Hogwarts: Dumbledore reigned over the wizarding world.

Chapter 89 The Frenzied Werewolves

"Wisengemo has decided to form a Werewolf Affairs Committee!"

In the spacious yet cramped warehouse, on a makeshift platform made of several wooden crates, Barnald Jr. and James were reading from the newspaper.

Hundreds of people, including the elderly, women, children, and even the able-bodied men who came to help, crowded around them, making the warehouse extremely crowded.

James poked the photo in the newspaper with his wand, trying to make the werewolves see it move.

However, with his mediocre spellcasting skills, it would be very difficult for him to do such a thing.

In the end, Lupin couldn't stand it anymore and helped by chanting a spell to restore the magic to the developing solution on the newspaper.

The werewolves finally saw it: in the most prominent position on the front page, in a solemn and majestic hall, a serious-looking witch was announcing something to the flashing camera lights.

Then, she stepped back and welcomed a familiar figure to the podium.

The moment that person appeared, a barrage of camera flashes erupted like lightning.

Whispers arose from the surroundings:

"It's Mr. Weasley."

"You look quite dignified!"

"Mr. Weasley seems to have grown taller..."

Standing in the crowd, listening to the friendly yet proud discussions around him, Lu Ping's expression was complex.

Two months passed, and he almost watched with his own eyes as Vaughn's reputation among the werewolves went from mild goodwill to respect, and then to unparalleled trust and intimacy.

Even though Vaughn rarely visits the werewolves.

This was the outcome he had always feared, but the longer he lived with these wandering werewolves over the past two months, the less he could stop it.

They could only watch passively as these people grew increasingly fanatical and worshipful of Vaughn.

Lost in thought, on the makeshift platform made of wooden crates, young Barnal began reading from the newspaper:

"...Just yesterday, February 20, 1992, when the full moon was high in the sky (the full moon in the middle of each month is according to the lunar calendar, but not necessarily the solar calendar), at a time when we would normally worry about whether werewolves would cause trouble again, a rather memorable resolution was made in the Wizengamot Council Chamber of the Ministry of Magic."

"From the moment Amelia Burns declared the Wizengamot vote valid, the Werewolf Affairs Committee, an organization proposed by Mr. Vaughn Weasley to help wandering werewolves and curb the spread of werewolfism, was established in England with the approval of Wizengamot!"

Cheers erupted from the audience, and everyone smiled and excitedly hugged those around them.

This includes Lupin.

After a brief moment of cheers and celebration, everyone stopped as if by unspoken agreement, listening to little Barnal continue reading:

"...The establishment of the Werewolf Affairs Committee is likely to have a profound impact on the entire magical world. It is the first legal organization in the global magical community primarily composed of non-wizardmen..."

"...According to further information disclosed by Wizengamor, the main purpose of the Werewolf Affairs Committee is to gather all wandering werewolves residing in England, re-register them, cooperate with the Ministries of Magic of various countries, jointly alleviate the international werewolf problem, and combat evil forces such as Greyback..."

In his final speech, Mr. Vaughn Weasley outlined his plans for the committee's organizational structure. It is understood that the Werewolf Affairs Committee will have one president, four vice presidents, and 27 members.

"According to Mr. Vaughn Weasley's plan, 14 of the 27 committee seats will be mandated to be elected from among the werewolves—giving the werewolves their rights, which is also the original intention of the committee's establishment!"

"Some pure-blood families in the magical world, who wish to remain anonymous, have expressed concern about this trend..."

The following content describes the magical world's reaction to the matter. There's no need to read it aloud, nor does it stop the werewolves from basking in their joy and discussing the whole affair—the committee, the legitimate body, the werewolf committee seats…

These things are enough to uplift everyone's spirits.

Little Barnal threw down his newspaper and shouted from the platform, "Gentlemen, let's get moving! Spread this good news to our brothers and sisters who are working away from home. Tell them we're going to celebrate here tonight. Also, there are some things we need to discuss!"

The crowd fell silent for a moment, then someone called out, "Barnal, what is there to discuss?"

"Of course it's the committee's business," Barnald Jr. answered loudly. "You heard it, Mr. Weasley secured 14 seats for us, which is more than half of the 27 committee members. This is in Mr. Weasley's interest, so we must protect it."

Lupin's expression changed in the crowd; he had already guessed what Barnal was going to say.

But looking at the people around him, he moved his lips a few times, but ultimately did not say anything to stop them!

