landbeastnovel Chapter 140, Page 139: Love is the greatest magic.
Chapter 140, Page 139: Love is the greatest magic.
Chapter 140, Page 139: Love is the greatest magic.
Cornelius Fudge's order carried the authority of the Minister of Magic.
However, none of the Aurors following him dared to step forward and carry out his orders—these Aurors from the Ministry of Magic were mostly Hogwarts graduates.
Let them go and confiscate the wands of the professors who once taught them?
Who dares to be the first to stick their neck out!
Anyway, these Hogwarts graduates wouldn't dare.
Of course, they didn't dare, but someone else did. Seeing that the Aurors all looked somewhat troubled and hesitated to act, an old woman in a pink cardigan in the queue immediately looked annoyed.
"Didn't you hear Minister Fudge's orders?" The old woman's tone was serious as she stepped forward, intending to personally carry out the task assigned by Cornelius Fudge.
"Umbridge, we still need you when it counts." Minister of Magic Fudge was already embarrassed, and being ignored by his subordinate made him even more awkward.
Fortunately, the old woman named Dolores Umbridge saved his face in time.
"I am forever loyal to you, loyal to the Ministry of Magic, and no external force can influence me!" Umbridge replied obsequiously, and then proceeded to confiscate Professor McGonagall's and Grindelwald's wands.
"I think you must have received some false information. Although a professor here did indeed die, it definitely has nothing to do with Albus."
Professor McGonagall looked rather hesitant.
She was weighing whether she should hand over the wand to cooperate with the investigation.
The headmistress of Gryffindor now prioritizes the greater good and doesn't believe Albus Dumbledore would get involved in any dark magic rituals.
"We will find out whether there is any connection or not. Magic will not wrong any good person, but it will not let any bad person go unpunished either. We hope you can understand that we are just doing our duty."
The old woman named Umbridge spoke with an air of righteous indignation, but her inner sense of superiority was not concealed. She always looked at Professor McGonagall with a sidelong glance.
Professor McGonagall was displeased, but she still decided to cooperate. However, Grindelwald, standing beside her, clearly wouldn't let Umbridge get what she wanted.
"The wand is an indispensable part of a wizard's life, and no one can take it away from me." Grindelwald, sporting the "Lockhart" face, frowned but did not move.
"Are you trying to break the law? I guarantee you won't have a good ending—being a bestselling author is not a reason for you to openly defy the Ministry of Magic."
Umbridge gave Grindelwald a sinister look.
"Can I take that as a threat?" Grindelwald narrowed his eyes, which became slits, and a chilling coldness emanated from them.
Umbridge felt a chill run down her spine. She was somewhat frightened by Grindelwald's gaze, and a sense of panic rose within her for no reason. Even her legs began to tremble uncontrollably.
Fear? Anger!
A multitude of emotions surged through Umbridge's mind. He was just a sensationalist novelist; why did he evoke such fear in her?
She's a promising Ministry of Magic official! The Minister of Magic's most trusted and capable assistant!
"If you resist, don't blame us for being impolite." Umbridge's voice was very annoyed. She took out her wand, but it was no threat to Grindelwald.
It would be better to take out a fire poker, or even a wooden stick coated with "Oli Gei" (a popular Chinese snack).
"Don't get into a fight with them, Professor Lockhart." Seeing the tense atmosphere, Professor McGonagall immediately tried to persuade Grindelwald, but Grindelwald seemed not to hear her.
"No law gives them the right to take away a wizard's wand from an unconvicted wizard."
"If these Ministry of Magic officials insist on exercising their privileges that are above the law, then their actions will not be considered as maintaining order in the wizarding world."
“In this situation, no one knows how many more laws they intend to transgress. They are a threat to young wizards, an uncertain hidden danger. We need to maintain our fighting strength, and Dumbledore certainly won't blame us for this,” Grindelwald said softly, his words truly persuasive.
Professor McGonagall, who had been about to hand over the wand, withdrew her hand.
"It has to be the original one. His logic is so clear and convincing that even Professor McGonagall was swayed." Ian, who was hiding in the corner, witnessed this scene and exclaimed sincerely.
He wasn't worried about being exposed.
After all, not everyone could see through his Disillusionment Charm. At least, Cornelius Fudge and the Aurors he brought with him didn't notice him hiding in the corner with Grindelwald's note in hand.
"Has the Ministry of Magic lost its mind? Coming to cause trouble for Dumbledore?" Although Ian had just received Grindelwald's instructions, he did not choose to act immediately.
