HP: Azkaban's Outstanding Graduate

As Dumbledore finished speaking, the prefects began calling out the names of their students, and the Great Hall was once again filled with the sounds of chairs being moved and hushed conversations.

But compared to the previous chaos and disorder, the actions at this moment were clearly more organized.

Sagrass slowly stood up and made a simple gesture to the members of the Bronze Feathers.

Everyone immediately rose and quietly left the noisy Great Hall, leaving the castle to the Hogwarts teachers and students who were working hard to restore order.

Chapter 462 Post-War Reconstruction

Late at night, on the edge of Black Lake.

The evening breeze, carrying the moisture and coolness of the lake, dispelled the lingering smell of gunpowder at Hogwarts.

The lake shimmered with tiny silver lights under the faint moonlight, the outline of the Forbidden Forest in the distance resembled a sleeping giant, and further away, Hogwarts Castle was lit with sparse lights, like a wounded but still beating heart.

Sargeras and the members of the Bronze Feathers walked slowly along the lakeside, their boots rustling softly on the damp grass, occasionally punctuated by the faint sounds of nocturnal animals skimming across the water.

"The vast majority of the British Ministry of Magic's administrative staff were temporarily reassigned or advised to leave the headquarters area twelve hours before the attack, under seemingly reasonable notices of 'emergency matters' or 'security drills'."

Sagles broke the silence by speaking first, saying, "The losses are mainly concentrated on some immovable fixed assets, as well as some historical archives that were not organized in time."

His voice dipped slightly at the end of the last sentence, but quickly returned to normal.

Bill continued, "According to the information I received from my father, Voldemort did indeed use the Imperius Curse to control the Muggle Prime Minister and some key military personnel before launching the Muggle weapon attack, in order to guide and confirm the target."

Lupin nodded: "These controlled Muggles, once freed from the Imperius Curse's influence or the caster dies, will suffer severe memory confusion and psychological trauma, making it relatively easy to remove the control over them. But the trouble lies in..."

“It depends on the tens of thousands of ordinary Londoners who witnessed the extraordinary events, and the possible video recordings.” Sagles sighed and continued, “It’s not easy to get them to ‘forget’ or ‘rationalize’ what they saw.”

“Large-scale memory alteration is a massive undertaking that is extremely prone to leaving lasting consequences,” Stork said. “It requires very careful coordination with relevant Muggle government departments, the deployment of a large number of professional memory erasers, and possibly the use of some large-scale confusion charms and public opinion manipulation. This will be one of the primary challenges that the International Wizarding Federation and the national ministries of magic will need to address together in the coming weeks and even months.”

“Regarding this, I think the Magical Congress of the United States has quite a lot of experience in handling such matters,” Thunderbird said slowly. “As far as I know, they dealt with a similar incident in 1927.”

“I’ve heard about this too,” the robin quickly raised his hand. “Newt Scamander and his magical creatures played a key role in that incident.”

Sagras nodded slightly. "I will visit him after things are settled here."

"What about the Death Eaters scattered in various places?" the hummingbird asked.

“Without Voldemort, all that’s left is a rabble. The Auror office and the strikers are more than enough to handle them. We don’t even need to lift a finger,” Sagrais said calmly.

"I think the real trouble is Gringotts."

Ms. Snowower said gravely, “The goblin rebellion didn’t happen overnight; Voldemort’s promise was merely a catalyst. While the main force leading the rebellion has been largely eliminated, Gringotts’ financial system, spanning Europe and even the world, is still functioning. Many lower- and middle-ranking goblins may still be observing, or perhaps being held hostage by hardliners. More importantly—”

"—The economic lifeline of the wizarding community is deeply intertwined with Gringotts. And just tonight, they have confiscated all my personal assets stored in Gringotts' underground vault."

Sagres stopped and looked at Ms. Snowow in surprise. "Are you telling the truth?"

“Of course, absolutely true.” Ms. Snowow shrugged. “Before I came to Hogwarts through the badge, I was arguing with those stinky goblins at Gringotts.”

As she spoke, she counted on her fingers, "Gold coins, gems, mithril, antiques, and magical items... we can't get any of them anymore."

After a moment's thought, Sagres looked at the composed Snow Owl and said, "Then why don't we take this opportunity to completely eliminate the fairies' control over the wizarding financial system?"

Everyone was startled. Nightingale couldn't help but warn, "A sudden and complete ban would paralyze the entire magical world's economy instantly, causing unimaginable panic and turmoil."

"Sister Nightingale, you've started reading Muggle books too?" Red Falcon asked in surprise.

"Therefore, we need a fairly comprehensive and meticulous plan."

