Hogwarts: Dumbledore reigned over the wizarding world.

Chapter 337 Shameless Fudge and Indifferent Vaughn

"Magic is idealistic, and its principles can be ignored. In the early stages of research, it can help wizards and apothecaries quickly master a set of magical synthesis methods (incantations, rituals, etc. during the brewing process). However, its ease of use also means that the more a school develops, the more closed its paths become. This makes it difficult for the Scarpin Manifestation Charm to work across different schools—because the synthesis methods they use and the final products they produce are not even in the same category!"

After a long and rambling explanation, Lupin barely understood what was going on. Just as he was about to say something, Donald Graves abruptly changed the subject: "I've heard that Mr. Weasley is researching a universal matrix as a carrier for the properties extracted by the magic extraction method—it's a truly brilliant idea, yes, a very brilliant one. If successful, it will definitely break down the current barriers in potions science and solve the problem of factional divisions at its root!"

"————"

Goodness, that's just like you, Graves. So all that talk was just a way to flatter him!

Lupin was somewhat speechless, but after reviewing Vaughn's past papers and combining them with what Donald Graves had just explained about the essence of Potions, he realized that Vaughn's method of mana extraction and his theory of properties truly broke away from the traditional path of "alchemical transmutation," genuinely solving the potions problem from a magical perspective.

this----

Traditional potion-making, which always talks about magic, has actually been using physics and chemistry all along.

Vaughn, who always talks about science, develops methods that are closer to the essence of magic.

Did I oversleep today? Am I still not fully awake?

Lupin's mind was a bit confused for a moment, and he even forgot the purpose of his visit.

It wasn't until Vaughn finished recording today's experiments and Donald Graves and Barty Crouch, exhausted from working out, said their goodbyes and left that he realized he needed to ask Vaughn for leave, as Vaughn had already packed his things and seemed ready to leave as well.

But before he could speak, Vaughn said to him, "Remus, come with me in a bit."

"Uh—" Lupin hesitated for a moment. As his second-in-command, he couldn't refuse, so he had to bite the bullet and ask, "Where to?"

"Ministry of Magic, Wissengamora has an inquiry regarding Hogwarts that requires my attendance!"

Upon hearing this, Lupin, who had already gotten used to his work routine, instantly recalled the events of the past few months, including Vaughn's connection to Hogwarts and the fact that he still needed to be questioned by Wizengamo.

His eyes widened in surprise: "A potion exchange event? The negotiations in the East have yielded results?"

"Yes, Dumbledore sent back a message late at night—oh, it was daytime in the East at the time. Anyway, the Potions Committee has completed negotiations with Fudge, representing the Ministry of Magic, and Dumbledore, representing Hogwarts, and will authorize the Central Potions Academy to send an exchange delegation to participate in the International Magical High School Potions Exchange Activity."

As he spoke, Vaughn pulled a newspaper from his satchel and handed it to him: "The news has made it into the Daily Prophet, Remus. Even though you're busy with work, you can't completely isolate yourself from society."

Lupin ignored those things and simply unfolded the newspaper.

The Daily Prophet did indeed publish a sensational headline on its front page: "[England Conquers] the East, a Mysterious Country Closed for 50 Years Returns to the International Stage."

This headline style is so familiar, it's definitely at Cornell Fudge's level.

Sure enough, Lupin's gaze moved down and he saw a group photo published below the subtitle.

In the photo, the dear minister quickly squeezed into the center, his broad arms firmly shielding Dumbledore behind him, and shook hands with an old Eastern wizard in a Zhongshan suit for a posed photo.

The old wizard from the East had a stiff expression and kept turning his head back, as if he really wanted to pull his hand back and greet Dumbledore.

The minister in the photo wasn't embarrassed at all; he was all smiles.

[A mysterious country that had been closed off for 50 years, vowing never to open its borders again until the Federation was destroyed, is now reversing its conservative policies and rejoining the international community under the mediation of Minister Fouché.]

The caption under the photo shimmered, making the minister, who was taking center stage in the photo, appear even more imposing.

Lu Ping chuckled and continued reading.