It wasn't just because the young wizard was curious about Professor Quirrell's cause of death, but also because he was still somewhat surprised that the Ministry of Magic dared to openly target Albus Dumbledore.
This is definitely not normal.
Everyone knows that Cornelius Fudge has always wanted to win over Albus Dumbledore, and that even when Albus Dumbledore does something outrageous, he doesn't want the world to know.
Just like after the Gringotts robbery, the Ministry of Magic knew they had to cover for Albus Dumbledore and not push him to the opposite side.
This direct approach from the Ministry of Magic is hardly without ulterior motives—surely it's not like Minister Fudge has lost his mind and can't distinguish between right and wrong.
"Damn it! Shut your mouth! You're openly challenging the Ministry of Magic! You're openly rebelling!" Umbridge's loud and boisterous manner did indeed resemble a pink toad.
She habitually accused Professor McGonagall and Grindelwald, a tactic that had always worked, but clearly she had finally met her match.
"You are the ones who trample on the law."
Grindelwald's expression was very nonchalant.
"That's enough!"
Before Umbridge could even speak, Fudge, the Minister of Magic, with a grim expression, glared fiercely at Grindelwald, as if he wanted to memorize this man who, in his eyes, was merely a bestselling author.
"This is a Ministry of Magic investigation! All wizards have an obligation to cooperate! Don't think that Hogwarts is above the law!" Minister of Magic Fudge's voice was firm.
"Of course I will cooperate with you, but if you abandon your respect for the law, then I will also consider your actions as a voluntary surrender of the law's protection."
Grindelwald's voice wasn't deep, but it made the atmosphere in the air seem exceptionally tense, as if an invisible pressure had silently spread to the surroundings.
The Aurors all felt a little short of breath.
Just as Umbridge, with a gloomy expression, was about to step forward and reprimand Grindelwald for his extreme arrogance...
"Fuggi, it's been a long time."
Albus Dumbledore descended the stairs, dressed in his signature purple robes. His movements appeared slow and sluggish, yet none of those who looked at him dared to harbor the slightest contempt.
"What is the principal trying to cover up?"
Ian noticed a detail that no one else had: Albus Dumbledore's heart was beating a little fast, perhaps the headmaster had run all the way here.
Was it to deal with these Ministry of Magic officials, or to save them? After all, Grindelwald and the Ministry of Magic almost came to blows just now.
Just as the little wizard was pondering this...
"headmaster."
A group of Aurors couldn't help but lower their heads, unable to look directly at them. Their behavior was observed by Minister of Magic Fudge, who, though displeased, dared not show it.
"Albus, it's been a long time."
Fudge wore an incredibly fake smile.
"I heard you're investigating me? Do you think I'm involved in Professor Quirrell's death?" Albus Dumbledore slowly descended the steps.
His gaze calmly fell upon Quirrell's corpse outside Snape's office. He seemed neither surprised nor puzzled, his eyes lingering briefly on Quirrell's smooth buttocks.
immediately.
He then turned to look at the spot where Ian was hiding—the old headmaster’s gaze was not sharp, but full of meaning, and Ian almost immediately understood the meaning in Albus Dumbledore’s eyes.
It has the same meaning as Grindelwald's note.
"What are they trying to do?"
Even though Ian didn't understand what the two old guys meant, he still turned around and left with a sense of unfinished business, heading to the eighth floor where the principal's office was located.
Behind the little wizard.
The confrontation continues.
"Albus, you know I've always trusted you completely, after all, you've been a great help to me all along. But ultimately, the Ministry of Magic isn't something I can control alone."
"A person with high status and power among us wizards provided us with a report, so we can only take on the responsibility of conducting an investigation."
Fudge let out a heavy sigh.
Albus Dumbledore did not respond to him, but simply stared at him calmly, which made Fudge not dare to meet Albus Dumbledore's gaze at all.
He went on to explain his actions.
"Really, I believe you from the bottom of my heart. It was not my intention to come here with such a large force to investigate."
Fudge sounded rather helpless, but everyone knew he was acting. As a shrewd politician, he had consolidated power shortly after taking office.
If it weren't for his own desire.
He and his group would absolutely not appear at Hogwarts. Quirrell's body had barely been discovered when people arrived; the Ministry of Magic had never been so efficient.
"A very powerful person? Who is it?"
Snape also came out of the office at this moment. He breathed a slight sigh of relief when he saw Albus Dumbledore, but his expression, like Professor McGonagall's, was filled with worry.
It wasn't about the Ministry of Magic's suspicion of Albus Dumbledore, but rather that they all knew Quirrell's secret and were worried about the guy who had disappeared from Quirrell.
