My Hogwarts has a serious problem.

Chapter 288, Question 285: Will it respond if you call its name?

"What did you say?"

One of the school board members, upon hearing Malfoy's words, said in disbelief.

"Remove Dumbledore from his position as Headmaster of Hogwarts? Leaving aside whether your reasons are sufficient, if Dumbledore is dismissed, who will become Headmaster of Hogwarts? You?"

Malfoy said calmly.

"We are not discussing who should be the headmaster, but whether Dumbledore is competent to be the headmaster."

The school board member wanted to say something more, but Malfoy interrupted him directly.

"Now we just need to vote. Those who oppose Dumbledore's departure, please raise your hands."

Several arms were raised on the long table. Opponents made up about half of the twelve board members, but a careful count revealed that only five people actually raised their hands in opposition, while seven expressed their approval.

The school board members who raised their hands looked at the unresponsive ones as if they were looking at a group of mindless monsters.

"Don't you know what the consequences would be if Dumbledore were expelled from Hogwarts? Who else is qualified for this position besides him?" a school board member asked seriously, raising his hand.

Malfoy answered on behalf of the school board members who hadn't raised their hands: "Until we find a suitable candidate to serve as headmaster, Professor McGonagall, the current vice-headmaster of Hogwarts, can temporarily fill the position of headmaster."

"What is the purpose of all this? Dumbledore couldn't have stopped the Chamber of Secrets from being opened, and besides, it was opened decades ago."

"There's no point in saying all this now," Malfoy waved his hand to interrupt him. "The vote on the Board of Governors is now 5 to 7, so the proposal passes."

Mrs. Rollard, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up and asked, "So, what is Professor Dumbledore's opinion on this?"

Upon hearing her words, the board members all turned to look at Dumbledore, who sat to the side as if he were an outsider.

Yes, they are now deciding the position of the greatest wizard of the 20th century, so what is his attitude?

Dumbledore sat there calmly, and only when the school board members turned their gazes did he seem to realize they were talking about him.

Old Deng still wore that harmless, smiling expression, as if he hadn't heard a thing about their discussion.

For some reason, Malfoy felt a little nervous looking at Dumbledore, but he still forced himself to ask.

"So, Dumbledore, what are your thoughts on our decision?"

Dumbledore looked surprised when he heard his question.

"I'm just the headmaster of Hogwarts. At most, I have a seat as an observer at the board meetings. What opinions could I possibly have?"

Upon hearing his words of weakness, Malfoy felt a surge of elation.

Just as they had predicted, as long as they acted within the rules, Dumbledore would accept whatever the outcome might be. If he didn't accept it, then Dumbledore would have no choice but to break the rules and overturn the table.

But how did Dumbledore acquire such a great reputation in the wizarding world?

It's because even though he's strong enough, he's still willing to sit down at the same negotiating table with these weaklings.

Therefore, unless Dumbledore completely relinquishes his reputation in the wizarding world, he will have to follow the rules.

The result of the vote by the board of directors is that the principal must comply unconditionally.

This result was not unexpected for Malfoy, but it still made him ecstatic, even giving him a feeling of euphoria.

Albus Dumbledore, the greatest wizard of the 20th century, was the best friend of the first Dark Lord and the teacher of the second Dark Lord. If we consider Malfoy's former status as a Death Eater, then Dumbledore would be on the same level as his master.

Now even someone of such high status and great power has to obey my orders.

Although he lacked real power, the feeling of authority still delighted Malfoy.

"Does this represent your proposal to the board?"

Dumbledore nodded noncommittally.

"What you say makes a lot of sense. I have indeed failed in my duties as headmistress of Hogwarts this year. Minerva is very suitable to replace me as the interim headmistress of Hogwarts, and of course I have no objection."

The board members remained silent, and the few Hogwarts board members who voted against him even looked at him with disappointment. Dumbledore sometimes appeared far too weak.

Only Malfoy stood up excitedly.

"That's great! So when are you planning to move out of Hogwarts? Oh, by the way, I heard you don't have a place to live outside of school yet. I'll give you a house there; it's a great place to retire in, nestled against the mountains and by the water."

However, Dumbledore smiled and refused him.

"Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Malfoy, but I do not need you to provide me with housing."

"Yes, yes, I was being presumptuous. The Dumbledore family was once very prominent, so how could they not own property in England?"

Dumbledore interrupted him again: "I think you've misunderstood me."

Malfoy stared wide-eyed in disbelief, and the meeting room fell silent as all the school board members looked at the white-bearded old man who was over a hundred years old.

Dumbledore's smile faded, and his gaze became focused and earnest as he looked at the school board members seated on either side of the long table.

"I agree with your decision. I am the headmaster of Hogwarts, and you are the board of trustees. You certainly have the right to remove me from the position of headmaster, without a doubt."

But there's one thing you need to understand first: the reason I'm at Hogwarts isn't because I'm the headmaster, but because Hogwarts is mine.

So even though I'm no longer the headmaster of Hogwarts, I still won't leave Hogwarts. I think none of you would want to take anything from a lonely old man like me, would you?

He did not sit at the long table where the board of directors was located, nor did he seem to need to.

Because as long as this old man wants, wherever he sits, he can be either a kind and harmless neighborly old man or an absolute dictator of Hogwarts!

None of the board members spoke; only Malfoy was talking to Dumbledore.

"Hogwarts. How can it be yours?" Malfoy seemed intimidated by Dumbledore's current aura, his confidence clearly lacking. "The ownership of this castle should belong to the Board of Governors. Every penny spent on Hogwarts comes from us."

Dumbledore looked at him and suddenly laughed.

"I'm reminded of something one of my students once said: 'You say Hogwarts is yours, so if you call it, will it answer?'"

(End of this chapter)