business today annoyed him, especially since some of the customers looked cunning, like the one in front of him right now.

"Sir! I reiterate, I only request a standard guest room. Furthermore, I do not live here; only my wife does."

Lucius stood wearily at the entrance of the Pig's Head Bar, but despite his exhaustion, he held his wife Narcissa's hand tightly.

As one of the Twenty-Eight Holy Families, Hogsmeade must own Malfoy property, but at this point in time, he was really worried about his wife living alone.

Yes, I live alone.

Before everything was settled, Lucius did not intend to do anything out of line or contrary to his status, but he had to make appropriate arrangements for the safety of his family.

Pig Head Bar is a great choice.

With Dumbledore's younger brother in charge, ordinary dark wizards wouldn't dare to cause trouble. In fact, the fact that the Hog's Head Inn, a nearly transparent black market in Hogsmeade, has remained untouched for so many years speaks volumes.

After Lucius finished explaining, Aberforth's expression softened somewhat.

He disliked cunning and shrewd people, and even more so those who would cause trouble, but the genuine affection between the other party and his wife was undeniable.

"A small house with a private bathroom, 4 sachets per day!"

Aberforth gave in. After saying that, he turned and walked to the dirty bar counter, opened a drawer and rummaged around as if looking for a key.

On the other side, Lucius also breathed a sigh of relief, but Narcissa said with some sadness:

"Darling, why do we have to do this? You know what I want to say!"

The pressure from her hand made Lucius sense his wife's tension.

"It doesn't have to be this way, it has to be this way! Fifteen years ago, we thought everything was stable, but then things took a turn for the worse..."

Lucius stopped halfway through his sentence, and at the same time, he saw Aberforth inside the bar, having already found the room key, looking in their direction from afar.

"Listen to me! You stay here for now, and we'll go home for Christmas!"

Lucius gave his instructions calmly, but the word "go home" made Narcissa tighten her grip on his hand, which was about to loosen.

……

In life, separation and reunion seem to be the norm.

As Lucius and his wife parted ways at Hogsmeade, the so-called rulers of the Ministry of Magic in London gathered once again.

But unlike before, where there were arguments and lively atmosphere, the current atmosphere is deathly silent.

"You all know the situation, so stop pretending to be stupid."

In the office, Fudge's attitude became unusually tough.

However, upon closer examination, it is not difficult to see that this seemingly tough attitude is nothing more than bluster and cowardice.

But now no one cares about these things anymore; the most powerful people in the English Ministry of Magic are all worried.

If Diagon Alley hadn't been attacked, they would have been completely kept in the dark.

There are two thousand werewolves hiding in London alone, and who knows how many more there are throughout England...

"We can't run out of herbs; we even need to proactively prepare them so they can scramble for them..."

Bagman, the Director of the Department of Magical Sports, broke the deathly silence.

Bagman understood this principle well: when the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken. As Fudge said, it was no longer a matter of feigning ignorance; a mishap could lead to a catastrophe that would engulf the entire wizarding world.

As Bagman finished speaking, his seemingly absurd statement garnered silent nods of agreement from many.

A full moon occurs at least 13 times a year, based on the moon's 27.3-day cycle.

Without sufficient poison wolf potion, werewolves hiding in the Muggle world could become mindless and transform, rendering the entire Secret Law virtually useless.

At that time, wizards will also appear publicly in front of Muggles.

This is why many people still support providing herbs, even though they know it will allow the werewolf population to continue to grow.

Drinking poison to quench thirst, a slow, prolonged suffering is better than a sudden death.

This is a solution that is not a solution, but it is currently the only solution.

No one objected to Bagman's proposal, not even the usually assertive Amelia.

There are a lot of werewolves, which sounds a bit scary, but the Enforcement Division is not to be underestimated.

She knew very well that the root of the problem was Voldemort. Once this delicate balance was broken, even if there were twice as many werewolves, it wouldn't be a threat.

After all, over 99% of those werewolves were converted from Muggles. Even if they were physically strong, their strength was still limited, and they couldn't even compare to an adult mountain monster.

With the strikers and Aurors all coming out in force, it should be resolved in time.

The situation is tricky, but still under control. The only thing she can't understand is Dumbledore.

This legendary white wizard is currently seemingly selectively blind, not only taking no action but also failing to contact the Ministry of Magic.

In fact, it wasn't just Amelia who was puzzled; Dumbledore's actions also raised questions among many others.

It is precisely because of this that the magical world has maintained a delicate balance.

Perhaps it is precisely this balance that led to the widespread approval of Bagman's proposal.

……

Amidst the discussions and doubts within the Ministry of Magic, Dumbledore, the unseen protagonist, also finds himself in a dilemma.

On one side are Muggles who are constantly being converted, and on the other side is Harry who desperately needs time.

Although most of these Muggles are homeless people and drug addicts, life is life.

The value of life can never be measured by quantity or quality.

Dumbledore could neither abandon Harry nor ignore Muggles.

"Severus, is it really impossible to improve potions?"

In the headmaster's office, Dumbledore asked calmly.

The only solution he has now is to get Harry rid of the Horcrux as soon as possible; only then will all the problems be solved.

However, he was met with Snape's empty and indifferent gaze.

"Unless you want him dead!"

Snape's tone and expression were extremely cold, as if he wouldn't be moved even if Harry died right now.

But Dumbledore knew that Snape's state was an expression of anger.

"I'm sorry, Severus! But you know the situation right now..."

"If that's all, I have other things to do!"

Snape interrupted Dumbledore, stood up, and walked out the door without looking back.

What Muggles are like has nothing to do with him, let alone his childhood in Spider's End, which made him clearly aware of how wicked these homeless drug addicts are at their core.

Watching Snape's retreating figure, Dumbledore moved his lips, as if he wanted to say something.

But he didn't say what he wanted to say until the other person had completely left the principal's office.

(End of this chapter)