"No comment. This is not something you are qualified to know." Umbridge sneered, giving Snape, the Death Eater, a rather disdainful look.
"Umbridge!"
Fudge spoke in a deep voice, signaling Umbridge to retreat behind him. He still harbored a degree of genuine fear of Albus Dumbledore's appearance. After all, it was precisely because he knew how formidable Albus Dumbledore was that he secretly wished to diminish Albus Dumbledore's influence.
Otherwise.
Fudge was truly restless—he would willingly become someone else's pawn, not just because of the other party's power, but more so because he knew that Albus Dumbledore was such a massive tree.
Albus Dumbledore could shield him from the sun and put him in the position of Minister of Magic, but who can guarantee that Albus Dumbledore won't sacrifice him in the future and push a new person into the position?
Fudge viewed the position of Minister of Magic as the throne of the wizarding world, and for this reason, he worried day and night that no king would want such a kingmaker hanging over his head.
"As the one who was suspected and reported, don't I have the right to know who reported me?" Albus Dumbledore walked up to Grindelwald.
He turned to Fudge and the Aurors he had brought. "I assure you, Albus, no one can slander or wrong you. We will only find out the truth and stop any rumors that may arise outside."
"It's not just to get justice for you, but also so that I won't be accused of being a corrupt Minister of Magic. After all, someone reported me, and everyone knows that you and I have a good relationship." Fudge didn't directly answer Albus Dumbledore's question, but sincerely expressed that he also trusted Dumbledore.
He clearly didn't want to reveal the whistleblower's name.
"Of course I understand your difficulties, and we trust the authority of the Ministry of Magic. However, since this action is directed at me, please do not make things difficult for the other professors." Albus Dumbledore expressed his understanding, his expression revealing no emotional fluctuations, only full of sincerity and composure.
This relieved Fudge.
He was under a lot of psychological pressure.
"Of course."
Fudge didn't mention confiscating the professors' wands, nor did he even consider confiscating Albus Dumbledore's wand. He had only intended to give the Hogwarts professors a warning.
after all.
His authority rarely earned him the respect of the professors at the school, and being able to embarrass them in front of the Hogwarts Aurors would help increase their awe of him.
Since it didn't work out.
forget about it.
There will definitely be other opportunities in the future.
"You are in charge of examining this body and finding out how this poor murdered man died," Fudge began instructing his Aurors to conduct an autopsy on Quirrell.
The Aurors didn't hesitate to carry out the order. Before stepping forward to begin the inspection, they respectfully whispered a greeting to Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape.
Very polite.
"If anyone were to say that Dumbledore killed Quirrell, that would be utter nonsense." Professor McGonagall looked at Albus Dumbledore beside her.
Her words were also a reminder to Albus Dumbledore of what had happened.
only.
The old principal remained calm.
"I believe Fudge and this group of excellent Aurors will find out the truth," Albus Dumbledore replied softly, his gaze fixed on Grindelwald.
Grindelwald nodded slightly to him.
"That's right, that's exactly it. You're the only one who can understand how difficult things are for us."
Fudge looked pleased.
"There are remnants of a dark magic ritual. I think this professor underwent a human sacrifice before his death. As for the purpose—" The Auror, who was in charge of carefully examining the magical traces, hesitated before speaking.
His words did not surprise the professors, after all, this was a conclusion Snape had already reached.
"What is the purpose! Don't hold back! We are the Ministry of Magic!" Umbridge couldn't help but jump out and ask loudly; she really wanted to prove herself.
"All we can determine is that this is a dark magic ritual that requires human sacrifice."
The Aurors didn't give a definite answer, which disappointed Umbridge, but Fudge's eyes sparkled, revealing a hidden excitement.
However, Umbridge, who jumped in front of Fudge, did not notice this scene.
"Isn't it to resurrect someone?"
Her voice was still very loud.
He was fearless, like a fighter.
"Enough! Stop talking nonsense here!" Professor McGonagall, who was already in a bad mood, finally snapped after hearing Umbridge's words.
"If there really were some dark magic ritual that could resurrect the dead, do you think those Death Eaters who are still on the run and haven't been captured by you would still be as quiet as they are now?"
"Use your head, which even a troll would shake his head at, to think!" Snape couldn't help but sneer, even bringing up the word Death Eaters, which was somewhat sensitive to him.
It's clear that he dislikes Umbridge just as much as Professor McGonagall.
"I don't want you to answer me! I want our Aurors to make the judgment!" Umbridge said angrily, her eyes filled with rage as she looked at Snape and Professor McGonagall.
"Especially you! You dare mention Death Eaters?"