"—This morning, His Excellency Minister Cornelius Fudge sent back good news from China. After Minister Cornelius Fudge's arduous lobbying, the Chinese negotiating delegation finally relented and reached an agreement with the Ministry of Magic of England to open its borders and send an exchange delegation to participate in the International Potions Exchange Program hosted by the Ministry of Magic of England. The International Potions Exchange Program is—"

Seeing this, Lupin could barely contain his disgust: "As expected of Fudge's lackey, all the credit goes to Fudge, and not a single word is mentioned about Dumbledore who appears in the photo—"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the list of international university potion exchange programs below, his expression growing increasingly absurd: "Ha, even potion exchange programs have become something the Ministry of Magic advocates?"

Although Lupin had always known that Cornelius Fudge was shameless, the undisguised shamelessness in the newspapers was still beyond his comprehension.

He knew the inside story; even months earlier, the Daily Prophet had published news that Vaughn had proposed holding a potion exchange event.

"The Daily Prophet has also fallen, brazenly publishing such nonsense. Aren't they afraid of backlash from their readers? Isn't Fudge afraid of backlash from his constituents?"

He felt it was outrageous.

But Vaughn shook his head: "No, neither the Daily Prophet nor Fudge will suffer any backlash."

"—What?"

Vaughn turned to look at Lupin, who had a somewhat bewildered expression, and said calmly, "You're too focused on the appearance of rationality, Remus. In your world, things are about logic, and people chase the truth. But in the real world, people crave a spiritual anchor more than the truth."

"Logic and truth often bring pain because they require people to step out of their cognitive comfort zones, restrain their freedom, be morally confined, and bound by the law. Therefore, many people don't want these things. In their mundane lives, they crave a safe haven, a reason to comfort themselves, and an excuse to freely release their repressed emotions—truth can't provide these; only lies can!"

Lu Ping was confused by what he heard. His long-term experience of living in seclusion had left him with a shallow understanding of human nature.

Mundungus once commented that although he graduated from Hogwarts and had experienced many things, he was essentially still a child who had not left the ivory tower, with unrealistic naiveté and simplistic thinking.

Vaughn was well aware of his character flaws, so he didn't explain further, only saying, "In short, don't underestimate the Daily Prophet and Fudge. They know exactly who their audience is. The former wants controversy; without controversy, there's no traffic. The latter's base is those right-wing conservative groups. They're not unaware that Fudge is lying, but they hate me more than Fudge. For those people, it's better to have Fudge steal the credit than to give it to me."

"You can check the newspapers tomorrow. I believe you will see the same media frenzy as a few months ago again. Some people will be eager to jump out and support Fudge, and some people will jump out and support me. There will be debates, insults, and then it will escalate to personal attacks and physical attacks. In the end, the truth will no longer matter, only the stance will remain."

"—

'

Hearing Vaughn's calm words, Lupin was speechless for a moment.

He recalled the media frenzy of a few months earlier, when English conservatives had used the press to criticize Vaughn and C.

They launched a coordinated attack.

During the most intense period, he even thought that C was facing criticism from the whole world.

Immersed in the anxiety and unease of that time, Lupin remained silent for a long time until Vaughn snapped his fingers and summoned the strange sphere of the dimensional gate.

He then stammered, "Mr. Chairman, aren't you going to do anything?"

Vaughn countered, "What should I do? Engage in a shouting match with a bunch of people who hate me so much they ignore the facts and only care about emotional outbursts and taking sides? Or do you think I should drag all the wizards before me and interrogate them one by one who opposes me, and kill whoever opposes me?"

"Uh—" Lupin was speechless, yet somewhat unwilling: "Is this all we can do, just watch Fudge steal your and Dumbledore's achievements and credit?"

As Vaughn walked toward the sphere, he waved for Lupin to follow, saying calmly, "Truth cannot be stolen. Guess which magic high schools responded to the exchange program—was it because of my series of potion theories, or because of Fudge's so-called lobbying? No matter how eloquently he spoke, in the end, I was still in charge of the potion exchange program."

Moreover, this is a world of magic, and all problems ultimately come down to magic.

Fudge will still be useful for now.

Although that guy is a pure political animal who will stop at nothing for power, in other words, as long as he is given power, he is not actually that dangerous.

