HP: Azkaban's Outstanding Graduate

Dumbledore gave Sacramento a deep look with his blue eyes that always seemed to see right through people.

“Hogwarts is in danger, Sagrais.”

Dumbledore concluded, "The situation in the wizarding world is deteriorating, and the school must be the safest possible haven in the storm. And this requires uniting all possible forces and having many allies."

“What do you want to say?” Sagres asked calmly.

“I sent Hagrid away not just to handle ‘personal matters’.”

Dumbledore readily admitted, "During my investigation, I discovered some traces of Death Eater activity. They are not only gathering their old followers, but also attempting to unite various dark creatures—vampires, werewolves, Dementors, and... giants."

He paused, his voice heavy, "They are trying to win over these long-marginalized groups, promising them power and status to strengthen their ranks."

"So you want to get there first?"

Sagres understood his intention: "Let Hagrid win over the giants, or at least keep them neutral and prevent them from sideling Voldemort?"

"Yes. Hagrid's bloodline makes him the most suitable envoy. Even if we can only win over a portion of them, or merely delay their shift to the other side, it will be invaluable to us."

"I think this is unnecessary."

Sagras shook his head, his gray eyes filled with undisguised sarcasm.

"Trying to win over a target that Voldemort also wants to recruit—it's no different from hyenas fighting over carrion."

“We must try everything that can bring peace,” Dumbledore said calmly.

Sagrass scoffed, “Giants worship only the most primal violence and fear. Your gestures of goodwill will only be seen as weakness and vulnerability by them.”

"So what do you think we should do? Let them collude and allow the forces of darkness to snowball? Or do you think we should eliminate them all?"

Dumbledore's voice remained calm, but the questions he posed were incredibly sharp.

Sagres looked at Dumbledore silently, a moment of silence spreading between them, before he slowly spoke: "So you think we should give those giants who see humans as prey a chance?"

"Why not?" Dumbledore answered without the slightest hesitation.

"why not?"

Sagres repeated the question as if he had heard some absurd joke, and finally couldn't help but chuckle.

"Because if they are really foolish enough to want to get involved and stand against us, it means they have made their own choice—to become our enemy."

"How can we know that we will fail if we don't try?" Dumbledore said calmly. "Perhaps they will be on our side."

Sagres said with a sneer, "Even so, it's hardly something to be proud of to win over a race that puts humans on its diet."

“But before that, we have at least tried every possible means of peace.” Dumbledore’s tone carried a stubborn compassion.

"So in your opinion, as long as someone is willing to fight Voldemort with you, no matter what they did before, they can be considered a 'friend'?" Sargeras leaned forward slightly, his tone tinged with amusement.

“At least we won’t become enemies immediately,” Dumbledore replied.

"Does accepting these potential 'allies' mean we must tolerate or even condone the chaos and fear they bring?"

"Sagles asked in a low voice, his gray eyes flashing with a cold light, "In order to build a fragile alliance against Voldemort, are you prepared to give up even your principles and foundations, Dumbledore?"

Chapter 428 Debate

Sagres's question is like a cold dagger, pointing straight to the heart of the problem.

Dumbledore did not look away; something heavy settled deep within those deep blue eyes.

“This is not a concession of principles, Sagres; it is a trade-off based on reality.”

Dumbledore's voice carried a hint of weariness. "In the face of darkness, we cannot dispel everything with our own light alone. We need power, even if it comes from the grey areas. The key is to guide, not simply to accept or reject."

"trade off?"

Sagras repeated softly, his tone more sarcastic, "When you're 'weighing' whether to ally with the giants, you've already stepped into a moral quagmire. Even if such an alliance wins, the wizarding world won't become any better."

Dumbledore shook his head slightly: "I am trying to offer them an option, a path different from the one Voldemort offered, one filled with destruction and enslavement."

“That’s unnecessary.” Sagres almost laughed out loud. “Because the Death Eaters have probably already given them a choice.”

“It’s not the same,” Dumbledore corrected. “If they choose to join us, it proves they are not entirely unreasonable, and darkness is not their only destiny. If they refuse…”

He paused, then said, "At least we tried and stood our ground morally. We clearly distinguished between friend and foe, rather than actively pushing potential neutrals into the enemy's camp."

"A potential neutral party?"

Sagres shook his head. “You’re both idealistic and realistic, Dumbledore. The history of the giants, their habits, and how they treat other intelligent life clearly show that they were never ‘potential neutrals.’ They were predators who followed the law of the jungle!”

“So, according to your logic,” Dumbledore looked directly at Sagrais, “should we take the initiative, define them as enemies, and eliminate them before the giants have explicitly expressed their support for Voldemort? Just like you did with Scrimgeour, establishing order with absolute terror and nipping all uncertainties in the bud?”

“I generally don’t punish someone for a decision they haven’t made yet. As for Scrinker…”

Sagrass sneered, "His deep-seated 'bureaucratic mindset' has driven him to stand against me. In his eyes, everyone must yield to the rule of the Ministry of Magic, whether they are right or wrong."

He looked at Dumbledore with a half-smile, "Actually, it doesn't matter who the giants decide to help, but as long as they dare to accept Voldemort's invitation, then I have enough reason to let them know what price they have to pay to become my enemy."

Dumbledore shook his head in denial, "This is not a good solution..."

Sagles interrupted him directly: "This is far more reliable than trying to appease a bunch of fickle and vicious creatures. We don't need unreliable 'allies,' we need stable order and absolute deterrence."

“But Sagres, how long can a ‘peace’ built on corpses last?”