Sagres looked at Snowowl and said formally, “I need you to start acting immediately. Not publicly, and without alerting the Gringotts remnants. Use your most discreet and reliable methods to begin contacting all members of the Crescent Moon Merchant Guild, the Mithril Alliance, the Wizarding Trade Federation, and the heads of those multicontinental magical materials trading families. Probe their intentions, assess their strength and reputation, and most importantly—find out whether they are willing and able to take over some or all of the key functions should the Gringotts system collapse or be forced to transform.”

Ms. Snowy nodded slightly: "I understand. But this is an extremely complex and fragile network of relationships, where a single move can have far-reaching consequences. And Gringotts, the goblins' territory, has been operating for centuries; trust and habit are the most difficult barriers to break down."

"Therefore, we need to prepare more than one plan."

"For example," Sagres said, "a new banking system entirely dominated by wizards, a transitional scheme co-managed with some 'cooperative' goblins, or even the introduction of capital from other non-human intelligent races, such as certain lawful forest tribes or intelligent races. This would require time, extensive negotiations, and sufficient deterrence to ensure that there would be no bank runs or systemic collapse during the transition period."

"Does that mean we're the ones who need to provide sufficient deterrence?" the kestrel asked, somewhat bewildered.

Sagres nodded. "The existence of the Bronze Feather and the statue of Voldemort are our strongest bargaining chips. But economic reconstruction cannot rely solely on force. What kind of support do you need?"

As he spoke, he looked at Ms. Xuexiao again.

“Information,” Ms. Snowy answered without hesitation. “The true state of Gringotts’ internal accounts, their connections with black markets and gray areas around the world, the attitudes of different factions, intelligence on trading networks, and the connections of ancient families. It’s a systematic project.”

“All possible resources will be directed toward you,” Sagres said confidently, glancing at the other members. “Gentlemen, cooperate with Lady Snowowl’s needs. Our short-term goal is stability, and our long-term goal is to establish a fair, stable, and unyielding economic order in the magical world that is not easily hijacked by a single power. This may be more difficult than defeating a Dark Lord, but it is also more meaningful.”

Everyone nodded in silence.

They all knew that destroying the old order was just the beginning; establishing a new order was the real challenge.

"As for Hogwarts and Dumbledore," Sagrais concluded, "they both need time to lick their wounds. We will not intervene directly for the time being. Red Falcon can stay behind as a 'former professor' and a 'Bronze Feather Aid,' assisting McGonagall and Flitwick with some external communications and the restoration of basic defenses."

"What about me? Do I also need to go back to Hogwarts for a while?" Lupin asked.

“You can go back, but you have another, more important task,” Sagrais said earnestly. “Haven’t you been trying to bring those misguided werewolves back on the right track? Now your chance has come. You need to represent the Bronze Feathers to contact all the werewolves in the world and get them all to accept my treatment.”

Lu Ping was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

A fleeting look of disbelief crossed those gentle brown eyes, but more so, it was a reflection of the responsibility and anxiety stemming from his own experiences.

"All the werewolves?"

He repeated, his voice lower than usual, “Do you know what this means? They’re scattered all over the world, many of their communities are reclusive and extremely distrustful of outsiders, especially wizards. Many werewolves are victims of coercion, but quite a few have embraced the darkness willingly, even taking pride in their werewolf identity and enjoying the power and fear. To reach out to them and persuade them… that’s almost an impossible task.”

"It is precisely because it is difficult that the most suitable person is needed to do it."

Sagrais looked at Lupin with calm and unwavering eyes. “You understand their pain, you comprehend their struggles, and you have personally proven that werewolves can remain rational and become contributors to society rather than destroyers. You are ‘one of them,’ but not entirely ‘one of them’—you stand on the edge of light and reach out to them. No one is more qualified or more persuasive than you.”

He paused, then continued, “This is not just a ‘cure,’ Lupin. We are offering an opportunity for ‘choice,’ and a commitment to ‘the future.’ I have found a way to cure on a large scale. But more importantly—”

Sagres's voice became exceptionally clear, each word like a brand:

"Bronze Feather is willing to provide formal identity recognition, necessary employment and living assistance, and long-term and stable protection to all werewolves and their families who accept the transformation, abide by the basic rules, and are committed to a peaceful life. This means that they will no longer be monsters who are driven out, persecuted, and can only hide in the shadows, but individuals who can work with legal identity and dignity in the sunlight."

Lupin fell silent, because Sagles's target was not just the werewolves in Britain, so the weight of this promise was far greater than he had imagined.

This is not just about curing diseases; it's about giving the entire werewolf clan a real way out.