Because people like Fudge wouldn't proactively pursue any "achievements." It's not that he didn't want to, but rather that he knew he lacked the skill and ability. Rather than doing more and exposing himself as an incompetent fool, he preferred to focus on seizing power and inciting populism.

This is evident from the decline in discipline within the Ministry of Magic after Fudge took office.

As the center of England's magical government, the Ministry of Magic actually abolished the Anti-Apparition Charm, with only one insignificant rule requiring Ministry employees not to use Apparition to come to work.

And almost no one follows this rule—like Arthur.

This kind of "showing weakness" is actually Fudge's deliberate indulgence. His weakness may be looked down upon by everyone, but from another perspective, for a group of "working wizards", this kind of leader is a good leader!

Following Vaughn into the sphere, Lupin's figure was projected onto the other side by the cylindrical shape formed by countless stacked spheres. In a flash, he found himself in an office.

The office wasn't large, and judging from the dust on the furnishings, it hadn't been used much. Outside the half-open window was a huge underground space, with countless paper airplanes flying through the air. Looking further down, Lupin saw the familiar Magic Brothers Fountain.

This is the Ministry of Magic!

Judging from the distance, Lupin judged that the office should be located on the second basement level. He immediately realized that this office must belong to Vaughn—the second basement level was the territory of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, the Auror office, and a place where the misuse of magic (Muggle items) was prohibited.

The offices are all here, including Wissengamo.

It makes perfect sense that Vaughn is a member of Wizengamo and has an office here!

Noticing Lupin looking around the office, Vaughn took off his coat and hung it on a hanger, saying, "Fudge is quite considerate. I brought him on board, and he reciprocated by doing me favors. This office was specially approved by him, although I don't usually need it."

"It's just a small favor."

In response to Lupin's discontent, Vaughn smiled and said, "In today's society, people expect rewards for their efforts. It's rare to find politicians who are willing to temporarily set aside past grievances."

Lupin disliked this rhetoric; his ideal world remained black and white.

However, compared to last year, he has grown a lot in the past year or so. He no longer speaks casually because of differing opinions, or stubbornly tries to persuade others to follow his ideas.

He changed the subject, asking, "Mr. Chairman, did you bring me here because you require my attendance at the inquiry meeting? What should I prepare?"

The mature Lupin learned to use work to distract himself.

In his view, Vaughn brought him back because there must be another place that needs him or his werewolf identity, just like he did at the beginning of the year.

On the other side, Vaughn, having hung up his coat, smiled at Lupin: "Tomorrow is Christmas, you don't mind sacrificing your holiday to work overtime?"

Lupin hesitated for a moment, then said, "Of course I mind, but I know how important the matter you're concerned about is—all the werewolves know that you've never given up on the idea of ​​using potion exchange activities to push the werewolf class into Hogwarts. I guess that's why Wizengamot questioned you this time—anyway, compared to what you're busy with, your vacation and personal life can be temporarily put aside."

Hearing his words, Vaughn's smile faltered for a moment, then he chuckled, "You guys still remember? That was my radical idea back then. I thought you would give up after the public opinion a few months ago."

"Everyone is used to the wizards' prejudices, and they were already mentally prepared for the difficulties of the werewolf class. How could they give up so easily? Werewolves are also human, and they worry about the education of their offspring. Compared to watching their children become Obscurials because of the rebellion of suppressed magic, or having magical talent but wasting it due to lack of education, mere public opinion opposition cannot shake our determination and expectations."

Vaughn remained silent.

After a long while, the unbearable silence was broken by his laughter: "Hahaha, you know, Remus, I've always valued you because you're funny when you're serious!"

"————?"

Lupin looked puzzled.

But then Vaughn smiled, walked to his desk, pulled out a piece of paper, folded it into the shape of a paper airplane, and gently blew on it. Magical light flowed across the surface of the paper airplane.

It struggled and flew out of Vaughn's hand from the office, seemingly delivering a message to someone.

Shortly after, there was a knock on the office door.

"Please come in!"

After receiving Vaughn's reply, the door opened, and a figure with multicolored hair, chewing gum, walked in.

Upon seeing Lupin, the other person paused in surprise.

Lupin was also stunned.

"Ni--uh, Tonks?"