Looking at the bewildered faces of the people below the stage, young Barnal shouted, "Gentlemen, you've all heard the report's conclusion about how the wizards viewed us. We need to ensure that these 14 committee members work together to fight the wizards and protect the interests of all of us..."

No matter the group, there is no shortage of intelligent people. Before Barnal could finish speaking, someone in the crowd shouted, "Then let's elect you, James Brown, William White... You were the first to follow Mr. Weasley, and I believe in you!"

Soon, someone else chimed in, "After the committee elections are over, won't it be time to elect the president and vice president? Why not just have Mr. Weasley as president? I only trust him; I won't approve of anyone else!"

"That's right. When we were down on our luck and in despair, only Mr. [Name] was willing to lend us a hand. We only trust him."

Some people worried, "What if the gentleman doesn't want to? After all, he still has to go to school. I heard he's a student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

"With the help of our elected committee members, Mr. Weasley won't take up much of his time. Michael, you're an adult too; you should understand that it's best for people to have some power, no matter where they are. We are Mr. Weasley's power, his strongest support!"

"Yes, yes, as everyone knows, Mr. Weasley offended the Minister for Magic for our sake. We can't let him continue being just an ordinary student all alone!"

"Yes, brothers and sisters, remember what the newspapers said? They thought we werewolves were capable of forming an armed force, and if it were for Mr. Weasley, I wouldn't mind being his weapon!"

The crowd started shouting, one voice after another, and gradually a clamor arose.

Lupin watched as the expressions of the people around him shifted from fanaticism to unfamiliarity in the blink of an eye, his feelings extremely complex. This was something he had always wanted to stop, yet it had still happened...

The werewolves' discussion is, for now, just discussion.

The most important thing right now is to inform other people working away from home as soon as possible so that we can all share in the joy.

Everyone suddenly became very busy, except for Remus Lupin, who felt out of place with everything around him.

He certainly supports the Werewolf Affairs Committee; as a werewolf, it's impossible for him to oppose a legitimate organization that protects his rights.

What he couldn't get used to was the fanaticism of the people around him and his worries about the future of the committee.

At noon, news came that more and more werewolves were arriving during their off-get off work hours, so Little Barnald, William, and James organized a team to make purchases.

Lupin took the opportunity to leave, found a deserted alley, and pulled out a leather glove.

The moment the glove was taken out, it automatically flew into the air and inflated, as if an invisible hand had put it on, made a few gestures in the air, and pointed in a certain direction.

Lupin followed the glove's directions, navigating through the crisscrossing alleyways.

After turning who knows how many corners, we came to a secluded and dark dead end.

Crack!

The space twisted a few times with a faint cracking sound, and Dumbledore, wearing a pink nightgown and with Fawkes perched on his shoulder, appeared before Lupin.

The old man's deep blue eyes were as bright as Lu Ping remembered, and his smile was as crescent-shaped as his glasses.

"Remus, darling, how did the full moon go yesterday?"

Lu Ping bowed slightly: "Hello, Principal. With the wolfsbane medicine, things are much better than before."

"I heard Vaughn mention that the current wolfsbane potion has some side effects he hadn't considered before?"

Lupin nodded: "Yes, it keeps us conscious while forcing us to endure the pain of transformation, just like the first time we tried Animagus transformation..."

His eyes were somewhat dazed when he said this.

Long-forgotten memories surfaced from the depths of my heart, as if I were seeing again those days at Hogwarts, when even the cold, chilly moon that terrified werewolves seemed to glow with the golden light of the evening sunset.

A werewolf, a black dog, a stag, and a mouse.

Such a peculiar combination wandered and ran wildly through the forbidden forest, the joyful memories drifting and lingering in the thin mist of the woods.

Not only did he think of it, but Dumbledore, who was also very impressed with the mischievous group of "The Raiders" (James, Lupin, and others), also thought of it.

He sighed. "I remember, Jaime's Animagus was a stag, wasn't it? I heard he specifically learned to be an Animagus so he could be with you during your full moon transformation... He's a great friend and leader, Remus."

Upon hearing that familiar name, Lu Ping felt a sudden pang of pain in his heart.

Yes, Jaime is Lupin's best friend and leader, and the most talented wizard Lupin has ever met. Jaime not only learned Animagus himself, but also helped two others learn it, a fact unknown to outsiders.

But he was already dead... betrayed by another good friend!

Lupin took a deep breath and evasively changed the subject: "Dumbledore, will you join the Werewolf Affairs Committee?"

"Why do you ask that?"

Dumbledore asked with a smile.

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and a powerful spell enveloped him and Lupin.