She seemed ready to threaten Snape at any moment.
"Even if a dark magic ritual truly exists that can resurrect the dead, that doesn't prove why our principal would murder a professor and perform such a ritual, does it?"
Grindelwald suddenly spoke up, still squinting at Umbridge.
"Everyone, please calm down and stick to the facts. We're all trying to find the truth, so let's not make things so tense. Perhaps we should take this professor's body sample back to the Ministry of Magic for further testing."
Fudge seized the opportunity to step forward and try to act as a peacemaker.
He didn't actually expect to be able to truly eliminate Albus Dumbledore; he just wanted to have some leverage over Albus Dumbledore.
In this way...
Only in this way can he prevent certain things he doesn't want to see from happening, and only then can he have the leverage to negotiate with Albus Dumbledore, possessing the trump card to make this most powerful wizard of the century compromise.
"Of course he had a motive!"
Umbridge may be a competent sycophant, but she is definitely not a truly competent politician; she is clearly inadequate in understanding the mind of her superiors.
Fudge's words made this guy think that he needed to step up and play the bad cop.
"Oh?"
Grindelwald drew out the tone.
This made Umbridge even more agitated.
"Albus Dumbledore might be able to hide his past from others, but the Ministry of Magic could find out that he had tried more than once to find a way to resurrect his dead sister—."
Umbridge hadn't finished speaking.
"Puff~"
A magical light flashed, and she was blasted away, crashing into the wall. Judging from her frantic coughing and spitting blood, she must have broken at least a few ribs.
"Shut your stinking mouth!"
The person who did it was Snape.
His hands were trembling.
Even after casting the spell, Snape kept glancing nervously at Albus Dumbledore. Just moments before, he had noticed a chilling look in Albus Dumbledore's eyes beneath his half-moon-shaped glasses. As one of the people who knew Albus Dumbledore best, Snape had no choice but to act decisively to prevent Albus Dumbledore from losing control.
"Damn it! How dare you attack officials of the Ministry of Magic! You're all insane! You're all crazy!" Umbridge screamed hysterically as she got up.
however.
Fudge, the Minister of Magic, who was expected to speak up for him, remained silent, neither uttering a word in his defense nor even condemning Snape's attack.
How could he not sense the emotions that Snape could sense? He had come to find something to use against Albus Dumbledore, not to provoke him and then seek death.
"What do you want to do?"
Umbridge found that Albus Dumbledore was standing in front of her at some point, his expressionless face framed by a pair of sharp, eagle-like eyes.
"You shouldn't ask me what I want to do, but rather ask yourself what you want to do. My respect for the Ministry of Magic is not a license for you to spout nonsense at me."
"If you don't know what decorum is—I suppose I can teach you myself." Albus Dumbledore picked up Umbridge's wand from the ground.
He calmly handed the wand to Umbridge.
"You attacked me first!"
Umbridge was annoyed, but dared not reach for his own wand, for he had already seen that Albus Dumbledore was also holding a wand.
At this moment.
Feeling the immense pressure emanating from the other person, Umbridge feared that he was going to challenge her to a duel in the name of her family. She finally remembered who the old man standing in front of her was.
Albus Dumbledore was not one of those timid and submissive figures he usually encountered, but rather the most prestigious and powerful wizard in the magical world today.
"is that so?"
Albus Dumbledore stared at Umbridge.
For an instant.
Umbridge felt her mind involuntarily resurface with memories buried deep within her heart, including things she thought she had forgotten. "I'll give you a chance to say it again."
It was as if it were a reminder.
It also serves as a warning.
The Aurors lowered their heads, the Minister of Magic remained silent, Professor Lockhart chuckled, and Snape and Professor McGonagall exchanged a complicated look.
The atmosphere at the scene was quite subtle.
Umbridge wanted to ask Fudge for help, but Fudge and the Aurors pretended to be examining Quirrell's body and didn't respond. She felt a sense of isolation and terror.
"No, I accidentally bumped into the wall."
at last.
Umbridge couldn't withstand the pressure and chose to back down—she knew what she had just experienced, and she also knew that once her deeply buried secrets were exposed, everything she owned would disappear.
"Okay, I'll be more careful next time."
Albus Dumbledore's tone remained calm.
He shoved Umbridge's wand back into Umbridge's hand, then turned and walked toward Quirrell's corpse, leaving Umbridge with a back view that seemed to have many flaws and room for a sneak attack at any moment.
just.
Umbridge couldn't muster the courage.
"You've received information that someone is attempting to use Quirrell's life to perform a resurrection ritual?" Albus Dumbledore knelt down in front of Quirrell's corpse.