Dumbledore sighed, his eyes filled with worry. “Fear breeds hatred, and hatred breeds new rebellion. You may have destroyed giants today, but tomorrow you may face a horde of werewolves enraged by them, and the day after tomorrow, centaurs who feel threatened… Sargeras, you are creating a never-ending cycle of revenge.”

“I am not afraid to be an enemy of anyone, Headmaster Dumbledore, because I know I am right.”

“You may win every battle, but you can never win true peace,” Dumbledore said softly. “True power is not in how many enemies you can destroy, but in how many enemies you can dissolve and how many hearts you can win.”

"De-escalate hostility? Win hearts and minds?"

Sagres shook his head. “That applies to beings that can communicate and possess reason. For some beings, they only understand one language—power. In the face of war, hesitation and mercy are often the greatest cruelties. I would rather use a clear and unambiguous signal of terror to deter all those who covet it than use a risky ‘opportunity’ to gamble with the lives of innocent people.”

“I cannot agree with your point of view, Sagres.”

Dumbledore's tone hardened. "As long as there is even a sliver of hope for peace, as long as the other side has not truly raised their swords, we should strive to achieve it. This is our responsibility, and the essential difference between us and Voldemort and his followers. We cannot easily abandon hope and fall into the abyss of violence for violence simply because we fear the risks of the future."

“And I think your ‘hope’ is too slim,” Sagres replied coldly. “Clear boundaries are the greatest protection for one’s own side. We cannot save everyone, much less befriend everyone. If the giants could truly distinguish right from wrong, they would not have joined the Death Eaters’ ranks. But if they ultimately choose to be our enemies, then death is their due.”

“You’re not even willing to try,” Dumbledore said, his voice filled with regret.

"Because I know perfectly well that what those Death Eaters are promising is a bargaining chip that you can never afford to use."

Sagres said, word by word, "Hagrid's mission was destined to fail, and you pushed him to the brink of danger just to try it out, for the sake of this doomed outcome!"

As dusk settled, the two figures appeared long and slender.

They stood facing each other, like two mountains that could never merge.

Neither could convince the other; they were self-consistent and steadfast, their starting points and core beliefs were diametrically opposed.

Finally, Dumbledore slowly exhaled, breaking the silence: "It seems that we cannot reach a consensus on this matter for the time being."

“Yes.” Sagres nodded slightly, his expression returning to its usual indifference: “But at least we understand each other’s positions.”

Dumbledore nodded slightly, said nothing more, turned and left, his long silver hair and beard gleaming in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Sagres remained standing, silently watching the other person's departing figure.

He really didn't know whether to say Dumbledore was too idealistic or too realistic.

This old man actually wanted, and genuinely believed, that he could form an alliance with the giant tribe?

For thousands of years, these creatures have regarded humans as their prey. Even after being killed by wizards and driven out by humans, greed and savagery still flowed in their veins, and they remained unrepentant.

Sagrais would give these giants who refused to accept civilization and order a chance—as long as they stayed quietly in the mountains, the two sides could live in peace.

He stroked the smooth wooden surface of the wand, his mind churning with thoughts.

It doesn't matter if they want to join Voldemort's ranks. Rather than leaving these potential threats to keep the wizarding world in turmoil, it's better to find an opportunity to eliminate them completely now and prevent future troubles.

It's a good thing to bring all potential threats to the surface.

At least this way, both sides can stand openly on opposite sides without having to feign compliance.

Chapter 429 The "New Member" of the Bronze Feather

The night was as dark as ink. Deep in the forbidden forest, the branches of ancient trees whispered in the wind, as if telling some unknown secret.

A cleverly concealed safe house stood quietly in the woods. Sagres appeared silently at the door and walked straight inside.

A warm glow flowed from the suspended crystal ball, illuminating the nine figures sitting around the long table.

The air paused slightly the moment he stepped in, then resumed its flow.

"You've arrived."

Nightingale spoke first, pushing a small silver reagent bottle in front of her as a greeting.

Others also turned their gazes toward him, some nodding, others offering brief greetings.

"It's been a long time, everyone."

Sagres walked to the head of the long table, his gaze sweeping over every face. "I heard that during my absence, you all experienced some unexpected events."

His tone was calm, but the word "unexpected" made the expressions of the people present become a little more serious.

"Your safe return is more important than anything else." Red Falcon hugged the crystal ball tightly to his chest, his voice muffled.

Sagles nodded slightly, acknowledging the concern, and then got to the point: "Nightingale mentioned in her letter that you were attacked in your safe house in France two months ago. I would like to know the specifics of what happened."

All eyes turned to the kestrel, and Sagres noticed this, raising an eyebrow slightly.

Red Falcon subconsciously touched the crystal ball in front of him, a hint of lingering fear flashing across his face.

Seeing this, Lupin chimed in: "We were having our routine meeting at that safe house in the south of France, which was disguised as a vineyard, and everything was going very well."

He recalled, his brow furrowing slightly, "Until the Red Falcon—she was probably trying to demonstrate some new divination techniques, so she kept fiddling with her crystal ball."

"no!"

The falcon quickly interjected, its voice unconsciously rising, "I was trying to divine the raven's specific situation and, incidentally, check my own recent fortune..."

Her voice trailed off, and she shrank back uneasily. "Then the mist inside the crystal ball suddenly became violent, eventually revealing a scene of blood and shattering. I... I saw destruction, right there, right now! I immediately warned them that we were about to face a life-or-death crisis..."

As soon as she finished speaking, Lupin continued, "That's right. Almost the instant the Red Falcon shouted the warning, there was a loud explosion outside. It shouldn't have been just one spell, but rather many powerful dark spells bombarding the safe house's protective magic from different directions."