The two figures disappeared into thin air, and then Dumbledore led Lupin out of the dead end and onto the Muggle street.

It was already evening, the busiest time of day in Newham.

The old buildings built in the 19th century along the road gradually lit up, and the lights of thousands of homes and neon lights reflected each other. Workers from nearby factories and docks were bathed in the prosperity and atmosphere created by the lights, enjoying a rare moment of tranquility in the day.

Dumbledore observed the Muggles with great interest and seemed very patient.

Lupin pondered for a long time before replying, "I don't believe you can't see Vaughn Weasley's influence on the werewolves. If you're unaware, then I can tell you that just today, the werewolves are clamoring to use more than half of the committee seats to elect Vaughn Weasley as the committee's chairman..."

He recounted what had happened that morning.

Just then, a chubby boy munching on ice cream brushed past Dumbledore. The aroma of the dessert attracted him, and he couldn't help but turn around several times, so he asked somewhat perfunctorily, "So?"

Overwhelmed with worry and anxiety, Lupin exclaimed angrily, "So? Isn't this enough to raise alarm? Those werewolves are even clamoring that they're willing to be Vaughn Weasley's weapons... Are you just going to stand by and watch the committee become Weasley's personal tool?"

"Then what do you want me to do?"

Dumbledore finally looked away, staring intently at Lupin. "Squeeze in as a committee member? Or, at your age, become his deputy? Or perhaps try to win over the werewolves and compete with Vaughn for the position of guild master?"

"Remus, I can't do any of these things..." Dumbledore's deep blue eyes were filled with gentle wisdom. "You yourself said that the werewolves trust no one except Vaughn, unless I go back on my word and push for the Wizengamor to abolish the Werewolf Affairs Committee... Is that what you want me to do?"

Lupin was speechless.

This was also the point that had been troubling and troubling him. He hesitated for a moment, then said, "But if you get on the committee, at least you can check him..."

"No, I can't control anyone. My presence will only exacerbate the conflict, child!"

While the two were talking, they unknowingly walked out of the city and into the warehouse area where the werewolves gathered.

This place, which is usually quiet and somewhat desolate, is unexpectedly lively today. The warehouse gatekeeper is standing guard at the gate in a daze. He has been put under a confusion spell. During the spell's duration, he will be a dutiful gatekeeper and will not notice anything unusual.

For example, in the very center of the warehouse area, there is a huge bonfire being lit by the werewolves!

Hundreds of people crowded into the open space, all busy at work, with children occasionally screaming and running past the adults' legs.

A scene that was both bustling and peaceful.

Gazing at all of this from afar, Lupin suddenly didn't know what to say, and just like Dumbledore, he remained silent, observing from a distance.

Until he heard little Barnal's surprised, hoarse voice coming from the crowd:

"Dear brothers and sisters, look! Who has come to visit us!"

The crowd paused for a moment, then burst into excited cheers. People put down what they were doing and surrounded a boy who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, shouting and screaming at him with flushed faces.

Some people even followed the example of young Barnal, prostrating themselves on the ground and kissing his robe.

"Vaughn...Weasley!"

Gazing at the boy's fiery red hair from afar, Lupin murmured his name.

Dumbledore remained silent, watching the frenzied crowd, and then Vaughn suddenly cast the Illumination Charm with his wand.

The moment the light burst forth, the crowd seemed to be put to a standstill, quickly falling silent.

Only when people genuinely admire someone can they do this.

He could obey orders without any training, just like the person in his memory...

Dumbledore snapped out of his reverie and sighed.

Everything went as Vaughn had predicted.

As the inventor of the wolf poison and the founder who spearheaded the establishment of the Werewolf Affairs Committee, even though he rarely visited the werewolves, he remained irreplaceable in their hearts.

This will be the case for at least a few years!

While human nature is indeed fickle, the werewolves who have experienced the hardships of life are currently the group least likely to be changed.

These people who are penniless and destitute are currently most eager for stability and to protect the rights they have just gained. So, who will help them?

The answer is self-evident!

Conversely, did Vaughn single-handedly promote the establishment of the Werewolf Affairs Committee just to hand over the werewolves to others and do the work for them?

Of course not!

So when James nervously invited him to the evening's celebration via fireplace call, Vaughn accepted without hesitation.

Even though he didn't particularly like such noisy occasions.

Vaughn walked into the crowd, feeling the werewolves' fiery, overflowing emotions, their simple gratitude and trust towards him, yet he felt no ripples in his heart.

From the very beginning, his motives for helping the werewolf were impure.