"No, no, no, someone... someone is trying to use Quirrell's corpse to perform some kind of resurrection ritual." Fudge didn't dare to resist anymore and quickly revealed everything he could say.
He was an extremely intelligent politician, and what politicians need most is keen observation. That's why, even when his authority was undermined, he dared not utter a single word in support of Umbridge.
after all.
He had discovered a chilling problem: Albus Dumbledore, who had always been so careful about his reputation, was no longer doing so. The implications of this were enough to fill him with an overwhelming sense of unease and fear.
Just as the farce in the basement came to an end.
Ian had already reached the door of the principal's office. The guardian monster statue was never an obstacle for him; he only needed to lift his foot slightly, and the path into the office would be unobstructed.
"What did they call me here for? Tom's been hidden here?" Ian opened the wooden door, only to find Phoenix Fox preening her feathers in the quiet principal's office.
"Fox, could you perhaps visit the Room of Requirement sometime? My phoenix looks like it's about to hatch. I'm sure you have more experience with baby phoenixes than I do."
Ian pulled out a handful of precious herbs in an attempt to bribe Fox, but just as his hand approached Fox, the phoenix suddenly took flight without warning.
Its claws seized Ian's robe, and then, the man and the beast vanished from the headmaster's office. When Ian's vision cleared again, he found himself in an empty room—the floor was covered with broken stones, and there was a half-open door in front of him.
The candle flames burned in the room, allowing Ian to see clearly the broken stones on the ground, which were all giant, lifelike pieces of a wizard's chess set.
Stone soldiers, knights with severed heads, and a king whose body could not even be found intact. This scene stirred up some long-buried memories in Ian's heart.
"Holy crap! Are you serious?"
Ian looked back.
The phoenix that brought him here has vanished without a trace, leaving only a note with Albus Dumbledore's handwriting on it.
There will be no danger.
With only a short sentence and no other explanation, Ian felt somewhat helpless, took out his wand, and pushed open the door in front of him.
as predicted.
Just as he imagined.
On the other side of the gate was a small platform, with black flames burning directly in front of it, and numerous complex and powerful inscriptions engraved on the ground around it.
"Is Harry Potter actually me?"
Ian walked to the platform and his gaze fell on the table in front of the flames, where seven glass bottles were placed, and the liquids of different colors inside were clearly visible.
Besides.
The yellowed parchment is also quite striking.
Danger lies ahead, safety lies behind.
Two of us can help you.
Drink them; one will help you get through the distance, and the other will take you back to where you started.
A classic logic puzzle.
Ian didn't finish reading it.
He took out a vial of potion from his purse, drank it, and then buried himself in the flames ahead. The black flames did not harm him in any way.
"Without Quirrell, could Voldemort even function?"
Ian's doubts were answered immediately after he crossed the sea of fire—he saw a mirror that he recognized very well placed in the center of the room with twelve huge pillars.
The Mirror of Eris.
And in front of the mirror.
A wizard dressed in a black robe and wearing a black hat stood in front of the mirror. As if sensing someone entering, he stretched his neck and slowly turned around.
"The magic I sacrificed to Death briefly freed me from death, but the reward I have now received has completely taken me away from death, allowing me to finally feel the beauty of breathing again!!"
The black-robed wizard raised his hand and slowly removed his hood, revealing a face as rough and uneven as cement, without a nose, resembling a snake's face.
"I admire your courage and admire Dumbledore's boldness—but he certainly didn't expect what a brilliant young wizard like you would face here."
A hoarse voice, filled with resentment, rang out.
"Ian Prince, now, a fair fight, you will truly see a dark lord like me." A dull stone fell from his hand.
It shattered into pieces.
Voldemort, now possessing renewed magic, raised his wand.
"Avada!"
Voldemort was about to chant a spell.
The little wizard also held a wand in one hand.
but.
He did not chant any incantations.
Instead, he used his other hand to pull out a dozen or so bottles and threw them over.
Voldemort remained highly vigilant, but despite his quick dodges, he couldn't withstand Ian's barrage of attacks, with several bottles constantly hitting him.
next moment.
Voldemort's great-aunt, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather all blossomed in Voldemort's body.
"Damn it! What is this?!"
Voldemort sensed his magic waning. His face contorted in terror, and he roared furiously as a green light erupted from his wand and shot toward Ian.
"It's the magic of love."
A green light also appeared on Ian's wand.
Two deadly curses.
Meanwhile, a violent collision occurred in mid-air.
The house is always ready to grant requests.
The dark purple eggshell—.· quietly shattered.