"What's the price?" Lupin asked after a few seconds of silence. "What are they required to do? Swear allegiance? Become combatants?"

"The price is to abide by the rules, accept supervision, and become part of the new order."

Sagrestan said sincerely, "It is necessary to register, undergo regular checks, refrain from attacking innocent people, and be willing to contribute to maintaining this hard-won peace and acceptance within one's own capabilities."

"Contributions? Like what?"

"It could be labor, it could be knowledge, and in extreme cases, it might also require their own strength to resist the dark forces that choose to break the rules, including those of their own kind who are unwilling to change."

He looked Lupin straight in the eye: “This is not slavery or exploitation, Lupin. It is an equal exchange of rights and obligations. They receive protection and dignity, and in return, they are responsible for the environment in which that protection and dignity are maintained. A sustainable system must be built on reciprocity.”

Lupin quickly digested this information, which was undoubtedly the blueprint for his lifelong dream, but the complexity and potential obstacles were also astonishing.

"Then... what about those who are unwilling?"

He finally asked the most crucial question, his voice very soft, "What about those werewolves who refuse treatment, refuse the rules, and still choose violence, plunder, and may even continue to follow the remnants of darkness? What will Bronze Feather do?"

Sagles's expression remained unchanged, but the air around him seemed to freeze for a moment.

The other Bronze Feather members also stopped whispering and focused their attention on this.

“For those werewolves who, after being persuaded and given opportunities, still choose to align themselves with the darkness, they will no longer enjoy any leniency from their ‘kin’ or ‘potential allies’.”

Sargeras's voice was calm and cold, "They will be included on the elimination list, just like other dark creatures that threaten the peace between the wizarding world and the Muggle world."

"Remove from the list?"

“Yes,” Sagles said softly, “they will be the first name on the list, but I don’t think they’ll be the last.”

He paused, then added:

"This is the bottom line I must set while offering the greatest kindness I can to those willing to do good. We will give hope, but we will never tolerate evil. Your task is to do your best to get as many werewolves as possible to the side of 'hope.' As for those who insist on going to the other side... others will naturally deal with them."

Lupin took a deep breath. He knew this would be no easy task, and the road ahead would be fraught with thorns, misunderstandings, and even betrayals from his own kind.

But he knew even more clearly that this might be the closest the werewolf community had ever come to the light in hundreds of years.

“I…I need to draft a detailed plan, and I need help…” Lupin began to consider the practical difficulties.

"You will receive all the support you need."

Sagrais interrupted him, “There are about two thousand werewolves in the entire magical world, and a considerable number of them should be willing to accept your help. As for how to contact them and persuade them, that will require your wisdom... and your understanding of them.”

He patted Lupin on the shoulder, a gesture that seemed rather unusual for him.

"This is not an order, Lupin. It is a request, an invitation. Are you willing, as a representative of the Bronze Feathers, and as a pioneer among werewolves, to open the door to the light for your kind?"

Lupin raised his head, looking at the faint outline of the castle on the opposite shore of the Black Lake, then at his companions beside him, before finally fixing his gaze on Sagres' calm face.

After a moment, he nodded firmly.

"I am willing."

He said, his voice not loud, but with a do-or-die spirit, "I will go. For those like me who don't want to become monsters."

Sagles nodded and said nothing more.

Chapter 463 Self

The light of the healing charm flickered day and night in the corridors and towers of Hogwarts, house-elves tirelessly carried bricks and stones, and ivy, nurtured by magic, quickly covered the new scars.

Although the castle has not yet been fully restored to its original state, the aura of death has been dispelled by a vibrant life force.

Young people are always amazingly adaptable. Laughter and even pranks filled the corridor again—although there were occasional pauses in these sounds, as if they had just survived a disaster.

Of all the renewed vitality, Professor Lumina's return is undoubtedly the most striking bright spot, sometimes even dazzlingly so.

She returned to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, albeit temporarily, but she completely abandoned the rote teaching style that Dolores Umbridge had used at the beginning of the semester.

Her classes are more like a combination of a bizarre biological expo and practical psychological warfare.

A "trap devil" with puffed-out cheeks splattering ink everywhere; several plates of "flattering pudding" that can talk and constantly flatter those who approach; a "flying pumpkin" draped in a tattered cloak hovering low over the classroom...

She brought all sorts of strange and wonderful creatures she had encountered, captured, or simply heard about during her travels around the world, and then used magic to simulate them, into the classroom.

They may not be deadly, but they are definitely annoying and "educational".

Amid exclamations, laughter, occasional screams, and inevitable scrambling, the students learn to identify threats and respond to emergencies.