Now, of course, I won't pretend to be moved or empathetic.

In his view, this was just a win-win deal. He helped the werewolves solve their problems with transforming under the full moon, and the werewolves became his supporters, making him more influential and spreading his fame throughout the magical world.

Therefore, at the subsequent campfire dinner, Vaughn only ate a few bites before leaving, giving the werewolves back the pure joy of the evening.

Only the earliest werewolves who followed him were summoned to the warehouse and asked for their opinions on serving as committee members.

Young Barnal was the best of the best. Faced with Vaughn's question, he didn't hesitate at all, "Sir, I'll do whatever you ask!"

As he spoke, he smiled shyly, hesitantly took a brand-new fountain pen from his pocket, and presented it to Vaughn with both hands: "This, this is what I bought with my first paycheck... Sir, I, I want to give it to you!"

Vaughn, who was deep in thought, was taken aback. He took the pen in a daze and was speechless for a moment.

Young Barnal looked somewhat nervous and apprehensive: "Sir, do you like it?"

Vaughn snapped out of his reverie, pulled himself together, and nodded. "...Thank you, Barnal, I really like it."

Seeing the joyful and innocent smile on little Barnal's face because of his approval, Vaughn was a little dazed. He even wanted to use Legilimency to see if little Barnal had unknowingly fallen into the trap of some white-bearded old man.

But seeing the other person's pure smile, Vaughn ultimately restrained his thoughts.

He glanced at the corner of the warehouse.

There was nothing there, but in his eyes, which were silently casting a manifestation spell, a magical power actually lingered there.

It was both enormous and extremely obscure; if Vaughn hadn't had absolute faith in his spell, he might have thought it was an illusion.

In the corner, Lupin, who had just arrived with Dumbledore, was startled by Vaughn's gaze.

"he……"

Dumbledore remained calm: "Yes, Remus, he has discovered us. He sensed us the moment he Apparated."

Lupin was speechless, yet also somewhat astonished: "His magic is that powerful?"

The invisibility spell surrounding the two was cast by Dumbledore himself.

In his mind, no one should be able to see through Dumbledore's magic.

Sensing the surprise in his tone, Dumbledore shook his little rabbit nightcap and tossed the drooping rabbit ears behind his head: "Vaughn is indeed very strong. He changes every day, especially in terms of spells..."

Dumbledore wiped his eyes, his eyes silently cast a spell, and looked at Vaughn, who was surrounded by werewolves. In his eyes, the child radiated a light like the sun.

The magic that has officially entered the growth and development stage is like boiling magma, propelling Vaughn's vitality to flourish.

Dumbledore, who had also gone through this phase, knew that Vaughn would enter a period of rapid growth in strength in the following years.

He paused, then continued, "...Remus, I'm pleased that you're so perceptive of his ambition, but I hope you don't underestimate him or have any hostile thoughts towards him, nor try to use me to contain him."

"If I were to kill someone simply because they were ambitious, then I wouldn't have brought you to Hogwarts in the first place, and Voldemort wouldn't have existed."

"My child, as a professor, I have always considered how to guide my students, not how to nip a threat in the bud... That is not what a professor should do."

As he spoke, he looked at Vaughn, who was calmly putting his pen into his pocket, and the werewolf named Little Barnal, and smiled slightly: "You see, love is everywhere. What a person ultimately becomes depends on his environment. The environment in which he is growing up is good in my opinion, and there is no need to change anything."

"Remus, once you're on the werewolf committee, just focus on fighting for the werewolves. Don't try to control things you can't control; that will only make things worse. Sometimes, keen observation and guiding the situation with the flow are the best options."

After giving his final instructions, Dumbledore winked mischievously at Lupin: "Now, go to your meeting. After all, you were one of the first to follow Vaughn."

With that, he vanished with a crackling sound.

As he left, the invisibility spell collapsed, and Lupin was exposed to the elements.

Just as he was at a loss, Vaughn waved to him from the other side: "Remus, where did you just go? Come here, I want to hear your opinion."

"Uh... okay..."

Seeing that Vaughn showed no sign of surprise and even covered for him, Lupin finally realized that Vaughn and Dumbledore had long ago reached an understanding.

He walked into the crowd in a daze.

Vaughn withdrew his gaze, continuing to listen to what Barnald and William had to say, while his thoughts drifted to the whisper that Dumbledore had given him as he left.

"The plan is about to begin. Return to Hogwarts soon, Vaughn!"

Yes, now that the Werewolf Affairs Committee has gained legal authority, he really should go back to school...

(End of this chapter)